Update on January 2009 reading

8. Chief Bender’s Burden, Tom Swift. Baseball/Biography (finished)1-14 (pages) 290

9. Going After Cacciato, Tim O’Brien. Fiction 1-16 338

10. A Visible Darkness, Jonathon King. Mystery 1-17 243

11. Tales to Astonish. Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and the American

Comic Book Revolution, Ronin Ro. Non-Fiction 1-20 294

12. The Weather in Berlin, Ward Just. Fiction 1-21 305

13. The Ones You Do, Daniel Woodrell. Fiction 1-23 212

14. Truth & Beauty, Ann Patchett. Memoir 1-24 257

15. The Pickwick Papers, Charles Dickens. Fiction 1-31 801

A quick summary on these eight books:

Chief Bender’s Burden, Tom Swift. I didn't know much about Chief Bender. Now I do. Swift's prose is pedestrian. This book was good, but not great.

Going After Cacciato, Tim O’Brien. I like Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried much, much more than Going After Cacciato. But I understand the appeal of fleeing the war for Paris.

A Visible Darkness, Jonathon King. This is the second book I've read in Jonathon King's series set in the Everglades. I like it. It's light, but diverting.

The Weather in Berlin, Ward Just. Not one of Just's best books. Hooked me near the end, but I was a long time getting there.

Tales to Astonish. Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and the American Comic Book Revolution, Ronin Ro. I thoroughly enjoyed Ro's biography of King Kirby and his contributions to comics.

The Ones You Do, Daniel Woodrell. I was disappointed with the conclusion to this book, but I had fun getting there.

Truth & Beauty, Ann Patchett. Can you say co-dependent? I love Ann Patchett's novels, this book not so much.

The Pickwick Papers, Charles Dickens. Saved the best for last. I've read The Pickwick Papers four or five times through the years. My enjoyment seems to increase with each reading. I especially appreciated the humor which ranges from sly to slapstick. If someone ever compiles a list of the best or favorite fictional characters Sam Well will receive a vote from me.