"Ravenor" by Dan Abnett

I have been a fan of the Warhammer 40k sci-fi universe for several years now. I am currently the Game Master of a weekly Dark Heresy game (think D&D in space) which takes place in this setting. So when I saw this book on the thrift store shelf I knew I had to read it.

Summary: This book follows Inquisitor Ravenor, a crippled psyker who uses his mind-bending powers to investigate serious crimes in the dreary Imperium of Man. He has a team of highly trained Acolytes who help him in his work and he commands them through telepathy. Ravenor discovers a drug-dealing cartel and believes it is more than simply a supply-chain for despairing addicts. He believes the 'flects' have a sinister origin, tainted by forbidden xenos. He directs his team through the dangerous criminal underworld and discovers a conspiracy beyond just the flects. There is a lot of gun-fighting and detective work on futuristic worlds and starships with epic environments that stretch the imagination. 

What I Liked: Abnett has a mind for adventure, knowing how to pace a story so that it is always interesting, but not overwhelming. He also has an attention to detail that lets the reader know he is not just improvising the plot to make it end up how he wants. I also like the feel of the Warhammer 40k universe, which Abnett is famous for portraying very well.

What I Didn't Like: Honestly, not much. I felt like an idiot when I realized some of the characters had already been introduced in the Eisenhorn series, which I have not read yet, but I don't think that detracted any.

Other Books Read by This Author: Gaunt's Ghosts (which I recommend)

Reviewed by: Nick

"Harry, A History" by Melissa Anelli

Summary:  "Harry, A History" is a retelling of the Harry Potter phenomenon of the late 90's/early 2000's as told by one of the most well known super fans of the time:  Melissa from The Leaky Cauldron.  The book is broken into chapters centered around a Harry Potter trend:  Wizard Rock, Potter Conventions, Fan Fiction, Book Bans, Release Parties and everything in between.  Each trend is outlined and interwoven with the author's own experiences with the trend.

What I Liked:  I enjoyed "Harry, A History" because it reminded me of my own love of Harry and the gang.  I got caught up in the author's excitement and was reminded of my own joy at each new release and my subsequent sorry when the series ended.

I also really enjoyed the inside look at the lengths true super fans went to in order to express their love of all things Harry.  Wizard rock?  "Shipping"?  I had no idea that people took fandom so far and it was fascinating to get a glimpse at the mania.  I'm actually glad I didn't know of all the HP outlets at the time, because I would have been one of the 20 somethings wearing a "Save Ginny" t-shirt.

What Drove Me Nuts:  Each chapter was written with what felt like its own beginning, middle and end.  Since the book was marketed as a history, I expected the chapters to follow a stronger chronological order.  The historian in me cringed at the timeline skipping.

I also wish the author had spent a little more time on her experiences running The Leaky Cauldron.  While she provided excellent insight into the various avenues of superfandom, the adult in me was also curious about the business aspect of the time, too.

Rating:  If you loved the Harry Potter series, check this book out.  I guarantee it will rekindle great memories and your appreciation for the boy who lived.

Also Read by This Author:  N/A

Reviewed By:  Tami

"Never Have Your Dog Stuffed" By Alan Alda

Tami and I watched every episode of the West Wing together (a show where Alda has a big supporting role) and we both grew up with M*A*S*H on the television. We decided that Alda would be interesting, and we were right. We picked this one up as an audio book and listened to it in the car.

Summary: This is a memoir in which Alda reflects on his life from his earliest memories as the son of a travelling burlesque comedian all the way up through the end of Scientific American Frontiers in 2007.  The story is told through vignettes of his unique and unconventional boyhood and as well as through well thought out analysis of what it means to be a comedian, an actor, a host and a "civilian".  Alda reflects on his father, who was a mentor and rival and tries to come to terms with his mother who suffered from a near debilitating mental illness.  Alda reminisces about supporting his family through "professional" gambling while taking any acting gig he could get and his time at M*A*S*H where he was able to hone his writing skills and define himself as one of the most well remembered television actors of his time.

What We Liked: Alda has a lot of experience writing and a very good sense of humor. The entire audio book was fun to listen to. There were a number of jokes and funny stories mixed in with more serious memories, including boarding school, his thought on religion and his efforts during the equal rights movement. We learned a lot about the actor who we only knew as the man on the screen.

What We Didn't Like: He didn't talk about his time on the West Wing!

Rating: If you like Alda as an actor, you should read this book.  If you don't know who he is, you should read this book

Also Read By This Author: Nothing yet.

