Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell

This book received quite a bit of positive press before it was released, and all of it was deserved. The author focuses on what makes someone an outlier, that is, an individual that achieves beyond all others, as well as the reason why individuals with similar intelligence never stretch to their own potential. The answer may be obvious - the successful have opportunities shaped by both their environment (family, education) and plain dumb luck - but Gladwell establishes some guiding principles as well. For example, from computer programming to professional hockey, it seems that 10,000 hours of practice is a hallmark of success (in addition to a good birthday, regular access to a computer or ice rink, etc.). Although it doesn't have all of the answers, it does resonate and just might make you feel a bit better about not being Bill Gates!

Nemesis: Indigo Book One - Louise Cooper

Nemesis: Indigo Book One (Indigo) - This is the first book in the Indigo series by Louise Cooper. This is another one of those series that I started to read many years ago only to not finish the entire series due to lack of funds, time, or something. Now I've got the entire series and am starting over again. Not an exactly original idea, young princess who is headstrong and naive brings death and destruction down upon her family, kingdom and in fact the world due to her arrogance. Now she must right the wrong she has done. Great execution in this first book. Quick read we get right into action and meat of the storyline. Story bogs down a bit in the middle, but nothing we can't push through. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.  7/10

Mort - Terry Pratchett

Mort is the last one standing at the apprenticeship fair, and as midnight rings in, a robed man appears on a stallion to offer him a job. Mort is taken under Death's wing, and screws up on his first night out by taking the wrong person. Discworld wants to make things right, so even though the princess that Mort saved by killing her assassin is technically alive, the universe believes that she has passed. Mort, afraid to tell Death, tries to remedy the situation by involving Death's daughter and a household servant. The universe is having none of it. This was a fun book, and a good example of why Pratchett dominates the cross-over genre of humor and science fiction.

The Mailman - Bentley Little

Once again Little manages to turn something normal and mundane into something sinister and evil. What a great story. This is one of Little's better works in my opinion. The characterization of the evil in this book was done superbly and while reading there was a genuine creepiness that I left with every time I put the book down. At times I did feel I was reading Needful Things by Stephen King, but Bentley managed to make this stand on it's own.  This is definitely one I would recommend. I'll never look at the mail the same again. 9/10

The Bodies Left Behind - Jeffery Deaver

Brynn McKenzie is a deputy sent to a 911 call at a vacation house in a remote area, and winds up finding a murdered couple and escaping with a their visitor Michelle. Two professional killers are on their trail as Brynn and Michelle fight through the state park, and most of the book highlights the hours spend eluding the killers. This wasn't a bad story, but I tend to dissect characters to figure out why they have to be in the book, and in this case it forecast the conclusion dead-on. Still, it was entertaining, and I will definitely seek out this author again.

The Thief of Always - Clive Barker

What a great story. I literally read this in about two hours. It was so good I couldn't put it down. I've read some of Barker's work in the past and they've been pretty heavy works. This was different. I almost want to say it was written with the teen or young adult in mind, as it was a very quick and easy read. Despite that, the story was great.  Mr. Hood's house had stood for a thousand years tempting children bored with their lives and looking for excitement. There is a price to pay for the bliss that the children receive. Harvey is different however, he sees through the charade and eventually sees the dark side of the house. He was the will power and courage to fight back against the house.  Some things seemed a bit stretched, but I'll forgive these minor issues because of the quality of this novel. I wish Clive would write more novels like this one. Great stuff.  9/10

Fistful of Diamonds - John B. Robinson

Short book that started off slow and really didn't pick up until three quarters in. I really didn't feel much for the characters as they just didn't seem to develop well. There were two different plots that seemed unconnected and one just disappeared and seemed to be forgotten. Could have been two different books. This book seemed to be less of a story and more of an exposition into the genocide in central Africa. While the book wasn't horrible, just didn't hold my interest enough to want to read another. Good thing it was short or I may not have finished.  3/10

Echo Burning - Lee Child

Carmen Greer appears just moments after Reacher needs a ride on a hot Texas road, and her story makes him him want to chance a long walk in the heat. Her husband, who she claims has beat her, is about to be released from prison where he has been sprung early from a tax evasion charge. Carmen has been trolling for men that will help her, and believes Reacher is the one. In a parallel story line, a killing squad has come to Echo, Texas, and appears to be targeting Carmen's daughter. Although this isn't the best Reacher novel, it helped pass five hours on a plane this week. I need to ration the one or two that I haven't read yet - not a new book until June 2009!

Killing Floor - Lee Child

Todd has been reading a lot of Lee Child lately, so I figured I needed to give him a try.   I started right at the beginning with his first Jack Reacher novel.  Overall not a bad story. I did have it pretty much figured out from the get go so as I moved through the story, there was not much suspense. However, I did enjoy the path from beginning to end. The middle slowed down and made it a little hard to pick up for awhile, but the last third of the book picked up nicely and was very enjoyable. Jack Reacher intrigues me as a character and I'm looking forward to more of his adventures.

Rapture for the Geeks - When AI Outsmarts IQ: Richard Dooling

Back in my high school years, I fully intended on a career in computer programming, but life intervened, and now I'm a finance/sales guy. Still, when I saw this book in a Charlotte airport, I picked it up and finished it on my flight to San Jose yesterday - I've rejoined my inner-geek. Great book. A primary focus is Moore's law - how technology is doubling in power every two years, and how at that rate the human mind may be replicated, at least in size and computing power, in the next few decades. Will a computer understand the beauty captured in a painting or a poem? Perhaps not. Will it have the analytical capacity to outthink humans? Quite probably. The book discusses evolution, and the possibility that computers may be the "uberman" of philosophy. This author addresses the topic with a fair bit of humor, but beneath it is a genuine question and concern about our focus on bigger, faster, more powerful - will computers someday dominate mankind in the manner of HAL or the Terminator movies? Is the Singularity near?

Too Many Curses - A. Lee Martinez

Nessy is the unassuming housekeeper to the wizard Margle, an employment contract that's endangered when Margle is eaten a few pages into the book. His castle is inhabited by his past enemies, all transformed into various creatures that are unable to leave the confines of its walls. Their peace is short-lived, as Tiama the wizardess shows up, and it appears that Margle has set a few spells to activate upon his death. This book wasn't as good as Martinez' past works, but it did help pass a flight to Charlotte and back.

Michael Crichton dead at 65

Author Michael Crichton has died of cancer at age 65.  I read a few of his novels and of course saw many movies based on his novels and screenplays....shoot, I even watched a few seasons of ER from time to time.  Wasn't real high on my favorite author list, but still enjoyed his work.  Always sad to see a talent like Crichton pass on.  I'm sure his future work will be missed by many.  Best wishes to his family from us at WordsForWords.com.

Tripwire - Lee Child

This may be the best Jack Reacher novel yet! Jack is splitting his days digging pools and being a strip club doorman in Key West when suddenly several people come looking for him. He finds himself back in New York, attending the funeral of Leon Garber, his past commanding officer. It soon becomes evident that Leon was helping an older couple track down their son Victor Hobie, lost in Vietnam but never recovered. By coincidence, New York had another Victor Hobie that had set up shop in the World Trade Center, lending money to desperate companies, collecting through blackmail and underhanded techniques. Throw in a romance with Leon's daughter, Jodie, and this story has a great deal of fast-moving conflict. Fantastic!