One good turn deserves another, so here is a quick review of James Ellroy’s LA Confidential.
Even if you saw the movie, read LA Confidential. The book is very, very good, even better than the movie.
Silence of… (video book review)
Here’s a brief video book review of Silence of the Grave, by Arnaldur Indridason. This is the second book in the series featuring Inspector Erlendur, who is a brooding, detached man working to solve crimes and hold on to his estranged family.
I’m going to read the next book in this series and report on it when complete.
Back Roads Spain, review
Back Roads Spain is a book published by DK Eyewitness Travel. I’ve used their travel books many times, especially when planning my trips to the Iberian Peninsula. The “back roads” collection is designed to take the traveller a little deeper in-country, something that is right up my alley. Here’s a brief video review of the book:
Let me emphasize the photographs and illustrations in this book. The street maps show a walking tour with sites of interest highlighted. Sometimes there are three dimensional renderings of a cathedral or winery, which prove irresistible. You want to see the real thing after peering into such well-presented images. The driving routes definitely take you into the countryside, which, having driven extensively in Spain, can be frustrating. However, with a decent guide and fair warning of what to expect, you’re sure to enjoy yourself.
The Bent Page 
No books?
Well, there were some books, but quite a few less, as in less than half. I’m talking about a visit to my local, big-box bookstore. Less than six months ago I was in there, perusing the shelves, looking for something to read and there was an entire floor of shelves stacked edge to edge with reading material. Now? Let’s just say there are games and toys and other bric a brace and precious fewer tomes to tickle the fancy. Disappointed? Yes, I am. The bookstore has always been an adventure, a sort of treasure hunt. Sure, it’s possible to comb through the world wide web but it’s tons more fun to touch the pages, maybe bump into someone who has read something good, or even be told what to avoid. I know, I know, all the reviews are online. Sterile they are because you can’t look into someone’s eyes and ask questions.
At any rate, the days of the bookstore in the big-box form are numbered. There will be the specialty shops out there, operated by book lovers. And I’ll go looking for them because books are still relevant in whatever form they take. The people involved with them offer some interesting insight, too. Happy reading!
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on January 18, 2012 at 1:37 pm Leave a CommentTags: Books, comment, politics, reading