David McCullough: Truman

• ISBN-13: 9780671869205
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 6/14/1993
• Pages: 1120

The life of Harry S. Truman is one of the greatest of American stories, filled with vivid characters - Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Wallace Truman, George Marshall, Joe McCarthy, and Dean Acheson - and dramatic events. In this riveting biography, acclaimed historian David McCullough not only captures the man - a more complex, informed, and determined man than ever before imagined - but also the turbulent times in which he rose, boldly, to meet unprecedented challenges, the last president to serve as a living link between the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries. Truman's story spans the raw world of the Missouri frontier, World War I, the powerful Pendergast machine of Kansas City, the legendary Whistle-Stop Campaign of 1948, and the decisions to drop the atomic bomb, confront Stalin at Potsdam, send troops to Korea, and fire General MacArthur. Drawing on newly discovered archival material and extensive interviews with Truman's own family, friends, and Washington colleagues, McCullough tells the deeply moving story of the seemingly ordinary "man from Missouri" who was one of the most courageous presidents in history.

 So my specialty is East Asia and I've studied in both South Korea and Japan. And it's ridiculous that I knew nothing about Truman before reading this book.
 Once again, McCullough has written a book that I just want to go out and yell "READ THIS PLEASE FOR YOUR OWN SAKE." There is so much info packed into this massive tome and it's worth every page. Truman is one of those under-appreciated presidents who gains from history. When he left office, his approval rating was pretty low. Then again, the Korean War was drawing out longer than anyone had anticipated (thanks to MacArthur and several other factors, but I really dislike MacArthur and I wrote two papers about it last year) and America just wanted her boys home. Looking back, history has decided that Truman was one of the best presidents this nation has had. I'm inclined to agree. He's definitely in my top five. He came from small-town nowhere and was associated with machine politics, thought to be a weakling who followed where he was told. He turned out to be a no-nonsense president who, when he had the responsibility thrust upon him by FDR's death, took the reins and did what he believed was right, even if the road was going to be a hard one. Don't even get me started on what a dick FDR was, not talking to his VP at all despite his failing health, thus setting Truman up for failure. Seriously, people. The vice-president becomes president if the president dies, just it's probably a good idea to keep him in the loop. And there's a summary of my rant.
 We're also introduced to Dean Acheson and George Marshall, two of the greatest Secretaries of State that ever lived, in my opinion. There's also a lot of great information on them.
 Anywho. McCullough is always extremely thorough, which I love. He follows Truman from birth to death, and explains the reasoning behind many of Truman's decisions and the difficulties he faced in making those decisions. When it comes down to it, Truman was straight-forward and strong-willed, which I love. Seriously, friends - go read it. It's great history and you will learn so much more than you anticipate.
Overall: A+
 Such good. Much wow.

Christopher Moore: You Suck

• ISBN-13: 9780060590307
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Publication date: 1/8/2008
• Pages: 352

Being undead sucks. Literally.
Just ask C. Thomas Flood. Waking up after a fantastic night unlike anything he's ever experienced, he discovers that his girlfriend, Jody, is a vampire. And surprise! Now he's one, too. For some couples, the whole biting-and-blood thing would have been a deal breaker. But Tommy and Jody are in love, and they vow to work through their issues.
But word has it that the vampire who initially nibbled on Jody wasn't supposed to be recruiting. Even worse, Tommy's erstwhile turkey-bowling pals are out to get him, at the urging of a blue-dyed Las Vegas call girl named (duh) Blue. 
And that really sucks. 

 Oh, Christopher Moore. You brilliant problem child.
 I found this installment of his vampire trilogy to be funnier than the first, for whatever reason. I think it was the more adept incorporation of additional characters. Most of the characters were old acquaintances, and in this volume they were more fleshed out. The Animals took an interesting (re: gross) turn, but they were pulled back on track by the sheer magnitude of their stupidity, so that was a lesson learned. Jody seems to be heading down a path that Tommy had not initially expected, and I foresee that causing problems in the future.
We were introduced to a doofy goth girl who practically worships her vampire overlords, and so she's a weird companion to the Animals. Elijah is back (the vampire that turned Jody) and he has a few other master vampires at his back to help him take care of the mess Jody and Tommy, and by association, he, have unintentionally created. In the end, Jody and Tommy wind up in the same state in which Jody began the novel: as bronzed statues. Spoilers. I won't tell you how they got there, but there is one more novel in this strange series, and we know they're not going to stay that way.
Overall: B+
Weird, funny, and slightly disturbing. Moore's MO. Better than the last one. Still kinda gross.

