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Blog Entry 14 of 15 Reading Past Midnight....

Not only is there not enough time to read all the new books, or the classics, there isn't enough time to talk about them with other readers. New books arrive like mushrooms after a spring rain, and keeping up with them seems impossible. In my blog I will try to mix it up with what's new and what's classic - what sustains readers over time. A big part of my reading and writing is my attempt to get back to college and high school readiing lists and re-read the good stuff, instead of feeling guilty about all those Cliff Notes. Books, old and new, spill from my bookshelves, lurk under coffee tables, peer from beneath the bed. They call to me like sirens....come closer...just one more page. Even past midnight. My mission is simple. Keep reading and take the time to think about why the book is a classic. And as new titles arrive to join the ranks of classics, what makes them great? I'll share what I think, what I enjoy. The simple act of writing about a great book makes me look at it more deeply, helps me understand it, rewards me for the pleasure of reading. Let me know your thoughts, your favorites.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~somanybooks

Do you know where your identiy is?

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Contributed by: Irma Sturgell on 2/15/2007

Instant messaging, instant cash, instant buying - all good, yes? Sometimes. Instant access might be the Trojan horse of modern life. The same online convenience that offers everything out there in cyberspace, and offers it instantly can also be the portal that invites savvy thieves into our lives where they will help themselves to our hard earned cash.

Sure, a smart consumer monitors credit card charges, checks online bank accounts, and buys from secure web sites while sending up a silent prayer that 'https" really does guarantee a safe transaction. Document shredding has become a way of life as we fill trash bags with revealing bits of paper that could undo us in the wrong hands. We may even check our credit reports now and then to be sure we stay on the plus side of the bottom line.

But even with all that, can we ever feel secure? Not likely, suggests T.C. Boyle, in his novel "Talk, Talk." He spins a story of identity theft by taking us into the life of Dana Halter, a deaf teacher who, in a routine traffic violation is arrested. Apparently she is wanted for a laundry list of crimes, none of which she committed. It's hard enough sorting out this kind of mess as a hearing person and endlessly frustrating for a deaf person who must first get the attention of those in charge.

Dana's boyfriend, Bridger, tries to rescue her and quickly learns what we all suspect. In the hierarchy of compelling crimes, identity theft isn't at the top of anybody's list. By the time he gets Dana released, she has been in the claustrophobic company of nasty street criminals for a few days and has nurtured a finely tuned sense of rage that fuels a relentless need for vengeance. She must find this lowlife who is walking in her hard earned shoes and doing in grand style.

Boyle understands the conceits of modern life and strikes just the right balance between pathos and indignation. We feel Dana's, frustration and want her to get this guy. And when we meet him, (aka William "Peck" Wilson) we are astonished at his bravado and chameleon like ability to become someone else as effortlessly as we don on a new set of clothes. This guy knows how to live! An ocean view condo; a beautiful Russian wife accustomed to the best of everything; a shiny Mercedes in the garage; gourmet food on the table, all these are his with a keystroke. He learned the secrets of his trade in jail from a fellow inmate and they have done quite well for themselves - until now. With a little help from some shady friends, Dana and Bridger connect the dots and begin to develop an idea of their adversary.

Bridger gets lucky when he calls the cell phone number on an overdue bill with Dana's name on it. They hit pay dirt. The "other" Dana answers the phone and his practiced suspicion tells him it's time to relocate. He packs the Mercedes and they are off. Dana and Bridger follow in this cross-country quest fueled more by anger than common sense.

The chase is on, alternating between the naïvely determined Dana and Bridger, and the volatile Peck who still has friends in low places. Along the way, we learn just enough about identify theft to know it can happen anytime, no matter how careful we are. Who wins in the end? That depends on your idea of winning. But at the very least, you will want to check your bank balance with a tad bit more regularity.

T.C. Boyle is this year's recipient of the Evil Companion's Award, and will be honored on April 4, 2007, at the Oxford Hotel, Denver. Information about the event can be found at www.denverlibrary.org/news

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Submitted By: Gladys Mercier

posted on 3/28/2007 @ 8:04:58 PM

Rated Blog Entry

I will get that book next. I am reading " Hide" now. It is a good detective mystery, written by Lisa Gardner. Some bad language.

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Submitted By: Tabitha Dial

posted on 2/20/2007 @ 11:42:14 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Identity theft. Great subject for a book!

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Submitted By: Jeffrey Schwartz

posted on 2/16/2007 @ 7:38:15 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Excellent book review. Thanks for posting!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Irma Sturgell

Centennial , CO

Irma Sturgell has posted 15 blog entries and 2 comments since joining on 4/13/2006. Irma Sturgell 's average blog rating is 5.

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