altybiz
Multnomah County Library
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Dead MountainDead Mountain, BookThe Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident
by Eichar, DonnieBook - 2013Book, 2013
altybiz's rating:
Added Jul 22, 2019
altybiz's rating:
Added Jul 22, 2019
Murder on the Iditarod TrailMurder on the Iditarod Trail, UnknownAn Alaska Mystery
by Henry, SueUnknown - 1993Unknown, 1993
altybiz's rating:
Added Jul 22, 2019
Comment:
Very interesting and enjoyable read. I used to have two Alaskan Malamutes when I lived in Seattle and so I followed the Iditarod race each year from home. I was intrigued with some of the practices of the mushers, like how they kept their sleep schedule and how they avoided conflict on the actual trail. The mystery itself was well done and despite murder at the beginning of the book, kept up the tension throughout the entire story. Characters were believable and provoked reactions in me. I'll be looking into more of this writer's other books.Very interesting and enjoyable read. I used to have two Alaskan Malamutes when I lived in Seattle and so I followed the Iditarod race each year from home. I was intrigued with some of the practices of the mushers, like how they kept their sleep…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jul 21, 2019
Comment:
Has the usual welldone complexities of Barr's mystery novels. I could never make it as a character in one of her books--too many ow-ies for me. If I were Anna's friend, I'd have to say, "Sorry, Anna, but this is bye bye. Too many injuries around you. See you in the next life maybe." I was mildly aggravated by Heath's frantic behavior sometimes. It seemed inconsistent with her courageous actions. however I do like seeing a woman with serious disabilities being so creative in handling some of the obstacles she encountered.Has the usual welldone complexities of Barr's mystery novels. I could never make it as a character in one of her books--too many ow-ies for me. If I were Anna's friend, I'd have to say, "Sorry, Anna, but this is bye bye. Too many injuries around…
My Pet Chicken HandbookMy Pet Chicken Handbook, BookSensible Advice and Savvy Answers for Raising Backyard Chickens
by Lucas, LissaBook - 2014Book, 2014
altybiz's rating:
Added Jun 24, 2019
Comment:
Over the past few years I've read a number of home chicken handbooks. What's unique about this one is that the author is a professional in the field and so speaks with authority about how commercial chicken raising is done. Although I found Patricia Forman's chicken books (like City Chicks and Chicken Tractors) to be more directly useful for home, I still got some new ideas from this book. Good reading, not dry.Over the past few years I've read a number of home chicken handbooks. What's unique about this one is that the author is a professional in the field and so speaks with authority about how commercial chicken raising is done. Although I found…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jun 24, 2019
Comment:
This biography is about Asad Abdullahi, following his remarkable journey from age 8 and throughout various African countries to the present time in the United States. Author Steinberg met with him for many days/hours to get the facts and nuances on Asad's life. It's a great eye-opener to show how a person who repeatedly experiences the most difficult and treacherous of life circumstances in various African countries can still manage his life and business(es) over time. This man deserves the best our country can give him.This biography is about Asad Abdullahi, following his remarkable journey from age 8 and throughout various African countries to the present time in the United States. Author Steinberg met with him for many days/hours to get the facts and nuances on…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jun 24, 2019
Comment:
I highly recommend this book. It's truly meant for the book medium, rather than, say, for movies, play or other medium. Author Doerr spends so much time inside the head of his main character, that there's no other effective way I can see to convey what the main character David is thinking and feeling. What he feels never stops. He's a very compassionate person and avoids defending himself when criticized or attacked by others. I could never live that way, but it's very touching to see how another person could do that. The story is very slow moving, but carries forward David's pain and needs through to the very moving ending. I'd like to come back and read this story again some time in the future. It encircles and highlights the book's title About Grace.I highly recommend this book. It's truly meant for the book medium, rather than, say, for movies, play or other medium. Author Doerr spends so much time inside the head of his main character, that there's no other effective way I can see to convey…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jun 24, 2019
Comment:
Some surprising mixes of characters' activities (you'll see what I mean, especially toward the end). An overall engrossing story. This one was not as morbid as a couple of others that Tursten has written, thank goodness. Just a good, mainstream murder mystery.Some surprising mixes of characters' activities (you'll see what I mean, especially toward the end). An overall engrossing story. This one was not as morbid as a couple of others that Tursten has written, thank goodness. Just a good, mainstream…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jun 24, 2019