Jacqueline Carey: Kushiel's Avatar

• ISBN-13: 9780765347534
• Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
• Publication date: 3/1/2004
• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Pages: 768

The land of Terre d'Ange is a place of unsurpassed beauty and grace. It is said that angels found the land and saw it was good...and the ensuing race that rose from the seed of angels and men live by one simple rule: Love as thou wilt.
Phedre no Delaunay is a woman pricked by Kushiel's Dart, chosen to forever experience pain and pleasure as one. Her path has been strange and dangerous, and through it all the devoted swordsman Joscelin has been at her side. Her very nature is a torturous thing for them both, but he is sworn to her and he has never violated his vow: to protect and serve.
But Phedre's plans put Joscelins pledge to the test, for she has never forgotten her childhood friend Hyacinthe. She has spent ten long years searching for the key to free him from his eternal indenture, a bargain he struck with the gods - to take Phedre's place as a sacrifice and save a nation. Phedre cannot forgive - herself or the gods. She is determined to seize one last hope to redeem her friend, even if it means her death.
The search will bring Phedre and Joscelin across the world, to distant courts where madness reigns and souls are currency, and down a fabled river to a land forgotten by most of the world.
And to a power so mighty that none dare speak its name. 

The cool thing about the word Carey has created is that it is essentially a parallel universe. It is the world as we know it, with different names. Terre d'Ange - France. French for Land of Angels. Caerdicca Unitas - Italy. The land that she goes to seek? The missing tribe of Israel. The One True God? Well, God. Capital G. So, if you know your history, your geography, and your religions, you should be able to tell which one she is talking about and kind of anticipate the culture and what to expect. I think it's cool, although it is, admittedly, a bit of a rip off.
Onto the story: you thought the Phedre/Joscelin drama was done, didn't you? Nope, no, not at all. Joscelin has mostly accepted Phedre's need for pain, but it is taken to a whole new, grotesque level in this book, and he just can't cope. Quite frankly, I probably would have the same problem if I knew what a loved one was going through and had to watch her be abused publicly. So this is perhaps the one time when I totally get where Joscelin is coming from. On the other hand, Phedre's cause is noble and necessary.
We  have two storylines going on here: one, Phedre's quest to save Melisande's son and potential heir to the throne. He's been kidnapped and enslaved in the worst possible place and Phedre has to head into the heart of darkness to rescue him. That accomplished, she continues her second mission, with the help of a hint from Melisande traded for her first mission: to save Hyacinthe by finding the true name of the One God. And that's where all the Christian mythology comes in. Just when you think you've been through enough, just kidding, we have a whole 'nother quest.
Carey is wordy, as always. However, she keeps it interesting. You begin to notice a very distinct writing style and oft-used phrases the further you go on, but it's not so noticeable that it detracts from the story. The ending is happy, and everyone gets what the want. Basically. Which is a real accomplishment in one of this series.
Overall: A-
This book was hella gory and painful. Lots of people dying and being abused in horrible ways. But Phedre gets what she wants, as ever, and shows her wits and ingenuity in the process. Enjoyable as always, if overlong and overwrought at times.

Georgette Heyer: Pistols for Two

• ISBN-13: 9781402256981
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Incorporated
• Publication date: 2/7/2012
• Pages: 256

Intrigue, elegance, and glittering romance...
In eleven charming short stories, the Queen of Regency romance presents an exquisite romp through affairs of honor and affairs of the heart. Featuring rakes and rascals, orphans and heirs, beauties and their beaus, the legendary Georgette Heyer's signature wit and inimitable style bring the Regency world dazzlingly alive. 

 Sometimes I forget how much I love Georgette Heyer. And then I read Georgette Heyer, and I remember. This particular work is actually an anthology of short stories. And every one of them is satisfying in its own way. They are, of course, all romantically inclined, some more so than others, and they are all humorous. Not necessarily the laugh-out-loud-and-hold-your-stomach kind of humorous, more along the lines of hijinks and strange personages. Several of the stories are cases of mistaken identity, or simply mistaken assumptions. Some are the exigencies of youth. All are delightful, I assure you.
 Normally, I don't like short stories. At least, romantic short stories. Most of the time, authors are unable to fit a truly engaging love story into so few pages and have you feel satisfied at the end. You're left wanting something more, wandering what happened to the couple when the story ended. Here, you might wonder what happened after, but it doesn't feel like you're missing something. They are fully complete. Love it.
 Overall: A+
 I really love Georgette Heyer. I might have given a slightly higher mark than normal simply because my expectations are lowered for short stories, and these were just so excellent, but I will always give Heyer high points. Definitely go read this. Or read her whole canon. That would be best.

