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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Brian Grouhel has commented on (20) products
Robert B Parkers Blind Spot
by
Reed Farrel Coleman
Brian Grouhel
, March 29, 2015
First I would like to say thank you to Michael Brandman and to Reed Farrel Coleman, the author of Blind Spot, for both of their efforts to carry on the Jesse Stone legacy of Robert B. Parker. Spenser is just fine, Sunny Randall is good but Jesse Stone is, in my humble opinion, Parker's ultimate character. I searched far and wide to fill out my collection of Stone's adventures or maybe more correct, misadventures. Some of them I even found on a rare trip to the Mother Lode right there on West Burnside. This new tale has all of the fast moving storyline and sidetracks of the originals. Old friends, old memories and old quarrels but it also has so much more. Reed Coleman has put some meat onto Jesse's bones. We finally learn about that old baseball injury that sidelined him into becoming a LA cop. As well, some other items from the past are revealed and it all happens just as it seems it should. Jesse Stone is becoming more of a real person. Please don't take me wrong. Nothing in this book detracts from the Jesse we all know and love but it shows just a little more of the hero and I found that I absolutely loved that. If you are a fan of Chief Stone, you too will enjoy this book. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
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Robert B Parkers Blind Spot
by
Reed Farrel Coleman
Brian Grouhel
, March 18, 2015
Firstly I would like to say thank you to Michael Brandman and to Reed Farrel Coleman, the author of Blind Spot, for both of their efforts to carry on the Jesse Stone legacy of Robert B. Parker. Spenser is just fine, Sunny Randall is good but Jesse Stone is, in my humble opinion, Parker's ultimate character. I searched far and wide to fill out my collection of Stone's adventures or maybe more correct, misadventures. Some of them I even found on a rare trip to the Mother Lode right there on West Burnside. This new tale has all of the fast moving storyline and sidetracks of the originals. Old friends, old memories and old quarrels but it also has so much more. Reed Coleman has put some meat onto Jesse's bones. We finally learn about that old baseball injury that sidelined him into becoming a LA cop. As well, some other items from the past are revealed and it all happens just as it seems it should. Jesse Stone is becoming more of a real person. Please don't take me wrong. Nothing in this book detracts from the Jesse we all know and love but it shows just a little more of the hero and I found that I absolutely loved that. If you are a fan of Chief Stone, you too will enjoy this book. I'm already looking forward to the next one!
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Robert B Parkers Blind Spot
by
Reed Farrel Coleman
Brian Grouhel
, March 17, 2015
I was forever grateful to Michael Brandman and now to Reed Farrel Coleman for continuing the Jesse Stone stories of Robert B. Parker. Jesse is by far my favourite character created by Parker and this new story does indeed, do his memory justice. Coleman takes the Stone character a step farther and shows us some of his distant past. Specifically the baseball injury that sidelined Jesse and helped turn him into an LA cop. Old friends, new circumstances and the side tracks that make Jesse's life so interesting are all here in this book. As Mr. Coleman delves deeper into Jesse's past, the insights that we are given make Jesse Stone into more of a living character than before. For myself, this is a good thing as these are books I routinely go back and read over and over again. I know that for myself whenever I am reading one of these books, I am picturing Stone with the Tom Selleck TV version. Still not a bad thing but with the added depth of character in Blind Spot, the print version is becoming a fuller person. In my opinion, this is only a good thing and a sign of more to come.
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Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends: Two WWII Paratroopers from the Original Band of Brothers Tell Their Story
by
William Guarnere and Edward Heffron and Robyn Post
Brian Grouhel
, November 30, 2014
This book caught my eye with the title and the names of the authors. Wild Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron. Having read the book by Stephen Ambrose and seen the HBO series, both titled Band Of Brothers, I was familiar with those two names. Both played prominent parts in all the actions of Easy Company from before the D-Day airborne jumps up until the end of the war in Europe. This book tells the story of Easy through the eyes of these two close friends. Wild Bill who was there from the beginning and Babe who joined in a few months later as a replacement. They relate a stark tale of war from a front line viewpoint. Something few people can get to talk about much less imagine. They show a great dedication to their cause and all their actions relate to only one purpose. Staying alive to see tomorrow and helping your buddies to do the same thing. This book is well written and very engaging. Many passages read like an enthralling novel. If you have seen the show and maybe read the original book by Ambrose then you will enjoy and discover some facts you weren't aware of by the time you wander through these two soldier's story.
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Guns of Navarone (Blu-ray)
by
Brian Grouhel
, October 22, 2014
I recently found a copy of this great old movie on a Blue-ray dvd. Prior to this I had been watching it on tape. Yes....VHS. Until recently there was and still are some good old shows that have not made it to disc yet. This one in particular tells the story of Keith Mallory, Andrea Stavros, Dusty Miller, Casey Brown, Andy Stevens and a few others tossed into the mix to assault the impossible. Climb the infamous south cliff of the Island of Navarone, elude the German garrison and destroy the enormous guns that guard the Aegean Sea. Having been a fan of this movie since I first saw it in the theatre somewhere around age 12 or 13, I have been watching it ever since I found that old vhs tape many years ago. Partially because this was the very first show my dad took me to on our own but also because this is one of the best books written by Alistair Maclean and the Hollywood version is a very good compliment to the author, characters and the story itself. Indeed, in places, sometimes the memory of the show intertwines with the remembered story to create a unique version of the events on Navarone. The Blue-ray makes most scenes much crisper and a little more vibrant. I would highly recommend this to any fan of WW2 movies and then also say to give the book itself a read. You won't be disappointed. But then, most likely you have already seen this great show.
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Nothing Lasts Forever (Basis for the Film Die Hard)
by
Roderick Thorp
Brian Grouhel
, December 09, 2013
Nothing Lasts Forever doesn't sound much like Die Hard. But, one of my failings is reading the fine print in the credits after a favourite movie and discovering what the book was and who wrote it. Nothing Lasts Forever is the second tale about John Leland, a detective in a north eastern US city. In the second book John flies into Los Angeles to visit his daughter for Christmas and the story unfolds from there. It remarkably follows the story we know from the movie but with subtle differences. It's still Christmas in LA and still in a tall building but the little differences will make another interesting story which plays out in a very similar way to the movie but also has a very different ending. Well worth reading, as is The Detective.
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Robert B Parkers Damned If You Do
by
Robert B Parker, Michael Brandman
Brian Grouhel
, December 09, 2013
When Robert B. Parker passed away, I heard that news with no little sadness. I have become enamoured with the Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone stories and was more than a little sad to think I had reached the end of the saga. However, Michael Brandman took up the reins for Jesse and now with his third installment to the series, I am more than happy with the results. The story is pure Jesse Stone as you might expect since Mr. Brandman also collaborates in writing the movies. The story line runs true with several plot twists and involves many familiar characters and some long forgotten. The trademark short and snappy dialogue is there too. Mr. Brandman has incorporated many "Parkerisims" which only add to the enjoyment of the stories. I don't want to give anything away for the Die Hard Parker fans except that this is a story that you will enjoy. Be sure to read it!
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Long Beach Wild: A Celebration of People and Place on Canada's Rugged Western Shore
by
Adrienne Mason
Brian Grouhel
, October 23, 2013
The title pretty much says it all for Adrienne Mason's book Long Beach Wild. This is an interesting and delightful collection that portrays the history and personalities of the Ucluelet - Tofino area we all call Long Beach. From the beginnings and the First Nations up to present day Ms. Mason's story entertains and also gives many insights to the development of the area. One of my favourite stories details the last flight of an RCAF Canso Flying Boat taking off from the Tofino base in February of 1945. That airplane was never removed and today makes a rewarding hike onto Radar Hill to view the remains. There is to this day a perfectly circular frog pond left as a result of detonating the four depth charges that were on the plane when it crashed.
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White Sands Red Menace
by
Ellen Klages
Brian Grouhel
, May 16, 2013
White Sands, Red Menace was a thoroughly enjoyable book. Had I not noticed on the inside jacket cover that this was a youth story, I would have been hard pressed to figure that out. About two young girls growing up in Alamogordo, New Mexico at the dawn of the rocket age and learning how to live with the bomb. The author has woven historical fact into an enthralling story that depicts what life in the late 1940's might have been like for the two main characters. After reading this book and enjoying it so much, I will now look for Ms. Klages' first book and give that one a read also.
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One Ranger A Memoir
by
H Joaquin Jackson
Brian Grouhel
, January 30, 2013
I'm usually leery of first person memoir stories, unless they embody some of my preset conditions. They would be a legal or law-enforcement use of firearms, the old west and a colourful story. I've usually found such memoirs from personal exploits of Border Patrol veterns and local south-western sherrifs, of which I have read and collected more than a few. This story, One Ranger, caught my attention from the get go. The picture on the cover had me from the first. I saw a tall man beneath a white Resitol felt hat, wearing chaps with a belt gun strapped on and holding a Winchester. After looking at the back cover and scanning a few random pages from inside the book, I had to have it. I'm happy to say that my first impression was more than realized after having read the book. Joaquin Jackson starts his tale in mid 1930's Texas growing up hard in a hard place. From an affinity for throwing baseballs accurately and having to take the family .22 with a measured handful of cartridges to help fill the pot for dinner, we follow the young man as he grows and measures up on his way into law enforcement. You might think that this would be a standard story following set out rules and in some way that is partially true. However, Joaquin manages to bring just enough of his personal information into the mix to make it extraordinarilly interesting. Nothing drags in this story. We get to follow this man from his beginning into the Rangers until shortly after his retirement in the early 90's. We see both the high's and the low's of his active career from life threatening to life devastating events. A story like this, about this time in history would not be able to be written by a similar law enforcement official today. Times are different, methods have changed, technology has altered the landscape of the way our guardians do their work. In fifty years the stuff of Joaquin Jackson's tale will seem as ancient and romantic to our children as the exploits of Charlie Barton, Bob Bell, Bill Tilghman and Bat Masterson seem to us.
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One Ranger: A Memoir
by
H. Joaquin Jackson and David Marion Wilkinson
Brian Grouhel
, December 18, 2012
I'm a sucker for first person stories about the Old West and also modern day tie ins. Not to say that "One Ranger" is a tie-in. It is an awesome acount of the Genisis of a Texas Ranger, from childhood in the Dirt Bowl to when he decided to enter law enforcement. As a first person account it shows up many imperfections (make that in my view, and others) about the intergration between (At the Time) Americans and Tejanos. As in all Good and Bad Guy stories the weird and funny stories come out. But also the soul searching defination of the Law (figure our hero)in that place and at that time in history for this one, it is a very Good story. Who would have known the naturalized Mexican peoples would begin to assert their rights as Americans to vote and in some cirumstances the Rangers would be called to Up Hold The Law. An awesome insight to a tiny bit of the personal history of a Texas Ranger.
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Armageddon 2419 Ad Buck Rogers
by
Philip F Nowland
Brian Grouhel
, August 03, 2012
The cover blurb on the old paperback says this is "The Seminal" Buck Rodgers story. I had to look that one up and I believe the second definition fits. Influencing future development. Every Buck Rodgers version since has had roots in this book. So have many other similar science fiction stories. I know it has had loads of influence in the type of space stories I have grown to enjoy. Decades worth as I first discovered Buck Rodgers and Wilma Deering as a teenager more than a few decades ago. I've found it to be one of those timeless books and I take it up every few years to enjoy all over again. If you have yet to read this classic, I would urge you to do so. If you already have, try it again!
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Harry Potter 07 & The Deathly Hallows
by
J.K. Rowling
Brian Grouhel
, January 03, 2012
This is the last chapter in the Harry Potter story. I've just finshed reading the saga again for the third time and I enjoyed it once again as much as the first time. Ms Rowling has created a lasting classic in these stories that will rival the original Peter Pan and The Wind in the Willows. Two more classics that I read at least once each year even though I'm on the south side of fifty. Harry Potter embodies the virtues of perseverance and belief in yourself. Two very worthy ideals. Besides whatever we Boomers read into the stories, Harry Potter will forever remain an entertaining saga that will capture the hearts of young readers for years to come and in the reading will highlight virtues that most of us can only wish we had learned and followed in our years gone past. The next time you pick one up, start at the beginning and follow the heroes along their path and remember what you too could have done, if only you had the gift of time.
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Infernal Devices 01 Clockwork Angel
by
Clare, Cassandra
Brian Grouhel
, January 06, 2011
Clockwork Angel, a precursor to the Moral Instruments trilogy, was a thoroughly enjoyable and captivating story. While geared for a slightly younger readership, the story of Tessa Gray and the Shadowhunters readily drew me in for many hours of enjoyable escape. Ms Clare has created a totally believable world and I am looking forward to her next book in this new series.
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Plum Lucky
by
Janet Evanovich
Brian Grouhel
, May 03, 2010
I have yet to actually "Read" a Stephanie Plum novel by author Janet Evanovich but I have enjoyed a number of these stories via audiobook. The Numbered Plum books are in themselves totaly enjoyable and populated with any number of unusual (read that weird) characters. However, these Between The Numbers stories take it to another level. Try listening to the description of a naked Leprechaun running through the car wash being chased by bookies or taking Doug the retired racehorse down for a potty run in the apartment elevator without at least cracking a smile or outright laughing as I usually end up doing several times throughout. The best part though, is that such scenes come out as a rational plot line development running throughout the story. These stories are read by Lorelei King who does a superb job. Each of the characters is given an easily recognizable tone of voice with the right amount of suspense, terror and humour in just the right places. I find these books an ideal alternative to searching the radio while spending more and more time in my vehicle.
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Hot Rod Resurrection Of A Legend
by
Brock W Yates
Brian Grouhel
, December 07, 2009
A book about Southern California road racing from the early days. Brock Yates follows the path of "The Eliminator" from it's birth as a Hot Rod Model T to success against the best of the Euoropeans. After the car vanished for almost 40 years, Yates discovered and rebuilt it back to it's former glory and back onto the track. This is an amazing story and one that car buffs and gearheads will enjoy many times.
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Salvation In Death Unabridged
by
J D Robb
Brian Grouhel
, July 16, 2009
The latest In Death installment of Lt. Eve Dallas and Detective Peabody rocks. "Absolutely Mag" as the latter would say. Imposter priests, stone cold murder trails and a ten year old con scheme combine to make Salvation a welcome addition to the series. The fact that this is an audio book read by Susan Ericksen just makes it better. With a separate and identifiable voice for each character Ms Ericksen takes an enjoyable book and elevates it to an experience.
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Mathemagics
by
Margaret Ball
Brian Grouhel
, March 06, 2009
I first encountered Margaret Ball in the Chicks In Chainmail series of stories and enjoyed her character, Riva Konneva immensely. In a world where the humdrum of inept grade school teachers and evangelical hard-liners meets with the sword play and spell weaving of Riva's other dimensional home world, strange events result. Riva and her family's (mis)adventures are told with Ball's superb tongue-in-cheek writing style. She crafts an ejoyable book that is very hard to put down before the last page is read.
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Finding Serenity Anti Heroes Lost Shepherds & Space Hookers in Joss Whedons Firefly
by
Espenson, Jane
Brian Grouhel
, December 04, 2007
Anti-Heroes, Lost Shepherds and Space Hookers. That little blurb on the front cover of "Finding Serenity" by Editors Glenn Yeffeth and Jane Eperson, says it all. For a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the televison series this book just continues the enjoyment, albeit in a semi serious and technical way. This collection of essays offers interesting and informative insights into the people, mores and situations of our newest, favourite 'verse. I can barely wait for the sequel to hit the shelves!
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Murder On Route 66
by
Carolyn Wheat
Brian Grouhel
, March 22, 2007
If you are a fan of Route 66, the Mother Road across America, then this book is a delightful romp through some of the mystery and mayhem that must have been associated with it's mystique. Here is a large selection of death by murder and misadventure that will not only entertain but also enlighten the reader as to various economic snapshots of life along the road. These stories are well written and will hold your attention for hours.
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