The books that I finished reading in April 2026:
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| April 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Showing posts with label novel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label novel. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2026
Monday, April 6, 2026
Reading Log: March 2026
The books I finished reading in March 2026
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| March 2026 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, October 6, 2025
Reading Log: September 2025
The books that I finished reading in September 2025
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| September 2025 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"2034," Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavrids
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| Fire Challenge Coin (Front): photo by Cliff Hutson |
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| Fire Challenge Coin (Reverse): photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, June 30, 2025
National Corvette Day
Celebrating An American Icon
The Corvette is a sports car that first came off a GM Flint, Michigan assembly line on June 30, 1953. Some years ago the date was designated National Corvette Day to comemeorate that event and honor a classic automobile.
All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.
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, December 2, 2024
Reading Log: November 2024
The books that I read in the month of November 2024
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| November 2024 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
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, January 8, 2024
Reading Log: December 2023
The books that I finished reading in the month of December 2023:
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| December 2023 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Cliff's Notes
"True West"
I was very disappointed in this book, thinking that it would contain more history than personal stories. The author maintains, based on her personal experiences, that America can be brought together if we meet our fellow Americans where they are.
That may be easy for a well to do, somewhat noted, white woman to say. It is not so practical in a land where a service station in Arizona refused to sell me gas, or where my wife were seated in a restaurant in Idaho Falls but never served.
She does write well though.
"Pests"
"Pests are what happens when we think that we've got nature all figured out, and nature decides to give us the finger."
This was both an entertaining and informative read.
"Hondo"
My newspaper of record recently devoted several paragraphs to a discussion of the movie of the same title and the novel as they both mention a local community - San Dimas. I decided to watch the movie and then read the book, which was based on the movie rather than the usual sequence. They were both pretty darn good. Each in its own way.
See how they differed was illuminating. A novelist can use extensive character description and metaphors. A screenplay has to solve the problem of how to put necessary information in to the mouths of characters whereas a novel can just tell the reader about it.
So, at bottom, I will say that I enjoyed the book more. Mostly because it gave me some leeway to enjoy the landscape as it were, rather than have it relegated to the background as I keep an eye on the actors. But, let me go on record as saying that I will never give up one form for the other.
"Out There"
Another enjoyable read. But, then I seem to have an inborn fascination with the juxtaposition between science fiction and real science. I came of age during a time when many of the things first hinted at in books and movies became (more or less) actual technological advances. This book limns the way real life and science fiction may intersect.
Monday, December 11, 2023
Reading Log: November 2023
The books that I finished reading in the month of November 2023 -
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| November 2023 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Cliff's Notes:
"Belt" and "Drop"
As previously noted, I have very much enjoyed Stewart's Miami Jones series. And, I believe that finishing these two brings me current. They did not disappoint.
Part of my enjoyment stems from Miami being a former pro athlete who frequently muses on what was and what could have been. Also, each book in the series revolves around a different sport. These cover boxing and surfing respectively. Both of them offer an interesting story offering humor and insights into life.
"Ghost Bear"
I have a great interest in natural history and Stark's book has expanded my knowledge about an animal that I have vaguely aware of for decades, but knew very little about.
The bear in the title is the prehistoric North American giant short-faced bear. I say that I was familiar with it as I once lived within walking distance of the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles where the remains of thirty some-odd individual bears have been found. The author devotes a couple of chapters to the scientific work done there and his visit to the George C. Page Museum. He seems as bemused as I was over the cartoonish statue of a short-faced bear on the park grounds.
This book is a great guide to the Pleistocene and one of the more spectacular animals that during that time.
"Gods"
This book is a "Lincoln Lawyer" novel. I like Connelly's work, but much prefer the Harry Bosch books. But, this is an engaging read filled with a lot of ins, a lot of outs, and a lot of what-have-you's. A reader with a limber mind should enjoy it.
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, 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, 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, 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, October 4, 2021
Reading Log: September 2021
The books that I read in the month of September 2021:
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| September 2021 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
Monday, September 6, 2021
Reading Log: August 2021
The books that I finished reading in the month of August 2021:
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| August 2021 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson |
"Forget the Alamo: The Rise and Fall of an American Myth," Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson, and Jason Stanford
"The Botany of Gin," Chris Thorogood and Simon Hiscock
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