Best of the Month January 2012

Here are the best books I have read thus far in January (again, none of the books actually have to be written in Jan 2012)

Non-Fiction

Inside Scientology by Janet Reitman - Reitman's brilliant and comprehensive history of Scientology virtually eviscerates the cult. The Rolling Stone reporter kicks down the doors of secrecy and shatters any illusions you have that this is not a cult. Bottom line: scientology is about the coin...and no one even pretends otherwise. The book breaks down into four parts: first a history of enigmatic con man L. Ron Hubbard, second the new leader David Miscavige's rise to power, thirdly the horrific death of a woman who was completely conned and finally a look at the church going forward - including the seduction of Tom Cruise. This book is brilliantly written and understated. Reitman simply presents the facts, horrifying as they are.

Fiction

Fun and Games / Hell and Gone by Duane Swierczynski - The first two books in the Charlie Hardie trilogy are rip roaring rides through a twisted landscape of brutality. Deeper than the average thriller, these are books with serious guts. From the opening page they rip along like a runaway train, forcing you to blow through the pages without stop. I cannot wait until the 3rd is released in March 2012.