My World "Series" of Books

I read Painted Ladies, the last book of the Spenser series, written by Robert B. Parker before his death. I enjoyed the book, the characters and I'll miss the Spenser series. It led me to consider a list of the best series of action-adventure books that I enjoyed. Listed below are series that I enjoyed in the past and today:

1. The James Bond Series by Ian Fleming, Raymond Benson, Sebastian Faulks and Kingsley Amis
2. John Rain series by Barry Eisler
3. Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch westerns by Robert B. Parker
4. Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon 
5. Jack Reacher series by Lee Child
6. Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford

Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic's Quest by Michael Krasny

When I saw the title of the book, I knew I had to read it. I also experience spiritual envy. Krasny describes the struggle and issues that "seekers" experience. I've excerpted some interesting points in the book:

"Agnosticism is a position that denies the existence of absolutes and hidden spiritual forces behind the natural or material world until they can be empirically proven. Agnosticism welcomes proof, craves it, demands it. It does not say there is no God. It also does not say there is one." (pg. 6)

"Studs Terkel, the famed oral historian, once told me that he was an agnostic and added that his definition of agnostic is a cowardly atheist."(pg. 65)

"Many in the past century addressed or wrote about agnosticism, including Pope Benedict XVI. The then Cardinal Ratzinger claimed that agnosticism was indicative of the desire for comfort. Since when do not knowing and uncertainty provide comfort?" (pg. 98)

Like Krasny, I began to question my religious beliefs in high school. In fact, it was spurred by my conversations (sometimes heated) with a priest who taught my Religion class. I envy my friends and people who have faith in God. One day, I hope to arrive at some type of resolution, but in the meantime, I resume my search for truth.

Couldn't Put This Thriller Down

I really enjoyed The Capitol Game by Brian Haig. I stayed up till 1:00 a.m. on a work night to finish it. I liked the story and the ending tied all the loose threads of this thriller together.

Haig combines the intrigue and treachery of Wall Street with the seamy side of government and politics. Do the good guys (and gals) win?

This book reminded me of the old Mission Impossible series...

Best Damn Sports Book I Read This Year

Play Their Hearts Out: A Coach, His Star Recruit and the Youth Basketball Machine  by George Dohrmann...

I realized that there are countless scandals in recruiting, both at the high school and the college levels. I did not fully realize that it extends to the AAU and middle school levels. Young kids are identified very early not only as high school or college prospects, but for the pro level as well.

They get used by their coaches, scouts, recruiters, agents and even their parents. This was an eye opening book for me.

Dohrmann tracked the rise and fall of Demetrius Walker, a basketball phenom from the age of 10 to his freshman year in college.

Well written and excellently researched...

Quick Reviews on Non-Fiction Fare

Non-Fiction

Toxic Talk: How the Radical Right Has Poisioned America's Airwaves by Bill Press. The title of the book says it all. This book is not recommended for dittoheads, "great Americans" and Tea Party supporters as it is a literary roast of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and other conservative talk show hosts.

UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the Record by Leslie Kean: If you like reading about UFOs, you'll like this book. Kean described some interesting new UFO sightings that I was not aware. I don't think Kean's book will change the mind of a UFO skeptic but this is good reading for those with an open mind about the existence of UFOs and the need to investigate this phenomena further.

The Faithful Departed: The Collapse of Boston's Catholic Culture by Philip F. Lawler: This is a well written and well researched book about the rise and fall of Catholicism. While it focuses on the Boston diocese, the story has repeated itself all over the United States and now the world. Lawler describes the political and cultural factors outside the pastoral abuse cases that have rocked the church. He  shares some personal experiences working in the Boston Diocese and with Cardinal Law.

Morning Drive: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Talking by Michael Smerconish. Smerconish is a radio talk show host in Philadelphia. Readers outside Philadelphia may not have heard of him or are familiar with his political viewpoint. He offered some interesting insights into his political views and into Philadelphia pols, like the late Frank Rizzo. If you listen to Smerconish and like his show, you may like his book.

The GM: Inside Story of a Dream Job and the Nightmares that Go With It by Tom Callahan: Unless you are a New York Giant's fan, you may want to pass on this book. Callahan describes the stewardship of Ernie Acorsi. I struggled to read this book and to finish it.

Summer Book Buffett

So many books, blogs, magazines, newspapers and so little time...

Sadly I have started a number of books that I did not finish or I quickly scarfed through like a hurried and hungry man at a buffet sampling the entire menu...

For example:

Crisis Economics: A Crash Course in the Future of Finance by Nouriel Roubini was a good read for an economics and finance book. Roubini has received a lot of praise for his analysis and predictions prior the financial meltdown...

I skimmed through a novel, Imperial Bedrooms by Brett Ellis, as if I held a fast forward button in turning the pages. I saw the author on Morning Joe and picked up the book from the library. I did skim to the end of the book as I was curious how the story and Clay's obsession with a young actress would end. I bet they make this as a movie sometime soon.

I may go back and spend more time reading the biography Pulitzer: A Life in Politics, Print and Power by James McGrath Morris as it piqued my interest even on a quick peek inside the book.

I re-read Disclosure by Michael Crichton in about two days. I remember reading it over 20 years ago in less than a day. The book is as good or maybe a bit better than the movie. It has plenty of corporate intrigue, dirty corporate political tricks, sex and an evil woman temptress. It's an oldie but a goodie.

I tried to get through Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst as it was recommended by one of my colleagues at work. I usually like novels based in the World War II period but I could not pick this book up after I put it down. Likewise I could not get into Helmet for My Pillow: From Parris Island to the Pacific by Robert Leckie. Both books have been widely praised so the blame is on me...

My Confession

I picked the wrong time to start this blog.

Not because I don't read. I do read. But not very deeply. My reading diet is varied. I probably read business 40 -50 emails daily. I skim the Inquirer daily on my Kindle. I read the delivered local newspapers.  There are about a dozen blogs I religiously read every day. I read, edit and review as many as a dozen or more business documents (policies, procedures etc.) Even as I sit down to watch a sporting event on TV, I read the scroll at the bottom of the screen.

What I don't read well are books. There is just too many distractions for my time and attention. I have picked up a startling number of books that I have not finished or have skimmed through looking for specific information.

What bothers me is that very few books keep my attention. Most times I guess it's my fault but there are so few compelling and original stories, thinking, research and ideas.

I just may be in a slump. Hopefully I can regain my interest in just reading for entertainment and knowledge....