Sunday Morning Book Thread - 12-18-2022 ["Perfessor" Squirrel]

Welcome to the prestigious, internationally acclaimed, stately, and illustrious Sunday Morning Book Thread! The place where all readers are welcome, regardless of whatever guilty pleasure we feel like reading ("I can't conceive of a reason to waste a dollar on this book. Getting stupider is not one of my life goals." -- NLurker). Here is where we can discuss, argue, bicker, quibble, consider, debate, confabulate, converse, and jaw about our latest fancy in reading material, even if it's nothing more than the lyrics to "The Twelve Days of Christmas." As always, pants are required, especially if you are wearing these pants...

So relax, find yourself a warm kitty (or warm puppy--I won't judge) to curl up in your lap, perform some quality assurance on those Christmas cookies (someone's gotta do it!), and crack open a new book. What are YOU reading this fine morning?

PIC NOTE

Today's pic is from the Billy Graham Library. Mostly I picked it because I just liked the décor. If you happen to browse the Billy Graham Library website, you can see what events are upcoming, such as a book signing with former Vice President Mike Pence (*gag*). (This event occurred on Dec 13. I wonder if anyone showed up...) You can also take a virtual tour of the facility.

UNIVERSITY PRESSES -- ANOTHER DYING PUBLISHER...

University Presses, like a lot of publishing outlets, are struggling these days. Unlike a mainstream publisher, a university press relies a lot more on patronage (in the old sense of the word) and subsidies to exist. Their main function seems to be as an outlet for academics to publish their most recent research. Though as we all know, today's university research--especially in the humanities and social sciences--is jam-packed with Leftism.

As anyone who's been in academia knows, the real coin of the realm is reputation and prestige. One way to achieve that is to publish your research in the most prestigious publications or have a book published through a prestigious university press. I have it on pretty good authority that there is a distinct hierarchy in academic publications. Assistant Professors need to publish in international journals if at all possible, as that will gain them recognition in their field and lead to promotion to Associate Professor. Associate Professors (mid-career faculty) need to publish chapters in books and serve as peer-reviewers. Full Professors are "the elite" within their field and are often publishing their own books.

However, university presses, being so reliant on external funding rather than direct purchases, come and go. If a university cannot support their own press, it's likely to collapse. This almost happened to my own university about ten years ago. There was enough hue and cry of support, though, that they reconsidered and as far as I know we still have our own in-house university press. The most prestigious are probably Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. Within the United States, Chicago University Press seems to be the premiere academic publisher.

What say you? Any good books from University Presses that you can recommend? There are a couple in today's Books By Morons section...

(Thanks to OrangeEnt for inspiring today's topic! On a side note, I was a proofreader on a professor's book a long, long time ago. It was published through Southern Illinois University Press.)

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GRAMPA AND GRAMMAR
His grammar is never definitive
When he's tense he'll parse your dimunitive
But a dangled participle
Will hardly cause a ripple
He'll use it to split your infinitive
Muldoon, S. (2017). Muldoon's library of limericks: Volume 1. Muldoon Publishing.

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BOOKS BY MORONS

If anyone is looking for last-minute Christmas gifts, a Book by a Moron is a great way to support your favorite Moron author and also provide excellent reading materials to your loved ones.

My wife and I just published a book about Navy EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) warriors and their families; we are splitting 50% of profit from sales with Navy Special Operations Foundation and EOD Warrior Foundation, both 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that serve the families of deceased and wounded EOD warriors from all four branches of the military. We spent 2+ years interviewing these folks who served in Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world; my wife interviewed family members (spouses, parents, adult children, siblings) because they constitute the "support" system for the operators.
ADM Frank Morneau wrote this in the foreword to the book: "I always believed it would be a matter of time until this book, or one like it, would be written about these men, and I could not be more grateful to Dr. Paula Greene and Joseph Shaffer for accomplishing this undertaking. The history of the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Force, and their story, is not well known to the American public. And until now, when their story has been told, it has been told with a Hollywood 'thrill seeker' or 'stuntman' persona cast upon them which could not be more fictitious. This book brings the history and reality of this community of heroes to the reader in not only their own words, but the words of their families."
Ammo Grrrll (aka, Susan Vass) at Powerline wrote this in her column on Friday, 12/2/2022: "I thought perhaps [this book] was some sort of little monograph. Boy, 'wrong' does not begin to cover that assumption. UNSUNG is a work of such exquisite, thorough and painstaking scholarship and compassion that it almost defies description. It is not a breezy novel that can be tossed off in a sitting and forgotten. The heart and soul of the book are the dozens of in-depth interviews with the extraordinary men and women of the EOD, including the experiences of their families. You need to read these vignettes a few at a time and linger over the mind-boggling personal sacrifices--stories told in the participants' own words. These men--and their families--will live in your head for some time to come."
We self-published because, as you know, the length of time it takes for "traditional" publishers to complete a book is a couple of years and because of the timely nature of the interviews, we simply did not want to wait that long.
Here's the link to the book at Amazon: UNSUNG: Quiet Voices of the US Navy's EOD Warriors and Their Families: Shaffer III, Joseph E., Greene, Dr. Paula Kapp: 9798358155909: Amazon.com: Books
Thanks in advance for helping us spread the word about the book.
Respectfully,
JES III and PKG

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I am a long-time lurker (I think; that is, I've never commented). I am also a retired Air Commando (USAF Special Operations) and military historian (PhD, Florida State University). I'm loath to recommend my own books but I think some of the morons might enjoy them. They are a trilogy of sorts. My first book is Vietnam and American Doctrine for Small Wars. As a special operator specializing in anti-/counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, my first book was about why the US military has had such difficulty coming to grips with insurgency and other forms of conflict less than general war (my preferred term is therefore small wars). My second book, co-authored with a friend and former colleague, is Airpower in Small Wars: Fighting Insurgents and Terrorists. This book examines why air forces have specifically had difficulty coming to grips with insurgency, etc. (with a pointed emphasis on why the USAF has really struggled with the phenomenon). Finally, my most recent book is Biplanes at War: US Marine Corps Aviation in the Small Wars Era, 1915-1934, which examines how Marine Corps aviation got it right between the world wars (adaptation and innovation) and modern air forces could learn from their experience. Like I said, a trilogy of sorts.
Anyway, all of the books received good reviews although, I confess, the third book about the Marines is a little dense as I was trying (subtlety) to bring it all together.
Two of the books are by university presses (and include endnotes) and one is from the largest publishing house in Asia (I was in a hurry to get it out).
Cheers.
Wray R. Johnson

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I have a new work out, freshly published on all the usual sites (but I provide the Amazon one for convenience).
The new book is :
Red Wolf: Exile Part One
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPQ651WF
It's one of my favorite tropes -- the survival story a la Robinson Crusoe, only in this case it is someone yanked away to an alternate timeline where history went a little differently. Lots of adventure, intrigue, and combat macrame! Also the vital importance of a young lady, suddenly transported to different interdimensional coordinates, knowing parkour...
I'm publishing this in segments at roughly six-week intervals, and this is the first one of the first book. The other two are all written and ready to go. The plan is for this to be a trilogy but you never know, those blasted characters think they get a vote too.
Many thanks,
Sabrina Chase

More Books by Morons can be found HERE!

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MORON RECOMMENDATIONS

I read The Genetic Lottery by Kathryn Paige Harden, a prof of Clinical Psychology at UT Austin. I read some reviews and it sounded like an interesting exploration of an idea first discussed by Charles Murray; the extent to which genetics determines IQ and how to structure society as a result.
Harden admits she's a lefty, and parts of the book are marred by her inability to inject politics, but those aside, it's a pretty good exploration of the different schools of thought on this topic. These include:
1) Genetics is determinative. Almost nobody believes this is the only important thing, so it's a bit of a red herring.
2) Genetics is irrelevant. Almost nobody believes this either, but it's very popular to say so in academia, because they are concerned it genetics will be misused. While that's an obvious concern, science doesn't work this way, and I dismiss academics who say it.
3) Both factors are important, but as time goes by, it is becoming easier to identify the genetic factors which affect IQ, of which there are many.
To her credit, Harden endorses 3), even though it costs her among her so-called scientist colleagues....
Much of the book is spent laying the foundation for her support of the mixed hypothesis, but then she uses that foundation to explore how we should arrange society to be the most fair, even for those who lose out in the genetic lottery.
While she makes some good points, she starts losing her way when it becomes clear that shess endorsing almost a big government approach to Harrison Bergeron style handicapping. (That's a bit overstated, but true in its essence.) She tries to dismiss "merit" as something unearned, which is true in the sense that you don't pick your parents, but not in the sense that high IQ alone is enough to succeed. Where she really goes off the rails is in understanding that society as a whole benefits when its top performers are nurtured and allowed to flourish, and that there is an opportunity cost to dumping endless resources into a fool's errand of trying to level everyone to the extent possible.
As an example, in my on NoVa county, we spend enormous sums to provide individual teachers to special needs students, while shortchanging the resources for the top students. I've seen it personally.
To be clear, nobody thinks we shouldn't educate those who lost out in the genetic lottery, but it's a fools errand to try and cancel out nature entirely.
In summary (finally, they sighed) it's an interesting exploration of a very important topic, but I disagree with her conclusions. Nonetheless, as an introduction to the issues, it's worth reading.
Posted by: Archimedes at December 11, 2022 09:16 AM (eOEVl)

Comment: IQ is most likely a function of natural genetic ability combined with a nurturing environment that stimulates imagination, curiosity, and learning. In the education field, many prominent educators reject the idea of a "fixed" IQ in favor of a "growth mindset," meaning it's possible to increase your initial IQ through study and practice, at least up to your natural limit. Not everyone can be an Einstein, but it's likely that IQ is quite flexible within a standard deviation or so. It's just a matter of immersing yourself in an environment that allows you to flourish. Unfortunately, the modern education system is NOT such an environment...

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In Cinema Speculation, Xploitation movie fanboy Tarantino takes a flamethrower to movie critics: "It would appear most critics writing for newspapers and magazines set themselves up as superior to the films they were paid to review. Which I could never understand, because judging from their writing, that was clearly not the case. They looked down on films that gave pleasure, and on the film-makers who had an understanding of the audience that they did not.
As a kid who loved movies and paid to see pretty much everything, I just thought they were snide assholes. Today as a much older and wiser man, I realize the extent of how unhappy they must have been. They wrote with the demeanor of somebody who hates their life, or at least hates their job."
On critic Kenneth Turan: "He didn't just run me over, he drove around the block to run me over. When you share an antagonism with one critic for as long as Kenny and me, you end up having a strange personal connection with each other."
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 11, 2022 09:40 AM (Dc2NZ)

Comment: It's far easier to be a critic than a creator. As we've seen with the rise of the internet, just about everyone has an opinion about something or other, regardless of how well that opinion is developed or thought out. Tarantino's comments apply equally well to book critics, video game critics, food critics, etc.

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Robinson Crusoe was a favorite book as a kid. When I picked it up as an adult I don't know how I managed the early 18th century writing as a kid. I have loved survival / last man / prepper based books since forever.
Posted by: polynikes at December 11, 2022 10:51 AM (E1m1K)

Comment: One of my coworkers asked me for a suggestion for an adventure story. I had forgotten all about Robinson Crusoe. One of these days I'll have to get around to reading it. Or at least reading The Eerie Adventures of the Lycanthrope Robinson Crusoe by Peter Clines, which adds a Lovecraftian twist to the classic tale.

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This week I picked up a new release; a hard science fiction book by John Van Stry: Summer's End. Absolutely loved it. It has kind of a Robert A. Heinlein feel to it.
It's the tale of a young man who was involved in the gangs, but has turned away from that and has trained as an engineer. Family politics and shenanigans means he needs to get out into space or his life is in danger because he's a political inconvenience to a powerful family member. He takes a contract with a hauling company to get off planet and try to be out of the way. That doesn't quite work out like he expected.
Tech level is pre-FTL. There are many colonies in the solar system. Much competition exists, and the need for economic efficiencies to allow one to succeed in spite of bean-counters will appeal to anyone who has dealt with that sort of reality.
Piracy, crime (organized and unorganized) exists, as do corrupt politics and bribes. All of these give a feel of legitimacy to the work.
The story itself is quite entertaining with good plot development and changes, and you'll find yourself actually caring about the characters (always a good sign.)
Definitely worth your time.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 11, 2022 02:08 PM (nRMeC)

Comment: I decided to include this recommendation because Grumpy was kind enough to send me a *long* list of recommendations of other, related series that he thought I would enjoy. I will have to check these out some day. Nothing like tacking on a few more dozen books to the TBR pile...*sigh*

More Moron-recommended reading material can be found HERE! (533 Moron-recommended books so far!)

