dabell's Titles

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (Classics, Literary Fiction, Biography) As a classic, this book is considered a must read. I'm not sure whether I really liked it or I'm just glad to have finished it. I did not like Wang Lung, the book's central character. The look at China, as depicted in the book, made me glad I never had to live there, particularly as a woman. -- Added by dabell on 03/03/2013 Add Comment

Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes (Adventure, Suspense, Travel, Sports) While not quite as endearing as Under the Tuscan Sun, this book describes the adventures Mayes and her husband, Ed, have as they live, work, and travel around Tuscany. If you like Italy, you will enjoy her rich descriptions of the other areas they visit. She also gives the reader an appreciation for the struggles and rewards they experience in maintaining Bramasole and the olive trees, particularly since they do not live there full time. It made me want to be there! -- Added by dabell on 03/02/2013 Add Comment

The Columbus Affair by Steve Berry (Historical Fiction, Westerns, History) Tom Sagan is a disgraced journalist and a disappointing father/son/husband who gets drawn into the search for items believed to have been hidden by Christopher Columbus. Along the way, the reader and Sagan are introduced to some little known Jewish history. The pacing of this book was perhaps not as good as other Berry books. However, I did find the story line interesting. -- Added by dabell on 03/02/2013 Add Comment

Worst Case by James Patterson (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) This time, Detective Michael Bennett partners with attractive FBI agent Emily Parker to search for the criminal abducting kids from wealthy families. Bennett hates the crimes, but otherwise doesn't seem to mind going to work. The story follows the formula that has worked pretty well for Patterson. If you like his formula and want a quick read, this one will satisfy. -- Added by dabell on 02/18/2013 Add Comment

Zero Day by David Baldacci (Mystery, Horror, Crime, Business, Politics) I've read most Baldacci books, but this was the first with John Puller as the main character. Puller is a war hero who gets assigned to investigate the murders of a military man and his family in a small coal town in West Virginia. As he and the local police detective search for clues, nothing makes any sense, including why he, and no other military personnel, pulled this assignment. Puller is a likeable guy and there are enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. -- Added by dabell on 02/18/2013 Add Comment

A Matter of Honor by Jeffrey Archer (Adventure, Suspense, Travel, Sports) Upon the father's death, a son receives an unopened letter previously given to the father. The Russian head of the KGB is tasked with finding a small iconic painting. The story is about how these 2 plots develop and intersect, leading to a suspenseful chase. It is set in 1966 amid the cold war. I liked the suspense and Archer's style of writing. -- Added by dabell on 02/06/2013 Add Comment