By Craig Hoffman
Blogger at Grey, Grizzled and Gaijin
Editor's note: The new Ada Icon editor is just getting to know Craig Hoffman and perhaps some of our readers are, too. Craig graduated from Ada High School in 1994 and has been on the pages of the Icons since 2014. He lives in and blogs from Japan. In this installment, Craig has some advice for aspiring novelists.
We had a couple of days off from our regular gig in the salt mines, so we thought we would address a recent Grey, Grizzled, and Gaijin mailbag question that came in to us.
I reviewed this book once before, but felt the need to look again at this very complex novel. Some readers will not like it for its complexity and length. All I can say is that it’s worth the investment of time and thought it takes. I hope you give it a chance and become a fan of Doerr’s twists and turns.
Photograph of Captain Richard Louis Basinger courtesy of The Virtual Wall.
By Bill Herr, Icon columnist
Courage is defined in Webster's Dictionary as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. The most courageous person I ever knew was my friend, Dick Basinger. His father was my Vocational Agriculture teacher at Bluffton High School, Mr. Lorain Basinger.
This is the latest book in the impressive string of twenty-two Joe Pickett novels by C. J. Box. Shadows Reel (Random House, ISBN: 978-0-593-55635-1) is part of the long tangled story of the Pickett family and their friends. Although it can be read as a stand-alone book, it is enriching to know about the characters’ lives from previous novels. Regardless, these books are about Joe Pickett, a game warden in the state of Wyoming.
It's been quite a few weeks since I've submitted a book review for the Icon. It's been quite a few weeks since I have had the motivation to read a new pop-fiction release. I’ve found myself returning to some classics: “East of Eden,” “Travels with Charley,” and even the more recent “Cloud Cuckoo Land.”
Note from Craig: It is great to be back in the music saddle writing for the Icon(s)! I hope everyone is doing well in my hometown area, and as always, thank you for reading. What songs do you use for daily motivation?