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WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THIS PAST WEEK:

MYST: The Book of Atrus by Rand Miller, Robyn Miller, and David Wingrove -- The backstory behind one of the bestselling computer games of the 1990s, known for its challenging puzzles and rich graphics (for that time!)

MYST: The Book of Ti'Ana by Rand Miller and David Wingrove -- Even more backstory, this time relating to the D'Ni world and culture...

A Science Fiction Argosy edited by Damon Knight -- A fine collection of classic science fiction stories by Isaac Asimov, Cordwainer Smith, Alfred Bester, Larry Niven, L. Sprague de Camp and many, many other authors.

That's about all I have for this week. Thank you for all of your kind words regarding the Sunday Morning Book Thread. This is a very special place. You are very special people (in all the best ways!). The kindness, generosity, and wisdom of the Moron Horde knows no bounds. Let's keep reading!

If you have any suggestions for improvement, reading recommendations, or writing projects that you'd like to see on the Sunday Morning Book Thread, you can send them to perfessor dot squirrel at-sign gmail dot com. Your feedback is always appreciated! You can also take a virtual tour of OUR library at libib.com/u/perfessorsquirrel. Since I added sections for AoSHQ, I now consider it OUR library, rather than my own personal fiefdom...

PREVIOUS SUNDAY MORNING BOOK THREAD - 12-11-22 (NOTE: Do NOT comment on old threads!)

Posted by: Open Blogger at 09:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Good morning, fellow bibliophiles.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 08:59 AM (Dc2NZ)

2 Tolle Lege!!! Merry Christmas!!! Hot Coffee!!!

Posted by: Qmark at December 18, 2022 09:00 AM (ttO/Q)

3 yo

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 18, 2022 09:00 AM (BRHaw)

4 In the previous book thread, I mentioned I had picked up and read John Van Stry's "Summer's End" (a hard science fiction novel published through Baen Books.) It's an excellent read and I encourage anyone who enjoyed Heinlein to give it a try! If you want to read my full review, see comment 383 in last week's thread.

Vmom: Did you get a chance to read your copy yet? If so, what'd you think?

This week, and next, I'm RE-reading his "Portals of Infinity" series (yes, it's THAT good even knowing the reveals from the first read-through.) The first book in the series is "Champion for Hire" and it's up to eleven books in the series with room for more.

If you like fantasy with multiple realities and rule sets, many different deities (making alliances and/or trying to one-up or destroy competitors), large scale battles, extremely satisfying paybacks, characters with depth that you'll care about, strong familial bonds and loyalty, and some really cool twists that will have you laughing and asking, "Wait, WHAT?!", then pick up the first book, read it, and see if you aren't hooked like I was.

Oh yeah, and you get to find out what it takes to kill a god.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 18, 2022 09:00 AM (nRMeC)

5 hiya

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 09:00 AM (T4tVD)

6 Tolle Lege
All but finished Dennis Prager Rational Bible Deuteronomy, just past the curse part. My sister wants it next.
The onto The Camp of the Saints

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2022 09:02 AM (xhxe8)

7 MERRY BOOKMAS!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 09:02 AM (Kd4bG)

8 Good morning to my fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had an enjoyable week of reading.

Posted by: JTB at December 18, 2022 09:03 AM (7EjX1)

9 Oh! I see Perfessor Squirrel highlighted my review from last week in the main body of this week's book post - thank you Perfessor!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 18, 2022 09:04 AM (nRMeC)

10 Holy Wordsmith, Batman..

That's a lot of content right there!

And it's all good content, to boot!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 18, 2022 09:04 AM (1n+EO)

11 Tolle Lege
All but finished Dennis Prager Rational Bible Deuteronomy, just past the curse part. My sister wants it next.
The onto The Camp of the Saints
Posted by: Skip

Tall Legs to you too !

doot-Doot-doot
Doot -doot-doot
Doot-doot-Deuteronomy !

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 09:07 AM (T4tVD)

12 7 MERRY BOOKMAS!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 09:02 AM (Kd4bG)
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Huggy the Squirrel comes down the chimney with a sack full of books for good 'rons and 'ettes!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 09:07 AM (Dc2NZ)

13 Reading Gardner Dosoiz led me to Robert Bloch, of "Psycho" fame but also cosmic horror, Star Trek, and prolific contributor to fanzines even when he was a successful author. I have "Out Of My Head", a collection of his stories and musings.

"Fandom won because we were better organized for communications, with our tapes and shortwave and our mimeographs -- but most of all, because fans trusted one another. And the military and industrial groups were always fighting amongst themselves. You must remember how it was when you were a boy; we had a new President every month or so, because of all the assassinations." -- from Robert Bloch's post-apocalyptic short story "A Way of Life" (1956)

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 09:08 AM (Dc2NZ)

14 Just ordered two Charleston centric cook books for Mrs VIA for Christmas.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 18, 2022 09:08 AM (1n+EO)

15 Happy Christmas to all in the Horde who celebrate it!

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 18, 2022 09:09 AM (Om/di)

16 Per Wiki: Bloch's correspondence with [August] Derleth led to a visit to Derleth's home in Sauk City, Wisconsin (the headquarters of Arkham House). Bloch was impressed by Derleth who "fulfilled my expectations as a writer by wearing this purple velvet smoking jacket. That impressed me even more because Derleth didn't even smoke."

I feel like I have a kindred spirit in August Derleth.

I will note that Bloch, a Jew, was a friend and protegee of Lovecraft's. Maybe Lovecraft was more of a situational anti-semite. His wife, after all, was Jewish. Perhaps Lovey liked certain individuals but was afraid of the great wave of undesirables washing up on our shores (like Southern Italians! Horrors!).

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 09:10 AM (Dc2NZ)

17 Morning, 'rons and 'ronettes.

I have a number of Oxford University Press books, almost all concerning either Church history or the mediaeval period. They're good for an intellectual workout when I feel my brain is getting sloppy.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 18, 2022 09:10 AM (AW0uW)

18 Since da pants guy is wearing American Flag themed pants, I shall refrain from commenting about him.

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 09:11 AM (T4tVD)

19 I'm putting together my holiday stack of books. First, The Golden Christmas by William Gilmore Simms, a charming account of the holidays in ante-bellum Charleston, SC. Second, The Christmas Cantata by Mark Schweizer who wrote the Liturgical Mystery series. It is funny and touching, demonstrates Christmas miracles, and shows the power of music. Third, Tolkien's Father Christmas Letters. More than any of his epics and Middle-Earth writings, the letters demonstrate his creativity and artistic powers as well as his humor and love of his family. These books have become, or are becoming, a Christmas tradition for me.

Posted by: JTB at December 18, 2022 09:11 AM (7EjX1)

20 Good morning, folken! Perfessor, I think I remember the SF Argosy collection. What was the Larry Niven story in it?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 09:11 AM (KAKDL)

21 On the Kindle I read Not Alone: The Contact Trilogy by Craig A. Falconer. The trilogy is composed of Not Alone, Second Contact, and The Final Call. This is an interesting and entertaining story of the first alien contact and its cover-up. The story moves a bit slowly at times, but the characters are relatable and I found myself engrossed in the plot.

The Not Alone series is a completed 10-book series. The next three are titled The Discovery Series composed of Fractured Union, Leap of Destiny, and Not Alone Revelations. I purchased this trilogy for $9.99.

Posted by: Zoltan at December 18, 2022 09:12 AM (bSGIK)

22 The 'these pants' make me think of the movie "Easy Rider". That's not a good thing. I don't miss bell bottom jeans.

Posted by: JTB at December 18, 2022 09:13 AM (7EjX1)

23 I finished Dan Simmons's Summer of Night and enjoyed it quite a bit. I still have his first novel, Song of Kali, here, and intend to pick up some of his others if I can find them at the library.

Currently starting King's Fairy Tale, which begins in his trademark style of immersing you in a small slice of modern-day America, and (according to the blurb) will send you and the hero off to an alternate world.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 09:14 AM (KAKDL)

24 The onto The Camp of the Saints
Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2022 09:02 AM (xhxe

This is unfortunately one of those books where the writer's or translator's or both's style makes reading the book feel like homework.

Important book. The author was prescient as hell. Not meant to be a cookbook, though I suppose it turned out to be one. Except, in the "The West actually tries to defend itself." aspect.

Bu-u-u-ut, the actual reading is a bit of a drag.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 09:15 AM (KLPy8)

25 Those with genius IQs, if properly nurtured, can create wonderful ideas. Ideas don't recognize borders, and when disseminated benefit everyone. But geniuses are rare.

What's fantastic about free markets is that the intellectual talent of the far more numerous 115+ IQs gets channelled into doing positive things. You sell that talent and get paid for it, and someone makes a buck pleasing the market with it ("market" meaning all of us).

In totalitarian societies that intellectual talent gets directed into being petty bosses and worse.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 09:15 AM (SJsWC)

26 Good morning, folken! Perfessor, I think I remember the SF Argosy collection. What was the Larry Niven story in it?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 09:11 AM (KAKDL)
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"Becalmed in Hell" - A couple of astronauts (well one and a half astronauts--it's a bit complicated) are trapped on Venus and have to find a way to escape.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 09:15 AM (BpYfr)

27 Yeah, Christmas Day isn't until seven more days, but things go into high gear this week. Deal with it.

And speaking of dealing ...

Sorry, ladies, but unless clothing is involved, you're not wanted at the poker table. So posits "Poker and Pop Culture," supporting its argument with "The Odd Couple." When fastidious Felix becomes the host and not just a player, the boys' night out is ruined. "He washed the cards!" The book also cites a couple of paintings in the "dogs playing poker" series in which wives break up the game.

From the home we move to the White House, many of whose occupants played the game. Where do you think the terms "Square Deal," "New Deal," and "Fair Deal" came from?

Before Eisenhower got his fifth star, he gained attention for his reply to a dogface who wrote him to ask the odds of receiving three kings and two jacks in the initial deal. It seems that Ike spent time calculating probabilities. Although his reply contained a typo -- an extra zero -- Stars and Stripes ran the story, and Ike's popularity soared. (The answer: 1 in 108,290. Uh, yeah.)

Coming up: poker in wartime.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 18, 2022 09:15 AM (Om/di)

28 I found a pristine hardback copy of Antony Beevor's 'Stalingrad' at a used bookstore. The previous history books of his that I have read have been both engaging and accurate.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2022 09:16 AM (r7jFX)

29 I know I've mentioned this book before, but I think that, with the world as it is, it could use a puff again - Everybody Calls Me Father. It's by "Father X," and is his reminiscence of his first five years as a priest at the disguised "St Rose's Church."

The paperback version I have is from 1961, but it apparently came out a decade earlier (Amazon lists the author as Robert Hilkert). The time period of the book is never specified, but it seems to be set in the late 1930s - early 1940s, as WWII gets name-checked.

It's a very sweet book (Father is a sort of bumbling do-gooder, but with a loving heart and deep understanding of human foibles), but also incredibly depressing, contrasting his world of faithful, devout American Catholics and today's fallen world. It's hard for me to describe it in any more detail, but if this brief precis makes you think you'd like to read the book, I highly recommend it. I only wish it weren't so rare and expensive!

https://tinyurl.com/3akejfcr

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 18, 2022 09:17 AM (AW0uW)

30 I'm midway through a cracking good space opera novel: Shards of Earth, by Adrian Tchaikovsky. (He's Polish-English and I don't think he's related to the composer.)

The elevator pitch for it could be: "The crew of Firefly get dropped into the middle of the Shadow War from Babylon 5." I'm enjoying the heck out of it, more than any SF novel I've bought in many years. Unless Tchaikovsky blows the ending, I'm going to hunt for the next books in the series.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 09:19 AM (QZxDR)

31
Is that bookstore above made out of gingerbread cuz it looks like it's made out of gingerbread?

Posted by: natturalfake at December 18, 2022 09:19 AM (KLPy8)

32 In the middle of reading NT Wright's massive 4 volume, 3500 page "Christian Origins and the Question of God" series of tomes, which is a wonderful historical investigation of Jesus and His message within the context of 1st Century Judaism.

Unfortunately, there is an enormous, glaring hole in his analysis, due of course to Rev. Wright's membership in the Church of England: "What about the Eucharist, Rev?"

