Sunday was a day to rest...

Well, that's my excuse for missing a day.
But I did read. I immersed myself in Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest again. I'm beginning to understand Lisbeth and why I'm drawn to her - why Larsson is drawn to her.
To be blunt: "She takes no s--t from no one."
Even when she had little money she didn't bow to anyone for a job.
She does what's right for Lisbeth; not only because it's right for her, but it's what's...well...right.
For Lisbeth Salander there is no gray - only black or white,
She's a vigilante in the purest sense of the word. In Larsson's books she becomes a vigilante because her world is violated. In another time, in another country, I can see her being a gunslinger roaming the West, making wrongs right.
I admire another thing about her - her computer abilities.
Even in my dotage I love my electronic toys - my Blackberry, my Kindle, my laptop.
I love Skype and seeing Heather 3000 miles away.
I would love to have Lisbeth's computer talents. I don't know what I would do with them - maybe just exactly what Lisbeth does.

And then there's Blomkvist, the crusading journalist, who may be fashioned on Larsson himself.
Fifty years ago I wanted to go to college, to major in journalism with a minor in political science with my teenage goal to write for the Washington Post.
We all know that didn't happen. I went to nursing school and the "rest is history." Well, maybe not big history, but my history. That could be another reason why I'm drawn to these books, not just Lisbeth but Blomkvist.
Once upon a time I wanted to be him.
Now I want to be her.

My next book to finish for September will be The Hunger Games....disturbling.

The Almost Daily Blog Begins...September 6

September began with The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. I cannot say enough about this series and this author. I read this book in less than a week. I couldn't stop. I've come to love Lisbeth in my own way and understand her, even though she wouldn't like that. I found the premise of this book disturbing - I find violence against anyone disturbing. Lisbeth as vigilante was a scenario that I enjoyed even though it bothered me - how's that for schizophrenia. I could do that, I thought. I could do what she did, out of anger, out of frustration, out of revenge, out of justice.

I've already started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I'm ambivalent about reading this book. I know it's the last one although I've read that Larsson had notes for at least seven more. I want to keep on reading, but I don't want the book to end. How many books have I read in my life like that? Too many to count. I have found a favorite author and he's dead, too soon.

I hate when that happens. So I'll go to Amazon and get The Man Who Left Too Soon.

August Reads

1. The Lost City - Clive Cussler, et al. This was another NOMA-centered story and Cussler has become a formula-writer, or his partners have. I still enjoy listening to these books and every so often they lead me to a new idea; however, still not as well-written or exciting as the Preston/Child books. (see #2).

2. Thunderhead - Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child. This was the second book I read on my Blackberry - which I found was not a difficult thing to do, especially this book. I've always been fascinated with the Anaszi, the Ancient Ones, and how they lived and then suddenly disappeared in the American Southwest. This book is not an exciting thriller but it shows the reader how an archeological study is performed - from beginning to almost-end. Because of this book, I bought two other books about the Anaszi, one by Douglas Preston and Morgan and I are planning a trip to that area when I retire.

3. The Codex- Douglas Preston. Can you tell I'm a huge fan? This was the third Blackberry book. I picked this one because the plot centers around finding a Mayan Codex that has been reburied. My own book, The Last Prophecy, (which I'm revising) also mentions a Mayan Codex. This is another thriller - a bit of archeology and with a lot of anthropology thrown in. I do pick books that have themes that interest me.

4. Cross- James Patterson. I listened to Cross again. I rarely repeat books, there's just too many. But I fell in love with Alex Cross from the first book and, along with The Cat Who books, reread/listen to them. Actually I listened to this in preparation for Double Cross. I think the Cross series was the best Patterson has done and when he branched out and/or let others "assist" he lost me. I want more of Alex. Heck, if I didn't have Morgan, I would love to have Alex - although it's just getting past NanaMomma that would be the problem.

5. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson. I admit that I started this book out of curiosity. I know the man's dead and that gives it a hint of mystery. And set in Sweden? Pfft...boooor-ing. I know it's been on the best seller list for umpteen weeks, so I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Even though I felt the beginning was a bit slow, I stuck with it and boy! am I glad I did. I loved, loved, loved this book. I couldn't wait to get back to reading it. I fell into it - just what I love to do with a book. I found myself admiring Lisbeth, a social outcast (Hmm? Sisters under the tattoo?). I found myself wanting to read more. Damn, the man, uping and dying like that. How many great books have we lost because of that. Damn, you Stieg. You should have stopped smoking years ago! I'm now going to get a biography about him. I may even visit...gasp! Sweden because of him...

Now onto September and The Girl Who Played with Fire (you knew I would HAVE to read that next).