Northfield – Johnny D. Boggs

“Seven minutes…seems like seven lifetimes. Maybe it was, too. Seven lifetimes. Seven lives.”

Rating:



Summary:
Northfield tells the story of the James-Younger Gang and their final robbery at the Northfield bank. The story begins with a train robbery and Bill Stiles idea to go north and rob a bank in Minnesota. After some persuasion, Jesse and Frank James; Jim, Cole, and Bob Younger; Bill Stiles; Clell Miller; and Charlie Pitts go north. They separate and stake out surrounding towns to find the best bank to rob. Against their better judgment, they ride into Northfield and attempt to rob the bank. The robbery goes wrong, and they flee from the chasing posse.

Analysis:
Northfield is told from the multiple perspectives of the people involved with the Northfield robbery. Each chapter is written from a different persons’ point of view. Boggs marvelously created each character and personality. The only downside was the use of foul language. Overall, it was a great book and very enlightening.

Impact:
The outlaws have always been popularized from the stories of Robin Hood and his Merry Men to Jesse James and all the other famous western outlaws. I always thought of Jesse James and the gang as a noble gang fighting for the rights of the poor. But I realized it was the result of the media. In all actuality, the James-Younger Gang was full of thieves and killers.

“Society remains intolerant. That’s why Christ was put to death on the cross. That’s why Lee may have surrendered, but the war is not over. Intolerance. Power. Religion. Wait a few years, and we shall be fighting again, probably for the same reasons, but maybe using some other words.” ( Northfield 57 )

“I guess greed and love had brought me here. Brought me here to die.” (Northfield 153 )

“You know the difference between us…You rob the poor, and I rob the rich.” (Northfield 163 )

“There is no heroism in outlawry…and the fate of each outlaw in his turn should be an everlasting lesson to the young of the land.” (Northfield 188 )

7/9/10 – 7/15/10

Last Mango in Texas - Ray Blackston

"When Kyle Mango meets Gretchen, he has no idea that he'll be forced to choose between love and money, er, OIL."

Rating:



Summary:
Kyle Mango had it rough. His father left the family while he was still in high school. Kyle soon had to help take care of his mother and two younger siblings. Choosing a college nearby, he attends Texas Tech University where he meets the lovely, environmental friendly Gretchen. She quickly helps him escape the Greek oppression, and they become friends. Unfortunately, she decides to pursue other matters and wishes to avoid having a boyfriend until after graduation. Finally receiving his Bachelor’s, Kyle wishes to pursue Gretchen. Sadly, his uncle passes and leaves Kyle four oil wells and over 800 acres of land. Overnight, Kyle had a job and a means to help his mother. Going with a Radical Regina, Gretchen volunteers to clean oily birds in Alaska. Kyle then has to decide whether to tell Gretchen about his new occupation or keep his secret and pursue someone else.

Analysis:
Ray Blackston continues to write in his witty and zany style in Last Mango in Texas . His characters are memorable, and his plot is remarkable. This book is definitely a page-turner. I loved the chapter titles. They were interesting and intriguing. My one regret is that it didn’t have the ending words of wisdom that many of his books had.

Impact:
The main thing that has impacted me the most from Last Mango in Texas is the same thing that puzzled Kyle. What am I doing with my life? Since graduating from college, what have a done for the good of society? It’s a depressing thought as I look back and observe this past year. I hope this year is more full of accomplishments and activities that are helpful to everyone.

“I looked at God kind of like I looked at the rpm gauge on my Toyota—if I felt I’d pushed God too far into the red zone, I feared the consequences, backed off the accelerator, and made an attempt at apology. Sorry God. Didn’t mean to do that. Just having a bad day.” ( Last Mango in Texas 77 )

“…I took a moment to fold her card into a tiny airplane. I even adjusted its little wings. On its maiden voyage – a short domestic route with no meals or drinks or even a free pack of peanuts – that plane flew directly into a trash basket. No survivors.” ( Last Mango in Texas 163 )

7/4/10 – 7/8/10

The Secret Adversary – Agatha Christie

Rating:



Summary:
Making their first appearance in an Agatha Christie novel, Tommy and Tuppence form a joint venture bent on adventure. In seeking money, The Young Adventurers take up the case of the missing Jane Finn. Miss Jane Finn had gone missing five years earlier with some important paperwork regarding a draft treaty from WWI, which now if it were revealed, would be damaging to England. Tommy and Tuppence soon befriend Jane’s cousin, Julius, and an attorney, Sir James Peel Edgerton, who help them with their search. They find themselves in life threatening situations several times over while on the hunt. They realize that it Jane’s disappearance is related to the mysterious criminal mastermind Mr. Brown. No one knows who he is or what he looks like…until now. After much deception, deduction, and deciphering, Tommy and Tuppence find both Jane and Mr. Brown, as well as romance.

Analysis:
Being as I read The Secret Adversary on the Nook (my new favorite toy), it was somewhat difficult to read because of the typos. But that is not anything against Dame Christie, it is against googlebooks. The story was well-written and kept me guessing, but it was not one of her best novels. At times it was predictable, but witty characters made the book. She is an excellent crime writer, but her characters all different and well developed. She gave you all the facts that you needed to solve the crime, all you needed to do was put the pieces together. I would not call The Secret Adversary a must-read Christie novel, but it is good book and one that I enjoyed.

Impact:
Reading The Secret Adversary was a treat and made me realize how much I love a good mystery. I was right beside Tommy and Tuppence while they were trying to solve the case. I would definitely read another Christie novel, and I aim to read all of them.

“Marriage is called all sorts of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory, and a state of bondage, and lots more. But do you know what I think it is…a sport!” (The Secret Adversary 331 )

6/25/10 – 6/30/10