Book Log 2018 #50: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Finally, the last entry for 2018, and I will say it ended on a high note. Set during World War II, this book tells the stories of a blind French girl and a German boy adept with electronics, and how their paths eventually cross as they try to survive the war.

I had no problem getting sucked into this book, as the story is richly told with the sort of detail you'd want from a historical novel, with an additional layer of personal triumphs and tragedies for both of the main characters. I did read one review that faulted the use of modern American style and language, which I admit I didn't notice. Probably not surprising being an American and all.

I really enjoyed this, and was happy to read a World War II novel whose main characters weren't spies or doomed lovers (no offense to Alan Furst, of course, but it's nice to have a change of pace). Definitely recommended.

 Book Log 2018 #49: Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

It's a murderous road trip, as Vowell goes across America to visit sites related to political killings, both to reflect on the history and how these events were used to manipulate politics and popular culture. 

This should be right up my alley, and I mostly enjoyed it, but I never fully connected with the book. Not sure why, it was interesting and often funny (moreso than you might expect from the subject), but I rarely felt like I was engaged to the level I usually am when reading. 

That being said, I do recommend it, especially if you have an interest in US history and/or politics. It's also not a particularly long book, so if you encounter the same issue I did it's easy enough to stick with it until the end.

 Book Log 2018 #48: Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin

John Rebus is finally retired - kind of.  He's working cold cases as a civilian, which isn't as exciting as his old job but gives him something to do. When a couple of current missing persons cases appear to be similar to one of the cold cases, Rebus sees his chance to get back into a real case. With his usual amount of insubordination, verbal fencing with Big Ger Cafferty, and police work that may occasionally cross the line.

I was interested to see how Rebus would operate as a retiree, and was gratified that not much had changed. But I am curious to see how much this continues in future novels (there have to be more coming, right?), and if the series ever makes a permanent transition to Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox as lead characters.