Over the course of Operation Black Biscuit, ATF undercover agent Jay Dobyns nearly lost himself into his role of "Bird" Davis, bad-ass biker. Dobyns became so focused on his work attempting to infiltrate Arizona's outlaw motorcycle gang scene that eventually he resented time away - to visit his kids - and he quit returning wife Gwen's phone calls.
This is a good book, and a very engrossing read. It's gives an interesting look at police investigations and also the Hells Angels from the inside. I was especially intrigued by the history, organization, and culture within the HA.
I won't hesitate to recommend this book to either bikers or police-supporters: It's a fair book that clearly shows the appeal these communities have for those who live "outside the law," but it's also clear on why fewer gangs with less power would be a good thing.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Absolute Brightness by James Lecesne
Like Phoebe's life doesn't suck enough, then Leonard moves in.
Phoebe Hertle is pretty wrapped up in the drama of her own life - he parents' divorce, her sister's strange behavior, her mom's beauty shop customers, and even her own dramatic haircolor(s). And then one day this weird loser cousin she's never met shows up at the door to live with them. Leonard marches to the beat of his own conga line, and while he's an outcast at school, he's mister popularity at the beauty shop where he wins hearts and gradually improves the lives of all the regulars. And while Phoebe thinks he's a pest - and worse - she also wonders why he's never tried to "fix" her.
And then one day, Leonard disappears. And that's where this book really gets interesting.
I really enjoyed the personal discoveries and growth that Phoebe experiences during this book. They're real, and not always pretty - just like in real life.
Phoebe Hertle is pretty wrapped up in the drama of her own life - he parents' divorce, her sister's strange behavior, her mom's beauty shop customers, and even her own dramatic haircolor(s). And then one day this weird loser cousin she's never met shows up at the door to live with them. Leonard marches to the beat of his own conga line, and while he's an outcast at school, he's mister popularity at the beauty shop where he wins hearts and gradually improves the lives of all the regulars. And while Phoebe thinks he's a pest - and worse - she also wonders why he's never tried to "fix" her.
And then one day, Leonard disappears. And that's where this book really gets interesting.
I really enjoyed the personal discoveries and growth that Phoebe experiences during this book. They're real, and not always pretty - just like in real life.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Comfort: A Journey Through Grief by Ann Hood
One day, five-year old Grace Adrain was fine: bubby, funny, goofy, lovable and loved. Forty-eight agonizing hours later, she was dead from a virulent form of strep. And her mother was shattered.
This tiny, beautiful book is Ann Hood's story of losing her daughter and re-inventing life anew.
After Grace's death, Hood can't write, can't read, can't cook, and finds she can hardly breathe. Everywhere she goes, Grace is not. And that will never change.
But eventually, Hood begins to find tiny, elegant ways to live. Shells with butter and cheese for dinner with cucumber slices. Knitting. Writing. And gradually, Grace is still gone, but Ann has returned.
This tiny, beautiful book is Ann Hood's story of losing her daughter and re-inventing life anew.
After Grace's death, Hood can't write, can't read, can't cook, and finds she can hardly breathe. Everywhere she goes, Grace is not. And that will never change.
But eventually, Hood begins to find tiny, elegant ways to live. Shells with butter and cheese for dinner with cucumber slices. Knitting. Writing. And gradually, Grace is still gone, but Ann has returned.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Talk me down
Talk me down by Victoria Dahl
More brain candy. In one week without class, I've cruised through four novels. Two were for teens, and two are total fluff. Sometimes we all just need to take a break and find a mountain town to hole up in. The main character in this book does exactly that. Of course, she has a detour into the arms of her childhood crush, who just happens to be the chief of police.
More brain candy. In one week without class, I've cruised through four novels. Two were for teens, and two are total fluff. Sometimes we all just need to take a break and find a mountain town to hole up in. The main character in this book does exactly that. Of course, she has a detour into the arms of her childhood crush, who just happens to be the chief of police.
True love and other disasters
True love and other disasters by Rachel Gibson
OK, you noticed that my last post was a textbook. Even librarians are allowed brain candy once in a while.
This was a sweet story of love between a hockey player and the trophy bride who inherits the team he plays for. Like many paperback romance novels, it was pretty predictable. However, I'd previously read others by the same author and it was nice to see a reappearance of some familiar characters, like Jane, Vlad and Darby.
OK, you noticed that my last post was a textbook. Even librarians are allowed brain candy once in a while.
This was a sweet story of love between a hockey player and the trophy bride who inherits the team he plays for. Like many paperback romance novels, it was pretty predictable. However, I'd previously read others by the same author and it was nice to see a reappearance of some familiar characters, like Jane, Vlad and Darby.
Early childhood language arts
Early childhood language arts by Mary Renck Jalongo
This book kept me away from all the fun stuff for months. It was the text for a course in Interactive Literacy, but we read it all. It had some great suggestions and I've put many of them to use in library programs already.
This book kept me away from all the fun stuff for months. It was the text for a course in Interactive Literacy, but we read it all. It had some great suggestions and I've put many of them to use in library programs already.
Savvy
Savvy by Ingrid Law
I had a lot of fun reading this book. The Beaumont kids are so extraordinary and yet, they're not. It was fun to see Mibs struggle with the more normal issues of a thirteen year old without losing sight of her savvy (or extraordinary gift). She handled Will's interest in a very mature manner, which would be impressive from a real thirteen year old.
I had a lot of fun reading this book. The Beaumont kids are so extraordinary and yet, they're not. It was fun to see Mibs struggle with the more normal issues of a thirteen year old without losing sight of her savvy (or extraordinary gift). She handled Will's interest in a very mature manner, which would be impressive from a real thirteen year old.
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