If You Know, You Know
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| Basketball: photo by Cliff Hutson |
I was ill this past week which gave me the opportunity (?) to stream a very good series.
It also sapped my will to write; so this is all I got for this post.
Showing posts with label detective. Show all posts
Showing posts with label detective. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2026
Monday, June 1, 2026
Reading Log: May 2026
The books that I finished reading in May 2026
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| May 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, February 2, 2026
Reading Log: January 2026
The books that I finished reading in the month of January 2026
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| January 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, June 2, 2025
Reading Log: May 2025
The books that I finished reading in the month of May 2025
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| May 2025 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, April 7, 2025
Reading Log: March 2025
The books that I finished reading in March 2025:
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| March 2025 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, November 11, 2024
Reading Log: October 2024
The books that I read in the month of October 2024
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| October 2024 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, September 9, 2024
Reading Log: August 2024
The books that I finished reading in the month of August 2024:
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| August 2024 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Arguably one of the funniest books on golf ever written. I am certain that all of the stories are true; give or take a lie or two.
A lot of people really like this book; I am not one of them. I will say that it is better than the movie, but that bar is set pretty low.
I really enjoyed the essays in this book. I had not read any of Updike's work prior to this and my dissatisfaction with the excerpts from his "Rabbit" novels may explain that.
For my money, this is by far the weakest entry in the Chet and Bernie mysteries.
"A Farewell to Arfs," Spencer Quinn
Having finished this book, which is the latest in the series, I feel assured about my assessment of "Woof Top". But, do note that I believe that all are worth reading.
Monday, February 5, 2024
Reading Log: January 2024
The books that I finished reading in the month of January 2024:
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| January 2024 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"The Hammer of God," Arthur C. Clark
"My Gun Has Bullets," Lee Goldberg
Cliff's Notes
"Hammer"
An amateur astronomer discovers an asteroid that is on a collision course with earth. Then the race is on to see if disaster can be averted.
An interesting point is made that a willingness to accept risk is what makes life worthwhile.
"Gun"
A Beverly Hills police officer is shot by the star of a popular TV show, during a routine traffic stop. The studio buys his silence by making him the star of his own program. Murder, mayhem, and some hilarity ensue.
"Space"
A sequel, of sorts, to "My Gun Has Bullets". Charlie Willis has abandoned his acting career to handle "special security" for the studio. It is not quite as entertaining, in my humble opinion. However, it does provide an interesting look behind the scenes of the network television industry.
Monday, June 5, 2023
Reading Log: May 2023
The books that I finished reading in the month of May 2023
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| May 2023 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, May 22, 2023
Reading Log: Two two two months in one
Catching up on my reading
March 2023
April 2023
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| "Exodus": photo by Cliff Hutson |
"The Unknown American Exodus: A Walk of Hope and Despair to Freedom," Natalie Goodrich Amato
Monday, March 27, 2023
Reading Log: February 2023
The books that I finished reading in the month of February 2023
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| February 2023 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"The Big Ones: How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us," Dr. Lucy Jones
"The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living with Less,' Christine Platt
"The Forgotten Man." Robert Crais
Cliff's Notes:
"Gaia"
This book proposes that the earth is a living, self regulating organism. I firmly believe that this is a worthy hypothesis that bears investigation. I also feel that that Lovelock, the progenitor of the theory, seems to be one of the most ill-equipped scientists to argue in its favor.
My concern arises from his beliefs that pollution is not a a major concern, Big Oil would not lie to us about the effects of burning fossil fuels, and that non-industrial countries present a bigger threat to the environment than Europe or America.
All in all, I do not recommend this book.
"The Big Ones"
A very cool book about natural disasters, of all stripes, and how they have shaped history and (perhaps) the human psyche.
By waiting so long to write this review I have the benefit of seeing how the current flooding in California is evocative of what occurred in 1861-62; a history of which most Californians are unaware.
One lesson more of us should take to heart: "Love, thank, and cherish your loved ones every day of your ... ."
"Living with Less"
One of the things that I have trying to accomplish, with little success, over the past few years is paring down my possessions so that I can move to a much smaller home. Having stalled out in this endeavor I was hoping that this book might give me a jump start. It was not much of a help. But, that may just be me.
