League of Denial: The NFL, Concussions and the Battle for Truth by Mark Fainaru-Wada, Steve Fainaru

League of Denial: The NFL, Concussions and the Battle for Truth by Mark Fainaru-Wada, Steve Fainaru

Completed: Feburary 2014
Length:399 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

This book reveals how the NFL, over a period of nearly two decades, sought to cover up and deny mounting evidence of the connection between football and brain damage.
Comprehensively, and for the first time, award-winning ESPN investigative reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru tell the story of a public health crisis that emerged from the playing fields of our 21st century pastime. Everyone knew that football is violent and dangerous. But what the players who built the NFL into a $10 billion industry didn’t know – and what the league sought to shield from them – is that no amount of padding could protect the human brain from the force generated by modern football; that the very essence of the game could be exposing these players to brain damage.
In a fast-paced narrative that moves between the NFL trenches, America’s research labs and the boardrooms where the NFL went to war against science, League of Denial examines how the league used its power and resources to attack independent scientists and elevate its own flawed research -- a campaign with echoes of Big Tobacco’s fight to deny the connection between smoking and lung cancer. It chronicles the tragic fates of players like Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, who was so disturbed at the time of his death he fantasized about shooting NFL executives; and former Chargers great Junior Seau, whose diseased brain became the target of an unseemly scientific battle between researchers and the NFL. Based on exclusive interviews, previously undisclosed documents and private emails, this is the story of what the NFL knew and when it knew it – questions at the heart of crisis that threatens football, from the highest levels all the way down to Pop Warner.

Fiction or Non-Fiction? Genre? Non-fiction-sports

What lead you to pick up this book? I am a die-hard football fan(Vikings). I saw the Frontline special on this subject. I figured it would be a great read. I was not disappointed.

Summarize the Plot: In the League of Denial it traces the history of the battle over head injuries being suffered by NFL football players. It actually is impacting all football players. It has become a battle between scientists and those in the league who are denying the seriousness of the problem.

What did you like most about this book?

I liked the way that the authors went through to show the way the league tried to deny that football was not the cause for former player with brain damage. It was sad to read some of the cases at what the former players and their families went through.

What did you the least?

The man that discovered the link seemed that he did not get the amount of credit that he rightfully deserves.
What did you think of the writing style?
I thought this book was easy reading. I think that a non-football fan could easy pick this book up and read it with no issues whatsoever.
What did you think of the ending? The book ended on a high note, that the league is starting to take responsibility of a dangerous workplace.The league is starting to take some responsibility for they way the concussion crisis was handled.  

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Imagine for a second that you are a teen living in a world where at any moment your parents or guardians may choose to have you unwound. If you disobey them or are become unwanted in any way, they may sign the papers and have you shipped off to a “harvest camp” where you will be prepped and then taken piece by piece. If you’re born into the right religion you may even have the privilege of being tithed (aka unwound with an honorable connotation). Satisfying both pro-life and pro-choice advocates, the justification of unwinding is that the teens live on within the bodies of the people given their parts. Disturbing? Definitely. Unrealistic? A bit… But this story and the characters brought such life to the idea, that is quickly became real.

The concept behind this book was chilling and you(well at least I was) on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.You travel through this book with 3 different teen that are set to be unwound. Yes they do go throught what a person is thinking and feeling  going through an unwinding. 

This is one of those book that I will never forget read and it will always stick with me. I am pro-life and this book make you think...what if abortion was illegal. What is a parent(s) did not want the child anymore? 

I recommend that everyone should read this book.

Calico Joe by John Grisham

Calico Joe by John Grisham
My rating: Save It

As a die hard Brewers fan, I have drown up hating the Cubs immensely.I had no problem cheering for the Cubs in this book..well mostly because the Crew did not exist yet.

This book is more than a mere sports book. It shows that with one pitch how a life and/or lives can be altered.

But here he has delivered a baseball allegory to rival the best ever – "The Natural" or "Field of Dreams." This is so much more than a book about baseball. It's about family, heartache, broken promises, disappointments, growing up...mostly forgiveness and resilience.

Cub’s fans will truly enjoy.

No, the Cubs don’t miraculously make it to the World Series. (Even Grisham has to stay tethered to some degree of reality). But they are central to this story of a soaring career brought to an end way too early; to the redemption, not of the perpetrator but of the victim; and to all 10 year old boys’ need for heroes.

Please read and enjoy. Even if you are  not a sports fan, I would recommend you give this book a shot.

