Books of November 2010

SPQR II The Catiline Conspiracy
John Maddox Roberts
ISBN 0-380-75995-0
216 pages

Enjoyed it less than the last one.  Interesting, but I don't think I'll seek out the rest of the series.


The Brass Verdict
Michael Connelly
ISBN 978-1-409-10203-8
601 pages


Bosch is a minor character in this.  Still enjoyable.

Steel Beach
John Varley
ISBN 0-441-78565-4
566 pages

Very much enjoyed this.  Very Heinleinesque.


Forever Odd
Dean Koontz
ISBN 0-553-80416-2
300 pages


Read the (an?) earlier novel about Odd, thought it was interesting, and made a mental note to pick up others.  Found it at the thrift store so scooped it.  Only OK.


The Descent
Jeff Long
ISBN 0-609-60293-4
450 pages


I like hollow world type stories.  Not many modern ones.  Some interesting ideas, a little far fetched, but surprisingly coherent.

The Legacy
Stephen Fry
ISBN 0-451-19015-7
373 pages

JFK Conspiracy book about the existence of a film shot across the street from Zapruder's.  Typical action thriller.

The Protector
David Morrell
ISBN 0-446-61403-3
482 pages

Recognized the author from First Blood (Rambo) and thought I'd give it a shot.  Another typical action thriller.

Hallowe'en Pumpkins '10

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So carving pumpkins early enough so Leaf could take one to school resulted in a nasty mouldy inside by the time Hallowe'en rolled around.  Yuck, since I had to reach in to set up the light.  Another slow night at the door, we left a bowl of candy out, but all 5 of our visitors arrived within two minutes as we were loading the boys into the van.  Mars as the Ninja Turtle that didn't fly last year, and Odin as Spiderman.  Odin had great fun 'scaring' me with the spiderman mask on, then pulling it off to my 'relief'.  Again, and again and again.  We took them to a local community center that had a haunted house set up and car trunk trick-or-treat.  Wasn't very busy - I think it is the first year its been tried - but a good idea.  So few houses were 'lit' both on our way there and on our street.  Our street is understandable, not many kids but lots of seniors.

Funniest Mars moment: he's rushing down the gravel driveway after a score when he trips and falls hard, spilling candy everywhere. My first thought is skinned palms and he says "Don't worry guys... the candy is OK"!

Pumpkins 2012: Master Yoda Pumpkin, Cookie Monster Pumpkin
Pumpkins 2011: Batman Pumpkin, Batman Logo Pumpkin

Skin Carving a Pumpkin and Finding Free Stencil Instructions

Pumpkins 2009: Scooby Doo and Shaggy Pumpkin, Mystery Machine Pumpkin, Yoda Pumpkin, Boba Fett Pumpkin

Pumpkins 2008: Ernie and Bert Pumpkin, Soccer Ball Pumpkin
Pumpkins 2007: Calvin and Hobbes Pumpkin, Spiderman Pumpkin, Toronto FC Pumpkin
Pumpkins 2006: Darth Vader Pumpkin, Homer Simpson Pumpkin