Best Gibson, William
William Gibson returns with his first novel since 2010’s New York Times –bestselling Zero History . Fortunately, Burton has his veteran’s benefits, for neural damage he suffered from implants during his time in the USMC’s elite Haptic Recon force. “Spectacular, a piece of trenchant, far-future speculation that features all the eyeball kicks of Neuromancer and all the maturity and sly wit of Spook Country .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Gibson does flashy technodystopia and this is his best in some time [which given the high quality of the worst of his writing should be a sign]. A wonderful melange of time travel, printed matter, nano tech, declining Atlantic civilization, kleptocracy, postmodern art and ever so much more."
"There are still those sudden, dazzling meditations here and there for which Gibson is justifiably known, and the novel as a whole would be reasonably good airplane reading fare, but you will not find the world-wrenching spell cast in earlier Gibson books."
"As in all his work, Gibson has a most insightful view of current societal and technical realities that are barely perceptible to this reader, until his stories illuminate them."
"This is a stand-alone story that links none of the characters from previous books and introduces a a cast of new characters that will hopefully show up in future stories."
"I've stopped trying to second guess where the complex ride he takes you on will end."
"I loved the story, loved the character development, the ethos...it was interesting in multiple ways."
"The Peripheral, however, is more of a return to his Neuromancer days that made Gibson famous in the first place and got him designated as the “father of Cyberpunk.” None of that matters to me, however. What absolute fun and delight it is, being led out of that confusion by this master writer in his own good time and at his own brilliant pace! The interplay of these worlds and the core of the story: a noir-like murder mystery constitute the primary elements of the book. I will again say, that I am glad that I have a Kindle to read Gibson on because his combination of vocabulary and overwhelming wealth of trivia is almost unbelievable in its complexity at times."
But this proves to be of supreme interest to certain other parties — some of whom aren’t remotely human… “Potent and heady.” —Philadelphia Daily News “An intriguing cast of characters and a tough, glitzy image of computer consciousness and the future of mankind.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch “Count Zero shares with Neuromancer that novel’s stunning use of language, breakneck pacing, technological innovation, and gritty brand-name realism.” —Fantasy Review “William Gibson’s prose, astonishing in its clarity and skill, becomes high-tech electric poetry.” —Bruce Sterling “Suspense, action…a lively story…a sophisticated version of the sentient computer, a long way from the old models that were simply out to Rule the World.” —Locus. A stylish, streetsmart, frighteningly probable parable of the future and sequel to Neuromancer --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Forget the "give it 50 pages to see if you you like it" approach; this book grabs your attention in the first paragraph and never lets go."
"One of William Gibsons ' Early books, the second in the Loose Trilogy that also includes Neuromancer, and Mona Lisa Overdrive, Count Zero still a great read for those who love complex Science fiction."
"Wonder why the stories in this series contain "voodoo" characters and references--more than a bit distracting with very little return on the energy required to integrate the references into the story."
"The second book in this cyberpunk trilogy is easier to follow and more enjoyable than Neuromancer, the first book."
"I enjoy all of Gibson's work to varying degrees, but I am most fond of the early stories and novels."
"That said, it was a good book and I enjoyed reading it."
"William Gibson actually managed to get his imagined future RIGHT!"
"The first three books by William Gibson should be read in order-I didn't, and missed important connections between them."
Case, a burned out computer whiz, is asked to steal a security code that is locked in the most heavily guarded databank in the solar system. You’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but these new Penguin Galaxy hardcovers make it really hard.” — Gizmodo. “Serious science fiction and fantasy readers cannot resist the classics. Their small form factor and minimalist covers call out to readers and make them fun to read all over again.” — Kirkus Reviews. An amazing virtuoso performance.” — The Washington Post “[Gibson] invented the future with Neuromancer. The richness of Gibson’s world is incredible.” — Chicago Sun-Times “Freshly imagined, compellingly detailed, and chilling in its implications.” — The New York Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Dark and confusing, this story somehow seems like some believable crazy future where mankind has taken biotech to its ultimate extreme, where artificial intelligence interacts with physical reality and vice versa."
