Every 13 seconds, someone buys a Jack Reacher book. That statistic was cited in an article on Lee Child in last month’s ATLANTIC. Just in time for the Holidays, a Jack Reacher novel shows up with an entertaining puzzle and some graphic violence. Reacher is wandering around New Hampshire, where his father Stan Reacher, grew up. Reacher decides to visit Laconia, his father’s hometown. However, a quick search at the City Clerk’s office produces no Stan Reacher. Reacher’s father also told people he was born in June, but sometimes he said his birthday was in July. That’s Lee Child’s signal Things Are Not What They Seem.

On a second track of Past Tense, a young Canadian couple have car trouble and find a motel deep in the woods. Yes, shades of Psycho. Eventually, their story and Reacher’s story intersect with violent results. We learn a bit more about Jack Reacher’s family and their secrets. We learn you don’t want to have your car break down in the middle of Nowhere. Do you like Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels? GRADE: B+

Yesterday, I was summoned for Jury Duty in Niagara Falls, New York (not Niagara Falls, Canada!). Step by step, inch by inch, I made my way into the court house along with 92 other prospective jurors. We had to do some paperwork, then we went through Jury Orientation, and then we were taken from the Basement waiting area to the court room on the Second Floor.

This was a civil case so they only needed six jurors and two alternates. I was one of the 12 prospects chosen at random to begin the selection process. The Judge questioned us. The plaintiff’s lawyers questioned us. The defendant’s lawyers questioned us.

A drunk driver drove his vehicle onto the North Tonawanda Walking Path. He hit two people who were walking their dog. He and his car went into the Erie Canal and had to be rescued. Those are the sketchy facts we were given. The driver has pleaded Guilty. but, now the couple who were injured are suing North Tonawanda claiming the Walking Path wasn’t designed for Safety.

After undergoing all of the questioning, seven of the 12 prospective jurors were dismissed. I was one of them. I’m figuring my status as a North Tonawanda resident familiar with the crime scene counted heavily against me. The remaining prospective jurors will be reporting tomorrow because one more juror and two alternates need to be selected. I’ll be sleeping in! Have you been on Jury Duty lately?

For that Hamlet fan on your Gift List, here’s the wonderful 25th Anniversary Edition of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Two minor characters in Shakespeare’s marvelous play provide both context and humor to the proceedings. Tom Stoppard’s play morphed into this movie version starring Richard Dreyfuss, Tim Roth, and Gary Oldman in a wacky blend of illusion and reality in Shakespearean drama.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead includes the Bonus Features of Interviews with Tom Stoppard, Gary Oldman, Tim Roth, and Richard Dreyfuss. GRADE: A

James Mustich, a former bookstore owner, once did a thought experiment: If he only had room for 1000 books in his store, which ones would they be? The result is 1000 Books to Read Before You Die. Mustich organizes the books alphabetically by author. This produces some weird juxtapositions. Bryan McGee’s Confessions of a Philosopher rests next to Norman Mailer’s Armies of the Night. George Orwell’s Collected Essays, Journalism, and Letters snuggles up to Ovid’s Metamorphoses. You get the idea. Clearly, 1000 Books to Read Before You Die is a browser’s delight. Plenty of covers and photos of authors to savor! If you have a book lover on your gift list, this book would make a perfect present! GRADE: A

For the first time in the 2018 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills are favored over an opponent. This week, the Bills (4-8) are 3 1/2 point favorites over the New York Jets (3-9). Neither of these teams are going anywhere this season so the only reason to watch this game is the play of rookie QBs Sam Darnold for the Jets and Josh Allen for the Bills. The weather will be cold (32 degrees) but sunny. No snow in the forecast. How will your favorite NFL team do today?

Yesterday I met with my urologist for my yearly physical. A week ago, I had some routine blood work that included a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test that is still the best indicator of prostate cancer. My urologist told me my score was 1.0–the same score I had on my PSA test a year ago. “I’m consistent,” I told him. Scores above 5.0 can signal a problem. If you’re a guy over 50, you need to seriously consider getting a PSA test each year. If you’re with a guy you love, urge them to get a PSA test. It’s a lot easier to treat prostate cancer in its early stages. And, there’s also a sense of Relief when you get a good score!

