Books — That Will Get Things Going for Next Year

Talk About a Happy Camper!

My Reading List for 2022 is Practically Set

The five at the bottom are Christmas gifts. My family truly loves me. I couldn’t have asked for a better list. They must go on the purchases they made the year before. Suspiciously, there’s only one political book in the bunch. Could they be secretly trying to tell me something?

Clearly, by looking at the books, you can tell which one I have already read. My review of it is already posted on Goodreads.com and six of the 12 books I read last year were good reads!

But let me start with John Grisham. As you can see by the heavily worn cover, me and this book didn’t get along. Well, that’s not true. I care for all my books. But that’s why I mostly get hardcovers. Paperback books simply can’t hold up to the wear and tear.

So, allow me to share with you my review of A Time for Mercy. (Finger in the throat).

“This was not one of my favorite JG books. First off, it was 628 pages. For what it was, it could have been done in 400 pages. And yes, I could have done it — I just don’t have his name recognition. And the ending just fell flat. As a die-hard John Grisham fan — this guy worked closely with my uncle in the Mississippi legislature — I don’t criticize many of his novels — and yes, I have read close to all of them. I tried to read one of the Theodore Boone series and it just didn’t work out, but dating back to when he first started publishing, I was right there with him. But this book — there was so much missing. Are you getting tired, John? I mean, what gives? I’m being generous with the three stars because of your name recognition, but I expected so much more. I was hopeful. And there could have been more. But nah, this just didn’t cut it for me. Sorry.”

But now, you get to redeem yourself John, (as if he has to redeem himself to me. But maybe he does. I am [I just finished watching Misery] his biggest fan! Anyway, for Christmas, my wife bought me (at full price, no less) the latest of your latest — The Judge’s List. I started it and I think it is going to be a good one. So, let’s hope you get things back together, John!

But look at my entire list of books for 2022. I’ve got military, I’ve got Jim Sciutto’s new book (I think this is his first book). I’ve got mafia. I read one of the best books and it was amazing. But you have to get into that sort of thing. It’s entitled, American Radical: Inside the World of an Undercover Muslim FBI Agent.

In 2021, I also read two awesome books that were military in nature. Erik Prince wrote Civilian Warriors: The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror. And a through and through military book penned by Rorke Denver held my attention from start to finish. His book is Damn Few. Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about wasting time reading books. Whether you like them or not, the time spent can never be replaced, so the book had better be good. I don’t write about books that didn’t entertain or inform me.

I’ve already started The Will to Kill, and I just don’t know if that one is going to make it. I’m just not getting into the dialogue. I can’t even find the cover to Spy Catcher, so that’s not looking very promising either. I have started Silent Night by Danielle Steel and the last DS book I read, Toxic Bachelors, was ok. This one is a bit drawn out and depressing thus far, but I am going to keep reading it. I get the sense this is going to be a modern-day Helen Keller-type story.

I’m most excited about reading Brothers Forever. After retiring from the Navy after 20 years of loyal, dedicated service, I know the stories of these two service members are going to touch home. 2022 is already looking up.

About the Author

Julius Evans has a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI; a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Communication and Leadership from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ; a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from City University, Bellevue, WA, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas. He is a 1985 graduate of the Defense Information School (DINFOS) of Print and Electronic Journalism and Advanced Public Affairs. DINFOS was relocated from Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, IN, to its current location at Fort George Meade, MD.

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