For once, I don't have any books that fall into the Series category. Although 3 out of the 5 are mysteries, or what gets classified as mysteries now. And 1 is actually, more or less, true.
Miscellaneous
Rizzo's War - Lou Manfredo ($24.99/$.50, 290 pages, copyright 2009, Trade paperback)
This is another Advanced Reader Edition (which I pick up a lot of at the Metuchen Library), and it comes with the CD version read by Bobby Cannavale. This is the story of a veteran detective and his rookie partner as they handle cases in Brooklyn - some small, and one not so small. Interesting characters make this a good read. I enjoyed it.
Your Heart Belongs to Me - Dean Koontz ($9.99/$.50, 364 pages, copyright 2008, paperback)
This attracted me right away - it's about a guy who undergoes a heart transplant. Me too! Although he's rich and then haunted, or hunted depending on your interpretation. Too much of the book is build up, and the payoff and ending seem rushed and don't fit the characters, in my opinion. I was disappointed.
Lieberman's Folly - Stuart Kaminsky ($15.95/ $.33, 216 pages, copyright 1991, Hard Cover)
I read a lot of Kaminsky's Toby Peters books many years ago, and enjoyed them. Although these aren't the same characters, or the same setting, it is the same style and I fell right into the situation easily. Two old cops, with their faults and families, and set in a changing Chicago of differing ethnic groups. Murder and obligations as told by Kaminsky. I enjoyed it.
Non-Fiction
The Good Rat - Jimmy Breslin ($24.95/$.10, 294 pages, copyright 2008, Trade paperback)
I remember reading Jimmy Breslin's columns in the New York newspapers back when I was in high school. Then "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight", his homage to gangsters and the Mafia. He was sort of a later-day Damon Runyon, telling stories of colorful mobsters with colorful names doing colorful things. This is a book about t mobster who wasn't colorful. In fact, he rats out the mobsters and crooked cops he worked with. It's like Breslin's farewell to his line of work. Could've been more colorful. It was OK.
Great Books
This is a new category that may crop up from time to time. I believe that there are a number of great books that no home should be without. Obviously, my opinion rules as far as this category goes. AND I will only mention those books that I come across going forward - whatever is already on my shelf will not be mentioned - at least for now.
Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman ($12.99/$1.00, 488 pages, reprinted 1892 edition, Hard Cover)
This is considered by many to be the definitive edition of poetry written by the greatest American poet. I enjoyed what I've read so far, just sort of jumping around. I believe that good poetry should let you feel, and that's what these do. Happiness, sadness, pride, whatever, as long as you feel. I also believe that you shouldn't read straight through a book of poetry, but should slip in every now and then to enjoy it. So far, I've enjoyed this.
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