Sunday Synopsis

Invasion by Robin Cook
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked up this book because it was a bargain, and Robin Cook has a reputation as a successful writer. This is not a typical Robin Cook medical thriller, though. This is Cook's foray into science fiction. There is still a bit of medical thriller in it, but the "invasion," of course, is alien life.

The book begins in a college town with a power surge that wipes out TVs, radios, and VCR's. Remember, this was written in 1997. Cue the Twilight Zone music.  Such a cliche' beginning.

Then, an abundance of black discs start showing up. The black discs don't seem like actual rocks or even man-made items because they were sent here to infect humans with an alien virus. Beau Stark, one of the main characters, claims to be "stung" by the object. Later that day, he becomes deathly ill with a violent flu-like virus. The doctors can't cure him, yet they cannot pinpoint anything wrong, either. Hours later, he is not only cured, but full of energy and a different personality.

In fairly short order, the entire earth is being dominated by an alien life form who, of all things, care about the environment. People can communicate without speaking due to a collective consciousness, they smile all the time, and the life forms have typical "alien" characteristics such as glowing eyes, mind control, super-human strength, and eventually, blue lizard-like skin. They are also building a space station preparing for the rest of the aliens to arrive. While I was reading, I couldn't help but think of Stephanie Meyer's novel The Host, which I didn't actually enjoy.

To save the world, a group of six who have not been infected, will need to figure out exactly what the alien virus is, how to stop it, and how to prevent becoming infected.

Sounds like a bad TV movie, right? The beginning was fine, but as the novel wore on, it was difficult to get through it. The characters are never fully developed; they are more like caricatures. It was difficult to relate to  or like any of them.

The book contains scientific geek-speak that is mostly meant either to make the author look smart, or to make the reader think there is something terrible important going on that a layman can't comprehend. I don't expect science fiction to be completely feasible, but I do expect a clever plot, dynamic characters, and a compelling plot. For a bargain book, I guess I liked it, but had I paid full price, umm, not so much. Disappointing, Robin Cook. I expected more.

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Oh So Random, and Coffee Chat, Too

I'm linking up with Stacy.

So.  I have a confession.  I'm sitting here watching The Bachelor:  The Women Tell All, and I'm a little ashamed of myself.  I (usually) don't watch reality TV!  I started watching The Bachelor during Ben's season.  When he chose Lauren instead of Jo-Jo, I was soooo disappointed.  So when I found out she would be the Bachelorette, I knew I would watch.  And I did.  Then Bachelor in Paradise.

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 Then I found out Nick was the new Bachelor.  It's a vicious cycle.  And since I know how I am impatient, I recorded the first six episodes before I started watching.  So, now I'm all caught up.  And I CAN'T WAIT to see who he chooses!  I have loved his relationships with Vanessa, Raven, and Rachel.  Now Rachel is gone, BUT she will be the new bachelorette!  If you watch, who do you hope he chooses?  I am going to feel so heartbroken for the one he doesn't.

So.  Moving on... Less than one week until spring break, and I. Can't. Wait.  I have no specific plans except to see a couple of movies.  I'll get to see my kids who will be home from college.  I will gt to sleep as late as I want.  That's the most important thing! Hahaha!  No, of course the kids are, but sleep is a close second.

My house has a big hole in the kitchen roof.  Our upstairs shower leaked and we had to get the rotten sheetrock off the celing.  Trouble is, we don't know if we want to put the time and money into remodeling now, or just put a "bandaid" on it for now and remodel later.  It's a tough decision.  We may only be in this house for two or three more years.  When all the kids are living on their own, we won't need all the space.

And now, Coffee Chat.  Our hostess asks us...

Who do you miss?

Easily, without a single doubt in my mind, my father.  I don't want to go into details because I have written about him and what happened several times.  You can read about it here or here.  This is a picture of me with my dad peeking out behind me.  It was taken in 1986, I think.  I was 21.  He was the age I am now, 51.

My dad passed away unexpectedly in 2004.  He wasn't sick.  It was medically related, not an accident, but he was the picture of health one minute, and gong the next.

He was my hero and my rescuer.  I loved him so much.  Still do.  I don't think I have gone through all of the stages of grief.  I function better by being in denial.  I'm just afraid that one day it is going to hit me so hard, I may end up in the crazy house.  I miss him every single day.

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Random Thoughts and Coffee Chat

Hello!  I'm linking up with Stacy.

Seems like I didn't get a weekend, this past one, at all.  Part of that was probably because of a conflict at work that happened Friday as I was about to leave work.  All I thought about all weekend was that conflict.  And of course, everything worked out just fine Monday morning.  But it ruined my weekend!  Well, I guess I let it get to me.  And it wasn't my whole weekend. I exaggerate.  But it definitely interfered.  Don't you hate when that happens.

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So, I didn't watch all of the Oscars.  Awards show bore me after a short time.  Besides, I haven't seen but one of the movies that was nominated for best picture.  But... drama!  Right there at the end!  I heard about it Monday.  If by some chance you haven't seen what happened, take a look!