It's Rev. Wright's life's work, and it's missing one of the most important parts of Christianity. But I'll keep reading.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:20 AM (VRkIV)

33 Hey, Wray Johnson is an Ace of Spades lurker! Good to see another Air Commando on the site (thought I was the only one). I remember reading Airpower in Small Wars soon after I got orders to the 6th SOS back in 2007, I highly recommend it. Makes a nice companion to "The Ravens" by Christopher Robbins (that one is about the air advisors and FACs flying in civilian clothes out of Laos during the Vietnam War).

Posted by: Pave Low John at December 18, 2022 09:20 AM (0Iciy)

34 When gender roles are overrated (funny!!!).

https://tinyurl.com/vddsjeut

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at December 18, 2022 09:20 AM (8lcHJ)

35 Re: 28--Beevor is a beast! Great find for your collection. . .

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 09:21 AM (5Xtai)

36 {30} Shards of Earth, by Adrian Tchaikovsky...

"The crew of Firefly get dropped into the middle of the Shadow War from Babylon 5." ...

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 09:19 AM (QZxDR)

Oh that DOES sound good. Thank you!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 18, 2022 09:21 AM (nRMeC)

37 Beevor is a beast!

His book on the fall of Berlin is good.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 09:22 AM (SJsWC)

38 The University of Nebraska Press Bison Books imprint has reissued a good chunk of Edgar Rice Burroughs's works:

https://is.gd/EvjnHW

They also have a "Bison Frontiers of Imagination" imprint that publishes old classic sci-fi (e.g Verne or Wells)

https://is.gd/fz6mv0

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeeper at December 18, 2022 09:22 AM (PiwSw)

39 Funny thing, Perfessor, I received an alumni magazine this week with a list of books published recently by people connected to the U. Took a quick look and only one was published by a U press. And it wasn't ours! The others were by small publishers and one by Random House.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 09:22 AM (Angsy)

40 " First, The Golden Christmas by William Gilmore Simms,"

Thank you!

That led me to find a used copy of the Life of Francis Marion by the same author at ABEBooks for our son!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 18, 2022 09:22 AM (1n+EO)

41 I found a pristine hardback copy of Antony Beevor's 'Stalingrad' at a used bookstore. The previous history books of his that I have read have been both engaging and accurate.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2022 09:16 AM (r7jFX)
---
You must not have read his book on the Spanish Civil War, which was utter crap.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:23 AM (llXky)

42 Good morning, folken! Perfessor, I think I remember the SF Argosy collection. What was the Larry Niven story in it?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022
---
"Becalmed in Hell" - A couple of astronauts (well one and a half astronauts--it's a bit complicated) are trapped on Venus and have to find a way to escape.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022

***
That is one of his earliest stories, published in the mid-Sixties.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 09:24 AM (KAKDL)

43 By the way, I worked out the card deal problem and my answer matches Eisenhower's: 1,082,900. Not the lower figure in the comment. Anybody with more math knowledge care to check my answer?

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 09:24 AM (QZxDR)

44 Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 09:19 AM (QZxDR)

I really liked his Children of Time books. But don't tell AtC. Two words: Spiders. Two more words: Big, super-intelligent spiders.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeeper at December 18, 2022 09:25 AM (PiwSw)

45 By the way, I worked out the card deal problem and my answer matches Eisenhower's: 1,082,900. Not the lower figure in the comment. Anybody with more math knowledge care to check my answer?
Posted by: Trimegistus

(raises hand....)

No

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 09:25 AM (T4tVD)

46 I see that the Petersens were in the Ont music section last night. I've been really enjoying this music.

Posted by: InZona (formerly InCali) at December 18, 2022 09:26 AM (bfyic)

47 I'm still working my way through Nostromo. Holy crap, Conrad goes on and on and on and on.

Plot? Who needs a plot? If I wasn't such a huge fan, I've have quit after the first 100 pages of nothing much going on other than character introduction and world-building. The plot is finally moving forward, but I'm getting a sense that Conrad is being egged-on by or competing with Ford Madox Ford to see how convoluted he can make this book.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:26 AM (llXky)

48 I really liked his Children of Time books. But don't tell AtC. Two words: Spiders. Two more words: Big, super-intelligent spiders.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeeper at December 18, 2022 09:25 AM (PiwSw)
---
Heh...They do tend to show up with some frequency in fantasy and science fiction...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 09:27 AM (BpYfr)

49 If memory serves, a university press in Texas still has a couple of Borges' books available; University Press of Mississippi does a nice series of books gathering interviews with writers and filmmakers.

Every now and then I amuse myself by imagining the outrage if anyone suggested to the athletics departments that athletic potential be treated the same way the schools treat academic potential.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 18, 2022 09:28 AM (a/4+U)

50 Those pants are far out, man! I would wear them to go space trucking on a groovy Saturday in the park.

Posted by: Guy who looks good in red, white, and blue at December 18, 2022 09:28 AM (iayUP)

51 Writing news: Reading Walls of Men aloud, one chapter to go. Taking time off over the holidays to do final checks, formatting and then submitting it for publication at long last.

Last week a friend asked me how it was going and I told him truthfully that I abjectly hate this book and can't wait to be done with it. Same as with every other book - by the time it's ready to publish it, I want nothing other than to get the hell away from it.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:30 AM (llXky)

52 Speaking of the holidays, what's up for next Sunday, Perfessor?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 09:31 AM (Angsy)

53 Eh, I forgot to say this about "Camp of the Saints".

Basically, the book has over-lived it's usefulness because most of the assumptions and the world it was written under no-longer apply.

A bit like reading the old Fu Manchu novels. The reading can be a lot of fun, but a lot of the cultural assumptions are just eye-rolling.

The important part of CotS is the overtaking of a prosperous nation by overwhelming numbers of poverty stricken invaders. Cuz we're seeing that right now on the southern border.
But, some of the cultural stuff (spoiler: the writer is French) are pretty eye-rolling and would possibly strike the modern reader as racist.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 09:32 AM (KLPy8)

54 Speaking of the holidays, what's up for next Sunday, Perfessor?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 09:31 AM (Angsy)
---
You'll just have to tune in to find out!

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 09:33 AM (BpYfr)

55 Oh, also still trying to learn Biblical Hebrew so I can read the Old Testament in its original language. But struggling with the Hebrew alphabet. Two letters that are pronounced "silent"? Huh? Two letters for the "s" sounds and two for the "t" sound? Teo letters for the "h" sound? And so many of the letters look almost identical to others?

C'mon, man!

I try to sing the alphabet as we used to do in second grade: "A, B, G, D, er, H, W, Z, . . . H, damnit!

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:33 AM (VRkIV)

56 Morning Bookists, thanks Squirrel!!

I'll have to get that EOD book - thanks! I have a cousin who was C.O. at Indian Head, back in the day.... thanks!

Posted by: goatexchange at December 18, 2022 09:33 AM (APPN8)

57 One thing that I liked about Robinson Crusoe (and is left out of many "adaptions") is how he goes, multiple times, from complete despair and feeling abandoned by the Lord, to contented happiness and thankfulness for his salvation.

Posted by: fd at December 18, 2022 09:34 AM (iayUP)

58 Spent most of 2022 reading and contemplating on Charles Swindoll's Bible commentaries of Matthew, Mark, Luke & Acts. Saving the commentary on John for 2023. He does a great job making the Bible stories real by adding context. It feels like he is telling a story like a grandfather would tell one of his grandchildren.

Posted by: hubcap at December 18, 2022 09:35 AM (UzQTG)

59 Columbia University Press put out "Words on Words" by John Bremner, who was acknowledged as "the pope of copy editing" at the University of Kansas. It's a collection of words, with his remarks on common misuses of same.

For example, " a lot." His comment: "Two words, dammit."

As this was written in the '60s, he includes trenchant right-wing commentary on such terms as "chairman." No "chairperson" for him!

And it's done with humor. Even if he hadn't been at KU, the book is justifiably a journalism school textbook. It's one of the few books I kept after college.

I think today's Newspeak would provide much fodder for him but would also break his heart.

If only I could have been one of his students!

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 18, 2022 09:35 AM (Om/di)

60 I try to sing the alphabet as we used to do in second grade: "A, B, G, D, er, H, W, Z, . . . H, damnit!
Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:33 AM (VRkIV)

I figured out if you learn the Dreidel game (with Israeli and non-Israeli dreidels), you've already learned 25% of the alphabet. Plus you get to eat chocolate!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeeper at December 18, 2022 09:36 AM (PiwSw)

61 Beevor is a beast!

His book on the fall of Berlin is good.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 09:22 AM (SJsWC)
---
I found him to be lazy, bigoted and biased. The guy still, even at this late date, can't bring himself to debunk the Guernica myth. Instant disqualification.

Based on the hack job he did on Spain, I wouldn't trust him on anything. I mean Guernica's an easy layup, and if he missed that, what else is he getting wrong?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:36 AM (llXky)

62 Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:33 AM (VRkIV)

I have been wanting to do exactly this. Was contemplating asking the local synagogue if they have classes like this for adults who want to learn. I don't suppose you have any insight into this?

Posted by: hubcap at December 18, 2022 09:37 AM (UzQTG)

63 I’m reading “Oil and Gas Pipelines in Nontechnical Language” by Miesner and Leffler. I am enjoying it; it explains how these things work and is clear. I suspect the number of Americans who can explain the basics of unicorns and dragons is several orders of magnitude greater than those that know the first thing about pipelines and other fundamental technology on which our lives literally depend.

Posted by: Durak Kazyol at December 18, 2022 09:38 AM (4zxRq)

64 Grumpy and Recalcitrant

Thank You.

Based on your recommendation in the Book thread, I bought Summer's End by John Van Stry.

Got the trade paperback by Friday. I picked it up, and read until finished. Been a long time since a book has held my interest like that.

It is not great science fiction, but it is quite entertaining, with strong characters you care about. Very satisfying, and I want to read the next one in the series.

The Heinlein feel is the emphasis on the characters and family. The main character's rise is reminiscent of two of Edgar Rice Burroughs's best characters, Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. Gonna be fun to see where this goes.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 09:40 AM (u82oZ)

65 Last week someone (sorry, forgot who) mentioned "Rudyard Kipling to Rider Haggard: the Record of a Friendship". It's the collection of letters between two writers I enjoy. In this case it's much more. The editor does a fine job giving the background of the authors and the literary society of late Victorian London. And there are plenty of footnotes that provide some context for the references in the letters.

I really enjoy collections of correspondence like this. It puts a closer, more personal side to the writer's published works and, for me, adds to enjoying their books.

This gets added to similar books on my shelves: "Collected Letters of CS Lewis", "Letters of JRR Tolkien", and "Chickens, Gin and a Maine Friendship: The Correspondence of EB White and Edmund Ware Smith".

They all make for pleasant, episodic , reading.

Posted by: JTB at December 18, 2022 09:40 AM (7EjX1)

66 Good morning!

Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 09:40 AM (u82oZ)

67 Anybody with autism or asperger's in their family should read Dr. Temple Granding. Lotta insight there.

Posted by: Eromero at December 18, 2022 09:41 AM (/RDPd)

68 I think today's Newspeak would provide much fodder for him but would also break his heart.

If only I could have been one of his students!

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 18, 2022 09:35 AM (Om/di)
---
Orwell couldn't have foreseen that we'd just go fully digital, making the edits instantaneous. I get email updates from the Associated Press updating their Newspeak Style guide whenever the media needs to cover something up or go into heavy spin mode.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:41 AM (llXky)

69 So, no "Best of Perfessor" next week!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 09:42 AM (Angsy)

70 I'm going to hunt for the next books in the series.

Posted by: Trimegistus

"Shards of Earth" is fantastic, as is the second book, "Eyes of the Void". I can't wait for the third and final volume, "Lords of Uncreation".

If you've not read his "Children of Time" or "Children of Ruin" yet, you simply must.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:42 AM (VRkIV)

71 This is why i recommended history of costaguana by vasguez gomez its a picaresque walter mitty like take on the material

Posted by: No 6 at December 18, 2022 09:44 AM (PXvVL)

72 I have been wanting to do exactly this. Was contemplating asking the local synagogue if they have classes like this for adults who want to learn. I don't suppose you have any insight into this?

Posted by: hubcap at December 18, 2022 09:37 AM (UzQTG)
---
The Lord of Spirits podcast is my way of accomplishing the same thing by proxy. The priests who host it go into the Hebrew translations so I don't have to. I'm sure there are some other ones that do the same thing. I like Lord of Spirits because the hosts are Gen Xers who drop pop culture reference and corny jokes into the their commentary.