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis


This is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Like the others, I really enjoyed this book. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are all transported back to Narnia, where Prince Caspian is on the run as his tyrant uncle has claimed Caspian's throne and wants to kill him to ensure he isn't rightfully restored. The children discover that the magic has left Narnia hundreds of years before, when they originally left, and that the place is not safe for Old Narnian's. They must fight, alongside Aslan, to restore Narnia to it's former glory and to see Caspian put on the throne.

C.S. Lewis has created such a magical world, and I love going there in his books. I am so happy that my wife introduced me to this great series. He is engaging and fun, and I wish I lived in Narnia, who wouldn't. I like all four children, they are noble and brave, out to fight the evil that ensnares the world. Their dwarf companion ,Trumpkin. He was a great character, I enjoyed watching him develop. He makes me laugh throughout the book.

We see castles, evil men, dwarfs, giants, humans, lions, mice, badgers, the White Witch and river gods, just to name a few. This is a great children's fantasy book that adults can enjoy. It is fun, gripping and well worth reading. The end was a bit sad, with the adventure ending for some characters, but the very last line made me laugh.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
My rating: Back It Up

I read this book on a whim. It was late before bed and looking for a book to read. I sure did not expect what I received from this 153 page turner.
In the future society of the United States. Is that what we are to expect after what we currently experiencing in our country?
In this story:

Families are only allowed two kids. It's illegal to have anymore than than 3. Luke(the protagonist) is the third child to a strapped farming couple living on the edge of civilization. The family is struggling to make ends meet. For most of his life, Luke's had the run of the back forty, but when a new housing development bring wealthy homes to their neck of the woods, Luke is forced to stay in the attic. He may never go outside again.

Luke watches the new neighborhood from his secret attic lookout. One day he notices a blind flutter on one of the extravagant homes. Without his parents' knowledge, Luke sneaks over to the new neighborhood and meets another shadow child--a girl! She's linked into an underground network of Shadow Children. It is an interesting book.

The authors has the reader wanting more. The reader will be sad, irritated and just pissed off at times throughout this book. I ordered the next 2 books in the series, in which has 7 books in all.

Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds by Norma Cobb

Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds by Norma Cobb


The Cobbs remind me so much of my wife and I. Throughout the book it seemed like that they could not catch a break a day late and a dollar short.I just seems like we can never catch a break either. I call it German luck.

In the book, Norma Cobb was the last pioneer woman to take advantage of the homestead act in Alaska. The Cobb family is like any hard-working American family of the 70's, struggling to find their place, achieve their dreams and are willing to sacrifice and work hard to get to where they aspire to be.

I love it she does not sugarcoat anything just tells you the way that it is and how she feels. This book is quite the roller coaster of an adventure. I know that it is not for everyone.

The Cobbs are an instriation to me and my wife in that follw your dreams and SOMEDAY it can be true.

One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey by Sam Keith

Why I Read It: My wife and I are loving the Alaska shows that have been on the Discovery channels. It a dram of our to move up there or in NW Wisconsin and be more self-sufficent(no we are not those crazy preppers).

This an inspiring book. It is from the journals of Richard Proenneke. He was in his 50s when decided to leave the life of the Lower 48.

In the 1970s, he chronicled his life in Alaska for 16 months building his homestead his with own two hands. His perspective of the nature around him.
Now his cabin is entrusted to the Park Service.
This book makes you think,"What do you really NEED?"
This book is an inspiration to me. Someday…Someday.

What I Liked: I enjoyed the way that we brought in Richard' everyday life while being the ONLY person in the area bwsides the occosioal hunters. Oh yeah and his brush pilot Babe.

What I Disliked: The only problem with the book that it was DRY at some points of the book..:) 

Food Inc.by Participant Mediaon

Title:Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It
Author: Participant Media
Rating:  4/5

Review Summary:
I will be honest I saw the documentary a couple years back and I loved it. I am not that sure what took so long for me to FINALLY pick up this book.

This book is an anthology of articles and essays on the topic of food production in the U.S. It is a companion book to the recent documentary of the same name.

I really liked this book, if you want to learn about the food that US food industry is feeds us this is great starting point. I goes into the backgrounds of so many industries. It shows how large of a roll the politics does place in the food industry.

in the end the morale of the book is it is out choice. Choose wisely, and educate yourself about where our 'food' comes from. It is horrifying. The good news is, you can opt out of this system today. The bad news is, you probably won't. I know that it's been difficult for me to change many years of bad eating habits. I've made some real progress, but I still have a long way to go.

