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STEVE'S 50 BOOKS READ IN 2016
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1.
BY
Michael ConnellyFinish Date: March 2016
Genre: Fiction/Thriller
Rating: A
Review: Part of a series called the Lincoln Lawyer. One of the main characters is the book is a former Los Angeles Police Detective named Harry Bosch Bosch has recently retired from his job as a detective for the Los Angeles Police Department. At the beginning of the Book, it is revealed that bosch believes he was forced to resign and is suing the LAPD. Bosch’s is then given a chance to cross over to the other side. His brother, defense attorney Mickey Haller, asks him to help prove the innocence of his client, accused murder Da'Quan Foster. Initially, Bosch has serious doubts about Foster's Innocence. However, after looking at the Murder book and reviewing the facts of the case, he concludes that foster may be innocent. Bosch feels very guilty about defending an accused murders. However, he justifies his actions by telling himself that by helping haller, he is trying to find the real killer. As he gets more involved in the case he must face scorn from his colleagues and even his own daughter. Bosch soon begins to discover that their is complex web of brutality, extortion, and corruption behind the murder. Along the way, Bosch and Haller are spied upon by two current LAPD detectives who very involved in the murder. However, this is not revealed until the end of the book.
This was a thrilling and faced paced book that I found hard to put down. It a book filled with interesting characters and suspense that builds to a dramatic climax when the real killer is revealed.
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by
John W. DeanFinish Date: March 2016
Genre: Politics/History
Rating: B
Review: This is an intruguing book that address the following two questions in regards to the Watergate scandal: How much did President Nixon know about Watergate and when did he know it? Former White House legal Counsel Dean transcribed more than a thousand converstations between Nixon, Dean and other key white house staff. Some of these converstations were recored on Nixon's secret tapping system. In the book, Dean provides a day to diary of these converstations and other key events following the Watergate Break in. The converstations provide some great insight into the watergrate break in and cover up. Dean also examines the eight in a half minute gap in Nixons recorded converstations.
This book takes a while to go through. However if you are willing to stick with it, it is a pretty good read. I learned a lot about watergate from reading it.
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3.
by
Erika SwylerFinish Date: April 2016
Genre: Mystery/Fiction
Rating: B
Review: Simon Watson is a young librarian who lives alone in a house along that Long Island shore that is slowly crumbling. His mother, a circus mermaid who made her living by holding her breath, drowned in the very water his house overlooks. His sister, Enola, ran off six years ago and now reads taro cards for a living.
One day, Simon receives a old book from a rare and antique book dealer. The book, is a actually a dairy from a traveling carnival operator in the 1700’s. It reports on some strange and magical events including the drowning of a circus mermaid. Simon soon realizes that generations of mermaids in his family have passed away on July 24;th, which is only weeks away. As Simon starts to connect these events, he becomes increasingly concerned about a possible curse on his family and his sister. He tries to figure out what the book has to do with all of this.
In some ways, I thought this was a strange book. The plot seemed a little farfetched. However, it has several unique characters and situations which drew me in. The setting of a small Long Island Town added to the mystery. In many ways, this is not a realistic story. However, once I let myself suspend disbelief and engage in a little fantasy, I enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like reading mysteries.
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by
James M. McPhersonFinish date: April 2016
Genre: Biography
Rating: B.
Review: An interesting biography of Jefferson Davis, the first and only president of the Confer date States of America. History and historians have not been kind to Davis, This well researched biography takes a more positive view of Davis. It provides some interesting insights into some of his military decisions.. Some historians have called Jefferson Davis a bad president and say that he helped lose the war. McPherson's general conclusion is prove that while Davis may have not won the war, he did not lose it. An interesting book about an interesting man.
Mod
First, you have done a good job with the citations and internal format and you have the dates right - in bold, all caps and only above the first book for that month,
However, each book counted and each book read must be in its own separate comment box - it makes it easier to read and much easier to correct and the most important reason is that this is our standard.
Next, if you have read four books in a year they are numbered 1,2,3 and 4 - not renumbered every month.
I have redone all of yours so that you would be able to be off on the right foot.
JULY5.
by
Gordon S. WoodFinish Date: July 2016
Genre: Biography
Rating: B
Review
To many, Benjamin Franklin has a reputation as the quintessential American forefather and self-made businessman. This book provides some insights into aspects of his life that are less well known. I enjoyed reading this portrait of Franklin and learned a lot from it. For example, while reading this book I discovered that Franklin also believed in the British Empire and worked tirelessly to reconcile American and British interests. It also explains how Franklin was often totally out of touch with American Public opinion It is a pretty entertaining book to read and I would recommend it.
6
by
James PattersonFinish Date: July 2016
Genre: Mystery/Fiction
Rating: B+
Review
This is a fast paced murder mystery that is hard to put down at times. When his cousin is accused of a heinous crime, Washington DC Detective Alex Cross returns to his North Carolina hometown. There, he discovers evidence of widespread corruption and a shattering family secret. At the same time. He gets involved in helping Florida cops solve a string of socialite murders in even more grisly settings. The answer to all of these loose ends may prove fatal.
Steve.........you need the book cover and not the book link........it is easy to make that error since the link is usually the default setting. And don't forget the word "review" before your text.
August 20167.
by
James PattersonFinish Date: August 2016
Genre:Mystery/Fiction
Rating: A
Review
While on Emily leave from her job as a FBI researcher, Emily Dockery begins researching series of fires across the country. One of these fires killed here own sister. At the first, they appear to be tragic accidents. However, as she learns more, she becomes convinced that they were deliberately set. However, none of the authorities believe her including former boy Friend and EX Fib field agent Harrison “Books" Bookman.” In fact everyone thinks she is crazy until she discovers a piece of evidence the authorities cannot ignore. Soon, the shocking truth of the person beyond the murders is revealed.
A pretty good book with an interesting plot that keeps one entertained.
Mod
10, 8 and 7 need to be fixed but you almost have it.
Mod
Look at the previous examples that I helped you with.
The History Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Invisible (other topics)Cross Justice (other topics)
The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin (other topics)
Embattled Rebel: Jefferson Davis as Commander in Chief (other topics)
The Book of Speculation (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
James Patterson (other topics)James Patterson (other topics)
Gordon S. Wood (other topics)
James M. McPherson (other topics)
Erika Swyler (other topics)
More...
Our Required Format:
JANUARY
1.
Finish date: January 2016
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.