Book Review: In the Name of Honor

In the Name of Honor  by Richard North Patterson tells an engrossing story of the trial of an Army officer charged with killing a fellow officer with whom he had served in Iraq. There are complications of family and romance, for both the accused and for his lawyer, who is the main character in the book. The book provides an enlightening look into the military justice system and into what has been endured by members of our military in Iraq.  There were two things that I thought kept this from being a really good book. The first was a plot twist that I found to be unbelievable and inconsistent with the characters. The second was the fact that the middle of the book really dragged. I felt like the book would have been stronger if there hadn't been as much repetition.

Three book review

I need to write a review of three books together. I don't have time this morning, but I'm putting this up so I don't forget. The last three books I read all tie together: The Known World, The Kingdom of Ohio, and Kindred. It was an interesting string of books and I need to talk about them.
Later.

Second Nature

For a really good review of the book Second Nature by Michael Pollan, go here.

Book Review: Her Fearful Symmetry

Her Fearful Symmetry

This was one of those books I grabbed off the shelf at the library because it looked intriguing. And it was. I was even liking it pretty well for the first half, even though the characters aren't very likeable. During the second part of the book, I kept reading because I felt like I had to know what was going to happen, even though I had a really bad feeling and wasn't sure that I wanted to know.

I suppose I'm not sorry I read it. It wasn't bad. The writing was good, and it did keep me engrossed during a couple of hours waiting in the car, but I can't say I liked it.

Book Review: Powder and Patch

I love Georgette Heyer, and this book was a lot of fun, very light and comedic. Set earlier than many of her books, in the mid-eighteenth century, and partially in pre-revolutionary France, Powder and Patch had a slightly different feel than her many Regency romances. I especially enjoyed her description of the men's clothing.

I am not generally a fan of romances, but Heyer's books, written in the early 20th century are good, old-fashioned fun.

Book Review: Julie and Julia

I've have been wanting to read Julie and Julia by Julie Powell for months, and have had it on hold at the library for quite a while.

What a disappointment it was. I love food & cooking. I love memoirs. But I found Julie so grating and her writing so uninspired that I could hardly stand to finish the book. I did it, but by the end I couldn't wait to be finished.

Book Review: Second Nature

This is another occasion when I wish we could do half stars, because this book wasn't *quite* a five, but it was better than a four. It makes me long for spring and the opportunities to improve my garden, get rid of more grass, and just stick my fingers into the dirt. It makes me want an old farm house on some acreage. I love the way the book is written, his descriptive passages and turns of phrase, and the interweaving of literature, philosophy, history, politics & art as they touch on nature a...more Second Nature: A Gardener's Education is a book Michael Pollan wrote in the early '90's. I'm very grateful to the friend who recommended it, because I really enjoyed it. It makes me long for spring and the opportunities to improve my garden, get rid of more grass, and just stick my fingers into the dirt. It makes me almost want an old farm house on some acreage.

I love the way the book is written, his descriptive passages and turns of phrase, and the interweaving of literature, philosophy, history, politics and art as they touch on nature and man's relationship to it.