A Book A Week

When I was a young reader in high school, struggling to slog through my required literature (looking at you, The Canterbury Tales), my mom encouraged me to pick up a book just for fun. She handed me a tattered paperback of one of John Grisham’s early legal thrillers, and I was instantly hooked. The rest, as they say, is history.

I’ve been a Grisham fan ever since, eagerly anticipating his annual release. As I grew into a book reviewer and blogger, I became even luckier when his publisher began sending me copies of his newest novels. This year’s release, The Widow, sees the seasoned author take on his first true mystery. I breezed through it easily, and I suspect you will too.

When you picture a lawyer, you probably imagine someone sharp in a tailored suit, working from a corner office high above the city—successful, confident, and well-paid. But for every wealthy attorney, there are a dozen small-town lawyers just scraping by. Simon Latch is one of them. His marriage is falling apart, he’s drowning in gambling debt, and his rural Virginia practice barely pays the bills.

So when elderly widow Eleanor Barnett walks into his office asking him to draft a will, Simon barely takes notice. It’s just another routine job. He'll have his secretary type it up, collect the $250 fee, and move on. But when Eleanor confides that she secretly holds a small fortune in Walmart and Coca-Cola stock, Simon’s ears perk up. She has no living relatives, and no one else knows about her wealth. For Simon, it feels like fate has just handed him a way out.

He begins charming the widow, taking her to lunch, and assuring her he’s the right man to help manage her affairs. Once the will is signed—with a generous sum left to him for his “trouble”—all he has to do is wait. But cracks soon start to form in his perfect plan. Eleanor’s fortune comes into question, she’s involved in a shocking car crash, and before long, Simon finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. Did his greed finally catch up with him, or is an innocent man about to take the fall?

The Widow feels like classic John Grisham in all the right ways. There’s a morally conflicted lawyer at its center, sharp and fast-paced writing, and courtroom drama that keeps you perched on the edge of your seat. And for the first time, Grisham dives headfirst into a full-on murder mystery. This isn’t a whodunnit so much as a did he do it—think Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow.

The story takes its time setting up the central drama, but the slow build pays off. By the time Simon stands trial, we’re as uncertain of his guilt as the jury itself. That uncertainty fuels a tense, compulsive read that doesn’t loosen its grip until the very last page. The Widow is pure entertainment from a master storyteller still at the top of his game.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 84)

I’ve always credited John Grisham’s novels with sparking my love of reading. As a younger reader, I devoured most of his political thrillers and have been captivated by his work ever since. Grisham has a knack for crafting entertaining page-turners that also weave in more profound themes, prompting readers to reflect on important issues. One theme that consistently runs through much of his work is injustice, particularly the flaws within the criminal justice system. While most of Grisham’s books are fictional, his 2006 novel The Innocent Man tackled real-life true crime and brought this issue to light. Now, Grisham has teamed up with Jim McCloskey, founder of Centurion Ministries—an organization dedicated to freeing wrongfully imprisoned individuals—to share ten true stories of wrongful convictions in their book Framed. I was fortunate enough to receive a copy from the publisher. It’s a powerful exploration of the human cost of injustice.

"Among innocence advocates and lawyers, it is often said that it is much easier to convict an innocent person than to get one out of prison."

The authors take turns sharing these stories, with each contributing five that alternate throughout the book. They focus on the real-life accounts of men who were wrongfully convicted—innocent but found guilty—and forced to sacrifice their friends, families, wives, and decades of their lives in prison while the actual perpetrators walked free. In each case, the authors immerse readers in the moments that led to these wrongful convictions, shedding light on the racism, misconduct, flawed testimony, and corrupt court systems that make these errors so difficult to reverse. As I read the first couple of stories, I was struck by the overwhelming injustice. But as I continued, patterns emerged between the cases, leaving me bracing for the inevitable heartbreak that unfolded with each new story.

The U.S. criminal justice system is built on the principle of "innocent until proven guilty," a notion that should instill confidence in the system. However, as the stories in Framed reveal, the presumption of innocence isn’t always upheld. Investigators’ theories, personal egos, and the intense pressure to close cases can often result in wrongful convictions that, when examined closely, seem blatantly incorrect, given the lack of solid evidence. Reading these stories, I found myself outraged on behalf of these people—victims of the very system designed to protect them.

