The One with Dark of the Moon

123. Title & Author: Dark of the Moon by John Sandford (418 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Thriller

Completed: 16 November 2009

Summary & Review:

As Detective Virgil Flowers tries to figure out the gruesome murder of an elderly retired couple, another man in the same small town is burned to death in his house. Then, another older couple is murdered, and then another. To Flowers, the connections between these killings likely hold the key to identity of the murderer, if he could only find out what they were.

I've read a couple of Sandford's books before and pretty much enjoyed them, like I did this one. While the villain wasn't quite as intriguing as the one in Eyes of Prey (#38), the plot over all was entertaining. Sandford did a good job leading the reader on and keeping him guessing as to who was behind these small-town killings.

Rating: 7.0

The One with 1776: The Illustrated Edition

122. Title & Author: 1776: The Illustrated Edition by David McCullough (233 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--History

Completed: 12 November 2009

Summary & Review:

Historian David McCullough traces the path of the American Revolution during the crucial year of 1776. In this illustrated edition of the original McCullough work, 1776, excerpts of the book are accompanied by beautiful full-color illustrations, artworks, and special envelopes containing facsimiles of important documents, letters, and maps.

This book was excellent. Not only did it showcase McCullough's unique knack for scholarly, yet readable, history, but the inclusions of art and facsimiles made the experience more than just reading a book. It was an immersion into the year that gave birth to this country. The reader is able to see portraits of the men and women he is reading about, handle replicas of letters they wrote in their own hand, and trace battles using authentic maps. In the words of McCullough himself, "Art and history are mutually enhancing and belong together." As an art historian, I couldn't agree more. I recommend this book.

This was a Christmas present from my uncle-in-law, David.

Rating: 10.0

The One with Candide

121. Title & Author: Candide, Zadig, and Selected Stories by Voltaire (351 pages)

Genre: Fiction--Classic Literature

Completed: 31 October 2009

Summary & Review:

This volume contains numerous fictional satirical stories by Voltaire including his most famous, Candide. The stories are organized chronologically and include, among others, Ingenuous, Plato's Dream, and The World As It Is.

After Candide my interest in this book really declined. I am not particularly a fan of Voltaire's writing style, but that could be due to a poor translation. Also, a lot of these stories seemed to have been incredibly era-specific to Voltaire's lifetime, so a lot of what was once biting wit didn't really carry the same power today.

Rating: 6.0

The One with John Virtue

120. Title & Author: John Virtue: London Paintings published by The National Gallery (111 pages)

Genre: Nonfiction--Contemporary Art & Art History

Completed: 25 October 2009

Summary & Review:

This book is the accompaniment for painter John Virtue's solo exhibition at The National Gallery, London in 2005. It includs an introduction to Virtue's exhibtion, three essays about his contribution to the genre of Landscape, and reproductions of much of his work.

While Paige was in London during her Study Abroad she went to this exhibition and loved it so she bought this book. I saw it on our shelf and since I hadn't really heard of Virtue, I decided to check it out. Virtue's paintings are incredible and the essays were insightful and original. I wish I had been able to see these immense pieces in their original show.

Rating: 8.0

The One with Bones

119. Title & Author: Bones (An Alex Delaware Novel) by Jonathan Kellerman (438 pages)*

Genre: Fiction--Crime

Completed: 23 October 2009

Summary & Review:

Psychologist Alex Delaware tags along with his cop friend Milo and rookie detective Moses Reed as they try to uncover the mystery behind the bodies found in an LA-area wildlife preserve. All the victims showed signs of strangulation and were bizarrely missing their right hands. As they track down a man who seems to be the likely suspect, they realize they have been lead astray by the real killers.

In my review of Obsession (#48), the other Jonathan Kellerman on this list so far, I remarked how I really liked the dialouge the author wrote and that it was my favorite part of the novel. Unfortunately, this book was missing those touches that I enjoyed in Obsession and I subsequently found little about this book that was really noteworthy.

Rating: 6.0