I finally got around to trying a Louis L’Amour book.
Hondo had been recommended as one of his best.
He’s been one of the most popular writers all time and displays surprising skill with the pen in writing cliche Western books like Hondo.
That said, I won’t read more. I’ve no interest in Western novels. Ranch romance. Good guy vs bad guys. Too much formula.
En route to specific events, I stayed in Portland in 2019 and 2021.
A good vibe.
It’s a smaller, pedestrian friendly city with good public transit and bicycle thoroughfares.
A mild climate. Great city parks.
Though very White, the majority of citizens are liberal and progressive, supporting human rights.
Most days I browsed Powell’s Books, the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world.
In 2021 I stayed at the excellent Lolo Pass hostel. Private rooms $162. Dorm beds $43.
In rural Oregon there is no shortage of right wing extremists including Proud (Incel) Boys. The world saw violence and looting on Portland streets during the George Floyd protests. Too bad.
Ongoing — the biggest problem is homelessness. It is awful.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
ALMOST as good as The Martian (2011).
Project Hail Mary is a 2021 science fiction novel by Andy Weir. …
Set in the near future, the novel centers on middle school-teacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace, who wakes up from a coma afflicted with amnesia.
He gradually remembers that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to find a means of reversing a solar dimming event that could cause the extinction of humanity. …
… Ryan Gosling plans to star as Grace in the film adaptation.
What I like best about Weir is his ability to make arcane science entertaining and interesting.
Excellent.
The Cellist is the 21st title in Daniel Silva‘s Gabriel Allon series.
It was released on July 13, 2021 and subsequently reached #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List …
The book draws heavily from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 American presidential election as well as the U.S. Capitol events of January 6, 2021. …
The plot is contemporary and interesting. Action is limited by COVID restrictions.
Dictator Putin and President Biden are important characters.
Some of my favourite characters from past books — especially Christopher Keller — are included.
I have no idea why Allon is still front and centre in the field. As leader of the Mossad he should be working behind the scenes. And should definitely RETIRE after this one.
I want to tell God about my PLANS … 
We’re hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail out of Tuolumne Meadows, CA starting Aug 5th.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
Koontz has published over 100 novels.
I did get into his Odd Thomas series.
In 2017 he began his current Jane Hawk series.
“I very much need to be dead.”
These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for—but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demand: find the truth, no matter what. …
Amazon
The book is well written. The plot hooks immediately.
Jane is a badass.
Great plot. Good writing.
Main complaints you’ll hear are about the rambling story with no clear ending. Apparently that’s how he puts books together. Starts without knowing exactly where he’s going.
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A story of date rape.
Jon Krakauer wrote a book that much influenced my thinking:
The book follows several case studies of women raped in Missoula, Montana, many of them linked in some way to the University of Montana.
Many of the rapists were football players, protected from the justice system.
In Beartown, the 15-year-old daughter of a small town Swedish hockey team general manager is raped by the 17-year-old star of the Beartown junior team.
Fredrik Backman is an excellent writer. This is an important book, as is the Krakauer.
Themes of family, friendship, loyalty. Ethics.
I recommend Beartown.
I also read the sequel, Us Against You. Not nearly as good.
The book was adapted for TV and is available on HBO.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Day #8 since opening.
It’s a very impressive structure. A good experience.
We enjoyed ourselves — though the line-up for the slide was too long. If you want to do the slide, show up at opening.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Just last night Dad told us the story of how he was an extra in an Alfred Hitchcock film called I Confess.
It starred Montgomery Clift as Michael William Logan, a Catholic priest, Anne Baxter as Ruth Grandfort, and Karl Malden as Inspector Larrue.
Filming took place largely on location in Quebec City with numerous shots of the city landscape and interiors of its churches and other emblematic buildings, such as the Château Frontenac.
Dad was in the Canadian military. Ann Baxter entertained the troops as part of the gig.
Here’s the scene. He (must be) soldier #17. 😀
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I was a Hotmail guy before switching to Gmail over 20 years ago.
Gmail launched 2004. I’m not sure when it started in Canada.
My very first email was a job inquiry from Cirque du Soleil. They wanted me to go on the road as Assistant Coach to Warren Connelly.
It did not happen. 😀
Rick McCharles 