Support
Contact
Ace:
aceofspadeshq at gee mail.com
CBD:
cbd at cutjibnewsletter.com
Buck:
buck.throckmorton at protonmail.com
joe mannix:
mannix2024 at proton.me
MisHum:
petmorons at gee mail.com
J.J. Sefton:
sefton at cutjibnewsletter.com
aceofspadeshq at gee mail.com
CBD:
cbd at cutjibnewsletter.com
Buck:
buck.throckmorton at protonmail.com
joe mannix:
mannix2024 at proton.me
MisHum:
petmorons at gee mail.com
J.J. Sefton:
sefton at cutjibnewsletter.com
Sunday Morning Book Thread - 09-18-2022 ["Perfessor" Squirrel]
PIC NOTE
I work in a library, but not for the library. Sometimes I wander the stacks just to see what sort of odd books might be lurking on the shelves, where I found A Book About a Thousand Things. Apparently the author, George Stimpson, was just a very curious man so he collected nuggets of information and published them for the masses. He authored about 10 different books about mostly random knowledge. Great for trivia buffs like myself, I suppose. He was going to write an eleventh book, A Book About American Government but died before he could finish it. (What did he know about Hillary Clinton in 1952?) WHAT DEFINES CLASSIC LITERATURE? The English department at the university where I work has a "Community Bookshelf." It's very similar to those tiny libraries we've featured here before, where readers can take and leave books. Many faculty leave copies of extra books from their office libraries. I've even dropped off a few books now and then, as well as taken a book or two. I managed to snag a copy of Watership Down by Richard Adams. It's one of those books I've always heard of and know a little bit about, but had never read. It's was there for the taking, so why not? I showed it to one of my coworkers, which sparked a brief discussion about "classic" literature. I had given her a copy of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds not long ago (from the same Community Bookshelf) and she enjoyed it. It's widely considered to be a classic in science fiction. Most people would probably regard Watership Down as a classic, I think. But why? What defines a true "classic" in literature? Is it simply a book that "stands the test of time?" What does that even mean? Many books written long ago would are found to be "unacceptable" among certain groups of readers today, but are still considered classics. Does the book have to have influenced other writers or literary movements? Just what are the criteria for judging a book as a classic and who gets to define those criteria? What are some of YOUR favorite classics? What do you think should be a classic but isn't? What are some classics that are "overrated?" Sorry about all of the questions this morning, but this is something that has been bugging me for a while and I don't have any answers...Have at it in the comments! (But please play nice!)
(ht: Iris)
- CLUE 1: He wrote a science fiction novel where India, Brazil, and Iran were the dominant superpowers after WW III and aliens were using Earth as a proving ground for intergalactic leaders.
- CLUE 2: He was born in Pennsylvania but moved to Florida as an adult, where he greatly influenced other Floridian authors.
- CLUE 3: His most famous character lives on a 52-foot houseboat, the Busted Flush.
The Horizon of Hope is now available on Amazon! Sounds like a classic adventure story:
Sometime in the last few years, W. H. Hawk realized that most modern science fiction didn't appeal to him. The "social-justice/progressivism" message had finally conquered Hawk's most cherished franchises (you can guess which ones) and it bummed him out. Then he looked around and got nervous. You see, he realized that the Left dominates our entertainment. They control the narratives that we see in print, on screen, and on stage. Our cultural direction stems from our consumed entertainment and this leftist grip on storytelling is one of the key reasons why our country continues to lurch in an undesirable direction. But when Hawk started looking for science fiction authors who honored and argued for our founding principles, he found far too few. So he wrote a novel. [Found Here: https://amzn.to/3eUzHvp] That novel is The Horizon Of Hope. Set on board the Grace O'Malley, the novel follows Bastien Devereaux, a teenage cadet, who wakes up to a damaged vessel, a missing crew, and an unexplainable mystery. The novel follows Bastien as he looks to protect the other cadets on board, fix the ship, and discover just how he ended up in this dangerous predicament. Hawk's debut novel is the first book in a planned series (Deliverance & Grace) whose core philosophy will be that of traditional American values. It is a series he hopes will help articulate Conservative thought for any and all who love space adventures, galactic intrigue, and heroic journeys. Suitable for teenage and adult readers alike.
Cadet Bastien Devereaux is a thirteen-year-old doctor's apprentice who finds himself unexpectedly torn out of cryogenic hibernation. The ship's air is foul and poisoned. His fellow cadets remain asleep. The adult crew is missing. The Grace O'Malley looks as if she's barely survived the fight of her life. With no assurances of rescue and with an unexplainable mystery on his hands, Bastien is thrust down a path where his life, and the lives of his fellow sleeping cadets, may soon be snuffed out in the void between the stars. With danger in the darkness of space, Bastien must lead the efforts to repair the ship while guarding against the pressures of trauma-induced anxiety and the fear of failing those who now look to him for leadership. And if he succeeds? The doctor's apprentice must still unravel the secrets behind their strange predicament, determine how to keep everyone safe, and plot a course towards a home that may be much farther away than initially believed. For avid science fiction fans and young readers who yearn for thought-provoking galactic adventure, The Horizon Of Hope pulls inspiration from Roddenberry's Star Trek, Lowell's Trader Tales, and Weber's Honorverse, while telling the story of a young man trying to find the inner strength to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
I try to binge read book series, but often get bumped out by something or another. I've binged, then abandoned the Spencer novels when I figured out Spenser or the author wasn't a very good detective. (and it seemed like he was more interested in cooking recipes or dialog instead, you know, solving the crime with some shoe leather and pointed questions). I've had better luck with Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories, though Death of a Dude made me want to quit...only two books left in the series so I'll finish it up this year. Louis L'Amour is bingeable if you're in a mood for westerns and very random endings to books. And I have all of John D. MacDonald's paperbacks I won at auction, I'll make a go at binging them. Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 11, 2022 10:12 AM (xcxpd)
I have a martial arts test coming up, so I have slipped back into my own personal guilty pleasure when it comes to reading: a series of pulp action novels created by Warren Murphy and Richard Sapir, called The Destroyer, about a martial-arts assassin working for an extraconstitutional government agency to fight crime and corruption. They're fun books if you like short stories that are part detective story, part action novel, with a reliable undercurrent of humor and takedowns of left-wing idealism. There're something like 100 books in the series, with most of the latter half ghost-written. They're usually found in used bookstores next to Ian Fleming's 007 or Don Pendleton's The Executioner series. There was a movie made out of these once called Remo Williams - The Adventure Begins. It got the main characters mostly right but had a lame villain and a lousy plot. I enjoy the film well enough but would like to see a reboot. Apparently Sony acquired the rights a few years back and got Shane Black to commit to direct, but nothing has ever happened with it. Posted by: Caiwyn at September 11, 2022 10:19 AM (+dHQK)
The Bernie Gunther series by Philip Kerr. A WW2 Berlin homicide cop solves murders and gets caught up with Nazis. Noir murder mysteries with the backdrop of war. The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell. The life of a pagan warlord caught between the worlds of Alfred the Great's nascent Christian nation and Viking invaders. The Arkady Renko series by Martin Cruz Smith. A cynical Moscow homicide cops squares off against Russian bureaucracy. The Jack Aubrey series by Patrick O'Brian. A Napoleonic war era chronicle of a British sea officer. Posted by: Yawrate at September 11, 2022 10:33 AM (518OI)
More Moron-recommended reading material can be found HERE! (412 Moron-recommended books so far!)
I think the only time I binge read anything was about 15-20 years ago when I went through all the Horatio Hornblower books. Once I started I couldn't quit. Posted by: who knew at September 11, 2022 10:46 AM (4I7VG)
- A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks -- Part of the Kingdom of Landover series, which is about a lawyer transported to a magical world, where he becomes a champion for good.
- The Joiner King by Troy Denning -- This is Book I of Star Wars: Legends - Dark Nest series. Just mindless entertainment, for the most part...
- The Unseen Queen by Troy Denning -- This is Book II of Star Wars: Legends - Dark Nest series. More Jedi shenanigans...
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
Tolle Lege
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:00 AM (k8B25)
2
The problem with being early is it means I'm going out and will read it later.
Posted by: From about that time at September 18, 2022 09:00 AM (4780s)
3
Hmmm... I'd say a book is a classic if either or both of the following is true:
1) People are still reading it a hundred years after it was published.
2) People are still trying to ban it a hundred years after it was published.
1) People are still reading it a hundred years after it was published.
2) People are still trying to ban it a hundred years after it was published.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:02 AM (bW8dp)
4
Clue #3 says it's John D. MacDonald.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:02 AM (Om/di)
5
Oh, and I read John O'Connor's the Mysteries of Watergate. I think on a recommendation here. I'd say don't bother. If you're interested, it probably means you already know everything in it.
Posted by: From about that time at September 18, 2022 09:03 AM (4780s)
6
I'm reading "Shield," which I bought based on the title, the back-cover description, and the author, the SF writer Poul Anderson. Certainly not the cover -- It's ugly!
A scientist returns from Mars with a gadget that creates a personal force field. This makes him a target. The security agency of what was once the United States, whose exclusive possession of WMDs makes it the big dog of the world, is willing to kill him to keep the technology secret. The Chinese are trying to snatch him. (The Russians? Destroyed in the second nuclear war.) He's captured by a local warlord, who wants him to improve the device and manufacture more. He's working closely with the warlord's physicist, and she has her own baggage.
I would be enjoying this more had I read it 10 years ago. Our current situation is too close to the world of this book.
A scientist returns from Mars with a gadget that creates a personal force field. This makes him a target. The security agency of what was once the United States, whose exclusive possession of WMDs makes it the big dog of the world, is willing to kill him to keep the technology secret. The Chinese are trying to snatch him. (The Russians? Destroyed in the second nuclear war.) He's captured by a local warlord, who wants him to improve the device and manufacture more. He's working closely with the warlord's physicist, and she has her own baggage.
I would be enjoying this more had I read it 10 years ago. Our current situation is too close to the world of this book.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:03 AM (Om/di)
7
Ahhh books
Posted by: grammie winger at September 18, 2022 09:03 AM (45fpk)
8
Good morning fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 09:03 AM (7EjX1)
9
Aubrey/Maturin is more about Maturin than Aubrey in the later books, I'd say.
Excellent in any case.
Excellent in any case.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:03 AM (bW8dp)
10
As fall approaches I got out my copy of "Travels With Charley". I don't give a hoot in hell if large parts of it were fiction as some people take delight in trying to prove. (In case you're wondering, Rocinante did exist.) I first read it in 1969 and have enjoyed it ever since. And some of the concerns he raised back then are still pertinent today, perhaps more so.
By the way, the audio book of Travels With Charley was narrated by Gary Sinise and he did a fantastic job. His delivery really added to the book for me.
By the way, the audio book of Travels With Charley was narrated by Gary Sinise and he did a fantastic job. His delivery really added to the book for me.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 09:04 AM (7EjX1)
11
Last words from War of the Worlds:
Already when I watched them they were irrevocably doomed, dying and rotting even as they went to and fro. It was inevitable. By the toll of a billion deaths man has bought his birthright of the earth, and it is his against all comers; it would still be his were the Martians ten times as mighty as they are. For neither do men live nor die in vain.
Already when I watched them they were irrevocably doomed, dying and rotting even as they went to and fro. It was inevitable. By the toll of a billion deaths man has bought his birthright of the earth, and it is his against all comers; it would still be his were the Martians ten times as mighty as they are. For neither do men live nor die in vain.
Posted by: rhennigantx at September 18, 2022 09:05 AM (BRHaw)
12
Dutifully called
Past 1/3 in Russia Against Napoleon by Dominic Levine
Starting the French retreat from their high point Moscow. There is a big fill in of personal in this book in tidbits of their interactions and will go to the end of war. I have a dozen books on Borodino but not much after that so can't wait to get to it.
Past 1/3 in Russia Against Napoleon by Dominic Levine
Starting the French retreat from their high point Moscow. There is a big fill in of personal in this book in tidbits of their interactions and will go to the end of war. I have a dozen books on Borodino but not much after that so can't wait to get to it.
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:05 AM (k8B25)
13
I don't think the pants guy owns a weedwhacker. (if you catch my drift....)
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 09:06 AM (T4tVD)
14
McDonald. George E?
Posted by: From about that time at September 18, 2022 09:06 AM (4780s)
15
Love the comic.
I enjoyed the original Landover book enough to read it more than once. Read a couple of the later ones, but don't remember how many.
I enjoyed the original Landover book enough to read it more than once. Read a couple of the later ones, but don't remember how many.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 18, 2022 09:06 AM (nC+QA)
16
4 Clue #3 says it's John D. MacDonald.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:02 AM (Om/di)
Yes, it is.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:02 AM (Om/di)
Yes, it is.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:06 AM (Zzbjj)
17
Yay book thread!
Still waiting for Walls of Men to come back from the test readers. I'm almost done with Peter Kemp's Mine Were of Trouble, his memoir of fighting for the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.
It's a good read and quite interesting. I discovered it very late in the production of Long Live Death, and decided to just finish the book because I felt I had enough information to support my claims.
I now feel validated in that decision. Kemp is interesting, I could have pulled some quotes out of his book, but I haven't seen anything that conflicts with my earlier research. So I'm reading it for fun. What a concept!
Still waiting for Walls of Men to come back from the test readers. I'm almost done with Peter Kemp's Mine Were of Trouble, his memoir of fighting for the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.
It's a good read and quite interesting. I discovered it very late in the production of Long Live Death, and decided to just finish the book because I felt I had enough information to support my claims.
I now feel validated in that decision. Kemp is interesting, I could have pulled some quotes out of his book, but I haven't seen anything that conflicts with my earlier research. So I'm reading it for fun. What a concept!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:06 AM (llXky)
18
I have A Book About A Thousand Things! Nice to see it here.
Must start crockpot for lunch. Be back in a bit.
Must start crockpot for lunch. Be back in a bit.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:07 AM (AW0uW)
19
Still haven't read the Yellow Admiral in the O'Brian series, if ever see it at the used book store will get it.
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:07 AM (k8B25)
20
Well, its not L. Ron Hubbard
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 18, 2022 09:09 AM (EZebt)
21
Oh, and I read John O'Connor's the Mysteries of Watergate. I think on a recommendation here. I'd say don't bother. If you're interested, it probably means you already know everything in it.
If you believe John Mitchell, the only mystery is who ordered the break-in in the first place and why.
BBL.
If you believe John Mitchell, the only mystery is who ordered the break-in in the first place and why.
BBL.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (AW0uW)
22
I'm currently reading "No Game for Knights", a short story anthology edited by Larry Correia and Kacey Elzell.
This is a followup to their Noir Fatale anthology, both of which feature film noir/hard-boiled detective stories in science fiction settings. The first volume focused on femme fatales, while the new one is about noir heroes.
Excellent in both cases.
This type of anthology is very useful for finding new authors you like without taking the risk of shelling out for a whole book by one person.
This is a followup to their Noir Fatale anthology, both of which feature film noir/hard-boiled detective stories in science fiction settings. The first volume focused on femme fatales, while the new one is about noir heroes.
Excellent in both cases.
This type of anthology is very useful for finding new authors you like without taking the risk of shelling out for a whole book by one person.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (bW8dp)
23
Good morning Book Thread folks!! Thanks again Perfesser, this thread is chock full of ways to deplete my checking account and it's just gotten started!
The classic novel I relied on in elementary school was the Three Musketeers. I had an ancient hardback that one of my siblings likely forgot to return to the library, and it was the perfect rainy afternoon read. Later, I decided that I needed to read ALL of Dickens, just to say I did it. They may be classics, but not nearly as enjoyable.
The classic novel I relied on in elementary school was the Three Musketeers. I had an ancient hardback that one of my siblings likely forgot to return to the library, and it was the perfect rainy afternoon read. Later, I decided that I needed to read ALL of Dickens, just to say I did it. They may be classics, but not nearly as enjoyable.
Posted by: Moki at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (JrN/x)
24
I used to never ditch a book once I started reading it. Now I find myself doing it more and more. This week I dumped Louise Penny's "The Beautiful Mystery", a story of a murder in a monastery outside Quebec.
I have read all her other works but I am getting impatient with the increasing woke. And the short, clipped sentences. Like this one. Which she continually uses. Till I can't take it anymore.
I have read all her other works but I am getting impatient with the increasing woke. And the short, clipped sentences. Like this one. Which she continually uses. Till I can't take it anymore.
Posted by: grammie winger at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (45fpk)
25
Finished two books on my vacation.
"Deep Pink" by Sarah Hoyt. It's Sarah. No further recommendation need be done.
"Pretending to Sleep" by Monalisa Foster. If you don't hate communists yet, this book will give you enough reason.
"Deep Pink" by Sarah Hoyt. It's Sarah. No further recommendation need be done.
"Pretending to Sleep" by Monalisa Foster. If you don't hate communists yet, this book will give you enough reason.
Posted by: NR Pax at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (tdsvC)
26
I am only wearing shorts. Hope that is all right.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (dNqv+)
27
I enjoyed the original Landover book enough to read it more than once. Read a couple of the later ones, but don't remember how many.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 18, 2022 09:06 AM (nC+QA)
---
I've noticed people on Reddit tend to dismiss Terry Brooks as being too derivative of Tolkien...That only holds true with Sword of Shannara. His Landover books are decent "fairy tale" stories with interesting and memorable characters. Very different from Tolkien, but drawing on some of the same source material...
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 18, 2022 09:06 AM (nC+QA)
---
I've noticed people on Reddit tend to dismiss Terry Brooks as being too derivative of Tolkien...That only holds true with Sword of Shannara. His Landover books are decent "fairy tale" stories with interesting and memorable characters. Very different from Tolkien, but drawing on some of the same source material...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:11 AM (K5n5d)
28
I'm sorry, but the words "Book One" deter me from trying something new. Yet much of my reading is of series. How to reconcile these attitudes?
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:11 AM (Om/di)
29
Greetings, O Book Thread!
Recently I've been reading Food and Drink in Medieval Poland by Maria Dembinska, a book donated to the Little Free MoMe Library by an 'ette of great learning at the Yakima MoMe this year. I of course have to sample donated books (for quality!) and this intrigued me. Further intrigue was provided in the preface, where the phrase "smuggled out of Poland" shows up, something rarely said about cookbooks but such was the depravity of Communist Poland in 1983. (Ms. Dembinska bribed a border guard with a silver heirloom to get the book out to the West). It's a bit academic (originally a doctoral thesis) but quite interesting. And the political subterfuge adds a piquant flavor especially in these piping times. I shall see if it provides any helpful hints on baking files into cakes to help political prisoners escape.
Morons may be interested in such recipes as "Beer Soup with Cheese and Eggs".
Recently I've been reading Food and Drink in Medieval Poland by Maria Dembinska, a book donated to the Little Free MoMe Library by an 'ette of great learning at the Yakima MoMe this year. I of course have to sample donated books (for quality!) and this intrigued me. Further intrigue was provided in the preface, where the phrase "smuggled out of Poland" shows up, something rarely said about cookbooks but such was the depravity of Communist Poland in 1983. (Ms. Dembinska bribed a border guard with a silver heirloom to get the book out to the West). It's a bit academic (originally a doctoral thesis) but quite interesting. And the political subterfuge adds a piquant flavor especially in these piping times. I shall see if it provides any helpful hints on baking files into cakes to help political prisoners escape.
Morons may be interested in such recipes as "Beer Soup with Cheese and Eggs".
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at September 18, 2022 09:12 AM (zNcSj)
30
24 I used to never ditch a book once I started reading it. Now I find myself doing it more and more. This week I dumped Louise Penny's "The Beautiful Mystery", a story of a murder in a monastery outside Quebec.
I have read all her other works but I am getting impatient with the increasing woke. And the short, clipped sentences. Like this one. Which she continually uses. Till I can't take it anymore.
Posted by: grammie winger at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (45fpk)
I have found the same thing grammie. I think it is because as you get older, you have less and less patience for both bullshit and you start to notice mental disorders in other people more readily. Books are a great way to see inside the heads of the author, and often that is not a good place to be.
I have read all her other works but I am getting impatient with the increasing woke. And the short, clipped sentences. Like this one. Which she continually uses. Till I can't take it anymore.
Posted by: grammie winger at September 18, 2022 09:10 AM (45fpk)
I have found the same thing grammie. I think it is because as you get older, you have less and less patience for both bullshit and you start to notice mental disorders in other people more readily. Books are a great way to see inside the heads of the author, and often that is not a good place to be.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:13 AM (dNqv+)
31
I have A Book About A Thousand Things! Nice to see it here.
Must start crockpot for lunch. Be back in a bit.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:07 AM (AW0uW)
---
LOL!
Honestly, I am not at all surprised that you would have a book like this...
Must start crockpot for lunch. Be back in a bit.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:07 AM (AW0uW)
---
LOL!
Honestly, I am not at all surprised that you would have a book like this...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:13 AM (K5n5d)
32
> The classic novel I relied on in elementary school was the Three Musketeers.
Dumas could write a fucking story, that's for sure.
I read The Count of Monte Cristo at a very early age just because the story was so exciting. It's over a thousand pages, but I was sorry when it ended.
Dumas could write a fucking story, that's for sure.
I read The Count of Monte Cristo at a very early age just because the story was so exciting. It's over a thousand pages, but I was sorry when it ended.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:13 AM (bW8dp)
33
O'Connor says it was simply a CIA sex tapes for fun and profit operation, really had nothing to do with the white house political ops. CIA was just perfectly willing to let the white house take the fall. Early deep state shit, and had all come out in various hearings not covered by the media because no fun at all.
Posted by: From about that time at September 18, 2022 09:13 AM (4780s)
34
28 I'm sorry, but the words "Book One" deter me from trying something new. Yet much of my reading is of series. How to reconcile these attitudes?
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:11 AM (Om/di)
See I am the opposite. I have always loved series. Makes you feel like you are setting off on a journey.
Either way, I usually ignore my own quirks except to acknowledge them.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:11 AM (Om/di)
See I am the opposite. I have always loved series. Makes you feel like you are setting off on a journey.
Either way, I usually ignore my own quirks except to acknowledge them.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:14 AM (dNqv+)
35
I'm sad to say, I've seen lists of classics being adulterated to lean toward diversity.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:14 AM (Zzbjj)
36
I often reserve ebooks from the local library. Two became available this week. The thing is, you can only keep the ebook for 7 days. If you already have a book you are reading, and 2 come in, you're sunk. At least I am.
Posted by: grammie winger at September 18, 2022 09:14 AM (45fpk)
37
I read ALL of John D. Macdonald's works
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 09:14 AM (T4tVD)
38
hiya
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 09:15 AM (T4tVD)
39
Thanks for that recommend Sabrina! We spent two years in Warsaw, and fell in love with Poland. The food...not so much. So much of what is now heritage/traditional food was born out of the shortages of the WWII/Soviet Occupation years, so this book will be enlightening, to say the least!
Posted by: Moki at September 18, 2022 09:15 AM (JrN/x)
40
I used to avoid series because I'd always wind up missing one or more volumes. Bookstore distribution was hit and miss back then, and if you didn't get the book in the few weeks it was on the shelf, you were basically screwed.
In the age of Amazon and online used bookstores, that's no longer an issue.
In the age of Amazon and online used bookstores, that's no longer an issue.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:15 AM (bW8dp)
41
It's Dominic Lieven
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:16 AM (k8B25)
42
I read Star of the North by D. B. John. This is a very good thriller about North Korea, but I found the ending a bit too contrived.
Posted by: Zoltan at September 18, 2022 09:16 AM (0ipkK)
43
Must start crockpot for lunch. Be back in a bit.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
Don't forget to put food in !
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
Don't forget to put food in !
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 09:17 AM (T4tVD)
44
In the middle of the Sharpe series which could get on ebook but look for used
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:17 AM (k8B25)
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 09:18 AM (T4tVD)
46
Today's first mention of Tolkien comes in at comment #27. The Vegas betting line had set the Over/Under at 34.
When it comes to Tolkien, ALWAYS bet the Under!
When it comes to Tolkien, ALWAYS bet the Under!
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:18 AM (cPDW+)
47
> In the middle of the Sharpe series which could get on ebook but look for used
I enjoyed those, but somehow lost interest around book 15 or thereabouts.
If you haven't seen it, the TV series with Sean Bean as Sharpe is also quite good, IMO.
I enjoyed those, but somehow lost interest around book 15 or thereabouts.
If you haven't seen it, the TV series with Sean Bean as Sharpe is also quite good, IMO.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:18 AM (bW8dp)
48
I used to avoid series because I'd always wind up missing one or more volumes. Bookstore distribution was hit and miss back then, and if you didn't get the book in the few weeks it was on the shelf, you were basically screwed.
In the age of Amazon and online used bookstores, that's no longer an issue.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:15 AM (bW8dp)
---
That didn't stop me much...but over time I had a number of series that had "gaps." I've been filling in those gaps in recent years, thanks to the power of the internet (mostly Amazon). But I am hesitant to start any NEW series...
In the age of Amazon and online used bookstores, that's no longer an issue.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:15 AM (bW8dp)
---
That didn't stop me much...but over time I had a number of series that had "gaps." I've been filling in those gaps in recent years, thanks to the power of the internet (mostly Amazon). But I am hesitant to start any NEW series...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:20 AM (K5n5d)
49
Posted by: Moki at September 18, 2022 09:15 AM (JrN/x)
===
I left Russia swearing never to eat cabbage again.
===
I left Russia swearing never to eat cabbage again.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 18, 2022 09:20 AM (EZebt)
50
Today's first mention of Tolkien comes in at comment #27. The Vegas betting line had set the Over/Under at 34.
When it comes to Tolkien, ALWAYS bet the Under!
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:18 AM (cPDW+)
---
The house (me, as the COB) always wins!
When it comes to Tolkien, ALWAYS bet the Under!
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:18 AM (cPDW+)
---
The house (me, as the COB) always wins!
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:21 AM (K5n5d)
51
This week I found out about a type of writing game game called a " journal RPG". It is generally a solo game that uses a deck of regular playing cards and a standard six-sided die to determine basic scenarios that the player then journals about in character. There are diary style, epistolary style, and map-making, as just a few options.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 18, 2022 09:22 AM (nC+QA)
52
I get a lot of books from the library system, but only in hard copy. First, because I don't own an e-reader (other than this phone), and second, because if it becomes overdue, I still have it. Nobody is coming to get it.
The library has suspended fines anyway. When the kids were small, I would joke that our fines financed the construction of at least two branches. Could have used those extra bucks then.
The library has suspended fines anyway. When the kids were small, I would joke that our fines financed the construction of at least two branches. Could have used those extra bucks then.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:23 AM (Om/di)
53
I left Russia swearing never to eat cabbage again.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 18, 2022 09:20 AM (EZebt)
lol, I bet!
Dad was Russian, so we had a lot of Texified Russian food, which was pretty good. Tasting stuff that had the same name in Poland was a bit of a shock. Especially the strawberry pierogies.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 18, 2022 09:20 AM (EZebt)
lol, I bet!
Dad was Russian, so we had a lot of Texified Russian food, which was pretty good. Tasting stuff that had the same name in Poland was a bit of a shock. Especially the strawberry pierogies.
Posted by: Moki at September 18, 2022 09:24 AM (JrN/x)
54
Well I finally completed The Stand and have moved on to the Elemental Masters.
Posted by: vic /s at September 18, 2022 09:24 AM (mZwKe)
55
I generally love Bernard Cornwell's books and started the Sharpe books, but I just don't like the main character. He's an ass. Uhtred (Saxon warlord) could be an ass, but I find him much more likeable.
Posted by: huerfano at September 18, 2022 09:24 AM (dTFZY)
56
Speaking of Tolkien and Dumas, one thing I have always noted- though I cannot identify the specific mechanism- is how the writing 'feels'. Both Tolkien and Dumas have a writing style that feels... impersonal. It is one of those styles that did not attract me as much growing up- even if I enjoyed it. The same is true of ERB. My guess it is a word choice thing, but it is something I always noted in the classics (even while not being able to put my finger on exactly what it was.)
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:25 AM (dNqv+)
57
Hiya Vic !
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 09:26 AM (T4tVD)
58
When it comes to Tolkien, ALWAYS bet the Under!
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:18 AM (cPDW+)
---
I'm seeing Catholic media talking about canonizing him.
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:18 AM (cPDW+)
---
I'm seeing Catholic media talking about canonizing him.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:27 AM (llXky)
59
NewNeo brought this link up, read many, lots long ago, sadly missing historical books but didn't see every page.
#6 and 7 are the highest and Dostoevsky has a few in it and should read one someday.
https://thegreatestbooks.org/
#6 and 7 are the highest and Dostoevsky has a few in it and should read one someday.
https://thegreatestbooks.org/
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:27 AM (k8B25)
60
Has anybody guessed John D. Macdonald as the Mystery guest?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:28 AM (c6xtn)
61
Has anybody guessed John D. Macdonald as the Mystery guest?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:28 AM (c6xtn)
---
In a surprise twist, it was Joan Collins.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:28 AM (c6xtn)
---
In a surprise twist, it was Joan Collins.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:28 AM (llXky)
62
I'm seeing Catholic media talking about canonizing him.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:27 AM (llXky)
I wonder how many of them would realize how much he would hate that?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:27 AM (llXky)
I wonder how many of them would realize how much he would hate that?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:28 AM (dNqv+)
63
Richard Sharpe is a bit of a anti-hero as a character
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:29 AM (k8B25)
64
I finally bought the audio book The Brothers Karamazov but I am intimidated by its length. 37 hours.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at September 18, 2022 09:29 AM (ybIRR)
65
Although I have had the book for several years, I finally read 13 Hours. Did not know that the CIA contractors believed they could have saved Sean Smith and the Ambassador, but the CIA station chief (who later, of course, got a big award) wasted time before releasing them to help. Really quick, informative read; wish I had read it earlier.
Posted by: EveR at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (MUpk6)
66
I noticed yesterday my dog Paisley has an adorable Hercule Pour it mustache when she gives me a doggie smile . So I got a hairbrained idea for a children's book, or a series of books: The Adventures of Paisley Pour it, Doggie Detective.
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
Paisley needs lots of grace but she's a dog and dogs are never too proud to receive grace.
At the very least thinking about this makes me happy. And breaks through that cloud that's been hanging around lately.
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
Paisley needs lots of grace but she's a dog and dogs are never too proud to receive grace.
At the very least thinking about this makes me happy. And breaks through that cloud that's been hanging around lately.
Posted by: Northernlurker, surgite at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (eGTCV)
67
I'm seeing Catholic media talking about canonizing him.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:27 AM (llXky)
---
Wouldn't THAT make Leftist publishers' heads explode?
I'm all for it! And I'm not Catholic...
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:27 AM (llXky)
---
Wouldn't THAT make Leftist publishers' heads explode?
I'm all for it! And I'm not Catholic...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (K5n5d)
68
I have read every one of those Travis McGee books and would love to do a re-read on the Kindle but they just want too high a price for the kindle version now.
Posted by: vic /s at September 18, 2022 09:31 AM (mZwKe)
69
I'm all for it! And I'm not Catholic...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (K5n5d)
Don't you need to have caused a miracle or something?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (K5n5d)
Don't you need to have caused a miracle or something?
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:32 AM (Zzbjj)
70
Yes, hunting for books to fill gaps in a series was fun. And I read them soon after purchase.
Now, I scoop up practically an entire series online, and they sit on the shelf shaming me.
I wonder whether I would do this if used-book stores were still as common as they once were.
But it's nice to have books with the same trade dress.
Now, I scoop up practically an entire series online, and they sit on the shelf shaming me.
I wonder whether I would do this if used-book stores were still as common as they once were.
But it's nice to have books with the same trade dress.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:32 AM (Om/di)
71
Don't you need to have caused a miracle or something?
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:32 AM (Zzbjj)
Yes. Is it three separate, documented instances of intercession? Something like that.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:32 AM (Zzbjj)
Yes. Is it three separate, documented instances of intercession? Something like that.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (dNqv+)
72
Based on suggestions here I am trying to read a new genres to see if it can keeps me engaged. YA urban fiction is what I'm trying. It's not horrible except the part where a "teen" vampire is hundreds of years old and is going to a paranormal high school with others like a werewolf, witch, etc.
I just don't get why they would be in high school.
I just don't get why they would be in high school.
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (UUBmN)
73
I wonder how many of them would realize how much he would hate that?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:28 AM (dNqv+)
---
His humility adds to the case for his canonization.
I think there's a strong case to be made insofar as his works opened the doors to faith for millions and continues to inspire people to this day. How many people felt his works changed their lives? Is that not miraculous?
How many of us found solace in his works in times of doubt or fear? Does that not count as consolation?
One could argue that his personal devotion to the faith and the fruits of his works were at least as consequential as those of St. Therese of Lisieux.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:28 AM (dNqv+)
---
His humility adds to the case for his canonization.
I think there's a strong case to be made insofar as his works opened the doors to faith for millions and continues to inspire people to this day. How many people felt his works changed their lives? Is that not miraculous?
How many of us found solace in his works in times of doubt or fear? Does that not count as consolation?
One could argue that his personal devotion to the faith and the fruits of his works were at least as consequential as those of St. Therese of Lisieux.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:34 AM (llXky)
74
To busy trying to instil a love of reading in my Grandkids to read anything I'm interested in right now.
Evening reads include such classics as "There's a Monster at the End of this Book" and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"
Slowly finishing Disease and History by Frederic Cartwright at about two pages a week. I'm on Vacation all next week with not much to do so I am going to just start it over and get a better grip on the contents.
Evening reads include such classics as "There's a Monster at the End of this Book" and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"
Slowly finishing Disease and History by Frederic Cartwright at about two pages a week. I'm on Vacation all next week with not much to do so I am going to just start it over and get a better grip on the contents.
Posted by: Reforger at September 18, 2022 09:34 AM (fWRCJ)
75
Clue NO. 1 about John D. refers to Ballroom of the Skies, the best of his serious science fiction. I should say "better," because he only wrote 2 that I know of. He said that for the money pulp magazines offered, mystery/crime fiction was a better bet, as he did not have to work so hard creating a background as he did with SF.
The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything straddles the line between SF and fantasy -- but it's a fun romp, completely different from Ballroom.
The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything straddles the line between SF and fantasy -- but it's a fun romp, completely different from Ballroom.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:34 AM (c6xtn)
76
72 Based on suggestions here I am trying to read a new genres to see if it can keeps me engaged. YA urban fiction is what I'm trying. It's not horrible except the part where a "teen" vampire is hundreds of years old and is going to a paranormal high school with others like a werewolf, witch, etc.
I just don't get why they would be in high school.
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (UUBmN)
This. High School has not gotten better the further I have gotten away from it.
I just don't get why they would be in high school.
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (UUBmN)
This. High School has not gotten better the further I have gotten away from it.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:34 AM (dNqv+)
77
72. To comply with state and local laws?
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:35 AM (Zzbjj)
78
WHAT DEFINES CLASSIC LITERATURE?
*******
That Certain Undefiinable Something
What makes an old book a classic?
And what makes a T-Rex Jurassic?
'Bama's offensive line?
Or a fine vintage wine?
And what makes a pickle a Vlasic?
*******
That Certain Undefiinable Something
What makes an old book a classic?
And what makes a T-Rex Jurassic?
'Bama's offensive line?
Or a fine vintage wine?
And what makes a pickle a Vlasic?
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:35 AM (cPDW+)
79
Booken morgen horden!
Just walked the doggeh
Just walked the doggeh
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 09:35 AM (p/nbH)
80
What makes a book a classic? I guess if it is still read beyond the author's lifetime, if it still speaks to people 50 or 100 years or more later, then that's a big part of it. Watership Down certainly is. I describe it to people as "a thriller for rabbits," which gets the attention of serious readers at least.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:36 AM (c6xtn)
81
What makes an old book a classic?
And what makes a T-Rex Jurassic?
'Bama's offensive line?
Or a fine vintage wine?
And what makes a pickle a Vlasic?
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:35 AM (cPDW+)
---
Very Cole Porter.
And what makes a T-Rex Jurassic?
'Bama's offensive line?
Or a fine vintage wine?
And what makes a pickle a Vlasic?
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:35 AM (cPDW+)
---
Very Cole Porter.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:36 AM (llXky)
82
>>> 72 Based on suggestions here I am trying to read a new genres to see if it can keeps me engaged. YA urban fiction is what I'm trying. It's not horrible except the part where a "teen" vampire is hundreds of years old and is going to a paranormal high school with others like a werewolf, witch, etc.
I just don't get why they would be in high school.
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (UUBmN)
How else is the Main Character supposed to meet the sparkly man of her dreams???
I just don't get why they would be in high school.
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (UUBmN)
How else is the Main Character supposed to meet the sparkly man of her dreams???
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022 09:37 AM (llON8)
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:37 AM (cPDW+)
84
80 What makes a book a classic? I guess if it is still read beyond the author's lifetime, if it still speaks to people 50 or 100 years or more later, then that's a big part of it. Watership Down certainly is. I describe it to people as "a thriller for rabbits," which gets the attention of serious readers at least.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:36 AM (c6xtn)
I need to reread that. I saw someone compare the journey the rabbits go on as closely mirroring the legend for Romulus and the founding of Rome. It intrigued me.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:36 AM (c6xtn)
I need to reread that. I saw someone compare the journey the rabbits go on as closely mirroring the legend for Romulus and the founding of Rome. It intrigued me.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:38 AM (dNqv+)
85
I've been reading "The Art of Beatrix Potter". It's a collection of her many sketches and paintings for the stories and scientific illustrations and how her talent and interests came about. The more I learn about Potter, the more impressed I am at her talent and business acumen. (As far as I can tell, she was the first to use merchandizing based on her stories.)
In a similar vein, I got a book about a Martin Johnson Heade exhibit which includes a good amount of his various styles and subjects. CBD used one of his works on the art thread a while back and I was intrigued by his skill and subjects, especially the botanicals and wildlife. He did some flowers resting on jewel-like velvet that are amazing. He caught the texture and colors so effectively. I wish the book had more on his techniques but it was worth hunting down the copy.
In a similar vein, I got a book about a Martin Johnson Heade exhibit which includes a good amount of his various styles and subjects. CBD used one of his works on the art thread a while back and I was intrigued by his skill and subjects, especially the botanicals and wildlife. He did some flowers resting on jewel-like velvet that are amazing. He caught the texture and colors so effectively. I wish the book had more on his techniques but it was worth hunting down the copy.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 09:38 AM (7EjX1)
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022 09:38 AM (llON8)
87
How else is the Main Character supposed to meet the sparkly man of her dreams???
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022 09:37 AM (llON
High School as social club. Which actually makes sense as far as it goes. Exposing kids to new ideas and other people. Same for college with alcohol added.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022 09:37 AM (llON
High School as social club. Which actually makes sense as far as it goes. Exposing kids to new ideas and other people. Same for college with alcohol added.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:39 AM (dNqv+)
88
83 "There's a Monster at the End of this Book"
*********
Hey! No spoilers!!
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:37 AM (cPDW+)
--------------------------------
Turns out, the townsfolk were the monsters all along!
*********
Hey! No spoilers!!
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:37 AM (cPDW+)
--------------------------------
Turns out, the townsfolk were the monsters all along!
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 09:39 AM (uPgE/)
89
Greetings!
Churchill's "History of the English Speaking Peoples" Volume III, now finished, moving on the fourth and final volume.
Churchill's "History of the English Speaking Peoples" Volume III, now finished, moving on the fourth and final volume.
Posted by: gourmand du jour, w new lease on life at September 18, 2022 09:40 AM (jTmQV)
90
Perfessor,
Thanks for the Dr. Zeus cartoon. It will have me laughing for a long time.
Thanks for the Dr. Zeus cartoon. It will have me laughing for a long time.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 09:40 AM (7EjX1)
91
Those pants rock.
Posted by: Donovan at September 18, 2022 09:40 AM (sn5EN)
92
W. S. Merwin, The Lost Upland.
Three stories of Provence and the changes in landscape and lives of the people (farmers, shepherds, wine merchants, villagers) The setting seems to be mid 20th century. Very moving stories and every page beautifully written.
Three stories of Provence and the changes in landscape and lives of the people (farmers, shepherds, wine merchants, villagers) The setting seems to be mid 20th century. Very moving stories and every page beautifully written.
Posted by: Ziba at September 18, 2022 09:41 AM (4h9M3)
93
Yes. Is it three separate, documented instances of intercession? Something like that.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (dNqv+)
---
Yes, and I expect a certain amount of institutional resistance because it would be so immensely popular.
It's interesting to see how he went from a hippie/countercultural icon to a Catholic rallying point. There's been a significant shift in Tolkien scholarship from the purely mythological/creative side of his work to the ways in which he illustrates Catholic doctrine.
He is far more subtle than C.S. Lewis, but also takes things to a deeper, and more sublime level.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (dNqv+)
---
Yes, and I expect a certain amount of institutional resistance because it would be so immensely popular.
It's interesting to see how he went from a hippie/countercultural icon to a Catholic rallying point. There's been a significant shift in Tolkien scholarship from the purely mythological/creative side of his work to the ways in which he illustrates Catholic doctrine.
He is far more subtle than C.S. Lewis, but also takes things to a deeper, and more sublime level.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:41 AM (llXky)
94
Reading material: I picked up MPPP's "The Stuff That Dreams are Made Of."
*smart alek remark about "Long Live Death" and a comparison to Bulwer-Lytton deleted.*
Just started, but, I have enjoyed what I've read so far.
*smart alek remark about "Long Live Death" and a comparison to Bulwer-Lytton deleted.*
Just started, but, I have enjoyed what I've read so far.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 09:42 AM (5pTK/)
95
I purchased (it was Pay What You Want) a game called One Day at a Thyme which is about living in one's dream cottage in a magical world. I am about to start episode three as "I" step foot into the house for the first time. It has been a fun mental exercise to decide what the property and house would be like if realities like cleaning and heating didn't need to be priorities. In my case, English with cottage garden in front, a modern gas cooking range in the kitchen, and Japanese (tatami room, leading to an engawa style porch) with a garden and hot spring in the back.
I haven't actually reached the *game* part of the game yet, but I am using the opportunity to do actual journaling at the end of each section, and also ( because my IRL tasks are similar enough) intend to use the "activities" card draws to help me with my to-do list.
I haven't actually reached the *game* part of the game yet, but I am using the opportunity to do actual journaling at the end of each section, and also ( because my IRL tasks are similar enough) intend to use the "activities" card draws to help me with my to-do list.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 18, 2022 09:42 AM (nC+QA)
96
Books for young kids can be wildly imaginative.
I recall one in which the face of a monster disappeared bit by bit with each turn of the page. Finally, no monster.
I thought that was a good way to overcome the effects of nightmares.
And the works of Eric Carle! To me, those are classics.
I recall one in which the face of a monster disappeared bit by bit with each turn of the page. Finally, no monster.
I thought that was a good way to overcome the effects of nightmares.
And the works of Eric Carle! To me, those are classics.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 18, 2022 09:42 AM (Om/di)
97
High School as social club. Which actually makes sense as far as it goes. Exposing kids to new ideas and other people. Same for college with alcohol added.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:39 AM (dNqv+)
---
Write what you know. Even young writers know about high school.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:39 AM (dNqv+)
---
Write what you know. Even young writers know about high school.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (llXky)
98
6 I always liked the t-shirt:
"... and then Buffy staked Edward. The End."
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022
***
I always liked the meme where Edward is sparkling, and Spike and Angel look at him in disgust. Spike mutters, "It's the bloody Tooth Fairy."
"... and then Buffy staked Edward. The End."
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022
***
I always liked the meme where Edward is sparkling, and Spike and Angel look at him in disgust. Spike mutters, "It's the bloody Tooth Fairy."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (c6xtn)
99
He is far more subtle than C.S. Lewis, but also takes things to a deeper, and more sublime level.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:41 AM (llXky)
CS Lewis: A hammer.
Tolkien: A stiletto.
?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:41 AM (llXky)
CS Lewis: A hammer.
Tolkien: A stiletto.
?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (dNqv+)
100
Perfessor: Sent you a mail last week to the address specified in this thread. Did you get it? (Forwarded it again just now.)
If Gmail is throwing mail I'm trying to send to it into a black hole, I'd like to know.
If Gmail is throwing mail I'm trying to send to it into a black hole, I'd like to know.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (nRMeC)
101
Helena,
I'm mainly looking for mindless entertainment to escape the modern horror show that is going on in real life.
BTW I got a box of things if are bringing your tool in six point five because my daughter would like to try it. 😁
I'm mainly looking for mindless entertainment to escape the modern horror show that is going on in real life.
BTW I got a box of things if are bringing your tool in six point five because my daughter would like to try it. 😁
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (UUBmN)
102
Because of the ransomware attack on Baker & Taylor (the near-monopoly public library book wholesaler), I had to wait an extra month for The Ink Black Heart, #6 of the Cormoran Strike mysteries by "Robert Galbraith" ... but I have it now, and while we're on the subject of crime stories, the Baker & Taylor hack had a happy ending: Instead of paying up, they called in forensic hackers and caught the bad guys!
Posted by: werewife, princess of Delray Beach at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (SPNTN)
103
I always liked the meme where Edward is sparkling, and Spike and Angel look at him in disgust. Spike mutters, "It's the bloody Tooth Fairy."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (c6xtn)
---
A little hypocritical coming from Angel, as he stalked Buffy in much the same was as Edward stalked Bella...
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (c6xtn)
---
A little hypocritical coming from Angel, as he stalked Buffy in much the same was as Edward stalked Bella...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (K5n5d)
104
I left Russia swearing never to eat cabbage again.
Posted by: San Franpsycho
********
That would make a pretty good opening line of a novel.
Or a cookbook.
Posted by: San Franpsycho
********
That would make a pretty good opening line of a novel.
Or a cookbook.
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 09:45 AM (cPDW+)
105
Turns out, the townsfolk were the monsters all along!
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 09:39 AM (uPgE/)
Monsters?! But, but...we hugged them before we shipped them off to the camps!!!
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 09:39 AM (uPgE/)
Monsters?! But, but...we hugged them before we shipped them off to the camps!!!
Posted by: Martha's Vineyard Monsters, er... Townsfolk at September 18, 2022 09:45 AM (7bRMQ)
106
Walking the dog is a great idea.
I find the lists of classics too depressing. When you find a list in which 80% are women's relationship books and shit like Catcher in the Rye, you see the depressing state of education today. I suppose it would be too much to expect anyone to read anything but a condensed version of Tolstoy or Dickens, when you can read the totes magnificent Toni Morrison or crap like that. I think today is the last time I look at these stupid lists. You would think women wrote 80% of the "great" books. I spit on the redefinition of "classic"
I find the lists of classics too depressing. When you find a list in which 80% are women's relationship books and shit like Catcher in the Rye, you see the depressing state of education today. I suppose it would be too much to expect anyone to read anything but a condensed version of Tolstoy or Dickens, when you can read the totes magnificent Toni Morrison or crap like that. I think today is the last time I look at these stupid lists. You would think women wrote 80% of the "great" books. I spit on the redefinition of "classic"
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:45 AM (Zzbjj)
107
Greetings:
Achille Lauro
When you cruise the Medi-raean
Look out for Arab and Iranian
Cause on the Achille Lauro
Anything goes.
Cole Porter ???
Achille Lauro
When you cruise the Medi-raean
Look out for Arab and Iranian
Cause on the Achille Lauro
Anything goes.
Cole Porter ???
Posted by: 11B40 at September 18, 2022 09:46 AM (uuklp)
108
MPPPP, I finished your Stuff Dreams Are Made Of! Well done, and I'll have to go establish an Amazon account so I can mount a review for it. The climactic battle and chase through the Intolerance set had a very cinematic quality, as a book about the movies should.
Like a lot of your readers, I'm not as familiar with silent-film era stars and players as I am from the sound era. I had no idea Valeska Surratt was a real person. (I liked her scene w/ Toby on p.143 of the paperback edition!)
Like a lot of your readers, I'm not as familiar with silent-film era stars and players as I am from the sound era. I had no idea Valeska Surratt was a real person. (I liked her scene w/ Toby on p.143 of the paperback edition!)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:46 AM (c6xtn)
109
He is far more subtle than C.S. Lewis, but also takes things to a deeper, and more sublime level.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:41 AM (llXky)
More seriously, I would say difference of intent. Lewis was INTENDING to write about issues, his philosophy, and problems he saw. Tolkien was so steeped in this... worldview, that it bled into his writing.
Just my thought.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:41 AM (llXky)
More seriously, I would say difference of intent. Lewis was INTENDING to write about issues, his philosophy, and problems he saw. Tolkien was so steeped in this... worldview, that it bled into his writing.
Just my thought.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:47 AM (dNqv+)
110
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at September 18, 2022 09:12 AM (zNcSj)
Sabrina, if you enjoyed that cookbook, you might also like Fast and Feast: Food in Medieval Society by Bridget Ann Henisch. It's not a collection of recipes (though there are a few included); but more of a study of medieval attitudes towards food, its preparation and presentation.
https://tinyurl.com/2s4b6n78
I also recommend A Medieval Home Companion: Housekeeping in the Fourteenth Century. This was written around 1393 by an elderly, rich Parisian merchant who had just married a young girl and was designed as an instruction book to teach her how to run a household, deal with servants and, of course, to cook the master's favorite meals.
https://tinyurl.com/26jzkn49
Sabrina, if you enjoyed that cookbook, you might also like Fast and Feast: Food in Medieval Society by Bridget Ann Henisch. It's not a collection of recipes (though there are a few included); but more of a study of medieval attitudes towards food, its preparation and presentation.
https://tinyurl.com/2s4b6n78
I also recommend A Medieval Home Companion: Housekeeping in the Fourteenth Century. This was written around 1393 by an elderly, rich Parisian merchant who had just married a young girl and was designed as an instruction book to teach her how to run a household, deal with servants and, of course, to cook the master's favorite meals.
https://tinyurl.com/26jzkn49
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:47 AM (AW0uW)
111
CS Lewis: A hammer.
Tolkien: A stiletto.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (dNqv+)
---
Both approaches are helpful and they compliment each other nicely. The thing is, that Lewis only gets you so far. He's very good on the basics of the faith, and he's also very explicit in what he's trying to do.
That's part of the problem. It's hard to read Lewis and not know what you're reading.
Tolkien, on the other hand, has layers upon layers. It's funny but he's often the go-to guy for the Lord of Spirits guys when they want to explain some complex theological concept of the Unseen world.
Tolkien: A stiletto.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (dNqv+)
---
Both approaches are helpful and they compliment each other nicely. The thing is, that Lewis only gets you so far. He's very good on the basics of the faith, and he's also very explicit in what he's trying to do.
That's part of the problem. It's hard to read Lewis and not know what you're reading.
Tolkien, on the other hand, has layers upon layers. It's funny but he's often the go-to guy for the Lord of Spirits guys when they want to explain some complex theological concept of the Unseen world.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:47 AM (llXky)
112
A little hypocritical coming from Angel, as he stalked Buffy in much the same was as Edward stalked Bella...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022
***
True. But that was when he was soul-less and was Angelus again.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022
***
True. But that was when he was soul-less and was Angelus again.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:47 AM (c6xtn)
113
Now that Queen Elizabeth the Twoth has died (succeeded by King Charles the Threeth), I have found myself getting back into British politics again, or the history thereof, at least. After seeing some items on YT on PMs Wilson and Callaghan, I remember the threeth volume of Charles Moore's amazing bio on Margaret Thatcher is staring back at me, as if it is being forsaken. I'll probably won't take a swing at it until I can have a breather from the school year. But soon. Speaking of school...
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM (CdZ4i)
114
Dear Lord, I hate Catcher in the Rye. Never ever understood the love for that pile of crap.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM (dNqv+)
115
Yes, 3 verifiable miracles.
To justify starting the canonization process.
Then there's a whole forensic biographical study of his/her life.
Interesting trivia bit - the term "devil's advocate" comes from the process for canonization. At least one investigator was tasked with coming up with opposing arguments and/or facts to derail canonization. The Devil's Advocate.
To justify starting the canonization process.
Then there's a whole forensic biographical study of his/her life.
Interesting trivia bit - the term "devil's advocate" comes from the process for canonization. At least one investigator was tasked with coming up with opposing arguments and/or facts to derail canonization. The Devil's Advocate.
Posted by: BobM at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM (Hg5Li)
116
I'm going to take a not very caffeinated stab at the Classic question:
There are acknowledged classics which, as books go, are not all that well written. However, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Jordan Peterson, it's a foundational book which sparked a genre.
Then, there are true classic, which are well written, containing many well turned phrases and have an artists view of the world in which they reside.
There are acknowledged classics which, as books go, are not all that well written. However, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Jordan Peterson, it's a foundational book which sparked a genre.
Then, there are true classic, which are well written, containing many well turned phrases and have an artists view of the world in which they reside.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM (5pTK/)
Posted by: Reuben Hick at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM (3hSHB)
118
Been reading Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh, the first book in the Sword of Honor trilogy and it's rekindled my love of reading after my stroke which I was afraid had departed. Just a wonderful portrayal of someone trying to get back into fighting shape and how WW2 was portrayed in England. Just a wonderful experience.
Posted by: Captain Hate at September 18, 2022 09:49 AM (y7DUB)
119
Perfessor: Sent you a mail last week to the address specified in this thread. Did you get it? (Forwarded it again just now.)
If Gmail is throwing mail I'm trying to send to it into a black hole, I'd like to know.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (nRMeC)
---
Yep. I got it and replied just now. I meant to reply earlier, but hadn't gotten around to it yet (my apologies).
If Gmail is throwing mail I'm trying to send to it into a black hole, I'd like to know.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (nRMeC)
---
Yep. I got it and replied just now. I meant to reply earlier, but hadn't gotten around to it yet (my apologies).
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:49 AM (K5n5d)
120
1. Some favorite classics: Homer, Shakespeare, "Moby Dick," "Absalom, Absalom."
2. Should be a classic, but isn't: Dos Passos' "U.S.A." Kantor's "Andersonville."
3. Classics I consider overrated: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Kurt Vonnegut.
2. Should be a classic, but isn't: Dos Passos' "U.S.A." Kantor's "Andersonville."
3. Classics I consider overrated: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Kurt Vonnegut.
Posted by: Brett at September 18, 2022 09:49 AM (UhlEE)
121
So I got a hairbrained idea for a children's book, or a series of books: The Adventures of Paisley Pour it, Doggie Detective.
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
I LOVE it! Please, please write this and reserve me a copy!
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
I LOVE it! Please, please write this and reserve me a copy!
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:49 AM (AW0uW)
122
...very very few kids at school knew what The Iliad or The Odyssey were when I mentioned them earlier the past week while prepping them for a good long look at ancient Greece. I first read a portion of The Odyssey in eighth grade (Odysseus's encounter with Polyphemus).
Depressing isn't the word.
Depressing isn't the word.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at September 18, 2022 09:50 AM (CdZ4i)
123
I finished "With the Lapps in the High Mountains" by Emilie Demant Hatt. She traveled with the Lapps or Sami in 1907 and this is her journal of the year with them. It's always interesting to have a woman detail what nomadic life is like. There were already problems with maintaining the lifestyle and some were settling down. Very interesting book.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 18, 2022 09:50 AM (yj6n8)
124
I also recommend A Medieval Home Companion: Housekeeping in the Fourteenth Century. This was written around 1393 by an elderly, rich Parisian merchant who had just married a young girl and was designed as an instruction book to teach her how to run a household, deal with servants and, of course, to cook the master's favorite meals.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:47 AM (AW0uW)
Same as it ever was?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:47 AM (AW0uW)
Same as it ever was?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 09:50 AM (7bRMQ)
125
A little hypocritical coming from Angel, as he stalked Buffy in much the same was as Edward stalked Bella...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (K5n5d)
---
Hmmm, so you have this much older man who finds himself obsessed with a teenaged girl to the extent that he stalks her and eventually seduces her. When they have sex, he turns into a raving psycho.
You write what you know.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (K5n5d)
---
Hmmm, so you have this much older man who finds himself obsessed with a teenaged girl to the extent that he stalks her and eventually seduces her. When they have sex, he turns into a raving psycho.
You write what you know.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:50 AM (llXky)
126
120: classics I consider overrated: Charles Dickens, "Great Expectations".
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at September 18, 2022 09:51 AM (CdZ4i)
127
Whoops, that got cut short.
He turns into a raving psycho because she stole his soul.
You write what you know.
He turns into a raving psycho because she stole his soul.
You write what you know.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:51 AM (llXky)
128
Classic book: Something read for decades, hated for decades, and spawned imitators for decades.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 09:52 AM (7bRMQ)
129
122. Depressing will do, maddening is better.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:52 AM (Zzbjj)
130
Mistress of My Fate, Hallie Rubenhold
Highly entertaining historical fiction of a young woman
"thrown headlong into the decadence and debauchery of 18c. London." Well written page turner.
Unfortunately the author never got around to writing a sequel.
Highly entertaining historical fiction of a young woman
"thrown headlong into the decadence and debauchery of 18c. London." Well written page turner.
Unfortunately the author never got around to writing a sequel.
Posted by: Ziba at September 18, 2022 09:52 AM (4h9M3)
131
117 I just don't get why they would be in high school.
pedophile or slow learner
Posted by: Reuben Hick at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM (3hSHB)
I think at least the overt idea is that they are trying to blend in as a part of not being noticed by society. The characters are often described as being very youthful looking (author wishcasting alert) and immortal so, high school. It also allows for them to set up the social interaction and the main character running across them.
Damn, I am getting too cynical in my old age because that fits too well and also seems like even more crap.
pedophile or slow learner
Posted by: Reuben Hick at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM (3hSHB)
I think at least the overt idea is that they are trying to blend in as a part of not being noticed by society. The characters are often described as being very youthful looking (author wishcasting alert) and immortal so, high school. It also allows for them to set up the social interaction and the main character running across them.
Damn, I am getting too cynical in my old age because that fits too well and also seems like even more crap.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:53 AM (dNqv+)
132
We should have a dedicated thread for books that we were forced to read at school that we 1) loved and 2) hated.
Books I hated: "Great Expectations", "The Scarlet Letter" are the top of the heap. Others were just "meh".
Books I hated: "Great Expectations", "The Scarlet Letter" are the top of the heap. Others were just "meh".
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at September 18, 2022 09:53 AM (CdZ4i)
133
Reading material: I picked up MPPP's "The Stuff That Dreams are Made Of."
*smart alek remark about "Long Live Death" and a comparison to Bulwer-Lytton deleted.*
Just started, but, I have enjoyed what I've read so far.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 09:42 AM (5pTK/)
**tips hat**
I thank you! Hope you continue to enjoy it.
*smart alek remark about "Long Live Death" and a comparison to Bulwer-Lytton deleted.*
Just started, but, I have enjoyed what I've read so far.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 09:42 AM (5pTK/)
**tips hat**
I thank you! Hope you continue to enjoy it.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:53 AM (AW0uW)
134
Been reading Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh, the first book in the Sword of Honor trilogy and it's rekindled my love of reading after my stroke which I was afraid had departed. Just a wonderful portrayal of someone trying to get back into fighting shape and how WW2 was portrayed in England. Just a wonderful experience.
Posted by: Captain Hate at September 18, 2022 09:49 AM (y7DUB)
---
Excellent! Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy had a huge influence on me. I consider it up there with Lord of the Rings in terms of emotional and spiritual impact.
Beautifully written and funny as hell.
Posted by: Captain Hate at September 18, 2022 09:49 AM (y7DUB)
---
Excellent! Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy had a huge influence on me. I consider it up there with Lord of the Rings in terms of emotional and spiritual impact.
Beautifully written and funny as hell.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:54 AM (llXky)
135
My son has never enjoyed reading, so when he was in high school I didn't make him read much. His favorites from his high school years? The Scarlet Letter and Watership Down.
We discussed the question "what makes a classic?" at length during dinners when my kids were in high school. Mostly centered around Harry Potter. "Will Harry Potter stand the test of time?" kind of thing. It was fun. We never really decided.
We discussed the question "what makes a classic?" at length during dinners when my kids were in high school. Mostly centered around Harry Potter. "Will Harry Potter stand the test of time?" kind of thing. It was fun. We never really decided.
Posted by: Quirky bookworm at September 18, 2022 09:54 AM (gBvlU)
136
You write what you know.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:50 AM (llXky)
This is the problem with looking under the hood as far as the author. It fits though. Especially for Joss Whedon.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:50 AM (llXky)
This is the problem with looking under the hood as far as the author. It fits though. Especially for Joss Whedon.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:55 AM (dNqv+)
137
It also allows for them to set up the social interaction and the main character running across them.
Damn, I am getting too cynical in my old age because that fits too well and also seems like even more crap.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:53 AM (dNqv+)
---
...and it's a setting everyone is familiar with. You don't even need to have finished high school to write about it.
One need not overthink this.
Damn, I am getting too cynical in my old age because that fits too well and also seems like even more crap.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:53 AM (dNqv+)
---
...and it's a setting everyone is familiar with. You don't even need to have finished high school to write about it.
One need not overthink this.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (llXky)
138
On monster books, if familiar with the Harry Potter movies I think it would be a good art project to make the Monster book of Monsters.
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (k8B25)
139
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:46 AM (c6xtn)
**blushes**
You're very kind, Wolfus. Praise from a fellow author is truly welcome. I'm looking forward to your review.
As for Suratt, I liked writing that scene, though originally she was a bit more of a vamp towards Toby. I think I straddled the line between "bitch" and "seductress" fairly well.
But my favorite character to write was Von. I don't know if I can bring him back in the new book, but I'll try.
**blushes**
You're very kind, Wolfus. Praise from a fellow author is truly welcome. I'm looking forward to your review.
As for Suratt, I liked writing that scene, though originally she was a bit more of a vamp towards Toby. I think I straddled the line between "bitch" and "seductress" fairly well.
But my favorite character to write was Von. I don't know if I can bring him back in the new book, but I'll try.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (AW0uW)
140
I think at least the overt idea is that they are trying to blend in as a part of not being noticed by society. The characters are often described as being very youthful looking (author wishcasting alert) and immortal so, high school. It also allows for them to set up the social interaction and the main character running across them.
Damn, I am getting too cynical in my old age because that fits too well and also seems like even more crap.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
----
This is true in most of these type books but in this case it's a high school FOR paranormal beings. The vampires are portrayed as being hundreds of years old while the witches, werewolves, etc. are actual teens. It's a bit annoying....
Damn, I am getting too cynical in my old age because that fits too well and also seems like even more crap.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
----
This is true in most of these type books but in this case it's a high school FOR paranormal beings. The vampires are portrayed as being hundreds of years old while the witches, werewolves, etc. are actual teens. It's a bit annoying....
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (UUBmN)
141
>>>He authored about 10 different books about mostly random knowledge. Great for trivia buffs like myself, I suppose.
-------
If you like that sort of book I highly recommend Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things. Full of trivia about things we take for granted now. Best bathroom book ever.
-------
If you like that sort of book I highly recommend Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things. Full of trivia about things we take for granted now. Best bathroom book ever.
Posted by: 496 at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (VJsqe)
142
One need not overthink this.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (llXky)
Hi, my name's Aetius. Have we met before?
That is pretty much the definition of me.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (llXky)
Hi, my name's Aetius. Have we met before?
That is pretty much the definition of me.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (dNqv+)
143
I never could get into Tolkien. And when my fourth grade teacher decided to read to us "The Chronicles of Narnia", she was doing her best to kill any desire I had to read fantasy anything.
Fantasy just hasn't been my genre so I will leave that to others.
Fantasy just hasn't been my genre so I will leave that to others.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (CdZ4i)
144
Can't remember a thing about Watership Down. Pretty sure I must have skimmed it at one time or another, but it never engaged me at all. I don't know if the YA series Redwall (Brian Jacques) with brave mice as the protagonists came out of that popularity or not. I just remember teenage boys reading those big fat fantasy novels, and there were a lot of them.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022 09:57 AM (MIKMs)
145
On the serious side of reading, this week I finished up "Tide of Empires Volume 1" by Peter Padfield. A book about early-modern navies, from Portugal breaking into the Indian Ocean to the Dutch taking over the Atlantic. Neat stuff, but being mostly text, it lacked a bit of context. So I ordered an Osprey book "Dutch Navies of the 80 Years War," to help put some pictures and explanations to all the ships I had just read about...
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 18, 2022 09:57 AM (Lhaco)
146
I thank you! Hope you continue to enjoy it.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:53 AM (AW0uW)
--------------
You're welcome.
I might add, the book definitely has "more please" built into it. But, i also admit it might just be me, because I have a thing for the kind of setting you're building.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:53 AM (AW0uW)
--------------
You're welcome.
I might add, the book definitely has "more please" built into it. But, i also admit it might just be me, because I have a thing for the kind of setting you're building.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 09:57 AM (5pTK/)
147
Posted by: Northernlurker, surgite at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (eGTCV)
That sounds like a lot of fun both to write and to read.
That sounds like a lot of fun both to write and to read.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 18, 2022 09:58 AM (nC+QA)
148
The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby are both highly ranked on my list of "Books with Protagonists that I Would Most Enjoy Punching in the Face".
In the case of The Great Gatsby, that applies to essentially every character in the book.
In the case of The Great Gatsby, that applies to essentially every character in the book.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:58 AM (bW8dp)
149
Mistress of My Fate, Hallie Rubenhold
Highly entertaining historical fiction of a young woman
"thrown headlong into the decadence and debauchery of 18c. London." Well written page turner.
Unfortunately the author never got around to writing a sequel.
Posted by: Ziba at September 18, 2022 09:52 AM (4h9M3)
She also wrote The Five, a look at the lives of Jack the Ripper's five accepted victims:
https://tinyurl.com/4y9erc8z
Highly entertaining historical fiction of a young woman
"thrown headlong into the decadence and debauchery of 18c. London." Well written page turner.
Unfortunately the author never got around to writing a sequel.
Posted by: Ziba at September 18, 2022 09:52 AM (4h9M3)
She also wrote The Five, a look at the lives of Jack the Ripper's five accepted victims:
https://tinyurl.com/4y9erc8z
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 09:59 AM (AW0uW)
150
A little hypocritical coming from Angel, as he stalked Buffy in much the same was as Edward stalked Bella...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (K5n5d)
---
Hmmm, so you have this much older man who finds himself obsessed with a teenaged girl to the extent that he stalks her and eventually seduces her. When they have sex, he turns into a raving psycho.
You write what you know.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022
***
Not completely fair, as Angel did not start stalking Buffy until he turned into the raving psycho. And her interest in him was just as strong until he changed. It was intended as a metaphor for the school girl experience, "We had sex but then he changed," etc.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (K5n5d)
---
Hmmm, so you have this much older man who finds himself obsessed with a teenaged girl to the extent that he stalks her and eventually seduces her. When they have sex, he turns into a raving psycho.
You write what you know.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022
***
Not completely fair, as Angel did not start stalking Buffy until he turned into the raving psycho. And her interest in him was just as strong until he changed. It was intended as a metaphor for the school girl experience, "We had sex but then he changed," etc.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:00 AM (c6xtn)
151
> And when my fourth grade teacher decided to read to us "The Chronicles of Narnia"
When it comes to Lewis, the space books are much better than the Narnia books, IMO. Narnia is just a bit too twee for my taste.
And that Mister Tumnus character? Obvious pedo. Both in the books and in every film adaptation I've seen. Yeah, there's a reason he lives in a closet.
When it comes to Lewis, the space books are much better than the Narnia books, IMO. Narnia is just a bit too twee for my taste.
And that Mister Tumnus character? Obvious pedo. Both in the books and in every film adaptation I've seen. Yeah, there's a reason he lives in a closet.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 10:00 AM (bW8dp)
152
The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby are both highly ranked on my list of "Books with Protagonists that I Would Most Enjoy Punching in the Face".
In the case of The Great Gatsby, that applies to essentially every character in the book.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:58 AM (bW8dp)
-----------
My take: I'm pretty sure Holden Caulfield did get punched in the face, repeatedly, hence his attitude throughout the book.
In the case of The Great Gatsby, that applies to essentially every character in the book.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 09:58 AM (bW8dp)
-----------
My take: I'm pretty sure Holden Caulfield did get punched in the face, repeatedly, hence his attitude throughout the book.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:01 AM (5pTK/)
153
120: classics I consider overrated: Charles Dickens, "Great Expectations".
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33
Yeah, the twists were a little too contrived for my taste. BUT... when we read it in 9th grade, our teacher let us watch the movie (I think it was the 1946 version). Further, he let us watch the part where Miss Havisham catches fire three or four times. Sadistic and magical all at once. It really made up for slogging through the book.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33
Yeah, the twists were a little too contrived for my taste. BUT... when we read it in 9th grade, our teacher let us watch the movie (I think it was the 1946 version). Further, he let us watch the part where Miss Havisham catches fire three or four times. Sadistic and magical all at once. It really made up for slogging through the book.
Posted by: She Hobbit at September 18, 2022 10:02 AM (ftFVW)
154
135. I enjoyed Hawthorne, but was introduced in 3rd grade by a teacher who read The Great Stone Face to the class. Now that is an underrated gem. A story of people hungry for a great leader is a perpetual human dilemma. I think that is what defines a classic, it's a book that illustrates the human condition in a way most people can't. It's clarifying. The Greeks did this beautifully. We do dragons that are symbolic of dragons and the need for super powers rather than intelligence and perseverance.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 10:02 AM (Zzbjj)
155
Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy had a huge influence on me. I consider it up there with Lord of the Rings in terms of emotional and spiritual impact.
Beautifully written and funny as hell.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:54 AM (llXky)
Your pimping it had a big influence on my checking it out. Thanks.
Beautifully written and funny as hell.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 09:54 AM (llXky)
Your pimping it had a big influence on my checking it out. Thanks.
Posted by: Captain Hate at September 18, 2022 10:02 AM (y7DUB)
156
Reading purely for entertainment, this week I finished up the comic book "Thunderbolts Omnibus Volume 2." I loved volume 1 (About an unlikely superhero team from the 90s) but volume 2 sucked. A new writer quickly burned up all good-will I had for the series and left most the characters unrecognizable. When the stories themselves didn't suck, (which they often did) then it was just boring because I no longer cared about the team. But I pushed through it for the sake of completeness, and now I'm done. I can put the book back on the shelf, and only ever pick it up again to look at some of the art...
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 18, 2022 10:03 AM (Lhaco)
157
> I'm pretty sure Holden Caulfield did get punched in the face, repeatedly, hence his attitude throughout the book
Yes, he did get punched a few times, but that still wasn't nearly enough.
"Oh, my life sucks so bad! My dad is a fully-loaded investment banker and I live in a luxury apartment! And he keeps sending me to top-quality schools that I keep getting thrown out of because I am a useless little shit!"
Yes, he did get punched a few times, but that still wasn't nearly enough.
"Oh, my life sucks so bad! My dad is a fully-loaded investment banker and I live in a luxury apartment! And he keeps sending me to top-quality schools that I keep getting thrown out of because I am a useless little shit!"
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 10:03 AM (bW8dp)
158
4 Can't remember a thing about Watership Down. Pretty sure I must have skimmed it at one time or another, but it never engaged me at all. I don't know if the YA series Redwall (Brian Jacques) with brave mice as the protagonists came out of that popularity or not. I just remember teenage boys reading those big fat fantasy novels, and there were a lot of them.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022
***
I'll admit that WD is slow at first. But once you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology, you're hooked.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022
***
I'll admit that WD is slow at first. But once you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology, you're hooked.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:03 AM (c6xtn)
159
Books I hated: "Great Expectations"
********
Dickens obviously wrote "The Little Curiosity Shop" as a magazine serial. Main problem being that each week he wrote the latest installment without looking back or reviewing what he had written the previous weeks (much like the writers of Yellowstone). I found myself pleasantly surprised when Nell finally bought the farm. And I'm not referring to her using her inheritance to purchase agricultural property.
********
Dickens obviously wrote "The Little Curiosity Shop" as a magazine serial. Main problem being that each week he wrote the latest installment without looking back or reviewing what he had written the previous weeks (much like the writers of Yellowstone). I found myself pleasantly surprised when Nell finally bought the farm. And I'm not referring to her using her inheritance to purchase agricultural property.
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 10:04 AM (cPDW+)
160
The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby are both highly ranked on my list of "Books with Protagonists that I Would Most Enjoy Punching in the Face".
In the case of The Great Gatsby, that applies to essentially every character in the book.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022
***
On the plus side, both books are short.
In the case of The Great Gatsby, that applies to essentially every character in the book.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022
***
On the plus side, both books are short.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (c6xtn)
161
152. That's the point of Gatsby, selfish destructive people, destroying themselves and others. If you love Daisy and Gatsby, you've messed up.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (Zzbjj)
162
What makes a classic book? Contrary to my school days, it isn't because some 'authority' said so. It is writing that can speak to and inspire readers over generations or at least a lifetime. The 'authorities', like art and movie critics, are too impressed with their social standing and current viewpoints. They are divorced from or disregard the important, ongoing things that matter to most people. I remember the horror of academics when a popular poll had LOTR as the most important book of the 20th century. Their outrage was so loud the poll was repeated and LOTR came in even further ahead. Their problem was Tolkien didn't drown his readers in existential angst so necessary to 'enrich' the reading public. He even (gasp!) had a Christian component to his writing and no homosexual possibilities. How could such writing be classic without those factors?
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (7EjX1)
163
So I have just begun reading The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures, which is a bio of Louis Le Prince, who, in 1888, filmed what is considered to be the first motion picture ever made, Roundhay Garden Scene.
https://tinyurl.com/bdhjwetb
In 1890, he was granted patents for his various movie-making components, but shortly before his first public exhibition, he boarded a train and was never seen again, leaving the field open for Edison to claim the "invention" for himself.
There's long been speculation that Edison had Le Prince murdered; I'll be interested to see whether that theory turns out to be true.
https://tinyurl.com/bdhjwetb
In 1890, he was granted patents for his various movie-making components, but shortly before his first public exhibition, he boarded a train and was never seen again, leaving the field open for Edison to claim the "invention" for himself.
There's long been speculation that Edison had Le Prince murdered; I'll be interested to see whether that theory turns out to be true.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (AW0uW)
164
by the way, has Josephine Tey been discussed in the book thread?
She wrote some fine mysteries, but, from what I can tell, her career, and life, were cut short due to substance abuse.
Which is sad.
She wrote some fine mysteries, but, from what I can tell, her career, and life, were cut short due to substance abuse.
Which is sad.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (5pTK/)
165
Reading again "The Complete Fenelon"- published by Paraclete Press-letters of spiritual direction and comments on feasts and fasts in the RCC by Francois Fenelon who lived from the mid 17th century to about 1715. He was a RC Archbishop. Fenelon speaks to me- hence my "FenelonSpoke" handle. I recently gave copies of this work to two conservative RC friends. I hope they enjoy it.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (NYy95)
166
Yeah, it's always fun to see a literary snob going on about Dickens, without realizing that Dickens wrote for money, publishing his novels in installments in the cheapest newspapers around.
If he were around today he'd be cranking out media tie-in novels or something similar.
If he were around today he'd be cranking out media tie-in novels or something similar.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 10:06 AM (bW8dp)
167
Dear Lord, I hate Catcher in the Rye. Never ever understood the love for that pile of crap.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM
I taught that book twice, once in summer school. It worked great for the concept of unreliable narrator and symbolism. A lot of students liked it, for one reason or another. I wasn't sad when it was replaced by Brave New World and Catch-22.
Even the students who loved the book were shocked when they read an essay by a Baby Boomer fan. It characterized Holden as a flawed hero calling out phonies; they saw Holden as a teen with mental health issues whose problems were mostly self-inflicted. Personally, I think the Boomers got it wrong, to the benefit of Salinger's bank account.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:48 AM
I taught that book twice, once in summer school. It worked great for the concept of unreliable narrator and symbolism. A lot of students liked it, for one reason or another. I wasn't sad when it was replaced by Brave New World and Catch-22.
Even the students who loved the book were shocked when they read an essay by a Baby Boomer fan. It characterized Holden as a flawed hero calling out phonies; they saw Holden as a teen with mental health issues whose problems were mostly self-inflicted. Personally, I think the Boomers got it wrong, to the benefit of Salinger's bank account.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 18, 2022 10:06 AM (/+bwe)
168
I FINALLY finished 'Invasion Rabaul', which was fairly dry going for me and I love history. It's the first in a trilogy about battles over that part of the Pacific. The first book was about the Japanese conquest of the island and the miserable fate of 'Lark Force', who were massacured or died in the jungle, mostly. Sounds like the Aussie upper officers are in the British mole: fuck ups, callous and borderline incompetent. I didn't enjoy reading it.
What I HAVE enjoyed is the 'Collected McAuslan' by George Fraser, of Flashman fame. It's fictionalized stories about the author's post-war service in a Highland Regiment. It's very funny and much more enjoyable story about military life compared to Invasion Rabual.
What I HAVE enjoyed is the 'Collected McAuslan' by George Fraser, of Flashman fame. It's fictionalized stories about the author's post-war service in a Highland Regiment. It's very funny and much more enjoyable story about military life compared to Invasion Rabual.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:07 AM (xcxpd)
169
I also finished "A Grand Adventure" by Benedicte Ingstad about her parents' discovery of the Viking settlement in Newfoundland. I've always found it intetesting, as the first proof was a spindle whorl. Her mother Anne Stine Ingstad did not get credit for being a trained archeologist in charge of the dig. And her father Helge Ingstad had an adventerous life before this discovery. Very enjoyable
Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 18, 2022 10:07 AM (yj6n8)
170
You're very kind, Wolfus. Praise from a fellow author is truly welcome. I'm looking forward to your review.
As for Suratt, I liked writing that scene, though originally she was a bit more of a vamp towards Toby. I think I straddled the line between "bitch" and "seductress" fairly well.
But my favorite character to write was Von. I don't know if I can bring him back in the new book, but I'll try.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022
***
I'll email you some editing notes through your website, if you like.
You're very kind, Wolfus. Praise from a fellow author is truly welcome. I'm looking forward to your review.
As for Suratt, I liked writing that scene, though originally she was a bit more of a vamp towards Toby. I think I straddled the line between "bitch" and "seductress" fairly well.
But my favorite character to write was Von. I don't know if I can bring him back in the new book, but I'll try.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022
***
I'll email you some editing notes through your website, if you like.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:07 AM (c6xtn)
171
Not completely fair, as Angel did not start stalking Buffy until he turned into the raving psycho. And her interest in him was just as strong until he changed. It was intended as a metaphor for the school girl experience, "We had sex but then he changed," etc.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:00 AM (c6xtn)
---
It's been a long time since it was background noise in my house, but I'm pretty sure Angel was the Tall Dark and Handsome stranger who mysterious showed up to protect Buffy and would spy on her while brooding outside her home.
Add in the fact that Whedon had a thing for getting young girls on the casting couch (and trying to destroy the ones who refused him), I'm not inclined to cut the man any slack.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:00 AM (c6xtn)
---
It's been a long time since it was background noise in my house, but I'm pretty sure Angel was the Tall Dark and Handsome stranger who mysterious showed up to protect Buffy and would spy on her while brooding outside her home.
Add in the fact that Whedon had a thing for getting young girls on the casting couch (and trying to destroy the ones who refused him), I'm not inclined to cut the man any slack.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:08 AM (llXky)
172
> Personally, I think the Boomers got it wrong, to the benefit of Salinger's bank account.
The Catcher in the Rye was basically a Mary Sue for Salinger.
He was just about as much of a spoiled little shithead as Holden Caulfield, by all reports.
The Catcher in the Rye was basically a Mary Sue for Salinger.
He was just about as much of a spoiled little shithead as Holden Caulfield, by all reports.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 18, 2022 10:08 AM (bW8dp)
173
Read Catcher in high school -- have thought about revisiting it, but...meh. Gatsby was one of those I didn't care for when I read it in college, read it again a few years back and found it much better than I remembered it. Hawthorne -- no desire to revisit The Scarlet Letter but some of his short stories are delightful. Dickens -- planning to catch up with more of his work Real Soon Now; was once stuck all night in a Greyhound station with a copy of Great Expectations and the hours just flew by.
I'd go with "still being read after 75 or 100 years" -- by readers, not just students stuck with assignments -- as a decent ballpark for the term "classic."
I'd go with "still being read after 75 or 100 years" -- by readers, not just students stuck with assignments -- as a decent ballpark for the term "classic."
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (a/4+U)
174
I've read Josephine Tey's book on Richard 111 and the modern day detective investigating the death of the princes in the tower, which I really liked, (I've read it a couple of times) and I think I read another of her mysteries but I don't recall which it was. Sorry to hear about her death from substance abuse.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (NYy95)
175
FIRST!!!!!
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (Zz0t1)
176
Speaking of space-filling verbiage, football announcer on one of the games yesterday proclaimed confidently, "Everything in life is a cost/benefit analysis."
My wife said, "I'll bet he's fun at home: 'Honey, pass the mashed potatoes'...'Well, let's consider the pluses and minuses.'"
My wife said, "I'll bet he's fun at home: 'Honey, pass the mashed potatoes'...'Well, let's consider the pluses and minuses.'"
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (cPDW+)
177
WhoDis: Stephen J. Cannell
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (Zz0t1)
178
I hated Catcher in the Rye when I read it in high school and have never changed my mind.
Posted by: Northernlurker, surgite at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (eGTCV)
179
I'll email you some editing notes through your website, if you like.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:07 AM (c6xtn)
Yes, please. I can't use them for Dreams, of course, but I'm sure they'll help with the new book.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:07 AM (c6xtn)
Yes, please. I can't use them for Dreams, of course, but I'm sure they'll help with the new book.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (AW0uW)
180
Most always substance abuse leads to destruction
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (k8B25)
181
Dr. Zeuss is funny.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (Zz0t1)
182
That's the point of Gatsby, selfish destructive people, destroying themselves and others. If you love Daisy and Gatsby, you've messed up.
Posted by: CN
Yeah, Gatsby almost put me off of my love of the 1920's as a young person. Destructive Long Island people aside, I still think I'd rather hang around in the last century's '20s since the current '20s are shaping up to be pretty crumby so far.
Posted by: CN
Yeah, Gatsby almost put me off of my love of the 1920's as a young person. Destructive Long Island people aside, I still think I'd rather hang around in the last century's '20s since the current '20s are shaping up to be pretty crumby so far.
Posted by: She Hobbit at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (ftFVW)
183
If you like that sort of book I highly recommend Panati's Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things. Full of trivia about things we take for granted now. Best bathroom book ever.
Posted by: 496 at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (VJsqe)
Pretty sure I have this book. If any of you teacher types or parents want a review of what we used to think, Reader's Digest put out a book quite a while ago called American Folklore and Legend. Covers from the Pilgrims through modern times. Published in 1978, so not that "modern." End with computers and a story, "True Love," by Asimov. Read it dozens of times from the time we bought it. I think it's a good recommendation for parents and grandparents who want their kids to know what we used to be.
Posted by: 496 at September 18, 2022 09:56 AM (VJsqe)
Pretty sure I have this book. If any of you teacher types or parents want a review of what we used to think, Reader's Digest put out a book quite a while ago called American Folklore and Legend. Covers from the Pilgrims through modern times. Published in 1978, so not that "modern." End with computers and a story, "True Love," by Asimov. Read it dozens of times from the time we bought it. I think it's a good recommendation for parents and grandparents who want their kids to know what we used to be.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (7bRMQ)
184
@MAE: heh. If you want some more dry history, try reading "The Medici" by Colonel G. F. Young.
Excellent in depth look at the Medici family, but, a slog of a read.
Excellent in depth look at the Medici family, but, a slog of a read.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (5pTK/)
185
181 Dr. Zeuss is funny.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (Zz0t1)
You have good taste
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (Zz0t1)
You have good taste
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:11 AM (xcxpd)
186
@MAE: heh. If you want some more dry history, try reading "The Medici" by Colonel G. F. Young.
Excellent in depth look at the Medici family, but, a slog of a read.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (5pTK/)
Fairly warned, be I.
Excellent in depth look at the Medici family, but, a slog of a read.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (5pTK/)
Fairly warned, be I.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:11 AM (xcxpd)
187
Your pimping it had a big influence on my checking it out. Thanks.
Posted by: Captain Hate at September 18, 2022 10:02 AM (y7DUB)
---
Glad to be of assistance.
Posted by: Captain Hate at September 18, 2022 10:02 AM (y7DUB)
---
Glad to be of assistance.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:12 AM (llXky)
188
NewNeo brought this link up, read many, lots long ago, sadly missing historical books but didn't see every page.
#6 and 7 are the highest and Dostoevsky has a few in it and should read one someday.
https://thegreatestbooks.org/
Posted by: Skip
I'm pretty sure he judges those books by their weight.
#6 and 7 are the highest and Dostoevsky has a few in it and should read one someday.
https://thegreatestbooks.org/
Posted by: Skip
I'm pretty sure he judges those books by their weight.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 18, 2022 10:12 AM (FVME7)
189
Print is dead.
Posted by: Egon Spengler at September 18, 2022 10:12 AM (Zz0t1)
190
Even the students who loved the book were shocked when they read an essay by a Baby Boomer fan. It characterized Holden as a flawed hero calling out phonies; they saw Holden as a teen with mental health issues whose problems were mostly self-inflicted. Personally, I think the Boomers got it wrong, to the benefit of Salinger's bank account.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 18, 2022 10:06 AM (/+bwe)
This is interesting. It shows how much people take what they want from a book- usually what they brought with them. Books 'speak-or don't- to us' I think because they often reinforce or clang against our own already inherent preferences.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 18, 2022 10:06 AM (/+bwe)
This is interesting. It shows how much people take what they want from a book- usually what they brought with them. Books 'speak-or don't- to us' I think because they often reinforce or clang against our own already inherent preferences.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (dNqv+)
191
O'Connor says it was simply a CIA sex tapes for fun and profit operation, really had nothing to do with the white house political ops. CIA was just perfectly willing to let the white house take the fall. Early deep state shit, and had all come out in various hearings not covered by the media because no fun at all.
Posted by: From about that time at September 18, 2022 09:13 AM (4780s)
Not going to read a book to find out, because what difference... to borrow a phrase... at this point does it make. I just assume nearly every incident of shenanigans in this country, post-war, was a CIA op.
Posted by: From about that time at September 18, 2022 09:13 AM (4780s)
Not going to read a book to find out, because what difference... to borrow a phrase... at this point does it make. I just assume nearly every incident of shenanigans in this country, post-war, was a CIA op.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (NWBBy)
192
The name of the book about the detective investigating the death of the princes in the Tower of London is called "The Daughter of Time" but don't give out what his conclusion is if you haven't read it🙂
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (NYy95)
193
You have good taste
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:11 AM (xcxpd)
*fistbump*
You have good taste
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:11 AM (xcxpd)
*fistbump*
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (Zz0t1)
194
As far as what's a classic:
The prose has to stand up,
The story or the characters have be vivid and memorable,
It has to be true, even if its fictional, there should be truth in it.
Just off the top of my head.
I wish Stephen Donaldson's "Mirror of her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" were considered classic fantasy, but few remember it today.
The prose has to stand up,
The story or the characters have be vivid and memorable,
It has to be true, even if its fictional, there should be truth in it.
Just off the top of my head.
I wish Stephen Donaldson's "Mirror of her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" were considered classic fantasy, but few remember it today.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
195
Watership Down could have used a strategically placed Holy Hand Grenade of Anntioch.
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 10:15 AM (cPDW+)
196
Print is dead.
Posted by: Egon Spengler at September 18, 2022 10:12 AM (Zz0t1)
---
Funny, I watched that last night with my youngest. I hadn't seen it in 25 years or so, and it's help up reasonably well. I picked up on a lot more of the academic jokes than I did as a teenager.
Posted by: Egon Spengler at September 18, 2022 10:12 AM (Zz0t1)
---
Funny, I watched that last night with my youngest. I hadn't seen it in 25 years or so, and it's help up reasonably well. I picked up on a lot more of the academic jokes than I did as a teenager.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:15 AM (llXky)
197
In list #59 pretty sure many classics I read back in school days, since then my reading list is more historical.
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 10:15 AM (k8B25)
198
There's long been speculation that Edison had Le Prince murdered; I'll be interested to see whether that theory turns out to be true.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (AW0uW)
Sounds like your next book.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 10:05 AM (AW0uW)
Sounds like your next book.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:16 AM (7bRMQ)
199
Yeah, Gatsby almost put me off of my love of the 1920's as a young person. Destructive Long Island people aside, I still think I'd rather hang around in the last century's '20s since the current '20s are shaping up to be pretty crumby so far.
Posted by: She Hobbit at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (ftFVW)
One point Lilek's made in a podcast that is true of pretty much everything: we have no concept of what an era was actually like once the people who lived it die, because we usually only have the popular ephemera from the time to judge it on. 99% of people had not contact with the shit talked about in Gatsby- their lives were completely different.
This concept can also be extended to history. We only know about a time because we are reading histories written by people from that time. Just a handful of guys shape our entire experience and understanding of Rome, for instance. Livy, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius for gossip, etc to name a few.
Posted by: She Hobbit at September 18, 2022 10:10 AM (ftFVW)
One point Lilek's made in a podcast that is true of pretty much everything: we have no concept of what an era was actually like once the people who lived it die, because we usually only have the popular ephemera from the time to judge it on. 99% of people had not contact with the shit talked about in Gatsby- their lives were completely different.
This concept can also be extended to history. We only know about a time because we are reading histories written by people from that time. Just a handful of guys shape our entire experience and understanding of Rome, for instance. Livy, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius for gossip, etc to name a few.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 10:17 AM (dNqv+)
200
Let it be known, I am slightly upset that I'm not still asleep right now.
Drove the box truck for the drum line competition last night and didn't get home till around 1 AM, then drank a few beers discussing some other turmoil that has risen within my daughter's marching band, so sleep wasn't gained till after 2.
My brain is whirling with concern for my kid and it pisses me off because it's looking like nepotistic bullshit and it's unnecessary.
Oh, and our drum line DESTROYED the competition. They're really damn good.
Drove the box truck for the drum line competition last night and didn't get home till around 1 AM, then drank a few beers discussing some other turmoil that has risen within my daughter's marching band, so sleep wasn't gained till after 2.
My brain is whirling with concern for my kid and it pisses me off because it's looking like nepotistic bullshit and it's unnecessary.
Oh, and our drum line DESTROYED the competition. They're really damn good.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:18 AM (Zz0t1)
201
I often accompany my reading with these lightly animated book/movie/video game themes. Here is fireworks is Gandalf's fireworks, for example, and there are a metric shit ton of other Ambient Worlds videos.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LtcTnQrr4DI&t=36s
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LtcTnQrr4DI&t=36s
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at September 18, 2022 10:18 AM (FVME7)
202
Just finished Tim Akers' Knight Watch and sequel.
They feel like a throwback to 1980s/90s adventure fantasy. Light hearted, not woke. A bit lacking in richness and resonance though.
Still fun reads.
They feel like a throwback to 1980s/90s adventure fantasy. Light hearted, not woke. A bit lacking in richness and resonance though.
Still fun reads.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:18 AM (p/nbH)
203
Like pretty sure Grapes of Wrath was a high school read.
But for instance think Cane Mutiny is a fantastic read
But for instance think Cane Mutiny is a fantastic read
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 10:18 AM (k8B25)
204
I wish Stephen Donaldson's "Mirror of her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" were considered classic fantasy, but few remember it today.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
Eh. At the time, I liked it less (but still liked it) than the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Very cumbersome magic system that relies on dragging around dressing mirrors. Still, pretty good.
The first book in the Gap series soured me so much on Donaldson that it is hard for me to be partial even about his earlier works that I loved. It was THAT... repulsive.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
Eh. At the time, I liked it less (but still liked it) than the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Very cumbersome magic system that relies on dragging around dressing mirrors. Still, pretty good.
The first book in the Gap series soured me so much on Donaldson that it is hard for me to be partial even about his earlier works that I loved. It was THAT... repulsive.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 10:19 AM (dNqv+)
205
---
Funny, I watched that last night with my youngest. I hadn't seen it in 25 years or so, and it's help up reasonably well. I picked up on a lot more of the academic jokes than I did as a teenager.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:15 AM (llXky)
I've loved that movie since I was a kid. 2 was a bit disappointingly meh, but 1 will be something I won't be afraid to watch any time.
Funny, I watched that last night with my youngest. I hadn't seen it in 25 years or so, and it's help up reasonably well. I picked up on a lot more of the academic jokes than I did as a teenager.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:15 AM (llXky)
I've loved that movie since I was a kid. 2 was a bit disappointingly meh, but 1 will be something I won't be afraid to watch any time.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:19 AM (Zz0t1)
206
I hated Catcher in the Rye when I read it in high school and have never changed my mind.
Posted by: Northernlurker, surgite at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (eGTCV)
---
I'm trying to think if I know anyone personally who liked it. Can't think of anyone.
There are certain books that are "great" because of some innovation, not because they are actually great reads. The Scarlet Letter is in this category because as a story, it is stupidly predictable, devoid of any semblance of narrative tension.
Catcher was hip and cool back when swearing was edgy.
Posted by: Northernlurker, surgite at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (eGTCV)
---
I'm trying to think if I know anyone personally who liked it. Can't think of anyone.
There are certain books that are "great" because of some innovation, not because they are actually great reads. The Scarlet Letter is in this category because as a story, it is stupidly predictable, devoid of any semblance of narrative tension.
Catcher was hip and cool back when swearing was edgy.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:20 AM (llXky)
207
Hawthorne -- no desire to revisit The Scarlet Letter but some of his short stories are delightful.
Posted by: Just Some Guy
Reread Scarlet Letter a few years ago and was surprised to find myself enjoying it. I think reading it without analyzing every single bit made a big difference in the coherence and tension of the story. Probably true of many works taught in school.
Posted by: Just Some Guy
Reread Scarlet Letter a few years ago and was surprised to find myself enjoying it. I think reading it without analyzing every single bit made a big difference in the coherence and tension of the story. Probably true of many works taught in school.
Posted by: She Hobbit at September 18, 2022 10:20 AM (ftFVW)
208
Willowed from the previous thread:
179 Q for tech people: I'm using Win 10 on this stupid Dell laptop while I wait to replace the cat-chewed charging cord for my MacBook. How can I keep the browser (Brave) from randomly zooming the screen? Am I touching something on the pad, do I need to use a mouse, or is there a setting in Windows to turn this off?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 06:37 AM (c6xtn)
-------------------------------
If you're using two-finger scrolling on the touchpad, you may be inadvertently causing the zooming as well. One thing to check - type touchpad into the windows search, and open touchpad settings. Look for the Scroll and zoom section, and, if Pinch to zoom is checked, uncheck it.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 09:03 AM (uPgE/)
179 Q for tech people: I'm using Win 10 on this stupid Dell laptop while I wait to replace the cat-chewed charging cord for my MacBook. How can I keep the browser (Brave) from randomly zooming the screen? Am I touching something on the pad, do I need to use a mouse, or is there a setting in Windows to turn this off?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 06:37 AM (c6xtn)
-------------------------------
If you're using two-finger scrolling on the touchpad, you may be inadvertently causing the zooming as well. One thing to check - type touchpad into the windows search, and open touchpad settings. Look for the Scroll and zoom section, and, if Pinch to zoom is checked, uncheck it.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 09:03 AM (uPgE/)
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 10:20 AM (uPgE/)
209
This week I dumped Louise Penny's "The Beautiful Mystery", a story of a murder in a monastery outside Quebec.
***
Grammie I was considering trying her books and then she " co-wrote" a book with Hillary.
Yikes. Now I think all her books have Hillary's stank on them.
genre authors should stay out of politics imo
***
Grammie I was considering trying her books and then she " co-wrote" a book with Hillary.
Yikes. Now I think all her books have Hillary's stank on them.
genre authors should stay out of politics imo
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:21 AM (p/nbH)
210
Sounds like your next book.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:16 AM (7bRMQ)
Heh. The new book is actually about the 1922 murder of director William Desmond Taylor.
I'm having a very hard time writing so far, because the world of 1922 is much less familiar to me than that of, say 1914-1917, so it means extra research to sound plausible and, for some reason, I'm a bit wiped out on silent Hollywood.
Also, the new book starts out with a revelation that's thrown me off (sorry, can't tell, it's a spoiler) and makes me confused / depressed. I'm meeting my muse next week to have her talk me through things.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:16 AM (7bRMQ)
Heh. The new book is actually about the 1922 murder of director William Desmond Taylor.
I'm having a very hard time writing so far, because the world of 1922 is much less familiar to me than that of, say 1914-1917, so it means extra research to sound plausible and, for some reason, I'm a bit wiped out on silent Hollywood.
Also, the new book starts out with a revelation that's thrown me off (sorry, can't tell, it's a spoiler) and makes me confused / depressed. I'm meeting my muse next week to have her talk me through things.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (AW0uW)
211
Kaylee, the Calico Kitty Cat (the cutest little cat of them all) says, "Hello!" and is looking for recommended stories that should be read TO cats...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (K5n5d)
212
genre authors should stay out of politics imo
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:21 AM (p/nbH)
THIS.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:21 AM (p/nbH)
THIS.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (dNqv+)
213
22 I'm currently reading "No Game for Knights", a short story anthology edited by Larry Correia and Kacey Elzell
***
I just picked that up from the lieberry!
***
I just picked that up from the lieberry!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (p/nbH)
214
Of course, thinking about the term "classic" has gotta make you wonder what's out there now that might be regarded as classic lit down the road a ways. It wouldn't surprise me to see some of John D. MacDonald, Elmore Leonard, Theodore Sturgeon, and Stephen King still being read a century from now. Not necessarily all their stuff, but some of it.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 10:23 AM (a/4+U)
215
66 ... "So I got a hairbrained idea for a children's book, or a series of books: The Adventures of Paisley Pour it, Doggie Detective.
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
Paisley needs lots of grace but she's a dog and dogs are never too proud to receive grace."
NL, Have you read the Chet and Bernie series? They give the dog's point of view to narrate the story.
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
Paisley needs lots of grace but she's a dog and dogs are never too proud to receive grace."
NL, Have you read the Chet and Bernie series? They give the dog's point of view to narrate the story.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 10:24 AM (7EjX1)
216
I also read "The Oregon Trail" by Francis Parkman Jr. I am surprised that I haven't seen this recommended as a good book for young boys. Lots of action with the Indians and buffalo hunts.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 18, 2022 10:24 AM (yj6n8)
217
I have a book written by a friend called F*cked to Focused. I haven't read it yet because I just can't seem to focus, so I guess I'm f*cked.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:24 AM (Zz0t1)
218
I also read "The Oregon Trail" by Francis Parkman Jr. I am surprised that I haven't seen this recommended as a good book for young boys. Lots of action with the Indians and buffalo hunts.
Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 18, 2022 10:24 AM (yj6n
"You have died from dysentery."
Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 18, 2022 10:24 AM (yj6n
"You have died from dysentery."
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:25 AM (Zz0t1)
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at September 18, 2022 10:25 AM (J+nFa)
220
Kaylee, the Calico Kitty Cat (the cutest little cat of them all) says, "Hello!" and is looking for recommended stories that should be read TO cats...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (K5n5d)
"101 Uses for a Dead Cat"
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (K5n5d)
"101 Uses for a Dead Cat"
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:26 AM (Zz0t1)
221
John D MacDonald.
I have scrounged up everything I can find written by this man, to include all the Travis Mcgee stories.
Always an interesting read from him.
I have scrounged up everything I can find written by this man, to include all the Travis Mcgee stories.
Always an interesting read from him.
Posted by: irongrampa at September 18, 2022 10:26 AM (KATBx)
222
This week I read 'The 22 Murders of Madison May" by Max Barry. I really like Max Barry, no sucker punches. This work is a multi-verse murder story and reads very well. Some solid characters, a brisk plot-line, and plenty of action. Highly recommended.
Posted by: motionview, a MAGA Republican (who supports DeSantis) at September 18, 2022 10:27 AM (9NKMS)
223
Thanks Perf. Now to read req's!
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 10:27 AM (PHdmz)
224
207 -- She Hobbit, you're right about the analyzing killing off the fun. A number of books I'm slow to revisit are books that I had to pick apart in school. Mrs Just Some Guy once told me that symbol-hunting killed any desire to read Mark Twain after her school days.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 10:27 AM (a/4+U)
225
A true classic is a book that you feel obligated to read, but which if you don't read, you can eventually pick up enough of the gist merely by being fairly observant in general conversation.
You can then pass as having read it by tossing out a couple relevant bits and pieces.
E.g. "This baseball game reminds me of the Slough of Despond." or "How 'bout them Hobbits, eh?"
You can then pass as having read it by tossing out a couple relevant bits and pieces.
E.g. "This baseball game reminds me of the Slough of Despond." or "How 'bout them Hobbits, eh?"
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 10:27 AM (cPDW+)
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:28 AM (Zz0t1)
227
219 Over rated book
The Jungle
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at September 18, 2022 10:25 AM (J+nFa)
----------------------------------
Read that in high school, and actually saw a theatrical performance of it as well (I want to say it was at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago).
Highlight of the book was that my hometown gets a shout-out of sorts.
The Jungle
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at September 18, 2022 10:25 AM (J+nFa)
----------------------------------
Read that in high school, and actually saw a theatrical performance of it as well (I want to say it was at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago).
Highlight of the book was that my hometown gets a shout-out of sorts.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 10:28 AM (uPgE/)
228
NL, Have you read the Chet and Bernie series? They give the dog's point of view to narrate the story.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 10:24 AM
I'll look for them
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 10:24 AM
I'll look for them
Posted by: That NLurker guy at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM (eGTCV)
229
***
I just picked that up from the lieberry!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (p/nbH)
It's funny/sad how many people actually say it like that.
I just picked that up from the lieberry!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (p/nbH)
It's funny/sad how many people actually say it like that.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM (Zz0t1)
230
Of course, thinking about the term "classic" has gotta make you wonder what's out there now that might be regarded as classic lit down the road a ways. It wouldn't surprise me to see some of John D. MacDonald, Elmore Leonard, Theodore Sturgeon, and Stephen King still being read a century from now. Not necessarily all their stuff, but some of it.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 10:23 AM (a/4+U)
---
I wonder how popular King is these days. A lot of his stuff seemed to catch on because it was an innovation and has now become something of a trope.
It's like trying to get someone who doesn't know film history to appreciate "Citizen Kane." As a film, it's okay, but if you don't know the backstory or significance of its innovations, people walk away unimpressed.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 10:23 AM (a/4+U)
---
I wonder how popular King is these days. A lot of his stuff seemed to catch on because it was an innovation and has now become something of a trope.
It's like trying to get someone who doesn't know film history to appreciate "Citizen Kane." As a film, it's okay, but if you don't know the backstory or significance of its innovations, people walk away unimpressed.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM (llXky)
231
226 Or
"Cats Revenge: 101 Uses for Dead Humans"
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:28 AM (Zz0t1)
------------------------------------
1. Food
2. Food
3. Food
...
"Cats Revenge: 101 Uses for Dead Humans"
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:28 AM (Zz0t1)
------------------------------------
1. Food
2. Food
3. Food
...
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM (uPgE/)
232
CS Lewis: A hammer.
Tolkien: A stiletto.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (dNqv+)
I have, on occasion described Lewis as "the supernatural as obvious", Tolkien "the supernatural as subtle" and Charles Williams "the supernatural as real"
Tolkien: A stiletto.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 09:43 AM (dNqv+)
I have, on occasion described Lewis as "the supernatural as obvious", Tolkien "the supernatural as subtle" and Charles Williams "the supernatural as real"
Posted by: yara at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM (z9Eia)
233
I wish Stephen Donaldson's "Mirror of her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" were considered classic fantasy, but few remember it today.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
---
I read those! Liked them a lot more than the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant books, although "Mirror" also had that creepy Donaldson taint.
One fantasy author I liked whom nobody seems to remember is Phyllis Eisenstein, who wrote Born into Exile, The Red Lord's Reach[/i[, and The Book of Elementals duology. I'm reminded of these because in The Crystal Palace, sorcerer Cray makes a magic mirror for seeing one's heart's desire, and after being blank for years he finally beholds a sorceress being held in the demon realm. He goes on a quest to find her, natch.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
---
I read those! Liked them a lot more than the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant books, although "Mirror" also had that creepy Donaldson taint.
One fantasy author I liked whom nobody seems to remember is Phyllis Eisenstein, who wrote Born into Exile, The Red Lord's Reach[/i[, and The Book of Elementals duology. I'm reminded of these because in The Crystal Palace, sorcerer Cray makes a magic mirror for seeing one's heart's desire, and after being blank for years he finally beholds a sorceress being held in the demon realm. He goes on a quest to find her, natch.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:30 AM (Dc2NZ)
234
For a homeschool co-op class, my daughter just finished "Joan of Arc" by Mark Twain. We've discussed it quite a bit, and I sat in on her class colloquium on the book.
From the Amazon blurb: Very few people know that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote a major work on Joan of Arc. Still fewer know that he considered it not only his most important but also his best work. He spent twelve years in research and many months in France doing archival work and then made several attempts until he felt he finally had the story he wanted to tell.
From the Amazon blurb: Very few people know that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) wrote a major work on Joan of Arc. Still fewer know that he considered it not only his most important but also his best work. He spent twelve years in research and many months in France doing archival work and then made several attempts until he felt he finally had the story he wanted to tell.
Posted by: motionview, a MAGA Republican (who supports DeSantis) at September 18, 2022 10:30 AM (9NKMS)
235
From the Best Books: Some lists count more than others. I generally trust "best of all time" lists voted by authors and experts over user-generated lists.
Horse hockey! If no one likes it, or it doesn't get read, it's not a "Best Book." (I've never even heard of his number one) I would trust what readers like as much as experts because if it doesn't get read, it has no influence on thought. If you influence no one, is your book of any lasting value?
Horse hockey! If no one likes it, or it doesn't get read, it's not a "Best Book." (I've never even heard of his number one) I would trust what readers like as much as experts because if it doesn't get read, it has no influence on thought. If you influence no one, is your book of any lasting value?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (7bRMQ)
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (Dc2NZ)
237
I wonder how popular King is these days. A lot of his stuff seemed to catch on because it was an innovation and has now become something of a trope.
It's like trying to get someone who doesn't know film history to appreciate "Citizen Kane." As a film, it's okay, but if you don't know the backstory or significance of its innovations, people walk away unimpressed.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM (llXky)
------------------------------
I got hooked on King late high school into college. I was reading a couple of his books every week. I kept on for a while as he came out with new stuff, but slowly lost interest.
Just found out he's got a new book out. Haven't read his stuff in a while (in fact, I recently gave away a bunch of his books), and probably won't be reading this new one.
It's like trying to get someone who doesn't know film history to appreciate "Citizen Kane." As a film, it's okay, but if you don't know the backstory or significance of its innovations, people walk away unimpressed.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM (llXky)
------------------------------
I got hooked on King late high school into college. I was reading a couple of his books every week. I kept on for a while as he came out with new stuff, but slowly lost interest.
Just found out he's got a new book out. Haven't read his stuff in a while (in fact, I recently gave away a bunch of his books), and probably won't be reading this new one.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (uPgE/)
238
Horse hockey! If no one likes it, or it doesn't get read, it's not a "Best Book." (I've never even heard of his number one) I would trust what readers like as much as experts because if it doesn't get read, it has no influence on thought. If you influence no one, is your book of any lasting value?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (7bRMQ)
This is the story of Rotten Tomatoes.
Horse hockey! If no one likes it, or it doesn't get read, it's not a "Best Book." (I've never even heard of his number one) I would trust what readers like as much as experts because if it doesn't get read, it has no influence on thought. If you influence no one, is your book of any lasting value?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (7bRMQ)
This is the story of Rotten Tomatoes.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:32 AM (Zz0t1)
239
Whoa, almost be-barreled meself.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:32 AM (Dc2NZ)
240
The pic is of Travis McGee's daddy John D MacDonald, the best popular fiction author of the 20th century.
Michael Connelly was in the hunt but he has "woked" himself out of consideration.
Michael Connelly was in the hunt but he has "woked" himself out of consideration.
Posted by: James Lewis at September 18, 2022 10:33 AM (LkHBS)
241
Horse hockey! If no one likes it, or it doesn't get read, it's not a "Best Book." (I've never even heard of his number one) I would trust what readers like as much as experts because if it doesn't get read, it has no influence on thought. If you influence no one, is your book of any lasting value?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (7bRMQ)
---
That's sort of like all the books Smart People say they read, but never actually read. They become best-sellers so that people can show off their big, pulsing brains but of course no one opens them up.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (7bRMQ)
---
That's sort of like all the books Smart People say they read, but never actually read. They become best-sellers so that people can show off their big, pulsing brains but of course no one opens them up.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (llXky)
242
This concept can also be extended to history. We only know about a time because we are reading histories written by people from that time. Just a handful of guys shape our entire experience and understanding of Rome, for instance. Livy, Tacitus, Cassius Dio, Suetonius for gossip, etc to name a few.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 10:17 AM (dNqv+)
So, two hundred years from now people will think the whole society was run by purple haired, fat, deviants, and it was a golden age, right?
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 10:17 AM (dNqv+)
So, two hundred years from now people will think the whole society was run by purple haired, fat, deviants, and it was a golden age, right?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (7bRMQ)
243
Funny, I watched that last night with my youngest. I hadn't seen it in 25 years or so, and it's help up reasonably well. I picked up on a lot more of the academic jokes than I did as a teenager.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:15 AM (llXky)
----------
I remember one of the criticisms of "Ghost Busters" was the, at the time, great special effects. because the critic thought the special effect detracted from the movie. I read that, and though, "idiot, special effects always become dated." The movie holds up well, still funny, and, surprise surprise, the special effects are definitely dated.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:15 AM (llXky)
----------
I remember one of the criticisms of "Ghost Busters" was the, at the time, great special effects. because the critic thought the special effect detracted from the movie. I read that, and though, "idiot, special effects always become dated." The movie holds up well, still funny, and, surprise surprise, the special effects are definitely dated.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (5pTK/)
244
---
That's sort of like all the books Smart People say they read, but never actually read. They become best-sellers so that people can show off their big, pulsing brains but of course no one opens them up.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (llXky)
This is the story of Modern Art.
That's sort of like all the books Smart People say they read, but never actually read. They become best-sellers so that people can show off their big, pulsing brains but of course no one opens them up.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (llXky)
This is the story of Modern Art.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (Zz0t1)
245
OK, folks, going to check on the crockpot and, since it's a nicer day that I thought it would be, going to make some tea and head out to the porch at Stately Poppins Manor to read a while.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (AW0uW)
246
A true classic is a book that you feel obligated to read, but which if you don't read, you can eventually pick up enough of the gist merely by being fairly observant in general conversation.
=====
Closing of the American Mind had an appendix of 'classics' with a similar recommendation.
=====
Closing of the American Mind had an appendix of 'classics' with a similar recommendation.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022 10:35 AM (MIKMs)
247
Gatsby goes through all this shit to what?
Steal another man's wife?
The narrator was the only decent character.
Holden Caufield's beloved little brother dies and mom and dad didn't even take him to the funeral. He wanted catechesis and wasn't given any.
Steal another man's wife?
The narrator was the only decent character.
Holden Caufield's beloved little brother dies and mom and dad didn't even take him to the funeral. He wanted catechesis and wasn't given any.
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at September 18, 2022 10:37 AM (JkeTM)
248
237: I haven't read a Stephen King novel in 30 years. The Stand will always be a favorite but I can't conceive of reading much else by him. The biggest problem is that he lacks artistic restraint. Dune comes up a s a comparison. Think of all the world building Frank Herbert accomplished in less than 500 pages. If Stephen King wrote that it would be at least 25,000.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at September 18, 2022 10:37 AM (CdZ4i)
249
I remember one of the criticisms of "Ghost Busters" was the, at the time, great special effects. because the critic thought the special effect detracted from the movie. I read that, and though, "idiot, special effects always become dated." The movie holds up well, still funny, and, surprise surprise, the special effects are definitely dated.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (5pTK/)
---
That was a recurring criticism back in the day. Movies with striking visual effects were inferior to low-budget gab-fests.
Thus: "Ordinary People" > "Blade Runner" in critic world.
Yet which one entered the popular consciousness? Heck, "Logan's Run" has had more of a long-term impact that most Oscar nominated films during the same period.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (5pTK/)
---
That was a recurring criticism back in the day. Movies with striking visual effects were inferior to low-budget gab-fests.
Thus: "Ordinary People" > "Blade Runner" in critic world.
Yet which one entered the popular consciousness? Heck, "Logan's Run" has had more of a long-term impact that most Oscar nominated films during the same period.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:38 AM (llXky)
250
It's been a long time since it was background noise in my house, but I'm pretty sure Angel was the Tall Dark and Handsome stranger who mysterious showed up to protect Buffy and would spy on her while brooding outside her home.
Add in the fact that Whedon had a thing for getting young girls on the casting couch (and trying to destroy the ones who refused him), I'm not inclined to cut the man any slack.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022
***
I just finished re-watching the entire series on Comet. Angel was a tall dark, handsome stranger, yes; but Buffy finds out he is a vampire, but one who, thanks to a gypsy curse, has regained his soul. He fights demons and other vampires too, so naturally he and Buffy are thrown together. Their attraction mounts, they sleep together, and because of that happiness, Angel loses his soul and becomes evil. Only then does he begin stalking her.
As for what Joss did in real life, I consider that separate from the work he did and had his writers create.
Add in the fact that Whedon had a thing for getting young girls on the casting couch (and trying to destroy the ones who refused him), I'm not inclined to cut the man any slack.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022
***
I just finished re-watching the entire series on Comet. Angel was a tall dark, handsome stranger, yes; but Buffy finds out he is a vampire, but one who, thanks to a gypsy curse, has regained his soul. He fights demons and other vampires too, so naturally he and Buffy are thrown together. Their attraction mounts, they sleep together, and because of that happiness, Angel loses his soul and becomes evil. Only then does he begin stalking her.
As for what Joss did in real life, I consider that separate from the work he did and had his writers create.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:39 AM (c6xtn)
251
A. H. -- I'm not following the best-seller lists these days, but I imagine King still hits them. I no longer make it a point to read his new stuff, but some of his books still hold up quite nicely and I can see people still reading them years from now. Carrie and Salem's Lot will hit the 50-year mark in 2024 and 2025, and The Shining not long after that. We still read Dracula, Dr. Jekyll, Frankenstein, The War of the Worlds, and I'd bet we'll still read some of King for the same reason -- a nice, gripping, scary story well told.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 10:39 AM (a/4+U)
252
"The Daughter of Time" but don't give out what his conclusion is if you haven't read it🙂
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (NYy95)
I will find this book. How a British "Linguist" could take 14th and 15ths century England and decide the world needed a fabled version of it is beyond me.
That is one era that needs no embelishment. The Plantegenent era is awesome. The 122 year Hundred Years War. The great vowel shift. A lot happened that shaped our world during that time.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (NYy95)
I will find this book. How a British "Linguist" could take 14th and 15ths century England and decide the world needed a fabled version of it is beyond me.
That is one era that needs no embelishment. The Plantegenent era is awesome. The 122 year Hundred Years War. The great vowel shift. A lot happened that shaped our world during that time.
Posted by: Reforger at September 18, 2022 10:40 AM (jf4pQ)
253
At the very least thinking about this makes me happy. And breaks through that cloud that's been hanging around lately.
Posted by: Northernlurker, surgite at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (eGTCV)
I think you should write it. It would be fun for you.
Posted by: Northernlurker, surgite at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (eGTCV)
I think you should write it. It would be fun for you.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:41 AM (p/nbH)
254
>>> 101 Helena,
I'm mainly looking for mindless entertainment to escape the modern horror show that is going on in real life.
BTW I got a box of things if are bringing your tool in six point five because my daughter would like to try it. 😁
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (UUBmN)
I will have it and she is welcome to try!
I'm mainly looking for mindless entertainment to escape the modern horror show that is going on in real life.
BTW I got a box of things if are bringing your tool in six point five because my daughter would like to try it. 😁
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:44 AM (UUBmN)
I will have it and she is welcome to try!
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022 10:41 AM (llON8)
255
Maybe this winter I am going to organize my book shelves a little better, here's a random sample from one shelf...
The collected works of William Shakespeare, A Prelude to Calculus, The Pocket Guide of Knots, Ivanhoe, HAM Radio License Manual, The Prince, How to Paint The Natural Way, The Real Book..
And it continues like that across every shelf.
The collected works of William Shakespeare, A Prelude to Calculus, The Pocket Guide of Knots, Ivanhoe, HAM Radio License Manual, The Prince, How to Paint The Natural Way, The Real Book..
And it continues like that across every shelf.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 18, 2022 10:42 AM (up/3i)
256
219 Over rated book
The Jungle
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at September 18, 2022 10:25 AM (J+nFa)
Explicit communist propaganda.
The Jungle
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at September 18, 2022 10:25 AM (J+nFa)
Explicit communist propaganda.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at September 18, 2022 10:42 AM (dNqv+)
257
I've read Josephine Tey's book on Richard 111 and the modern day detective investigating the death of the princes in the tower, which I really liked, (I've read it a couple of times) and I think I read another of her mysteries but I don't recall which it was. Sorry to hear about her death from substance abuse.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (NYy95)
---------
"The Man in the Queue" is an excellent Josephine Tey mystery.
Also, it's sort of interesting conventional wisdom says Richard III had the princes killed, yet, there is are a number of people who've concluded the murders were against character and probably done in order to create a problem for Richard III. (going from my very flawed memory)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:09 AM (NYy95)
---------
"The Man in the Queue" is an excellent Josephine Tey mystery.
Also, it's sort of interesting conventional wisdom says Richard III had the princes killed, yet, there is are a number of people who've concluded the murders were against character and probably done in order to create a problem for Richard III. (going from my very flawed memory)
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:43 AM (5pTK/)
258
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Samuel Langhorne Clemens contained words we can no longer use.
Does that make it a classic?
Does that make it a classic?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 18, 2022 10:43 AM (5aM+u)
259
148: Bob Toland from Red Storm Rising. Only got to where he is by being a well-connected insider. I hated that when I read the book when I was 15 and hate that infinitely more today. (I love the book in ways that defy the capacity of the English language to describe but I hated that character.)
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at September 18, 2022 10:43 AM (CdZ4i)
260
If you're using two-finger scrolling on the touchpad, you may be inadvertently causing the zooming as well. One thing to check - type touchpad into the windows search, and open touchpad settings. Look for the Scroll and zoom section, and, if Pinch to zoom is checked, uncheck it.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022
***
No, I'm using the arrow keys to scroll. But I've checked that setting and have taken "Pinch to zoom" off. We'll see what happens. Thanks!
If you're using two-finger scrolling on the touchpad, you may be inadvertently causing the zooming as well. One thing to check - type touchpad into the windows search, and open touchpad settings. Look for the Scroll and zoom section, and, if Pinch to zoom is checked, uncheck it.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at September 18, 2022
***
No, I'm using the arrow keys to scroll. But I've checked that setting and have taken "Pinch to zoom" off. We'll see what happens. Thanks!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:43 AM (c6xtn)
261
NL - Paisley could be a really cool character. Think Life With Marley.
Funny childrens series is 'Hank the Cow Dog' that might give you more ideas for the character that is Paisley.
Funny childrens series is 'Hank the Cow Dog' that might give you more ideas for the character that is Paisley.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022 10:43 AM (MIKMs)
262
E.g. "This baseball game reminds me of the Slough of Despond." or "How 'bout them Hobbits, eh?"
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 10:27 AM (cPDW+)
Great going, Muldoon. Now everyone knows how I do it!
Posted by: Muldoon at September 18, 2022 10:27 AM (cPDW+)
Great going, Muldoon. Now everyone knows how I do it!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:44 AM (7bRMQ)
263
Horse hockey! If no one likes it, or it doesn't get read, it's not a "Best Book." (I've never even heard of his number one) I would trust what readers like as much as experts because if it doesn't get read, it has no influence on thought. If you influence no one, is your book of any lasting value?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (7bRMQ)
Movies, and maybe even moreso, music are like food, in that stuff that is popular is almost never the "best food." If you put out a plate of broccoli, carrots, and spinach, they're going to be passed over by most eaters, for that plate of cheese slathered nachos, or tater chips, whatever fare you can get at the Golden Arches.
Which is better? Well, everyone knows in this case, more popular may taste better, but isn't better for you. So if the "critics" and other so-called experts are telling you something about why you'd be better off picking up the veggies, rather than the nachos and fries, they have a point.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:31 AM (7bRMQ)
Movies, and maybe even moreso, music are like food, in that stuff that is popular is almost never the "best food." If you put out a plate of broccoli, carrots, and spinach, they're going to be passed over by most eaters, for that plate of cheese slathered nachos, or tater chips, whatever fare you can get at the Golden Arches.
Which is better? Well, everyone knows in this case, more popular may taste better, but isn't better for you. So if the "critics" and other so-called experts are telling you something about why you'd be better off picking up the veggies, rather than the nachos and fries, they have a point.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:44 AM (NWBBy)
264
Besides "Ballroom of the Skies", "Wine of the Dreamers" was his other SF novel. He did a few short stories that I *think* I have a collection of, but I'd have to go to my winter home to find it. As was noted, "The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything" is sort of SF.
Arguably his best books were his one-off thrillers, one of which was the basis of the two "Cape Fear" movies. But I love Travis McGee; in fact I just re-read the series.
Arguably his best books were his one-off thrillers, one of which was the basis of the two "Cape Fear" movies. But I love Travis McGee; in fact I just re-read the series.
Posted by: Mick at September 18, 2022 10:44 AM (2cahp)
265
I wish Stephen Donaldson's "Mirror of her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" were considered classic fantasy, but few remember it today.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
Those are on my faves list.
I detest the Thomas Covenant series though.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
Those are on my faves list.
I detest the Thomas Covenant series though.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:44 AM (p/nbH)
266
> 168
I've only read the #2 book of the Rabaul series. The Darkest Hour: Lark Force something something. The Oz government simply abandoned the men trapped on Rabaul. They really couldn't do much anyhow.
The book highlighted one aspect of the jungle. It's more deadly than the desert and loaded with disease, vicious bugs, skin-fungusy stuff and contrary to expectation - wholly devoid of stuff to eat
I've only read the #2 book of the Rabaul series. The Darkest Hour: Lark Force something something. The Oz government simply abandoned the men trapped on Rabaul. They really couldn't do much anyhow.
The book highlighted one aspect of the jungle. It's more deadly than the desert and loaded with disease, vicious bugs, skin-fungusy stuff and contrary to expectation - wholly devoid of stuff to eat
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 10:45 AM (PHdmz)
267
I've read Josephine Tey's book on Richard 111 and the modern day detective investigating the death of the princes in the tower, which I really liked, (I've read it a couple of times) and I think I read another of her mysteries but I don't recall which it was. Sorry to hear about her death from substance abuse.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022
***
Was it really substance abuse? I hadn't heard.
Almost all of her mysteries are dynamite. I especially like her last, The Singing Sands, and Brat Farrar is great as well. Reading one of hers leaves you with a special kind of flavor; it's hard to describe exactly.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022
***
Was it really substance abuse? I hadn't heard.
Almost all of her mysteries are dynamite. I especially like her last, The Singing Sands, and Brat Farrar is great as well. Reading one of hers leaves you with a special kind of flavor; it's hard to describe exactly.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:45 AM (c6xtn)
268
OT: Why is the word "Queue" spelled that way? Seems redundant. Isn't "que/cue" sufficient?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:45 AM (Dc2NZ)
269
Well. I m not sure it you are referring to Josephine Tey being a fable. The English detective in the book maybe from the 50's is laid up in bed and in hospital and suggests he try to solve the mystery of the Princes so he takes his investigative skills to it. I found it quite plausible
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:45 AM (NYy95)
270
I just don't get why they would be in high school.
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (UUBmN)
Prey-rich environment
Posted by: lin-duh at September 18, 2022 09:33 AM (UUBmN)
Prey-rich environment
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (p/nbH)
271
I remember one of the criticisms of "Ghost Busters" was the, at the time, great special effects. because the critic thought the special effect detracted from the movie. I read that, and though, "idiot, special effects always become dated." The movie holds up well, still funny, and, surprise surprise, the special effects are definitely dated.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (5pTK/)
Presentism fails not only applied to history but to entertainment.
Applying todays CGI and movie making standards to yesterdays films is a very weak, stubborn position from which to explain or critique the work(s).
Plus it allows the critic to completely pass off the work(s) without needing to understand or comprehend if there is value to the story or the art.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (5pTK/)
Presentism fails not only applied to history but to entertainment.
Applying todays CGI and movie making standards to yesterdays films is a very weak, stubborn position from which to explain or critique the work(s).
Plus it allows the critic to completely pass off the work(s) without needing to understand or comprehend if there is value to the story or the art.
Posted by: rhennigantx at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (BRHaw)
272
When I majored in English at a women's college many years ago, some professors had an alternative canon of classics for women. They pushed Virginia Woolf, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, not just as authors but as role models for us. But whatever their literary merits, all of those women committed suicide. Why would students want or need so many role models who (tragically) didn't know how to live? Even back then it made no sense to me.
Posted by: Linnet at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (FWHzS)
273
A (very) few of the authors/books I consider classics as they continue to effect readers over centuries or just re-rereading.
-Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
-Shakespeare
-Just about anything by Tolkien or CS Lewis, fiction and nonfiction, for what they wrote and how they wrote
-Essays of Montaigne
-Jules Verne (if a good translation) and H. Rider Haggard for their ability to express the wonder of the unknown and involve their readers in the discovery
-Treasure Island
-The Matt Helm series (no joke)
Many more, of course, but this gives an idea of what can be a classic for me: creativity, effective writing, emotional and intellectual appeal, essential human concerns, enriched appreciation of being human.
I really need to give this topic more thought but these posts are a start.
-Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
-Shakespeare
-Just about anything by Tolkien or CS Lewis, fiction and nonfiction, for what they wrote and how they wrote
-Essays of Montaigne
-Jules Verne (if a good translation) and H. Rider Haggard for their ability to express the wonder of the unknown and involve their readers in the discovery
-Treasure Island
-The Matt Helm series (no joke)
Many more, of course, but this gives an idea of what can be a classic for me: creativity, effective writing, emotional and intellectual appeal, essential human concerns, enriched appreciation of being human.
I really need to give this topic more thought but these posts are a start.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (7EjX1)
274
Yes; it was Brat Farrah I read. I enjoyed it.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (NYy95)
275
The Adventures of Paisley Pour it, Doggie Detective.
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
Paisley needs lots of grace but she's a dog and dogs are never too proud to receive grace.
That sounds absolutely charming. Please write it.
She's good a chasing down baddies but she makes mistakes. Sometimes she's a bad girl along the way. Sometimes she gets distracted maybe by the need to roll in a patch of dirt, which lets the bad guy get away.
Paisley needs lots of grace but she's a dog and dogs are never too proud to receive grace.
That sounds absolutely charming. Please write it.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (nfrXX)
276
I just finished re-watching the entire series on Comet.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:39 AM (c6xtn)
---
Wow. I admire your pain threshold because the later seasons were awful.
I yield to your detailed recounting of the plot, but my point stands - the core story is about how this much older dude finds himself working in close proximity with a hot teenager and - surprise! - they end up getting it on. Which is sort of Joss Whedon's life story, isn't it?
The romance ends badly, because all of the romances in all of Whedon's work end badly. You write what you know.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:39 AM (c6xtn)
---
Wow. I admire your pain threshold because the later seasons were awful.
I yield to your detailed recounting of the plot, but my point stands - the core story is about how this much older dude finds himself working in close proximity with a hot teenager and - surprise! - they end up getting it on. Which is sort of Joss Whedon's life story, isn't it?
The romance ends badly, because all of the romances in all of Whedon's work end badly. You write what you know.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:47 AM (llXky)
277
I had some extra vowels and I had to put them somewhere.
Posted by: Miriam Webster at September 18, 2022 10:47 AM (5aM+u)
278
216 I also read "The Oregon Trail" by Francis Parkman Jr. I am surprised that I haven't seen this recommended as a good book for young boys. Lots of action with the Indians and buffalo hunts.
i'm guessing there's also lots of death by dysentery
i'm guessing there's also lots of death by dysentery
Posted by: anachronda at September 18, 2022 10:48 AM (GbLWf)
279
Another MacDonald book that is distinctive is "Nothing Can Go Wrong", which is his non-fiction narrative of many of the annual cruises he and his wife took on the last US-flagged cruise line (Matson, maybe?).
He interleaves his narrative with that from the ship's captain, who he came to know well in his many years on the boat. It is a delightful book, and I am glad this thread came up. I'll re-read it when I get home in a month or so.
He interleaves his narrative with that from the ship's captain, who he came to know well in his many years on the boat. It is a delightful book, and I am glad this thread came up. I'll re-read it when I get home in a month or so.
Posted by: Mick at September 18, 2022 10:48 AM (2cahp)
280
I wonder how popular King is these days. A lot of his stuff seemed to catch on because it was an innovation and has now become something of a trope.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM
I liked King better than other horror writers (e.g. John Saul) because he left room for hope in the majority of his novels. But the initial reading is always the best. Every good one I've reread, from "Salem's Lot" to "Bag of Bones," has sections of clunky exposition, like he never polished the rough draft.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:29 AM
I liked King better than other horror writers (e.g. John Saul) because he left room for hope in the majority of his novels. But the initial reading is always the best. Every good one I've reread, from "Salem's Lot" to "Bag of Bones," has sections of clunky exposition, like he never polished the rough draft.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 18, 2022 10:49 AM (/+bwe)
281
"The Man in the Queue" is an excellent Josephine Tey mystery.
Also, it's sort of interesting conventional wisdom says Richard III had the princes killed, yet, there is are a number of people who've concluded the murders were against character and probably done in order to create a problem for Richard III. (going from my very flawed memory)
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 202
***
The other remarkable thing about Daughter of Time, the "Richard III" mystery, is that she keeps straight the cast of historical people that her modern-day detective is investigating -- and without a family tree included in the book. You know how, when So-and-So is "created Lord Ruggles" or whatever, and then the author calls him "Ruggles" from then on? If you miss the moment he is titled, you wonder where this new guy came from and what happened to So-and-So. This does not happen in Tey's novel.
Also, it's sort of interesting conventional wisdom says Richard III had the princes killed, yet, there is are a number of people who've concluded the murders were against character and probably done in order to create a problem for Richard III. (going from my very flawed memory)
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 202
***
The other remarkable thing about Daughter of Time, the "Richard III" mystery, is that she keeps straight the cast of historical people that her modern-day detective is investigating -- and without a family tree included in the book. You know how, when So-and-So is "created Lord Ruggles" or whatever, and then the author calls him "Ruggles" from then on? If you miss the moment he is titled, you wonder where this new guy came from and what happened to So-and-So. This does not happen in Tey's novel.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:49 AM (c6xtn)
282
Bigwig is a badass!
...That's a comment that only makes sense in the context of Watership Down. I love that book. There are weekends where I get the urge to just re-read my favorite sequences.
Unfortunately, that makes me pine for an epic visual adaptation of the story, which we've never gotten. The Netflix version from a few years ago was particularly irksome in its inaccuracies...
...That's a comment that only makes sense in the context of Watership Down. I love that book. There are weekends where I get the urge to just re-read my favorite sequences.
Unfortunately, that makes me pine for an epic visual adaptation of the story, which we've never gotten. The Netflix version from a few years ago was particularly irksome in its inaccuracies...
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 18, 2022 10:49 AM (Lhaco)
283
This is the story of Rotten Tomatoes.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:32 AM (Zz0t1)
Based on reviews of seven experts, this comment rates a 7.6, rating it as very good.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:32 AM (Zz0t1)
Based on reviews of seven experts, this comment rates a 7.6, rating it as very good.
Posted by: Rotting Tomatoes at September 18, 2022 10:49 AM (7bRMQ)
284
I've always thought MacDonald's short story "End of the Tiger" was just a lovely piece of work. Of his one-offs, The Executioners (aka Cape Fear), The Damned, April Evil, The End of the Night, Murder in the Wind, and Cry Hard, Cry Fast were favorites of mine. But I can't recall ever reading a dull book by JDM. Even his marriages-on-the-rocks novels (The Deceivers and Cancel All Our Vows) still hold up pretty well. Terrific writer. Library of America, are you listening?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 10:50 AM (a/4+U)
285
I enjoyed the first Riverworld book, but after a while it just got tedious and silly.
Posted by: MichiCanuck at September 18, 2022 10:50 AM (yIHFq)
286
The book highlighted one aspect of the jungle. It's more deadly than the desert and loaded with disease, vicious bugs, skin-fungusy stuff and contrary to expectation - wholly devoid of stuff to eat
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 10:45 AM (PHdmz)
---
There's a reason that people adapted to living in jungles are so physically small - less calories are available. Larger people would starve to death.
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 10:45 AM (PHdmz)
---
There's a reason that people adapted to living in jungles are so physically small - less calories are available. Larger people would starve to death.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (llXky)
287
I never had any of those writers suggested to me college but then I tended to stay with older classics in Eng Lit classes
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (NYy95)
288
As for what Joss did in real life, I consider that separate from the work he did and had his writers create.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:39 AM (c6xtn)
Yeah, no matter what else one thinks of Whedon, he created some of those strong female characters that everyone claims they want these days. And did no in ways that were much more realistic, in spite of the setting, in that the girls/women were FAR from perfect, demonstrated real growth along the way, and were NOT constantly showing the males how much better they were than them. I think a show like this would not be made today, because Buffy had a strong male character (not her father though) who guided her through the entirety of the show.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:39 AM (c6xtn)
Yeah, no matter what else one thinks of Whedon, he created some of those strong female characters that everyone claims they want these days. And did no in ways that were much more realistic, in spite of the setting, in that the girls/women were FAR from perfect, demonstrated real growth along the way, and were NOT constantly showing the males how much better they were than them. I think a show like this would not be made today, because Buffy had a strong male character (not her father though) who guided her through the entirety of the show.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (NWBBy)
289
OT: Why is the word "Queue" spelled that way? Seems redundant. Isn't "que/cue" sufficient?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022
***
Because it means, in BritSpeak, "line." In Britain you stand in a queue rather than in a line.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022
***
Because it means, in BritSpeak, "line." In Britain you stand in a queue rather than in a line.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (c6xtn)
290
268 OT: Why is the word "Queue" spelled that way? Seems redundant. Isn't "que/cue" sufficient?
as is albukirky
as is albukirky
Posted by: anachronda at September 18, 2022 10:52 AM (GbLWf)
291
That's sort of like all the books Smart People say they read, but never actually read. They become best-sellers so that people can show off their big, pulsing brains but of course no one opens them up.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (llXky)
Sort of like the Buttheads on The Cage/Menagerie? Or Obama walking with a cool book in his hand for the photo op, probably unable to read it?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:34 AM (llXky)
Sort of like the Buttheads on The Cage/Menagerie? Or Obama walking with a cool book in his hand for the photo op, probably unable to read it?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (7bRMQ)
292
Because it means, in BritSpeak, "line." In Britain you stand in a queue rather than in a line.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (c6xtn)
Yeah I know that, but why that spelling?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (c6xtn)
Yeah I know that, but why that spelling?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
293
. . . Buffy had a strong male character (not her father though) who guided her through the entirety of the show.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022
***
Giles, her Watcher, yes. Though there are periods within the later seasons where he disappears back to England, and Buffy is much more on her own. (Those might be the weak spots in the show.)
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022
***
Giles, her Watcher, yes. Though there are periods within the later seasons where he disappears back to England, and Buffy is much more on her own. (Those might be the weak spots in the show.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (c6xtn)
294
75 Clue NO. 1 about John D. refers to Ballroom of the Skies, the best of his serious science fiction. ... The Girl, the Gold Watch, and Everything straddles the line between SF and fantasy -- but it's a fun romp, completely different from Ballroom.
****
And in between, there's Wine of the Dreamers, a proto-LitRPG with a difference, which blew my mind at the age of nine of so. (Apologies if it's already been mentioned.)
****
And in between, there's Wine of the Dreamers, a proto-LitRPG with a difference, which blew my mind at the age of nine of so. (Apologies if it's already been mentioned.)
Posted by: werewife, princess of Delray Beach at September 18, 2022 10:54 AM (SPNTN)
295
That's sort of like all the books Smart People say they read, but never actually read.
------
This is the story of Modern Art.
"What? Why are looking at me like that?" --Miles Davis
This topic came up just yesterday. My wife doesn't read-read a lot but consumes audio books voraciously while she does other stuff. She mentioned that she started some Graham Greene book that had rave reviews on Audible but she couldn't stand it.
------
This is the story of Modern Art.
"What? Why are looking at me like that?" --Miles Davis
This topic came up just yesterday. My wife doesn't read-read a lot but consumes audio books voraciously while she does other stuff. She mentioned that she started some Graham Greene book that had rave reviews on Audible but she couldn't stand it.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 18, 2022 10:54 AM (nfrXX)
296
I've always thought MacDonald's short story "End of the Tiger" was just a lovely piece of work. Of his one-offs, The Executioners (aka Cape Fear), The Damned, April Evil, The End of the Night, Murder in the Wind, and Cry Hard, Cry Fast were favorites of mine. But I can't recall ever reading a dull book by JDM. Even his marriages-on-the-rocks novels (The Deceivers and Cancel All Our Vows) still hold up pretty well. Terrific writer. Library of America, are you listening?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022
***
Do not read Murder in the Wind or his later bestseller Condominium if a hurricane is approaching your home. Just, don't.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022
***
Do not read Murder in the Wind or his later bestseller Condominium if a hurricane is approaching your home. Just, don't.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:54 AM (c6xtn)
297
Yeah I know that, but why that spelling?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
------------
Que?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
------------
Que?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:55 AM (5pTK/)
298
Perfessor (the Purple) Squirrel --
Thank you for the Classic(al) Childrens Literature comic. I sent it to my kidlets (with 7 of their own kidlets of that age at home).
Thank you for the Classic(al) Childrens Literature comic. I sent it to my kidlets (with 7 of their own kidlets of that age at home).
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022 10:55 AM (MIKMs)
299
Yet which one entered the popular consciousness? Heck, "Logan's Run" has had more of a long-term impact that most Oscar nominated films during the same period.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:38 AM (llXky)
All credit for that to Jenny Agutter in those outfits. Oof!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:38 AM (llXky)
All credit for that to Jenny Agutter in those outfits. Oof!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:55 AM (7bRMQ)
300
Or Obama walking with a cool book in his hand for the photo op, probably unable to read it?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (7bRMQ)
This is the story of LeBron James.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (7bRMQ)
This is the story of LeBron James.
Posted by: Sponge - F*ck Joe Biden at September 18, 2022 10:55 AM (Zz0t1)
301
Gatsby goes through all this shit to what?
Steal another man's wife?
To fix the past. This is a recurring theme in Fitzgerald, but you see it in a lot of literature. Heathcliff, like Jay Gatz, runs off and makes money. He triumphally returns to the source of his pain, but instead of winning the girl, he destroys everything in his path and gets revenge. Of course it doesn't last, and the destroyed child of his enemy ends up heading toward repair and solace, while Heathcliff dies sad, mad and unfulfilled.
Gatsby ends tragically of course, despite the fact that Tom was a shit. Both of these guys could have gone on to build a better life for themselves, but chose not to lay aside the slights of their youth.
Steal another man's wife?
To fix the past. This is a recurring theme in Fitzgerald, but you see it in a lot of literature. Heathcliff, like Jay Gatz, runs off and makes money. He triumphally returns to the source of his pain, but instead of winning the girl, he destroys everything in his path and gets revenge. Of course it doesn't last, and the destroyed child of his enemy ends up heading toward repair and solace, while Heathcliff dies sad, mad and unfulfilled.
Gatsby ends tragically of course, despite the fact that Tom was a shit. Both of these guys could have gone on to build a better life for themselves, but chose not to lay aside the slights of their youth.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 10:56 AM (Zzbjj)
302
268 OT: Why is the word "Queue" spelled that way? Seems redundant. Isn't "que/cue" sufficient?
Posted by: All Hail Eris
It's probably French
Posted by: All Hail Eris
It's probably French
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 10:56 AM (p/nbH)
303
144 Can't remember a thing about Watership Down. Pretty sure I must have skimmed it at one time or another, but it never engaged me at all. I don't know if the YA series Redwall (Brian Jacques) with brave mice as the protagonists came out of that popularity or not. I just remember teenage boys reading those big fat fantasy novels, and there were a lot of them.
Posted by: mustbequantum
I doubt Watership Down had much to do with Redwall. Watership Down was what-if-real-world-rabbits-had-human-thoughts, while Redwall was high fantasy with mice and squirrels instead of elves and dwarves.
And there's a bit of precedent for the mice-with-swords genre. From Beatrix Potter and all her derivitives (woodland creatures wearing clothes hand having human-like homes) to kids picture book "The Creepy Castle" by John S Goodall (A book I apparently grew up with, and my parents re-discovered when they had grand-kids. That probably explains why I loved Redwall) Plus, you can find a lot of random medeval illustrations with knights having rabbit-heads and such.
Posted by: mustbequantum
I doubt Watership Down had much to do with Redwall. Watership Down was what-if-real-world-rabbits-had-human-thoughts, while Redwall was high fantasy with mice and squirrels instead of elves and dwarves.
And there's a bit of precedent for the mice-with-swords genre. From Beatrix Potter and all her derivitives (woodland creatures wearing clothes hand having human-like homes) to kids picture book "The Creepy Castle" by John S Goodall (A book I apparently grew up with, and my parents re-discovered when they had grand-kids. That probably explains why I loved Redwall) Plus, you can find a lot of random medeval illustrations with knights having rabbit-heads and such.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 18, 2022 10:56 AM (Lhaco)
304
Bigwig is a badass!
...That's a comment that only makes sense in the context of Watership Down. I love that book. There are weekends where I get the urge to just re-read my favorite sequences.
Unfortunately, that makes me pine for an epic visual adaptation of the story, which we've never gotten. The Netflix version from a few years ago was particularly irksome in its inaccuracies...
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 18, 2022
***
The 1979 animated film with John Hurt as Hazel was very well done, though.
...That's a comment that only makes sense in the context of Watership Down. I love that book. There are weekends where I get the urge to just re-read my favorite sequences.
Unfortunately, that makes me pine for an epic visual adaptation of the story, which we've never gotten. The Netflix version from a few years ago was particularly irksome in its inaccuracies...
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 18, 2022
***
The 1979 animated film with John Hurt as Hazel was very well done, though.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:56 AM (c6xtn)
305
Buffy had a strong male character (not her father though) who guided her through the entirety of the show.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022
***
Giles, her Watcher, yes. Though there are periods within the later seasons where he disappears back to England, and Buffy is much more on her own. (Those might be the weak spots in the show.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (c6xtn)
I understand why people might not like it, but I don't think those were weak points of the show. They were the points when Buffy f**ks things up more than ever... not least of all taking up with a dude who was truly evil, and hiding it from her friends and family, because sometimes young women make terrible choices.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022
***
Giles, her Watcher, yes. Though there are periods within the later seasons where he disappears back to England, and Buffy is much more on her own. (Those might be the weak spots in the show.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (c6xtn)
I understand why people might not like it, but I don't think those were weak points of the show. They were the points when Buffy f**ks things up more than ever... not least of all taking up with a dude who was truly evil, and hiding it from her friends and family, because sometimes young women make terrible choices.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:56 AM (NWBBy)
306
Yeah, no matter what else one thinks of Whedon, he created some of those strong female characters that everyone claims they want these days. And did no in ways that were much more realistic, in spite of the setting, in that the girls/women were FAR from perfect, demonstrated real growth along the way, and were NOT constantly showing the males how much better they were than them.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (NWBBy)
---
I should clarify that some of the early Buffy episodes are quite amusing and I enjoyed Firefly. I'm not an implacable Whedon critic, but I am a critic.
I generally try to separate the art from the artist, but it's difficult in this case because the Strong Female Characters served as a vehicle to get women into his bed and a shield against women who turned him down and got ruined as a result.
But your larger point stands. Buffy cannot win on her own. She needs her friends to help and she is just as flawed as they are.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (NWBBy)
---
I should clarify that some of the early Buffy episodes are quite amusing and I enjoyed Firefly. I'm not an implacable Whedon critic, but I am a critic.
I generally try to separate the art from the artist, but it's difficult in this case because the Strong Female Characters served as a vehicle to get women into his bed and a shield against women who turned him down and got ruined as a result.
But your larger point stands. Buffy cannot win on her own. She needs her friends to help and she is just as flawed as they are.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 10:57 AM (llXky)
307
Watership Down certainly is. I describe it to people as "a thriller for rabbits," which gets the attention of serious readers at least.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:36 AM (c6xtn)
"Watership Down" was my first lesson in how differently you can react to a book at any given time. The first time I picked it up I didn't get past Page 6. I thought it was boring as hell and could not get into it.
A year later I found myself with nothing to read except that boring book. But this time it WAS "a thriller for rabbits" and not boring at all and I couldn't put it down. I have no explanation for this. Maybe you do.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 09:36 AM (c6xtn)
"Watership Down" was my first lesson in how differently you can react to a book at any given time. The first time I picked it up I didn't get past Page 6. I thought it was boring as hell and could not get into it.
A year later I found myself with nothing to read except that boring book. But this time it WAS "a thriller for rabbits" and not boring at all and I couldn't put it down. I have no explanation for this. Maybe you do.
Posted by: creeper at September 18, 2022 10:57 AM (cTCuP)
308
Sort of like the Buttheads on The Cage/Menagerie? Or Obama walking with a cool book in his hand for the photo op, probably unable to read it?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (7bRMQ)
----------
Anne Coulter, in one of her books, talks about Adelaide Stevenson and how he was touted as this "well read intellectual" by the usual suspects, yet, upon his death, it was discovered there was 1 book in his apartment, or some such.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (7bRMQ)
----------
Anne Coulter, in one of her books, talks about Adelaide Stevenson and how he was touted as this "well read intellectual" by the usual suspects, yet, upon his death, it was discovered there was 1 book in his apartment, or some such.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:59 AM (5pTK/)
309
I enjoyed Watership Down, but when I first saw it at Waldenbooks I thought it was sience fiction.
Posted by: Eromero at September 18, 2022 11:00 AM (0OP+5)
310
This topic came up just yesterday. My wife doesn't read-read a lot but consumes audio books voraciously while she does other stuff. She mentioned that she started some Graham Greene book that had rave reviews on Audible but she couldn't stand it.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 18, 2022 10:54 AM (nfrXX)
End Of the Affair is a book I read in school, because I had to. I wouldn't say it's the worst book I ever read, but I did hate it. I can't stand books where there are no redeeming characters, and the ending feels tacked on, where one character is possibly repenting, and the other is more or less in the throes of having repentance thrust upon him.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 18, 2022 10:54 AM (nfrXX)
End Of the Affair is a book I read in school, because I had to. I wouldn't say it's the worst book I ever read, but I did hate it. I can't stand books where there are no redeeming characters, and the ending feels tacked on, where one character is possibly repenting, and the other is more or less in the throes of having repentance thrust upon him.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 11:00 AM (NWBBy)
311
All credit for that to Jenny Agutter in those outfits. Oof!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:55 AM (7bRMQ)
---
LOL, I saw her in another movie and I'm like: "Hey, that's the Logan's Run girl!"
And my friends squints at the screen and says: "yeah, didn't recognize her with her clothes on."
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 10:55 AM (7bRMQ)
---
LOL, I saw her in another movie and I'm like: "Hey, that's the Logan's Run girl!"
And my friends squints at the screen and says: "yeah, didn't recognize her with her clothes on."
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:00 AM (llXky)
312
Yeah I know that, but why that spelling?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
Because it's an import from French? "Queue" means "tail" in French. The thing the dog wags, not the other thing.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
Because it's an import from French? "Queue" means "tail" in French. The thing the dog wags, not the other thing.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:00 AM (XfCGL)
313
Etymology online:
queue (n.)
late 15c., "band attached to a letter with seals dangling on the free end," from French queue "a tail," from Old French cue, coe, queue, "tail" (12c., also "penis"), from Latin coda (dialectal variant or alternative form of cauda) "tail" (see coda, and compare cue (n.2)).
Also in literal use in 16c. English, "tail of a beast," especially in heraldry. A metaphoric extension to "line of dancers" (c. 1500) perhaps led to the extended sense of "line of people, etc." (1837), but this use in English is perhaps directly from French (queue à queue, "one after another" appears in early 19c. English and American military
queue (n.)
late 15c., "band attached to a letter with seals dangling on the free end," from French queue "a tail," from Old French cue, coe, queue, "tail" (12c., also "penis"), from Latin coda (dialectal variant or alternative form of cauda) "tail" (see coda, and compare cue (n.2)).
Also in literal use in 16c. English, "tail of a beast," especially in heraldry. A metaphoric extension to "line of dancers" (c. 1500) perhaps led to the extended sense of "line of people, etc." (1837), but this use in English is perhaps directly from French (queue à queue, "one after another" appears in early 19c. English and American military
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:01 AM (p/nbH)
314
One fantasy author I liked whom nobody seems to remember is Phyllis Eisenstein, who wrote Born into Exile, The Red Lord's Reach[/i[, and The Book of Elementals duology. I'm reminded of these because in The Crystal Palace, sorcerer Cray makes a magic mirror for seeing one's heart's desire, and after being blank for years he finally beholds a sorceress being held in the demon realm. He goes on a quest to find her, natch.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022
***
She wrote a series of novelettes about a young minstrel with the ability to teleport; they appeared in F & SF back in the '70s, didn't they? Maybe that was Born Into Exile. Low-key but fascinating stuff.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022
***
She wrote a series of novelettes about a young minstrel with the ability to teleport; they appeared in F & SF back in the '70s, didn't they? Maybe that was Born Into Exile. Low-key but fascinating stuff.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:01 AM (c6xtn)
315
Because it means, in BritSpeak, "line." In Britain you stand in a queue rather than in a line.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (c6xtn)
Yeah I know that, but why that spelling?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue
She cried away her life since she fell off the cradle...
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 10:51 AM (c6xtn)
Yeah I know that, but why that spelling?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 10:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
Talkin' 'bout a girl that looks quite like you
She didn't have the time to wait in the queue
She cried away her life since she fell off the cradle...
Posted by: Cream at September 18, 2022 11:01 AM (R/m4+)
316
I liked King better than other horror writers (e.g. John Saul) because he left room for hope in the majority of his novels. But the initial reading is always the best. Every good one I've reread, from "Salem's Lot" to "Bag of Bones," has sections of clunky exposition, like he never polished the rough draft. Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 18, 2022 10:49 AM (/+bwe)
=====
Nice analysis.
=====
Nice analysis.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022 11:02 AM (MIKMs)
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at September 18, 2022 11:02 AM (JkeTM)
318
OT: Why is the word "Queue" spelled that way? Seems redundant. Isn't "que/cue" sufficient?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread)
Nouigh.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread)
Nouigh.
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 11:03 AM (T4tVD)
319
And it continues like that across every shelf.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 18, 2022 10:42 AM (up/3i)
Now look what you did! I just looked at mine:
To The Last Man, three Hopalong books, The Dragon's Teeth, Dictionary of Quotations, Presidential Campaigns, Lincoln's Generals, Nitpickers Guide for Classic Trekkers, The Trial of Socrates, Riddle of the Dinosaur, The Star Trek Compendium, a couple of Batman graphic novels, and the Guide to Expo '74 World's Fair.
And that's only one shelf....
Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 18, 2022 10:42 AM (up/3i)
Now look what you did! I just looked at mine:
To The Last Man, three Hopalong books, The Dragon's Teeth, Dictionary of Quotations, Presidential Campaigns, Lincoln's Generals, Nitpickers Guide for Classic Trekkers, The Trial of Socrates, Riddle of the Dinosaur, The Star Trek Compendium, a couple of Batman graphic novels, and the Guide to Expo '74 World's Fair.
And that's only one shelf....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:03 AM (7bRMQ)
320
Book thread rocking early morning. Over 300 comments. Wow.
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:03 AM (Ti9vn)
321
Chinese men wore their hair in a cue, or was it a que? Though not a queue or a ponytail.
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 11:03 AM (PHdmz)
322
"Watership Down" was my first lesson in how differently you can react to a book at any given time. The first time I picked it up I didn't get past Page 6. I thought it was boring as hell and could not get into it.
A year later I found myself with nothing to read except that boring book. But this time it WAS "a thriller for rabbits" and not boring at all and I couldn't put it down. I have no explanation for this. Maybe you do.
Posted by: creeper at September 18, 2022
***
I did the same thing with Maltese Falcon. Could not get into it when I ws 15, or 25, or 35. Finally, after viewing the Bogart film again, I sat down with it. Now I got it. The style that had put me off was this: Hammett at no point enters into any character's thoughts. Everything is on the surface. But physical movements and tones of voice convey the emotional status of the people. A hard trick to pull off. And I was not used to that when I was less widely read.
A year later I found myself with nothing to read except that boring book. But this time it WAS "a thriller for rabbits" and not boring at all and I couldn't put it down. I have no explanation for this. Maybe you do.
Posted by: creeper at September 18, 2022
***
I did the same thing with Maltese Falcon. Could not get into it when I ws 15, or 25, or 35. Finally, after viewing the Bogart film again, I sat down with it. Now I got it. The style that had put me off was this: Hammett at no point enters into any character's thoughts. Everything is on the surface. But physical movements and tones of voice convey the emotional status of the people. A hard trick to pull off. And I was not used to that when I was less widely read.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (c6xtn)
323
Gatsby ends tragically of course, despite the fact that Tom was a shit. Both of these guys could have gone on to build a better life for themselves, but chose not to lay aside the slights of their youth.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 10:56 AM (Zzbjj)
---
That's pretty much the essence of tragedy: the same thing that inspired him to achieve success now brings about his destruction.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 10:56 AM (Zzbjj)
---
That's pretty much the essence of tragedy: the same thing that inspired him to achieve success now brings about his destruction.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (llXky)
324
255 Maybe this winter I am going to organize my book shelves a little better, here's a random sample from one shelf...
***
I'm trying to wear my shelves right now
Some nice looking crap has gotta go (sorry Ludlum)
***
I'm trying to wear my shelves right now
Some nice looking crap has gotta go (sorry Ludlum)
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (p/nbH)
325
And why is quay pronounced key?
Posted by: That NLurker guy at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (eGTCV)
326
One of the things which always puzzled me about Stephen King was: He understands the "evil versus good" dynamic and knows how to write a story in which good won, but, always at a cost.
Yet, King, for someone who knows how to write that story, certainly doesn't understand that's much how it is in real life.
Yet, King, for someone who knows how to write that story, certainly doesn't understand that's much how it is in real life.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:06 AM (5pTK/)
327
Just saw the most ... I'm not sure how to describe it - obscene? Disturbing? Annoying? Ad on tv.
A company advertising for lawyers to buy into a service that advertises for potential claimants in a well advertised federal tort claim, and then routes their calls to subscribing lawyers' offices. Lawyers trolling for plaintiffs replaced by an ad trolling lawyers to file claims for the plaintiffs they troll.
Without looking into the underlying cases and legislation, did the government confess liability, so that all that needs to be done is present evidence that they (or their parent/spouse) were assigned to the affected installation for more than the specified time, and that they suffered one of the qualifying conditions? Can't one of the VSOs file the paperwork? Is a lawyer really required?
A company advertising for lawyers to buy into a service that advertises for potential claimants in a well advertised federal tort claim, and then routes their calls to subscribing lawyers' offices. Lawyers trolling for plaintiffs replaced by an ad trolling lawyers to file claims for the plaintiffs they troll.
Without looking into the underlying cases and legislation, did the government confess liability, so that all that needs to be done is present evidence that they (or their parent/spouse) were assigned to the affected installation for more than the specified time, and that they suffered one of the qualifying conditions? Can't one of the VSOs file the paperwork? Is a lawyer really required?
Posted by: Fox2! at September 18, 2022 11:06 AM (qyH+l)
328
Which is better? Well, everyone knows in this case, more popular may taste better, but isn't better for you. So if the "critics" and other so-called experts are telling you something about why you'd be better off picking up the veggies, rather than the nachos and fries, they have a point.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:44 AM (NWBBy)
Not denying that, Burt. But to sniff at what readers read in favor of only what experts say is good is wrong as well. I like the idea of hearing from both groups.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:44 AM (NWBBy)
Not denying that, Burt. But to sniff at what readers read in favor of only what experts say is good is wrong as well. I like the idea of hearing from both groups.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:07 AM (7bRMQ)
329
@280
>>But the initial reading is always the best. Every good one I've reread, from "Salem's Lot" to "Bag of Bones," has sections of clunky exposition, like he never polished the rough draft.
They're both duetches but I saw a talk between George RRR Martin and Steven King, George asked King how he was able to write so damn much, King said, he just sits down and cranks out as many pages as he can per day and doesn't get too hung up about what he's cranking out, whereas Martin agonizes over every word, sentence and paragraph and is why he's been chiken f**king the same story for 30 years.
>>But the initial reading is always the best. Every good one I've reread, from "Salem's Lot" to "Bag of Bones," has sections of clunky exposition, like he never polished the rough draft.
They're both duetches but I saw a talk between George RRR Martin and Steven King, George asked King how he was able to write so damn much, King said, he just sits down and cranks out as many pages as he can per day and doesn't get too hung up about what he's cranking out, whereas Martin agonizes over every word, sentence and paragraph and is why he's been chiken f**king the same story for 30 years.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at September 18, 2022 11:07 AM (up/3i)
330
Ah, the Book Thread! Always good for filling the Kindle for a week (or so) of reading...
Thank you, NR Pax, for jogging my memory on Monalisa Foster. She was a great poster back on the CLFW FB page some years ago when I was still on that FB thing. Always running around with a sword...
Dumas is a long-time favorite, and I love turning people on to him that know the story, but have never read the actual work.
Thank you, NR Pax, for jogging my memory on Monalisa Foster. She was a great poster back on the CLFW FB page some years ago when I was still on that FB thing. Always running around with a sword...
Dumas is a long-time favorite, and I love turning people on to him that know the story, but have never read the actual work.
Posted by: Brewingfrog at September 18, 2022 11:08 AM (Koape)
331
Everything is on the surface. But physical movements and tones of voice convey the emotional status of the people. A hard trick to pull off. And I was not used to that when I was less widely read.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (c6xtn)
---
This is something Elmore Leonard does so well. There's little description or internal dialog, but he manages to convey a character almost solely through their speaking voice.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (c6xtn)
---
This is something Elmore Leonard does so well. There's little description or internal dialog, but he manages to convey a character almost solely through their speaking voice.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 11:08 AM (Dc2NZ)
332
Chinese men wore their hair in a cue, or was it a que? Though not a queue or a ponytail.
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 11:03 AM (PHdmz)
The only way I have seen that spelled is "queue", for that usage.
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 11:03 AM (PHdmz)
The only way I have seen that spelled is "queue", for that usage.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:08 AM (XfCGL)
333
Sounds like the Camp LeJeune gravy train.
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at September 18, 2022 11:08 AM (JkeTM)
334
Steven Pressfield's last three books I read had a hopeless feeling at the end. They were fiction as opposed to historical fiction so that may have something to do with it, Unfortunately the last two were somewhat woke too. Everyone will eventually disappoint you.
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:09 AM (Ti9vn)
335
I really need to give this topic more thought but these posts are a start.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (7EjX1)
And with that statement, the Perfessor's job is done.
Posted by: JTB at September 18, 2022 10:46 AM (7EjX1)
And with that statement, the Perfessor's job is done.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:10 AM (7bRMQ)
336
{211} Kaylee, the Calico Kitty Cat (the cutest little cat of them all) says, "Hello!" and is looking for recommended stories that should be read TO cats...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (K5n5d)
Lawdog's spouse has an upcoming anthology called "Moggies in Space!" (official announcement scheduled for FenCon this very weekend) that might fit the bill. Here's the post to the link over at Lawdog's site: https://tinyurl.com/ypzuw42u
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 10:22 AM (K5n5d)
Lawdog's spouse has an upcoming anthology called "Moggies in Space!" (official announcement scheduled for FenCon this very weekend) that might fit the bill. Here's the post to the link over at Lawdog's site: https://tinyurl.com/ypzuw42u
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at September 18, 2022 11:10 AM (nRMeC)
337
One of the things which always puzzled me about Stephen King was: He understands the "evil versus good" dynamic and knows how to write a story in which good won, but, always at a cost.
Yet, King, for someone who knows how to write that story, certainly doesn't understand that's much how it is in real life.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:06 AM (5pTK/)
---
The answer is simply that King seeks social acceptance. That's it. That's all he cares about.
His fiction was shaped by his unhappy childhood and adolescence, which is why he is so good in writing lonely, unpopular people. Notice that when he goes too far with the Cool Kids, he immediately grovels.
Yet, King, for someone who knows how to write that story, certainly doesn't understand that's much how it is in real life.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:06 AM (5pTK/)
---
The answer is simply that King seeks social acceptance. That's it. That's all he cares about.
His fiction was shaped by his unhappy childhood and adolescence, which is why he is so good in writing lonely, unpopular people. Notice that when he goes too far with the Cool Kids, he immediately grovels.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:10 AM (llXky)
338
Maybe this winter I am going to organize my book shelves a little better, here's a random sample from one shelf...
=====
IMHO, wait for spring. For those of us in northern climes, we need the insulation; and perhaps some judicious culling for fireplace fuel.
=====
IMHO, wait for spring. For those of us in northern climes, we need the insulation; and perhaps some judicious culling for fireplace fuel.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 18, 2022 11:12 AM (MIKMs)
339
323. The inability to be happy with what you achieved, and look rationally at the situation. In theory both men could pay a quick visit home and walk away undestroyed. And in both cases, they misplace their anger. Edgar Linton was not a villain.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 11:12 AM (Zzbjj)
340
"Watership Down" was the biggest book I'd ever read up to that point. It was featured on the Scholastics Books poster which came with the book order forms, and I remember it was called an "epic adventure." I figured that meant it was like The Odyssey, which I loved.
I still love that book. Love the fact that the rabbit mythology has a payoff. Love that the weird artsy-fartsy warren, which I found creepy as a kid, remains a good metaphor for humans who gloss over sickening truth.
I still love that book. Love the fact that the rabbit mythology has a payoff. Love that the weird artsy-fartsy warren, which I found creepy as a kid, remains a good metaphor for humans who gloss over sickening truth.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (/+bwe)
341
OT: We've made an attempt to introduce kitten Dagny, the little Siberian girl, to kitten Stirling, the big black. It has not gone swimmingly. He's slapped at her, she has hissed at him and he hissed back. Now she is in her carrier -- but he won't leave; just sits there peering into the box. I don't have space to shut them up in separate rooms, either.
Not catastrophic, but this is not Wolf and Chekov, who made friends in an hour.
Not catastrophic, but this is not Wolf and Chekov, who made friends in an hour.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (c6xtn)
342
This is something Elmore Leonard does so well. There's little description or internal dialog, but he manages to convey a character almost solely through their speaking voice.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 11:08 AM (Dc2NZ)
---
Evelyn Waugh also tends to show more than tell. Reading stuff provoked a radical change in my writing style and starting with the Man of Destiny series I adopted that approach. There are a few points where a character's thoughts will be shared with the reader, but it's mostly obvious - the sort of thing you could see visually as a brow furrows.
It certainly cuts the word count and forces one to focus on action rather than internal monologues.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 11:08 AM (Dc2NZ)
---
Evelyn Waugh also tends to show more than tell. Reading stuff provoked a radical change in my writing style and starting with the Man of Destiny series I adopted that approach. There are a few points where a character's thoughts will be shared with the reader, but it's mostly obvious - the sort of thing you could see visually as a brow furrows.
It certainly cuts the word count and forces one to focus on action rather than internal monologues.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:14 AM (llXky)
343
Talk about a book you either love or hate, I think Confederacy of Dunces tops the list.
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:14 AM (Ti9vn)
344
Yeah, and I hate Heathcliff too.
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at September 18, 2022 11:02 AM (JkeTM)
Heathcliff is a cautionary tale, for every man who has had his heart broken (who hasn't), sometimes for the pettiest of reasons, don't let it destroy your humanity.
I wonder how much this is truly the story of men and mankind, that "success" is often driven by the desire of men to get over that lost love, and when success is achieved, he sets about destroying everything he can... including and perhaps especially, young and vulnerable women.
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at September 18, 2022 11:02 AM (JkeTM)
Heathcliff is a cautionary tale, for every man who has had his heart broken (who hasn't), sometimes for the pettiest of reasons, don't let it destroy your humanity.
I wonder how much this is truly the story of men and mankind, that "success" is often driven by the desire of men to get over that lost love, and when success is achieved, he sets about destroying everything he can... including and perhaps especially, young and vulnerable women.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 11:15 AM (NWBBy)
345
THE classic weird/horror story is The Willows by Algernon Blackwood.
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 11:15 AM (PHdmz)
346
Should Paisley Poirot Doggie Detective have a sidekick? If so, should it be a snotty and superior cat who's mostly indifferent but comes through in the end or another dog who is submissive to Paisley the bossy alpha female?
Posted by: That NLurker guy at September 18, 2022 11:16 AM (eGTCV)
347
Always wanted to read Walkabout, it's much different than the movie. Someday will.
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 11:16 AM (k8B25)
348
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:44 AM (NWBBy)
Not denying that, Burt. But to sniff at what readers read in favor of only what experts say is good is wrong as well. I like the idea of hearing from both groups.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:07 AM (7bRMQ)
Indeed, and as noted above by one of our resident philosophers, this too is the story of Rotten Tomatoes... assuming the RT fellas aren't gaming their ratings, which they most obviously do sometimes.
Not denying that, Burt. But to sniff at what readers read in favor of only what experts say is good is wrong as well. I like the idea of hearing from both groups.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:07 AM (7bRMQ)
Indeed, and as noted above by one of our resident philosophers, this too is the story of Rotten Tomatoes... assuming the RT fellas aren't gaming their ratings, which they most obviously do sometimes.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 11:17 AM (NWBBy)
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:17 AM (Ti9vn)
350
Perfessor, thanks for featuring John D. MacDonald. I've always thought he was the most under-appreciated fiction writer of the modern age. I read every book he wrote, most of them at least twice.
MacDonald did it all...from pulp fiction to travelogues to fantasies to hardcover mystery best-sellers. His characters could've lived next door. I know of no other author with such a wide range and every book was good.
MacDonald did it all...from pulp fiction to travelogues to fantasies to hardcover mystery best-sellers. His characters could've lived next door. I know of no other author with such a wide range and every book was good.
Posted by: creeper at September 18, 2022 11:18 AM (cTCuP)
351
Not catastrophic, but this is not Wolf and Chekov, who made friends in an hour.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (c6xtn)
---
Our older cat was and still is implacably hostile to the younger one. She hates her and fights are frequent even after several years. The younger one is quite friendly, and keeps wanting to play, hang out, but nope, not gonna happen.
When it gets cold, they will share the same human, and we chuckle over how warmth > cat hate.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (c6xtn)
---
Our older cat was and still is implacably hostile to the younger one. She hates her and fights are frequent even after several years. The younger one is quite friendly, and keeps wanting to play, hang out, but nope, not gonna happen.
When it gets cold, they will share the same human, and we chuckle over how warmth > cat hate.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:18 AM (llXky)
352
Should Paisley Poirot Doggie Detective have a sidekick? If so, should it be a snotty and superior cat who's mostly indifferent but comes through in the end or another dog who is submissive to Paisley the bossy alpha female?
Posted by: That NLurker guy at September 18, 2022 11:16 AM (eGTCV)
Maybe a streetwise black lesbian otter?
Posted by: That NLurker guy at September 18, 2022 11:16 AM (eGTCV)
Maybe a streetwise black lesbian otter?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:19 AM (XfCGL)
353
Not catastrophic, but this is not Wolf and Chekov, who made friends in an hour.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (c6xtn)
We have a little monster in our house, who wants to mix it up with the older boys. I attempted to keep him isolated for some period of time, before the extended introductions, but was overruled. So now more than a month into this, he's driving the other boys nuts.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (c6xtn)
We have a little monster in our house, who wants to mix it up with the older boys. I attempted to keep him isolated for some period of time, before the extended introductions, but was overruled. So now more than a month into this, he's driving the other boys nuts.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 11:19 AM (NWBBy)
354
Haven't read a damn thing. And I'm not wearing pants.
Posted by: Pork Chops & Bacons at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (BdMk6)
355
SMH posted a list of 18 things your cat hates that you do. One was trying to force them together. They have to do it on their own , if ever.
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (Ti9vn)
356
Anne Coulter, in one of her books, talks about Adelaide Stevenson and how he was touted as this "well read intellectual" by the usual suspects, yet, upon his death, it was discovered there was 1 book in his apartment, or some such.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:59 AM (5pTK/)
Was it, How to Lose Presidential Elections Without Even Trying?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:59 AM (5pTK/)
Was it, How to Lose Presidential Elections Without Even Trying?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (7bRMQ)
357
I would have liked to see an example of 2 of the thousand things.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk - now a lurker by circumstance at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (8GBH4)
358
My suggestion for binge reading is Elmore Leonard. All are pretty terrific.
Posted by: Happy at September 18, 2022 11:21 AM (Xq6yM)
359
Bridge of Birds and the two following novels by Barry Hughart.
A novel of China that never was.
You will not be sorry you read this series. Rumored to become a film for many years, but I’m not sure a film could ever do it justice.
A novel of China that never was.
You will not be sorry you read this series. Rumored to become a film for many years, but I’m not sure a film could ever do it justice.
Posted by: 42 at September 18, 2022 11:21 AM (H9VVh)
360
Lots of mention of King and Tolkein come up every Sunday here. I usually say nothing as they both bore me to sleep. Which is why I keep a copy of the Hobbit on the headboard. One page and konk, I'm out. I think it's timing. I like fiction that rolls with real time. Three pages of describing a hole in the ground or describing a severed head like a drunken uncle trying to mess up his brothers kids just isn't for me.
Thank you for the book thread.
Happy Sunday everyone.
Thank you for the book thread.
Happy Sunday everyone.
Posted by: Reforger at September 18, 2022 11:22 AM (H/SKr)
361
Should Paisley Poirot Doggie Detective have a sidekick? If so, should it be a snotty and superior cat who's mostly indifferent but comes through in the end or another dog who is submissive to Paisley the bossy alpha female?
The cat. No question. Milksops are never interesting characters.
The cat. No question. Milksops are never interesting characters.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 18, 2022 11:22 AM (nfrXX)
362
And my friends squints at the screen and says: "yeah, didn't recognize her with her clothes on."
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:00 AM (llXky)
So your friends watched Equus and American Werewolf in London?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:00 AM (llXky)
So your friends watched Equus and American Werewolf in London?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:23 AM (7bRMQ)
363
>>> 355 SMH posted a list of 18 things your cat hates that you do. One was trying to force them together. They have to do it on their own , if ever.
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (Ti9vn)
I've seen it suggested to feed the kittehs on opposite sides of a closed door and keep bringing both food dishes closer to the door (over days) so they can get used to each others' scent, before allowing them see each other.
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (Ti9vn)
I've seen it suggested to feed the kittehs on opposite sides of a closed door and keep bringing both food dishes closer to the door (over days) so they can get used to each others' scent, before allowing them see each other.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket at September 18, 2022 11:23 AM (llON8)
364
I loved the series “Westerly Gales” by E.C. Williams. I’ve read it a couple of times and I might even enjoy it more if I knew anything about sailing.
I read the first book out loud to my husband during a long car trip and, surprisingly, he liked it too.
I read the first book out loud to my husband during a long car trip and, surprisingly, he liked it too.
Posted by: Akua Makana at September 18, 2022 11:24 AM (YkUJb)
365
Yeah, and I hate Heathcliff too.
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at September 18, 2022 11:02 AM (JkeTM)
Now why would you hate a cat?
Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at September 18, 2022 11:02 AM (JkeTM)
Now why would you hate a cat?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:25 AM (7bRMQ)
366
Anne Coulter, in one of her books, talks about Adelaide Stevenson and how he was touted as this "well read intellectual" by the usual suspects, yet, upon his death, it was discovered there was 1 book in his apartment, or some such.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:59 AM (5pTK/)
Is "Adelaide" an artifact of autocucumber, or did old Adlai transition, post-mortem?
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 10:59 AM (5pTK/)
Is "Adelaide" an artifact of autocucumber, or did old Adlai transition, post-mortem?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:26 AM (XfCGL)
367
A crow.
The problem with a crow character would be the tendency to make him or her too wise. After all, a crow can fly anywhere and see anything. It would be come like the "Numinous Negro" character is so many books and (especially) movies.
The problem with a crow character would be the tendency to make him or her too wise. After all, a crow can fly anywhere and see anything. It would be come like the "Numinous Negro" character is so many books and (especially) movies.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 18, 2022 11:26 AM (nfrXX)
368
So Adlai Stevenson was from Australia? Hunh. Who knew.
Posted by: Just Wondering at September 18, 2022 11:27 AM (5aM+u)
369
Is "Adelaide" an artifact of autocucumber, or did old Adlai transition, post-mortem?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:26 AM (XfCGL)
----------
No, it was a brain fart by an old fart, me.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:26 AM (XfCGL)
----------
No, it was a brain fart by an old fart, me.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:28 AM (5pTK/)
370
343 Confederacy of Dunces -- love it. Also love Gatsby.
Posted by: Linnet at September 18, 2022 11:29 AM (FWHzS)
371
I did the same thing with Maltese Falcon. Could not get into it when I ws 15, or 25, or 35. Finally, after viewing the Bogart film again, I sat down with it. Now I got it. The style that had put me off was this: Hammett at no point enters into any character's thoughts. Everything is on the surface. But physical movements and tones of voice convey the emotional status of the people. A hard trick to pull off. And I was not used to that when I was less widely read.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (c6xtn)
Interesting. I'll have to find it and read. Do you think it would help learning to write, or is it just something Hammett could pull off? Any other writers use that technique?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (c6xtn)
Interesting. I'll have to find it and read. Do you think it would help learning to write, or is it just something Hammett could pull off? Any other writers use that technique?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:29 AM (7bRMQ)
372
The Numinous Negro was the working title for the Flip Wilson show.
Posted by: Not a joke at September 18, 2022 11:31 AM (5aM+u)
373
Backyard Starship by Chaney and Maggert.
Just finished the first book and was very pleased with it. I'm not a big scify reader but enjoyed this. Think Guardians of the Galaxy meet The Texas Rangers and written with the same level.of humor.
It is a fun read.
Just finished the first book and was very pleased with it. I'm not a big scify reader but enjoyed this. Think Guardians of the Galaxy meet The Texas Rangers and written with the same level.of humor.
It is a fun read.
Posted by: Diogenes at September 18, 2022 11:31 AM (anj39)
374
365.Bronte should have written about cats.
But seriously, that book ends up on classics lists because it is about revenge and destruction. Hollywood, and sadly a great deal of female imagination, has turned an angry monster into a fabulous hero. Of course they edit away most of the book, but leaving the audience with a sad brooding Olivier.
But seriously, that book ends up on classics lists because it is about revenge and destruction. Hollywood, and sadly a great deal of female imagination, has turned an angry monster into a fabulous hero. Of course they edit away most of the book, but leaving the audience with a sad brooding Olivier.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 11:32 AM (Zzbjj)
375
346 Should Paisley Poirot Doggie Detective have a sidekick? If so, should it be a snotty and superior cat who's mostly indifferent but comes through in the end or another dog who is submissive to Paisley the bossy alpha female?
Posted by: That NLurker guy
I vote for snooty cat
Posted by: That NLurker guy
I vote for snooty cat
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:32 AM (p/nbH)
376
Maybe when Barky dies we will get to see his college grades and articles.
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 11:32 AM (k8B25)
377
Not catastrophic, but this is not Wolf and Chekov, who made friends in an hour.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (c6xtn)
Last time I introduced one cat to another (a 6 month old Lynxpoint to a 9 month old tabby), it took about two weeks.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:13 AM (c6xtn)
Last time I introduced one cat to another (a 6 month old Lynxpoint to a 9 month old tabby), it took about two weeks.
Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at September 18, 2022 11:33 AM (ZSK0i)
378
@144 Can't remember a thing about Watership Down. Pretty sure I must have skimmed it at one time or another, but it never engaged me at all. I don't know if the YA series Redwall (Brian Jacques) with brave mice as the protagonists came out of that popularity or not. I just remember teenage boys reading those big fat fantasy novels, and there were a lot of them.
----
Watership Down isn't really a fantasy novel, though. It's set in the real world. And while the rabbits are more human-like than real rabbits would ever be, they're also distinctly rabbits. For instance, they have trouble grasping the concept of a boat even when one is sitting in front of them.
The book covers multiple topics. It's an adventure story. But it also talks about political systems, and safety vs freedom.
On a related note, I remember someone once talking about a Gundam side story, and wondering where the names for the mobile suits in the story were coming from. The Hazel was an odd name for a giant robot, but it was still a normal word. But where, the commenter pondered, did the writer get the name Hrududu from? The answer was Watership Down.
----
Watership Down isn't really a fantasy novel, though. It's set in the real world. And while the rabbits are more human-like than real rabbits would ever be, they're also distinctly rabbits. For instance, they have trouble grasping the concept of a boat even when one is sitting in front of them.
The book covers multiple topics. It's an adventure story. But it also talks about political systems, and safety vs freedom.
On a related note, I remember someone once talking about a Gundam side story, and wondering where the names for the mobile suits in the story were coming from. The Hazel was an odd name for a giant robot, but it was still a normal word. But where, the commenter pondered, did the writer get the name Hrududu from? The answer was Watership Down.
Posted by: junior at September 18, 2022 11:33 AM (PTw5h)
379
No, it was a brain fart by an old fart, me.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:28 AM (5pTK/)
Heh! I could totally see autocorrect do that, though.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:28 AM (5pTK/)
Heh! I could totally see autocorrect do that, though.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:34 AM (XfCGL)
380
I would have liked to see an example of 2 of the thousand things.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk - now a lurker by circumstance at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (8GBH4)
Me too. My round American wife cooking a rabbit dinner for me.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk - now a lurker by circumstance at September 18, 2022 11:20 AM (8GBH4)
Me too. My round American wife cooking a rabbit dinner for me.
Posted by: Vasili at September 18, 2022 11:34 AM (4I/2K)
381
Without looking into the underlying cases and legislation, did the government confess liability, so that all that needs to be done is present evidence that they (or their parent/spouse) were assigned to the affected installation for more than the specified time, and that they suffered one of the qualifying conditions? Can't one of the VSOs file the paperwork? Is a lawyer really required?
Posted by: Fox2! at September 18, 2022 11:06 AM (qyH+l)
Those type of ads aren't new. Your point is correct, why is a lawyer needed? I'll bet if money has been set aside for claims, no lawyer needed.
"You could be entitled to substantial compensation." (and we want to get our hands on most of it)
Without looking into the underlying cases and legislation, did the government confess liability, so that all that needs to be done is present evidence that they (or their parent/spouse) were assigned to the affected installation for more than the specified time, and that they suffered one of the qualifying conditions? Can't one of the VSOs file the paperwork? Is a lawyer really required?
Posted by: Fox2! at September 18, 2022 11:06 AM (qyH+l)
Those type of ads aren't new. Your point is correct, why is a lawyer needed? I'll bet if money has been set aside for claims, no lawyer needed.
"You could be entitled to substantial compensation." (and we want to get our hands on most of it)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:34 AM (7bRMQ)
382
Is "Adelaide" an artifact of autocucumber, or did old Adlai transition, post-mortem?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:26 AM (XfCGL)
_________
Adelaide is an old German name. The Australian city was named for Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, wife of King William IV of Great Britain.
Is "Adelaide" an artifact of autocucumber, or did old Adlai transition, post-mortem?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:26 AM (XfCGL)
_________
Adelaide is an old German name. The Australian city was named for Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, wife of King William IV of Great Britain.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 18, 2022 11:35 AM (1Nxff)
383
"You could be entitled to substantial compensation." (and we want to get our hands on most of it)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:34 AM (7bRMQ
Lawyers are now after tylenol as the cause for autism.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:34 AM (7bRMQ
Lawyers are now after tylenol as the cause for autism.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 11:35 AM (Zzbjj)
384
Currently reading a selection of books about the 1918 Finnish civil war.
I hate reading .pdf files on my kindle paperwhite. Lots of public domain books are in .pdf form and the quality of those files vary from bad to terrible. So I drop them into Calibre, convert them to .epub, and then edit them in Sigil. Converting .pdf mangles the text and creates all sort of problems. I've reworked the public domain book The Red Insurrection in Finland in 1918. Nearly completed. Still needs work.
.epub and .mobi files at..
archive.org/details/the-red-insurrection-in-finland
I hate reading .pdf files on my kindle paperwhite. Lots of public domain books are in .pdf form and the quality of those files vary from bad to terrible. So I drop them into Calibre, convert them to .epub, and then edit them in Sigil. Converting .pdf mangles the text and creates all sort of problems. I've reworked the public domain book The Red Insurrection in Finland in 1918. Nearly completed. Still needs work.
.epub and .mobi files at..
archive.org/details/the-red-insurrection-in-finland
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (PHdmz)
385
I hate, hate, hate “Lord of the Flies”. I went to 4 different high schools (AF brat) and studied that book Freshman year, sophomore year, Junior year and Senior year ( thank you Kailua High).
Its a real shame how it’s pretty truthful about human beings.
Its a real shame how it’s pretty truthful about human beings.
Posted by: Akua Makana at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (YkUJb)
386
Those type of ads aren't new. Your point is correct, why is a lawyer needed? I'll bet if money has been set aside for claims, no lawyer needed.
"You could be entitled to substantial compensation." (and we want to get our hands on most of it)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:34 AM (7bRMQ)
Get the ambulance-chasers in a bidding war. "I'll handle your case for 40%." "Pick me, I'll do it for 35!"
"You could be entitled to substantial compensation." (and we want to get our hands on most of it)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:34 AM (7bRMQ)
Get the ambulance-chasers in a bidding war. "I'll handle your case for 40%." "Pick me, I'll do it for 35!"
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (XfCGL)
Posted by: The Clot Shot at September 18, 2022 11:37 AM (5aM+u)
388
Get the ambulance-chasers in a bidding war. "I'll handle your case for 40%." "Pick me, I'll do it for 35!"
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (XfCGL)
--------------
"Limited by law to only taking 25% of the settlement. What do you mean those fees and expenses bring the total up to 40%?"
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (XfCGL)
--------------
"Limited by law to only taking 25% of the settlement. What do you mean those fees and expenses bring the total up to 40%?"
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:40 AM (5pTK/)
389
As a classic, I would suggest, Tom Jones by Henry Fielding. On its surface it is the story of a boy becoming a man, but it is full of brilliant observations on human nature and the sort of people you will meet in life. Read it at 15 and you will learn alot; read it again at 30 and you will understand how little you actually knew when you were 15. Highly recommended for young morons.
Posted by: Slash Buzz at September 18, 2022 11:40 AM (0O3aP)
390
Lord of Flys was a high school read for me
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 11:41 AM (k8B25)
391
I believe the John Grisham book, "King of Torts" is a pretty good expose of the Tort racket.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:41 AM (5pTK/)
392
I worked as a Claims manager handling tort claims.
If you didn't let some of the crap roll off your back you would end up hating everyone in the world.
If you didn't let some of the crap roll off your back you would end up hating everyone in the world.
Posted by: polynikes at September 18, 2022 11:42 AM (Ti9vn)
393
384 -- 13times, I found trying to convert pdfs through Calibre (delightful a utility though that is) to something easily readable on a kindle ereader to be more trouble than it's usually worth. But a kindle tablet, specifically the HD10, displays them nicely with no need for conversion work. If you don't mind the tablet's screen as opposed to e-ink, it's worth checking out. Myself, I prefer the e-ink where possible, but for pdfs the HD10's been a godsend.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 11:45 AM (a/4+U)
394
Its a real shame how it’s pretty truthful about human beings.
Posted by: Akua Makana at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (YkUJb)
_________
Or not.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongan_castaways
Its a real shame how it’s pretty truthful about human beings.
Posted by: Akua Makana at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (YkUJb)
_________
Or not.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongan_castaways
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 18, 2022 11:45 AM (1Nxff)
395
Get the ambulance-chasers in a bidding war. "I'll handle your case for 40%." "Pick me, I'll do it for 35!"
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (XfCGL)
More lawyer, less fee. Call me!
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (XfCGL)
More lawyer, less fee. Call me!
Posted by: Paul Powell at September 18, 2022 11:47 AM (7bRMQ)
396
I worked as a Claims manager handling tort claims.
If you didn't let some of the crap roll off your back you would end up hating everyone in the world.
Posted by: polynikes
I read that as a Clams Manager.....
If you didn't let some of the crap roll off your back you would end up hating everyone in the world.
Posted by: polynikes
I read that as a Clams Manager.....
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 11:47 AM (T4tVD)
Posted by: Saul Goodman at September 18, 2022 11:48 AM (5pTK/)
398
So is it really DASH-ull, or, as TCM now roundly intones, da-SHEEL? Hammet was an avid leftist, intellectual wannabe, spent his time when he could amongst and within leftist deep-thinkers. He may have been attempting hard to create an experiential-only Hegelian hermeneutics in his narrative technique, and only gave us Sam Spade by accident.
If you're trying to get to the bottom of the Spade, it's important to see Ricardo Cortez kind of snide-up the same role ten years earlier, also mostly just right off the page. He's not bad; it's a lot different.
If you're trying to get to the bottom of the Spade, it's important to see Ricardo Cortez kind of snide-up the same role ten years earlier, also mostly just right off the page. He's not bad; it's a lot different.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at September 18, 2022 11:48 AM (x61Im)
399
Get the ambulance-chasers in a bidding war. "I'll handle your case for 40%." "Pick me, I'll do it for 35!"
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (XfCGL)
More lawyer, less fee. Call me!
Posted by: Paul Powell at September 18, 2022 11:47 AM (7bRMQ)
I win any tort case for 29.99%!
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 18, 2022 11:36 AM (XfCGL)
More lawyer, less fee. Call me!
Posted by: Paul Powell at September 18, 2022 11:47 AM (7bRMQ)
I win any tort case for 29.99%!
Posted by: Merle Scheib, nephew of Earl Scheib at September 18, 2022 11:48 AM (4I/2K)
400
This is about me, isn't it?
Posted by: Alexander Shunnarah at September 18, 2022 11:49 AM (5aM+u)
401
Hadrian nice read
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 11:50 AM (k8B25)
402
370 343 Confederacy of Dunces -- love it. Also love Gatsby.
Posted by: Linnet at September 18, 2022 11:29 AM (FWHzS)
I really got put in New Orleans reading that book. Felt sorry for the author because he put everything he had into writing it.
Posted by: Linnet at September 18, 2022 11:29 AM (FWHzS)
I really got put in New Orleans reading that book. Felt sorry for the author because he put everything he had into writing it.
Posted by: Eromero at September 18, 2022 11:50 AM (0OP+5)
403
Lord of Flys was a high school read for me
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 11:41 AM (k8B25)
My autobiography!
Posted by: Skip at September 18, 2022 11:41 AM (k8B25)
My autobiography!
Posted by: Pete Buttgiger at September 18, 2022 11:51 AM (7bRMQ)
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 18, 2022 11:52 AM (llXky)
405
I read that as a Clams Manager.....
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 11:47
When you're a Clams Manager, the world is your oyster!
Posted by: JT at September 18, 2022 11:47
When you're a Clams Manager, the world is your oyster!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:52 AM (p/nbH)
406
Thanks for another fine Book Thread, Perf!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at September 18, 2022 11:53 AM (Dc2NZ)
407
When you're a Clams Manager, the world is your oyster!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:52 AM (p/nbH)
_________
If you have the mussel behind you.
When you're a Clams Manager, the world is your oyster!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:52 AM (p/nbH)
_________
If you have the mussel behind you.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 18, 2022 11:53 AM (1Nxff)
408
Lawyers are now after tylenol as the cause for autism.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 11:35 AM (Zzbjj)
I can't wait for the first suit against a marijuana company for causing birth defects.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 11:35 AM (Zzbjj)
I can't wait for the first suit against a marijuana company for causing birth defects.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (XIJ/X)
409
Hadrian, I had read about the Tongan castaways. I almost commented when I ranted against the book “ unless you have a strong moral (Christian) background”, which the Tongan kids did.
Posted by: Akua Makana at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (YkUJb)
410
When you're a Clams Manager, the world is your oyster!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:52 AM (p/nbH)
_________
If you have the mussel behind you.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 18, 2022 11:53 AM (1Nxff)
--------
Great, bivalve puns.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at September 18, 2022 11:52 AM (p/nbH)
_________
If you have the mussel behind you.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 18, 2022 11:53 AM (1Nxff)
--------
Great, bivalve puns.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (5pTK/)
411
_________
If you have the mussel behind you.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 18, 2022 11:53 AM (1Nxff)
--------
Great, bivalve puns.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (5pTK/)
-------------
They're full abalone, if you ask me.
If you have the mussel behind you.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 18, 2022 11:53 AM (1Nxff)
--------
Great, bivalve puns.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (5pTK/)
-------------
They're full abalone, if you ask me.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 18, 2022 11:56 AM (Qzn2/)
412
Great, bivalve puns.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (5pTK/)
Could go both ways.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (5pTK/)
Could go both ways.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:56 AM (7bRMQ)
413
Does the clams manager have a newsletter?
Posted by: Sandra Flook at September 18, 2022 11:56 AM (Xrfse)
414
They're full abalone, if you ask me.
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 18, 2022 11:56 AM (Qzn2/)
Somebody's going to conch you on the head for that!
Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at September 18, 2022 11:56 AM (Qzn2/)
Somebody's going to conch you on the head for that!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 18, 2022 11:57 AM (XIJ/X)
415
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 11:35 AM (Zzbjj)
I can't wait for the first suit against a marijuana company for causing birth defects.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (XIJ/X)
The simple truth is, we've been going full speed ahead with the "marijuana is a miracle cure-all, and totally not harmful in any way" routine, and we seem to have forgotten, perhaps in all the smoke, that nothing comes without a price.
I can't wait for the first suit against a marijuana company for causing birth defects.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 18, 2022 11:54 AM (XIJ/X)
The simple truth is, we've been going full speed ahead with the "marijuana is a miracle cure-all, and totally not harmful in any way" routine, and we seem to have forgotten, perhaps in all the smoke, that nothing comes without a price.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 11:57 AM (NWBBy)
416
Paisley Poirot needs a Captain Hastings or an Ariane Oliver. Poirot did once credit a dog with helping solve a murder.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 11:59 AM (Zzbjj)
417
Gotta go, thanks for the thread, Perfessor.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022 11:59 AM (7bRMQ)
418
Somebody's going to conch you on the head for that!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 18, 2022 11:57 AM (XIJ/X)
Looks like every swinging cockle in the joint wants in on this!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at September 18, 2022 11:57 AM (XIJ/X)
Looks like every swinging cockle in the joint wants in on this!
Posted by: rhennigantx at September 18, 2022 12:00 PM (BRHaw)
419
PHONE NOOD
Posted by: Skip nood advisor at September 18, 2022 12:00 PM (k8B25)
Posted by: Clumsy Carp at September 18, 2022 12:01 PM (nfrXX)
421
Posted by: Akua Makana at September 18, 2022 11:24 AM (YkUJb)
Agreed. I also know nothing of sailing, but enjoyed the series very much.
Agreed. I also know nothing of sailing, but enjoyed the series very much.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 18, 2022 12:01 PM (nC+QA)
422
Can't escape the feeling that the only lawyer who bills himself as a "proud ex-Marine" (!?) was in the turn-back platoon at Lejeune, swore he'd destroy the place someday, and is cackling in glee.
Wonder how USMC recruitment is looking with these ads running? This takes Cloward and Piven one better: you'll never defeat the US on the battlefield, but they are vulnerable in court, and you can get Congress to give the whole barn away. And if you question a Veteran's claim for a billion dollars, you are the worst American ever. My law firm, and by extension My Party, represents That Veteran.
Wonder how USMC recruitment is looking with these ads running? This takes Cloward and Piven one better: you'll never defeat the US on the battlefield, but they are vulnerable in court, and you can get Congress to give the whole barn away. And if you question a Veteran's claim for a billion dollars, you are the worst American ever. My law firm, and by extension My Party, represents That Veteran.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at September 18, 2022 12:01 PM (x61Im)
423
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that $104.6 million in federal funds coming from last year’s bipartisan infrastructure bill will go toward a plan to dismantle Interstate 375, a highway built to bisect Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood and its epicenter of Black business, Paradise Valley.
And that was called, bad luck!
And that was called, bad luck!
Posted by: rhennigantx at September 18, 2022 12:02 PM (BRHaw)
424
Top of hate list is Scarlet Letter. I had to read it in 10th grade, again in college English. Then my son's G/T sixth grade class was assigned it. Try imagining explaining that book to an eleven year old.
Posted by: Lirio100 at September 18, 2022 12:03 PM (w/VHS)
425
I drank water at Camp Lejeune and have none of the symptoms. I got through Vietnam with a spoon I would wipe clean on my jacket.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at September 18, 2022 12:04 PM (lz5hY)
426
>393 Yep. Converting .pdf to .doc or .epub wreaks havoc on formatting. I'm looking at search and repair coding expressions. The whole thing is a maddening experience turned in a hobby.
Posted by: 13times at September 18, 2022 12:05 PM (PHdmz)
427
Speaking of the clot shot, my husband just ran off to get yet another one.
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 12:08 PM (Zzbjj)
428
John D. MacDonald
Following McDonald's death, there was a story making the rounds that MacDonald had a final Travis McGee book stuck away in a safe. This alleged manuscript allegedly ended with McGee's death. Supposedly, MacDonald did not want any ghost written McGee novels. Those of us who heard this story finally gave up hope. Just another urban legend.
Following McDonald's death, there was a story making the rounds that MacDonald had a final Travis McGee book stuck away in a safe. This alleged manuscript allegedly ended with McGee's death. Supposedly, MacDonald did not want any ghost written McGee novels. Those of us who heard this story finally gave up hope. Just another urban legend.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at September 18, 2022 12:08 PM (9SjWf)
429
Great job, once again, Perfessor.
Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing(5pTK/) at September 18, 2022 12:09 PM (5pTK/)
430
/sock
Posted by: Oddbob at September 18, 2022 12:14 PM (nfrXX)
431
All this talk of Watership Down makes me want to read it for the first time. I read a book of his called Shardik 50 years ago and really enjoyed, put it in the kindle queue awhile back to find out if I still like it.
Posted by: who knew at September 18, 2022 12:15 PM (4I7VG)
432
That link to moron recommended books does not have a spy/espionage category. Are these included elsewhere?
Posted by: The name is Ciampino, Luigi Ciampino - doesn't ring nicely like Bond at September 18, 2022 12:21 PM (qfLjt)
433
Hammett at no point enters into any character's thoughts. Everything is on the surface. But physical movements and tones of voice convey the emotional status of the people. A hard trick to pull off. And I was not used to that when I was less widely read.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (c6xtn)
Interesting. I'll have to find it and read. Do you think it would help learning to write, or is it just something Hammett could pull off? Any other writers use that technique?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022
***
I think it would help. I wrote a fantasy short story in 2019 where I tried this. Only the evil entity in the story has its thoughts and inner reactions recorded; the humans do not. I don't know if it worked.
Anybody else? I don't know right off hand, but I'm sure someone must have used the technique. I don't think it was originated by Hammett. Dorothy Parker used in in some short stories.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 11:05 AM (c6xtn)
Interesting. I'll have to find it and read. Do you think it would help learning to write, or is it just something Hammett could pull off? Any other writers use that technique?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 18, 2022
***
I think it would help. I wrote a fantasy short story in 2019 where I tried this. Only the evil entity in the story has its thoughts and inner reactions recorded; the humans do not. I don't know if it worked.
Anybody else? I don't know right off hand, but I'm sure someone must have used the technique. I don't think it was originated by Hammett. Dorothy Parker used in in some short stories.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 12:22 PM (c6xtn)
434
Odd Bob at 367 : "The problem with a crow character would be the tendency to make him or her too wise. After all, a crow can fly anywhere and see anything"
Odin had two Ravens, Mim and Mer (Thought and Memory) who flw off every day all over the world and then came back in the evening to tell him what was happening out there.
Odin had two Ravens, Mim and Mer (Thought and Memory) who flw off every day all over the world and then came back in the evening to tell him what was happening out there.
Posted by: who knew at September 18, 2022 12:24 PM (4I7VG)
435
"I think there's a strong case to be made insofar as his works opened the doors to faith for millions and continues to inspire people to this day. How many people felt his works changed their lives? Is that not miraculous?"
Although Tolkien was a committed Catholic (as am I), I've never thought of his work as being in any way religious. LOTR has no mention of a deity, or of worship, or of prayer, or any notion of an afterlife. Its world-view is much like that of Tolkien's beloved "Beowulf": elegiac rather the celebratory; about loss rather than hope: we act our part on the world's stage, well or badly as the case may be, and that's it. His work is truly classic: it deepens and enriches the life of the reader. But a vehicle toward faith? I'm not so sure.
Although Tolkien was a committed Catholic (as am I), I've never thought of his work as being in any way religious. LOTR has no mention of a deity, or of worship, or of prayer, or any notion of an afterlife. Its world-view is much like that of Tolkien's beloved "Beowulf": elegiac rather the celebratory; about loss rather than hope: we act our part on the world's stage, well or badly as the case may be, and that's it. His work is truly classic: it deepens and enriches the life of the reader. But a vehicle toward faith? I'm not so sure.
Posted by: Nemo at September 18, 2022 12:51 PM (S6ArX)
436
Re a final McGee:
The way I heard it, MacDonald would suggest that this existed and threaten to turn it in (presumably titled A Black Border for McGee) when the publisher made noise about reprinting a few that he didn't care to see reissued during his lifetime. I think those included Weep for Me and his novelization of the Garland picture I Could Go On Singing. But I don't think that he actually had such a manuscript in the drawer.
The way I heard it, MacDonald would suggest that this existed and threaten to turn it in (presumably titled A Black Border for McGee) when the publisher made noise about reprinting a few that he didn't care to see reissued during his lifetime. I think those included Weep for Me and his novelization of the Garland picture I Could Go On Singing. But I don't think that he actually had such a manuscript in the drawer.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 18, 2022 12:54 PM (a/4+U)
437
Horizon Hope is.....superficially, and with no more information than the blurb to judge on mind you....dangerously close to Midshipman's Hope by David Feintuch (gone to soon), right down to the title, obviously, but also in the extremely young protagonist leading a space mission aspect.
I'll have to read it now to find out if the author is a fan, a thief, or an unwitting echoist.
I'll have to read it now to find out if the author is a fan, a thief, or an unwitting echoist.
Posted by: Bensdad00 at September 18, 2022 01:12 PM (f8UDq)
Posted by: Happy at September 18, 2022 01:40 PM (Xq6yM)
439
@435 LOTR has no mention of a deity,
----
This is not correct. Iluvatar (or Eru) is introduced as a supreme being type of deity. He generally takes a hands-off approach to things on Middle-Earth, and is not physically present (not even on the isles in the distant west where the Valar live). But he's the one who set everything in motion. And every now and again he intervenes in small
seemingly imperceptible ways. He's likely the one who sent Gandalf back after Gandalf was killed by the Balrog. Additionally, we're told that while the elves go to live with the Valar when they die, the spirits of men go somewhere else beyond the world. This destination is hidden from the Valar, but was instead arranged by Iluvatar, who evidently has something special planned for the fallen spirits of men.
Gandalf notes on occasion that something is working in the favor of the forces of good. His chief example is Gollum's Ring. When it slipped from Gollum, it should have been found by a Goblin, which would have eventually delivered the Ring to its master. Instead, the Ring was found by Bilbo, and events were set in motion that saw both the Ring and its Master destroyed.
----
This is not correct. Iluvatar (or Eru) is introduced as a supreme being type of deity. He generally takes a hands-off approach to things on Middle-Earth, and is not physically present (not even on the isles in the distant west where the Valar live). But he's the one who set everything in motion. And every now and again he intervenes in small
seemingly imperceptible ways. He's likely the one who sent Gandalf back after Gandalf was killed by the Balrog. Additionally, we're told that while the elves go to live with the Valar when they die, the spirits of men go somewhere else beyond the world. This destination is hidden from the Valar, but was instead arranged by Iluvatar, who evidently has something special planned for the fallen spirits of men.
Gandalf notes on occasion that something is working in the favor of the forces of good. His chief example is Gollum's Ring. When it slipped from Gollum, it should have been found by a Goblin, which would have eventually delivered the Ring to its master. Instead, the Ring was found by Bilbo, and events were set in motion that saw both the Ring and its Master destroyed.
Posted by: junior at September 18, 2022 01:52 PM (PTw5h)
440
Good afternoon. Im late to the thread but wanted to share that I met a woman whose brother is a infectious disease specialist in Seattle who taught at the UW but got so turned off by the woke/politics/corruption he quit and now writes mysteries, with a conservative bent. Pen name is Jack Chase- I'll order and report in a week or two.
Posted by: LASue at September 18, 2022 02:31 PM (Ed8Zd)
441
I am making $162/hour telecommuting. I never imagined that it was honest to goodness yet my closest companion is earning $21 thousand a month by working on the web, that was truly shocking for me, she prescribed me to attempt it simply ,
COPY AND OPEN THIS SITE__________salarybaar.com
I am making $162/hour telecommuting. I never imagined that it was honest to goodness yet my closest companion is earning $21 thousand a month by working on the web, that was truly shocking for me, she prescribed me to attempt it simply ,
COPY AND OPEN THIS SITE__________salarybaar.com
Posted by: jasmin loutra loura at September 18, 2022 02:43 PM (bazHm)
442
Odin's ravens were Muninn and Huginn. Munnin means mind or memory, and Huginn means thought.
Posted by: Pope John 20th at September 18, 2022 03:04 PM (cYrkj)
443
I'm all for it! And I'm not Catholic...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (K5n5d)
Don't you need to have caused a miracle or something?
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:32 AM (Zzbjj)
Making Amazon loose billions probably qualifies
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 18, 2022 09:30 AM (K5n5d)
Don't you need to have caused a miracle or something?
Posted by: CN at September 18, 2022 09:32 AM (Zzbjj)
Making Amazon loose billions probably qualifies
Posted by: Oldcat at September 18, 2022 06:21 PM (NkGvj)
444
Not going to read a book to find out, because what difference... to borrow a phrase... at this point does it make. I just assume nearly every incident of shenanigans in this country, post-war, was a CIA op.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (NWBBy)
Probably since they seemed really bad at their actual job, watching our enemies.
Posted by: BurtTC at September 18, 2022 10:13 AM (NWBBy)
Probably since they seemed really bad at their actual job, watching our enemies.
Posted by: Oldcat at September 18, 2022 06:31 PM (NkGvj)
445
I think it would help. I wrote a fantasy short story in 2019 where I tried this. Only the evil entity in the story has its thoughts and inner reactions recorded; the humans do not. I don't know if it worked.
Anybody else? I don't know right off hand, but I'm sure someone must have used the technique. I don't think it was originated by Hammett. Dorothy Parker used in in some short stories.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 12:22 PM (c6xtn)
Keith Laumer (SF writer) used that technique - you never knew what his hero (like Retief, Junior Galactic Diplomat). Everything was driven by conversation and action. You barely even get a description.
One of my favorite books of his is Galactic Odyssey, where a down on his luck earthman takes shelter in a space yacht and is forced to work for some galactic game hunters and their female charge. In various adventures the hunters and the ship are destroyed and the Lady Raire is kidnapped by aliens, and the hero makes it a mission to find and rescue her. You can go through the entire story without realizing the hero is black
Anybody else? I don't know right off hand, but I'm sure someone must have used the technique. I don't think it was originated by Hammett. Dorothy Parker used in in some short stories.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at September 18, 2022 12:22 PM (c6xtn)
Keith Laumer (SF writer) used that technique - you never knew what his hero (like Retief, Junior Galactic Diplomat). Everything was driven by conversation and action. You barely even get a description.
One of my favorite books of his is Galactic Odyssey, where a down on his luck earthman takes shelter in a space yacht and is forced to work for some galactic game hunters and their female charge. In various adventures the hunters and the ship are destroyed and the Lady Raire is kidnapped by aliens, and the hero makes it a mission to find and rescue her. You can go through the entire story without realizing the hero is black
Posted by: Oldcat at September 18, 2022 06:40 PM (NkGvj)
446
Just off the top of my head.
I wish Stephen Donaldson's "Mirror of her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" were considered classic fantasy, but few remember it today.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
I hated and loved the Covenant books (the first three). These I just hated.
I wish Stephen Donaldson's "Mirror of her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" were considered classic fantasy, but few remember it today.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at September 18, 2022 10:14 AM (xcxpd)
I hated and loved the Covenant books (the first three). These I just hated.
Posted by: Oldcat at September 18, 2022 06:41 PM (NkGvj)
447
I am making $85 an hour working from home. i was greatly surprised at the same time as my neighbour advised me she changed into averaging $95 however I see the way it works now. I experience mass freedom now that I'm my non-public boss.
That is what I do.. www.Profit97.com
That is what I do.. www.Profit97.com
Posted by: Sarah at September 18, 2022 08:05 PM (kkbxR)
448
Speaking of The Brothers Karamazov: if you don't read the novel, do read the chapter "The Grand Inquisitor." It's a stand-alone short story one of the characters tells, and it is a parable of the battle we are in right now.
Online here: https://tinyurl.com/2p94uttd (Gutenberg portal).
Online here: https://tinyurl.com/2p94uttd (Gutenberg portal).
Posted by: Beverly at September 18, 2022 10:27 PM (6a4Ad)
449
Making money online is more than $15k just by doing simple work from home. I received $18376 last month. It's an easy and simple job to do and its earnings are much better than regular office jobs and even a little child can do this and earn money. Everybody must try this job by just use the info on this page..... www.worksful.com
Making money online is more than $15k just by doing simple work from home. I received $18376 last month. It's an easy and simple job to do and its earnings are much better than regular office jobs and even a little child can do this and earn money. Everybody must try this job by just use the info on this page..... www.worksful.com
Posted by: Carrie Gilbert at September 19, 2022 04:12 AM (kS8o6)
450
I am making $162/hour telecommuting. I never imagined that it was honest to goodness yet my closest companion is earning $21 thousand a month by working on the web, that was truly shocking for me, she prescribed me to attempt it simply ,
COPY AND OPEN THIS https://salarybaar.com/
I am making $162/hour telecommuting. I never imagined that it was honest to goodness yet my closest companion is earning $21 thousand a month by working on the web, that was truly shocking for me, she prescribed me to attempt it simply ,
COPY AND OPEN THIS https://salarybaar.com/
Posted by: jasmin loutra loura at September 19, 2022 11:52 AM (OYqoR)
Processing 0.08, elapsed 0.0912 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.0257 seconds, 458 records returned.
Page size 286 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.
MuNuvians
MeeNuvians
Frequently Asked Questions
The (Almost) Complete Paul Anka Integrity Kick
Primary Document: The Audio
Paul Anka Haiku Contest Announcement
Integrity SAT's: Entrance Exam for Paul Anka's Band
AllahPundit's Paul Anka 45's Collection
AnkaPundit: Paul Anka Takes Over the Site for a Weekend (Continues through to Monday's postings)
George Bush Slices Don Rumsfeld Like an F*ckin' Hammer
Paul Anka Haiku Contest Announcement
Integrity SAT's: Entrance Exam for Paul Anka's Band
AllahPundit's Paul Anka 45's Collection
AnkaPundit: Paul Anka Takes Over the Site for a Weekend (Continues through to Monday's postings)
George Bush Slices Don Rumsfeld Like an F*ckin' Hammer
Top Top Tens
Democratic Forays into Erotica
New Shows On Gore's DNC/MTV Network
Nicknames for Potatoes, By People Who Really Hate Potatoes
Star Wars Euphemisms for Self-Abuse
Signs You're at an Iraqi "Wedding Party"
Signs Your Clown Has Gone Bad
Signs That You, Geroge Michael, Should Probably Just Give It Up
Signs of Hip-Hop Influence on John Kerry
NYT Headlines Spinning Bush's Jobs Boom
Things People Are More Likely to Say Than "Did You Hear What Al Franken Said Yesterday?"
Signs that Paul Krugman Has Lost His Frickin' Mind
All-Time Best NBA Players, According to Senator Robert Byrd
Other Bad Things About the Jews, According to the Koran
Signs That David Letterman Just Doesn't Care Anymore
Examples of Bob Kerrey's Insufferable Racial Jackassery
Signs Andy Rooney Is Going Senile
Other Judgments Dick Clarke Made About Condi Rice Based on Her Appearance
Collective Names for Groups of People
John Kerry's Other Vietnam Super-Pets
Cool Things About the XM8 Assault Rifle
Media-Approved Facts About the Democrat Spy
Changes to Make Christianity More "Inclusive"
Secret John Kerry Senatorial Accomplishments
John Edwards Campaign Excuses
John Kerry Pick-Up Lines
Changes Liberal Senator George Michell Will Make at Disney
Torments in Dog-Hell
Greatest Hitjobs
The Ace of Spades HQ Sex-for-Money Skankathon
A D&D Guide to the Democratic Candidates
Margaret Cho: Just Not Funny
More Margaret Cho Abuse
Margaret Cho: Still Not Funny
Iraqi Prisoner Claims He Was Raped... By Woman
Wonkette Announces "Morning Zoo" Format
John Kerry's "Plan" Causes Surrender of Moqtada al-Sadr's Militia
World Muslim Leaders Apologize for Nick Berg's Beheading
Michael Moore Goes on Lunchtime Manhattan Death-Spree
Milestone: Oliver Willis Posts 400th "Fake News Article" Referencing Britney Spears
Liberal Economists Rue a "New Decade of Greed"
Artificial Insouciance: Maureen Dowd's Word Processor Revolts Against Her Numbing Imbecility
Intelligence Officials Eye Blogs for Tips
They Done Found Us Out, Cletus: Intrepid Internet Detective Figures Out Our Master Plan
Shock: Josh Marshall Almost Mentions Sarin Discovery in Iraq
Leather-Clad Biker Freaks Terrorize Australian Town
When Clinton Was President, Torture Was Cool
What Wonkette Means When She Explains What Tina Brown Means
Wonkette's Stand-Up Act
Wankette HQ Gay-Rumors Du Jour
Here's What's Bugging Me: Goose and Slider
My Own Micah Wright Style Confession of Dishonesty
Outraged "Conservatives" React to the FMA
An On-Line Impression of Dennis Miller Having Sex with a Kodiak Bear
The Story the Rightwing Media Refuses to Report!
Our Lunch with David "Glengarry Glen Ross" Mamet
The House of Love: Paul Krugman
A Michael Moore Mystery (TM)
The Dowd-O-Matic!
Liberal Consistency and Other Myths
Kepler's Laws of Liberal Media Bias
John Kerry-- The Splunge! Candidate
"Divisive" Politics & "Attacks on Patriotism" (very long)
The Donkey ("The Raven" parody)
News/Chat