NedSu
The Seattle Public Library
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NedSu's rating:
Added Mar 26, 2024
NedSu's rating:
Added Mar 26, 2024
Comment:
I enjoy Evison's writing, even when he sometimes falters. This novel shows us an old man who is living out his last days in a nursing home. He muses on his past lives, but he is a faulty historian, and leaves us with holes in his stories of lving in Spain in the 11th century, a life as a cat (Oscar Wilde's muse) even up growing up in this life, The reader is left wondering til the end, is this his last life?
The author, with considerable skill, keeps us guessing, as more and more layers of this onion are revealed, and still manages to leave us with an enigmatic core.I enjoy Evison's writing, even when he sometimes falters. This novel shows us an old man who is living out his last days in a nursing home. He muses on his past lives, but he is a faulty historian, and leaves us with holes in his stories of lving in…
NedSu's rating:
Added Mar 18, 2024
Comment:
This is my first exposure to Danny Barrett, deep undercover FBI agent with existential questions. The plot moves along nicely with Danny Barrett providing first person narrative. Strangely though, a lot of the action happens in the third person, and Danny's observations provide context. It's a strange mix, but it is servicable. I am ready to find out more about this character.This is my first exposure to Danny Barrett, deep undercover FBI agent with existential questions. The plot moves along nicely with Danny Barrett providing first person narrative. Strangely though, a lot of the action happens in the third person, and…
NedSu's rating:
Added Mar 13, 2024
Comment:
This is a pretty good story, with an interesting protaganist. The pace does suffer a little as the author uses similes and metaphors seemingly in every paragraph, which has the effect of slowing down the reading. Still, it is worth the read, and the plot was very well done, with just enough red herrings to keep the reader off balance.This is a pretty good story, with an interesting protaganist. The pace does suffer a little as the author uses similes and metaphors seemingly in every paragraph, which has the effect of slowing down the reading. Still, it is worth the read, and the…
NedSu's rating:
Added Mar 07, 2024
Comment:
This novel completes the duology started in Mercury Rising. Read back to back makes a lot of sense. Brooklyn Lamontagne is the thread that keeps the stories connected. We have BEMS, we have a reluctant hero, who does the best he can, and we have a different time line from 1947 on, overlapped with our reality by pop music and some famous names. It doesn't all work, or hold together, but it works well enough to be a page turner.This novel completes the duology started in Mercury Rising. Read back to back makes a lot of sense. Brooklyn Lamontagne is the thread that keeps the stories connected. We have BEMS, we have a reluctant hero, who does the best he can, and we have a…
NedSu's rating:
Added Feb 23, 2024
Comment:
This is a long short story, or maybe a short novela. Despite its size it packs the usual tone of the Slough Horses and thus is worth the read to remind you that Mick Herron is a terrific writer. Only mildly snaky with a minimal plot, it pokes fun at all thisngs spy.This is a long short story, or maybe a short novela. Despite its size it packs the usual tone of the Slough Horses and thus is worth the read to remind you that Mick Herron is a terrific writer. Only mildly snaky with a minimal plot, it pokes fun at…
NedSu's rating:
Added Feb 20, 2024
Comment:
Essentially a collection of instances with all the tropes of space travel and colonization, the umbrella of the Bobiverse keeps it personal and more than a little corny/nerdy. I have enjoyed this series and hope to coninue with the next volume, which is not available in the SPL system. It's a quick read but does cover a lot of territory, both literally and figuratively.Essentially a collection of instances with all the tropes of space travel and colonization, the umbrella of the Bobiverse keeps it personal and more than a little corny/nerdy. I have enjoyed this series and hope to coninue with the next volume,…
NedSu's rating:
Added Feb 08, 2024
Comment:
Wonderful continuation of the saga of the Bobiverse. Time marches on and new problems arrive. Almost all the tropes of a Science Fiction genre are present, but the Bobs work out the problems. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
NedSu's rating:
Added Feb 03, 2024
Comment:
Having read the 'Goon Squad' book just recently, I was prepared for interlocking style of this novel, which utilized many of the techniques and characters from that novel. Essentially a series of tales of characters, who pop in and out of each others tales, it becomes a bit unwieldy. Someone had left a diagram of the characters' interactions inside the front cover, but it in itself is still pretty confusing. I liked making the connections myself (oh, yeah, I remember that person from...). Overall, the stories were plenty by themselves, but the added frission of connecting the dots makes it even more satisfying.Having read the 'Goon Squad' book just recently, I was prepared for interlocking style of this novel, which utilized many of the techniques and characters from that novel. Essentially a series of tales of characters, who pop in and out of each…
NedSu's rating:
Added Feb 03, 2024
Comment:
Finally, after many novels, the real Jack Reacher shows up. This one is well written with taut declarative sentences, and the plot moves quickly. It's the early 1990's and Reacher is still in the service, but his quirks are already developing. The sidekicks are interesting, and the antagonists are formidable.
