I am in the minority here at work. I am probably the only Librarian here that hasn't yet had a personal experience with Jack Reacher. That's right. I admit it. I have never read a Lee Child novel. My colleagues were aghast.The reason the subject came up is, of course, because the man himself is touring the country at present. Lisa and Julie were disappointed that other commitments clashed with the opportunity to attend his discussion with Graham Beattie and a North Shore audience on Sunday night. But media commitments have been numerous and you can catch video and audio clips of him on Radio New Zealand, Newstalk ZB, TV3 and TVNZ (to name a few).
Graham called Child "intelligent, articulate, amusing, generous and humble" after his Sunday event. To find out more about the author and his books, check out his website http://www.leechild.com/.
The latest book which the tour is publicising is 61 Hours which is the 14th Jack Reacher instalment. The summary on our catalogue reads "Winter in South Dakota. Blowing snow, icy roads, a tired driver. A bus skids and crashes and is stranded in a gathering storm. There's a small town twenty miles away, where a vulnerable witness is guarded around the clock. There's a strange stone building five miles further on, all alone on the prairie. There's a ruthless man who controls everything from the warmth of Mexico. Jack Reacher hitched a ride in the back of the bus. A life without baggage has many advantages. And crucial disadvantages too, when it means facing the arctic cold without a coat. But he's equipped for the rest of his task. He doesn't want to put the world to rights. He just doesn't like people who put it to wrongs."
From the discussion in the workroom on Friday, these are definitely books that I will have to read. Anything that can provide animated discussion about which was the best one, which one I should read first, and who should be Jack in a movie is well worth a look. The first novel in the series is Killing Floor, but I am told it is not imperative to read the books in order.
There is still time to catch up with Lee Child in our part of the world today as he will be in Queen Street, Auckland from 12.00-12.30pm at Borders and from 1.00-1.30pm at Whitcoulls Corner (if he doesn't get recognised and mobbed walking down the street).
Photo of Lee Child heading off for a helicopter ride over Auckland from Lee Child Tour blog