"It's also spawned a lot of conversation with my friends that have read it on topics we're currently experiencing, which I feel is a testament to how well this book has held up over the years."
"If you liked Blade Runner or anything by Philip K. Dick, you will love this book."
"There's not a lot of setup time; Gibson just thrusts you right into Ninsei, shoulder-to-shoulder with a whole cadre of robo-scumbags, and you & Case are off and running- scoring drugs, hustling the natives and riding a wave of suicidal paranoia... and ultimately blasted into space by it."
"I had the same reaction reading this as I did reading Dune: the writing is brilliant, the characters vivid, the story compelling, but beyond these aspects, the work is seminal, foundational - so much of the genre and it's conventions flow from the tropes employed in this book."
"This is supposed to be a Great SciFi read."
"Ironically, the titular character, Neuromancer, who appears on-screen for only a handful of pages, is more alive and more life-nurturing than the nominally human Case. Along the way, Gibson throws in body modification surgery, space colonies, exotic and deadly drugs, an unsettling take on prostitution, and more."
"If you, like me, aren't even aware of what "Cyberpunk" means, you will still enjoy this book as an excellent noire/crime drama story, with a interesting cast of characters collaborating to pull off a big heist, led by a grizzled protagonist who is unsure of the motives of both his mysterious employer and his targeted victim."
Best Guterson, David
Above all, San Piedro is haunted by the memory of what happened to its Japanese residents during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile while its neighbours watched. Fighting the distrust and prejudice of his neighbors on a remote island in Puget Sound, a Japanese-American man who spent time in an internment camp during World War II, finds himself on trial for murder.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I read SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS when it was first published years ago and it left such a positive impression that I decided to re-read it recently."
"We see how WW II threw this community with both European and Japanese Americans into a tailspin and with unresolved conflict and issues still simmering under the surface."
"It's still a great read."
"I really enjoyed this book. There were several layers to it , atmosphere and beautiful descriptions of life on the Island of Dan Piedro, romance, history,war, a 'murder' trial, racism and extreme prejudice and above all very believable and realistic characters."
"Kind of lesson that racism is everywhere whether it's blatantly obvious or not displayed directly but practiced nonetheless."
"I couldn't put this book down."
"This book is a mystery, a love story, and a story of prejudice and how the heart can harden against people who come from a different background."
Best Gabaldon, Diana
Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ...about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ...and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his ....Now a legacy of blood and desire will test her beautiful copper-haired daughter, Brianna, as Claire's spellbinding journey of self-discovery continues in the intrigue-ridden Paris court of Charles Stuart ...in a race to thwart a doomed Highlands uprising ...and in a desperate fight to save both the child and the man she loves. With her now-classic novel Outlander, Diana Gabaldon introduced two unforgettable characters -- Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser -- delighting readers with a story of adventure and love that spanned two centuries.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Not only did she write this long novel (plus seven more, plus some related novellas and such), and keep it endlessly entertaining with vivid characters and fresh plot twists galore. They are the kind of verbal jewels that make any author gasp and say "I wish I wrote that." The odds are slim that anyone will encounter this five-star review in the vast ocean of existing appreciation for this delightful book and its author. If, perchance, a live person actually reads this review, please let me know with a "helpful" vote."
"With the the portability and ease of reading electronically I am reliving the stories of Clare and Jamie and Brianna and Roger et al again. Diana delivers the emotion, sights, sounds, smells, triumphs and failures with her words. She always finds alliterative and clever phrasing to bring everything alive - whether it is a trip across the sea or a dangerous encounter or mundane every tasks or Clare and Jamie enjoying the delights of each other intimately."