Also, they allow you to download the podcast instead of streaming it. I load it onto my MP3 player and listen in the car.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:44 AM (llXky)

73 Re: 56--Indian Head, yeah that was definitely back in the day!

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 09:45 AM (5Xtai)

74 My cousin, who knows I like to read, was clearing books out of the home of a friend of hers who died a few months ago so his son could sell it. She called and asked me if I'd take some of them, so I said yes, of course. She brought me 50 or so books, mostly westerns, and said she has hundreds more in covered plastic bins in her shed to find a home for. There are both hardcover and paperback and they are all in nearly pristine condition, including the dust covers. The problem is finding somewhere to donate them. The library is not taking donations because of Covid and she needs some ideas.

Jim must have had a book in his hand for most of his life. He was a really nice guy and a terrific country singer. I'm sorry I didn't know him better.

Posted by: huerfano at December 18, 2022 09:45 AM (dTFZY)

75 I'm going to hunt for the next books in the series.

Posted by: Trimegistus

Longbow or crossbow ?

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 09:45 AM (T4tVD)

76 So, no "Best of Perfessor" next week!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 09:42 AM (Angsy)
---
Zombie Joan Rivers.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:45 AM (llXky)

77 Durak: if you like pipelines, there's a good book called "Infrastructure" by Brian Hayes which is all about "what does that building do?"

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 09:45 AM (QZxDR)

78 I am continuing my journey through Terry Pratchett's Discworld. Today I am reading The Wee Free Men.
I am also reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. I like the idea of getting rid of a bad habit by shifting your environment, but I'm not certain how I can get rid of my kitchen.
I have put on pause reading Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. I'm a little disappointed that the book and the movie bear little resemblance to each other.

Posted by: Nancy at 7000 ft at December 18, 2022 09:46 AM (0tmoY)

79 Sharkman, I just made flash cards for the letters. I'm nowhere near being able to see words yet, but it is fun just being able to sound out the shapes.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeeper at December 18, 2022 09:46 AM (PiwSw)

80 I have to go now; preparations for my Sunday school class potluck require my time.

To tie this in to books, our leader hoprs to bring a DVD of adaptations of O. Henry Christmas stories.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 18, 2022 09:47 AM (Om/di)

81 Continuing my reading of Pliny's Natural History, I learned that "crapulence" is a real word that has apparently been around for a long time.

Also, I learned the words "vermifuge" and "scintillationibus", but I am struggling to use both in the same sentence. Well, other than that last sentence.

Posted by: fd at December 18, 2022 09:47 AM (iayUP)

82
77 Durak: if you like pipelines, there's a good book called "Infrastructure" by Brian Hayes which is all about "what does that building do?"
*****

Thanks, Trimegistus.

Posted by: Durak Kazyol at December 18, 2022 09:47 AM (4zxRq)

83 The library is not taking donations because of Covid and she needs some ideas.

Posted by: huerfano at December 18, 2022 09:45 AM (dTFZY)

Neighbor lady had same problem when she sold her house. I took some, but the rest went into the bin.
Maybe if we knew the titles, some of us here might want some.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 09:48 AM (Angsy)

84 Ha! One of my sons best childhood friends is now assigned to EOD with the Seals. Don't tell his mother its dangerous; she thinks he is in the "safe" part of the operation. God bless the little guy (was little once upon a time, now 6'4" and strong as an ox).

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 09:49 AM (LQ35Q)

85 "Perfessor" Squirrel

Wanted to publicly say Thank You for carrying on the strong tradition of the Book Thread. Your additions are worth of OM at his finest.

Putting a purple pimp hat purchase in your secret marketing Google profile is courage.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 09:49 AM (u82oZ)

86 " The library is not taking donations because of Covid and she needs some ideas."

Are they afraid the books are infected? Really? Can't they just quarantine them for two weeks?

Posted by: fd at December 18, 2022 09:50 AM (iayUP)

87 Conrad is said to have stolen his tale from a colombian

Posted by: No 6 at December 18, 2022 09:50 AM (PXvVL)

88 it is someone yanked away to an alternate timeline where history went a little differently.

Sabrina, that feels like my present everyday life!

Maybe I'll try it out because, at least with a moron author in charge, I can hope for a happy ending.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 09:50 AM (LQ35Q)

89 "Perfessor" Squirrel

Wanted to publicly say Thank You for carrying on the strong tradition of the Book Thread. Your additions are worth of OM at his finest.

Putting a purple pimp hat purchase in your secret marketing Google profile is courage.
Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 09:49 AM (u82oZ)
---
Thank you...Of course, the Moron Horde is a near endless source of inspiration...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 09:50 AM (BpYfr)

90 40 ... "That led me to find a used copy of the Life of Francis Marion by the same author [William Gilmore Simms] at ABEBooks for our son!"

VIA,

Glad you found your way to that. I also have it but haven't read it yet. Simms is a fine writer.

Posted by: JTB at December 18, 2022 09:51 AM (7EjX1)

91 AH Lloyd, good on ya. I read Lord Jim in high school and will likely never touch Conrad again. The best and most charitable way I can describe his writing is "cumbersome."

Anyone have suggestions for a good book for between Christmas and the New Year? I'll be on a break from teaching and the family will be home; so I may indulge in some fiction. I hafta avoid good fiction because I will open the book and suddenly it will be three days later and no one has been fed and the house is a shambles . . . It's a good thing I'm a fast reader or I would miss someone's birthday!

Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022 09:51 AM (RZmWs)

92 OK, folks, I promised to read a friend's draft novel and give her some feedback, so must be on my way.

Hope you all have a lovely day.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at December 18, 2022 09:52 AM (AW0uW)

93 "Perfessor" Squirrel

Wanted to publicly say Thank You for carrying on the strong tradition of the Book Thread. Your additions are worth of OM at his finest.

Seconded !

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 09:52 AM (T4tVD)

94 Anne mclean the english translator did a better job than the spanish author who is french educated btw

Posted by: No 6 at December 18, 2022 09:53 AM (PXvVL)

95 Just started Ryan Britt's "Phasers on Stun!: How the Making (and Remaking) of Star Trek Changed the World". He's a lefty, but if you can dodge such libshit poopmines as positive remarks about AOC and Stacy Abrams, it's not bad.

He makes an insightful point on the diversity of talent: "The talent pool spanned several generations and points of view. The oldest person who wrote for the original series, Barry Trivers ("The Conscience of the King") was born in 1907, and the youngest, David Gerrold ("The Trouble with Tribbles"), was born in 1944. Roddenberry was born in 1921. Keep these generation gaps in mind the next time you feel like classic Trek is either beautifully prescient or hopelessly outdated."

It's an amazingly cohesive series, considering OG Trek didn't have modern t.v. show runners or a team of writers (just Roddenberry, D.C. Fontana, and others to keep the series steady as she goes). The collection of people who wrote for Star Trek ranged from Robert Bloch ("Psycho") to Shari Lewis (who created the puppet Lamb Chop) to science fiction writers Theodore Sturgeon, Richard Matheson, Norman Spinrad, and Harlan Ellison, among others.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 09:53 AM (Dc2NZ)

96 93 "Perfessor" Squirrel

Wanted to publicly say Thank You for carrying on the strong tradition of the Book Thread. Your additions are worth of OM at his finest.

Seconded !
Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 09:52 AM (T4tVD)

Thirded!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 09:54 AM (Dc2NZ)

97
Anyone have suggestions for a good book for between Christmas and the New Year? I'll be on a break from teaching and the family will be home; so I may indulge in some fiction. I hafta avoid good fiction because I will open the book and suddenly it will be three days later and no one has been fed and the house is a shambles . . . It's a good thing I'm a fast reader or I would miss someone's birthday!
Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022

***
Catherine, I recommend Stephen King's 11/22/63. It's a good time travel novel, a love story, a wonderful exploration of the dear dead days of 1958-1963 in America, and a suspense story with a ticking clock/deadline.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 09:55 AM (KAKDL)

98 I have been wanting to do exactly this. Was contemplating asking the local synagogue if they have classes like this for adults who want to learn. I don't suppose you have any insight into this?

Posted by: hubcap

Hadn't thought of going to a local source of help. That's a good idea. I've bought a Hebrew Grammar and workbook and some vocabulary flash cards and a Hebrew-English Interlinear Bible that is matched to Strong's Bible Concordance.

I love languages, having taken German and Latin much earlier in life (40 years ago). For me it's just a matter of getting off my ass and studying in an organized way every day and trying to read a little bit of the Bible every day in Hebrew. It ain't easy, but it's very rewarding. A lot of meaning was lost when the OT was translated from Hebrew/Aramaic to Greek, then to Latin and finally into English.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:55 AM (VRkIV)

99 And I'll fourth it, Perfesser.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 18, 2022 09:56 AM (a/4+U)

100 Are they afraid the books are infected? Really? Can't they just quarantine them for two weeks?

Posted by: fd at December 18, 2022 09:50 AM

It doesn't have to make sense. Jim died in September from cancer. He wasn't contagious. His house wasn't a seething cauldron of coof. A request for an explanation is met with a blank look.

Posted by: huerfano at December 18, 2022 09:57 AM (dTFZY)

101 He makes an insightful point on the diversity of talent: "The talent pool spanned several generations and points of view. The oldest person who wrote for the original series, Barry Trivers ("The Conscience of the King") was born in 1907, and the youngest, David Gerrold ("The Trouble with Tribbles"), was born in 1944. Roddenberry was born in 1921. Keep these generation gaps in mind the next time you feel like classic Trek is either beautifully prescient or hopelessly outdated." . . .

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022

***
"Conscience" is a good script, a deliberate reworking of Hamlet. Trivers' maturity explains some of the quality of the story.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 09:57 AM (KAKDL)

102
Are they afraid the books are infected? Really? Can't they just quarantine them for two weeks?

Posted by: fd at December 18, 2022 09:50 AM (iayUP)

It sounds like they're old book. The library is afraid of the idea infection if someone read them....

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 09:57 AM (Angsy)

103 Oh, forgot to mention: reading TE Lawrence's Revolt in the Desert. Are the A-rabs revolting? Yes they are!

Posted by: goatexchange at December 18, 2022 09:58 AM (APPN8)

104 Another good book on infrastructure is 'Gridlock' by Randal O'Toole. It reviews the politics of road and traffic spending. It will really wake you up to the ridiculously misplaced priorities our government has. For example, some 40% of gas taxes are spent subsidizing city buses and trains that run nearly empty, while roads used by taxpayers go unrepaired.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at December 18, 2022 09:58 AM (ppK8J)

105 Eromero, especially focus in her WRITING. Three of my four are somewhere on the spectrum, and she is absolutely the best. But hearing her speak is not something I can do without being impressively distracted by her ASD-driven foibles.

Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022 09:58 AM (RZmWs)

106 Reading "Abigail Adams; A Life" by Woody Holton.

The woman was a helluva babe, smart, attractive (for that time), hugely capable (basically made all the money in the family) and a great support to her husband, the eventual President. Their lives together were interspersed with many lengthy separations, as he was off helping create America, but they had a very physical relationship, so it was difficult to be apart. She was a critical part of working through every political issue with him and their correspondence is a master class on revolutionary politics. One of the greatest American women about whom I've read.

The book itself has some periods of shoddy research and poor writing. It is often too lengthy (needed a better editor). These blemishes, though, don't outweigh the rest of the book, so I am enjoying it.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 09:59 AM (X8jo9)

107 I'll second Wolfus's recommendation on 11/22/63. It's a good read -- just be careful not to drop that sucker on your foot. Like a lot of King's stuff, it's long; but it doesn't feel padded at all.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 18, 2022 10:01 AM (a/4+U)

108 Re: 84--If you want to get an idea of what your son's friend does, Huck, check out that EOD book--but don't let his mom read it!

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:01 AM (5Xtai)

109 Please please please tell me that Unsung has a whole chapter savaging Hurt Locker.

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 10:03 AM (pwExq)

110 {64}Based on your recommendation in the Book thread, I bought Summer's End by John Van Stry.

Got the trade paperback by Friday. I picked it up, and read until finished. Been a long time since a book has held my interest like that. ...

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 09:40 AM (u82oZ)

You're very welcome, and I'm delighted you enjoyed the book!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 18, 2022 10:03 AM (nRMeC)

111 Anyone have suggestions for a good book for between Christmas and the New Year? I'll be on a break from teaching and the family will be home; so I may indulge in some fiction. I hafta avoid good fiction because I will open the book and suddenly it will be three days later and no one has been fed and the house is a shambles . . . It's a good thing I'm a fast reader or I would miss someone's birthday!
Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022 09:51 AM (RZmWs)

One Second After by William Forstchen. Part of a trilogy that was followed by One Year Later, and The Final Day. I've only read the first one.