AudioFiles: Legend by Marie Lu

Title:Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend
 Published by: November 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile
 Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am glad that I listened to this one. I heard that in print the text alter every other chapter. This is an interesting book to say the least. The main thing I really like about Legend was the way the traditional gender roles were reversed. I usually find young adult dystopian fiction centers around a strong female character who is generally poor or disadvantaged by the current society. If there's a love interest, he's usually more well off and more integrated into the system. In this novel, and however, it is a male character (Day) a notorious criminal who is the most wanted ciminal by the Republic. and its the female character (June) is an exceptionally gifted prodigy who is being groomed to become a military star.

I wish that in the book they would tell a background story of how and when the Republic and the Colonies breakup. What were the circumstances that caused the conflict. This book was like The Game of Thrones with the reader in the point of the view of June and Day after every chapter.

In this book there is plenty of action and some unique twists throughout this adventure. It was a great beginning of the Legend Series.

Feed (Newsflesh Trilogy, #1)Feed by Mira Grant

Title: Feed
Author: Mira Grant
Length: 571 pages
Genre-ish: Sci-Fi, Zombie
Rating: 2/5
I wanted to like this book. I am not sure what it is but, I found it it was not for me. I picked up this book and expected a zombie book. It was disappointing.

The book begins post-zombie apocalypse with two young bloggers looking to move up to the top tier of the news world, which is now dominated by bloggers. We're never told, though, whether print and broadcast journalism are dead or just irrelevant. In fact, we're not told much of anything not directly related to these two main characters. Their ticket to fame and fortune comes in the form of exclusive rights to cover a presidential nominee's campaign, but we never find out how the government is structured post-apocalypse, or even whether Washington exists as a "safe" zone in this new world. In fact, we're really told nothing about the entire eastern seaboard. That creates a lot of gaps when the story essentially morphs into a political thriller.

I am a fan of political thrillers, but this is my type of a book.

Strengths: It gives you a good look at what the world could look like with the infectede and non-infected living among each other. It is interesting to see what precautions that gavornemt has in place....like the constant blood testing.

Weakness: Dull. I have mixed feelings about zombie novels; zombies themselves don't interest or scare me so there has to be something more to the story - this wasn't a problem. In fact, the book wasn't largely dedicated to flesh-eating and zombie moans, it was dedicated to something which I am very interested in and should have been what sold the book to me: politics.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
My rating: Save It

Summary:
What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death--and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing

My Thoughts:
 Well... I didn't love this book, I am glad that I picked it up. This book is similar to groundhog's day (the movie)and the movie Mean Girls. We follow Sam as she lives over each day after dying in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. Each day she does something different and does become a better person, which I do think gives young adults ideas on how to be a better person. So I think the lessons in the book are great, but reading about the same day over and over was starting to get on my nervous in the end.

I could not connect with Sam in this book book she was one of those girls that I could not tolerate in high school and she seemed nice, but her actions while she was alive was a different story.I was interested to see how she was doing to change each time that she live the same day. 

You can learn enough from this debut novel from Lauren Oliver.  I treat everyday like it maybe the last day I see my wife and daughter...I try ....boy I try to make sure the last words I say to tell is I love You.

View all my reviews

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Series: Hannibal Lecter #2
My rating: Back IT UP


A serial murderer known only by a grotesquely apt nickname-Buffalo Bill-is stalking women. He has a purpose, but no one can fathom it, for the bodies are discovered in different states. Clarice Starling, a young trainee at the FBI Academy, is surprised to be summoned by Jack Crawford, chief of the Bureau's Behavioral Science section. Her assignment: to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter-Hannibal the Cannibal-who is kept under close watch in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

Dr. Lecter is a former psychiatrist with a grisly history, unusual tastes, and an intense curiosity about the darker corners of the mind. His intimate understanding of the killer and of Clarice herself form the core of The Silence of the Lambs-and ingenious, masterfully written book and an unforgettable classic of suspense fiction.

My Thoughts:
As it goes the book is still better than the movie. In this one it was a CLOSE call. It was the first one that could go either way. I loved this book I was hooked on this read.

Harris is such a Master with the way that he can make you skin crawl at times in this book. It is not to say that I liked this masterpiece very much.

I find it kind of funny that the FBI as so desperate to catch a serial killer that is skinner women that they need the help from Hannibal Lecter.He is evil, obviously, Prince-of-Darkness level evil, and he is as good at being evil as Starling is at being good. As they seduce each other, each in their own way, we see each taking what they need from the other and each giving something of themselves in the process.

