Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Nevermore: Death in a Texas Desert; A Wizard of Earthsea; Patron Saint of Lost Dogs; The Lioness

 

Reported by Garry

Death in a Texas Desert: And Other True Crimes from the Dallas Observer by Carlton Stowers. This collection of 20 murder stories from the pages of the Dallas Observer fascinated our reader with the weird and gruesome ways that people have died in the Lone Star State. This book covers several decades and includes the stories of the “Phantom Killer” of the Texarkana Moonlight Murders in 1946, and the case of Luby’s Cafeteria – a mass shooting that took place in Killeen in 1991.  CD



A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin is the classic fantasy novel about Ged, a young wizard whose hard-scrabble life on the island of Gont changes when he is taken under the wing of Ogion the Silent – a powerful mage. Ged is extraordinarily talented and a quick learner and is soon sent to the Wizard School on the island of Roke. Unfortunately for Ged, his quick temper and impetuousness nearly cost him his life and he has to learn the hard lesson that power is a double-edged sword. First published in 1968, this young adult novel is our Community Reads book, and can be read at multiple levels. A fascinating, groundbreaking tale of a young man coming of age with incredible powers, this book is the first in Le Guin’s Earthsea Cycle of novels, all of which our reader highly recommends.  GW



Patron Saint of Lost Dogs by Nick Trout is total fluff – extremely delightful, just-plain-fun fluff, and our reader utterly enjoyed every page of it! Dr. Cyrus Mills returns to town to dispose of his deceased father’s veterinary practice, but as soon as the first patient (a golden retriever named Frieda Fuzzypaws), comes through the door, his plans go out the window. Cyrus soon realizes that his past experiences in the town don’t have to dictate his future there, and that it is not just his furry patients who need healing.  WJ



The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian is set in 1964 in Tanzania where A-list Hollywood star Katie Barsto and her new husband have travelled on their honeymoon, along with a group of their friends. Expecting a glamourous, sun-drenched luxury vacation, the group is soon beset by terror as a team of Russian mercenaries kidnap them and their vacation turns to a struggle for life. Our reader enjoyed this novel, especially the numerous quotes from classic movies, and recommends this book if you are looking for a sharply written page-turner.  ML

Also mentioned:

Leviathan Falls by James S.A. Corey

Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben

Catwings by Ursula Le Guin

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Dog Gone, Back Soon by Nick Trout

Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up by Tom Phillips

Truth: A Brief History of Total Bullsh*t by Tom Phillips

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Rivers of London (aka Midnight Riot) by Ben Aaronovitch

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