Friday, February 13, 2015

Wayfaring Strange by James Lee Burke

A little historical fiction, a little danger, a love story, all are enveloped in this Texas based story that begins in the era after the Great Depression. A young man, Weldon Holland grows up in a small Texas town. He is raised by his mom and his grandfather. His father left to find work and never returned. Weldon has a wild streak, but settles down after he returns from WWII.  He and one of his war buddies start a pipeline company and many people seem to have it out for them. Murder and threats abound.

I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the historical side of it, but the characters were interesting and grew throughout the story.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Cold Fire by Dean Koontz

Cold Fire by Dean Koontz
I have read several Stephen King novels and thought I should try Dean Koontz. I have always veered away from the scary novels, as I don't want to have nightmares, but this wasn't that kind of book. Cold Fire is about a man who seems to have supernatural powers. He saves people, mostly children, from disasters that are about to happen. To be able to foresee the future sounds great, but he does not always know what is going to happen, just that he needs to save someone. Then right at the last minute it is revealed to him, who he is saving.

He then meets a reporter and she begins to investigate his saves. Their lives become intertwined and you need to read it to see what happens.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Everyone was raving about this story about a young woman, Cheryl Strayed, who felt compelled to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), in order to find herself. Of course a movie was made, starring Reese Witherspoon, so I thought it would be great.

Cheryl is one of the stupidest people I have read about. I hate to say this, as she struggled with the loss of her mother, and her life basically falls apart. In order to find herself, she plans to hike the PCT. But she didn't plan well. Cheryl's poor planning really bothered me. I trudged through, as I wanted to find out how she makes it. I am glad I did not quit reading. It was a story that shows that most people, not all, that she encountered were truly wonderful, welcoming people. That makes me feel good about people in general.

The Escape by David Baldacci


The Escape by David Baldacci
 Remember how Alcatraz was supposed to be inescapable, well there is a prison in Levenworth that is supposed to be too. Deceit is all over this story. Who are you to trust? I love a story like this.

Levenworth is a military prison and John Puller's older brother, Robert, has been sentenced to life there. Robert has been accused and sentenced for treason. Military trials are different than other trials. Robert thought because he was innocent, he would be vindicated. John is brought in to help locate his brother, after his brother escapes. Everyone knows that is against protocol, but it happens anyway. You have to read the story to find out what happens.