GEORGE & CRAIG’S READING LIST – PART 4

Craig B. Snapp

George A. Hancock

Reading a Pennsylvania library books became difficult in 2011. The turbulent economy forced the Governor’s Office and the State Legislature to make huge budget cuts. The Pennsylvania County Library systems suffered a serious budget reduction.

The Highland Community Library is my local library. This branch is part of the Cambria County Library system. Highland is the second largest branch in the county. Numerous new guidelines took effect on July 1, 2011. The Highland branch was forced to cut the operating hours. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 to 6. The Friday and Saturday hours are 10 to 5. Our library has no evening hours. The lights are off or dim in many sections. Reading tables were moved closer to the windows. The heat was also turned down. And, the Highland Community Library, as of July 1, 2011, stopped purchasing new books, periodicals and newspapers. The library purchase funds simply dwindled away. Today, private donations are used to purchase or adopt any new books.

Craig reports that California also made library budget reductions but not as severe as those in Pennsylvania.

Despite these handicaps, reading remains an enjoyable endeavor. Reading is a pleasant Winter pastime. There’s nothing like relaxing in the old easy chair with a good book after a cold Wintry run. So, Craig and I offer the following reading suggestions.

Carte Blanche – Jeffrey Deaver

The every young James bond is brought into the world of 2011 in this wonderful E-Ticker Ride. For Bond fans, it stays true to all that’s gone before including his exasperated superiors. For Deaver fans, it has all the turns, twists and “what the @&*$!? ’s that we’ve come to expect from the Master-of the Same. This is a one-time only present, commissioned by the family of Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming. Jeffrey goes back to his normal ways. --Craig

THE HYPNOTIST – Lars Kepler

This is a Murder/Mystery done by a Swedish man and woman under an assumed name. The main character is THE HYPNOTIST. He is asked by the authorities to assist them solving a gruesome crime. He has mixed emotions about it all. We don’t know all the reasons for this until much later. Then we see what happened a decade ago. Some of the best sections are from that past involving hypnotic sessions, and the many convolutions of the mind. --Craig

BURIED PREY – John Sandford

This volume is the latest in the hopefully never ending Prey Series! The main character is Lucas Davenport. Davenport gets involved in a cold case. This case is 20 plus years old. But now, the case is hot! Davenport was a police force newbie when this crime occurred. And, Davenport was only involved around the edges. Today Davenport is the head of the State Crime Bureau. This bureau answers directly to the Governor. We get to watch Davenport go back and forth between the present and the past while working on a whodunit? And a howdidmylifegetthere?

--Craig

THOSE GUYS HAVE ALL THE FUN: INSIDE THE WORLD OF ESPN – James Miller & Tom Shales

This is the history of arguably one of the greatest success stories in recent years. We learn about THE COMPANY from its humble beginnings to its current global conglomerate status. The authors interviewed over 700 subjects. So, we get to see this story from numerous angles. Of course, not all the story lines are in agreement. Here’s the best part: 99 and 44/100ths is presented in a verbatim interview format. The authors or compilers offer comments just to keep us updated on the timeline. ESPN is an amazing story! And, there are numerous laugh-out-loud anecdotal nuggets. -- Craig

SMOKING SEVENTEEN – Janet Evanovich

This is another Stephanie Plum romp. Why are dead bodies showing up on Vincent Plum’s Bail Bonds construction site? What happens when Vinnie, Step, & the crew begin working out of Mooner’s motor home? What happens to Stephanie when Grandma Bella utters a curse? What happens when Stephanie’s mom decides it’s time for another guy in Steph’s life? Did Steph’s mom make the right choice? What a series!–George

THE JEFFERSON KEY – Steve Berry

This is an excellent novel. Berry weaves an intriguing tale about U.S. Presidents and Pirates. No, the story is not about the Pittsburgh Pirates but rather the seafaring type that sails and plunders the high seas. Several questions arise: Are any or all of the presidential assassinations related?

I’ll WALK ALONE – Mary Higgins Clark

This is Higgins’ 30^th novel. The novel stars Alexandra “Zan” Moreland. Moreland is a talented interior designer. Her son Matthew was kidnapped two years ago. Is he dead? Alvirah Meeham makes a cameo appearance in this story. Readers will not be disappointed in this story. -George

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC: MR. LINCOLN’S ARMY – Bruce Catton

This is the first volume in Catton’s 1962 Civil War Trilogy. Catton wrote in the Preface: “The books which make up this trilogy began, very simply, as an attempt to understand the men who fought in the Army of the Potomac.” And, Catton succeeds very well in describing the Union Army. This book was published at the Civil War Centennial. We are now at the 150^th Civil War anniversary. This trilogy is worth rereading! –George

HUCKLEBERRY FINN- Mark Twain

Or, the subtitle: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Tom Sawyer’s Comrade. The story begins with these words by Huck Finn. “You don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name of the Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain’t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly.” Huckleberry Finn is a great 19th Century American novel. Many individuals have serious issues with this book. Consequently, the book is banned from school districts. The book was published in 1884. We learn about Huck and Jim’s adventures on the Mississippi River. This book is a tremendous read. –George

NOW YOU SEE HER – James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

The main character in this novel is Nina Bloom. The story begins 19 year ago in Key West Florida. Nina is involved in a deadly incident that police officer Peter Fournier investigates. Thus, begins a strange and twisted tail that take Nina from Key West to New York and then back to Key West. This book is another fast paced suspense novel. It seems Patterson writes a new novel every month. –George

ONE OF OUR THURSDAY’S IS MISSING – Jasper Fforde

Jasper Fforde has written another Thursday Next novel. Thursday Next is a literary detective. Previous novels described the current genre wars. Now the week before the Peace Talks, Thursday disappears. Enter the written Thursday next and her butler Sprockett. This pair launches an investigation into the real Thursday Next disappearance. A good novel. –George

THE DEVIL COLONY – James Rollins

This novel is a Sigma Force story. The Sigma Force is an elite handpicked team. Sigma Force conducts field operations for the Defense Department across the globe. This tremendous suspense tail involves the Lewis & Clark Expedition, ancient Indian Tribes, the Lost Tribe of Israel and assorted bad guys. We learn all about the Devil Colony & the 14^th Colony. –George