They send in FBI trainee, Clarice Starling to "interview" Lecter about his thoughts of the case throughout the book. Lecter just says enough to keep the audience on the edge of your seat.   

The book does go into so much more detail about Buffalo Bill compared to the movie. You really find out why he is the way he is in the end.

The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein

The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein
Series: None
Genre: Light Sci-Fi
Published: 1951
My rating: Save It



I read this book for the 2nd annual Vintage SciFi Month. This event Andrea has been hosting since 2012. I sure do enjoy reading some good old fashion SciFi. It is also nice to see what the author(s) think what the future to them would be like and how off or right on their thoughts were as well.

This is the second Heinlein book that I have read now. My first was The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, I liked that one. I thought that this one was a little better in my opinion. Getting this out of the way I thought that this book was quite a bit like Wells' War of the Worlds. I just cannot believe that this book was wrote 50 years ago. Heinlein was able to dream up cellphones,satellite relay, and other types of technology. I would like one of the cars though. Where can I buy one :)

This book starts off in 2007, and a flying saucer landed in Iowa...yes Iowa of all places.A Hoax. Two agents(Sam and Mary), however, of the U.S. Intellegence agency disappeared while on the scene. Four more agents are sent in, and they disappear. The head of the agency and two of his top agents are sent in and escape with their discovery. The earth is under attack and is being invaded by slug-like aliens who can latch on to a human and totally control his/her mind.

It is interesting to see how the government tries to institutes different "Acts" so the Agency can see whom is affected easier. I cannot imagine going around in the buff for LONG periods of time in public.

What I Liked:  This book was nonstop action and you were not sure what was going to happen on the next page. I was not sure if the solution that Sam's theory was going to work in the end. I thought that it was funny that the marriage license you could choose different durations for it.

What I Disliked:  The thing I did not like about the book was the RH portrays women, but that is where it shows its age.

I will be reading more of RH in the future.

AudioFiles: The Camel Club by David Baldacci

The Camel Club by David Baldacci
My rating: Back It Up


Summary:
Existing at the fringes of Washington, D.C., the Club consists of four eccentric members. Led by a mysterious man known as "Oliver Stone," they study conspiracy theories, current events, and the machinations of government to discover the 'truth' behind the country's actions. Their efforts bear little fruit--until the group witnesses a shocking murder...and become embroiled in an astounding, far-reaching conspiracy. Not the Club must join forces with a Secret Service agent to confront one of the most chilling spectacles ever to take place on American soil--and event that may trigger the ultimate war between two different worlds. And all that stands in the way of this apocalypse is five unexpected heroes.
 
My Thoughts:
This was the first book I have read by Baldacci and I was impressed to say the least. In this book, it is about a group of misfits that have a club where they try to uncover conspiracies and force the government to acknowledge truth called the Camel Club. Hence the title. I sounds like a group that I would like to be part of :)

The group meets once a month to talk about what they think that the government is hiding from the American people. During one of these meeting, they witness an event that puts them in the middle of a situation that threatens the safety of the country and the world.

I did enjoy this book with the turns and twists that is throws at the reader. There are many different stories happening throughout the book. At times it is a challenge to keep up with the character in the book.

I like it so much that I am starting the second book in the series already.

The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

Title:The Pelican Brief
 Author:John Grisham
My rating: Save It

Summary:
In suburban Georgetown a killer's Reeboks whisper on the front floor of a posh home... In a seedy D.C. porno house a patron is swiftly garroted to death... The next day America learns  that two of its Supreme Court justices have been assassinated. And in New Orleans, a young law student prepares a legal brief... To Darby Shaw it was  no more than a legal shot in the dark, a brilliant  guess. To the Washington establishment it was  political dynamite. Suddenly Darby is witness to a murder -- a murder intended for her. Going  underground, she finds there is only one person she can  trust -- an ambitious reporter after a newsbreak  hotter than Watergate -- to help her piece together the deadly puzzle. Somewhere between the bayous of  Louisiana and the White House's inner sanctums, a violent cover-up is being engineered. For somone has read Darby's brief. Someone who will stop at nothing to destroy the evidence of an unthinkable crime
I have been a fan of John Grisham for quite sometime now. It was not a BIG surprise that I liked this book. I just could not put this book down. Although, like I said, the book as a whole was really suspenseful, I thought the end was a bit anticlimatic.
 
