Book Review: The Nice Guys by Charles Ardai
The Nice Guys: The Official Movie Novelization by Charles Ardai
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s easy language and the story flows in a straightforward way, but what I enjoyed most was getting more depth out of the lead characters that wasn’t presented in the film.
A great addition to a really hilarious film that’s begging for a sequel!
Work in Progress: Note Taking
After researching, it’s time to put all the information together.
For the next book, I’ve put together a folder full of printed maps, photographs, and a variety of useful factoids.
Example – Did you know that the Millennium Biltmore Hotel (original named the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel) was built in 1923, and a Historical Landmark in Downtown Los Angeles? It’s also hosted the Oscars, the 1960 Democratic Convection, was the headquarters for the International Olympic Committee in 1984 when Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games, and recently hosted the Semi-Finals for American Idol.
If you would like to learn more on the hotel, check out it’s website: Millennium Biltmore Hotel
Book Review: The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy
The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved the tale of this unsolved mystery. James Ellroy does an amazing job of bring to life 1940’s Los Angeles, making no pretense of the gritty underbelly along with the seedy police and political situations. I enjoyed this book, and got to a point where I couldn’t it down until I knew who had killed the Black Dahlia.
New Book: Prep Work
When starting a new book, the first thing is research!
Ronald Kessler’s book ‘In The President’s Secret Service’ was a very insightful look into the Secret Service, it’s history and mythology.
Also, ‘Within Arms Length’ by Dan Emmett has been a useful look at how the Secret Service operate from one Presidency to the next.
It can be hard, trying not to perpetuate assumptions about institutions that are not personally known to a writer, but that should never stop anyone from writing about them.
Research often leads to a more creative storyline that is less stereotypical, and far more unique that in would otherwise have been.
Book Review: God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert
God Emperor of Dune by Frank Herbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having never read this far into the Dune sequence before, I was hooked and intrigued and desperate to know where this story line was leading.
Philosophically challenging, beautifully written, and deeply meaningful, the world of Dune echoes through the decades.
I was strangely disappointed with the ending though, and determine that reading further along into the following books that continue the story, may correct my sense of ‘what just happened here?’ that came with the final denouement to this book.
We’re Open!
Photo by Artem Beliaikin
The Nicholas J Finch Webpage is officially OPEN!
Here you’ll find all of my published works, updates on what’s coming, poetry corner, reviews on books I’m reading, and so much more.
So please come in, take a look around.