The 7th works in the Expanse series, this novella tells the story of what everyday life have become on Earth, with Baltimore ruled by crime lords. By The 7th works in the Expanse series, this novella tells the story of what everyday life have become on Earth, with Baltimore ruled by crime lords. By the end, you find you are learning the origin story of one of the beloved characters in the series. Entertaining and quick read the helps world build and gives background. Great follow up on the 3rd book in the series where the members of Holdens crew all acknowledge that they are keeping a low profile for a reason. ...more
This is a prequel short story to the Expanse Series. In the series, space travel is fast and efficient, at least to the asteroid belt. This is due to This is a prequel short story to the Expanse Series. In the series, space travel is fast and efficient, at least to the asteroid belt. This is due to the Epstein Drive created 130 years before Leviathan Wakes, the first book in the Expanse series. This short story tells the creation of the Epstein Drive is a quick but impactful story. ...more
This is a short story prequel to Leviathan Wakes but should be read after Leviathan Wakes.
This story is how and why Fred Johnson is called The ButcheThis is a short story prequel to Leviathan Wakes but should be read after Leviathan Wakes.
This story is how and why Fred Johnson is called The Butcher of Anderson Station and adds to build his character. In addition, insight into the relationship between the "inner planets" and "the belt"...more
Homecoming – This story combines Jake Brigance from “A Time to Kill”, “Sycamore Row”, and “A Time forThis is a collection of 3 stories or novellas.
Homecoming – This story combines Jake Brigance from “A Time to Kill”, “Sycamore Row”, and “A Time for Mercy” with “Fish Files, a short story from Grisham’s “Ford County” I love that Grisham is revisiting characters and stories more. If I remember correctly, this is also the first time Jake Brigance age is addressed. This story focuses on redemption and family, though not deeply.
Strawberry Moon – Is a short story of a young man on the night of his state ordered execution. Grisham, who is against the death penalty, uses this man’s introspection and the execution procedures to bright light to some of the flaws with the judicial and death penalty process. At the same time, Grisham touches on a spiritual aspect of accepting death and appreciating small things.
Sparring Partners – The title story was probably my least favorite. A struggling law firm ran by two bothers who hate each other in every way but are still controlled by their father who is serving time in prison. Grisham shows how easy it is to cross lines. To convince ourselves and to justify our actions. Greed and revenge can cause us to lose sight of justice. ...more
This is one of my favorite movies so when I learned it is also a short story, I had to read it.
"A henpecked husband copes with the frustrations of hisThis is one of my favorite movies so when I learned it is also a short story, I had to read it.
"A henpecked husband copes with the frustrations of his dull life by imagining he is a fearless airplane pilot, a brilliant doctor, and other dashing figures."
I connect with this story so much because I was Walter Mitty growing up. This was a coping mechanism I used to make it through my adolescence and teenage years. And like the movie teaches, once you start engaging in experiences, there is no reason to obsessively daydream....more
I picked this book because it was free for World Book Day.
This is 22 short stories and 11 poems that all involve women who love women. Some of the stI picked this book because it was free for World Book Day.
This is 22 short stories and 11 poems that all involve women who love women. Some of the stories were captivating and interesting and some seemed lacking. I didn't like any of the 11 "Short and Tart" poems.
I think is book is important in showing people with different life styles experience the same emotions and possibly even more difficulties than what is considered "normal". ...more
So brave of Backman to publish this. His power with words give you insight into how he can tell the stories he does. Very powerful and helpful to thosSo brave of Backman to publish this. His power with words give you insight into how he can tell the stories he does. Very powerful and helpful to those that fell the same as Backman but not able to express their feelings.
I loved The Martian, both the book and the movie. The Martian alone made me an Andy Weir fan. If all of this other works can capture just a part of ThI loved The Martian, both the book and the movie. The Martian alone made me an Andy Weir fan. If all of this other works can capture just a part of The Martian, I will read all of his works.
This short story. And I mean short short short short story, adds nothing to the tale of Mark Watney. There are some ironic sentences here or there that can make for a little chuckle, but the effect of this being written is the same as if it was never written......except I got excited because it was written and seriously disappointed. Not that it was bad. It was just nothing.