"At first I was nervous, I wouldn't be able to keep my attention to the book because of the almost 900 pages but believe me when I say it was an easy and fast read. Sometimes it would get on my husband's nerves that my nose was always in this book..hehe.. And I dreamt about the Scotland Highlands and of course Jamie Fraser."
"Fabulous story line, weaving fantasy, love stories, geography, and history... My friend is obsessed with everything Outlander! The story line is fabulous, weaving fantasy, relationships, and several love stories in with breathtakingly beautiful geography and realistic history, including wars, peace, and the hardships of a life in Scotland, before the luxuries we enjoy today."
Best Grafton, Sue
Private investigator Kinsey Millhone confronts her darkest and most disturbing case in this #1 New York Times bestseller from Sue Grafton. Moody, unrepentant, and angry, he is a virtual prisoner of his ever-watchful parents—until a copy of the missing tape arrives with a ransom demand. Y Is For Yesterday might make you wish the alphabet had a few more letters.”— Tampa Bay Times-Review More Praise for Sue Grafton and the Alphabet Series “Grafton’s endless resourcefulness in varying her pitches in this landmark series, graced by her trademark self-deprecating humor, is one of the seven wonders of the genre.”— Kirkus Reviews.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"*. It's hard for me to rate this book because I've been one of fictional Kinsey Millhone's fans since 1982. 1) It is not " true" to the other books in the series because this book has chapters of graphic sexual violence. 2) Kinsey can't " remember" to take her gun with her even though a psychopath from an earlier book is clearly stalking her fearlessly. Earlier books in the series did have some shooting in them, so I am not sure if this is the author's anti- gun statement built into the book, or a possible pro- gun statement since not having a weapon was bound to happen and put Kinsey in the climatic dangerous situation with a madman, or if the equally successful " Stephanie Plum" series gave Ms. Grafton the " oops, left that new gun at home" idea to the author. When we are reading in the " present time" of 1989, Kinsey could somehow determine that copies of the prurient video were or could have been made using hand held video cameras and a projector, while hand held video cameras of the type being described in the book didn't yet exist. 4) Another factoid in this book which didn't seem true to Henry and Kinsey's shared green space and Henry's gardening at all was the very frequent reminders that Henry, who is quite a dapper gentleman ( lest we forget we are reminded a few times in every single book with just those words, instead of his actions speaking for his poise and manners), completely abandons his beloved lawn. Both Henry and Kinsey didn't love the important things in their lives in this one book. I didn't feel that Kinsey, Henry, their friends, or the town of Saint Theresa were at all enhanced by the P. I. work that fell into Kinsey's lap in this book. I'm glad I read it, as I am a completist about books in a series, but this 35 year relationship with Kinsey isn't really going in the ways I had hoped. Down through the years, there have been glimpses of Kinsey getting at least one fun friend in her age group, a nice guy or two taking her out, even a decent car in some of the books. I also learned that she never allowed any ghostwriting in her manuscripts, so there will not be a posthumus book featuring Kinsey but authored by someone else."
"I have long been a Sue Grafton fan and have read all of the books in the Kinsey Millhone series. The subject matter is indeed dark and disturbing, involving an amateur porno tape and a high school murder. I do admit that the ending of Y Is for Yesterday is, for the most part, satisfying, so that gives me reason for hope that Grafton will wrap up the series in style."
"Kinsey, in 1989, references found footage, hand held type movies which weren't around yet and molded plastic lawn chairs before they were in use. I have loved Grafton for years, and continue to do so, as this book was an anomaly, and Kinsey's personality was still fairly vivid, but honestly -- if it had been any other author."
"The flashback chapters added nothing and I was particularly unhappy that Sue Grafton chose to repeat over and over the graphic content of a tape of sexual abuse. Every time a new person views the tape it gets described, in addition to detailing the actual event in the flashback chapters."
Best Griffin, W. E. B.