My Thoughts:
I have been a fan of John Grisham for quite sometime now. It was not a BIG surprise that I liked this book. I just could not put this book down. I do like the way the finally tied it together.Although, like I said, the book as a whole was really suspenseful, I thought the end was a bit anticlimatic. I kind of had mixed feeling in the end.

I think that most of us would not know what to do of we had some guys out trying to kill us over a brief. Darby does have enough smarts to realize that everyone that comes into contact with the brief she wrote ends up dead.

She finds herself on the run when her brief makes it all the way to the FBI, CIA and the President. There is a lot of killing in this book and Darby realizes she is in danger. This is a real thriller because Darby doesn’t know who to trust. This is one of my top Grisham book, but not my top 5.

The Revolution: A Manifesto by Ron Paul

The Revolution: A Manifesto by Ron Paul
My rating:Back It Up

Summary: 

This Much Is True: You Have Been Lied To

· The government is expanding.
· Taxes are increasing.
· More senseless wars are being planned.
· Inflation is ballooning.
· Our basic freedoms are disappearing.

The Founding Fathers didn't want any of this. In fact, they said so quite clearly in the Constitution of the United States of America. Unfortunately, that beautiful, ingenious, and revolutionary document is being ignored more and more in Washington. If we are to enjoy peace, freedom, and prosperity once again, we absolutely must return to the principles upon which America was founded. But finally, there is hope . . .
 
My Thoughts:

This is a read that is WAYout of my comfort zone. I figured that I would pick up this book and try to become a more informed voter on the issues that are haunts America today. 

Before reading this book I heard of Ron Paul. I was not that sure who he was and what he stood for. After completing this book I am now a fan of his. In the book he does not jerk your chain and does try to take a different spin on a topic, but it heads the same results. I really enjoyed learning about the purpose of the constitution. I agree with the philosophy of smaller government and more liberty and independence for the people.

In the book he makes you think about the issues that he raises. This is good way for anyone to get into politics. This is a great read for anybody that wants to be a more informed voters in America today.

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

Title:Red Dragon
Author:Thomas Harris
My rating: Back It Up

Summary:
A second family has been massacred by the terrifying serial killer the press has christened ?The Tooth Fairy.? Special Agent Jack Crawford turns to the one man who can help restart a failed investigation?Will Graham. Graham is the greatest profiler the FBI ever had, but the physical and mental scars of capturing Hannibal Lecter have caused Graham to go into early retirement. Now, Graham must turn to Lecter for help.

My Thoughts 

I bought this book right around the remake of the book was release in theaters. I am not sure what took me THIS long to finally sit down and read this masterpiece. I figured that it was Halloween season, so it would be the perfect time to read Red Dragon. You have to remember this was well before the CSI's and L&O's were all over the TV schedules.

The plot surrounds the investigation of a brutal serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy.n order to catch the killer, FBI detective Will Graham must think like a killer with the help of Hannibal Lector. The person Graham helped send away.I love how you are instead the head of Graham and the Tooth Fairy throughout the book.

Harris does a wonderful job showing how the Tooth Fairy ended up this way from the hands is cruel grandmother. After read this book I was in aww after what she did to him as a child and messing with him.

Thomas Harris wants the reader to have more the more that read throughout this book. I recommend this to to anyone that loves suspense of a real manhunt. If you scare easily, refrain from reading this late at night in a dark lonely house:)

AudioFiles: The Color of Magic

Title:The Color of Magic
Author: Terry Pratchett
My rating: Save It

Summary: This title, which launched the legendary Discworld series, introduces the tourist Twoflower and his wizard guide, Rincewind. Part of a reissue of the first three Discworld books, this novel includes an overview of the fantasy land, with a map, visitor's guide, and Pratchett crossword puzzle.

My Thoughts: 
I was ready for a fun read and Terry Pratchett did the trick for me. I have read a couple of his later books, such as The Wee Free Men (Discworld, #30) and that was flipping hilarious. I decided to get back into the series and start from the beginning. Pratchett it seems that is publishing book left and right. You just never know what is going to be around the corner next for our guide.

The only complaint that I have about the book that it is a little slow paced, but yet again what fantasy book isn't slow paced. The author has to bring you into his mad world after all.

In the book,Rincewind as he is unwantingly roped into guiding the clueless tourist Twoflower along with the ever faithful Luggage around the flat, disc-shaped world.The discworld a world balanced on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle, Great A'Tuin. It is interesting to say the least. This is a world where the gods gamble to decide the fates of the world and the ever-present Death, efficiently "collecting" unfortunate souls is one of my favourite characters ever.

