The Art of Detection - Laurie R. King

King wrote one of my favorite books - Folly. I've enjoyed all of her books, some more than others. The Art of Detection is a mystery story inside a mystery story. Unfortunately, while it is an enjoyable read (and one I could see reading again), it was not the fast paced, can't put it down read I was in the mood for.

As a long awaited return to the Martinelli detective series, I enjoyed the update to the character's life. The mystery was a nice twist - and with the Holmes expert dead, this ties the series back to King's other series about Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. The pacing of this novel was reminiscent of the Russell/Holmes books as well - slower starting, more background, more set up - less action.

It'll join the rest of her books on the shelf.

Darkness / Scepters - L.E. Modesitt, Jr

Continuing in the Corean series, I just completed Darkness and Scepters. Nice enjoyable fantasy - nothing spectacular. I like the writing style, and unlike much of what I have read recently, it has had more to think about. These aren't as interesting as his other series, but I do like the new recurring themes: yes, it is unfair, but those who are the best at a job need to do it anyway; think in the long term for the world, not just the short term of what's best for you; don't let big business rule, or have a large influence on the government.

There are also the standard fantasy points - reluctant hero who accomplishes the impossible over and over again, evil race coming to conquer the world, creatures with magic (called Talent) dying out, and land barren of life. Then, of course, unscrupulous merchants, power hungry leaders, and only one leader worth following. But it is enjoyable.

Since I like his style, I'll keep the Corean Chronicles in the library - the 2nd and 3rd were better than the first - a trend I hope will continue.

The Husband - Dean Koontz

I am one of those people who happen to really enjoy Dean Koontz. I know when his new books are coming out - and I have been known to make the clerk go in the back and get the book if it's not on the shelf when I go to buy it on it's release date. Higgy brought me the Forever Odd Koontz book to read while I was in the hospital - even making a special trip to the store to pick it up. With all that said - The Husband really wasn't one of the good ones. It's not bad, but it was disappointing. The closest comparison in Koontz reading was Intensity. I think I have come to expect more than just a suspense/action story - and that was all The Husband provided. Yes, there was a little child rearing philosophy and love, of course, is able to conquer all, but it really felt like he was writing on autopilot. Maybe a 2 books a year schedule is too much after all this time?

It'll go on the shelf with the rest of the Koontz collection, but if I ever purge to just my favorites it won't make the cut.

On Basilisk Station - David Weber

On the advice of Higgy, I have started the series of Honor Harrington. The first book in the series was a very enjoyable read - more an action book set in space than the science fiction I normally choose. I tend to read science fiction and fantasy for the politics, cultural set up and what the society in the book implies about US society. In this case, the only commentary seemed to be related to expansion - and how the politics of the Manticorian empire haven't kept the aboriginal society safe from exploitation - and at the same time haven't kept the border secure. But, looking at it from an action standpoint - I did enjoy it.

In some ways Honor struck me as a female version of Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt. Both get into bad situations and find ways out. However, with On Basilisk Station, I did find myself rapidly turning the pages and waiting to see how it played out. I will admit, I knew what was coming; but I often find the way authors get to the expected end point enjoyable, even when I know what is coming.

Considering that some series pick up in quality after the first couple and others slowly decline with each book, I can't make any statements on the series yet. However, I do plan to continue with the next book - after I finish that Dean Koontz!

Seabiscuit - Laura Hillenbrand

Yes, even though I have yet to finish the requirements document )because I decided to go back and analyze it before I bothered to finish the first pass), I read Seabiscuit in my spare time. I love well written non-fiction. The first part of the book took me a little while to read - a day or two, but then I couldn't put it down. Hillenbrand did a wonderful job of mixing information about horse racing, the time period, and the characters. It flowed nicely - I even found myself reading sections aloud to Higgy while I read - always a good sign.

I know I skimmed over some of the details, so I look forward to reading this book again. Hopefully, she will find the energy and interest to write another one.

Oh - and more posts should be coming - I had a productive trip to the store - one Dean Koontz, 2 L.E. Modesitt's, a Laurie King, and the first book in a series by David Webber that Higgy recommended.

Reqiurements document - DCF & ECM Teams

Most of my reading the last two weeks has been for work. While I was out for 5 months, they were defining the requirements (or at least attempting to) for the next release of the project. It's a difficult read, although it does seem to have something for everyone.

• A little non-fiction - descriptions of pertinent functions;
• some mystery - what did they mean by that? what are they trying to accomplish?;
• fantasy/sci-fi - can it read your mind and do it for you?.

You would think that 2 weeks of looking at it, I would have made it through the 140+ pages. Unfortunately, I made it to about 110, then started back at the beginning - rewording, adding comments. But now it is 170+ pages... I'll never finish.

Truth & Beauty - Ann Patchett

I read this book at the wrong time. It is beautifully written (but I think that of all her work) and contains some thought provoking comments, however it was not what I should have read the week before I went back to work. This account of the friendship between Ann and Lucy Grealy, which ended with Lucy's death, is truly heartbreaking at the end. You know from the start that she is going to die, but it is painful to watch her fall apart. From the beginning of the book she is a fighter, if insecure. She is one of those folks with a great facade hiding what she feels is her true worth. You see it in her relationships, romantic and otherwise; her dependency on the encouragement, support and love of those around her.

I can't imagine going through life as she did - chemo as a child, living without a lower jaw, being unable to eat easily, being a person everyone notices based on an odd appearance, experiencing so many surgeries to attempt to fix the jaw. In the end, I figured the cancer or one of the surgeries would be what ended it. I didn't see the downward spiral into drugs. But I knew that once she started taking them, she wouldn't have the strength to stop.

While this is enjoyable to read, it left me emotionally drained. Unlike a sad movie which I can watch over and over, I don't reread the sad book. I'll pass it on to someone.