Reviewed By: Nick and Tami.

"Dead Ever After" by Charlaine Harris

Summary:  The last installment of the Southern Vampire series finds Sookie Stackhouse in one last supernatural pickle.  Perpetually unlucky Sookie is working at Merlotte's bar when her former friend and co-waitress Arlene walks in the door.  As Arlene had previously been in jail for arranging to have Sookie crucified, this is not a good thing.  Arlene's arrival triggers a series of events that has Sookie arrested for murder and her supernatural friends rushing to her side to help clear her name.

What I Liked:  I've got a soft spot for Sookie, even though she makes terrible life choices and has a strange addiction to Walmart, so my feelings toward the book may be a little biased.  "Dead Ever After" was a nice attempt to wrap up a long-running series.  A bunch of old characters made cameo appearances, and the author tried to write a legit murder mystery.

Was it genius?  No.  Was it a nice, easy summer read?  Absolutely.


What Drove Me Nuts:  The plot was forced, the story line was predictable and the end didn't really resolve anything.  When a series ends, I want to know that it's over.  This ending left too many possibilities open.

Rating:  It was OK.  If you've read the rest of the series, check it out.  If you haven't, skip it.

Also Read By This Author:  Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Dead as a Doornail, Definitely Dead, All Together Dead, From Dead to Worse, Dead and Gone, Dead in the Family, Dead Reckoning, Deadlocked.

Reviewed By:  Tami

September 2013 Virtual Book Club Pick: "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini

"I suspect the truth is that we are waiting, all of us, against insurmountable odds, for something extraordinary to happen to us."  -Khaled Hosseini

Summary:  "And the Mountains Echoed" begins with Abdullah and Pari, young siblings from a small Afghanistan village, travelling through the desert with their father on their way to visit their uncle in the city.  What happens when they arrive sets forth a spiral of events that will separate them from each other and set them on paths to very different lives.

Included in the book are vignettes that are very different from, yet somehow tie, back to Pari or Abdullah:  A plastic surgeon from Greece, two ex-pats from California, an Afghani warlord and more.  Each story is unique but themes are the same:  family.

"And the Mountains Echoed" tells a complex story of loss, love, healing and family in a way that resonated in my bones for days after.  If you've read the book (or plan to read it), I've got some questions I'd love to discuss.  If you're interested in answering (or have a question of your own) respond in the comments.

"The Wave" by Walter Mosley

I (Nick) listen to public radio a lot and the woman who hosts the morning show is a bibliophile. She regularly interviews authors and makes non literary guests talk about books. One of her favorite authors (because of the Easy Rawlins series) is Walter Mosley. I've heard her interview Mosley and when I saw his name at the library I figured it would be a safe bet.

Summary: In this book we follow Errol Porter in his journey of despair. Before the book starts, his father dies, he loses his job, his wife moves out to be with another man and he rents out the garage of the home he once owned. To cope with his misery he finds comfort in the arms of women. Many women. As he sleeps in his makeshift studio apartment, his phone wakes him up in the middle of the night, over and over. Instead of reporting the prank caller, Errol takes it upon himself to find the obviously disturbed man and care for him. What he learns is that the man is infected with a strange bacteria that wield powerful and awesome abilities. The Department of Homeland Security quickly moves in to get a handle on the situation and are eager to violate civil rights. In this crazy adventure Errol learns secrets about his father, the government and the history of life on earth.

What We Liked: Nick liked the idea of the bacteria invasion and plan to use it in a role-playing game I am running.  Tami didn't like much about the book, other than the fact that some of plot choices were ludicrous to the point of laughter.

What We Didn't Like: Errol sleeps with a surprising number of women, which is hilarious because the main character comes across as totally unappealing.  And Mosley describes a surprising number of men naked without advancing the plot.  There were a lot of scenes where Mosley just tells you something happened or told you how the characters felt when he could have painted a mental picture. It made the book feel distant and poorly written.  As a reader I didn't feel any emotional connection to the characters, so I didn't really care when Errol was probed or probed someone himself.  (And that happened quite a bit.)

Rating: Not recommended. I might try his Easy Rawlins series, but I'm in no hurry.

Also Read By This Author: Nothing.  And it might just stay that way.

"The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul" by Douglas Adams

I aquired this book at the same time I picked up Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, which works out well because it is the sequel. 

