The Traveler

by Ron McLarty

audio

I'm pretty impressed by this author. A career actor and theater professional, he writes a good story and even better characters. 

A bit of a 'coming of age' and a bit of a mystery, the story follows a full-time bartender and part-time actor in New York City, flashing back to his childhood in Rhode Island. A friend's death takes him back to his hometown, prompting all kinds of flashbacks into his life as a working class kid in a working class town. 

There's a bit of a mystery tossed in for good measure, that jumps from modern day to his childhood, but really it's incidental to the story, which was compelling without being sensational. 

McLarty has another book out, I think I'll look for it as well.  

The Tenth Circle

by Jodi Picoult

So someone, Leah I think, loaned me these Picoult books and now I've finished my second one. I typically find time to read late in the evenings after B and Mo have gone to bed -- and sometimes on weekends if I can force myself to slow down. Better than another episode of "Lost" on DVD. 

Interesting story line, more people with dark histories, secrets kept from each other and the damage it does. The father had a horrific childhood and grew up to draw popular dark graphic novels. The teen is typical on the surface and typical below the surface -- full of secrets she keeps from her parents. I hated that part, anything that reveals how little parents can know about their kids. 

That's a painful topic. 

The ending was a little trite and I predicted 'who done it' early. I've enjoyed her books and even got caught up in them -- kind of like Stephen King -- but so far don't think they'll be memorable in any long lasting way. 

Good airplane/beach books. 

No, maybe a notch up from that but not by much.