Bodhidharma

 "To seek is to suffer. To seek nothing is bliss," is attributed to Bodhidharma, the Indian monk who brought Zen, tea and Kung Fu to China. In today's Austin, if you saw the Buddha, he would be a homeless panhandler standing on a corner, with his bowl out, seeking nothing.

Elmore Leonard

Elmore Leonard - Two Stars ☆☆

I just finished four of Leonard's novels. I think Agnes Lowzier describes all the characters best: "A half-smart guy, that's what I always draw. Never once a man who's smart all the way around the course." All of Leonard's people are half-smart.

George W. Parker

Stalingrad: The City that Defeated the Third Reich

Stalingrad: The City that Defeated the Third Reich - Jochen Hellbeck. - One Star ☆

I am always looking for new material on the WW2 Eastern Front. Hellbeck presents fresh material, but are the interviews with Commissars reporting the bravery of other Commissars accurate? I didn't finish the book.

George W. Parker

The Boys from Biloxi

 The Boys from Biloxi - John Grisham. - Two Stars ☆☆

It's been years since I read a John Grisham novel. I wish I had kept that streak alive. He gives us cardboard characters and an obvious plot. The only surprise in the entire book is how the DA managed to live as long as he did.

George W. Parker

Night Has a Thousand Eyes

 Night Has a Thousand Eyes - Cornell Woolrich. - Two Stars ☆☆

This is a Twilight Zone episode. I have read it before but did not recall it until about halfway through. I wish I had remembered sooner. 

George W. Parker

Game of Thrones

 Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin - Two Stars ☆☆

I read the book. I do not think I would read it again and I chose not to read the next in the series. I found Arya Stark the only interesting character in the book. That lack of interest reflects on the writer. I was disappointed.

George W. Parker

Tune In: The Beatles

Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years - Mark Lewisone - One Star ☆

This is a five-star book if you are a fan of the Beatles' minutiae. If you want to know what clothes Paul wore when he was 14 or what brand was Geroge's third guitar then this book is for you. I didn't finish it so the one star from me.

George W. Parker