Not a sub chase by Tom Clancy, but a serious, detailed and painful look at the start of the Soviet nuclear submarine program. Captain Zateyev describes life aboard the U.S.S.R.’s first nuclear submarine. A high honor indeed – until things go wrong. Not just little things. Big things. The author, Peter Huchthausen, describes frustrating and dangerous examples of Soviet bureaucracy, finger-pointing and bad engineering and their consequences. Captain Vladimirovich Zateyev undertakes standard missions, even training missions and cannot get through them without something seriously going wrong. He describes the problems due to a government trying to catch up to the U.S. An exciting time, nuclear subs were just beginning their service. The problem was that they were not engineered, built nor tested correctly or enough. An exciting and frustrating read. If you think the U.S. Navy has problems, you must read K-19. Men paid with their lives due to flooding, fires and radiation. He also describes nuclear reactors and waste, their locations and the lack of Russian management. Saved until the end of the book is the best/worst and absolute scariest. Unlike a Stephen King novel this is true: the Soviets and Russians have dumped (sorry, “deposited” “stored”) radioactive waste from their nuclear submarines in water all over the world. In this book you’ll cheer for the hero, Russian Captain Vladimirovich Zateyev.

It’s safe to say that I am a huge fan of Malcolm Gladwell having read his entire literary collection. My favorite by far is still his 2011 release 'Outliers'. However, David and Goliath did not disappoint.

What you will not find in Gladwell's writing is an in-depth review of a one particular topic, however, imbedded in the fabric of the book are compelling historical narratives ingeniously weaved together to offer the reader an analysis that would otherwise not be relatable.

Highly recommended!

The Price of Blood, the continuation of Shadow on the Crown, is set in 1006 England when the country, under the reign of King Aerhelred, is under almost constant siege from the Vikings.  Aerhelred's queen, Emma, must use her intelligence and fortitude to retain her position as queen.  Because of her Norman birth almost everyone, including her husband, are suspicious of Emma.  Even though her love for Athelstan, the king's eldest son, is strong both she and Aethelstan must put their feelings aside for the good of the country.  

Black Dove, White Raven is the story of life in 1930s Ethiopia under the leadership of Haile Selassie.  Emilia and Teo travel to the country after Emilia's mother, suffering from the loss of her beloved co-pilot, Delia.  Em's mother, Rhoda, and Teo's mother met in Paris when Rhoda was living there with her Italian husband.  When the two moved back to America they began flying air shows together even though it was tough in a time when female pilots were rare and a black female pilot was practically unheard of.  In Ethiopia Em and Teo have a wonderful life until war between Mussolini's Italy and Ethiopia breaks out.  Secrets about Teo's father come to light that change everything for him.  Through grit, determination, and resourcefulness Em and Teo take risks to remain true to their values and remain free.

In the beginning I found the telling of the story in "essays" or writing assignments a bit strained.  As the story evolved I began to see how this was necessary for the plot to work efficiently.  Told by both Emilia and Teo Black Dove, White Raven is, in the end, a very suspenseful and moving book.  

Great campy fun about a visit to a small town Transylvania.  Not realizing that Count Krolock and his gay son are vampires, Professor Abronsius and his curious assistant Fred rush to retrieve her when the Innkeeper’s pretty daughter is abducted.

Need one of those books you can sink your teeth into? Want stories that drip with chilling atmosphere? Not scared of things that bump in the night? Here's a book that will help you burn that midnight oil. Paranormal fictions best known authors have come together in this anthology.

He is such a tease! G.R.R. Martin knows loyal fans will read almost anything while we wait for him to polish up book six of the Game of Thrones.

In this offering, G RRM takes us on a short tour of history, Westeros style. We learn that the dance of dragons wasn't just a pretty name but an express of the War between rival Targaryan houses that led to eventual destruction of the fire breathers.

While this book may shed some light on the seven kingdoms, Martin shies away from the story we all want most - the origin of the Others. Be warned - winter is here!

Fantastic Aelf Fen mystery!  Lassair meets a very strange woman on the dock at Cambridge and finding out who she is become the central mystery of this book.  She also meets a sheriff, Jack Chevestrier, who accompanies her back to Aelf Fen with the woman who claims her deceased husband has relatives in the Fens.  Meanwhile, Rollo is away in Constantinople spying for King William.  He is wounded in a fight and is taken in by a mysterious stranger who helps him recover and escape.   