Even more troubling was the refusal of those in power, particularly in my home state of Texas, to reconsider the evidence, clinging instead to blind faith in the original convictions. This unwillingness to question the finality of a verdict, even when faced with overwhelming evidence of innocence, became painfully clear as a fatal flaw in the system. John Grisham and Jim McCloskey’s Framed is an essential work that highlights the severity of wrongful convictions and serves as a call to action. Hopefully, it will inspire readers to push for the reform this broken system desperately needs.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 78)

With the holiday weekend behind us, summer reading has officially arrived. I enjoyed kicking off my summer reading with John Grisham's latest book, Camino Ghosts. I was first introduced to Grisham's gripping legal thrillers in high school, and his work played a significant role in my journey to becoming a lifelong reader. Knowing how much his books mean to me, his publisher graciously gave me a copy of his new release, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. This is the third installment in his series that began with Camino Island, and it's the best one yet.

Our return to Camino Island, a quaint vacation town off the Florida coast, brings us back to many familiar faces. Bruce Cable, the charismatic bookstore owner, confidant to the island's many resident authors, and occasional dealer in rare and illicit books, is delighted to welcome his protege Mercer Mann back to the island. Fresh off the success of her last novel, a literary sensation, Mercer is now struggling to find inspiration for her next work. Ever the helpful mentor, Bruce reveals that he has the perfect subject for Mercer's new book—the intriguing story of 80-year-old Lovely Jackson.

Years ago, Lovely self-published an account of her life and the unsettling history of the nearby Dark Isle. Her ancestors were brought to the area on ships traveling from Africa. Enslaved and with little hope for the future, a heavy storm forever changed their fate. Their ship capsized, and Lovely's family members washed ashore on Dark Isle. Though the island was inhospitable, it offered the enslaved people something previously unimaginable—freedom. Together, they created a sanctuary, colonizing the island and turning it into a safe haven to be passed down through generations. Lovely is the last of her lineage, claiming the now-deserted island as her own. She has returned over the years to tend to the graves of her ancestors and maintains that the island is cursed, deterring any unwelcome visitors from setting foot on its shores.

Mercer is intrigued by Lovely's story. Although she hasn't written nonfiction before, this could be the tale that reignites her passion for writing. As she begins the preliminary work of transforming Lovely's story into a full-fledged book, a new complication arises. Hurricane Leo, which wreaked havoc on Camino Island and Dark Isle a few years ago, paved the way for a controversial development plan. A large company has laid claim to the abandoned Dark Isle, intending to build residential properties, shopping centers, and a massive casino.

Determined to protect her ancestral homelands from corporate greed, Lovely takes the company to court. The battle won't be easy. There are no paper records of the island ever being inhabited, but Lovely is resolute in her fight. With the help of Mercer, Bruce, and some of Camino Island's best legal minds, she'll stop at nothing to defend her land, history, and story.

Of the three books in the Camino Island series, Camino Ghosts feels the most quintessentially John Grisham. Returning to his roots, Grisham creates the kind of compelling courtroom drama that only he can masterfully tell. His best works have always combined an intriguing plot, complex yet relatable characters, and a fast-paced writing style, and that's precisely what makes this latest novel such a joy to read. In Lovely Jackson, Grisham crafts a character whose personal history underscores the injustices of American history. This sets the stage for a classic David versus Goliath battle, pitting legal conventions against true justice.

I was completely captivated by this story, breezing through its pages over the course of the long holiday weekend. Grisham's ability to weave a tale that is both engaging and thought-provoking shines through, making it impossible to put down. The novel built to an emotionally satisfying climax, leaving me with a few tears streaming down my cheeks. It's a testament to Grisham's enduring ability to entertain and move his readers with stories that are both timely and timeless. Camino Ghosts is easily the best book in the series so far and is the perfect way to kick off the summer reading season.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 42)

Lately, I've reignited my appreciation for John Grisham's novels. While some of his newer works have been hit or miss for me, Grisham consistently offers compelling stories with engaging characters and insightful commentary that goes beyond mere plot twists. One book that stands out from his recent releases is Camino Island. This novel diverges from Grisham's usual legal thrillers, focusing instead on a daring rare book theft and the subsequent quest to reclaim the stolen items. Even without Grisham's typical legal backdrop, the memorable characters and the enchanting tropical setting of Camino Island made it a favorite of mine. Now that the weather in South Texas has warmed up, I felt it was the perfect time to dive back into that captivating world with its sequel, Camino Winds.

