The English Major    Jim Harrison
Another very enjoyable Harrison novel. This one is about Cliff, a sixty-year-old former farmer and English teacher who loses everything to his now ex-wife and starts on a trip to visit every state of the lower forty-eight. Harrison’s prose is the opposite of Hemingway’s, but his theme’s and interests are delightfully similar. Hated for it to end.

Plato’s Republic: A Biography    Simon Blackburn
This is a terrible book. Blackburn admits in the preface that he knows nothing about Plato, and that he wrote it because his agent got him the gig. He then proceeds to talk about philosophers and other people instead of talking about The Republic. And, like a lot of people who can’t understand something, he ridicules it to cover his ignorance instead of explaining it. I’m not a fan of Plato, and I still am angered by what he did. A really huge waste.

Three Stations    Martin Cruz Smith
Latest in the outstanding Arkady Renko series. This time Renko, still in trouble with his boss, searches for a serial killer and a lost baby. Tight, perfect prose, great characters, and a narrative with a little of everything needed to make a great read. Not a wasted word or phrase. A little too easy an ending, but wonderful. Wish it hadn’t gone so quickly.

Washington Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War Andrew Bacevich
An excellent book about the foundations of America’s militarism since World War II, and the dire state of the U. S. democracy and economy that has resulted. Surprisingly beautiful writing, thoughtfulness, history, and analysis make this a very valuable read. We are in serious trouble, but then I’ve known that since the early eighties. Can’t recommend this book enough.

The Astronomer    Lawrence Goldstone
Entertaining historical thriller set during the time of the publication Copernicus’ heliocentric theory in the 1530s. The history is accurate, the intrigue and horrors of the inquisition based on real people and events, the narrative is satisfying, and the writing is good. Enjoyed the quick read.

Phaedo    Plato
Plato’s final of five dialogues about Socrates’ trial and execution. It is longer and deeper than the previous four. Here, as he prepares to commit enforced suicide, Socrates describes the theory of learning as recollection, the nature of planet earth, and appropriately, the immortality of the soul. Pretty unbelievable stuff in the early twenty-first century, but his death is always a little moving.

Road Dogs   Elmore Leonard
Sequel to the also delightful Out of Sight. This time Jack Foley makes a prison buddy, and when they get out they are looking to live the good life, but there’s always a woman. Great dialogue, humor, interesting characters, and Jack’s smooth style and intelligence made this a very pleasurable read. Kind of sorry it ended.

Bite Me, A Love Story   Christopher Moore
Absolutely delightful novel about vampires roaming the nights of San Francisco. Really liked all the weird characters, especially the voice of Abby Normal, the sixteen-year-old vampire wannabe. Very inventive, funny, and a little touching. Wish I had known it is the third in a series before I read it. A really enjoyable, quick read.