Summer Reading 2016 Old Age: A Beginner's Guide

Although this is not my usual choice of reading material, it was described in a way that caught my attention. When I actually saw the book, the compact size was a bonus - it is easy to carry around and read when you have unexpected downtime. The title, however, is a bit misleading. Although the author does discuss aging, the title is actually drawn from his statement that living with Parkinson's disease is like going through a beginner's guide to old age. And the comparison makes a lot of sense, especially as Kinsley explains it, since the symptoms of one mimic the other.

I had never read any of Kinsley's writing before this, so I did not know what to expect of his style or his opinions and attitudes. I found that I enjoyed his view of life and his own place in it. He says things like, "Fortunately for me, one of the themes of this book is that few people get what they deserve, in this life or the next one." And for good or for ill, he is right. He also talks about the competitiveness of humans, pointing out bumper stickers like the one that reads, "He who dies with the most toys wins." Kinsley offers the idea that there are other forms of final competition in life. Besides worrying about who can accumulate the most toys before they go, we can also compete over who survives the longest, who has the best quality of life, and who has the most left of their marbles until the end. 

The author's frankness about his own diagnosis and how he has dealt with it, how it has affected him (medications surgical procedures, etc.), forms a basis to tie together the rest of his thoughts. In one chapter he delves into the difference between Baby Boomers and the generation before them, and those that come after. He discusses possible solutions for government deficits and also looks at the hope of all writers to secure a reputation that outlives them. Everything he says is well said and intelligent, often funny(although sometimes in a morbid way of whistling past a grave yard), but that reflects his life. 

If you enjoy autobiographical stories, or essays about topics relating to becoming one of the more mature ( see, I didn't say old), members of society, or have enjoyed Kinsley's writing during his long career as a journalist, then you should pick up a copy. 

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Summer Reading 2016 Wynonna Earp Volume 1: Homecoming

I watched several episodes of the TV series this summer, so when I saw this collection of issues 1-6, it caught my interest. The show and comics both capture a feeling that is almost "Deadpool" meets the wild west. The body count is staggering. The gore is dripping everywhere. There are plenty of snarky remarks. But there are also demons, witches, and cannibals rather than mutant villains. And Wynonna's natural talents in hunting down the unnatural enemies of mankind are a result of inheriting the family curse, not an extra options package in her DNA. The backstory of that curse and her famous ancestor (Wyatt), is revealed in small bits so that readers put together the big picture slowly, just as you do whenever you meet someone new. This new acquaintance just happens to have shootouts with demonic gunslingers and busts up black market deals for large shipments of brains.

Dealing with a family curse can make someone a bit touchy, so it shouldn't be a surprise that Wynonna tends to annoy her superior, Xavier Dolls. Then again, with a name like that, he should expect to be annoyed by people. Besides Wy and X (LOL), there are also John Henry, a questionable ally with a mysterious past, and another agent that has many years of experience (you'll have to read to find out who).

It's obvious that the writer is familiar with the Earp legend. Several of the lines spoken by Wynonna are almost identical to those spoken by Kurt Russell in the movie "Tombstone." As a fan of the movie, it was hard for me not to put the words, "I'll be your huckleberry," into John Henry's mouth, especially when he confronts Johnny Ringo (my mind kept picturing Val Kilmer and Michael Biehn). 

If you have been enjoying the TV series, then you should try the comics and graphic novels.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Summer Reading 2016 Lady Cop Makes Trouble

Amy Stewart has done it again. Luckily, she hasn't done anything illegal, and she lives in the 21st century, so Constance Kopp won't be coming after her. And what has she done? Why, write another entertaining and absorbing story of one of the first female sheriff's deputies in the U.S. This time around Constance is trying to hold onto her new job (and paycheck). When a prisoner escapes while the sheriff is already worried that there may be trouble over hiring Constance, things get very tense. Can she track down the fugitive, prevent negative consequences for herself and the sheriff, and still make it to Fleurette's theatrical debut on time?

Meticulous research has allowed the author to paint an authentic picture of life during World War I. Not only does she have the period details of the clothing, transportation, and fads (training pigeons for the war effort), but she also manages to put the right opinions and outlooks into the characters' minds. For instance, a prisoner insists on speaking to Constance in German, and it makes her uncomfortable due to the war and everyone's dislike of all things German. When she catches a criminal, the male reporters state that she tapped the man on the shoulder rather than telling everyone that she had actually tackled him. The entire worldview with the women's-only hotels and the notion that general delivery mail was in danger of being discontinued by the post office because it was being used for secret love letters seems strange to us today.

