#31, The Steady Running of the Hour, by Justin Go

A young man from California receives a letter from a solicitor's firm in England telling him he may be the heir to a fortune. He has seven weeks to track down proof that he is indeed the rightful heir before the 80-year-old trust expires. His search takes him across Europe and he becomes obsessed with the mystery of what happened to two lovers 8 decades earlier. The writing is first rate. The descriptions of life in the trenches in World War I and a 1924 attempt on Everest are masterful. I'll be thinking about this one for a while. Recommended if you are looking for something more than just escape.

#30, The 14th Colony, by Steve Berry

Imagine a former KGB agent still cherishes thoughts of revenge against the USA for what it did to his country. Throw in Cotton Malone, suitcase nukes and the impending presidential inauguration and you've got yourself a thriller. This wasn't bad as thrillers go, but don't look here for a lot of depth in the characterization of our hero, his friends, or his enemies. A pleasant way to while away a few hours. For my money, though, there are many better reads out there. Try

Zoo Station

by David Downing.