In our previous encounter with Bruce Cable, the proprietor of the independent bookstore Bay Books on Camino Island, he had earned a significant sum from his involvement in the ransom of stolen F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscripts. Known as a booklover's bookseller, Bruce has always nurtured relationships with the island's resident authors, hosting popular book signings that always draw a crowd. As Camino Winds begins, Bruce is preparing to host a book launch for his friend and local author, Mercer Mann. Mercer has penned a bestseller since her involvement in the missing manuscript drama and is on the brink of releasing another. Just as Mercer's book kick-off festivities get underway, Hurricane Leo takes an unexpected turn, targeting Camino Island directly. Despite the mandatory evacuation order issued by Florida’s governor, leading most to secure their homes and evacuate, Bruce opts to remain and face the storm head-on.

The aftermath of Hurricane Leo is catastrophic, leaving behind a trail of destruction that leaves businesses, residences, and lives shattered. Among the storm's apparent casualties is Nelson Kerr, a thriller author and a friend to Bruce. Mysteriously, the injuries Nelson sustained suggest that the storm might not be the sole reason for his death. With the local police stretched thin and struggling to cope in the wake of the storm, Bruce begins to suspect that the menacing figures from Nelson’s novels might not be purely fictional. Complicating matters further, Nelson's new manuscript is reportedly stored on his computer. Could this document hold the clues to his death? As Bruce delves deeper into the mystery, the revelations he uncovers are more startling than any of Nelson’s narrative twists—and potentially more perilous.

Diving into Camino Winds, I was immediately embraced by the comforting familiarity of Grisham's characters and the setting he masterfully crafted in the preceding book. His talent lies in presenting deceptively straightforward scenarios that captivate readers. The notion of a bookseller and his associates probing a mysterious death in the aftermath of a catastrophic hurricane promised an irresistible premise. True to form, the initial half of the novel races ahead, weaving a web of suspense and punctuating it with Grisham's signature dry humor, which lightens the mood effectively.

Halfway through, however, it felt like Grisham lost his narrative direction. What starts as a concise murder mystery soon spirals into an overstuffed thriller, replete with many characters and subplots that lack genuine suspense. The plot sprawls, leaping forward in time and shifting between locations, diluting the urgency that had been so palpable in the story's earlier sections. While the conclusion neatly ties up loose ends, the absence of significant obstacles along the way makes the resolution feel unearned. Given my genuine appreciation for the initial installment, I found this sequel quite disappointing. With a third Camino installment set to release soon, one can only hope that Grisham returns to form and addresses the shortcomings of this entry.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 24)

John Grisham holds a special place on my bookshelf, serving as a cornerstone of my love for books. Back in high school, I was grappling with a dwindling enthusiasm for reading. The required books in our curriculum simply didn't resonate with me. Recognizing this shift, my mother intervened. She promptly presented me with a stack of books she believed would rekindle my passion for reading. Among those titles was John Grisham's The King of Torts.  I eagerly consumed that legal thriller and soon delved into as many of Grisham's books as possible. His novels reignited my love for reading and opened the door to a broader fascination with the thriller genre. Although I may not read Grisham as frequently as I once did, stumbling upon that same book in my local bookstore reminded me of my enthusiasm for his works. I picked it up, eager to see if his storytelling could still capture my imagination.

Clay Carter finds himself at a professional crossroads. Having spent too many years as a public defender, the advancement prospects seem bleak. While he cherishes the work and the sense of purpose it provides, the meager public servant salary can't sustain his life. Additionally, his girlfriend is dropping not-so-subtle hints about the need to elevate his career and commit to marriage, or she'll move on. Things take a nosedive when his prospective father-in-law arranges an almost certain job opportunity at a prestigious law firm, which Clay fumbles disastrously. This unfortunate turn of events leads to the official end of his relationship.

