Heat Rises

by Richard Castle

I was dubious about these books to begin with. I thought it was brilliant that someone had actually come up with the idea of writing, publishing, and selling the book that Nathan Fillion's character, Castle, was writing during the first season of the show, but I didn't think I actually wanted to read the book.

I was wrong. Clearly, since I've now read three of them. The only reason I waited so long to read this one (I bought it as soon as it came out) was because I like to save these books for the middle of the summer, half-way between seasons of the show when my Castle withdrawal is at its peak. This helps hold me over until the next season. Although I enjoyed the first two books, I thought they'd be the type I'd read once and then give away. Yeah, ... that's not gonna happen.

This book pulled me in much the same way the show has. I started because it was light and fun, not planning on getting emotionally invested in any of the characters. The first two books were pretty typical murder mysteries (which, by the way, I never read, so extra props to them for getting me to read a genre I don't normally like). This one has managed to strike a deeper emotional core. For those of you watching the show, this book incorporates the murder of Captain Montgomery into the world of the books, making sure that, as far as characters go, the show and the books remain on the same page (no pun intended). Not only am I sad that I finished the book (I think my Castle withdrawal might actually be worse now) but I'm not sure I can wait until next summer before reading the next one. I have to find out what comes next.

I think my only quibble with the books is Rook's tendency to blurt out fantastic theories based on his imagination rather than fact. It makes sense that Castle does this - he is a mystery writer after all - but Rook is a journalist and, as a journalist, he would know to look for facts first. However, Castle's exciting, off-the-wall theories are part of what make him so endearing and a part of why we all love him and show, so I'm willing to let that one go.

I do have to mention a moment I loved more than any other. The moment when the agent tells Rook he looks like "that space captain" and Rook says "Malcolm Reynolds?" It made my night. I am so glad that, not only the writers of the show, but also the book's ghost writer appreciate the number of Firefly fans watching the show and reading the books and give us little shout-outs like that. We appreciate it.

Cutting For Stone

by Abraham Verghese

I was a little wary of reading this book. I had heard really good things about it but it looked pretty rough, so I hesitated.

I loved it. Parts of it are pretty rough, but it's still a really good book. It's beautifully written and I adore Verghese's command of the English language. It's written in first person which, normally, is not my favorite. I find that point of view to be very limiting and, normally, it shows. In this case, the narrator felt free to talk about things that happened when he either wasn't present or was unconscious. And it worked. I would have expected this to drive me crazy, but it really didn't. I'm not sure what sort of magic Verghese worked to make that happen but extra props to him!

The story is about a lot of things. I think that, at it's heart, it's about the relationships between people and the things that can drive them apart and the things that keep them together. My favorite thing here is that place really isn't an issue. We meet characters of all races and nationalities who fall in love, who form friendships, who form the tightest of bonds. I love that. It also awakened the traveler in me as the main character marvels at the differences between different places. Time to start saving up for my next trip!