Kim Harrison: Early to Death, Early to Rise

• ISBN-13: 9780061441691
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Publication date: 4/26/2011
• Pages: 256

Madison Avery's dreams of fitting in at school died when she did. Especially since she'd maintained the illusion of a body, dealt with a pesky guardian angel, and oh yeah, brought the reaper who killed her to his untimely end. Not exactly in-crowd material.
Now Madison has learned that she's inherited the job of dark timekeeper and is in charge of angels who protect fate, whatever that means. Never one to abide by the system, Madison forms a group of rogue angels who definitely don't heed the rules of the heavens. But as she grapples with terrifying new powers, Madison may not be prepared for what lies ahead - unless she gets some seriously divine intervention.

If you haven't been following the story up to this point, here's a refresher: Madison - she dead. And she's now in charge of the "Dark" reapers. The big problem with that is that she's not really into doing the job as described. The main conflict of the story is that age old supernatural go-in-hand: Choice. The light reapers and their commander, Ron, foresee a person doing something naughty, one might even say evil, and they decide to preemptively take him out. Madison believes that a person should have the chance to change their minds, to be the better person.
 In this installment, we're dealing with a computer virus and two best friends by the names of Ace and Shoe. I won't let you in on the big twist, but I will tell you one of them is a major douchebag and the other a misguided, but essentially good-hearted, doof.
 Other characters include Madison's frequently exasperated bestie, Barnabas, and her newly acquired reaper, Nakita, who switched to her side in the last book. Also, Paul, Ron's naive new apprentice, who winds up showing some good sense in the end. Three cheers for Paul, keep up the good work on thinking for yourself.
Overall: B+
 It was pretty well written, but there were times when it felt a little rushed and cut off. This is the penultimate book, though, so we have to wait until the next one to see how Madison resolves to resolve her problems.

Emily Dickinson: The Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson

• ISBN-13: 9781593080501
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble
• Publication date: 10/1/2003
• Series: Barnes & Noble Classics Series
• Pages: 400

Born in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1830, Dickinson began life as an energetic, outgoing young woman who excelled in her studies. However, in her mid-twenties she began to grow reclusive, and eventually she rarely descended from her room in her father's house. She spent most of her time writing poems, largely without encouragement or real interest from her family and peers. When her poems finally appeared after her death, reader immediately recognized an artist whose immense depth and stylistic complexities would one day make her the most widely recognized female poet to write in the English language.
Dickinson's poetry is remarkable for its tightly controlled emotional and intellectual energy. The longest poem covers less than two pages. .Yet in theme and tone her writing reaches for the sublime as it charts the landscape of the human soul. A true innovator, Dickinson experimented freely with conventional rhythm and meter, and often used dashes, off rhymes, and unusual metaphors - techniques that strongly influenced modern poetry. Dickinson's idiosyncratic style, along with her resonant observations about life and death, love and nature, and solitude and society, have firmly established her as one of America's true poetic geniuses. 

 Oh, friends. What to say about the effervescent Emily Dickinson? She is a huge fan of the dashes and the colons. Some of her poems can seem nigh on unintelligible, unless you spend the time thinking about them. But isn't that the way of most great poets?
 I found that there were many poems that I loved and ended up quoting on one of my other blogs. I quoted fewer than I would have liked, if that tells you anything. If you don't know anything about Emily Dickinson, you should know that she was a depressive soul, and so many of her poems focus on death and the darker aspects of life and love. However, her collection is so wide, one cannot accuse her of being a one trick pony. This particular volume separates the poems into themes, or subject categories if you will, and so if you don't want to read about death, that's okay, head over to the section about nature.
 There isn't much to say about a collection of poems, other than that Emily Dickinson is brilliant, one of the greats. And if you can't understand or appreciate poetry, don't pick this up. But if you can - do.
Overall: A
It's Emily Dickinson. And this edition organizes the poem well with some other nice treats.

J.R. Ward: Lover Unleashed

• ISBN-13: 9780451235114
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
• Publication date: 11/1/2011
• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Pages: 576

A fighter by nature, a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of the Chosen female, Payne is cut from the same warrior cloth as her brother. And that's before human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello gets sucked into her dangerous world. Although he's never believed in things that go bump in the night - like vampires - he's more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks him as her own. But as the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and the vampire worlds collide...just as a centuries-old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.

