Brooklyn: A Novel by Colm Toibin
Rather pleasant, easy flowing story about a young girl’s travels to Brooklyn, NY from the Irish Isles. While it’s an interesting story from the family point of view, I was a little less captivated in the historic depiction of the big city. As a native New Yorker (Shh!) I was hoping for more about the city but the family focus was front and center. Glad I was never in steerage for a trip across the pond, which was described in ghoulish, ”yak attack” fashion. I’d take this one out of the library on a whim but wouldn’t purchase.
First Family by David Baldacci
A fan of Baldacci and “The Genius” for one, I was dissapointed by this effort. Didn’t really grab me from a character or story standpoint and I thought it was pretty predictable for those that like to be tossed about and taken for the proverbial ride. I’d cast this one aside in favor of my next review.
Loitering With Intent by Stuart Woods
Stone Barrington is one of my favorite repeat characters. I just have an affinity for the guys that can swoop in, attract the ladies, and get away with the “wise-assiest” of banter. It was quite the coincidence that I was reading a paragraph that referenced one of the characters being in St Thomas or St Martin (I can’t remember which due to the alcohol consumed) as we were pulling out of that very port at that time. Hmm, where’s Rod Serling when you need him? This story moves quickly, has great dialog, and is the usual great summer read. Woods’ consistently delivers; not diverging too much from his tried and true formulas but pleasing just the same. Definitely beach-worthy!