Comment:
This mystery in the Inspector Huss series seemed a little different from her other mysteries that I have read. Maybe it's because of the mysterious ballerina and how she came to be the grim, silent person she was. I like the way that Author Tursten winds here and there to bring out new information for the detective. Just plain good mystery.This mystery in the Inspector Huss series seemed a little different from her other mysteries that I have read. Maybe it's because of the mysterious ballerina and how she came to be the grim, silent person she was. I like the way that Author…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jun 09, 2019
Comment:
I enjoy survival stories, and this one was well done as combined forest fire and dodge the killer story. Although I found the character Wynn too naive to be believable, the other one Jack seemed realistic. What I was most intrigued with was following the author's descriptions of the progress of the fire toward these two friends on the river. The use of the smoke, the sounds, the heat, the water...it was so easy to envision and reminded me of experiences my former husband and I had during our many woodsy treks. Their struggle to rescue the young woman seemed truly and relentlessly committed.I enjoy survival stories, and this one was well done as combined forest fire and dodge the killer story. Although I found the character Wynn too naive to be believable, the other one Jack seemed realistic. What I was most intrigued with was…
As Long as We Both Shall LiveAs Long as We Both Shall Live, BookA Novel
by Chaney, JoAnnBook - 2019Book, 2019
altybiz's rating:
Added Jun 09, 2019
Comment:
If you want to expand your use of foul, crude, unnecessarily offensive language, this is the book for you. Author could have written the story as effectively without the detectives using those phrases. They simply depress me when they don't add somehow to the story. But aside from that, the story's twists and turns did keep me guessing (wrongly) throughout. I bet you'll be surprised at the ending.If you want to expand your use of foul, crude, unnecessarily offensive language, this is the book for you. Author could have written the story as effectively without the detectives using those phrases. They simply depress me when they don't add…
Suitability
Ages 14
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 31, 2019
Comment:
Like another of her books, The Torso, this one is ghastly in its depiction of terrible crime against children. I'm beginning to think we the public should ask authors to stop giving killers new ideas about how to commit and hide their crimes. Not all of her books have been this way, but if I run into another one this horrifically realistic, I'm calling quits on her books.Like another of her books, The Torso, this one is ghastly in its depiction of terrible crime against children. I'm beginning to think we the public should ask authors to stop giving killers new ideas about how to commit and hide their crimes. Not…
The Hummingbird's DaughterThe Hummingbird's Daughter, BookA Novel
by Urrea, Luis AlbertoBook - 2005Book, 2005
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 31, 2019
Comment:
Outstanding novel, and it is based on a true story about a relative of the author's. A lot of violence in the story, but very touching and compelling in other ways. An amazingly unexpected ending. I'd like to read this one again sometime and recommend it to everyone high school age and up.Outstanding novel, and it is based on a true story about a relative of the author's. A lot of violence in the story, but very touching and compelling in other ways. An amazingly unexpected ending. I'd like to read this one again sometime and…
Suitability
Ages 15
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2019
Comment:
Interesting stories set in the Chinese culture. Unlike the first comments on this book, I was engrossed with all the stories specifically because they were so different from our experiences here in the US. This author's work is always eye-opening to me.Interesting stories set in the Chinese culture. Unlike the first comments on this book, I was engrossed with all the stories specifically because they were so different from our experiences here in the US. This author's work is always eye-opening…
Blind Willow, Sleeping WomanBlind Willow, Sleeping Woman, UnknownTwenty-four Stories
by Murakami, HarukiUnknown - 2006Unknown, 2006
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2019
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2019
Comment:
This book was a tough one. Marche can clearly write beautifully, and I loved it that I had to look up several words with which I was unfamiliar. But the premise was too iffy for me. It took me a long time to catch on to what was happening with the key characters. I know it was listed also as a sci fi or fairy tale, but still tough for me to follow or assimilate meanings of so many of the scenes. I have no inclination to read any of his other books.This book was a tough one. Marche can clearly write beautifully, and I loved it that I had to look up several words with which I was unfamiliar. But the premise was too iffy for me. It took me a long time to catch on to what was happening with…
Added Mar 21, 2019
Added Mar 21, 2019
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2019
Comment:
Couldn't find a single main character that I cared about. All totally unlikable except for a few peripheral characters.