Becky and Frank bicker like an old married couple when in fact their not even dating. They only share one thing they both agree upon and it's the bike shop that masks the Black Knights activities. Frank rushes to her rescue when a old enemies makes several attempts on her life, and she uncovers his attempts to win her heart.

Most know him as "Ghost", a prime special ops sniper. To Ali, he's always been Grigg's BFF. When she tangles with the wrong crowd and becomes #1 on international hit list, Ali turns to Ghost to see her though. What neighter of them counted on was crossing the "no-date" line brothers impose on their friends when it comes to their little sisters.

Does Fate ever make a mistake? Can it select the wrong being for the right task? Clay feels he's not the right dragon to be a hero. He will learn that what he feels has littel to do with handling the situations that confront him. He will discover that feeling fear has nothing to do with lacking courage. When he takes a stand to protect those other than himself, Clay learns the true meaning of leadership.

Nathaniel  Cade has been guarding president's for over 140 years. He's now the ultimate in personal security, but will he be enough to stand and hold the line when other supernatural beings paint a bulls eye the current president's chest? What's a lone Vampire to do when the sun rises but the threat just keeps on coming?

Of all the people in Anita Blake's life, none fill the "little Brother"role better Jason. He's funny, smart and, a wonderful were to have your back in firefigth. So, when Jason comes to her for advice about his love life, Anita's willing to do the Big Sistery thing and have a heart-to-heart with his sweetie.

Then she discovers what the problem really is, and wonders if she'll do more harm than good.

Set in the Hebrides, The Sea House chronicles the stories of two individuals. Ruth and her husband have bought an old house to renovate it as a Bed and Breakfast.  They discover, buried beneath the foundation of the house, the skeleton of a baby who has fused legs like a mermaid.  Alexander Ferguson, a 19th century minister, a prior occupant of the house, tells his story and by the end we know how the baby came to be buried under the house. Historical detail is the most interesting aspect of this book.  The author has researched her subject well and her knowledge of island life is thorough.

Poignant novel in the voice of  Christopher Boone, a 15 year old Bristish autistic boy. When he finds his neighbor's dog, Wellington, has been killed, he decides to solve the mystery and write a book about it. I was fascinated by the unusual chapter numbering, the use of diagrams, statistics and the effective use of a first person narrator. I even learned a thing or two about math equations and algorithims. Intriguing as it may sound; it holds a very creative style of writing and makes for a unique reading experience.

When angels fall, their wings are severed and they are cursed to exist on earth as vampires. Vashti and Charron lost their wings for love, but not their passion for one another. Now they must lead other fallen angles in a war against the Lycans.

This book was a major disappointment.  After such a strong start, the All Souls Trilogy just fizzled into a trite, unoriginal story.  Diana Bishop, pregnant with Mathew Clairmont's child must unravel the mystery of Ashmole 782.  She must also be protected from Mathew as his protectiveness towards the mother of his child becomes almost impossible to control.  

In the first two books Diana was a strong-willed and independent woman.  In the final book of the trilogy she becomes an almost eye-batting, simpering idiot.  Too bad such a great start had to end in such a revolting way.

This brief book features, Auri, a character from Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles.  Auri has a strange affinity for the essence of objects, where they should be, how they should be treated and she becomes anxious when things aren't as they should be.  This book chronicles her days underground and her preparations for Kvothe's next visit.  Tantalizing and haunting, it does not, however, make up for the next volume in the Kingkiller Chronicles.

Reading Shards of Time was like sitting down with good friends not seen in a while.  Spending time with Alec and Seregil was such a pleasant experience. The two Nightrunners are employed by Queen Elani to accompany Thero to the newly acquired island of Kouros to investigate the mysterious death of the governor and his wife.  Once there they must work together with Micum, Klia and Mika, Thero's apprentice, to discover what really happened.  

While not particularly well-written, Digging for Richard III does present more information including some behind the scenes happenings that I haven't read before.  The author also provides brief biographies of the key archaeologists involved with the dig.  And, to be quite honest, no matter how many times I read about how the King was discovered it gives me chills.  It is an amazing story that never grows old.