Posted by: Count de Monet at December 18, 2022 10:04 AM (4I/2K)

112 Re: 84--If you want to get an idea of what your son's friend does, Huck, check out that EOD book--but don't let his mom read it!
Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:01 AM (5Xtai)
=========
will do, but my wife can't read it either! They all (the old friend group) get on the phone and fret enough as it is, not realizing it does no good.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 10:05 AM (X8jo9)

113 AHL, thanks for the tip on Lord of the Spirits Pod. Good idea.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 10:05 AM (VRkIV)

114 Thomas Paine

I like Traffic: Why We Drive The Way We Do. by Tom Vanderbilt. It is a good explanation and looks at road behavior and design. He needs to add a chapter on cell-phone driving.

There are some other training videos that look at this, as well as impaired driving. I saw them in my AAA Defensive Driving Course.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:06 AM (u82oZ)

115 Picked up Nevada History Through Glass vol. 1 yesterday by Fred Holabird at an estate sale. Has sent me to the internet 4 times in the first 5 pages.
Nevada is such a cool place. I need to get back out into the desert for some camping again a few times next summer. Haven't in a couple few years now. Working to much.

Need more Coffee and start getting my s*#t together so I can buy the house that easte sale was at.

Posted by: Reforger at December 18, 2022 10:06 AM (HvLxF)

116 Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022 09:51 AM (RZmWs)

What sort of books do you like? General fiction, mystery, fantasy, sf,historical?

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:07 AM (Kd4bG)

117 Thirded!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread)

Hiya Eris !

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 10:07 AM (T4tVD)

118 Anyone have suggestions for a good book for between Christmas and the New Year? I'll be on a break from teaching and the family will be home; so I may indulge in some fiction. I hafta avoid good fiction because I will open the book and suddenly it will be three days later and no one has been fed and the house is a shambles . . . It's a good thing I'm a fast reader or I would miss someone's birthday!
Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022 09:51 AM (RZmWs)

What type of book do you like?

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 10:08 AM (KLPy8)

119 I would also like to point out that Red Wolf has been proofread (as always) by our own Anachronda, who found stuff my paid editor missed! Truly, the talent stack of the Horde is impressive!

at least with a moron author in charge, I can hope for a happy ending. Absolutely. My characters may suffer to earn their happy ending but they do get it. I like gobs of adventure and fun and derring-do in the books I read so of course I put it in the books I write

This particular series got started when I read about the discovery of Son Doong cave in Vietnam, so big it has its own forests and weather! I LOOOVE secret hidden worlds!

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at December 18, 2022 10:08 AM (cjvQp)

120 118
*hi-5s naturalfake*

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:09 AM (Kd4bG)

121 Hiya Heidi !

Regards to The Artist Formerly Known as Da Cannibal !

Posted by: JT at December 18, 2022 10:09 AM (T4tVD)

122 I need to get back out into the desert for some camping again a few times next summer.

Posted by: Reforger at December 18, 2022 10:06 AM (HvLxF)

Camping in Nevada in the summer. Hee Hee.

Posted by: Mojave Desert at December 18, 2022 10:09 AM (Angsy)

123 Anyone have suggestions for a good book for between Christmas and the New Year? I'll be on a break from teaching and the family will be home; so I may indulge in some fiction. I hafta avoid good fiction because I will open the book and suddenly it will be three days later and no one has been fed and the house is a shambles . . . It's a good thing I'm a fast reader or I would miss someone's birthday!

Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022 09:51 AM (RZmWs)
---
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. Wonderful book.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:11 AM (llXky)

124 Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:06 AM (u82oZ)

My observation from talking to John (first, late) Husband, is that traffic planning requires a knowledge of psychology and fluid dynamics. Unfortunately, being engineers, the planners tend to look at the psychology part as a way to change driver behavior instead of simply understanding that certain behaviors are innate and must be accounted for.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 10:13 AM (nC+QA)

125 120 118
*hi-5s naturalfake*
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:09 AM (Kd4bG)

*continues with Book Thread Secret Handshake*

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 10:13 AM (KLPy8)

126 The plot is finally moving forward, but I'm getting a sense that Conrad is being egged-on by or competing with Ford Madox Ford to see how convoluted he can make this book.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 09:26 AM (llXky)

Then you must avoid Romance, the book they wrote together.

For my part, I like the complexities and detail. But that's me, and I also like Wolfe, so there's that.

I actually started rereading Nostromo just before the pre-shingles made it impossible to wear my reading glasses. After a few days of medication, I will now be able to pick it up again.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:13 AM (Zzbjj)

127 You must not have read his book on the Spanish Civil War, which was utter crap.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

There was old, 40s or 50s, movie on the other day about a priest trying to escape Spain with the help of a prostitute. (I've forgotten the name.) In this alternate universe, it was the evil Franco Nationalists trying to kill the priests, not the gentle Republicans.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:13 AM (FVME7)

128 Conrad is said to have stolen his tale from a colombian

Posted by: No 6 at December 18, 2022 09:50 AM (PXvVL)
---
It's obviously based on real events and in the forward, Conrad explains where he got the core of his story.

I like Conrad, but he does bog down in some of his longer work. Lord Jim has an interminable dialog scene that should be 1/3 as long. Almayer's Folly moves much quicker.

Basically, when he had space constraints (writing for a magazine) he was better than when trying to pad out a book.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:15 AM (llXky)

129 I'm assembling the books I want at hand for the coming 'too F'ing cold/icy/snowy to leave the house' reading. This is fun, comfortable reading more than intellectual stimulation. LOTR of course. My 57th annual reading if I did the arithmetic right. A couple of H. Rider Haggard books, probably "She" and "King Solomon's Mines". Some of the Liturgical Mystery series, the One-Eyed Poacher stories by Edmund Smith, and likely some books of poetry.

Most of these can be read, or re-read, in hops, skips and jumps where interrupting the story to do other things isn't a problem. They also lend themselves to my easy chair, some good pipe tobacco, and a warm drink.

Posted by: JTB at December 18, 2022 10:16 AM (7EjX1)

130 I spent much of the week trying to push through some comic book collections that I started, but stalled out on. I wanna finish them off so I can start the new year fresh...

First, I pushed through the Kazar the Savage Omnibus. I've been reading it off-and-on for over a year, but never get very far because, frankly, it sucks. It sucks hard. It's supposed to be about a couple of savage exiles from civilization, having adventures in a mysterious jungle (Marvel's Savage Land), but the author didn't care about the premise, and didn't even try to write for it. The characters are written as typical New Yorkers, who make modern-day quips and references. They even get mail dropped off (in the middle of the jungle) in one issue! The book is (sadly) at its best when it rips the characters from the jungle and throws on standard modern-day comic-book adventures....

As a diversion from the usual superhero fare, it may have been acceptable. But since I was expecting actual fantasy adventures in an exotic land....it was infuriating.

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 18, 2022 10:17 AM (Lhaco)

131 Polliwog the 'Ette

Good observation. Roundabouts ave entered the discussion.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:17 AM (u82oZ)

132 Yeah, I read YA fiction occasionally. What of it? Alison Dahlin's "Cake Eater" is a sort of far-future post-apocalyptic retelling of Marie Antoinette's life. In this version, the young dauphine is a social influencer, Versailles is a glitchy holographic neon facsimile imposed over the structure of Old Versailles, young Louis is a shy tech nerd, and the Royals are partying while the great, irradiated unwashed are starving and Robespierre and his Committee are plotting the overthrow of the Neo Ancien Régime. So it's The Terror but with androids and laser guillotines.

I liked it.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 10:18 AM (Dc2NZ)

133 Re: 109--Blaster, there's a chapter called FRAGS, and while it's not dedicated solely to savaging The Hurt Locker, the reviews are pretty scathing. . . .

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:18 AM (5Xtai)

134 Anybody with autism or asperger's in their family should read Dr. Temple Granding. Lotta insight there.

Thank you for the tip. I found and bookmarked https://www.templegrandin.com/ for later.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2022 10:19 AM (nfrXX)

135 There was old, 40s or 50s, movie on the other day about a priest trying to escape Spain with the help of a prostitute. (I've forgotten the name.) In this alternate universe, it was the evil Franco Nationalists trying to kill the priests, not the gentle Republicans.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:13 AM (FVME7)
---
In trying to explain the origins of the Spanish Civil War, Beever actually wrote that the number of priests was a big problem, particularly because they weren't mentally fit for anything productive.

Oh, and because of the Spanish Inquisition, lynching the Papists was just fine.

I mean, there's casual bigotry and then there's Beevor, who may as well put the Klan hood on when he talks about Catholics. I tried to hate-read his book, but had to stop because I was going to stroke out. If he brings that amount of bias and fact-bending to Spain, I wouldn't trust him with anything else.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:20 AM (llXky)

136 Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

Short Conrad is the best. The Duelist is a great short story, which led to the visually stunning Ridley Scott movie.

Conrad's sea stories spoke to me. He captures the feel of ships and the ocean.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:20 AM (u82oZ)

137 I've been reading Exhalation by Ted Chiang. It is a collection of syfy short stories (although one is quite long). I'm quite enjoying it. Chiang reminds me of Philip K. Dick in that his stories perfectly encapsulate some-what-is-reality philosophical question although, in my opinion, Chiang is the better writer. For example, I'm a sucker for time travel stories and one of these addresses the paradox between time travel and the immutability of fate. If you like hard core speculative syfy, you'll probably like this although it's more of an ideas book than an action book.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:20 AM (FVME7)

138 Anybody with autism or asperger's in their family should read Dr. Temple Granding. Lotta insight there.

Thank you for the tip. I found and bookmarked https://www.templegrandin.com/ for later.
Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2022

***
I remember hearing about her. Apparently as a teen or pre-teen, she was quite the fan of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:21 AM (KAKDL)

139 Then you must avoid Romance, the book they wrote together.

For my part, I like the complexities and detail. But that's me, and I also like Wolfe, so there's that.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:13 AM (Zzbjj)
---
Conrad's prose is the thing that mitigates the slow pace. I've had to deliberately slow my mind and read contemplatively. A big help has been cutting myself off of all media, even sports news.

And to be clear, it is really interesting, and now that events are in motion, I'm hooked.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:22 AM (llXky)

140 After making a concerted effort, I'm now about 3/4 through "The Question" comic book omnibus. The individual stories are engaging, but the comic was marked 'for mature readers,' which the author interprets as "make every single character broken, degenerate, or just outright detestable." It's not a fun read, and I usually feel like I need a palate cleanser afterwards. It doesn't help that the author is a raging lefty.

This is what happens when you try new things: you read grimy stories from people who don't like you...

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 18, 2022 10:22 AM (Lhaco)

141 visually stunning Ridley Scott movie.

-
I see that they're making a Gladiator sequel with Lucius as the protagonist.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:22 AM (FVME7)

142 Still hopping around R A Lafferty's short stories.

Like many writers, his earlier stories are where the real magic shows up. Not that the later stories have no magic. Just not as often.

Again like many writers, he has a certain number of bees in his bonnet and they eventually get ossified into particular flight patterns in the later stuff. So, you're not delightfully surprised as often. But, still good and you'll never read another writer like him.

I'll probably mix in some other writers shorts, maybe a novel or two of Lafferty's. Nothing big or challenging till I finish what I'm working on.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 10:23 AM (KLPy8)

143 My reading this week --- uh *scratches head*
Bowl of Red by Sarah Hoyt I think, or was that last week?
My current to read pile:
The Romanov Rescue by Kratman & Kacell
Serpent in Heaven by Charlaine Harris
Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs
The Eagle by Rosemary Sutcliff
Summer's End by John Van Stry

Let's not talk about my back burner to read pile

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:23 AM (Kd4bG)

144 naturalfake- what I find interesting about reading Camp of the Saints is how well the author predicted the response of so many liberals. Imagine a bunch of lefties, led by AOC, marching through El Paso with signs reading "We're all from the Rio Grande now!" You wouldn't even bat an eye. Come to think of it, I'm sure I've seen signs with slogans like "We're all immigrants now" or something similar at lefty protests. Paul Joseph Watson does a good job documenting how the poor native English are struggling to pay their utilities while "boat migrants" get free lodging and meals at four-star resorts. Yes, CotS has been decried as "racist" since the day it was published, but I think it still has merit. My $.02.

Posted by: PabloD at December 18, 2022 10:24 AM (8PxYQ)

145 Re: 109--Blaster, there's a chapter called FRAGS, and while it's not dedicated solely to savaging The Hurt Locker, the reviews are pretty scathing. . . .

