“The Nickel Boys” by Colson Whitehead | The Nickel Boys is unbearable for where Colson Whitehead takes the reader. Truly an astonishing and important book. You will read it in one sitting.

“The Secret Speech,” by Tom Rob Smith | Another great novel by Tom Rob Smith.

“Rules Of Civility” by Amor Towles | Finally getting around to the great Amor Towles novel “Rules Of Civility” which preceded “A Gentleman in Moscow.” I love this guys writing and l love this book just as much as Gentleman.

“Red Notice,” by Bill Browder | With Russia so much in our news I recommend this book for a truly better understanding of who we are dealing with.

“Prayers for The Assassin” by Robert Ferrigno | These three novels by Robert Ferrigno offer a realistic look at what the future of the United States could plausibly experience.

“Prague Fatale” by Philip Kerr | I have recently discovered Kerr, who unfortunately is no longer with us. In”Prague Fatale” we get another Bernie Gunther thriller. Gunther is a Berlin police detective in World War II. He abhors the Nazis and gets away with his disdain because he invariably proves to be too valuable to the Gestapo. Kerr reminds me a bit of Raymond Chandler; very entertaining. I would follow “Prague Fatale” with “The Other Side of Side of Silence.”

“Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance. | This book was written in 2016. I don’t know how I missed it, a fascinating story about Vance, who escaped poverty in Kentucky coal country and then returned to document such a large segment of American culture in crisis.

“A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles | Count Alexander Rostov is confined to house arrest for most of the Twentieth Century in the Metropol Hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Not only the best book I have ever read, but it helps us understand Russia.

“Game of Snipers” by Stephen Hunter | Bob Lee Swagger, now 72, meets his most fearsome sniper foe yet, an Islamic terrorist named Juba. Stephen Hunter at his most riveting.

“Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman | Eleanor is a profoundly damaged young Scottish woman. She is brusque. She has no social skills. She reminds me of me without the emotional and physical damage that we come to understand about her. In the end, Eleanor is a charmingly endearing woman, with a story that is surprisingly gripping. I didn’t think this book would be my cup of tea, but I have no trouble recommending it.

“Dark Sacred Night” by Michael Connelly | Michael Connelley’s Harry Bosch stories are hands down the best police procedural books available today.

“Child 44,” by Tom Rob Smith | The first in a series of three books following the life of policeman Leo Demidov, who has a strong moral and ethical code in a culture of deceit.

“Agent 6,” by Tom Rob Smith | Moscow, 1965. When Leo Demidov’s worst fears are realised and a tragic murder destroys everything he loves, he demands only one thing: that he is allowed to find the killer who has stuck at the heart of his family. Crippled by grief, his request denied, Leo sees no other option than to take matters into his own hands.