The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

On September 4, 2021September 3, 2021 By Rick McIn books, TV1 Comment

Of the books, TV shows and films I’ve seen about Bletchley Park, I’d say Rose Code was the most entertaining for me.

1940.
As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to mysterious country estate Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes.
Vivacious debutante Osla is the girl who has everything—beauty, wealth, and the dashing Prince Philip of Greece sending her roses—but she burns to prove herself as more than a society girl, and puts her fluent German to use as a translator of decoded enemy secrets.
Imperious self-made Mab, product of east-end London poverty, works the legendary codebreaking machines as she conceals old wounds and looks for a socially advantageous husband.
Both Osla and Mab are quick to see the potential in local village spinster Beth, whose shyness conceals a brilliant facility with puzzles, and soon Beth spreads her wings as one of the Park’s few female cryptanalysts.
But war, loss, and the impossible pressure of secrecy will tear the three apart. …
Kate Quinn Author

The President’s Daughter by Patterson and Clinton

On September 2, 2021December 4, 2021 By Rick McIn books1 Comment

James Patterson wrote a book with Bill Clinton called “The President Is Missing” — and it became the best-selling novel of 2018.

I enjoyed it.

The President’s Daughter is not a sequel.

In this one it’s the ex-POTUS President Matthew Keating, a former Navy SEAL, who has his daughter kidnapped.

It’s silly, of course. But I like this book even better.

The audio version is well done. One of the few novels with multiple readers that worked for me.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Cycling the Beach in Oregon

On September 1, 2021September 1, 2021 By Rick McIn cycling, friends, travelLeave a comment

After climbing Mt Adams with Dave Adlard, the adventure crew headed for a rental house on the Oregon coast.

Click PLAY or watch first morning cycling on YouTube.

The Chair – season 1

On September 1, 2021August 29, 2021 By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

I started watching for Sandra Oh.

But it’s the other characters who make this drama / comedy worth watching.

Especially Jay Duplass.

Everly Carganilla as Ju-Hee “Ju Ju”, Sandra’s adopted daughter is hilarious too.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Scandals and issues at fictional Pembroke University in New England.

Great soundtrack.

Intensity by Dean Koontz

On August 31, 2021August 29, 2021 By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

After reading the book, I learned a mini-series had been adapted in 1997.

Edgler Vess is the bad guy. Real bad.

Koontz is very skilled at inventing bad guys.

Click PLAY or watch an example of Vess on YouTube.

The book is well written. Original. Scary.

I recommend it.

Hondo by Louis L’Amour

On August 29, 2021August 29, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

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.

I like Portland

On August 29, 2021August 29, 2021 By Rick McIn human rights, travelLeave a comment

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.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

On August 28, 2021August 26, 2021 By Rick McIn books, moviesLeave a comment

ALMOST as good as The Martian (2011).

… unforgettable story of survival and the power of friendship …

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.

The Cellist by Daniel Silva

On August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

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.

Amazon