The Lost Power - Van Ops by Avanti Centrae (2019) -  Maddy Marshall and her twin brother Will Argones are sent spinning across the globe after the assassination of their father, and Will's wife.  They are in search of an ancient object that may possess immense power.  Power enough to change the world forever.  Which... Continue Reading →

The Civil War - Strange And Fascinating Facts by Burke Davis (1996) - A collection of lesser-known bits of history about the American Civil War.  It dispels some myths while confirming others. Davis was a career journalist who wrote many popular and well-regarded books on the Civil War.  This book was first published in the... Continue Reading →

Golden State by Ben H. Winters (2019) - After a catastrophe, a new nation arises, Golden State, where the truth is the center of all life.  Enforcing the truth in every aspect of his society's life is Laszlo Ratecic, an agent of the state's Speculative Service.  But even in a society dedicated to the concept... Continue Reading →

The Mark Inside-A Perfect Swindle, A Cunning Revenge, and A Small History of The Big Con by Amy Reading (2013)  Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group - 1919 Texas rancher J. Frank Norcross goes into town to sell some acreage so he can buy a better piece of property.  Before that can happen, Norcross is swindled out... Continue Reading →

The Return of the Incredible Exploding Man by Dave Hutchinson (Solaris) - Alex Dolan is a down on his luck journalist is hired by a billionaire to help with a pet project.  It's the largest supercollider project ever, holding the promise of high energy physics breakthroughs.  Once he arrives in rural Iowa, Dolan discovers that... Continue Reading →

I wanted to write this last month after the news of Jim Bouton's death was announced.  But the deal I had made with myself was that I would start in August.  That I wouldn't dribble slowly into the return to my work here.  A clean start, which I have now achieved. So a moment to... Continue Reading →

Elevation by Stephen King (2018) – Set in King’s signature Main town of Castle Rock, Scott Carey is losing weight. A pound or so a week, for no clear reason. Stranger still is that he’s still wearing the same sized clothes, still looks the same. And when he picks things up, they weigh nothing at all. How long... Continue Reading →

All The Birds In The Sky by Charlie Jane Anders (2016) - Patricia and Laurence are the "weird" kids.  But no one realizes what that really means.  Patricia is a witch who can talk to birds but has no control over her power.  Laurence is a technological genius who can create almost anything.  What makes... Continue Reading →