I will be checking out the next book of the series.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
My rating: Save It
Published: 1996

This is my first experience by Gaiman and I sure did like this book. I started this book as a group read lead by Carl over at  Stainless Steel Droppings, but as usual the distraction called life prevailed.I think that it was even better listening to the author reading his own masterpiece. I do recommend that everyone listen to the audiobook and you will not regret it.

This book took a week or so longer than expect, because I could not listen to the book going to work. This was due to the fact that my muffler rusted off from the exhaust. Thus, it sounds like a Harley was in my backseat. I could not get much from listening to the radio. 

I like it that Gaiman put a normal man Richard Mayhew stuck in the middle of his magical world(London Below) and he was thrust ed in this world after a meeting a bloodied girl, Door on the street. I think that there are few people that cannot relate throughout this journey of London Below. Gaiman did a great job putting the reading in the shoes of Richard, because the reader was thinking what Richard is thinking at that moment. I am thinking WOW this was his first novel.

I am glad that I read this book; I have been a fan of the dark arts for quite a while. It was a big thanks to Tim Burton movie and no I cannot choose which one.I love this gothic style of writing it was a painting f charters throughout wanting me to get some more.

After reading this piece if work, I think that I am going to be reading some more Gaiman. After reading this book, I wonder if there is a London Below in other towns and cities or maybe your town. Well..it is a thought.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Title: The Lies of Locke Lamora

Author: Scott Lynch

Series:Gentlemen Bastards Book #1

Format: Paperback

Genre: Fantasy

Year:2007

Acquired:Library

Ranking: Back It Up

Summary: An orphan’s life is harsh–and often short–in the island city of Camorr, built on the ruins of a mysterious alien race. But born with a quick wit and a gift for thieving, Locke Lamora has dodged both death and slavery, only to fall into the hands of an eyeless priest known as Chains–a man who is neither blind nor a priest. A con artist of extraordinary talent, Chains passes his skills on to his carefully selected “family” of orphans–a group known as the Gentlemen Bastards. Under his tutelage, Locke grows to lead the Bastards, delightedly pulling off one outrageous confidence game after another. Soon he is infamous as the Thorn of Camorr, and no wealthy noble is safe from his sting.

Passing themselves off as petty thieves, the brilliant Locke and his tightly knit band of light-fingered brothers have fooled even the criminal underworld’s most feared ruler, Capa Barsavi. But there is someone in the shadows more powerful–and more ambitious–than Locke has yet imagined.

Known as the Gray King, he is slowly killing Capa Barsavi’s most trusted men–and using Locke as a pawn in his plot to take control of Camorr’s underworld. With a bloody coup under way threatening to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the Gray King at his own brutal game–or die trying.…(Good Reads)
___


My Thoughts:

One of my friends has been head over heels for Scott Lynch since reading this book. Then I decided to join her read-along that she ran the last month or so. Due to real-life constraints, I had to bow out of the read-a-long. I sure am glad that I stuck with the The Lies of Locke Lamora.


In the book it is fast paced throughout. You just never know what twist or turn going to happen on the next page. I do guarantee that it will keep you(the reader) up in the wee hours of the night,while reading it under your bed sheet....people still do that right. 

The liked the way that Scott Lynch build the world of  Camoor. It struck such a strong resemblance to Venice, Italy.  Lynch gives you information about the world throughout the book, but wanting to learn more about this deep book. For example, The city-state of Camorr is built on the ruins of some ancient civilization known as the Eldren. Lynch does not go into terrible detail about the Elren. I am hoping to learn more in his upcoming books.

The dialogue throughout this book is also something you just do not forget. You could swear the Lynch has been in jail a time or to with some of the lines he writes in the book.  You the reader will be laughing out  loud before you realize it. Especially, with Locke's sarcasm is what get me  much of the time.

I did like the way that Locke does seek revenge on the Gray King. I think you will as well.

Scott Lynch has me sold and roped into his world. Now I am going to be starting his next book, Red Seas in the Red Skies.His book structure is different as well, he what is happening now and then the next chapter is a flashback of the past. It did not disrupt the pace of the book whatsoever.I HIGHLY Recommend this book to you. So please drop everything you are doing and do find this book ASAP.

I cannot say enough about this book, so I  am going to end my review before the internet crashes..lol.