Thursday, December 30, 2021

December Books:

The Pirates' Pact: The Secret Alliances Between History's Most Notorious Buccaneers and Colonial America by: Douglas R. Burgess Jr.
Non-fiction: History, 301 pages
As the title points out, this book is about the interconnectedness of famous pirates with governments, looking mostly at English and the American colonies of England. 

Charlemagne: A Life From Beginning to End by: Hourly History
Non-Fiction: History, Biography, E-book
A short look at the life and legacy of Charlemagne.

Campaigns & Companions: The Complete Role-Playing Guide for Pets by: Andi Ewington, Rhianna Pratchett, Alex de Campi
Fiction: Pop Culture, Humor, 96 pages
Imagine if house pets played Dungeons and Dragons, that is what this book is all about. 

Tasting Whiskey: An Insider's Guide to the Unique Pleasures of the World's Finest Spirits by: Lew Bryson
Non-Fiction: Food/Drink, History, 256 pages
All about whisk(e)y including the major areas and styles.

The Demonologist: The Extraordinary Career of Ed & Lorraine Warren by: Gerald Brittle
Non-Fiction: Biography, 303 pages
A book on some of the major cases of the Warrens.  It is written by someone who takes all their claims seriously and believes in the supernatural.  

Hark! the Herald Angels Scream edited by: Christopher Golden
Fiction: Horror, Paranormal, Short Story, 370 pages
This book is a collection of short stories that all have horror, supernatural, or fantasy elements and are connected with Christmas or winter holidays.  

Covered with Night: A Story of Murder and Indigenous Justice in Early America by: Nicole Eustace
Non-fiction: History, 464 pages
This is the story of two colonist fur traders of Pennsylvania who killed a Native American and how each side saw justice in the case as well as what actually ended up happening.   

Sunday, December 12, 2021

November Books:

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Holmes by: Loren D. Estleman
Fiction: Mystery, 208 pages
In this book Sherlock is hired to find out what connection a Mr. Edward Hyde has to do with Dr. Henry Jekyll.  As most readers will know the answer before reading the book, it was interesting how it was written given this fact.

Game of Fangs: A Vampire Horror-Comedy Novel by: Johnny B. Truant
Fiction: Paranormal, E-book
A group of friends LARP in a vampire game tournament only to run into real vampires.

The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: The Ectoplasmic Man by: Daniel Stashower
Fiction: Mystery, 203 pages
Unlike the other books I have read in this series, Holmes in not interacting with another fictional character in this book.  In this book he has to clear the name of Harry Houdini 1st for spying charges and then for more crimes.  Also the title is based on the fact that Lestrade thinks he really can walk through walls and not that it was just a trick.

The Land That Time Forgot by: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Fiction: Classic, Sci-fi, E-book
Having seen various things based on this book, I was amazed that like half the book took place before they even see the titled island.  Like there is a whole war/spy story before they see a single dinosaur.  Also as it is a hundred year old book there are some racist ideas pretending to be evolutionarily science.