The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson

I ignored the fact this guy wrote Men Who Stare at Goats, because that was a book I just couldn't finish. His interview on the Daily Show sealed the deal for me and I got this book. HIGHLY entertaining look at psychopaths and other mental illnesses. Which sounds weird, I know.

One of the theories that Ronson worked with here is that higher ups in the business and political worlds are psychopaths. He wasn't able to fully validate that theory but I have no doubt it's true. Bob Hare came out with a Psychopath Test. A checklist of sorts that allows people to determine who is a psychopath. But like all psychology, it's not that black and white. Almost all of us could tick off some of those traits that make a psychopath and there's no real threshold to determine who "fails".

Ronson also covers the fact that children are being diagnosed with disorders that technically are not mental disorders that children should have and he explains (accurately, I think) how drug companies are taking advantage of this and becoming drug pushers to parents.

I ended up reading this in just a few days, it was really that engrossing.

Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin

An audiobook read by Kathy herself this was less funny than I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this, and I really like Kathy's comedy but this book kind of proves she's a real person. Weird, right?

This is a little memoir (6 hours+) and I'm left with "Wow, she works hard" and "She's ballsy and just doesn't give a shit what people think" and "She was married? And he kinda sounds like a loser". I've only sometimes watched her show Life on the D List but I have a feeling I'll be watching more. She traces growing up, her family issues, her marital issues, issues with her weight and body image, and well, everything. She truly holds nothing back.

Not AS funny as I thought it would be but still a pretty good book, so go listen to it.

Buried Prey by John Sandford

I. Love. Lucas. Davenport.

Buried Prey is the 21st Davenport book and it took a different turn than the others. We start off with the recovery of 2 somewhat old corpses of little girls. Marcy Sherrill is the head cop in charge but it turns out this case was Davenport's way back in the day, when he was a patrolman.

When Davenport "remembers" the case, we get a large portion of the book being set back in the Davenport early years. It was a nice touch to see how Lucas started and to see he was kind of a douchebag (he still IS a little but we like him more). Pre-money, pre-stable relationship, pre-detective.

The book does come into the present day to track the killer. There are some very "all-choked-up" moments in this book which really made it an excellent addition to the Davenport series.

Dark Horse by Tami Hoag

Another book I just found in my bookcase. I swear my bookcases are like my own secret bookstore.

Good little mystery set in the horse world. Who knew that world was so backstabbing, strife with jealousy and murder? It is in Hoag's version (and perhaps the real one). Elena Estes is a cop who was severely injured on the job. Her actions cost the life of another cop and she has since retreated into misery and suicidal thoughts. While staying with a friend and taking care of his horses, Estes is approached by Molly, a little girl who is worried that her sister Erin has been hurt. After some indecision, Estes takes the case to search for Erin and ends up with more than she bargained for (to take a cliched phrase).

Pretty fun book to read with a surprising ending.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum

Another Librivox recording.

You think you know the Wizard of Oz? You don't. I read this long ago when I was young and was amazed at the difference between this book and the movie. Listening to it again makes me wonder why more of the book wasn't adapted into the movie. Such great scenes that would have added a lot.

The basic premise is still the same. Dorothy and Toto are flung away from Kansas in a tornado/cyclone and end up in Munchinland, crushing the Wicked Witch of the East. Her travels are much the same with the scarecrow, the tin woodsman, and the lion. What I like about the book is while each character still wants their heart, brain and courage, the plot makes it very obvious that they already have what they need. The movie seemed to make them needier and less....great than the book.

They have lots of adventures including a land of hammerheads and a land of nothing but china figures.

The book is worth reading just to get what the Wonderful World of Oz is supposed to be.

Oh, and the slippers weren't ruby slippers. They were silver.

The Beat Cop's Guide to Chicago Eats

By Sgt. David Haynes and blogger Christopher Garlington.

Part of the Librarything's Early Reviewers deal, this was such a quick read that it only cost me a few hours and a glass of wine. And having finished reading it....I'm hungry.

Hungry for things I don't normally eat, like hot dogs and Polish sausages. Hungry for Mexican food served from a window and Italian food that transports you to Naples. Hungry for Caribbean food and soul food. And hungry for breakfast at greasy spoon diners. Indianapolis has some pretty good places to eat at for little money but just based on this book, it sounds like Chicago is the place to be.

The book has coupons for some of the places they talk about, so really, you're getting a pretty good deal.

And I'm still hungry.