Clive Cussler seems to churn out novels at an incredible rate. While he's unlikely to win the Booker prize, his novels are always a good read.
The most recent of them, The Spy, is part of his series set in early 20th century USA. The stories revolve around a fictional detective agency - the Van Dorn's, with the central character Isaac Bell picking up many of the characteristics of Cussler's most famous creation, Dirk Pitt.
To date there have been three Isaac Bell novels, The Chase, The Wrecker and now The Spy.
In The Spy the story centres around the pre World War One arms race. Bell gets called in to investigate a suspicious suicide and finds himself embroiled in a very complicated tale of international espionage and intrigue.
There's plenty of action, gorgeous women, though no sex, chases, death, blood and of course, a happy ending.
If you enjoy Cussler's style of writing you'll enjoy this.
Gary Vaynerchuk's "Crush It!" makes for a fast and easy read.
I read the book a couple of months ago over a couple of days, as I'd
seen someone interviewing the author and it piqued my interest.
Vaynerchuk will never win a Nobel prize for literature, but his "voice" is genuine and full of energy.
Vaynerchuk rose to fame with his online TV show - Wine Library TV and in this book he talks about "cashing in on your passion".
Whether you're already running a business or thinking of starting one, "Crush It!" will probably give you some encouragement and ideas of how you can share your passion with others and make more money while doing it.
Vaynerchuk isn't a social media wannabe guru. He's actually built a real business using social media marketing. He's not a consultant trying to sell you his ideas - he's simply sharing his own experiences and passions, which makes it a lot more interesting and genuine.
Author Dick Francis has passed away at the age of 89.
Francis, who started out as a highly successful jockey went on to write 40 bestsellers which have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
Francis died in the Cayman Islands where a funeral will be held.
I assume Dan Brown has made a fortune from the royalties for The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons and the other novels and their film versions. That he's managed to add to his wealth with the release of The Lost Symbol is inevitable.
But is it truly deserving?
The Lost Symbol is not a great work of literature. Sure, it is readable, but so is the back of some cereal packs. Readibility is not the best barometer.
Langdon, who previously appeared in both The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, makes another appearance in The Lost Symbol.
This time round he's exploring the Masonic world in the US capital - Washington DC.
(On a positive note I suspect the tourist office in Washington will probably be thanking Dan Brown for the boost in visitor numbers.)
Langdon is summoned to Washington to give a lecture at short notice. When he arrives he finds himself pulled into the intricate web of an evil mastermind who is hellbent on unravelling the Masons' greatest secret.
The problem is that Brown prefaces the book by stating that all the symbols, science, organisations and rites he describes are real. So he's trying to base a work of fiction on scientific and cultural fact. However his "facts" are, in many cases, more "fantasy" than "reality". Be that as it may, if the thriller were a wonderful read you'd be able to forgive him. Unfortunately that's not the case. Like a bad Hollywood film, Brown is incapable of writing a thriller that actually keeps you on your toes. After the first few chapters you've probably already worked out who the mystery man really is, though you have to patiently wait until the final part of the book for confirmation. When it comes you aren't surprised or even relieved. It's more a sensation of amazement. Not amazement at his skillful prose, but more his complete inability to withhold the surprise. I don't know about you, but I like thrillers that have surprising twists. The Lost Symbol really doesn't
If you like a fairly pacy read and can't get your hands on a Cussler or Lee Child, then maybe The Lost Symbol is a good option to kill a few hours. It would be perfect fare for holiday reading, as you won't feel guilty if you forget the book in the hotel.
Practically every book's dustjacket is covered with reviews and hyperbole. It's refreshing when the book actually lives up to the hyped reviews on the cover.
In the case of Lee Child's "Without Fail" it is truly gripping.
Child is one of those writers that I wish I'd started reading earlier. I like a good thriller, so I have to admit that the character of Jack Reacher really struck a chord with me. He's an oddball character. You know he's got a past and that he's very dangerous, but Child doesn't spell it out for you. Unlike so many Hollywood style novels, Child leaves nice gaps open to your imagination.
So what of the plot itself?
Basic plot is that the vice president elect is under threat from some kind of danger. What type of danger it is isn't 100% clear, but as the plot develops and twists the number of possible sources are eliminated until the book culminates in yet another twist.
Reacher's character is dark and dangerous and thus perfectly fit for the shadowy world he inhabits.
Child populates his "world" with characters set against backdrops that are described in such detail that you can practically smell them
Overall a great read and now I have to admit to being possibly "hooked"
I've been a fan of Clive Cussler for several years. While none of his books are likely to win the Booker prize, they are what they are - highly enjoyable adventures. Cussler's male characters are tough, good looking and heroic. They're almost comicbook styled personnages, but that does not make them any less enjoyable. Kurt Austin, and his "sidekick" Joe Zavala, this time round are up against a deadly virus and the Chinese triads. The story takes them from the US to a number of exotic locations, with plenty of action, romance and tension. Of course we know that Austin will save the day, but how he manages to get there is the fun part. If you're a fan of good clean action then Austin makes a nice maritime James Bond style figure. A good enjoyable read - perfect for the holiday season.
Michael J Fox wrote an autobiography a few years ago which covered his career from the beginning through to when he started coming to grips with Parkinson's, so I was quite surprised that he had written a followup tome - Always Looking Up.
Always Looking Up isn't about Michael J Fox the actor. It's a lot more about Michael J Fox the activist and his work with Parkinson's. It's also about Michael J Fox's personal reality and how his life has been changed and affected by PD.
While this may sound terribly boring and depressing in some respects it's a wonderful read. While other people might be depressed by PD, Fox manages to see the positive side of his new life and is more than happy to share his deepest feelings.
If you're looking for a celebrity biography then you might be disappointed, but if you are interested in a fascinating and heart lifting story then Always Looking Up should be on your reading list.
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Without Fail Does Not Disappoint