If you loved The Martian....read this. Why not? Its very short. You lose nothing. Just be aware, you gain nothing also. ...more
The Return of Sherlock Holmes is, of course, a return of Sherlock Holmes after the supposed death of Holmes. This collection of short stories follows The Return of Sherlock Holmes is, of course, a return of Sherlock Holmes after the supposed death of Holmes. This collection of short stories follows the format of the other collections. Through deduction, Sherlock solves many intriguing crimes.
Collection of short stories telling of different Sherlock Holmes cases. Here we meet Holmes' brother, see Holmes makes mistakes (even though it works Collection of short stories telling of different Sherlock Holmes cases. Here we meet Holmes' brother, see Holmes makes mistakes (even though it works out in the end) and we are introduced to Moriarty.
With most collections of Short Stories. Some were captivating and interesting and some stories were boring. A few even felt redundant. I was greatly disappointed in the introduction of Moriarty. I hope the following collections have more of Moriarty. ...more
This was a fun book and I enjoyed this much better than the two previous. This is a collection of short stories that really made Sherlock Holmes a besThis was a fun book and I enjoyed this much better than the two previous. This is a collection of short stories that really made Sherlock Holmes a best seller and a household name.
Watson tells the stories about Holmes. They are not in chronological order but are not needed to be. Through the stories, we learn more and more about Sherlock. It is mentioned several times that these are not all the cases Sherlock has taken on, only the ones that focus on his deductive reasoning.
I love that Holmes is does not always solve the crime in time to stop bad things from happening. I also like his mercy, not always turning the "criminal" over to the authorities. This is of course depends upon the circumstances. In one story, the "bad guy" didn't commit a punishable crime, just unethical, but Holmes wanted badly for this person to be punished. I also enjoyed that not all the crimes were murder or even breaking the law.
In the forward, I also learned an interesting tid bit. House MD is a medical adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. Holmes - House. Watson - Wilson. Both Holmes and House have a drug problem. Both are very observant and have a supernatural power of deductive reasoning. Both have a dislike for authority. I found this fact interesting since I loved House. Now I understand why so much more. ...more
This is a short story that Fredrik Backman as posted on his blog. It does need some editing and there are a few translation errors I think, but the stThis is a short story that Fredrik Backman as posted on his blog. It does need some editing and there are a few translation errors I think, but the story is free for everyone to read. http://www.fredrikbackman.com/2018/01/
This short story is about Depression and the Pain in a teenager. For some reason, I envisioned 14-16 years old. This story is very metaphoric and almost magical.
There is not enough of this story to build deep emotion in me like Backman has done in the past. I was very into the story from the beginning and following nicely, but at the story progressed it became more "magical" and the metaphors seemed to escape me some. Instead of experiencing the story, I was trying to figure the story out. Breakfast is very important and mentioned many times and I kept asking myself, "what does breakfast signify?'...more
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a novella and this collection also includes three short stories: 'House of Flowers' 'A Diamond Guitar' 'A Christmas Memory'
WhBreakfast at Tiffany's is a novella and this collection also includes three short stories: 'House of Flowers' 'A Diamond Guitar' 'A Christmas Memory'
When I first heard that Capote is the author of Breakfast at Tiffany's, I was shocked. I have never seen the movie but from the things I have seen, I imagined something more along the lines of My Fair Lady. Breakfast at Tiffany's is much darker and deeper than I imagined.
I love Truman's writing. He is masterful at detailed and original descriptions. I also enjoy reading his asides, and broken sentences as they read more like thoughts or old school story telling than a formal sentence. And his characters are real, full of flaws and desires and insecurities. His characters are full of flawed logic and making yourself the hero of your own story as well as good and fun qualities....Just like everyday people.
Non-physical love is a major theme in these stories along with abandonment, insecurities, being taken advantage of, and running from the past. After doing a lot of research into Capote after reading The Swans of Fifth Avenue, these stories are about Capote. These are the emotions and feelings he battled. All of his characters are looking for happiness and self.
