false 2 12 7 true 5800672 read 3 true 2368103 currently-reading 2 true 2368102 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/56531624 Once a Runner: A Novel (Paperback) by John L. Parker
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/56530565 to: The Crazyladies of Pearl Street: A Novel (Paperback) by Trevanian
I return often to a well-worn theory that says "the world is made of two types of people..." and then you complete the dichotomy with "people who like X, and people who don't." It most commonly comes to mind when thinking about Japan, but now I think about Trevanian in the same way.

I simply can't imagine how one can't read his writing and not think it's as good as anyone can ever write.

Despite the off-putting title, this is just as good as any other of his novels, but its effect is multiplied (at least for me) knowing the subject is himself, and that this is his last work before he died in 2006. The observations, and internal thoughts and dreams, and stories of being young -- are all universal and welcoming. To hear of the world through the reverse lens of a very wise man inhabiting the mind of an eleven year old boy is a nice trick. Maybe more than anything, the way this book gives insight into Trevanian's life and world view is a real treat to a deep fan.

The review is without value other than to point the way for other potential readers, and to capture the thoughts and feelings for enjoying later. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48525197 to: The One Minute Manager Anniversary Ed: The World's Most Popular Management Method (Hardcover) by Kenneth H. Blanchard
Simple and effective. I think the idea of trying to do things immediately and within one minute is an undercommented gem. So is getting the objectives down up front quickly. Worthwhile read for sure. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47857019 Jim's review of The Summer of Katya: A Novel
by Trevanian

Hey Remo. As you write that, I just realized I *did* read Eiger Sanction maybe 15 years ago or so. Never moved on to the Loo Sanction and stalled reading The Main, but Eiger was definitely a reward. Love the Alpine setting and the way The protagonist doesn't like to talk to his gardener.... ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47857019 to: The Summer of Katya: A Novel (Paperback) by Trevanian
As formative as Shibumi (and Trevanian) have been for me, I realized just a few days ago that I hadn't read another Trevanian novel and set about changing that. Out of sheer randomness, I chose The Summer of Katya -- and was not disappointed at all.

Having been away from Trevanian's writing for so long, it was brisk and rewarding to find again his incisive, edgy, but always well-crafted writing. I had trouble putting the book down, and the equivalent of 288 pages on my Kindle melted away in less than a week.

Trevanian's austere world-view bites even more than when I read Shibumi many years ago, but his characters and his latent love of Basque life are rich rewards for your time. It's hard for me to stop thinking about this elegant love story. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47060196 to: Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 (Paperback) by Steve Coll
Shocking and insightful. There are many things I learned from reading this, and many things to say about the book. It's written like a Clancy novel, so it's hard to put down once you start. But it sadly, actually happened, and opens your eyes in many ways: how bureaucracies work (or don't, really), and how decisions are taken or avoided. Deepens your awareness of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, among other things. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/47059784 to: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (Hardcover) by Haruki Murakami
If you like Murakami, you will love this. I think the thing I like most about reading Murakami is that I feel like I get to live in his brain and see the world through his eyes. The book tells alot about Murakami's life - how he ran a jazz bar, and starting writing and running, so if you like his books and just want to know more about him, this is wonderful. But the entries here are about running, and reading this fired my commitment to start running again. Thanks, Murakami. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/28485071 to: The Death of a President: November 1963 (6710496) by William Raymond Manchester
Manchester has a gift for writing in an engaging, detailed, interesting way. The book traces the background, the act, and the aftermath of Kennedy's assassination with little attempt by the author to hide his respect for JFK. I found it illuminating, full of day-to-day detail, and very hard to put down. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/28485023 A Nation of Immigrants (Paperback) by John F. Kennedy
bookshelves: to-read
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