The Skeleton Coast a Novel of the Oregon Files by Clive Cussler and Jack DuBrul, a book review

Skeleton Coast by Clive Cussler and Jack DuBrul is another of the books given to us by one of my husband's coworkers. I guess either they really liked Clive Cussler or they were given lots of his books and passed them along.

Another book whose intended audience is probably guys… or seriously action loving ladies. It started with a bit more action than some, but still took a while for me to get into. The descriptions of guns, boats, and fight scenes are the main reasons I consider this more a guys sort of read.

It was interesting once I got into it. This is another example of a past incident tying into the modern events with which the novel predominantly deals. I do definitely like this aspect of Cussler's novels. It's maybe even a little fun to try to figure out how the historic event will tie into the modern ones.

This story seemed to have more gross parts than the others I've reviewed heretofore. I did not like that part of it at all and sorta skimmed through some parts of that nature. I prefer less description of blood and guts sorts of things. But I know guys often find that really interesting and even enjoyable… another reason I think this book's audience is intended to be fellas.

My children will not read this one. It is for adults because of the things I've listed above.

Have you read Skeleton Coast by Clive Cussler? What did you think of it?

The 13th Reality, the Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner, a book review

The 13^th Reality, the Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner is the beginning of an interesting science fiction series. In it, we learn some real scientific terms that, perhaps, some are not familiar with pertaining to quantum physics. My eldest daughter, at 12, knows that I am fascinated by all things QP and recommended this book to me. I did enjoy it, but not as much as I expected based on her report. For me, the story was not very compelling until near the end. It took me a few days to read it. I do look forward to the next book in the series because of the end of this on.

In this story, Atticus Higginbottom becomes involved with attempting to solve a series of clues. At first, he tries to do it alone. Eventually, that changes. I do like that Tick chooses to trust and involve an important adult in his life. I also really like the realities premise of the story. I think most middle age readers would really enjoy it, as did my twelve year old. I would be happy to allow any of my children to read it.

Have you read The 13^th Reality, the Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner? What did you think of it?

The Appeal by John Grisham, a book review

The Appeal by John Grisham is a book I may never have chosen to buy or borrow. Since it was given to us in a pile of other assorted books and one of my daughters wanted to read it, I took it up. The verbiage is reasonable for a lay-person, especially considering this story is all about legal matters. Grisham did a good job making the subject of litigation more interesting than most people (including me) might consider it.

Jeannette Baker's case is a representative case for a county which became known as Cancer County after illegal dumping by an unethical corporation. Her representation has sacrificed everything to bring her justice. The corporation's lawyers feel completely confident that the jury will side with them. The jury's decision is a surprise. The case is brought to the state's Supreme Court.

The main action and tension of the story is what leads up to the ruling of the appeal and the impacts that fall upon those whose lives were most invested in the case.

I disliked that I felt like the author was leading to a particular conclusion, but then switched at the last minute. As a reader, bait and switch isn't my favorite writing technique, for sure. I do like that Grisham presented a deep and abiding truth in the last line of the novel. One that, if we are wise, we will take to heart by way of stories like this or others' lives.

This book is not good material for younger readers. My daughters will not read it until they are significantly older. Perhaps 16, at the youngest.

Have you read The Appeal by John Grisham? What did you think of it?

The Navigator by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos, a book review

The Navigator by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos was among the books in a trove my husband was given. We love books around here, so we were all excited to go through the score. My second daughter found The Navigator and wanted to read it. There are some adult books I will let my children read, but not most of them. So, I told her I would check it out and let her know.

She will not be reading it until she is much older. There are enough adult scenes and situations to give this Mama pause. However, it is a good story and the adult scenes are tastefully done. Therefore, I can recommend it to those who enjoy adventure.

I think this may be my first step into adult adventure reading. It took a long time for me to get into this book. I felt like it would be much more interesting to most guys and any gals who enjoy stories that involve good descriptions of boats, cars, guns, and a few fight scenes. They were good as far as that goes, for the most part, I just tend to choose other genres before adventure.

This book is one in a series (though not necessarily a read 1 to whatever number sort of series) that involves Kurt Austin and a few other characters that work together regularly to figure stuff out and have adventures together. In this particular episode of their adventures, Kurt saves a woman in distress (a couple times), figures out a mystery, and ends up relaxing where we found him at his boat house.

Part of what I disliked about this book is how very polarized the characters are. The good guys are good at everything and all knowledgeable, while the bad guys are hellhounds, basically. Not terribly real-to life. Another thing I dislikes is how very unreal to most lives Kurt Austin's experience is. I'm sure lots of people read and loved the book because of who the main author is, but I wonder if they would read it if a lesser-known author's name was on the cover in Cussler's place.

Have you read The Navigator by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos? What did you think of it?