Army records show that the only officer named Fertig in the Philippines is a reserve lieutenant colonel of the Corps of Engineers, reported MIA on Luzon. Here, he uses guerrilla action behind the lines in the Philippines as foreground to tell the behind-the-lines tale of the power struggle among Marine General Fleming Pickering, General Douglas MacArthur and Bill Donovan of the fledgling OSS, all of whom are galvanized into action by a radio message from a self-proclaimed general named Wendell Fertig, who has established himself as a guerrilla leader against the Japanese.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The Marine Corps series has maintained the level of character and story lines all along the series."
"The powers that be understand that OSS is the logical choice to assist after General Pickering determines that their are in fact elements of a guerilla force on Mindingo, but MacArthur is adament about refusing to cooperate with Donovan-enter the forces of Pickering as the go-between, assisted by McCoy, Col Stecker, Koffler and Macklin- Macklin!?"
"In this one we are fully introduced to Brigadier General Wendel Fertig, an authentic American hero who single-handedly and with remarkable (and uniquely American) initiative, creates a 30,000 man force in the Philippines to fight the occupying Japanese."
"Pick Pickering is described in a previous book as shooting down 8 enemy planes at Guadalcanal, but in this book it is just 6."
"after reading most of the other books in the series."
"Another W.E.B Griffin winner before his son co-authors with him."
"WEB Griffin as always is a great read."
"The Corps series isn't all that bad a read, once you get beyond all the inconsistencies Griffin makes in the story line from previous novels."
Best Grisham, John
Now we return to that famous courthouse in Clanton as Jake Brigance once again finds himself embroiled in a fiercely controversial trial-a trial that will expose old racial tensions and force Ford County to confront its tortured history. It is an act that drags his adult children, his black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford County's most notorious citizens, just three years earlier. Here, in his most assured and thrilling novel yet, is a powerful testament to the fact that Grisham remains the master of the legal thriller, nearly twenty-five years after the publication of A Time to Kill . "John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we've got in the United States these days." "John Grisham is exceptionally good at what he does—indeed, right now in this country, nobody does it better."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have always loved John Grisham's books. I have been disappointed in the last few Grisham books."
"Will be reading another of his books shortly since it helps pass the time on the exercycle."
"That said, Sycamore Row is fine escape reading with a plot that moves along at a nice clip."
"The day after the hanging Jake, who had never met Seth, receives a concise hand-written letter from him along with an equally concise hand-written holographic will that bequeaths 90% of his surprisingly large (to everyone who knew him) estate to Lettie, his attentive black house keeper of three years and end of life care giver. The trial predictably takes many twists and turns and the over-riding question in the minds of all concerned is why would an uncommonly wealthy white man leave most of his fortune to a black maid whom he had known only a few years, totally neglecting his direct descendants in the process."
"At the beginning a man writes his own will, leaves a letter to our favorite attorney (who has never met him), goes to church as if nothing is wrong, then hangs himself."
"Grisham puts a lot of details into the book that aren’t needed, but they give you more of a feeling that you are an eye witness to everything that happens. You could say that the ending is a little sappy, and a little predictable, but it is satisfying and the way it plays out is pretty clever. There is speculation that Seth Hubbard and his black housekeeper were intimate, but no steamy scenes."
Best Garwood, Julie
#1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood takes listeners from New Orleans' exclusive Garden District to the backwoods of Louisiana's mysterious bayou country in an unforgettable novel of passion and suspense that cuts straight to the heart. Julie Garwood is among the most critically acclaimed ― and popular ― romance authors around, with thirty-six million copies of her books in print.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a beautiful full length novel of one such marriage, except the way the H/h come together has many obstacles to their HEA. However, little did he know that his 2nd wife would not only open up the flood gates but trigger the return of a killer that nobody suspected was among the clan until attempts start to be made on the heroine. So as you can imagine heroine has to heal the clan from the loss of hero's first wife and overcome the hatred many have because she is 'English'. Her skills, talents, love, and pure soul are tools she uses well to heal both spiritually and physically. The best part of the story is the love that forms between the hero and heroine. From the second he meets her until the beautiful ending their love blazes strong and continues to grow."