Summary: This book starts with Kate Schechter witnessing a powerful explosion at the airport. Terrorist organizations take credit and utility boards apologize, but the official investigation turns up no explanation as to what caused it. There are no deaths, except possibly the check-in girl who leaves not a single trace. Unrelated, Dirk Gently is hired as a bodyguard for a successful record producer who fears for his life. When his fears manifest, Dirk searches for the killer. His non-linear investigation tactics lead him on a crazy adventure for the truth. His path crosses with Kate's and they enter into a hidden world of beings who are out of their place and out of their time. They are witnesses to a great and powerful conflict typically obscured from the view of mere mortals.

What I Liked: Douglas Adams is a funny author and can deliver dry humor in such a way that makes it feel serendipitous. He pokes fun at the government, religion and society in general.

What I Didn't Like: This book follows a very roundabout path and relies heavily on coincidences to move the plot forward. It felt more like a stand-up comedy routine than a novel.

Also Read By This Author: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (and sequels); Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Rating: If you like British comedy fiction you'll enjoy it, though it is not Adams' best work.

Virtual Book Club: September 2013

Have you ever thought about hosting a book club but didn't have the time or energy to host a meeting?  Have you ever wanted to join a book club but been hesitant to commit to a regular meeting?

We've got a solution for you!  A Great Book's Virtual Book Club!

On the first of each month we'll post this month's book club selection and some information on the book.  In the comments section, we'll post a few questions to start a discussion.  If you have something to say, simply click the reply link to respond.  If the book interests you, great!  Pick up a copy and answer the questions at your own speed.  We'll keep the post up indefinitely so you can see what others are saying.

Each month's book club post will be linked to the Virtual Book Club page at the top of the screen.  This will make it easy to find each book's questions and to see which books are up next.  If you're new to A Great Read, this will be a great resource to see what other's thought of a book!

The only rules for the club:  Be respectful.  It's fine to disagree, just be respectful when doing it.

That's it!  Stay tuned for the September book club pick and questions to be posted on September 1!

"In The President's Secret Service" by Ronald Kessler

This audiobook was handpicked off the shelf of our local library. We selected it because it reminded Tami of the West Wing and Nick had vaguely remembered an interview with the author he'd maybe heard on the radio. We listened to it in the car together. 

Summary: This non-fiction book is a tabloid style peek into the lives of the Secret Service and their protectees. The author interviewed several active and former agents before writing the book and includes all kinds of stories from assassinations, escapes and investigations. It also goes into the history of the Secret Service and extensively explores the critiques put forward by former agents and their analysis of Service politics. Alan Sklar reads this edition and his voice has the deep authoritative sound which is perfect for this book.

What We Liked: The candid stories revealed how presidents act when the camera is not on them. It also talked about many of the exciting threats that the Service neutralized and never got in the news.

What We Didn't Like: The book is kind of a random assemblage of stories, strung together without good transitions. And the author shows his political bias in how strongly he critiques some presidents compared to others.

Rating: If you like non-fiction police stories (or TMZ), you'll like this book.

Also Read By This Author: Nothing yet!

Reviewed By: Tami and Nick

"The Secret Keeper" by Kate Morton with Book Club Questions!

Kate Morton is one of my favorite authors.  Her stories are cleverly written, have immensely likable characters and always have a surprise twist at the end.  Every time I see a new Kate Morton, I immediately move it to the top of my "must read" list.  She's never let me down!

Summary:  Sixteen year old Laurel is pouting in her family's tree house when she spots a strange man approaching her mother and baby brother.  In the next few moments, Laurel witnesses a terrible crime that will become a secret she holds for her entire life.  And that's just the prologue!

The Secret Keeper crafts two central timelines which alternate between the chapters in a riveting race to the finish: Dorothy, Vivien and Ben, whose paths collide in WWII during the Blitz and Laurel's modern day search for her mother's secret past.

What I liked:  I love the way Kate Morton crafts her stories.  The Secret Keeper touched upon subjects that pique my interest and combine them in a unique and interesting way:

• Revenge, misunderstanding and tragic pasts
• The unfolding of a love story in England during the Blitz of WWII
• Memorable, complex and charming characters with defined personalities and motivations
• A murder mystery where the back story and the modern day investigation race to the finish
• Family dynamics shown in a funny yet realistic way

What drove me nuts:  I loved this book, so there wasn't much that hit my nut-o-meter.  There were times when some of the characters drove me a little nuts (hello Dorothy) but those layers added so much to the characters that in the long run, I was kind of glad for her and her ways.

Rating:  MUST READ

Also read by this author:  The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours.
{Note:  All of these books are worth a read!}

Reviewed by:  Tami

Bonus Book Club Questions: