Masquerade is the 8th novel I’ve read since moving to West Dundee. I’ve read other books by Lynds where she was a co-author with Robert Ludlum. As a soloist, she writes in such a way that you’d think Ludlum were the author. Reading Masquerade is a lot like reading a Jason Bourne novel, all international espionage and intrigue, assassins, and memory loss. The book was entertaining and Lynds does a good job of creating the proper ending.

This is a powerful, but disturbing film. Ahu and I saw this on Saturday night and thought and talked about it for days afterwards. Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley play their parts in the movie with amazing emotion and belief. Jennifer plays a jobless alcoholic who gets evicted from her home for not paying some taxes. Kingsley plays an Iranian colonel who leaves Iran after the overthrow of the government and seeks asylum in the United States.

I’ve had the Mosquito Magnet (Liberty Plus model) for about 7 weeks now. I’ve gone through 2 propane tanks, 2 Octenol cartridges, and am on my second catch net. I’ve also used up 2 Quick Clear cartridges as well. The reduction in biting insects has been significant. In the week before we got the Mosquito Magnet, I was getting 4-5 bites every night I went out in the yard. The week after we got it, I was down to 1 or 2 bites per night.

Ah, what joy to see Shakespeare under the stars… Chris and Tessa and Ahu and I had a great evening at the American Players Theater in Spring Green, Wisconsin last Saturday night. While the weather in Chicago looked pretty gloomy, all was made well by the time we got to the theater. In fact, it was a perfect night with fall evening temperatures and not a cloud in the sky or any wind.

I have now finished the 9th book in the Prey series by John Sandford. Again, this one had a radically different plot but one that still involves a series of unfortunate victims. The criminals in the Prey books are always unique and fascinating but the part I enjoy most is the progression in the life of Lucas Davenport, the detective hero of the series. The great thing about the Prey books is the consistency in the characters and in the timeline.

Ah, another Elvis Cole novel put to rest… I enjoy reading detective novels but I think I like the Elvis Cole novels best not so much for the detective aspect of it as much as I just like the characters of Elvis Cole and Cole’s partner, Joe Pike. In this adventure, our pair go up against some cops and get tossed in the pokey. I won’t say much more beyond that other than Joe Pike is a crazy fool and always prepared better than the smartest Eagle Scout.

My parents bought this lamp for their home. Ahu and I liked it so much we bought one just like it for our family room. It casts a beautiful warm light perfectly suited for reading a book by the fireplace.

I ran across this today and about fell off of my chair I was laughing so hard. Finally someone lays out what should be obvious. In particular, I have seen people violating the hair dryer rules in very disturbing ways. I’m always thinking “Is it just me or maybe you’re a disgusting freak!!!!” Anyway check this out for a great laugh: http://blogs.slashstar.com/tim/archive/2004/07/14/784.aspx

I really enjoyed this novel from James Rollins. I think I’ve read all of his books at this point, except maybe one…have to check on that. This one, all 460+ pages, was read over two days. It was tough to put down. The premise of the book centers around some interesting items found at the bottom of the ocean. I always find this type of premise very intriguing. The “item at the bottom of the sea” idea is used in countless novels by Clive Cussler, Jack DuBrul, and others.

When I was looking at the Karate Kid entry, the following recommendation was made: _ If you liked this title (The Karate Kid), we also recommend: Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone _ Huh? Yeah, IMDB is really missing out on the big $$$$ by not offering their obviously fabulous recommendation engine as a separate product…