Dejected and defeated, Clay reluctantly takes on a case involving a young man charged with a seemingly random street killing. Initially, he perceives it as just another senseless murder, a tragic norm in the crime-ridden streets of D.C. As he delves deeper into his client's background,  however, Clay stumbles upon a horrifying conspiracy that defies belief. Suddenly, he's embroiled in a complex legal battle against one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, one that holds the potential for an astronomical settlement that could transform his life entirely. Is Clay's newfound fortune a stroke of good luck, or is there a darker and more sinister force at work?

Revisiting John Grisham's The King of Torts brought a comforting sense of familiarity while offering a fresh perspective on his literary craft. His storytelling remains swift-paced, brimming with palpable tension, and is consistently entertaining. Following a character's journey from relative obscurity to sudden wealth was a pleasure. Driven by good intentions, Clay Carter finds himself thrust into a world that feels entirely foreign. As a reader, I found myself relating to his outsider's viewpoint on the extravagant lives of other mass tort lawyers, complete with private jets, lavish dining, and opulent mansions. Grisham's narrative carries a tinge of wish-fulfillment that dances on the edge of the absurd, making it thoroughly enjoyable.

Yet, with the passage of time, I discovered a newfound layer of depth in the narrative—a cautionary tale akin to the myth of Icarus. The driving force behind this story subtly shifts toward hubris, where the pursuit of more knows no bounds. As the protagonist ventures closer to his metaphorical sun, he jeopardizes not only his newfound fortune but also his reputation and the moral compass he has all but forsaken. In essence, this second reading of the book allowed me to appreciate the intricacies of both the character and the narrative more profoundly. Grisham's work not only endures as an engaging page-turner but also offers enough substance to engage readers in contemplation as they immerse themselves in the story.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2024, 4)

My history with John Grisham's novels dates back to high school. Ever since my mother first introduced me to a stack of his legal thrillers, I've been an avid reader of his work. While I no longer rush to devour his latest releases as I once did, I always relish the opportunity to immerse myself in his storytelling when it comes my way. My excitement peaked late last month when I received an invitation from Grisham's enduring publisher, Doubleday, to read a copy of his newest book, The Exchange. This enthusiasm reached a whole new level because I knew that this book served as a sequel to his monumental bestseller, The Firm. Receiving that package with the latest Grisham novel was a highlight of my year!

In The Firm, Mitch McDeere faced a series of intense challenges and exposed the criminal activities of the Memphis law firm Bendini, Lambert & Locke. This sequel jumps ahead 15 years, allowing us to catch up with Mitch and his wife, Abby. The couple has put the traumas of Memphis behind them and now enjoys a life in New York City. They have twin boys and are thriving in their respective careers. Abby works as an editor for cookbooks, while Mitch practices law as a partner at one of the world's largest law firms. Mitch's boss requests a significant favor – he needs Mitch to travel to Rome and meet with an old mentor named Luca. One of Luca's most valuable clients has been swindled out of payment for constructing a disastrous bridge project in Libya. They want Mitch to argue the case before an arbitration board in Geneva. 

This is where our new story unfolds. Mitch accepts the case and embarks on a journey to Libya alongside Luca's daughter, Giovanna, a talented young attorney. Their objective is to visit the site firsthand. However, in a sudden turn of events, their convoy falls prey to a terrorist organization that mercilessly kills their guides, kidnaps Giovanna, and demands a staggering $100 million ransom in exchange for her safe release. Abby becomes an inadvertent intermediary, plunging Mitch and everyone he holds dear into a high-stakes pursuit to gather the entire ransom and ensure the safety of those involved.

