If you're in the mood for something really different, try this marvelously inventive fantasy novel. British author China Mieville (who has a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics) self-describes it as "basically a secondary world fantasy with Victorian era technology...so rather than being a feudal world, it's
Did you know that the director of the recently relased DVD "Moon" -- Duncan Jones (also known as Zowie or Joey) -- is the son of David Bowie? Which is especially intriguing because "Moon" is the ethereal tale of a lonely man finishing up a three-year stint as the sole operator of a mining operation on the far side of the moon. Sound
Having always been a Toni Collette fan, I was happy to hear that she was the star of a new Showtime series. I was even happier when the first season of "United States of Tara" arrived at the libraries on DVD. Collette, who is Australian by the way (I didn't know that), played the mom in "The Sixth Sense." She also played the
Reclusive novelist and short story writer J. D. Salinger died on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the age of 91. "Catcher in the Rye" the penultimate novel of teen angst -- first published in 1951 -- has sold 65 million copies worldwide and over half a century later still sells 250,000 copies each year. "Catcher in the Rye" has been
Because of the Indiana connection, I've always been somewhat interested in John Dillinger. But it was only after watching Johnny Depp bring the notorious bankrobber to life in his latest flick , that I decided to check out the details. This book was just the ticket. Here are some brief FAQs of his short but infamous life: He was born in Indianapolis
Prolific and beloved mystery/suspense author Robert B. Parker died suddenly on Monday, January 18. He was at his desk working on his latest Spenser novel. Parker actually wrote three different series, as well as a number of unrelated titles, but his most well-known character was, of course, Boston P.I. Spenser. Spenser (whose first name was never revealed
The lovable serial killer/blood spatter anaylyst with a Code of Ethics (he only kills killers) is back! This time Dexter makes a friend! It is, unfortunately, Miami Assistant D.A. Miguel Prado, played by Jimmy Smits. Can Dexter keep his secrets but continue his mission? Turns out that A.D.A. Prado has through the years compiled his own hit list, and
If you read and enjoyed Ruiz's international bestseller " Shadow of the Wind ," you should probably read his newest (and related) novel " The Angel's Game ." This is the second in a series of novels that will all link back to the fictional Cemetery of Forgotten Books featured in "Shadow." "Angel's Game
I recall a gardening workshop where I posed a question having to do with lawns. The speaker asked what kind of grass I had and I replied "weedy grass." The audience laughed, but it was a serious reply. That was the only kind of grass I knew growing up and it is the same kind of grass I have now, so rest assured I was delighted with this book
A Swedish vampire flick, you say? Impossible -- there is no such genre! But here it is in the flesh. And it turns out that it not only netted a whopping 97% rating on rottentomatoes.com but "Cloverfield" director Matt Reeves is making an American version to be released in 2010. So is it worth all the hype? Well, yes and no. I am of the opinion