The author puts a lot of emphasis on discovering one's authentic self. It seems that my authentic self is someone who is mildly depressed and sits around the house wearing sweatpants.
"Forgotten"
Another fun read in the bestselling series of Elvis Cole and Joe Pike stories.
Monday, December 5, 2022
Reading Log: November 2022
The books that I finished reading in November 2022
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| November 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence," Vicki Robin
"The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron," Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind
Cliff's Notes
This was an interesting month. Two books about money and finance. Two books about race. And, one about both a serial predator and a serial murderer.
"Money"
I first read this book back in the mid-1990s and thought that, while it had some good points, its basic premise - that work is tantamount to slavery and all of us should retire as soon as possible - was flawed. It also posited an investment plan that I knew was unsustainable. I decided to read this edition, said to be "fully revised and updated for 2018", to see what, if anything, had changed. I was not very impressed.
While it does offer some useful exercises on how to get a handle on one's income and expenses, and the benefits of altering that relationship, it now exalts the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. I still see this as a flaw. Robin's goal for people to live at the peak of fulfillment, always have plenty, and never be burdened with excess is admirable. But, some of her methods, such as "Money Talks" meetings border on cultism.
She has updated the advice on how to invest for long-term financial freedom. However, for my money (pun intended) "The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need" by Andrew Tobias is a far better choice in this regard, as well as for lifestyle choices.
"Awkward"
This is a collection of short stories by the author of more than fifty critically acclaimed books. Most people probably know him for his Easy Rawlins mysteries. There are no crimes to be solved in these stories, but they offer a captivating collection of different characters who kept me turning the pages.
"Desert"
Last month I wrote that an author of a long running series had let it run on too long. The same can not be said of Michael Connelly and his Harry Bosch novels, of which this is book twenty-four. (It is also the fifth of the Renée Ballard series.) Bosch and Ballard work together to solve two cases in a very neat work of taut storytelling.
"Smartest Guys"
I decided to read this book after viewing the documentary film "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" for my movie discussion group, thinking that it would provide additional detail or background. Indeed it did. Accounting practices such as "mark-to-market" and "securitization" are ably explained. This updated edition also provides further insight on the debacle and why it still matters. ["Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."--George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905.]
It was interesting to have read this in conjunction with "Your Money or Your Life" which examines how much is enough. It boggles my mind that one couple would need an 8,120-square-foot house in Houston, as did Jeff Skilling and his partner must have felt they required.
However, Skilling and I seemed to be have been likeminded on another issue. He claimed that it was critically important to give people the resources and freedom to let creativity flourish. When asked to describe my job I said that, "I create an environment in which talent can flourish." Yet, it should be pointed out that I was never charged with a crime, convicted, and sentenced to prison.
"Racist Stories"
Only eleven pages in it became clear that I am not in the target demographic for this book. Why? Because more than once some random person in a store has told me that a purchase I was contemplating was "too expensive", knowing nothing about my circumstances other than an assumption about my ethnicity. Though everyone is on their own journey, much the same could be said about the other stories in the book, Therefore, it was not "eye-opening" to me.
However, if you are not a person of color this book might provide some insight in to how life can be for those of us who are. My main reservation is that the authors strive to be "cute". While this may be an effort to assuage the oppressiveness, for me it distracts from the seriousness of the subject.
Monday, October 17, 2022
Reading Log: September 2022
The books I read in September 2022
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| September 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Cliff's Notes
"Murieta"
Yet another historical novel, depicting an actual person, but based entirely upon myth and supposition. I will say that it is relevant to our times in its depiction of radicalized police violence. However, the author tends to lean toward the side of the perpetrators rather than the victims. But, that could be a reflection of the cultural attitudes of the his times as well as his own beliefs.
Published in 1854, the novel was not "historical" at the time it was written., but a recounting of recent events. It is a book of many firsts -- the first novel published in California, the first novel published by a Native American, and the first American novel to feature a Mexican protagonist.
However, when all is said and done, I don't recommend it.
