Strange Weather

Compact. Fans of intelligent horror fiction are those readers most likely to enjoy the four novellas in a collection by Joe Hill titled, Strange Weather. Each of the four stories in this book is imaginative, and provides the kind of spine tingling sensation that horror readers enjoy. Like the four seasons, these novellas are different but part of a whole. Each is tightly written and the compact form seemed to me to intensify the story. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Strange Weather from amazon.com.

The Ghosts of Galway

Revenge. The darkest novel yet to feature protagonist Jack Taylor is titled, The Ghosts of Galway, by Ken Bruen. Having failed suicide and needing cash, Jack takes on a job as a security guard. His boss tempts him into tracking down a heretical book, and Jack yields to the temptation. What stirs Jack in this outing is the pleasure of revenge against all forms of ghosts, and the violence that follows seems to stimulate Jack back to life. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Ghosts of Galway from amazon.com.

Fresh Complaint

Unsettled. There are ten short stories in the first collection by Jeffrey Eugenides titled, Fresh Complaint. Eight of the stories have been published before, so may be familiar to some readers. Fans of Eugenides’ novels will recognize both prose style and characters in these stories, along with a mix of humor and quirky behavior. The characters in these stories are often unsettled in their lives as they balk at adjusting to change. Many characters are looking for something beyond the horizon, and Eugenides leads them and us to that other place with great skill. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Fresh Complaint from amazon.com.

Montaigne in Barn Boots: An Amateur Ambles Through Philosophy

Essays. Setting, mood and context can change over the course of every few paragraphs in Michael Perry’s finely written book of essays titled, Montaigne in Barn Boots: An Amateur Ambles Through Philosophy. Humor in one sentence leads to poignancy in the next, and on to wisdom in the following paragraph. The mundane becomes meaningful when reflected upon by a good writer with great skill, and that describes Perry to a tee. Philosophy is a worthy pursuit and in this effort it is carried out close to the ground and not in the clouds. Readers looking for a chance to smile, nod and reflect will find plenty of reasons to do each of those while reading this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Montaigne in Barn Boots from amazon.com.

The Quantum Spy

Ambiguity. A new novel titled, The Quantum Spy, by Washington Post journalist David Ignatius offers fans of espionage novels great reading pleasure. Both China and the United States are funding research into superfast computers that will break any code quickly. The US program has a mole and the CIA is investigating that problem while playing a multilayered game with the Chinese. Like the best spy novels, this one contains high doses of ambiguity and uncertainty, focused on what loyalty means and the fluidity of truth in the world of espionage. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Quantum Spy from amazon.com.

You Can't Spell America Without Me

Overdosed. Anyone who’s entertained by Alec Baldwin’s impersonation of Donald Trump should enjoy reading (or listening to) a new book by Baldwin and Kurt Anderson titled, You Can’t Spell America Without Me. I found some humor in this book, but realized pretty quickly than I am entertained better by this impersonation in small doses. Taking it all in at once was less entertaining and more overwhelming. Readers who can pace themselves can avoid such overdosing. Rating: Three-star (It’s ok) Click here to purchase You Can’t Spell America Without Me from amazon.com.

Going Into Town

Poignant. Fans of Roz Chast’s New Yorker cartoons are those readers most likely to enjoy her poignant and funny love letter to Manhattan titled, Going into Town. Chast grew up in Brooklyn, blossomed after moving to Manhattan, and accepted parenthood after moving to the suburbs. This book began as a guide to New York City for her daughter. As expected, the book is funny and sweet. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Going Into Town from amazon.com.