It's been three decades since John Grisham's The Firm captivated readers. The Exchange revisits these characters only 15 years after the events of the initial book, placing them in a post-9/11 world dominated by terrorism and global uncertainties. The evolving landscape and heightened stakes in this novel might initially seem disconcerting, but Grisham's ability to keep his finger on the pulse of current events remains unmatched. Mitch McDeere retains his commitment to justice and ethical behavior. While the plot may venture into somewhat implausible territory, my engagement with the story largely overshadowed any minor reservations. Although the focus shifts away from courtroom drama to emphasize the kidnapping plot, Grisham, in his signature style, still manages to infuse the narrative with political, economic, and legal system commentary amid all the thrills.  The Exchange may not outshine its predecessor, but it still offers an enjoyable reunion with a beloved character. Grisham hints of potential future adventures for Mitch McDeere, and I wholeheartedly welcome them. The book is another solid thriller from an author who consistently excels in his craft.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2023, 79)

John Grisham holds a special place on my bookshelf. I remember really getting into his books during high school, a time when I was finding my own way as a reader. His ability to provide terse legal thrillers that had a great pace but also featured relatable characters proved to be an irresistible combination. In more recent years, I've made a concerted effort to read a wider variety of genres and authors, but I still come back to Grisham's writing on occasion. His novel Camino Island, a book about a literary heist, has been on my TBR list forever. This week I had some extra time in between publisher-provided books, so I took advantage and finally cracked it open. 

The novel opens with a daring group of thieves about to make a meticulous heist from the vaults of the Princeton Library. Their target is the original, hand-written manuscripts of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The American literary icon's work is estimated to be worth millions, something the thieves are prepared to stop at nothing to steal. As luck would have it, their well-prepared heist goes off without a hitch. The group makes off with the manuscripts, leaving the university and authorities desperate to get them back. 

Enter our unlikely hero Mercer Mann. She was once the author of a novel that became a critical darling but never found true financial success. In the years following, Mercer struggled to write a follow-up, and any chance at building a career as a published author seems to have gone by the wayside. When we meet her, she has lost her job, has no prospects for the future, and is financially crippled by student loans. Mercer is shocked then when she is approached by a mysterious woman. She's even more rattled by the woman's request. The woman is part of a small unit within law enforcement, and she wants Mercer to go undercover to help them find the lost Fitzgerald manuscripts. 

The more recent output from John Grisham has been pretty hit or miss, but I was happy to discover that Camino Island is a hit. I mean let's be honest for a minute, a book about books is always a win! The setting in a small tropical town means that everyone knows everyone else, a fact that helps deepen the secrecy behind the mystery. There are whispers amongst the townspeople, but it is up to our main character to plant herself among them, build their trust, and uncover the truth behind all of the rumors. Grisham is at his best when he combines a compelling plot with great characters. Camino Island sees the author in peak form. This is everything I want from a summer read. There's a sequel to the book that was published a few years ago, so it is already going on my list of books to read next summer. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2022, 37)

I think it is safe to say that for many of us, this Christmas was anything but ordinary. My Christmas traditions usually consist of traveling home to see my parents, attending Christmas Eve church services, and celebrating the evening and following day with a large family gathering. Thanks to COVID-19, this was the first Christmas that I spent away from my family. There was no traveling, and holding our usual party was simply out of the question. Still, we managed to find ways of adapting our traditions to adhere to this new normal. Instead of attending church together, I watched it virtually. Instead of gathering around the Christmas tree to unwrap presents, we shipped gifts to each other and opened them during a FaceTime call. Fortunately, one of my personal traditions stayed exactly the same. As Christmas Eve turned to Christmas morning, I stayed awake, reading the final pages of a good book. 

When John Grisham, known more for his legal thrillers than Holiday-themed fare, published Skipping Christmas back in 2001, the idea of foregoing the holiday probably sounded absurd. In fact, Luther Krank's money-saving scheme of taking a cruise instead of practicing the family Christmas traditions raised ire and disbelief across his entire neighborhood. Krank did little to appease his community perception as a modern-day Ebenezer Scrooge. In fact, he relished in the opportunity to smugly rub his nonconformity in everyone's face. As such, he isn't the most likable character. But like the aforementioned Scrooge, Krank goes through a transformation. Through the power of a community coming together to bring the spirit of the season to an outsider, Luther Krank embraces that Christmas magic and learns to appreciate the smaller wonders of the holiday. 

