Book #68 - The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

This is the third and final installment of the series starring journalist Mikael Blomkvist and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander. Unlike going from book 1 to book 2 (which was a whole new story line), this was a continuation of book 2. And, I thought this was the best of the three book. It was absolutely fantastic. This book contained a very interesting look into the secret police of Sweden as well as their judicial system, and I have to say, I find the way they run their courtrooms far more efficient and logical than in an American courtroom. The third book ended with enough closure that you do not feel a need for another book, but I have to say that I'm going to miss reading the adventures of these characters. As I've said in my blogs of the other two books, these movies will be fantastic if done right. The problem will be fitting 600 page books into 2 hour movies. One colleague from school said the Swedish version of the movie was fantastic, so lets hope they take a look at it before cutting the final copy of the movie.

Book #66 - The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

This book is fantastic. 600 pages of pure adventure, intrigue, and suspense. One of my coworkers told me she didn't like it as much as the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo", but I thought it was even better. I loved how intricate the plot was and how many layers were twisted into the story. Stieg Larsson was a phenomenal talent, and I am very saddened that he did not live to write more books. He obviously wanted to be a loud voice against violence, rape, and assault on women. It is an integral portion of both of his books I've read. If his book is true to the culture of Sweden, then women are less valuable to men than their personal belongings, cars, and motorcycles. Like I said after the first book, this will be a blockbuster in the movie theater.

Book #58 - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

This book was thrilling, appalling, scary, captivating, and deeply intricate. Fantastically written, and also extremely well translated into English. Like I told my husband, this is going to be an awesome movie. I can't even begin to describe how deep and twisted the layers of this story are and how intense the different story lines were. It was almost like this book started with three distinct and separate story lines and seemed to have three endings that were all intimately tied together. This was one of the best books I've read in a long time, but I have to say the intensity was such that I'm going to have to take some time off before I start the sequel. There were extremely violent crimes involving women that were so disturbing and really made me think about how horribly women are treated all over the world. Often women are of less value to men than personal belongings, cars, homes, etc. Also weaved into the story line was thread about the financial systems of the world and all of those people making billions playing with money they don't have and betting on the quick sell. Obviously, Stieg Larsson was trying to make a political and personal statement by bringing to light these two very serious issues in Swedish culture and politics...who knows, maybe it led to his mysterious death.