One of the aspects that I really admire about The Great SF Stories series is Asimov and Greenberg’s inclusion of multiple stories by writers. In Volume 3, they selected FIVE Robert A. Heinlein stories as best stories of 1941 (I agree!). In this 1942 volume, Asimov and Greenberg chose three A. E. van Vogt stories: “Cooperate–Or Else!,” “Asylum,” and “The Weapon Shop.” And then there’s the classic “Foundation” novelette by Isaac Asimov that kicked off his legendary Foundation series. I’m fond of Lewis Padgett and C. L. Moore’s “The Twonky.” Once again, this series provides wonderful stories in a historical context. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION 7
“The Star Mouse” by Fredric Brown 11
“The Wings of Night” by Lester del Rey 32
“Cooperate–Or Else!” by A. E. van Vogt 50
“Foundation” by Isaac Asimov 77
“The Push of a Finger” by Alfred Bester 110
“Asylum” by A. E. van Vogt 150
“Proof” by Hal Clement 205
“Nerves” by Lester del Rey 222
“Barrier” by Anthony Boucher 295
“The Twonkey” by Lewis Padgett and C. L. Moore 327
“QRM-Interplanetary” by George O. Smith 369
“The Weapons Shop” by A. E. van Vogt 403
“Mimic” by Donald A. Wollheim 442

Here’s the bargain of the seasons: a 2,000 page reference book complete with illustrations, bibliography, and index for…$4.99! Jim Davidson’s wonderful guide to Perry Mason can be downloaded from AMAZON for a pittance! Clearly, this ebook is a labor of love. Davidson includes detailed information about Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason pastiches. He even writes about Thomas Chastain’s Perry Mason novels. Davidson moves on to discuss Perry Mason movies, radio serials, as well as newspaper, magazine, and comic book appearances.

I wanted this ebook for its encyclopedic coverage of the Perry Mason TV series (1957-1966). There’s information on every episode’s actors, directors, writers, and producers. What a wealth of data! If you’re a fan of Perry Mason in any form, this reference book is a must-buy! So much costs so little! GRADE: A

If you’re in the mood for some jazzy Christmas songs, listen to Al Jarreau’s Christmas. Jarreau sings some of the traditional songs in his mellow voice and others with a more flamboyant style. There’s plenty of variety on Christmas. My favorite song on this CD is Jarreau’s rendition of “The Christmas Song (Chrestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire).” Jarreau and TAKE 6 do an cappella version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” Some people might find the upbeat style of “Gloria In Excelsis” a little over the top, but I liked it. This is a change-of-pace Christmas album and may not be for everyone. But if you like mellow jazz, you’l enjoy most of the songs on Al Jarreau’s Christmas. Do you have a favorite Christmas album or song? GRADE: B+
TRACK LIST:
1: Winter Wonderland 4:19
2: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 3:22
3: White Christmas 5:49
4: INTERLUDE: By My Christmas Tree 0.29
5: Carol Of The Bells 4:22
6: O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) 4:17
7: The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) 4:55
8: I’ll Be Home For Christmas (featuring TAKE 6) 3:43
9: Gloria In Excelsis 4:34
10: Christmas Time Is Here 4:27
11: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 6:05
12: Some Children See Him 4:09
13: The Little Christmas Tree 2:59
14: Up On The Housetop 0.34

In this fourth and final season of Star Wars Rebels, the crew of the Ghost take on the forces of Grand Admiral Thrawn. Plenty of action and thrills! Here are 353 minutes of excellent animated adventures! In addition, there’s Ghosts of Legend, a extra that shows how these episodes came about with the creative staff that produced them. Also included is Force of Rebellion, an interview with Executive Producer Dave Filoni who discusses his insights into The Force and its impact on the Star Wars saga. In addition, there’s Kevin Kiner: The Rebel Symphony, a feature on the music of the Rebel series. If you’re a Star Wars fan, this is a must-buy. If you’re a casual fan, your local Public Library should have this set. Pure escapism. Are you a Star Wars fan? GRADE: A