So far, June has been a pretty active month. Restrictions have been lifted all over and I've been seeing more and more people out and about. The interesting thing - at least to me - is that most of them are still wearing masks. In fact, there's only been 4 or 5 people I've seen who weren't and those were all men. I never said we were the smart ones. Anyway, I'm still wearing mine when I'm out and still spending the majority of my time home and alone. Well, not completely alone - I've got a huge TBR pile in the Living Room and shelves of other books that I'd like to reread. A plethora of riches. There are so many that I found myself reading one part-way then switching to another several times. I did manage to finish a couple, though.
Off The Shelf
Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz ($7.99/$7.99, copyright 2003, 446 pages, Paperback)
Odd Thomas is a short-order cook in the small desert town of Pico Mundo. His is a happy, quiet life and he enjoys his job and his time with his girlfriend, Stormy Llewellyn. The only glitch in his life is that he sees dead people. They seek him out for help but they can't speak so he has to figure things out himself. Compounding this is a stranger who's come to town accompanied by a horde of hyena-like creatures called Bodachs. The man's name is Robertson but Odd refers to him as Fungus Man who he tracks down to an abandoned house. There he discovers the real horror that is scheduled to happen within 24 hours and he must rely on Stormy, Police Chief Porter, and his ghostly allies - including one he refers to as the King of Rock and Roll - to stop it. Koontz has created an interesting little town and populated it with a great cast of characters, especially Odd. Koontz has given Odd a back story that explains his reluctance to go out into the bigger world and yet gives him the courage to deal with the things he does. I enjoyed it. (NOTE: I'm not sure Koontz intended this to become a series so I didn't categorize it that way. . I did read the 2nd volume which I remember being just as good and the 3rd which wasn't. I didn't read the others.)
Miscellaneous
Lamb, The Gospel According To Biff - Christ's Childhood Pal Christopher Moore ($5.09/$16.99, copyright 2002, 444 pages, Trade Paperback)
I am a BIC (Bronx Irish Catholic) which means that I was raised in The Faith but have my doubts and love a good, sacrilegious joke. Moore's book is, so far, my favorite interpretation of the life of Jesus. Levi bar Alphaeus, AKA Biff, has been the best friend of Joshua bar Joseph, AKA Jesus, since the day he came across Josh resurrecting lizards in the village square. More importantly, he's the only one who knows where the soon-to-be Savior was from the time he was dazzling scholars in the Temple to his return as The Messiah at the age of 30. That's why the Angel Raziel has resurrected Biff to write a new Gospel. Biff explains that everything started when Josh wanted to track down the Magi who showed up at his birth and find out why. Biff, being his friend, goes along to keep him out of trouble. Their travels take them all over Asia from Afghanistan to China to India. In each place they face all kinds of hardship but each learns something different. For Joshua, it's a spiritual journey that teaches him what he will need to become who he needs to be. For Biff, it's a more physical journey where he learns about potions, explosives, and all the vital skills that The Messiah shouldn't know. Together, they complete each other. Moore describes each location simply and his characters are well defined. In addition to Biff and Josh, we get to see different versions of Mary Magdalene (Maggie), John the Baptist, the Disciples, and each of the Magi - separately. He also throws in a goodly dash of several Eastern Religions just for effect. Being a Sherlock Holmes fan, I was reminded of the Great Hiatus when Holmes supposedly died at the Reichenbach Falls but was actually traveling throughout the Orient. I enjoyed it.
It's getting hot out again. According to the forecasts, it will be in the upper 90's by Tuesday. My advise - run your errands early then do whatever you can to stay cool. I'll be lying on my bed, in front of the fan, with the TV on (right now I'm watching the new "Hawaii 50" on ION), and a cold drink on the night table (just water). I've got a book of crossword puzzles on the other table and 3 different books in 3 different genres in 3 different stages of being read on the side of the bed. I'm good.
July is coming up quickly and looks to be just as hot and muggy. Do whatever you do to enjoy it and if you go out remember that it can't hurt to wash your hands, wear a mask, and keep socially distant.
Until next time -
Keep Reading.