"Its a bore but the answer is good things only happen to you of you're good. Good? Honest is more what I mean. Not a law-type honest - I'd rob a grave, I'd steal two-bits off a dead man's eyes if I thought it would contribute to the day's enjoyment - unto-thyself-type honest." Holly Golightly - Breakfast at Tiffany's
My order of favorites on these stories: Breakfast at Tiffany's A Diamond Guitar House of Flowers A Christmas Memory (though I find this one the most touching)...more
This is a very short story. The book includes the short story The Deal of a Lifetime and the second half of the book is an excerpt from Bear Town.
I aThis is a very short story. The book includes the short story The Deal of a Lifetime and the second half of the book is an excerpt from Bear Town.
I am torn on this short story. Backman is my favorite author. His right style is so easy, simple, yet surprising and strong and this is evident again in The Deal of a Lifetime. However, the story is way too short. It ended with me wanting more but not in the good way a great book does. This story left me wondering if ebook app was glitching. There has to be more pages, more story. Yet is over. Ended faster than the spring in south Georgia.
But this short story is powerful and poses the question, What would you give, what would you sacrifice, to save another life?. Yet the story is not indicative of the average person and therefore leaves an emotional gap. The story is emotional, but not nearly as strong as Backman's other works.
I did finish this story deep in thought which I view as a major positive, and the story is classic Backman, but not enough of classic Backman. It feel short of its potential. I really wanted more of the little girl. ...more
This book is funny. Can you believe it, Backman writing humor? I laughed all through this book. Its a collection of short stories explaining differentThis book is funny. Can you believe it, Backman writing humor? I laughed all through this book. Its a collection of short stories explaining different lessons to his son, broken up by small paragraphs or sentences or scenes. Some of the stories begin and I wondered, "where is this going?" What does this have to do with the title of this lesson?" But Backman always brings the moral back around and many times I felt like I learned something - at the very least, a different perspective.
I loved most of the lessons but my favorites are "What you Need to Know about Good and Evil", "What you need To Know about God and Airports", What you Need to Know about IKEA", and "What You Need to Know about Stuff".
Another of my favorite parts is all the late 80s and 90s references to books, movies, songs, and WWE. Backman is 38 years old and I am 31.
Despite the humor, the book also has undertones of anxieties and insecurities that Backman feels regarding being a parent, a husband, a role model.
5 Stars, Great book. I can't wait for another work by Backman....more
This is a short short short short story, but man, what a punch it packs.
You can say this is a religious short story. A man has died and is meeting GoThis is a short short short short story, but man, what a punch it packs.
You can say this is a religious short story. A man has died and is meeting God. But I found it to be a more philosophical story. What is the meaning of life. I personally did not take this story to be specific, literal beliefs, instead lessons and morals to be thought about.
As I'm writing this, I'm changing my rating to 5 stars. Very powerful to me....more
Book #14 and the last of the original Bond stories so the last Bond book for me. (There is one last short story that is sometimes included in this booBook #14 and the last of the original Bond stories so the last Bond book for me. (There is one last short story that is sometimes included in this book but was not in my edition)
This book is 3 short stories and was published posthumously.
Octopussy - In this Bond is not the main character and his appearance is brief. Bond has come to arrest a Major of the second World War on suspicion of murder and the theft of Nazi gold. The story is this Major, who has anticipated this moment his whole life, reflects on the murder and the theft and is wondering what to do. Octopussy referrs to his pet octopus named Pussy.
The Living Daylights - Several stories point out that Bond does not enjoy pure murder. Though he has a licence to Kill, a 00 number, he hates killing in cold blood which he must do. In this story, Bond is not his normal chipper self. He seems depressed and disapproving of his career.
The Property of a Lady - In this story, Bond is to attend an auction and find Russian spies. This story seems incomplete.
In some additions of this book, there is a short story included entitled "007 in New York" This was not in my edition.
I was not a fan of this book. I have enjoyed seeing Bond progress and see him become a much more complex character. Fleming was not a great writer, but I have also enjoyed seeing his writing progress and him try different styles....more
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