rgh8373

I just started the second book in the trilogy. I'm already a tad disappointed by the changes (just in the first few chapters) in Lisbeth and the more formulaic writing. I hope it gets better, and as good as the first. There were so many things I liked about Lisbeth, now, she seems more common and conventional. Sigh

I've heard so much about Devil in the White City but have never read it. It's one of those books where everyone who has read it tries to tell everyone else who hasn't read it how good it is, but their constant recommendations have the opposite affect. Again, I guess it should go back on the "to-read" list.

I am really into the whole anti-hero protagonist. I'd love to read a book (or develop one myself) that has a villain as the protagonist. This is such a strong meme in the movie and television world, but I tend to not find it as much in the books I read. Any suggestions? Lee Child's Reacher is close to what I'm thinking but not quite the best representative. Barry Eisler's John Rain is seemingly prototypical, the assassin who has to do things for the good guys. Any other thoughts would be welcome.

"IT WAS THE COLDEST WINTER FOR FORTY-FIVE YEARS." Which I think isn't all that intriguing, but you add the rest of the passage and it gets better "Villages in the English countryside were cut off by the snow and the Thames froze over. One day in January the Glasgow-London train arrived at Euston twenty-four hours late. The snow and the blackout combined to make motoring perilous; road accidents doubled, and people told jokes about how it was more risky to drive an Austin Seven along Piccadilly at night than to take a tank across the Siegfried Line." Follett, Ken - Eye Of The Needle I like the way he tells the reader that things are not normal without immediately talking about The Blitz. It's other things around England that are not normal as well, then later the reader hears about the war. As is usual, the book continues to get better with each page.

Originally I was a fan of Vince Flynn's, much like I was a fan of Tom Clancy, but after four books or so my fanaticism turned to apathy. I just don't think he gave his work the type of time and effort it needed to be good. I started to turn to Barry Eisler and haven't looked back since making that change. BTW, I've no affiliation with Eisler, but I am a huge fan of his writing. I would suggest moving in that direction. I've not regretted it.

Never been a fan. I don't know what happened. I gave it a try and just couldn't put it down fast enough. I guess some authors are like that, they just rub me wrong. Then there are authors like Colin Dexter who I really connect with. I hope you like it. I might give it a try if you say it's worthwhile.

Although slow to get started, I loved this book. My wife, who devours books, was also skeptical. 48 hours later, the book complete, she too was a fan. We're both looking forward to the reading the next two. I was surprised that it started so staid but became so gorey. Surprised and liked it. I wrote about it here . . . http://puborperish.blogspot.com/2012/01/girl-with-dragon-tattoo.html

I just read my first Lee Child book and I loved it. I thought it was a great mix of old school Western and thriller. Couldn't put it down and can't wait to read the next. The worst part? Knowing that he's been around for so long and having never known about it. I wrote about the entire experience of reading my first Lee Child book here . . . http://puborperish.blogspot.com/2012/03/updated-heller-with-gun-or-why-havent-I.html

Having grown up a fan of the bond movies, I was somewhat skeptical when my brother tried to convince me to read the books. I was wrong to be a skeptic. I loved them! I've churned through five and can't wait for the others. I'm pacing myself so I can enjoy them more. I post reviews, but my favorite scene is in Moonraker when Bond plays Drax in Bridge ... http://puborperish.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-review-moonraker.html