Category: Books

Genre: Book

Grade: B

Notable People: Jessica Keener

Title: Strangers in Budapest

Review: This was a shot in the dark choice for me…found it on the rack with the local “librarian’s choice recommendations” and liked the name of the book. It is an interesting first novel- set in Budapest in recent times. The story is chronicled from the eyes of two characters: Edward a sickly 76 year old man in Hungary to avenge what he believes was the murder of his daughter before he dies himself. And, Annie- a thirty something wife of an intent entrepreneur who has randomly gone to Hungary with her young child – to support her husband’s thirst to make his own success in the ever expanding world of internet communications. The story is compelling and the flashbacks are pretty informative, but it does not hold together all that well, and seems overly dramatic and poorly written in spots. Still, I got pretty engaged in it and finished it in a number of days. The setting of the story, which was well executed, contributed a lot to that.

Genre: Book

Grade: A

Notable People: Paul Kix

Title: The Saboteur

Review: I very rarely read non-fiction, but saw a review of this in the NY times book review and since I had just finished several WWII era novels- was intrigued. It is the story of Robert de La Rochefoucauld (pro. Roke- Foo- Coo)- a French resistance fighter (resistante) during the war who was known as the aristocrat who became France’s “most daring anti-Nazi commando”. Absolutely fascinating story of the French underground and its impact on the war. I was riveted by it. Gave it an “A” even though a bit slow at times and maybe not the best ever written book….but such a story! This man was a true hero of the 20th century. Relatively short read.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-

Notable People: Martha Hall Kelly

Title: The Lilac Girls

Review: Completely engrossing true story of three women living lives dramatically altered by the world war two experience. The most main character, Caroline Ferriday, was an extraordinarily courageous woman who organized help for Nazi- displaced French children through the French embassy in New York and later became involved with the “Rabbits”- the group of mostly Posh women who were tortured and endured deforming and often fatal medical experiments at the Ravensbrauck concentration camp. The book follows Caroline and two other woman: Kasia- a Polish woman hauled off to the camp by the Nazis at the outset of the war, and, Herga, a young German doctor who became the only woman doctor involved in these horrible Himmler-driven medical experiments at the camps. The book follows the three in alternate chapters from the pre-war fright of ate late 30s through the cold war peak in the late fifties. Maybe not brilliantly written, but an incredibly well researched and thought out story..…I did not want this one (a Christmas gift from my daughter ) to end. mandatory reading in these times- in my book.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A

Notable People: Archer Mayor

Title: Trace

Review: the 26th or 27th in Mayor’s long running Joe Gunther series- and one of the best yet. Archer has taken a dramatic turn in style, with three coinciding and gripping mysteries- each involving one of Joe s fictional VBI squad. The book alternates between the chapters on the three of them, which I found quite different and captivating. In the meantime our fearless leader, Joe, is off in the West tending to his elderly and ill mother for much of the book (though providing his usual soulful guidance and tidbits of wisdom)…..which may be Archers foreshadowing of less Joe and more of the others (more Willie, yes!) in the future installments. this makes some sense, as by our calculations, Joe, who is a Korean war veteran , must be approaching ninety at this point. An awfully good read- these books never disappoint….and Archer seems to be getting better in his advancing age.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-

Notable People: Steve Hamilton

Title: The Hunting Wind

Review: this is the second one I’ve read in this series featuring Alex McKnight- former Detroit cop living in the middle of nowhere along the Canadian Border of Michigan’s UP (Upper Peninsula for the uneducated). It’s an intriguing place and McKnight is an intriguing character; trying to resist a new life as a reluctant private investigator. This story is pretty complex a (and a bit farfetched) but it’s a humdinger and very quick engaging read. I like this guy….and he loves Michigan and really knows Detroit for the select few that might have interest in that.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A+

Notable People: Various Authors; Edited and Compiled by: Kenneth Wishnia

Title: Jewish Noir

Review: the art of Noir- as in “Film Noir” connotes dark and disturbing stories with typically unresolved and not happy endings- which probably fits as well for the Jewish Experience as it does for any other métier. Here in one masterful volume are forty or so short stories by a dizzying collection of talented writers that are all centered on Jewish experience “Noir” stories. They range from the early part of the 20th century (a never before Yiddish to English translation from 1912 of a story by Yente Serdatsky), to mid century Israel to very recent politically oriented stories of Jewish life and struggle in America (see the two ending stories by the brilliant short story writer, Harlan Ellison). They take place in New York, LA, Montreal, the Midwest, Jerusalem, London and points around the globe…and are as varied and complex as the Jewish people themselves. This book floored me…absolutely loved it. A don’t miss opportunity to read the best of this genre of writing.

Genre: Novel

Grade: B+

Notable People: Jon Talton

Title: The Night Detectives

Review: Talton has been writing this Phoenix based detective series since the early 90s- featuring David Mapstone- a PhD. historian who becomes the “cold case” expert as a detective foe the Maricopa County Sheriffs’ department…..and then a private detective with his former boss. Mike Peralta- who has been un-elected as the longtime sheriff of the county. Definitely a film noir quality to the books and the stories are engaging. Talton’s’ extreme love fest with all things Phoenix is quite endearing- probably more info than you ever dreamed of about the old western city that became a sun drenched haven from the snow and cold. This book has a bit of far-fetchedness in it, but who’s judging……decent writer, not great. I may try a couple more of the series, but not hooked.

Genre: Novel

Grade: B

Notable People: Paul Doiron

Title: Bad Little Falls

Review: This is the second I’ve read in Doiron’s series about Game Warden Mike Bowditch in “Downeast” Maine. It takes place in the most remote part of Maine , up at the Canadian border. The setting is quite interesting and the story is a decent one, but I find his characters without much substance and the books only fairly written. If you want Game Warden stories, go for Wyoming and CJ Box. as an side, this book had the most typos of any novel I’ve ever read.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-

Notable People: Paul Auster

Title: 4 3 2 1

Review: A very appropriate offering for my 300th (can you believe it) review. Two things override about is book: 1- Auster is one our finest living writers and has produced an amazing body of work (try “The Music of Change”) over the last 30 years and 2- this one is an undertaking. Not only is it almost 900 pages long, but is complicated, VERY complicated. The life story of Archie Ferguson is told in four takes; each chapter is divided up into four separate sections (1.1, 1.2, etc.) that chronicle Archie and his family’s very interesting life in in four totally different, though quite related ways. What I mean is it’s four alternative realities through the same time periods (chapter one with its four components are ages 1-5 for example). It starts during the late 40s and goes through extraordinary detail of the turbulence of the 60s (best narrative I’ve read about the nascent anti-war movement). Very good piece of work, amazing story, vivid characters, But, as I said, not by any means a light read….it has taken me a month..…well worth it. Thanks to David for turning me on to this.

Genre: Novel

Grade: A-

Notable People: CJ Box

Title: Off the Grid

Review: This is another great installment in Box’s Wyoming Fish and Game Warden (Joe Gunther) series. Amazing feel for place in all his books. If you like the mountain West, hard not to like these. The series has always had a very dark and mysterious sidekick character, Nate Romanowski, who gets top billing in this one, for the first time…..with great success. Nate was born to be leading man. The book is filled with drama, spies, terrorists, life or death in- the- desert scenes and ruminations on family and life well lived. And the Governor is character for the ages. Box is at the top of his game and one of the best writing in this genre. Hard to put down.