Reading Round-up

I had been doing quick reviews of books that I have read for awhile on the site, but then I had a flurry of reading and not a lot of free time, so I figured it was time for me to circle back and give my quick thoughts on all the books I have read over the past year or so.  The happy side effect of this is seeing that I have read a lot of books the past year and a half.  Way to go me!

The Cardinal and the Kremlin by Tom Clancy

Another strong Clancy book and very important in setting up characters in future books.  Plus, John Clark makes his first post-Without Remorse appearance. 

Private Wars by Greg Rucka

All of Rucka’s Queen and Country books are so tightly paced and written and this is not exception.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

A lot of people haven’t heard of this one but I think it might be big someday…  In all seriousness, this book has the best epilogue of any book I can remember followed with one of the most boring lessons in Scandinavian tax law followed by a really tense, exciting thriller. 

Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy

Great, Clancyian book.  The most enjoyable part is that this really becomes a John Clark book and that ain’t bad.

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Exciting and thrilling mystery. 

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

The conclusion to the trilogy, if anything, this one takes it in a direction I never expected, but still a great read.

The Sum of All Fears by Tom Clancy

One of the Ryanverse’s biggest criticisms is that sometimes Clancy drags out things before the “big event” takes place.  This one built up the big event in meticulous detail to the point of wanting to scream, “Just blow something up already!”  Once stuff blows up, it is a great, tense ride.  But the hundreds and hundreds of pages leading up to it took far too long.

Debt of Honor by Tom Clancy

Not counting Without Remorse and Rainbox Six, which are really John Clark books, this may be my favorite Clancy title.  The sweeping scope of the conflict in this book was perfectly detailed in a way that made the conflict clearer than a History Channel documentary.  I only wish I could have read this at a time when the ending was not tragically real-world and, as a result, discussed often.

Executive Orders by Tom Clancy

This book was a good, mid-level Clancy book, but I find it hard to be as excited after how great Debt of Honor was.

The Last Run by Greg Rucka

The most likely conclusion to the Queen and Country series, this was another great Rucka book.  No one writes a strong, female protagonist like Rucka.

The Astounding, The Amazing, and the Unknown by Paul Malmont

An ode to pulp novels, this book may be historical fiction, but it feels like it could have been non-fiction…or at least you wish it was because it was so cool.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Reading this makes me wonder if someday it will be considered one of the seminal works of literature of my generation.  This book captures the feeling and nostalgia of youth for people born between 1975 and 1985 better than any other story could achieve.  No person who reads this doesn’t come away giddy with excitement. 

11/22/63 by Stephen King

My first King novel may not be one of his scary ones, but still a very solid book. 

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Even though I am a fan of noir storytelling, I haven’t really read any of the classics.  This was my first.  I was stunned that, with the exception of a few words that haven’t been used since 1936, how new the book felt. 

Neuromancer by William Gibson

Considered by many to be one of the top 20 sci-fi novels ever written, I can’t say that I disagree.  This is an unforgiving book that refuses to slow down or explain via exposition how some of the more advanced concepts work and the result is a book that you may not fully understand, but you really feel a part of.

The Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy

Far from the best work but it was nice and short and the brisk pace made it enjoyable.