Whale Day and Other Poems

I shouldn't admit to gobbling the entire Whale Day and Other Poems (#1,186) by Billy Collins in one sitting, but I did.  Plus, I had the pleasure of introducing Billy Collins' poems to several people who were not acquainted with his work.

Did I have a favorite?  It would be hard to choose, but Whale Day was so appropriate for the cruise I just took, I could hardly stand it!  I also loved The Function of Poetry.

Even if you're like me, and you're not convinced you can love poetry, try reading Billy Collins.  His work surprises, delights and makes you think "Huh."  What more could you ask for?

The Little Village of Book Lovers

Okay, I picked this book based on its title alone, The Little Village of Book Lovers (#1,185).  I didn't realize until I got it home that it was by Nina George.  She wrote the best seller The Little Paris Bookshop.  Most readers loved it.  I didn't.  After dipping into this book for a few pages, I knew this one wasn't for me, either.  Next book, please.

Wreck The Halls

Oh, dear.  I had forgotten to cancel my hold on Tessa Bailey's holiday novel Wreck The Halls (#1,184) before it arrived in my library pile.  I tried, I really did, but I just couldn't cope with all the throbbing and moisture in a Christmas book.  Gave up after a couple of chapters.  Next book, please.

The Last Devil To Die

This is the fourth entry in Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series.  We encounter many of the same characters from prior novels in The Last Devil To Die (#1,183) and understanding their back stories is key to enjoying this mystery.

Elizabeth and Stephen are at a crossroads as Stephen's dementia worsens.  Past and present are difficult to separate, but when one of his oldest friends is murdered, his confusion will ultimately lead to busting a major drug ring and foiling the theft of antiquities.

Joyce finally seems to be finding her own place in the world, stepping into Elizabeth's shoes quite successfully on several occasions.   Ron seems to have settled into a steady relationship, leaving Ibrahaim somewhat on his own.  Luckily for the Thursday Murder Club, several new people have recently moved into Coopers Chase.  Are there potential new members of their exclusive club among them?  To find out, you'll have to read The Last Devil To Die for yourself.  You'll enjoy your time there.

Drowning - The Rescue of Flight 1421

T.J. Newman has done it again with her novel Drowning - The Rescue of Flight 1421 (#1,182).  I am glad that it's going to be several months before I have to fly over water again after reading this one!  Mere minutes after taking off from Honolulu, Flight 1421 suffers a catastrophic failure and is forced to ditch the plane in the water.

The point of view changes from one survivor to another as the reality of the crash sets in.  The actions they take in the immediate aftermath will determine whether they live or die.  But just when you think they might be all right, something else happens to lessen their chances.

Their experience makes for harrowing, but page-turning reading.  Just don't take it with you on your own flight!

The Night Watchman

I've had Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman (#1,181) on my "To Read" pile for quite a while.  I decided that a cruise would give me the leisure to appreciate the book.  I was right to save it for this moment.  The subject of the novel is a member of the Turtle Mountain Reservation in North Dakota, ThomasWazhushk.  He tries to be active in tribal Chippewa affairs, fighting against the indifference of the Federal bureaucracy.  Mostly his wins are small, but when he reads about a Utah Congressman's efforts to "terminate" the Turtle Mountain Reservation as a separate entity, forcing the Chippewa off their already meager property and disbanding them as a tribe, something in Thomas snaps.  He cannot let this happen.

Louise Erdrich has famously used her own grandfather as the source for building the character of Thomas, and has peopled the novel with a host of interesting personalities.  Family, friends, tribal and work connections all play a role here.

I guess I was expecting a serious "literary" novel.  What I got instead was an engaging portrait of people just trying to leave their own stamp on the world in the place they were born.  In truth, I found the book hard to put down once I started it.  I'm just sorry it took me so long.  If you haven't discovered what a wonderful writer Louise Erdrich is, The Night Watchman is a great place to start.

Starter Villain

This is my first John Scalzi novel, but I have a feeling Starter Villain (#1,180) won't be my last.  Not only do cats play a pivotal role in this book, so do dolphins and whales.  It was the perfect book to be reading on a transatlantic cruise, where we saw both whales and dolphins.  But having been owned by cats, I thought Mr. Scalzi captured their personalities perfectly.  They are smarter than you, and they don't hesitate to prove it.  

Here, they are out to help out hapless substitute teacher Charlie who lost everything in his divorce but the house he grew up in.  His two older, very well-heeled half siblings are intent on selling the modest house out from under him after their father dies.  Charlie can't even scrape together the down payment for the neighborhood pub he wants to buy.  Everything changes the day the bank turns him down for the loan and he returns home to find his uncle's agent on his doorstep with an offer he can't refuse, provided Charlie agrees to attend said uncle's funeral.  Did I mention the uncle is a multi-billionaire?  Hang on for a very wild and fun ride!

Personally, I would have bought this book based on the cover art alone!  Loved it!