Yes, it's been a long time. Kind of an eventful month, definitely busy. More on that later. Right now, time to catch up on the books I've been reading.
Stephen King, The Colorado Kid: Written for publication by Hard Case Crime, in an attempt to return to the "dime novels" (i.e., affordable crime novels with a noir bent) of a bygone age. It's very King-esque—rich in details, character, and setting, and with a twist ending you'll either love or hate. Well, okay, I didn't love it ... but I liked and respected it. A keeper.
Gardner, The Case of the Dubious Bridegroom: A decent Perry Mason, but the plot was a bit too over-complicated and the characters a bit too unsympathetic.
L.M. Montgomery, Kilmeny of the Orchard: I love Montgomery. Her last novel in the Anne of Green Gables series, Rilla of Ingleside, is one of my favorite books of all time. And most of her works tend to be, while very similar to each other in style and tone and underlying themes, very good. This one read like a short story hastily fleshed out into a novel (well, even at that, more like a novella). I think the short story would have been a better read. Still, though, good characters and a sweet story.
Cornelia Meigs, Fair Wind to Virginia: This is an old children's lit, set in pre-Revolutionary Williamsburg. The town, the people, and the era come to life through the eyes of the two young protagonists, and you find yourself wanting to know what happens next in what would surely be two very eventful lives.
Louis L'Amour, High Lonesome: Really inventive, well-drawn characters, interesting action. It constantly amazes me how different each of L'Amour's books are. He doesn't stick to what you would think of as "traditional" western plots, on any level.
Kiowa Trail: I'll be honest, I have no idea what the title of this book has to do with the plot. But it doesn't matter, because this is one of his most poignant novels. It really explores depths of human emotion that I don't think most people would expect to find in a western, and marries those with an exciting plot and characters you care about.
Over on the Dry Side: Completely different from each of the other two. From point of view, to plot, to characters, an entirely new reading experience. L'Amour always surprises, and rarely disappoints.
More substance next time, which should be in less than a month!
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