Femme   Bill Pronzini
As in Fatale, not a fabulous gay man. Disappointing noir novel about a woman manipulating wealthy men with sex. The plot and all the shallow characters have already appeared thousands of times. Luckily, it didn’t take too long to read.

Dead Aim   Joe R. Lansdale
Brief, violent, stylized, noir novella about partners who agree to protect a woman from her husband. As always, they get involved in something completely different. Quick, enjoyable read. Might try something else by Lansdale.

Masaryk Station   David Downing
Latest in the John Russell/Effie Koenen series. Now it is 1948 and they are struggling through the cold war politics of a divided Germany, especially Berlin. Well written, interesting, more thriller tension, and some important developments. Very enjoyable.

Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds   Ping Fu
Story of Ping Fu’s journey from persecution during China’s Cultural Revolution to founding Geomagic a 3D software company here in the U.S. I have been very interested in the experiences of intellectuals in the Cultural Revolution, not so much in entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, had the tone of a women's self-help book. Not too bad though.
Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore   Robin Sloan
Loved every second I spent reading this novel about a bookstore clerk who stumbles into a secret society. Finished it in a day. Perfect mix of high tech and love of books. One of those books you wish you hadn’t read yet so you could still have the experience of reading it. Wish I enjoyed everything I read this much.

A Fringe of Leaves   Patrick White
Beautifully written novel about a woman in 1830s Australia shipwrecked and captured by aborigines. White won the Nobel prize in 1973, thus my interest. Enjoyed every exquisite word of it, and would have liked to meet Mrs. Roxburgh.

Phantom   Jo Nesbø
Latest Harry Hole novel. This time Harry is trying to save his “son” Oleg which entails defeating the biggest drug dealer in Oslo. As usual, very entertaining, well-written, a complex narrative, and extremely violent. Ended abruptly, and nearly everything is left hanging. Even so, once again really enjoyed it.

Odds Against Tomorrow   Nathaniel Rich
Interesting, intelligent, and especially timely novel about the futurist Mitchell Zukor whose personal fears help him warn about future catastrophes. Didn’t really like the ending, seemed pretty fanciful and certainly not a future I would like. But I really enjoyed the novel.

The River Swimmer   Jim Harrison
As usual, two exquisite novellas by one of my very favorite authors. Wished they wouldn’t end. I especially liked “The Land of Unlikeness.” Can’t ever get enough of his work. Really, really enjoyed them.