"This book had everything that I enjoy in a romance novel. ✔ Possessive alpha male. ✔ Bad Ass Heroine. ✔ Solid storyline with low angst. ✔ Funny as hell. I loved Alec. He was a Scottish Laird who has married Jamie who is an English girl out of duty to his King. He really did not care to have a wife and he has a strong dislike of the English in general. I have no idea how, but this author made me fall in love with this man! You start to realize that there is an underlying softness in him that Jamie seems to bring out of him. He made it clear he would kill any man that looked at Jamie in an inappropriate way. This of course created a lot of arguments with Alec who wanted his wife submissive. Jamie also had a lot of skills that women were not supposed to have."
"Alec and Jamie were forced by their kings to marry, and neither Alec nor Jamie was happy about it."
"I almost didn't purchase this book due to a negative comment about repetition, and I am so glad I let my own pleasure and enjoyment I've received from Julie Garwood's other awesome books to take precedence."
"Jamie is a first, stubborn English woman who will soon have half the Scottish Highlands ready to declare war."
Best Gray, John
The most well-know, long-lived, and tried-and-tested relationships guide ever, the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus is now available for the first time ever as an audio book. Using this metaphor to illustrate the commonly occurring conflicts between men and women, Dr. John Gray explains how these differences can come between the sexes and prohibit mutually fulfilling, loving relationships.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"On one hand, it articulates a good framework for the gender generalities that I've observed and for the most part, the author takes care not to paint with a broad brush. On the other hand, I definitely felt that much of his advice was very heavily slanted in the man's favor, at significant risk of turning the woman into a doormat. If someone resisted doing those last two things, especially on a regular basis, I would seriously question his/her priorities, as well as their suitability as a partner and parent."
"I finally decided to buy it and read it in the hopes of learning more about the differences between men and women."
"I read this several years ago."
"This book caught my attention because I was studying body language and wanted more information about the differences in this area between men and women."
"Only gotten thru the first couple chapters but so far so good!"
"This book helped me and my boyfriend avoid some fights."
"All people, who are going to get married,need to read this book."
"This is the original best-seller, all meat and potatoes."
Best Goodkind, Terry
The fifth audio volume of the Wheel of Time series is now available in unabridged format on CD In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Shadow Rising , Robert Jordan again plunges us into his extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world: ...Into the forbidden city of Rhuidean, where Rand al'Thor, now the Dragon Reborn, must conceal his present endeavor from all about him, even Egwene and Moiraine. Robert Jordan was born in 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina. Kate Reading is the recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been named by AudioFile magazine as a "Voice of the Century," as well as the Best Voice in Science Fiction & Fantasy in 2008 and 2009.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Drawing knowledge from many different disciplines he's able to create vivid and interesting characters, strong female protagonists (like no other novel possibly), and keep on supplying interesting characters back to back."
"It is book 5 of, I think 13. I almost stopped at this volume because 2 of my favorite characters died, but decided to continue because the general story (which seems to me to be only one third of the book, if that much) is interesting, as are the main characters."
"The first time I read the wheel of Time series, I thought it was ok, and didn't make it all the way through."
"THE ENITIRE SERIES IS SO AMAZING IVE READ THEM ALL SO MANY TIMES IVE HAD TO REBUY THEM OVER AND OVER....til i got my kindle ;)."
"There's less naivety at the end of this one than the others."
"In case it helps any viewers I will list a couple series I have read in the past and also enjoyed: Lord of the Rings, Inheritance, (Eragon books). Recluce Saga by L.E."
"A wonderful series to read."
"I recently purchased all 14 books of the Wheel Of Time in audiobook format, all read by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer (which was published by Macmillan Audio and Audio Renaissance)."