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:18 AM (5Xtai)
---
Not a book, but related: I just finished watching "Danger UXB" last week. Amazing show, Anthony Andrews is great, several others who also appear in the "Brideshead" adaptation.

You want tension? Holy crap. Very well done.

While reading up on the show, I was shocked that the guy who plays one of the officers (and is Boy Mulcaster in Brideshead) was also Gold 2 in the original Star Wars. That was his first film part.

So there we have the Star Wars/Waugh convergence.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:25 AM (llXky)

146 To the suits, Gene Roddenberry pitched the original StarTrek as Wagon Train in Space.

A new group of characters interacts with the Crew each episode, and then the Crew moves onto their next adventure. Creates variety in plot and faces.

Now add some great writers to the mix and voila.

Later renditions of Trek are inward-facing, and turn into soap operas.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 10:25 AM (SJsWC)

147 Have a great day, everyone.

May you all thrive in the best traditions of the Christmas spirit.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:27 AM (u82oZ)

148 132 Yeah, I read YA fiction occasionally. What of it? Alison Dahlin's "Cake Eater" is a sort of far-future post-apocalyptic retelling of Marie Antoinette's life.

***
Eris, that does sound interesting

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:27 AM (Kd4bG)

149 Conrad's sea stories spoke to me. He captures the feel of ships and the ocean.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:20 AM (u82oZ)
---
Yes, he can spin a sailor's yarn like no one else.

I will say that Almayer's Folly is a lot like Lord Jim, but has much better pacing. The female characters are brilliantly written as well.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:27 AM (llXky)

150 Conrad's prose is the thing that mitigates the slow pace. I've had to deliberately slow my mind and read contemplatively. A big help has been cutting myself off of all media, even sports news.

And to be clear, it is really interesting, and now that events are in motion, I'm hooked.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:22 AM (llXky)

Me too, and I think I might be up to it today. No pain after a few minutes reading here is a good thing. I might give "The Inheritors" a go after Nostromo. It's Conrad and Ford's attempt at semi sci-fi. I picked it up once, but got distracted with other things.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:28 AM (Zzbjj)

151 Wait. The Hurt Locker wasn't a true story or a fictionalized version of true events?

*kicks dirt*

/sarc

Posted by: Marcus T at December 18, 2022 10:29 AM (SAX5G)

152 re this quote about The Genetic Lottery --

...She tries to dismiss "merit" as something unearned, which is true in the sense that you don't pick your parents, but not in the sense that high IQ alone is enough to succeed....

Watch the movie Gattaca. I don't know if it is based on a book, but in any event I haven't read it if it is.

It's a powerful exploration of merit and will. And with designer babies grown in incubators on the way (per some self promoting press release), well, possibly timely too.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 18, 2022 10:29 AM (JOtiF)

153 Eris, did you read Marissa Meyer's Cinder books (The Lunar Chronicles)? I thought those were fun.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeeper at December 18, 2022 10:30 AM (PiwSw)

154 I've been reading Exhalation by Ted Chiang. It is a collection of syfy short stories (although one is quite long).

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice!

His first short story collection, "Stories of Your Life, and Others" is excellent. One of the tales was made into the movie "Arrival" which I quite enjoyed. Another is a Tower of Babel sort of story with a great twist ending.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 10:30 AM (VRkIV)

155 Later renditions of Trek are inward-facing, and turn into soap operas.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 10:25 AM (SJsWC)
---
That's because the knowledge pool of modern writers is so shallow. You write what you know. Conrad wrote about storms at sea and island traders because that's what he knows.

Most modern writers only know lunch-room politics and the pain of not being a cool kid. They also know that deep down, they're very very special and the world should really value them.

So that's what they write.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:31 AM (llXky)

156 naturalfake- what I find interesting about reading Camp of the Saints is how well the author predicted the response of so many liberals. Imagine a bunch of lefties, led by AOC, marching through El Paso with signs reading "We're all from the Rio Grande now!" You wouldn't even bat an eye. Come to think of it, I'm sure I've seen signs with slogans like "We're all immigrants now" or something similar at lefty protests. Paul Joseph Watson does a good job documenting how the poor native English are struggling to pay their utilities while "boat migrants" get free lodging and meals at four-star resorts. Yes, CotS has been decried as "racist" since the day it was published, but I think it still has merit. My $.02.
Posted by: PabloD at December 18, 2022 10:24 AM (8PxYQ)

Yeah, the "racist" label is a little tricky in this day and age and even then.

It's not racist in the least to say huge numbers of poverty-stricken invaders would cause problems beyond their mere poverty and presence. Most of those problems would be related to their religious, cultural, and societal upbringing. And even "race" would figure in without necessarily being "racist" if you see what I mean.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 10:33 AM (KLPy8)

157 Good morning fellow book enthusiasts.
This was an odd week for me as I had a very mild case of Covid which kept me indoors.
The good part was I had two full days to read The InkBlack Heart by Robert Galbraith aka JK Rowling. It is #6 in her Cormoran Strike detective series.
I think this book is brilliant, unique piece of work. It is 1500 pages and every character has depth and a back story. She has a way of writing a characters accent so you can hear them talking. The story is about an on line cartoon which then fosters an on line game. And then the murders started.
There is a great deal of on line chatter shown in a completely unique manner as there are multiple conversations on the same page. There are Nazis, SJWs, Gamers, pick up artists, comic con fans and lonely incels. It is a true detective novel though and even the other cases being followed are interesting and fun to watch getting solved by the work of their othe employees.
Would really love to hear how she came up with idea for the book.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 10:34 AM (Y+l9t)

158 To the suits, Gene Roddenberry pitched the original StarTrek as Wagon Train in Space.

A new group of characters interacts with the Crew each episode, and then the Crew moves onto their next adventure. Creates variety in plot and faces.

Now add some great writers to the mix and voila.

Later renditions of Trek are inward-facing, and turn into soap operas.
Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022

***
The original Trek did decay a bit into simple action-adventure (though there is nothing wrong with that if it's well done, and Trek was). Next Generation, I think, did fulfill the notion of "Wagon Train to the Stars" much better.

I'm not very familiar with the succeeding series.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:34 AM (KAKDL)

159 153 Eris, did you read Marissa Meyer's Cinder books (The Lunar Chronicles)? I thought those were fun.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeeper at December 18, 2022 10:30 AM (PiwSw)
---

No, I haven't. I'll check them out!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 10:34 AM (Dc2NZ)

160 RE: 145, A.H.--haven't seen the movie, but UNSUNG gives a history of ADM Draper Kauffman, the "father" of both Navy EOD and UDT/SEALs.

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:35 AM (5Xtai)

161 I did not tell my mother that I was assigned to EOD until about 6 months into it.

Told her I was in ammunition which was true.

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 10:35 AM (pwExq)

162 ...As the last of three posts, I read a lot of Kull comics this past week. Always as a palate cleanser after reading the terrible Kazar the Savage and the grimy The Question. But at least Kazar is finished and I'll never have to think about it ever again, and I'm mostly through The Question...

The Kull comics have been fun. Kull is essentially Conan the Barbarian (literally, the first Conan story was just a re-worked Kull story) but focusing exclusively on when Kull/Conan is the King of Valusia/Aquilonia. So it's the story of a savage individualist shouldering the responsibility of rulership of a massive kingdom. And, of course, in these stories the King actually rises to the challenge and generally succeeds! Its classic heroic fantasy that actually leaves the reader feeling happy...

The stories I've been reading are from the Kull the Conqueror omnibus. The writing has been generally good, and the writer actually strikes the appropriate tone for the setting! The lineart is by John Buscema, so you know its awesome. the coloring is from the mid-80's, so it's not flashy, but nor is it garish or childish. In short, it's been a good read! I'll be sorry to finish it...

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 18, 2022 10:35 AM (Lhaco)

163 Re: 151--SNORT! PASSES COFFEE THROUGH NOSE. . .

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:35 AM (5Xtai)

164 . . . I might give "The Inheritors" a go after Nostromo. It's Conrad and Ford's attempt at semi sci-fi. I picked it up once, but got distracted with other things.
Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022

***
The only The Inheritors I know is that dull novel by William Golding. There was another?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:36 AM (KAKDL)

165 Most modern writers only know lunch-room politics and the pain of not being a cool kid. They also know that deep down, they're very very special and the world should really value them.

So that's what they write.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:31 AM (llXky)

They do. Years ago, a college kid who worked with me wrote a book and asked me to read a chapter and tell him what I thought. I expected takes from the psych hospital, and prepared to be a censor, but it wasn't. It was the trials and tribulations of being a Rutgers senior psych major who was not appreciated by a group of business students, especially the pretty girls. His feelings of unappreciated specialness was hilarious. I suggested it was a generational book, and he looked for someone else.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:37 AM (Zzbjj)

166 Vmom, I also read Serpent of Heaven this week. It was an engaging story but pretty light weight.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 10:37 AM (Y+l9t)

167 Re: 161--Hooyah Blaster! TDQ!

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:37 AM (5Xtai)

168 I have blue eyes like Mama Eromero, and I'm tall and lanky like Pappy Eromero. I have a kind heart that came with the blue eyes, and a vocabulary that came with the body style. Learned or inherited?

Posted by: Eromero at December 18, 2022 10:37 AM (z3WCn)

169 Most modern writers only know lunch-room politics and the pain of not being a cool kid. They also know that deep down, they're very very special and the world should really value them.

So that's what they write.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:31 AM (llXky)
===

This guy gets it.
-every Millenial, ever.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 18, 2022 10:37 AM (EZebt)

170 The only The Inheritors I know is that dull novel by William Golding. There was another?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:36 AM (KAKD

There was a Conrad/Ford collaboration by the same name.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:37 AM (Zzbjj)

171 Most modern writers only know lunch-room politics and the pain of not being a cool kid. They also know that deep down, they're very very special and the world should really value them.
===============
as compared to Rudyard Kipling and "Kim" or even used-to-be-popular writers like James Clavell "King Rat" or Frazier's "Quartered Safe Out Here". What we know today is a pale imitation of the lives others lived once upon a time (not too long ago).

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 10:38 AM (FxoCZ)

172 Sharon, I'm due to hit the big suburban library this week. Which was Galbraith/Rowling's first novel in the series? I hope they have it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:38 AM (KAKDL)

173 I did not tell my mother that I was assigned to EOD until about 6 months into it.

Told her I was in ammunition which was true.

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 10:35 AM (pwExq)
---
I did a story for the base newspaper years ago about a guy in the Combat Weather Flight who got his leg seriously wrecked by a mortar shell in Afghanistan. For those who don't know, these are the dudes who go in before anyone else to determine if it's safe to even land.

Very humbling talking to him, because once you're inserted, that's it, you may not be able to get out of the weather turns. I was expressing my admiration for him and he waved it away.

"My job is to get in and get out without being seen. Nothing to it. You know who's really brave? Those door-kickers who know there are bad guys waiting for them. I could never do that..."

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:38 AM (llXky)

174 re Lafferty:

When poking through his stories, do not miss "Primary Education of the Camiroi." And I've read Lafferty's "Seven Day Terror" to a few grade school audiences and it's always gone over well.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 18, 2022 10:39 AM (a/4+U)

175 Saw a meme that sounds good:
For Christmas go to Amazon and review the books you enjoyed this year.
It's like giving the author a Christmas gift and passing along the good news!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:39 AM (Kd4bG)

176 . . . It was the trials and tribulations of being a Rutgers senior psych major who was not appreciated by a group of business students, especially the pretty girls. His feelings of unappreciated specialness was hilarious. I suggested it was a generational book, and he looked for someone else.
Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022

***
Was it intentional hilarity, or accidental?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:40 AM (KAKDL)

177 I think a book or story about a "special snowflake" unappreciated by more ambitious accomplished young adults could be a great dark comedy. It's something a Woody Allen type could turn into a masterpiece.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:41 AM (Zzbjj)

178 Good observation. Roundabouts ave entered the discussion.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:17 AM (u82oZ)

John's original job was transportation planning. Then he discovered the (heavily C-DOT connected) manager was committing fraud in order to get C-DOT their desired outcome (a passenger train going up the mountains on I-70). When he quit he told the company president why. Company president axed that division (it was a new one, so hopefully not too much invested) and suddenly John went from a hot prospect in several towns' transportation offices to no one wanting to talk to him (did I mention that the manager had spent 20 years at C-DOT?).

So eventually John realized he needed to change fields and became a CPA which he liked much better anyway.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 10:41 AM (nC+QA)

179 Anyone with a career or expertise portrayed in film is likely going to hate that film, as Hollywood will always get it wrong.