I hope this portends a resurgence of Reacher novels, because this is the first one I've enjoyed in quite awhile.Finally, after many novels, the real Jack Reacher shows up. This one is well written with taut declarative sentences, and the plot moves quickly. It's the early 1990's and Reacher is still in the service, but his quirks are already developing. The…
NedSu's rating:
Added Jan 26, 2024
Comment:
I came across this book just recently while kondoing my home. I'd never read it, so decided to rectify that mistakke. It is a well done murder mystery that was told from several different points of view. The atrocities of war in Yugoslavia in the 1990's are eerily reminiscent of the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel, even in Iraq. Humans can be so twisted on such a brutal scale.
Karen Pirie continues to doggedly pursue unsolved homicides, and grows in her personal life, too. The murderer is figured out toward the end, but it is a long and clever path that it takes. For a novel thats 10 years old it is still timely.I came across this book just recently while kondoing my home. I'd never read it, so decided to rectify that mistakke. It is a well done murder mystery that was told from several different points of view. The atrocities of war in Yugoslavia in the…
NedSu's rating:
Added Jan 22, 2024
Comment:
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel? as I read it. It has the puerile nerd humor that evokes memories of my own distant past, with multiple references to Star Trek, Star Wars and of other science fiction shows and tropes. Essentially, it is a pastiche of science fiction, covering AI, alien contact and intervention with unintended consequences, even a post apocalyptic Earth. The stories are mostly short story fiction, with a wrapping to make it more like a novel. It ends abruptly, and I'm already signing up for the next book in the series.I thoroughly enjoyed this novel? as I read it. It has the puerile nerd humor that evokes memories of my own distant past, with multiple references to Star Trek, Star Wars and of other science fiction shows and tropes. Essentially, it is a pastiche…
NedSu's rating:
Added Jan 22, 2024
Comment:
As with every Crouch book I've read, this is a page turning romp through the near future. Instead of string theory time travel or navigating the infinity of universes, this novel takes a more intimate approach. All the talk about gene splicing and enhancing humans virally left me feeling somewhat aware of the science involved (an illusion, to be sure but a credit to the author). The action is mostly non stop and worth a read for that alone. Whether you believe his premise about human nature is up to you.As with every Crouch book I've read, this is a page turning romp through the near future. Instead of string theory time travel or navigating the infinity of universes, this novel takes a more intimate approach. All the talk about gene splicing and…
NedSu's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2024
Comment:
Scalzi's sense of humor really shines in this tale. The plot is a convoluted as he can make it, without boring the reader with too many details. Anyone who has cats in their lives, will love the story, which is a lighter version of David Brin's Uplift series, with cats, dolphins and even whales making their presence and personalities known. My one regret is that I hadn't started it earlier in the day, ask I burned the midnight oil reading it to the conclusion.Scalzi's sense of humor really shines in this tale. The plot is a convoluted as he can make it, without boring the reader with too many details. Anyone who has cats in their lives, will love the story, which is a lighter version of David Brin's…
NedSu's rating:
Added Jan 13, 2024
Comment:
When this book arrived, I started reading it immediately. After 2 pages, I realized that I had read it years ago. I enjoyed it then, and after skimming a few more pages at random, I remembered the story, the world building, and the characters. It's only the name of the novel that I had really forgotten. I would have benefitted from having an Imago, myself.When this book arrived, I started reading it immediately. After 2 pages, I realized that I had read it years ago. I enjoyed it then, and after skimming a few more pages at random, I remembered the story, the world building, and the characters. It's…
NedSu's rating:
Added Jan 08, 2024
Comment:
This was another excellent attempt to make hard science entertaining. I may still be a little vague on the science, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Describing the multiplicity of realities is hard; reading how one of the Jason tries to find his way home was so entertaining. Rumor has it that there is already a Streaming series in the can, and I'd be interested in seeing how they make it real.This was another excellent attempt to make hard science entertaining. I may still be a little vague on the science, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Describing the multiplicity of realities is hard; reading how one of the Jason tries to find his…
The River We RememberThe River We Remember, BookA Novel
by Krueger, William KentBook - 2023Book, 2023
NedSu's rating:
Added Jan 08, 2024
Comment:
This is a novel about the past, somewhat clouded by our Woke present. 1958 was a very transitional year for America, and the prejudices of the time is played out in this novel. It takes place in small town mid America, but we all have Rivers like it in our past. Terrible things happening to people is balanced with the goodness innate in most of Krueger's heroes. I must add that CPR as described in this novel was not yet present- it happened in 1960 and wasn't taught by Scouts until at least 1962. This novel was a slow page turner for me with a myriad of characters, and foreshadowing that didn't quite work for me. But I did want to have answers for the mystery, so I kept turning the pages.This is a novel about the past, somewhat clouded by our Woke present. 1958 was a very transitional year for America, and the prejudices of the time is played out in this novel. It takes place in small town mid America, but we all have Rivers like it…
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 31, 2023
Comment:
This is the Walt Longmire novel that I didn't know I needed. Almost always steeped in some mystical spiritualism , which I always like, this novel eschews it for a real time mystery. Always astute and mostly aware, Walt makes his way through a complicated mystery of grandfather and conspiracy with the usual droll witticisms and asides, while still having a lacuna for the most important question of all- women.This is the Walt Longmire novel that I didn't know I needed. Almost always steeped in some mystical spiritualism , which I always like, this novel eschews it for a real time mystery. Always astute and mostly aware, Walt makes his way through a…
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 29, 2023
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 29, 2023
Comment:
Val McDermid at her best. A good mystery, multiple story lines and even an occasional aside to music. It was interesting to read about how the Covid lockdown affected the work and life of Karen Pirie. Many references to the various Scottish mystery writers and a book within a book makes this even more fun. Can't wait for the next book by this author.Val McDermid at her best. A good mystery, multiple story lines and even an occasional aside to music. It was interesting to read about how the Covid lockdown affected the work and life of Karen Pirie. Many references to the various Scottish mystery…
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 25, 2023
Comment:
Murderbot comes to the rescue once again. This time, it is injured both physically(normal for it) and mentally(synapses are slowed, gaps and redacts in is memory core). Its wry observations about working with humans feels a little forced. With help from humans and other SecUnits Murderbot saves the day. Well crafted and the last 80 pages flew by. Keep them coming!Murderbot comes to the rescue once again. This time, it is injured both physically(normal for it) and mentally(synapses are slowed, gaps and redacts in is memory core). Its wry observations about working with humans feels a little forced. With help…
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 20, 2023
Comment:
This prolific author's latest work is the second in the Travis Devine series. Devine is very Reacher-esque, but this novel is more of a murder mistery of old. While solving the mystery, Baldacci gives us insight into the State of Maine, the lobster industry, even harvesting eels. The Reacher moments are fine, but I enjoy the mystery more. It is one of Balddacci's best works, and I'm looking forward to book 3 in the series.This prolific author's latest work is the second in the Travis Devine series. Devine is very Reacher-esque, but this novel is more of a murder mistery of old. While solving the mystery, Baldacci gives us insight into the State of Maine, the lobster…
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 16, 2023
Comment:
Though this novel is decidely out of my usual reading zone, count me as one of the impressed. I'm not sure what criteria they use for Pullet Surprises, but after a few chapters, I was all in. As in life, there are a multiplicity of characters who slide in and out of story as it jumps back and forth in time. Where they end up is often a revelation, as is how they got there. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the story.Though this novel is decidely out of my usual reading zone, count me as one of the impressed. I'm not sure what criteria they use for Pullet Surprises, but after a few chapters, I was all in. As in life, there are a multiplicity of characters who…
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 12, 2023
Comment:
It was so good to read Sean Duffy's latest/last? case. McKinty is a fine writer who keeps me engaged with his Irish humor and German philosphy as he threads the needle of living in Belfast during 'the troubles'. The story, the characters, the settings- all woven into a delightful novel. I highly recommend this an all of Sean Duffy's books. For the uninitiated, all the books in the Duffy series have titles derived from Tom Waits songs.It was so good to read Sean Duffy's latest/last? case. McKinty is a fine writer who keeps me engaged with his Irish humor and German philosphy as he threads the needle of living in Belfast during 'the troubles'. The story, the characters, the…
NedSu's rating:
Added Dec 10, 2023
Comment:
Meh. Basically a story of rich people throwing money at problems. Any action eventually peters out. I'll continue to read Grisham with the hope that he will create a well written story akin to his earliest works, but this ain't it.
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