GEORGE & CRAIG’S READING LIST

 

--George A. Hancock

runnergah@comcast.net

Craig B. Snapp

raldo707@msn.com

 

     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!