I've mentioned before that there are a few drawbacks to picking up my books at the various libraries that I've found in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. It's time to add a new one which accounts for why there are so few books in this month's chapter. Let's call it the OMG Moment. It works like this...
I had just started a new book, and was out checking some libraries when - OMG - I found a book that I really wanted to read right away! So I put down the first book and started on the second. The next day - OMG - I found another book that I really wanted to read! Thus, I have a double OMG, and now have a couple of books started that I hope make next months list.
Series
Interestingly enough, this month includes the first books in a couple of series that I've enjoyed over the years.
When the Bough Breaks - Jonathan Kellerman (432 pages, $6.99/$.50, copyright 1985, paperback) This is the first of the Alex Delaware novels. It has the usual mix of complicated mystery and simple friendships as Alex attempts to help his friend Milo solve a murder. Alex comes across here as a little more physical then usual, and Milo more pragmatic. I enjoyed it.
A Drink Before the War - Dennis Lehane (286 pages, $6.99/$.50, copyright 1994, paperback) This is the first of Lehane's series starring Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. As in most of the others, it takes place in Boston, and Lehane does his best to convey how the two sides of the city clash and converge. Murder and politics in Boston, and my favorite character - the sociopath Bubba. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
Nero Wolfe of West Thirty-Fifth Street - William S. Baring-Gould (202 pages, $6.95/$1.00, copyright 1969, paperback) This is one of the OMG books. It's an interesting attempt to treat the character created by Rex Stout as a real person. It address various aspects of Wolfe's lifestyle, as well as his friends and enemies. What drew me to it is the author, Baring-Gould, who wrote a biography of Sherlock Holmes as well as the Annotated Sherlock Holmes. AND we all know what the rumors about Holmes and Wolfe are. I enjoyed it.
Comics
Nothing read this month, but another rant, I'm afraid. While checking out the Trades at a local bookstore, I came across Spiderman:The Complete Clone Saga Epic. At the very bottom of the spine was the number 2. This means that there are at least 2 volumes one has to buy in order to get the "Complete" saga. AND how can there be a "Saga Epic"? This just doesn't seem right to me.
Something Different
While writing this, I'm watching the first several episodes of The Lone Ranger!!! Yes, that's right The Lone Ranger - Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels in glorious living black-and-white. They're part of a DVD collection called Gun Justice which I picked up at Target for $5.00. It includes The Cisco Kid, Kit Carson, Roy Rogers and others - 50 episodes in all. It may be a late Saturday afternoon in 2010 as I write this, but in my mind it's a Saturday morning 50 years ago. There's only one question to ask - Who was that masked man?
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