"Noir"
This book is an anthology of new stories by many well known authors set in both past and present South Central Los Angeles. All of the offerings are strong. Two of my long time favorites are represented -- Steph Cha and Naomi Hirahara. Gary Phillips, two of whose books I have read over the past couple of months, also contributes a story in addition to editing the book.
This is the best book of the month and I highly recommend it.
"Tomorrow"
Said to be one of the first novels to depict a a post-apocalyptic America this is an excellent read. I enjoyed being able to compare and contrast it to "Earth Abides" (see last month) as to how each author thinks that civilization will, will not, rebuild.
A strong "two thumbs up".
"Requiem"
Elvis Cole is one of my favorite private investigators and I love stories set in LA, so this book is an easy hit. However, it is not one of the strongest in the oeuvre of Robert Crais. The story does have a really cool premise - Joe Pike's ex-girlfriend is murdered and it seems as though he did it. The book also has an interesting glimpse into a backstory for Pike as well - everyone has something to hide.
"Photography"
Sontag maintains that photography is an agent of the surreal rather than a reflection of the real. She presumes that her readers have a much better knowledge of Surrealism than I do. She also has a dim view in the direction that she sees the field as heading.
So the fault may lie within me, but my take on this collection of essays written between 1973 and 1977 is - Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, her opinion, man.
Monday, August 8, 2022
Reading Log: July 2022
The books I finished reading in July 2022
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| July 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"Perchance to Dream," Robert B. Parker
"Land of Sunshine: An Environmental History of Los Angeles," William Deverell and Greg Hise
"Double Indemnity," James M. Cain
"One-Shot Harry," Gary Phillips
Cliff's Notes
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| Double Indemnity: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"Loving Day"
We have, through out our lives received countless messages about which categories we belong to, or don’t. This informs how we tend to view the entire social world and our place in it. This book asks the question — "Why are you calling yourself black and not biracial? "
The novel's title obviously refers to Loving Day, when the U.S. Supreme Court nullified bans on interracial marriage. Baz Dreisinger has described it as "a semi-autobiographical" "extended literary metaphor about race and mixed-race in America."
Certainly, if any of my friends were to read it they would have a greater insight into my life, which can be viewed as partly truth and partly fiction.
"Perchance to Dream"
This title is a literary reference — to Hamlet's famous soliloquy which begins "To be or not to be", But, rather than a contemplation of suicide, it is a clever sequel to "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler.
It is my opinion that Parker does a much better job of emulating Chandler in this volume than he did in "Poodle Springs." I very much enjoyed it.
"Land of Sunshine"
The title of this book also harkens back to a prior publication. As the full title implies, the book is an exhaustive look at the environmental history of greater Los Angeles from ancient times to the very recent past. Which is to say that it provides a framework to examine where the city started and how it got to where it is today.
It drags a bit in parts, but rather than just reading what I thought would be the sections that held the most interest for me going in, I read the entire book.
"Double Indemnity"
First published in 1935, or 1943 depending on your source, this novel is probably the exemplar of noir fiction. One review says that it is — "Tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful, Double Indemnity gives us an X-ray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches." I can't put it better than that, so I won't try.
The 1944 film of the same name, whose adaption was co-written by Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder, is one of my all time favorites. The book and the film are both excellent in their own right. I can't recommend them highly enough.
"One-Shot Harry"
Gary Phillips has been a writer for thirty years, but this book is my first exposure to him. I like on several levels. First of all it is about a photographer and is well written, the suspense keeps drawing the reader along. Secondly, it is set in Los Angeles. during the time I was there in my teens. I know well many of the places to which the plot takes us. Phillips also captures the essence of the ubiquitous racism that permeated the LAPD under the leadership of chief William H. Parker. So, not only is it a good crime story, it provides a bit of history that many people are unaware of or have chosen to ignore.
Monday, July 4, 2022
Reading Log: June 2022
The books that I read in June 2022
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| June 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"The Annotated Big Sleep," Owen Hill, Pamela Jackson, and Anthony Dean Rizzuto
"Poodle Springs," Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker
Cliff's Notes
"Annotated TBS"
"The Big Sleep" may be one of Raymond Chandler's best known works. I feel that this edition should count as two books for the month. As, not only does it contain the complete text of the original story, there are nearly an equal number of pages of notes and comments. They provide very interesting insights as to how Chandler wrote (valuing style over plot) and how he "cannibalized" from stories he had previously done for magazines. There are a lot great photographs and illustrations as well.