The story in Hurt Locker is, well, terrible, in terms of how things really are. (Example: when Jeremy Renner picks up those 7 artillery rounds from the dirt pulling on the det cord - each of those weighs 100 pounds or so in real life). But the casting and characters are dead on. There were people in the film I could recognize - oh that guy worked for me, reminds me of so and so, I worked for a colonel just like that....

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 10:42 AM (pwExq)

180 as compared to Rudyard Kipling and "Kim" or even used-to-be-popular writers like James Clavell "King Rat" or Frazier's "Quartered Safe Out Here". What we know today is a pale imitation of the lives others lived once upon a time (not too long ago).

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 10:38 AM (FxoCZ)
---
That's why my non-fiction focuses on upper levels of military affairs: planning, training, organization and operational expertise. That's what I actually know.

Yes, I've heard the sound bullets make whizzing over your head but only because it was part of a training range. I'm the REMF-iest of all REMFs.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:42 AM (llXky)

181 Off to face the day. Thanks, Squirrel and fellow nuts.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, Sans-Culottes (except for the Book Thread) at December 18, 2022 10:42 AM (Dc2NZ)

182 174 re Lafferty:

When poking through his stories, do not miss "Primary Education of the Camiroi." And I've read Lafferty's "Seven Day Terror" to a few grade school audiences and it's always gone over well.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 18, 2022 10:39 AM (a/4+U)

"Camiroi" is a great one. I'm sure I read "Seven Day Terror" long ago and far away, but can't recall it right now.

I'll read it again today.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 10:43 AM (KLPy8)

183 Thank you S (w's a) for that excellent book report in an abandoned format. "And then the murders started," although popular here, seldom shows up in major journal book reviews any more. Pity, that.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 18, 2022 10:43 AM (jYCXf)

184 Was it intentional hilarity, or accidental?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:40 AM (KAKDL)

Completely serious, but I laughed and realized I was not the critic he was looking for. What ambitious MBA student could fail to be charmed by a mediocre psych major who worked as what used to be known as an orderly

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:43 AM (Zzbjj)

185 The Cuckoo's Calling is the first book in the CB Strike series. It is good to read them in order as characters change and grow.
I will be so interested in your opinion.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 10:43 AM (Y+l9t)

186 Who knew Barbie would be the best movie of 2023?

Based on its trailer, it will be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zIf0XvoL9Y

Strong writers/director. And Margot was born to play the role.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 10:44 AM (SJsWC)

187 The elevator pitch for it could be: "The crew of Firefly get dropped into the middle of the Shadow War from Babylon 5." I'm enjoying the heck out of it, more than any SF novel I've bought in many years. Unless Tchaikovsky blows the ending, I'm going to hunt for the next books in the series.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 09:19 AM

That......is one hell of an enticing blurb! "Shards of Earth", hmm.... *makes a quick detour over to Amazon*

Posted by: Castle Guy at December 18, 2022 10:45 AM (Lhaco)

188 I think a book or story about a "special snowflake" unappreciated by more ambitious accomplished young adults could be a great dark comedy. It's something a Woody Allen type could turn into a masterpiece.
Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:41 AM (Zzbjj)

So-o-o-o, "Catcher in the Rye" more or less, with the emphasis flipped.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 10:45 AM (KLPy8)

189 I think a book or story about a "special snowflake" unappreciated by more ambitious accomplished young adults could be a great dark comedy. It's something a Woody Allen type could turn into a masterpiece.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:41 AM (Zzbjj)
---
I started a treatment a few months ago about a comedy of errors regarding a transgender soldier who was merely trying to shirk duty. Basically a mockery of the modern military. I had to shelve it until my military retirement, which is at the end of this month.

Being free of the UCMJ opens up a whole new world for me.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:46 AM (llXky)

190 I continued John Bellairs' The Ghost in the Mirror. Thought it was going to be a dud because Rose Rita's adventures are slower builds than Lewis's. Then the roadtrip took a turn when Mrs. Zimmerman drove her '48 Pontiac through a tunnel into the winter of 1898.

I should have finished by now, but I'm in the middle of a water heater emergency. Unfortunately, I am not strong or stunning enough to close the stiff old faucet on the top of the tank.

Posted by: NaughtyPine at December 18, 2022 10:46 AM (/+bwe)

191 The irony is that if you believe in the Christian God,
then you are a special snowflake.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 10:46 AM (SJsWC)

192 Okay, gotta go to Mass. Thanks, Perfesser!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:47 AM (llXky)

193 NaturalFake, I love your description

"Again like many writers, he has a certain number of bees in his bonnet and they eventually get ossified into particular flight patterns in the later stuff."

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 10:47 AM (nC+QA)

194
I'm not very familiar with the succeeding series.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 10:34 AM (KAKDL)

The succeeding series were put up jobs by the producers to get big boobed women on the show so they could bed them.

DS Nine had good characters, but I was put off by their mystical stuff. Funny, you always see religions on Trek, but always alien, and given a reverential treatment. Nothing said about Earth religions.

Watched Enterprise and Voyager. Mostly for the casts, although the stories were ok.

Have not and will not watch any of the new fake Trek stuff. It seems its all predicated on destroying TOS and Shatner.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 10:47 AM (Angsy)

195 Pence is coming to our town on Tuesday. I actually considered going with a sign and standing outside the building. He isn't worth my time, though, and I'm pretty sure he either wouldn't see it or he wouldn't care.

Posted by: TecumsehTea-not a resident troll at December 18, 2022 10:47 AM (BjGT6)

196 My book club just got finished with Vonneguts Sirens of Titan. That won Vonnegut a Hugo. It's, well, weird. Like Vonnegut writes. I guess it is supposed to be satire but I describe it like this - he was working out his PTSD (pre Slaughterhouse 5) and its like a book length Beat poem.

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 10:47 AM (pwExq)

197 "transgender soldier who was merely trying to shirk duty. "

Like MASH's Klinger

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 18, 2022 10:48 AM (SJsWC)

198 "Seven Day Terror" is the one where the Willoughby kids make a disappearer. Funny as hell imho; the kids I've read it to always liked it (though a couple of references go right by 'em) and a delightful punch line. What's not to like?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 18, 2022 10:48 AM (a/4+U)

199 Should I start the SPQR series? "The King's Gambit" is available at my library right now.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 10:48 AM (FxoCZ)

200 So-o-o-o, "Catcher in the Rye" more or less, with the emphasis flipped.
Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 10:45 AM (KLPy

In a way, yes. But unlike Salinger, this guy's book was filled with repetitive misspellings and general ignorance of his options. A tribute to lack of self-awareness and anger.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:49 AM (Zzbjj)

201 Speaking of fiction . . .

Biden Makes Up Story About Awarding a Purple Heart

https://bit.ly/3HKTpWF

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:49 AM (FVME7)

202 I thought that library looked like the Bass Pro Shop.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 10:49 AM (Y+l9t)

203

Being free of the UCMJ opens up a whole new world for me.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:46 AM (llXky)

I look forward to this.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:50 AM (Zzbjj)

204 202 I thought that library looked like the Bass Pro Shop.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 10:49 AM (Y+l9t)

Yes, more rustic than gingerbread.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:51 AM (Zzbjj)

205 White House Continues Denying Rumors That Treasury Sec Janet Yellen Will Leave Position

-
We won't have Soccer Ball Head to kick around anymore?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:51 AM (FVME7)

206 @189 a comedy of errors regarding a transgender soldier who was merely trying to shirk duty.

Call me.

Posted by: Jameel Farah at December 18, 2022 10:52 AM (jYCXf)

207 I think a book or story about a "special snowflake" unappreciated by more ambitious accomplished young adults could be a great dark comedy. It's something a Woody Allen type could turn into a masterpiece.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:41 AM (Zzbjj)
=================
David McCullough (accomplished son of the great author) gave a memorable convocation speech a few years back at the Boston-area school where he teaches, the theme of which was "You Aren't Special".

My recollection is his speech provoked a heckuva backlash from the shocked kids who were getting the news for the first time ever, and their over-protective parents.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 10:52 AM (FxoCZ)

208 On the right lady those pants could make the lil general stand up and salute.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2022 10:54 AM (anj39)

209 199 Should I start the SPQR series? "The King's Gambit" is available at my library right now.
Posted by: Huck Follywood

YES!
Main character would fit right in with the Horde

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:54 AM (Kd4bG)

210 James Cameron Says Pregnant Women Being Shown as Hunters and Warriors in “Avatar: The Way of Water” Is a Step Forward for “Female Empowerment”

-
Yeah, pregnant ~~women~~ people have had it to damn good for too damn long!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:54 AM (FVME7)

211 Fish out of water stuck working in a psych ward?
In the hands of Leo Rosten, you get "Captain Newman." And that gets edited into "Airplane."

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 18, 2022 10:55 AM (jYCXf)

212 In a way, yes. But unlike Salinger, this guy's book was filled with repetitive misspellings and general ignorance of his options. A tribute to lack of self-awareness and anger.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:49 AM (Zzbjj)

At least he completed something. Lots of others say they're going to and don't complete it. If publishers had old style editors, maybe it could have turned into something worth being in print?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 10:56 AM (Angsy)

213 Who knew Barbie would be the best movie of 2023?

Based on its trailer, it will be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zIf0XvoL9Y

Calling it now. No way the movie lives up to the trailer.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2022 10:57 AM (nfrXX)

214 I just finished "Valley Forge" by Gingrich and Forstchen.
It was ok. Some of the writing was forced and lame but they made the story engaging enough to keep me reading. I am ashamed to say I live in a town named for Anthony Wayne and I had no idea who he was.

Posted by: TecumsehTea-not a resident troll at December 18, 2022 10:57 AM (BjGT6)

215 " I did not tell my mother that I was assigned to EOD until about 6 months into it. "

My father was a 68w so there was no hiding it. He gave me a copy of a combat medic paperback told me to read it and said, try not to get killed, your mom will be upset.

Posted by: Marcus T at December 18, 2022 10:57 AM (SAX5G)

216 Here's a quick recommendation: Breakfast With the Dirt Cult, a self-published novel by Samuel Finlay--I think all y'all Morons will really like this, published in 2012.

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 10:57 AM (5Xtai)

217 195 Pence , huh? Thought he died long ago

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2022 10:57 AM (xhxe8)

218 My recollection is his speech provoked a heckuva backlash from the shocked kids who were getting the news for the first time ever, and their over-protective parents.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 10:52 AM (FxoCZ)

Sad that they didn't find out sooner when the remedy was closer at hand. My husband was not one to tolerate specialness in my kids, and minced no words. I think this was because his parents were slow to push him, and he had to play catch up.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 10:58 AM (Zzbjj)

219 Sharon, I noticed I like your recs so I'm gonna have to read the latest Galbraith

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:58 AM (Kd4bG)

220 YES!
Main character would fit right in with the Horde
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 10:54 AM (Kd4bG)
=================
You think I should go to the library when I'm supposed to put away the outdoor furniture? Ok.....reluctantly, that's
just what I'll do. Thanks!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 10:59 AM (FxoCZ)

221 When he quit he told the company president why. Company president axed that division (it was a new one, so hopefully not too much invested) and suddenly John went from a hot prospect in several towns' transportation offices to no one wanting to talk to him (did I mention that the manager had spent 20 years at C-DOT?).

So eventually John realized he needed to change fields and became a CPA which he liked much better anyway.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 10:41 AM (nC+QA)

I wish I could be surprised that a competent, honest employee was undermined by a venal, cheating but plugged-in long-termer, but sadly, I'm not. T'is the way of this world. I very glad that John enjoyed being a CPA, so good came from this. Hope you are well!

Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022 11:00 AM (JrN/x)

222 NaturalFake, I love your description

"Again like many writers, he has a certain number of bees in his bonnet and they eventually get ossified into particular flight patterns in the later stuff."
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 10:47 AM (nC+QA)

*waves*

Hey Polliwog! Enjoyed meeting you at the TXMOME.

Thanks. Lots more great description in "Wearing the Cat" along with laughs, high and low, tears, tragedy, and redemption. To see if your kind of thing check out the very generous sample Amazon offers.

Hope your dino card game project is moving along smoothly!

