Dec 31 2009

Ten of my favorite reads in 2009

I thought it would be appropriate to look back over the books I read in 2009 and pick out a few of my favorites.  Keep in mind what follows is my list of favorite reads in 2009 not books published in 2009. And the list is not in particular order or rank.

1) John the Baptizer by Brooks Hansen:

No matter your faith background, or lack of it, or your knowledge of the Bible, or lack of it, I highly recommend John The Baptizer.  Its blends the historical and the literary in ways that defy genre and subject matter to create a powerful story.

2) Right Time, Right Place by Richard Brookhiser

For anyone wanting to understand the conservative movement, and its flagship magazine, Right Time, Right Place is a must read.  And anyone interested in becoming a journalist/writer would do well to read it. But at its heart is a more humane vision: that being true to your ideals and friends is what’s important.

3) The Everafter War by Michael Buckley

With the Everafter War Michael Buckley again shows why this series has won the acclaim and popularity it has.  Each book has just the right amount of humor and seriousness; of plot and character development mixed with satire and slapstick.  He keeps the reader guessing – although both the traitor and the master are pretty easy to spot – and despite all the silliness (and the YA audience) the characters are surprisingly well developed. It is just an ideal light read for me and for kids of all ages.

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By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dec 30 2009

In the Mail: Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid

Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid: The Simple Truth to a Complicated Relationship

Publishers Weekly:

Cover of "Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid...

Cover via Amazon

In this comic relationship self-help, semi-functional (but self-aware) couple Lee and Morris-brandishing their credentials as “a major nut bag” and “a genuine dunce,” respectively-boil down the whole of male-female relationships to a simple, provocative statement, then go about examining the evidence and implications in an alternating, occasionally overlapping, he said-she said format. Most chapters follow the same structure, giving Morris the lead on any number of subjects-which came first, stupid or crazy; keeping your big dumb mouth shut; dealing with outsized expectations-after which Lee steps in with a response. This gives the book a male-oriented feel, but it’s got enough laughs and insight to hook readers on either side of the gender divide, provided the egos involved aren’t too fragile. Morris and Lee have a warm, funny, playfully adversarial relationship that’s both intimate and identifiable, and put through the paces in lengthy, laugh-out-loud dialogues. For all its self-deprecating comedy, this volume provides valuable insight into typical relationship potholes, including chick-flick con

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Dec 26 2009

In the Mail: The 5 Greatest Warriors

The Five Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly

Publishers Weekly:

In the thrilling third installment in bestseller Reilly’s series to feature Jack West Jr. (after Seven Ancient Wonders and The Six Sacred Stones), the adventurer from the Australian outback and his band of merry men, women and children race against several nefarious groups to defuse a disastrous celestial event. The planetary entity known as the “Dark Star,” the evil twin to our sun, is set to return to our solar system, igniting a massive negative energy source that will destroy all life on earth. It’s a tough challenge, but if anyone can save the world, it’s Jack. There are riddles to solve, bad guys to kill and derring-do to be done, all of which flashes by as one action scene piles onto the next. Readers should leave their thinking caps behind, hang onto the panic bar and be prepared to be flung hither and yon.Plenty of maps and diagrams add to the fun.

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , ,

Dec 25 2009

Merry Christmas!

Here’s wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!  I hope you found the books you wanted under the tree and you have some time this holiday season to put a dent in the TBR pile.

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*Yes, I just needed an excuse to use these social media ornament icons!

By Kevin Holtsberry • Site news • 0 • Tags: , ,

Dec 23 2009

Armies of the Napoleonic Wars: An Illustrated History, edited by Chris McNab

Armies of the Napoleonic Wars: An Illustrated History, edited by Chris McNab, is a wonderful resource for any Napoleonic Wars buff.  The book is a compilation of several booklets on this subject published by Osprey Publishing.

Here is a brief description of the book from the publisher:

The Napoleonic Wars saw almost two decades of brutal fighting, from the frozen wastelands of Russia to the wildness of the Peninsula; from Egypt’s Lower Nile to the bloody battlefield of Waterloo. Fighting took place on an unprecedented scale across Europe, and over the entire period of the wars Napoleon led his Grand Armee and his allies against almost every European nation, and against varying coalitions. This book provides a comprehensive guide to all the major armies of the Napoleonic Wars, of France, Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, Spain and Portugal. Covering the changes experienced by the armies over the period, the author details the organization, infantry, cavalry, and artillery of each. With stunning original artwork of the often glorious uniforms worn into battle, period illustrations or the equipment used, and photographs, this is a beautiful and in-depth study of the armies that fought in the Napoleonic campaigns.

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By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

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