GEORGE &
CRAIG’S READING LIST
--George A.
Hancock
Craig B.
Snapp
Summer is finally upon us. A great season for reading
interesting books. Reading is perfect out on the sunny beach. Reading is
also ideal on that cool shady deck. George and Craig offer streak runners the
following Summer reading suggestions.
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO – Stieg Larsson
This is a wonderful, complicated, sprawling story. I was halfway into
its compelling nature before I learned that it was the first of a trilogy. That
was terrific news for me! Immediately after finishing this opening shot, I read
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE. Then, I read THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET’S
NEST. It’s an incredible achievement! Sadly, Stieg
Larsson passed away before any of his work was published. For anyone
interested, there was a movie made for each book. The movies were made in
Sweden with optional English subtitles.
–Craig
INNOCENT – Scott Turrow
This is Turrow’s sequel to PRESUMED INNOCENT
from 20 years ago. The characters are 20 + years older now. This book is a
combination Mystery and Legal Thriller. The book is stunning. The reader does
not need to read PRESUMED INNOCENT to appreciate this amazing tale. I did re-read
PRESUMED INNOCENT. I do appreciate each character a little bit more now. –Craig
FULL DARK, NO STARS – Stephen King
This is king’s latest edition. It’s a short story collection. Each story
stands alone yet there is a similar theme running through each story. Any
reader that is not a fan of King’s Supernatural writing aspects should know
that these stories are without that quality.
–Craig
AGAIN TO CARTHAGE – John Parker
This is Parker’s sequel to his 30-year old all-time classic ONCE A
RUNNER. However, the novel takes place just 10 years afterwards. The main
character Quentin Cassidy takes one last shot at running glory at a slightly
longer distance.
THE BORDER LORDS – T. Jefferson
Parker
This is the fourth installment in the series featuring Law Enforcement
Agent Charlie Hood. Hood is stationed in Southern California. Hood is mainly
concerned with problems involving Mexico, drugs, guns, money and rock “n” roll.
The reader did not need to read the previous three books to appreciate this
book.
THE SENTRY – Robert Crais
This is Crais’ latest book dealing with his
two main characters. Elvis is the attorney and Joe Pike is the investigator.
The latter appears tough and in print is even tougher. The former appears soft
and legalistic and is something more than that fact. Together both Elvis and
Joe are a spectacular team. These guys get the deal done. –Craig
STRATEGIC MOVES – Stuart Woods
This is the latest Stone Barrington
novel. This novel is a who’s who of current and past Woods characters. Of
course, series regular Lt. Dino Bacchetti and Bill
Eggers appear in the story along with Herbie Fisher.
This is a great story with some neat curvy twists. The reader learns what
happens when a Mercedes is driven out of a C17 cargo plane. What happens to the
driver? And for that matter, what happens to the car? -George
THE KILLER ANGELS – Michael Shaara
This historical novel won the 1975 Fiction Pulitizer
Prize. The 1993 movie GETTYSBURG is based on this novel. My Cambria County
community selects a book every Spring for the region
to read, discuss and share thoughts in organized group sessions. KILLER ANGELS
was selected this year for the ONE BOOK, ONE COMMUNITY reading program. Most people learn about the July 1, 2 & 3
1863 Gettysburg battle by reading this book or watching the movie. It’s a great
novel. This book is worth rereading or reading for the first time. –George
THE CONFESSION – John Grisham
My colleague Craig Snapp wrote about this book
in our Spring issue. I recently read this novel. Wow!
What a story. The focal point is Donte Drumm and Travis Boyette. One may
question their beliefs about the death penalty and the legal system after
finishing this Grisham novel. This novel is 418 pages long. An excellent summer
read. –George
GOING HOME TO GLORY: A MEMOIR OF LIFE
WITH DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER – David Eisenhower & Julie Nixon Eisenhower
This account covers Dwight Eisenhower’s life from 1961 through 1969.
Eisenhower completed his second presidential term in 1961. Eisenhower retired
to a farm that he purchased just outside Gettysburg, PA. David Eisenhower
weaves an interesting personal account about his grandfather. The reader gets
Eisenhower’s views on LBJ, the Kennedy assassination, the Viet Nam war, student
unrest, rioting in cities and the 1964 Goldwater GOP campaign. This is an
excellent biography on the waning Eisenhower years. –George
FADEAWAY GIRL – Martha Grimes
Martha Grimes is the popular writer of the Richard Jury novel series.
FADEAWAY GIRL is her new venture into the world about Emma Graham. Emma Graham
is an interesting 12-year old girl. This novel numbers 323 pages. At times the
novel bogs down in various questionable scenarios. Grimes is
a good writer. I feel this story could have been told in 200 to 225 pages. But,
most novels seem to be wordy these days. Let me know what you thing after
reading this novel.
–George
TICK TOCK – James Patterson
This new Patterson novel is about NYPD Detective Michael Bennett and his
extended family. A fast paced troubling read. The storyline is believable. The
characters are familiar. The bad guys are troubling. They seem to live in our
local newspapers. TICK TOCK is another great story from that writer that seems
to produce great books every several months. James Patterson is one terrific
story teller. –George
THE TEMPLAR LEGACY – Steve Berry
This 2006 novel is about Cotton Malone. Malone was once a U.S. Justice
Department operative. Malone is now an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen.
Berry describes the Knights Templar in this tome. The reader learns what the
Templar Knights are all about. The novel has information about their hidden
treasures. The bad guys in this novel are internal. THE TEMPLAR LEGACY is an
excellent Summer read. –George
SECRETS TO THE GRAVE – Tami Hoag
Tami Hoag is another well known author. This latest edition takes place
in Oak Knoll, California. I thought the book had a slow confusing start.
However, the storyline picks up dramatically. Marissa Fordham is brutally
murdered. Who done it? The novel numbers 449 pages.
The novel is too long. Some strong
editing would tighten this book. However, this story is worth reading. –George
THE FIFTH WITNESS – Michael Connelly
Mickey Haller is back in this novel. He’s the main character from THE
LINCOLN LAYWER and THE REVERSAL. Mickey is defending a female teacher accused
of murder. The case against her seems pretty strong. However, Mickey believes
some of the evidence is a bit too contrived. That point gives Mickey an avenue
to explore. Mickey, as usual, does not find any easy answers-Craig
LIVEWIRE – Harlan Coben
Harlan Coben
is famous for his convoluted mysteries. LIVEWIRE is definitely in that mold.
The story also represents a positive step forward. This novel features one of
his continuing characters Myron along with Win, Esperanza and Big Cyndi. The
story begins as a simple request from a friend. However, it becomes a bit more
than that. Now of the last 10 story twists, I was able to figure out zero of
the 11! --Craig
THE CASE FOR BOOKS: PAST, PRESENT AND
FUTURE – Robert Darton
Robert Darnton is a Carl H. Pforzheimer University Professor and the director of the
Harvard University Library. Darton also was a former European history professor at
Princeton University. Darton’s book is a great
statement about books. Darnton discusses the current
digital age. The reader also learns about the current issues associated with
the microfilm practice. Many libraries microfilmed their newspaper collection
then tossed those papers away. However, this microfilm process is proving unreliable
over time. The microfilmed newspapers are fading away. Many libraries lost a
valuable research resource. Readers and book lovers will enjoy this 2009
book. –George
Craig and George enjoy hearing from our readers. Please feel free to
email your thoughts on any of these books. Also, if you have a book or author
that we should read, then please email that information to us. Reading is fun,
educational and very relaxing. Enjoy that book!