I recommend it to any fan of crime fiction.
"Driving While Black"
This is another book that I learned of through Bookish. While many of us think of DWB as a contemporary expression, Sorin devotes only the epilog to recent examples of the injustices suffered by Black Americans. The body of the book is a history of the difficulties they encountered while traveling, how the automobile became a liberating mechanism, and that contributed to achieving civil rights.
"Trouble"
Reading this was a great follow up to "The Annotated Big Sleep". It has an introduction written by Chandler and four longish stories: "Trouble Is My Business", "Finger Man", "Goldfish", and "Red Wind." Which previously appeared in magazines.
One example of the cannibalism cited above is clearly evident in that "Finger Man" has a scene set in a casino that is very much like the one in "TBS."
By the way, "Red Wind" contains one of the best descriptions of Santa Ana winds ever written:
“There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge."
"On Juneteenth"
I recently wrote about Juneteenth and how some Texans are annoyed that it has become a widespread holiday. Gordon-Reed was initially one of those people. She uses that to move on to a brief history of Texas, and why it may be special, filtered through her personal history of growing up there.
"Poodle Springs"
When Chandler died in 1959, he had completed only the first four chapters of "Poodle Springs". Decades later, his estate hired the author of the Spenser novels to finish the story. Parker did a pretty good job. The transition is fairly seamless, though at times the dialogue between Marlowe and Linda smack of conversations held by Spenser and Susan.
Summer Reading Assignment
“Read the books they’re banning. That’s where the good stuff is. If they don’t want you to read it, there’s a reason why.”
Monday, June 6, 2022
Reading Log: May 2022
The books that I finished reading in May 2022
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| May 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Cliff's Notes
"The Archer Novels"
Baldacci may be a best a bestselling author, but back in the mid to late 1990s I read something by him and decided that I did not care for his work and never picked up anything of his until last month.
I was willing to change my mind based on seeing an interview about "Dream Town" on Bookish (a video series featuring conversations with authors, thinkers and performers produced by the Southern California News Group (SCNG)). It is the third novel in a series about a character called Aloysius Archer. One of the things that intrigued me was that it is set in 1950s Los Angeles, my hometown. So, I knew that I wanted to read it, but decided that I should start at the beginning - I am glad that I did.
While "Dream Town" is very good, the first two are much better in my humble opinion. I highly recommend them. Fans of Raymond Chandler and Walter Mosley should enjoy these books.
"Good Eats"
Even the most casual of readers of this blog may have noticed that I am a fan of Alton Brown. I have probably written about, or alluded to, all of his previous books at one point or another. I have enjoyed them all and this latest one is no exception. Admittedly, people who are not fans of Good Eats may not be into this book. But, for many of us it is a must have for our bookshelves.
Monday, April 11, 2022
Reading Log: March 2022
The books that I read in March 2022
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| March 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"Robert B. Parker's Someone to Watch Over Me," Ace Atkins
"Who Built That? Modern House," Didier Cornille
"Cliff Hutson: The Story of Your DNA," 23andMe
"Candida Höfer: Architecture of Absence," Constance Glenn (Author), Virginia Heckert (Author), Mary Kay Lombino (Author), Candida Höfer (Photographer)
Cliff's Notes
"Someone"
This is another great Spenser story by Atkins. Ripped from the headlines, as they say, our intrepid detective goes after some people who have a very bad predilection.
The funny thing is that he does not seem to age while others about him do, save Susan and Hawk. The protagonist of this tale is Mattie. We first met her, at the age of fourteen, in "Lullaby" which was published nine years ago and she is about 22-years old in this telling.
The book also introduces a German short-haired pointer puppy named Pearl. There have been two previous Pearls, as this story opens the second one has recently died. Based on the average life expectancy of the breed, that would indicate that 24 to 28 years have elapsed over the course of Spenser's adventures.