This story has a broad appeal because it does so many things well. The setting of a century ago is perfect for those who love historical fiction. Constance and her determination to prove she is capable of being a deputy sheriff satisfies those who love strong female protagonists. For those who prefer mystery or crime procedurals, there is plenty of sleuthing to uncover where the escaped prisoner is hiding. There is even a cameo appearance by the famous William Carlos Williams.

Whatever your reason for reading this second book of the Kopp sisters, you won't be disappointed.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Summer Reading 2016 The Book Club Murders

Mystery fans rejoice! What could be better than a murder mystery that revolves around a book club that only reads murder mysteries? A club called the Agathas, in honor of Dame Agatha Christie, of course. Nagel has captured the feel of suburban America perfectly. The secret affairs that everyone knows about, the social clout of the country club set, the shared history of lifelong residents is all there in the descriptions of Oakwood. And when a murder shatters the seeming calm of the town, then is followed by another, and another...it seems that someone is capable of keeping secrets after all. 

The characters are entertaining and provoke an emotional response from the readers. We may be amused by Charley and Frankie plotting over coffee, or amused at Dmitri's antics in the hair salon, and then irritated by the imperious Midge or feel sorry for Wilson in her rigidly controlled marriage. The tension between Charley and Marcus and the question of whether they will ever get together or not adds to the suspense of the murder investigation while also letting us take a break from death to roll our eyes at these two stubborn individuals. Even the secondary characters seem very real. There's the faithful caretaker Lawrence who tends to Charley's father; Marc's detective partner, Paul and his teasing that Charley is "Nancy Drew;" and even Charley's dad with his outrage at the inappropriate video that is posted on YouTube after one of the murders. Each person that the reader encounters is believable in all their strengths and weaknesses.

So, we have plot, setting, and characters that lure us in and then the twists and turns keep us guessing. Who is the real killer? Will the attraction between Marc and Charlie ever be acted on? Why isn't there an Old Hat vintage clothing boutique in my town? (Okay, maybe that last one was just me.) Readers who enjoy the Aurora Teagarden mysteries, Goldy's Culinary Mysteries, and other series where the protagonist is not an official detective will have fun with The Book Club Murders. 

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

Summer Reading 2016: War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love

I had soggy toast for breakfast this morning. No, I'm not oversharing or complaining, the toast was collateral damage from reading this book. I reached the section of the book that shared many of the stories about wounded or KIA war dogs and their handlers and cried all over my toast while I read my way through breakfast. Frankel's look at the history of U.S. military dogs and the various missions they have been entrusted with over the years is full of accounts describing the service and faithfulness of both partners - dog and handler. It also covers the types of training the teams go through to prepare them for deployment, the types of missions they run, and the lives they save.

I respect the time and energy the author put into her work. She conducted interviews, observed training sessions, and even participated in some of the drills and marches. During the research process she made friends with many of the people who shared information with her. She became close enough that when some of the teams she had met suffered a casualty, the network reached out to her and made sure that she received the news. 

I also appreciate the way she covered the various types of military working dogs - from those that deploy with combat teams to search for IEDs or insurgents, to those that work with the medical teams as therapy dogs, and even those that are assigned to help deal with PTSD once troops come back home. Frankel also talked with teams working with TSA and Homeland Security patrolling airports and former service members who have been able to adopt their canine partners once they were no longer doing field work. And the story of Buddy, the first seeing-eye dog in America is included, too.

Along with the text, there are photos of the dogs and their handlers, which gives the narrative a more personal touch. And there are quotes at the beginning of each section from famous people or from other books about these military canines. One that really appealed to me was from Will Rogers, "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." But I think one that really pertains to how these dogs help the troops even when they are not actively sniffing out bombs or guarding the men is from Robyn Davidson, "The good Lord in his infinite wisdom gave us three things to make life bearable, hope, jokes, and dogs, but the greatest of these was dogs." 

Anyone interested in military history or dogs of any sort will find this book highly interesting and a read that will capture their attention. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.