I've read this book before, but this year saw the novel take on a deeper meaning for me. Sure, you'll have to overlook the unlikable main character and the all too convenient plotting, but there is something to be said about the idea of skipping Christmas this year. While we didn't skip our observance of the holiday, the way in which we approached it was vastly different. I think that Skipping Christmas mirrors our reality in some ways. How easy would it have been for us to simply put a halt to our celebration? In a year that has seen so much tragedy and despair, I'll admit that it felt a bit silly falling into the commercialism of decorating my home and buying gifts. But those are just trivial parts of what this season truly means. Like the neighborhood in the book, countless friends and families came together to keep the spirit of community that flows through this season alive. While 2020 certainly hasn't looked or felt like any other year that I've experienced, I'm glad that we made the effort to persevere through it all. More importantly, I'm thankful that we didn't skip Christmas. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2020, 51)

"I guess under the right circumstances, a man will do just about anything."

Malcolm Banister is currently in his fifth year of a ten year prison sentence for financial crimes. He was a lawyer who got caught up in a misunderstanding that resulted in his convictions. Despite his professions of innocence, an over-eager prosecutor made sure that Malcolm would serve a full sentence. Not long after the conviction, he was disbarred and his wife divorced him, remarried, and cut off all contact with his son.

Throughout his incarceration, Malcolm has turned his legal prowess into a service for his fellow inmates. He tirelessly looks for any angles or legal loopholes to help his peers reduce their sentences or overturn the charges altogether. When news of the murder of a federal judge reaches Malcolm, he decides to turn his legal services to his own case.

One of the inmates that Malcolm helped confessed to the murder of the judge. He decides to use this knowledge to leverage his own release from prison. The only problem, is that in ratting out the other inmate, Malcolm puts his own personal safety on the line. Is an anonymous life in witness protection any different from living in a cell? Is there any way that Malcolm can achieve complete freedom?

During a recent interview, John Grisham explained how he chooses topics for his novels. Sometimes he chooses a social topic that he wishes to write about and forms a story around it. Other times he simply tries to write an entertaining story. The Racketeer manages to do both. Grisham sheds some light on wrongful convictions and injustices of the prison system, while providing an entertaining thriller that is one of his best in recent years. Malcolm's quest for freedom takes readers on a journey that challenges predictions and spans the globe. The Racketeer is the kind of novel that illustrates exactly why Grisham is one of the most successful authors working today.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2017, 14)

"Every man has a price". That seems to be the motivating factor in the debut novel, "The 500", by Matthew Quirk. In the book, Quirk depicts the inner workings of Washington D.C.'s five-hundred most influential people, through an imaginative and engaging thriller.

Mike Ford is an outsider. As a student at the prestigious Harvard Law, Mike works hard to live up to the societal standards of his affluent classmates. Unlike his peers, Mike, the son of a convicted felon, has grown up in a world of crime. After his disease stricken mother passed away, he was left with a jailed father, his mother's medical bills, and the choice to either make a better life for himself or meet the same fate as his father.

A standout at Harvard, Mike is given the opportunity to be an associate at The Davies Group, a powerful consulting firm in Washington. The group is paid by individuals, corporations, and special interest groups to influence the movers and shakers of Washington, the 500. Henry Davis, who formed the company, sees a spark of himself in Mike and quickly appoints him to a high profile deal that could lead to his partnership.

Essentially, The Davies Group uses the knowledge that "every man has a price" to find ways to "influence" the heavy players in the D.C. scene. Mikes street knowledge helps him to climb the ladder, providing more fortune, connections, and prestige than he could ever have dreamed of. When Davies pulls Mike off of his major deal, Mike immediately suspects foul play. He enters a conspiracy that threatens everything he has worked for and even his life.

Matthew Quirk has been compared to veteran legal thriller author John Grisham. While I definitely see similarities between Quirk's fast pace, legal jargon, and characters with those in Grisham's earlier novels, Quirk writes with an urgency and contemporary structure that is uniquely his own. The novel begins with a tease from the climatic ending and then goes back the the chronological beginning, grabbing the reader from the start and providing immediate anticipation. I was reminded of the 2007 film "Michael Clayton" in which a corporate "fixer" gets involved in a similar web of corrupt power. Overall, "The 500" is a fast and contemporary legal thriller that is a fantastic debut.

For more information, visit the author's website http://www.matthewquirk.com/index.html,
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/review/R3FC0L5NQ7ZOAA/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm,
and http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12952299-the-500.

(week 30, book 34 )