Helpful votes received on reviews:
92% (47 of 51)
Location: Vicksburg, MS USA
In My Own Words:
Everyone wants to be something when they grow up. I always wanted to be a writer. Faced with the necessity of earning a living, I obtained my undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering. After retirement, I started writing reviews for Amazon and, at the age of 66, got back to my original interest of being a writer. My first short story, Josette, was accepted at the age of 68 by Sky… Read moreEveryone wants to be something when they grow up. I always wanted to be a writer. Faced with the necessity of earning a living, I obtained my undergraduate and graduate degrees in civil engineering. After retirement, I started writing reviews for Amazon and, at the age of 66, got back to my original interest of being a writer. My first short story, Josette, was accepted at the age of 68 by Skyline Magazine, and appeared in the February 2005 issue. It is available as an electronic file if you have an email address and Adobe Reader software. Another short story, Lila, appeared in SpinningS Magazine in March 2005 (the archive was still on the Web the last time I looked). At this writing, various additional short stories and several poems are floating around the system being reviewed by various editors. I would note that 'Josette' was accepted on the fifth try, so it pays to keep trying. 'Lila' was accepted on the third try. I do not write novels.
I don't travel as much as I used to when I traveled on various airlines to points around the world (flying now seems to aggravate a prostate problem). I still do some trips around the area, stop over to the Jackson area sometimes to hear musician friends play at clubs, attend local events, stay affiliated with the Vicksburg Art Association and Vicksburg Blues Society, and sometimes take friends to lunch or dinner. I sometimes drop down about 30 miles to the south to Wildman's Den of Sin (one of those places where I can sing karaoke, and nobody cares if I sing off key) - when the weather is good, some of my friends ride their motorcycles down. In summary, I still have a life.
I have been reading novels since I was in grade school about 60 years ago, starting with children's novels. During that time I have read a couple thousand books - probably more (I don't keep track). They are in the back of my mind when I write reviews on Amazon. I rate books based on the category they fall into, e.g., literature, pulp fiction, action/adventure, poetry, romance, children's books, etc. I sometimes review DVD's, music CDs, or other products. I sometimes delete older reviews to keep my list of reviews manageable, so I have written more than I presently have posted. I do not intentionally write annonymous reviews which I consider poison pen (three older ones showed up that way by accident). My e-mail address is in my profile if someone disagrees with me, and I have received sharp notes from a couple authors or from rabid fans but, as Harry Truman said, if you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen.
So, how do I select books to read? Sometimes I am familiar with authors from past reading. Sometimes I read through reviews written by other Amazon reviewers (the reason for having friends and favorites). Sometimes I browse through bookstores for books that look interesting. Sometimes I look through the list of Pulitzer Prize winners or Nobel Prize winners. Sometimes I get books as gifts (my oldest niece introduced me to books by Sue Grafton and a couple other authors); and sometimes authors who are confident in their writing send me ARC copies. I normally do not respond to email advertising that is promoting a book, and I usually ignore Amazon recommendations.
And how do I determine ratings? A book really has to be sucking swamp water for some reason before I will give it one star. If a book holds my interest, and I finish it, it will probably get three stars unless there is a serious flaw (maybe four, just for having a unique plot). Books that are well written, and hold my attention enough to stay up late, will probably get four or five stars -the difference is somewhat subjective. I allow for literary license but get annoyed by careless errors. Amazon just told me I am at tht 4,000 character limit.
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Reviews
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This novel won the Suntory Prize for best suspense novel of 1991. When a world famous conductor dies from drinking cyanide laced coffee during the second intermission at the opera, Guido Brunetti, vice-commissario of police, is called in to investigate. The conductor was world-renouned, but was a self centered vain individual who had prejudices and vices. He was respected but not well liked. Some people despised him. Guido has the task of sorting out the motives of various suspects, and digging into the past of the victim. The case turns up some surprising revelations. Guido has his own sense of justice and law enforcement. He has to determine what to report, and how to report… Read more
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Time has passed. Molin Torchholder is dying. He picks an heir, or to be precise the Gods seem to pick his heir, a boy named Cauvin who is just growing into a man. It is an interesting tale of the passing of a torch and, as in all the tales of thieves world, there is the usual array of villains. The Vulgar Unicorn has survived, of course, and is still a meeting ground. The Red Light District has fallen on hard times. Trade has declined, but occasional ships still show up in the harbor. Sanctuary is somewhat down at the heels, and the coinage is debased. This is an interesting tale about the battle against an evil cult, but it has flashbacks to earlier times. For someone who has… Read more
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Thanks to Captain Katie's review for bringing this children's book to my attention. It is a variation of the story of the sorcerer's apprentice. It is written as a long poem with large, full color illustrations. It is suitable for pre-school or early grade school children, particularly young girls. The exact age depends on their reading level, but the recommended age range of 4 to 8 years old ssems about right (although I am 68 and thought it was a delightful story). Be sure you get the book with the dust jacket because the introduction to the story is on the inside of the dust jacket (for whatever reason). Sylvia goes off to become an apprentice to the sorcerer Tottibo, but… Read more
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