What Charlie Read in July 2013

Charlie Read in July 2013

What Charlie Read in July 2013 is astonishing! Did I light a fire under him by sharing that first post, What Charlie Read in June 2013, or what? Well, he made up for me because I didn’t read any books in July! Not.a.one! Too busy in my toot sweet life – planning our Blog-o-versary Party and making all the craft projects for that, entertaining our out-of-town guest (actually, out-of-country!), Vanessa, from Australia, and just busy, busy, busy with life! How was your month of July?

Just in case you haven’t read The Voracious Reader (you can click on this link and it will take you there!), Charlie is my husband of 24 years and he is retired. His favorite pastime is reading and he reads. All.the.time. He reads so much that it is hard to “keep him in books.” He will only read hard backs; no paper backs for him! Plus, he will only read a real book he can hold in his hand, not one on a Kindle. I got the bright idea of buying him a Kindle for his birthday one year and downloading it with 7 new books. While he thanked me politely, he never picked it up and used it! So, I gave it away {sigh}…

He won’t go to the library to check them out, either. Maybe one of these days I’ll get him to go, but so far, no luck.

Lately, I’ve been hunting for things to make my food photography more interesting. This has led me on “treasure hunts” to local resale, consignment and non-profit thrift stores. An added bonus to these shopping expeditions is that I’ve hit the jackpot on books for Charlie! The most I have paid for a book for Charlie recently is $3.00! Most are $1.00 and some even $0.50! This will be my new way of shopping for him from now on! Plus, we can “recycle” the books later.

Some of the books are “well-loved” because they’ve been previously owned, but Charlie doesn’t care – just as long as they are hard backs. He read 10 books in July, but we are reviewing only 9. If they don’t rate “3 Butterflies ” or above on our rating scale, we don’t review them! So, here is what Charlie Read in July 2013 (minus the one book):

Hundred-Dollar Baby by Robert B. Parker

Charlie loves Robert B. Parker and this one, Hundred-Dollar Baby, is one of Parker’s serial novels, Spenser. Spenser is a detective and has a sidekick named Hawk. Published in 2006, the story takes place both in Boston and New York. Spenser is hired by April, a madam who owns an upscale call girl operation, because a group of thugs who run prostitution rings as well, want to take over her business. Full of suspense, Charlie gives this story a rating of 3 Butterflies.

Robert B. Parker’s Ironhorse by Robert Knott

Since we are on the subject of Robert B. Parker, Charlie also read Ironhorse written by Robert Knott. Sadly, Robert B. Parker died of a heart attack in 2010, so his serial novels (Spenser, Jesse Stone and the Virgil Cole/Everett Hitch combo) are written by others. Anyway, this story takes place the Wild West of the late 1800’s in Indian Country, the Choctaw Nation specifically. Newly appointed Territorial Marshals, Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch, have to rescue the Texas Governor and his wife and daughter from ruthless bandits. Full of action and intrigue, Charlie rates this book 4 Butterflies.

Dark Harbor by Stuart Woods

Stuart Woods is also a favorite author of Charlie’s. Dark Harbor, written in 2006, is a Stone Barrington novel (a reoccurring character in many of Stuart Woods’ novels). Set in Dark Harbor, Maine, this story is about the murder of Stone’s cousin (Dick Stone), wife and daughter. Stone’s cousin leaves everything to Stone including his house. Stone, a private investigator, and his crew (Lance Cabot and Holly Barker, CIA; Dino, Stone’s ex-partner on the NYPD) set out to find the killers. Charlie says this book is fast paced and exciting and he gives it a rating of 4 Butterflies.

The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lilian Jackson Braun

The Cat Who Came to Breakfast by Lilian Jackson Braun includes the reoccurring character of Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats, KoKo and Yum Yum. Written in 1994, the story takes place on Pear Island, also known as Breakfast Island. As development of a major resort complex escalates, upsetting the locals of this peaceful community, accidents (deaths) occur with increasing frequency. Suspecting sabotage, Jim and his cats go to the island to investigate the “accidents”. Charlie rates this book 4 Butterflies.

Mortal Prey by John Sandford

Mortal Prey by John Sandford was written in 2007. The first time Charlie has read a book by this author, the main character is Lucas Davenport, the Chief Detective of the Indianapolis PD. Retired hit woman, Clara Rinker, and her lover, a Mexican drug lord’s son, are ambushed. She survives, but loses their baby. Once recovered from her injuries, she stalks the people she thinks responsible across the Southeast U.S. and Mexico to exact revenge. Pursuing Clara to bring her to justice, Lucas is partnered with two FBI agents. Fast-paced with lots of action, Charlie gives this book 4 Butterflies.

Southern Cross by Patricia Cornwell

Southern Cross by Patricia Cornwell was written in 1998. Judy Hammer, Richmond, West Virginia’s former Police Chief, along with her deputy chief, Virginia West, and rookie Andy Brazil are assigned to find the link between the vandalize statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in a cemetery and the murder of an elderly woman. Action-packed and fast paced, Charlie rates this book 3 Butterflies.

White Cargo by Stuart Woods

Written in 1988, White Cargo by Stuart Woods takes place in the South Pacific via the Panama Canal and Columbia. On a dream sabbatical cruise with his wife and daughter, Cat Catledge’s world is turned upside down by a drug dealer who slaughters his family, leaving him for dead. Recovering back at home, self-made millionaire Cat gets a distant call from his daughter! She’s alive but drugged and he goes back to Columbia to search for her. Charlie said this book is excellent and he rates it 3 Butterflies.

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich

Part of the Stephanie Plum series of novels, Seven Up by Janet Evanovich was written in 2001. Set in Trenton, New Jersey, Stephanie is a bounty hunter who works for her cousin, Vinnie. Eddie DeChooch, a career criminal charged with trafficking contraband, fails to show up for court and Stephanie is in charge of finding and picking him up. She enlists the help of her boyfriend, Joe Morelli, a police officer. Full of excitement and danger, Charlie rates this fast paced book 4 Butterflies. Charlie has not read the Stephanie Plum series “in order” and thinks that it’s not necessary for enjoyment of this hysterically funny series about perpetually unlucky Stephanie plagued with quirky incidents.

Violets Are Blue by James Patterson

Violets Are Blue by James Patterson was also written in 2001. This fiction thriller, set in Woodbridge, Virginia, is one of the Alex Cross series. Two joggers are found murdered in such a demented way that rumors suggest vampires. Alex, a private investigator, takes the case when local police and even the FBI are running into dead ends. Plunging into a world of secret clubs and fantasy role-playing, Alex is also pursued by an enemy from his past known as the Mastermind. With a shocking ending, Charlie rates this novel 3 Butterflies.

So, there you have it – What Charlie Read in July 2013. With August half over, I’m excited to see what’s in store for Charlie’s next book report! And, yes, I’ve created a “book report form” with some questions to help him help me write these reviews. Since I don’t have time to read them, it’s fun for me to read his synopsis and realize what I’m missing! Plus, we get a good laugh because he has terrible handwriting and I have a hard time reading it!

What have you read this month? Do you have any recommendations for Charlie?

Tootles,

(other book reviews)

(other posts about our Blog-o-versary Party and Vanessa from Australia)