Required Reading

Life is complicated enough without getting into hotwater with federal agencies so: TAKE NOTE Many things I review I got at no charge in exchange for an honest review. Consider this as informing you that ALL things I review may have been gotten at no charge. Realistically about 60% but in order to keep things above board just assume that I got the stuff free. I do not collect information on my readers. If cookies or other tracking stuff is used on my blogs it is due to BLOGGER not ME. Apparently the European Union's new rules state I need to inform you if cookies are being use. If they are it isn't byu me, consider yourself INFORMED.
Words like, “sponsored,” “promotion,” “paid ad” or even just “ad” are clear ways to disclose that you’re being paid to share information and links so BE AWARE that some of what I write can be described as an AD by the government. BTW I will NEVER say a product is great, super or even acceptable if it isn't, whether I got it free or NOT!

Books I have authored.

Many times I receive books for FREE to give them an honest review. I do not get paid to give a good or bad review. Spotlights are promotional and should be regarded as advertising for the book spotlighted. Regardless of where or how I got a book, my review will be as honest as I can make it.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

The Kafka Society by Ron Felber



Jack Madson is back and wallowing in self inflicted despair once again.  Felber has postulated a despicable group responsible for a wide range of human depravity.   Jack falls afoul of this group and is forced into painful introspection.   This book is not for the faint of heart, topics and descriptions are nearly painful to read and frankly impossible to comprehend.

Felber can't seem to decide if he is a novelist or a philosopher.   His Kafka society is existentialism at it's postulated worse.   The laborious introspection Jack experiences is necessary to develop the plot but at times I felt I was back in my MA program examining the dark side of human nature.

The settings and suggested underground settings are thought provoking.    A cursory search of the Internet leads me to believe that some of what Felber postulates is possible.  

The story twists and turns as if sharing the agony of the participants.   It is a disturbing book in many ways.  

I can't say I enjoyed it primarily due to the graphic nature of some of the scenes but it certainly was an interesting book.   From this and his previous book I can only  conclude that Felber has strong feelings that society is overall corrupt.  Jack Madson is a true anti-hero. 

I recommend the book, it should make you ponder your own reality.

Web Site: http://www.ronfelber.com/


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Seal Team Six: Hunt the Scorpion by Don Mann

It seems appropriate to post a book authored by a man who served his nation in a most trying role as a Navy Seal on today, Memorial Day.   Thank you Don Mann for your service and Thank You all members of our Armed Services for your willingness to put your life on the line for your fellow Americans. 




This is an action-adventure written by an actual Seal Team 6 member. There's a (so far) four book series starting Thomas Crocker a SEAL Team six team member. This volume takes place primarily in Libya.

Thomas Crocker seems like a normal guy.  Mann does not make the Seals look like Superman.  He shows they are "ordinary" guys.   Ordinary for men who have survived the rigors of becoming the preeminent world warriors.

Mann shows them as having a great deal of enthusiasm for their work, incredible stamina and mission devotion which you would expect from a Navy Seal.

There is plenty of action for any adrenaline junkie.  Crocker and his men are on a dual search for WMD's and a person of very special interest to Crocker.

I enjoyed the book and recommend it.

No Website that I found but a good Time Magazine Article about Don Mann.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Time Is Slipping, Slipping Away!

Some how I expected loads of free time when I retired.  Alas or perhaps WhooHoo, that has not occurred.  My intent to read the 1000 plus books in my pile waiting has been subverted by those insidious publicists and publishers who ply me with temptation to read new releases BEFORE they are released! 

How insidious is that! 

Needless to say I have succumbed to temptation and since the fantasy and scifi world is my favorite, I tend to get more of those to read and review than general fiction.   Doesn't mean I will be giving up Pick of the Literate but I do seem to be following behind.  So Bear with me as I catch my
breath and get some reading under my belt.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Bearly Tolerable Publications Preview of Hardy Belch and The Predator: Internet Safety


Shocking, I say Shocking!  Who knew that writing would keep me from reading.   My own books are taking up more than a smidgen of time.   A free wheeling brain can be a blessing and a curse.   A curse since sometimes I just have to put things down (used to be on paper).   A blessing is the occasional email telling me I have helped someone through one of my books.

Speaking of which... Hardy Belch and the Predator: Internet Safety will be out within a month or two of this post.   Without providing a spoiler,  on the advice of Tiny his 240 pound, telepathic dog, Hardy is seriously considering spending more time at the dog park and less on the Internet.   As in many of my books, I am trying to provide a modicum of guidance for kids who are facing a mysterious world.  

The Internet can be a fantasy land of games and knowledge but it can also be the home of identity thieves and predators.   This book is a cautionary tale.

Look forward to it by the end of July.  (or maybe sooner)

Here is a sneak peek at the cover art work.


This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Tales of a Jailhouse Librarian by Marybeth Zeman



If you think you know kids, you might want to rethink after you read this book.   Mrs. Z finds much of what she learned in counseling training had to be re-evaluated when she started a book cart at the School Program for Incarcerated Youth at a county jail in Long Island, New York.

This book contains 50 some stories of wayward kids some of whom might have the potential to be productive citizens.  I believe that Ms. Zeman is a factor in helping some of those kids to transition to productive people in society. 

The stories are sometimes hard to read and sad.   Books have always been motivation and escape for me.  Ms. Zeman feels getting the kids reading is that and more, hope!

A non-fiction, very worthwhile book to read.

I recommend the book.
  
Email: jaillibrarian1@gmail.com   Twitter: @felines_friend

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Waiting for Jimmy Dean (A Short Story) by Bob McDermott




Bob's story hit home due to my killer rabbit.  My beautiful huge white buck bunny looked like the epitome of Bunnyhood.  I still have the residual scars from his periodic escape attempts.  I was the only witness to his biting the chunk out of the neighbors collie ' s nose.  So Bob's killer Susie hit home.  This was a really cute coming of age story. 

I've not read any humor by Bob before.    I have really enjoyed his thrillers. 

My reviews can be found at:

web site:  http://www.remcdermott.com/
btw I did buy this book, it was not a free copy for review.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.