Yet, he, nor his two his faithful companions seem to have grown older. Not, so that the reader can tell anyway. Even though he and Hawk must be well past sixty, neither has a lost a step. They certainly rival Jack LaLanne in their ability to hold it together.
"Modern House"
Some might call this a children's book, but I feel that readers of all ages can avail themselves of this introduction to to ten of modern architecture's most important homes and their creators.
"Cliff Hutson"
Genealogical DNA testing has become very popular. As a multiracial/multiethnic person I have long been curious about my makeup and decided to join the fray. I used three different companies: 23andMe, Ancestry.com, and National Geographic Geno 2.0. The results varied, but are more or less in line with each other.
I find the results from 23andMe most interesting as they indicate that I have a great-grand parent who was 100% "French & German", and that person was likely born between 1860 and 1920. Assuming that the earlier years of this time frame are true would bear out family lore that my mother's grandfather was French.
In any event, having a book in which I am the subject is kind of fun.
"Architecture of Absence"
This a photography book. Höfer photographs empty spaces, i.e., libraries, concert halls, and museums without people visible in them. Three authors strive mightily to put this in context.
Monday, March 7, 2022
Reading Log: February 2022
The books I read in February 2022
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| February 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"Night Passage," Robert B. Parker
"Trouble in Paradise," Robert B. Parker
"Death in Paradise," Robert B. Parker
"Stone Cold," Robert B. Parker
"Remodelista: A Manual for the Considered Home," Julie Carlson
Cliff's Notes
"Jesse Stone"
I have enjoyed the work of Robert B. Parker over the years, having read all of the "Spenser", spelled like the the poet, novels that he penned. (Additionally, I have also read eight - out of ten - written by Ace Atkins; who, in my opinion, writes better as Parker than he does as himself.)
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| Mushroom & Green Pepper: photo by Cliff Hutson |
But, I had not read any of the Jesse Stone series until now. I found them to be an OK change of pace, and liked how they were different, but did have crossover characters from the other books. I also get a kick out of the fact that Stone and I have the same favorite pizza - mushrooms with green bell pepper. However, I have grown tired of his dealing with his ex-wife Jen and don't find the series compelling enough to follow it any further.
"Prey"
Lucas Davenport is another character that I never really cottoned to. The fault probably lies within in me and not in the series by John Stanford, but I had previously read only two books from what I think of as the "Prey" series. However, I really enjoy Stanford's stories about Virgil Flowers. So when I saw that Virgil was in the latest Davenport book I felt compelled to buy it. I am glad I did. It is a good story and I enjoyed the read. Still, it did not make me warm up to Lucas in any way at all.
"Remodelista"
This is a book that I have had for several years and revisited as a part of the culling process I have previously mentioned. I have also alluded to it several times in the past as it was the springboard for I called the "Friday Favorites" posts in the blog. While I got some value out this book, it is not really for my kind of people. I should have known this right upfront when I saw that a blurb on the back cover was written by Diane Keaton and the introduction by Julianne Moore. It is now going to the discard pile.
Monday, February 7, 2022
Reading Log: January 2022
The books that I finished reading in January 2022
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| January 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"Back Story," Robert B.Parker
“Creative Spaces,” Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung
“Sage Living,” Anne Sage
"Atomic Ranch: Midcentury Interiors," Michelle Gringeri-Brown and Jim Brown
Full disclosure:
The last three on the list are books that I have in years past. I have undertaken a project where I begin a radical deaccession of my collection and will be going through my collection to decide what to keep and what will go.
The reason being is that, hopefully, this will be the year that I move to smaller quarters and there won’t be room for all the stuff I now own. The books I have accumulated over decades now occupy space in three bedrooms, the kitchen, dining room, and living room. There are also boxes in closets. (I guess I did not use the bathrooms due to questions of hygiene and humidity.)
As of this moment, the only one that I know that I will not part with is a 1961 edition of “The Wind in the Willows”, and maybe a few others signed by local authors - no one famous, but kind of a personal connection.
The remainder, some of which may be reread, will be up for grabs as I cull them. I will be donating them to a prison library project or the local county library branch.
Monday, January 3, 2022
Reading Log: December 2021
The books I finished reading in December 2021
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| December 2021 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
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