In case you didn’t know, any New York State resident can join NYPL – https://www.nypl.org/help/library-card. After the application you’ll have to submit a copy of your driver’s license as proof of residence. The library has an amazing number of books in digital and audio format.

Song of the Forever Rains, E.J. Mellow – 7/30/2021. A fantasy tale that incorporates enough of the ordinary to tell an excellent story of love, hate, and greed for power. While Larkyra and her sisters enjoy their magic, they also employ it in service of good, helping those in need. She soon discovers her magic does not make her immune to normal human emotions.

Bacchanal, Veronica G. Henry – 7/20/2021. I picked up this novel because of the name which is popular in Guyana and the Caribbean for referring to a party, fair, or carnival. I was delighted to discover a character named Obeah in the beginning, although his presence was short-lived, because obeah is also prominent in Guyana as the English term for voodoo. An intriguing story, relating the ancient superstitions and mystical beliefs of Africa. The story line, dialog, and narrative are fairly well-written. I enjoyed it.

The Untamed, Max Brand – 7/7/2021. An intriguing story pitting the supernatural strength and resilience of untamed Whistling Dan Barry against the vicious outlaws led by Jim Silent. Both Dan’s naivete and superhuman strength and senses depict him as other-worldly. Moreso, his lack of interest in material possessions, his unconcern for consequences, and his fearlessness in the face of danger. An excellent novel, concluding the sixth and final story in Classic Westerns.

Gunman’s Reckoning, Max Brand – 6/23/2021. One of those tales I could not stop reading. Excellent story line, great dialog, well written with fascinating characters that drive the story. Railroad tramp and feared combatant, Donnegan, abandons his mysterious quest and transforms himself in a few days, acquiring the means in the most intriguing manner to best serve the young lady who has entered his life. Hiding his innermost thoughts and emotions with superior competence, Donnegan seems well-equipped to master both the environment and people around him, and sets out to do just so.

The Mysterious Rider, Zane Grey – 6/10/2021. Great plot and story line with intriguing twist. The characters are diverse and well developed. Written 100 years ago, Grey does a great job with the action and dialog. For me, the descriptions are too drawn out but that reflects the style of the time. A good read.

The Lone Star Ranger, Zane Grey – 6/5/2021. Although the story line is intriguing and the action scenes compelling, I think the descriptions are over-written and overly sentimental, and the dialog seems forced, often trying to fit a stereotype.

The Law at Randado, Elmore Leonard – 5/27/2021. In only the second of his published novels, we see the beginning of Leonard’s unique style as he strays from western stereotypes to weave the story of Kirby Frye’s inexperienced but determined attempt at law enforcement.

O Pioneers!, Willa Cather – 5/25/2021. A powerful tale, truly worthy of its place as a classic in American literature. Willa Cather dramatizes mundane pioneer life, presenting emotional extremities to captivate the reader, and embracing reality with the strong presence of female lead characters.

Confessions of a Curious Bookseller, Elizabeth Green – 5/17/2021. An enjoyable, well-written, funny with serious undertones account of Fawn’s bumbling business venture, produced in a unique structure and story line.

The Virginian, Owen Wister – 4/30/2021. A truly pioneering contribution to literature that introduced many character types and events that became mainstream in stories of the west.

Pronto, Elmore Leonard – 11/25/2020. An installment from the “Justified” series. Excellent plot, characters, dialog, and flow.

Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now, Maya Angelou – 7/15/2020. Profound autobiographical essays that address sociological and personal issues.

Deathworld by Harry Harrison – 7/2/2020. An intriguing SciFi story that highlights the natural tendency of humans for violence and conflict. The story line is excellent.

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – 6/20/2020. An insightful biographical exposition of the life of popular writers and artistes in Paris during the 1920s.

Stories On The Go: 101 Very Short Stories By 101 Authors – 5/31/2020 An excellent compilation of a wide variety of short stories.

The Lost World, Arthur Conan Doyle – 1/22/2020. After seeing many movie versions, it’s a treat to absorb the original literature from a master like Doyle.

Once Night Falls, Roland Merullo – 12/31/2019 – A fact-based fictional account of the Italian resistance during WWII, incorporating the daring rescue of Il Duce from the Gran Sasso mountain. The novel is intriguing with excellent portrayal of the emotions of the main characters.

Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee: An Indian History Of The American West, Dee Brown – 11/21/2019. A damning indictment of the atrocities committed against native Indians to satisfy greed and economic expansion, with complete lack of concern for human lives.

The Swindler (El Buscón), Francisco de Quevedo, translated by Michael Alpert – 12/28/2018 – a humorous picaresque satire on life in Spain in the early 17th century, chronicling the adventures, or misadventures as the scoundrel seems more of a failure than a success, of a low-born whose primary goal is to become a caballero.

Lazarillo de Tormes, Anonymous, translated by Michael Alpert – 12/28/2018. Excellent use of the Picaresque genre with satire and irony to provide a fascinating account of life in Spain under the inquisition. Well written although the author remains anonymous.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, David Sedaris – 12/14/2018 – an excellent, brutally frank and detailed account of the tribulations and joys of everyday life.

Waiting, Ha Jin – 12/7/2018 – detailed portrayal of life in China while exposing both the selflessness and selfishness of individuals in a captivating story.

The Big Bounce, Elmore Leonard – 11/27/2018 – excellent work integrating every day, routine events into the tale that gives authenticity.

Without A Country, Ayşe Kulin – 7/23/2018 – a vibrant tale of human endurance of intolerance spanning four generations.

The Writer As Migrant, Ha Jin – 7/8/2018 – an eye-opening, excellent description of the issues of migrant writers.

A Tale Of Two Cities, Charles Dickens – 6/23/2018

All The Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy – 10/21/2017 – very well done. I was concerned about the lack of quotation marks but it was not an issue in reading and understanding.

Home, Toni Morrison – 10/3/2017 – Another display of excellent story-telling.

Song Of Solomon, Toni Morrison – 8/10/2017 – Amazing story, excellent story-telling!

The Story Of Madras, Glyn Barlow – 7/8/2017 – A nice bit of propaganda extolling the virtues of British colonialism and its benefits to the ignorant natives without any mention of the cruelty and terror of the exploitation imposed upon the victims while the “benefactors” raped their country.

Love, Loss, and What We Ate, Padma Lakshmi – 5/27/2017 excellent content but a little too many flashbacks

Hombre, Elmore Leonard – 5/6/2017

The Robots Of Dawn, Isaac Asimov – 4/22/2017

The Naked Sun, Isaac Asimov – 3/25/2017

Gunsights, Elmore Leonard – 3/16/2017

The Lost City Of The Monkey God: A True Story, Douglas Preston – 3/8/2017

The Stranger, Albert Camus – 2/26/2017

The Cider House Rules, John Irving – 2/15/2017

Destiny and Desire, Carlos Fuentes

I think that should you become bereft of money and assets and you are absolutely certain that there are a few people somewhere who would go out of their way to ensure that you’re not hungry and homeless, you can consider yourself to have succeeded beyond many a wealthy person.

If you like butterflies, don’t kill caterpillars.

Finally got it done, after finally deciding to do it! Welcome to my new site. Hope my penmanship is worthy of your attention.