A Legacy of Spies

Return. The return of George Smiley after two and a half decades is reason enough to read John LeCarré's novel titled, A Legacy of Spies. While it is Smiley's colleague, Peter Guillam, who takes center stage in this novel, all that these cold warriors did in the past is now under scrutiny by a new regime, and the blending of past and present in this novel will appeal to most leCarré fans. There is a legacy at stake and both Smiley and Guillam want that legacy protected and preserved. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase A Legacy of Spies from amazon.com.

Why We Don't Suck: And How All of Us Need to Stop Being Such Partisan Little Bitches

Acerbic. Denis Leary showers his acerbic wit on everybody in his book titled, Why We Don't Suck: And How All of Us Need to Stop Being Such Partisan Little Bitches. I laughed when he skewered someone else and winced a few pages later when I realized his shot landed appropriately in my corner. Leary tells some great personal stories in this book, often self-deprecating ones. He calls attention to those among us who do good and who draw people together. Leary wants readers to laugh and to think. Both are great responses to this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Why We Don't Suck from amazon.com.

The Lightkeepers

Observations. Every forty pages or so, at the beginning of Abby Geni's novel titled, The Lightkeepers, I took a pause and almost stopped reading. Protagonist Miranda is a nature photographer and she has moved to the Farallon Islands for a year or taking pictures, living with a group of biologists who are observing sea life or birds or the natural environment of this remote location. The setting is depressing, dangerous and ripe for violence. The characters are unappealing and quirky. Since at every juncture, Geni's well-written prose led me to plod along, I stopped those pauses by the middle of the novel, and the plot momentum kept me engaged to the end, and I finished the novel well-satisfied, especially by the exploration of memory and the method of the biologists to observe, but not interfere. Geni makes all the different levels come together and work. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Lightkeepers from amazon.com.

The Dark Dark

Imaginative. Every story by Samantha Hunt in her collection titled, The Dark Dark, contains finely written prose structured into well-told stories. Sometimes funny, other times scary, there's always a twist or a stretch of imagination at play. In some stories, it seemed like the shadows had shadows as Hunt built complexity into this efficient form. Any reader comfortable with some weird stuff will enjoy the stories in this finely written collection. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Dark Dark from amazon.com.

Am I Being Too Subtle?: Straight Talk From a Business Rebel

Authentic. My list of the most successful business leaders of the past fifty years would certainly include Sam Zell. In his book titled, Am I Being Too Subtle?: Straight Talk From a Business Rebel, he tells about his life and his consistent approach to business. Zell is the real deal and he speaks bluntly, making the title humorous. Zell talks directly about what brings him joy, and the importance of reputation. He explains why he doesn't take himself too seriously but works hard and analyzes deals deeply. Any reader looking for insight about leading a good business life should consider reading this book and emulating Zell's approach. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Am I Being Too Subtle from amazon.com.

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage

Exciting. The first novel in Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust trilogy is titled, La Belle Sauvage. Packed with action from the first pages, fans of Pullman will enjoy eleven-year-old protagonist Malcolm and his competent and exciting care for Lara, the child of Asriel. Pullman fans will be pleased to learn that daemons are back, and the lines between good and evil are drawn very clearly. The adventure in this first novel proceeds at a rapid pace and lays a groundwork for the rest of the trilogy. I was thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase La Belle Sauvage from amazon.com.

Green

Friendship. Sam Graham-Felson set his debut novel titled, Green, in his Boston hometown in 1992. Protagonist David Greenfeld is one of the few white kids at King middle school and puberty is not gentle. Graham explores David's friendship with Marlon Wellings, a young black man from the nearby projects, and their relationship leads to an understanding about privilege. I had some trouble settling into the novel because of Graham's decision to depict the middle school patois in what is either accurate to the time or totally lame; I'm too old to understand which. I was reminded of the challenge I felt on reading Huck Finn for the first time. That said, I enjoyed this novel and its humor, the sensitive and light treatment of race and privilege, and the universal experience of growing up. All the characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Green from amazon.com.