Delighted to have so much free time this week for this terrific collection of great recreational and work-related reading. Here’s a quick rundown on each book with the tweets I put out about them tonight.
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My fave books by suspense writer Michael Connelly are his Harry Bosch novels, but the ones involving defense attorney Mickey Haller are enjoyable too.

First of several #FridayReads (lots of reading time this past week&next: Michael @Connellybooks' The Gods of Guilt. pic.twitter.com/4HB3g3woYF

— Philip Turner (@philipsturner) December 28, 2013

Dave Bidini, longtime member of The Rheostatics, is a triple threat–stellar musician, compelling writer, and all-around good guy. I love oral histories like this one: the memorable voices of many musicians are soldered together in to an alternately hilarious and heartbreaking narrative of stalwarts traveling and playing music across one of the largest countries on the planet.

2nd #FridayReads–Dave Bidini's On a Cold Road: Tales of Adventure in Canadian Rock. Great oral history hockeyesque pic.twitter.com/QmjYr0SW4k

— Philip Turner (@philipsturner) December 28, 2013

I admire CUNY Graduate Center Professor William Helmreich’s civic enterprise–he walked on nearly street in the five boroughs, meeting and speaking with hundreds of New Yorkers to weave together a fascinating portrait of the 21st century city enriched by new immigrant groups.

3rd #fridayreads Sociologist Wm Helmreich's ambulatory The NY Nobody Knows, a modern flaneur hoofing in the 5 boros. pic.twitter.com/0bd50P6adD

— Philip Turner (@philipsturner) December 28, 2013

I’m hopeful that Chicago writer Haas’s suspense novels will merit rediscovery and publication. I was delighted to be asked to look at them by Shirley Haas and old Chicago friend Kevin Riordan.

4th #fridayreads Vendetta-a 70s thriller by the late J. Haas, whose widow hired me to read it&an unpublished novel. pic.twitter.com/f5fGdgLKYR

— Philip Turner (@philipsturner) December 28, 2013