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 21, 2019
Comment:
The writing and twists are great. But warning--this mystery is built around necrophilia. Need to have a very strong stomach.
altybiz's rating:
Added Mar 04, 2019
Comment:
I always seem to be out of touch. I forgot that there was a common earthquake theme running through these stories. As usual, there were a couple that I couldn't figure out what the ending might mean. But my favorite was Super-Frog Saves Tokyo. I got a kick out of that frog's contemporary way of speaking, and his notion that courage is required of both him and his chosen human to help him along. Author Murakami finds ways to make interesting twists in stories that draw me in. I plan to continue reading his long series of well-written stories and novels.I always seem to be out of touch. I forgot that there was a common earthquake theme running through these stories. As usual, there were a couple that I couldn't figure out what the ending might mean. But my favorite was Super-Frog Saves Tokyo. I…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jan 31, 2019
Comment:
I didn't know this story fell into the category of Christian fiction, but I hardly noticed the references to God anyway. It's the story of 3 generations of a family, where in two of the three generations are represented by white women who've married some wonderful black men. The resistance to their doing this varies by generation. I enjoyed the story both for its portrayal of the difficulties and resolution of marriage between races, but also for the modern time depiction of a young woman who's an imperfect but resolute journalist concerned with race relations through the generations. Well done story!I didn't know this story fell into the category of Christian fiction, but I hardly noticed the references to God anyway. It's the story of 3 generations of a family, where in two of the three generations are represented by white women who've…
altybiz's rating:
Added Jan 19, 2019
Comment:
I was surprised and pleased with how simply and clearly Bob Woodward writes. Maybe it comes from a long life of journalism? I have followed Trump very closely so far, and although it's true that I was familiar with nearly everything that was said, it helped me to see who in fact had said things about trump or others, where I could count on Woodward using direct quotes or attributions. I believe Woodward has written the truth. Got a few more behind-the-scenes dialogues and history which was interesting. But I SO want this story to end with Trump, top Republicans, and most of Trump family in jail for a very long time. The arrogance of all these people has been stomach-churning.I was surprised and pleased with how simply and clearly Bob Woodward writes. Maybe it comes from a long life of journalism? I have followed Trump very closely so far, and although it's true that I was familiar with nearly everything that was said,…
All the Lives We Never LivedAll the Lives We Never Lived, BookA Novel
by Roy, AnuradhaBook - 2018Book, 2018
altybiz's rating:
Added Jan 19, 2019
Comment:
Took me a while to get into this book, but I was soon engaged with the Indian culture. Was enlightening to see the conflicting issues during the years of Gatryia and Mishka's lives, such as women's rights and colonialism. Author Roy mentioned Margaret Mead at one point, which made me wonder if some of the other characters were real life, like Walter Sties.Took me a while to get into this book, but I was soon engaged with the Indian culture. Was enlightening to see the conflicting issues during the years of Gatryia and Mishka's lives, such as women's rights and colonialism. Author Roy mentioned…
Suitability
Ages 12
altybiz's rating:
Added Dec 22, 2018
Comment:
my earlier comment has disappeared. I am a dog lover and had anticipated this book with pleasure. What a letdown. I thought it was morbid. Won't be reading any more of this author.
Comment: