Book 17 Nothing to Lose 0 by Lee Child

I can't recommend this action writer.   Ok marks for interesting procedural.
Zero for character development and conflict. 
Plot gets tedious.

Book 16 (2010) The Book of Negroes ** by Lawrence Hill

Although this is a Canada Reads winner of 2009, I didn't give it my 3 or 4 Dunstars. I found it to be merely an interesting story, and especially appreciated the parts describing the Black Loyalists and the Sierra Leone colony. 
Hill admits the details are not necessarily historically accurate, so that is a bit disappointing, but otherwise it is thoroughly researched. His characters are very strong and one certainly have no doubt of the horrors of slavery and just being black among whites. He leaves the writer with no doubt that African slaves felt just like we would had it all happened to us.  The writing is good but I was conscious of it being too modern in idiom for a historical novel.

Other notable books on the subject of race, civil rights, and slavery:
Inheriting the Trade by Thomas Norman DeWolf
Slaves in the Family by Edward Ball
The Help **** by Kathryn Stockett

Book 15 Agent Zigzag ** by Ben Macintyre

The story of a criminal, master spy and con artist, and double agent for Britain and Germany during WW II.  Eddie Chapman conned the upper classes who ran and manned both the German Abwehr and the British MI5.   The spy runners were all easily charmed and manipulated by Chapman, who was only out for money and fame, although he was supposedly quite useful to the British.   On both Allied and Axis sides, the individuals involved had a lot invested in the success of these projects.

The fascinating aspect of the story is that Chapman had the nerve, the intelligence, and  controlled grandiosity to actually go into German held territory twice, remaining there for months each time, then parachute into England twice, and at the same time, quell the suspicions of the spy masters.   He had the ability to socialize with and make friends with his minders, who liked him enormously while looking down on him.   According to MacIntyre, he worked hard to memorize details, learn languages, etc.   My suspicions are that he learned enough and read enough just to show off and make an impression on the average unsuspicious person.

As all con artists and sociopaths do, he used his victims' superiority against them. By letting them look down on him and believe they are more intelligent and have power, he controls them.   They, including the author, naively never quite realize that his motivation is solely money and thrills or the totallity of his betrayal.

Macintyre's theme is that even a harded criminal and incorrigible liar like Chapman was loyal to England, which means he also was conned.   I am surprized that the book had such acclaim (as bragged about on the cover), but then the publishing industry will promote one of its own.  However, it is well researched and well written and I see he has now written another book, which I will read.

In any case, a great story well researched and well told, set in one of the most interesting times in living memory with lots of historical detail.

Book 14 Portrait of a Turkish Family*** by Irfan Orga

Published in 1950, this is a memoir of life in Turkey from about 1908 to 1940.  It chronicles the downfall of an upper class family into poverty and starvation during WWI, the incredible survival of the women and children after the men have disappeared into the army.  Orga portrays the characters of himself, his mother, other relatives with clarity and insight.  A short, powerful, easy read.   The city version of Louis de Bernieres 'Birds Without Wings.

Book 13 The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy ***

A great very readable book.   Canadians, especially Vancouverites, should read this book describing the lives of Chinese immigrants living in Chinatown in the 1920's.  One of very few novels set in Vancouver, the history of Canadian treatment of Chinese and Japanese is seen through the eyes of the children of one family.  Especially interesting are the discriptions of the number of dialects spoken and the kinship relationships that must be memorized.   Highly recommended.