 This one felt a little rushed, guys. I think this was due in part to two things: one, we've already been introduced to the two main players. Payne and Manny. We know their circumstances. Two, Ward has recently been really into starting romance storylines early, long before she reaches the pairing's main book. For example, we've been dealing with Qhuinn and Blay and their angst for the last few books now. Don't get me wrong - I love Qhuay and their angst. I can't wait to read their book. But a lot of time is spent in the novels leading up to theirs focusing on their issues. Which then takes away from the main pairing.
 In this novel, Wrath accidentally breaks Payne's back in a sparring match. Big whoops. V's mate, Jane, can't do much to help her, so they call in her specialist friend and former potential flame - Dr. Manuel Manello. Kind of a terrible name. He's shocked to find Jane alive (sort of) but as is the way in Ward's wacky world, he sees Payne and it's instant love. Or lust. Or a combination of both. V is naturally over-protective, and he's going through his own crap with Jane and his own mental space as well, which also takes time away from Payne and Manny, but hey. Necessary evil. I won't spoil it for you, but suffice to say everyone gets their pretty happy ending.
 We also have introductions to the Band of Bastards, Xcor's drama, and some murder-y goodness, which I hear is really set up for a Fallen Angels novel. So there's a lot going on.
 Overall: C+
 Quite a few times, the drama felt contrived. I didn't feel enough time was dedicated the ostensible main couple. BUT we did get a lot of new information and set up for future books. And it was, as always, entertaining. Probably my least favorite thus far, though.

Richard Castle: Storm Front

• ISBN-13: 9781401324902
• Publisher: Hyperion
• Publication date: 5/21/2013
• Pages: 320

From Tokyo, to London, to Johannesburg, high-level bankers are being gruesomely tortured and murdered. The killer, caught in a fleeting glimpse on a surveillance camera, has been described as a psychopath with an eye patch. And that means Gregor Volkov, Derrick Storm's old nemesis, has returned. Desperate to figure out who Volkov is working for and why, the CIA calls on the one man who can match Volkov's strength and cunning - Derrick Storm.
 With the help of a beautiful and mysterious foreign agent - with whom Storm is becoming romantically and professionally entangled - he discovers that Volkov's treachery has embroiled a wealthy hedge-fund manager and a U.S. senator. In a heated race against time, Storm chases Volkov's shadow from Paris, to the lair of a computer genius in Iowa, to the streets of Manhattan, then through a bullet-riddled car chase on the New Jersey Turnpike. In the process, Storm uncovers a plot that could destroy the global economy - unleashing untold chaos - which only he can stop.

 Hello, friends. I have been long away.
 I have a good reason, I swear. I entered grad school in the fall and it's been absolutely insane. I finished one book the first week that school started and haven't had time to read for pleasure since. That is a killer. But I made my fabulous return, so no worries.
 I make my stupendous return with Storm Front by Richard Castle. But wait, isn't Richard Castle a fictional character played on Castle by the effervescent Nathan Fillion? Why, yes, gentle reader, it is. Hyperion has been releasing tie-in books with the TV show written and designed as if they were really written by Castle himself. Having read the first of the Nikki Heat series, I have to say that the writing in the first full novel of the Derrick Storm books (first and possibly only? I don't know) was not quite up to par. It got better the more the story wraps you up, but I noticed two chapters being with "He could only be described as..." which is a) amateur and b) repetitive. And that was upsetting. A few other typos as well which I am apparently becoming hypersensitive to.
 The story was fun and a wild ride, but it wasn't surprising. In fact, halfway through the book you knew who the culprit was and actually...I kind of liked him. Which was the intent, I'm sure. The villain was delusional, which was a delight, but not really. I liked my bad guys to be actually cunning, not just super violent and wildly unrealistic in their expectations. There was a Chinese agent that was absolutely fun as well. All in all, actually, the characters were great, even if only a little background was given. Always humorously delivered, they were fleshed out enough to get an idea of who they were and their role to play, however brief, and to give you a little chuckle.
 Derrick Storm himself was James Bond and Jason Bourne all rolled up into one fantastical package. He could only be described as ruggedly handsome, you see. He had gadgets out the wazoo and the ability to throw a molotov cocktail into a hole in the windshield of a moving vehicle while hanging out of the window of a Jag missing its two back tires. And if that's not a super agent, then I don't know what is. Despite the fact that he's not really an agent.
 It was also fun to see that while the characters in Nikki Heat are the thinly veiled characters from the show, the characters in the Storm novels have the names of the characters in the show but play different roles. If you didn't know it was a tie-in, this would probably smack you in the face with it. Which does create a conundrum since Castle supposedly wrote the Storm novels before he met the NYPD team. Come on, Hyperion, enough with the games. Step up your accuracy game.
 Overall: B
 Major points for being a quick read and a good time, but minus points for being kind of juvenile. It did do a good job of explaining the economic aspect of the world-ending investigation, which I would not have gotten if a five year old couldn't understand it. So good job, "Castle."