Another news source, Hmmmm, wonder which one, said there were Trump bashers at the Oscars.  Were there?  I didn't see any.  I thought the whole affair was comedically classy, if that makes sense.  Loved Jimmy Kimmel as host.

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And while I'm speaking about TV, have you see this new Hurricane Spin Scrubber thing?  It makes cleaning the tub and shower, even the tile, look like a breeze.  The brush heads go 300 RPM, and you get three different brush heads.  I think I'm going to have to get one!  But wait.  I don't like to clean.  Will I actually use it?  Or will I just spray my scrubbing bubbles on there and rinse it?  I don't know.

I'm trying to raise enough money for my son to go on a study abroad trip since his sister got to go on one.  He will get to spend a couple of weeks in Australia, and he will also go to Wyoming.  At some point, he'll get to see the Northern Lights.  He gets 4 hours college science credit - if I end up being able to afford it.  Just when I need a philanthropist... there isn't one there!  Haha!

And now, Coffee Chat with Ink Interrupted.

Our hostess asks:
Who do you trust most?

Trustworthiness is so important to me.  You could be not-a-great-person in other ways, and as long as you're trustworthy, we'll get along fine.  I need to know that someone is going to do the things he or she says he or she is going to go.  Can I trust your word?  Can I trust you with information?  Secrets?

You know who I trust the absolute most?  God.  I don't always understand why things happen, but I know there's a reason, and I trust Him, because He does know the reason, and He wants good things for me (unlike my coworker last Friday.  tee hee).  Seriously, He wants what is best for me, so I put my trust in Him.

Humans are a little harder to trust.  And trust, once broken, can never be regained to exactly the same level.  As far as humans go, I trust my family.  Most of all, I trust my husband. Every now and then, doubt creeps in, but it doesn't stay, and it is unfounded.  One of the things I love most about him is his trustworthiness.  Here is a picture of him and one of our daughters by the Buddy Holly statue in Lubbock.

That's all for now!


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Sunday Synopsis

The Whistler by John Grisham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Whistler is billed as "a high stakes thrill ride through the darkest corners of the Sunshine State" according to Barnes and Noble. That's a pretty fair assessment, actually.

A Time to Kill tackled racial violence and rape. The Firm is about a law firm that is in bed with the mafia. The Pelican Brief tackles the murder of Supreme Court Justices. The Chamber tackles such issues as anti-Semitism, the KKK, and the death penalty.

The Whistler, in my opinion, is not the typical drama I expect from John Grisham, but it is a thrilling ride nonetheless. What disappointed me most was that there was no courtroom involved.  That is usually my favorite part of a legal thriller.

The issue is the lack of integrity of a judge. The main character, Lacy Stoltz, receives an intriguing phone call with accusations of judicial misconduct. Lacy's job, working for the board of judicial review, is to investigate these accusations to determine if there is enough evidence to bring the judge under review. The caller is an attorney representing the person who wants to blow the whistle on the judge. But the corruption doesn't include only the judge. The Coast Mafia, in partnership with the Tappacola Indian Nation, are also included in the corruption. And since some of the events happen on tribal land, they are governed by their own laws, not those of the state of Florida or the USA. Can Lacy, her partner, and her boss, with formidable foes such as a judge, a mob boss and his thugs, and an Indian tribe with questionable ethics,  get to the bottom of things before it becomes too dangerous?

I must admit, the beginning of the novel didn't hook me, but I kept reading, and several chapters in, it finally did. This was not the enthralling courtroom drama Grisham is known for, but it was a mystery with many twists and turns. Secrets are revealed at just the right times to keep the action moving forward. Each piece of the puzzle is carefully and skillfully placed to keep the reader intrigued. We find out before the end who the whistleblower actually is, but even then, there are ups and downs and twists. It's like an exciting roller coaster ride. Good job, Grisham. While not as good as my favorites mentioned above, it is so much better than your previous novel, Rogue Lawyer.

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A Random Post

I'm linking up with Stacy!

So happy to have seen my twins this past weekend.

 My daughter's school has an annual event called Sing-Song.  It's a pretty big deal.  My husband and I picked up my son from his college and headed to Abilene.  A. very. long. drive.  But I'm so glad we did it!  I'm even happier that her social club won first place in two categories and second in the third category.

 They get $1,000 to give to the charity of their choice, in this case, an organization about Diabetes.  They had a young sister pass away in her dorm room, likely from side effects of diabetes, so they wanted to make that contribution in her name.

I've been missing so much sleep lately.  I'm tired, but I can't get sleepy.  If I get into bed when I'm not sleepy, I will just lay there and fret.  Then, I can't sleep at all.  But I have to get up early and go to work, so... days off that are coming up will definitely include a nap.


My husband and I ate at Outback last night, which I usually enjoy.
 This time, though, the seasonings on my steak were so strong I could barely eat it.  I even tried wiping it off, but that only helped a little.  I have never had a steak there that I didn't like,  But I loved the strawberry peach sangria!

That's all for now!
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