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 11:00 AM (KLPy8)

223 Ok.....reluctantly, that's
just what I'll do. Thanks!
Posted by: Huck Follywood

Yeah, I'm ruthlessly twisting your arm. Do it!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 11:00 AM (Kd4bG)

224 James Cameron Says Pregnant Women Being Shown as Hunters and Warriors in “Avatar: The Way of Water” Is a Step Forward for “Female Empowerment”

-
Yeah, pregnant women people have had it to damn good for too damn long!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:54 AM (FVME7)
---
Amazon's Wheel of Time showed a pregnant woman kicking ass while in labor. It was as ridiculous as you can imagine.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 11:01 AM (BpYfr)

225 At least he completed something. Lots of others say they're going to and don't complete it. If publishers had old style editors, maybe it could have turned into something worth being in print?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at December 18, 2022 10:56 AM (Angsy)

Indeed, Max Perkins is dead.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 11:01 AM (Zzbjj)

226 Amazon's Wheel of Time showed a pregnant woman kicking ass while in labor. It was as ridiculous as you can imagine.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel

Oh yeah, I saw that. Laughed my uterus off.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 11:02 AM (Kd4bG)

227 My father was a 68w so there was no hiding it. He gave me a copy of a combat medic paperback told me to read it and said, try not to get killed, your mom will be upset.
Posted by: Marcus T at December 18, 2022 10:57 AM (SAX5G)

More than a few of us on here. Initial success or total failure!

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 11:02 AM (pwExq)

228 Prior to getting the tridemic a few weeks ago, I read Stephen King's latest, Fairy Tale. I am not a King fan. I don't enjoy the fact that he injects his politics loudly into his writing. He did it with this book as well, but I still enjoyed it. Because my interpretation was that truth overcame his prejudices whether he realized it or not. It was actually a good book and worth a library check-out. Plus, its central plot is about saving a dog, and that is always a good story.

Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022 11:03 AM (JrN/x)

229 . I guess it is supposed to be satire but I describe it like this - he was working out his PTSD (pre Slaughterhouse 5) and its like a book length Beat poem.

Posted by: blaster

Vonnegut was captured on the first or second day of the Battle of the Bulge, and as a POW was tasked with stacking corpses after the firebombing of Dresden. I'm surprised he could write as semi-coherently as he did.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 11:03 AM (VRkIV)

230 @213 Calling it now. No way the movie lives up to the trailer.

My god, the sequels. Think of the sequels.
Yet there is hope: I happen to know her head comes off.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 18, 2022 11:05 AM (jYCXf)

231 My book club just got finished with Vonneguts Sirens of Titan. That won Vonnegut a Hugo. It's, well, weird. Like Vonnegut writes. I guess it is supposed to be satire but I describe it like this - he was working out his PTSD (pre Slaughterhouse 5) and its like a book length Beat poem.
Posted by: blaster

I loved Vonnegut when I was young but now, although I still see the humor and creativity, he is simply too nihilistic to enjoy.

SPOILER ALERT!

In SOT, our hero and the entire human race go through numerous traumas for the last few thousand years solely for the purpose of allowing a crashed alien space on Titan to be repaired so that it can deliver message consisting of a single dot from one side of the universe to another. The single dot message may be translated as "Hello".

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 11:06 AM (FVME7)

232 Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022 11:03 AM (JrN/x)

I've become as biased against Stephen King as he is against me and my ilk.
Is it as good as Raymond Feist's Faerie Tale?

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 11:06 AM (Kd4bG)

233 Mr Johnson,
I look forward to reading your books. I just finished reading another author's stories of his year flying the Skyraider in Vietnam and found it quite interesting.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2022 11:08 AM (anj39)

234 >>> 178 Good observation. Roundabouts ave entered the discussion.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 18, 2022 10:17 AM (u82oZ)

John's original job was transportation planning. Then he discovered the (heavily C-DOT connected) manager was committing fraud in order to get C-DOT their desired outcome (a passenger train going up the mountains on I-70). When he quit he told the company president why. Company president axed that division (it was a new one, so hopefully not too much invested) and suddenly John went from a hot prospect in several towns' transportation offices to no one wanting to talk to him (did I mention that the manager had spent 20 years at C-DOT?).

So eventually John realized he needed to change fields and became a CPA which he liked much better anyway.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 10:41 AM (nC+QA)

One of many reasons why I laugh whenever my employers send out the latest round of corporate training including the "ethics" type courses, in which they insist the retaliation for reporting is strictly forbidden and the rules apply to everyone!!

Sure, Jan.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at December 18, 2022 11:08 AM (llON8)

235 Vonnegut was captured on the first or second day of the Battle of the Bulge, and as a POW was tasked with stacking corpses after the firebombing of Dresden. I'm surprised he could write as semi-coherently as he did.
Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 11:03 AM (VRkIV)
============
The confusing "Slaughterhouse 5" is best read as a sort of PTSD in print, I think, and his catch-phrase "So it goes" being his fatalistic mental defense mechanism.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 11:09 AM (FxoCZ)

236 Prior to getting the tridemic a few weeks ago, I read Stephen King's latest, Fairy Tale. I am not a King fan. I don't enjoy the fact that he injects his politics loudly into his writing. He did it with this book as well, but I still enjoyed it. Because my interpretation was that truth overcame his prejudices whether he realized it or not. It was actually a good book and worth a library check-out. Plus, its central plot is about saving a dog, and that is always a good story.
Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022

***
That's the one I'm starting. I do my best to ignore his politics in his stories -- they are usually just comments by one character or another, not essential to the plot. And he still tells a hell of a story.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 11:10 AM (KAKDL)

237 The confusing "Slaughterhouse 5" is best read as a sort of PTSD in print, I think, and his catch-phrase "So it goes" being his fatalistic mental defense mechanism.

Posted by: Huck Follywood

Agreed.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 11:10 AM (VRkIV)

238 VMom, you need to start with book 1, The Cuckoo's Calling. The main character, Cormoran Strike's back story is critical to all six books and introduces the other main character, Robin Ellacot. She writes both male and female characters equally well and I think it is why she wrote under a pseudonym.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:11 AM (Y+l9t)

239 One of Vonneguts catchphrases is "and so it goes." Not sure when that came in his writing but in SOT he posits a Church of God the Utterly Indifferent. You could wrap the philosophy up as "shit happens".

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 11:11 AM (pwExq)

240 >>> 210 James Cameron Says Pregnant Women Being Shown as Hunters and Warriors in "Avatar: The Way of Water" Is a Step Forward for "Female Empowerment"

-
Yeah, pregnant ~~women~~ people have had it to damn good for too damn long!
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 10:54 AM (FVME7)

You're still an asshole, Jim.

Posted by: Gale Ann Hurd at December 18, 2022 11:12 AM (llON8)

241
I've become as biased against Stephen King as he is against me and my ilk.
Is it as good as Raymond Feist's Faerie Tale?
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 11:06 AM (Kd4bG)

It's been so long since I read Feist that I have no memory of that book. I'm with you - I think King is a jerk in his prejudice - and there is some in Fairy Tale. But I was truly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I still put it down a couple of times to calm down - some very gratuitous anti-Christian statements that did not advance the story.( A good editor would have shut him down on those, but no one edits King anymore these days.) But...in spite of himself, the story was a triumph of moral, freedom loving individuals against the tyranny of the elite, perverted few.

Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (JrN/x)

242 Well, it's official. Elon Musk is Emmanuel Goldstein.

DC Comics Reportedly Encouraging Creators to Protest Elon Musk’s Purchase of Twitter by Moving to Hive

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (FVME7)

243 Not much reading this week, I'll blame holiday preparations because no one here can call me out on that. Reading Napoleon and His Marshalls by A. G. McDonald and i is GREAT. Very well written, one of the marshall's early career is dismissed because he was luck enough to face Lord so and so, the only opponent he could possibly have eaten. The battles are sketched out in broad strokes so you know what the grand strategy involved was and why the victory or defeat came about but without getting bogged down with minute by minute details of what each individual unit did.

Posted by: who knew at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (4I7VG)

244 Hope you are well!

Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022 11:00 AM (JrN/x)

We are well, thank you. Are you fully recovered from your surgery?

John originally studied Civil Engineering because he "was good at math" and that's where the guidance counselor directed him. Turns out, all the math for CE was done long ago. Accounting would have been a better idea from the start, but we trusted thr "experts".

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (nC+QA)

245 I had to shelve it until my military retirement, which is at the end of this month.

Being free of the UCMJ opens up a whole new world for me.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 18, 2022 10:46 AM (llXky)
***

Congrats on the retirement.

Posted by: Diogenes at December 18, 2022 11:14 AM (anj39)

246 Yet there is hope: I happen to know her head comes off.

And the arms and legs can be swapped left for right so the boobs are on the back? C'mon, tell me that there's a little brother who didn't do that.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2022 11:14 AM (nfrXX)

247 I try to sing the alphabet as we used to do in second grade: "A, B, G, D, er, H, W, Z, . . . H, damnit!
Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:33 AM (VRkIV)

Well, there is this Aleph Bet by Victoria Hanna . . .

https://youtu.be/Bl1epz3tSSA

(she also does lectures on learning Hebrew, but I find she is weird like Nina Hagen)

Posted by: Kindltot at December 18, 2022 11:14 AM (xhaym)

248 Well, it's official. Elon Musk is Emmanuel Goldstein.

DC Comics Reportedly Encouraging Creators to Protest Elon Musk’s Purchase of Twitter by Moving to Hive
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (FVME7)
================
my admiration for Orwell as anticipator of lefty mob politics grows all the time.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 11:16 AM (FxoCZ)

249 But...in spite of himself, the story was a triumph of moral, freedom loving individuals against the tyranny of the elite, perverted few.
Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (JrN/x)
---
Good authors can put aside some of their own personal preferences in service of the story. If King feels that the outcome he selected was the *right* one for the story, regardless of his own personal politics, then good for him.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 11:16 AM (BpYfr)

250 238 VMom, you need to start with book 1, The Cuckoo's Calling.
***

I think I've read up to book 5.
It's just that I heard that book 6 uses the trope of right is full of white supremacists which made me not want to try it.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at December 18, 2022 11:16 AM (Kd4bG)

251 "Becalmed in Hell" - A couple of astronauts (well one and a half astronauts--it's a bit complicated) are trapped on Venus and have to find a way to escape.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 09:15 AM (BpYfr)

I remember that story. Very clever, it is.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 18, 2022 11:17 AM (tkR6S)

252 Did y'all notice that part, above, re: Unsung--we are splitting 50% of profit from sales with Navy Special Operations Foundation and EOD Warrior Foundation, both 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that serve the families of deceased and wounded EOD warriors from all four branches of the military. Nice thought. . . .

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 11:17 AM (5Xtai)

253 I'm really peeved at whoever posted that trailer link.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:17 AM (Y+l9t)

254 I think Vonnegut took the wrong lesson from the success of S-5.

His next book "Slap Stick" took the episodic, absurdist form of S-5 along with an oft-repeated catchphrase "HI-HO!" without the strength of story and humanity einherent in S-5. Which is a work of genius.

It felt more or less like a hate letter to his fans like Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories".

Sad.

Posted by: naturalfake at December 18, 2022 11:17 AM (KLPy8)

255 willowed and OT -
Predicted high for Wed is -6 for me. -31 for the low Thursday night. Welcome to Montana!
Posted by: free tibet at December 18, 2022 11:17 AM (iNp3L)

Posted by: free tibet at December 18, 2022 11:19 AM (iNp3L)

256 Accounting would have been a better idea from the start, but we trusted thr "experts".
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (nC+QA)

I know! I got Accounting for Dummies and after reading it, realized forensic accounting would have been the perfect fit for me. A little late now at double 29, but I'm enjoying learning something new.

Recovery was very slow, but oddly enough, the coughing from this monstrous viral hydra has helped to strength my abdominal muscles, which were cut all to bits in the procedure!

Posted by: Moki at December 18, 2022 11:20 AM (JrN/x)

257 253 I'm really peeved at whoever posted that trailer link.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:17 AM (Y+l9t)
============
blame TJM! He did it!

I've only watched it ten times. Or maybe more. No way Robbie really looks like that.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 18, 2022 11:20 AM (FxoCZ)

258 Another quick recommendation: before a recent trip to Iceland, wife and I read Jar City: A Reykjavik Thriller, by Arnaldur Indridason, and since then we've read two more of his novels. Dark, dark stuff, but so well done. . .

Posted by: FIIGMO at December 18, 2022 11:21 AM (5Xtai)

259 Oh, VMom, she goes after everyone online in the book. I even recognized some of us.
Try to get the hard copy. I read an e copy and it is very difficult to read the online conversations. She explains in the preface that it was easier to do with a paper copy. The book is longer and more complex and so different style wise from anything else I've read that I can't imagine the mind that thought it up.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:23 AM (Y+l9t)

260 The white supremacists ar really nazi white supremacists, not conservatives.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:25 AM (Y+l9t)

261 DC Comics Reportedly Encouraging Creators to Protest Elon Musk’s Purchase of Twitter by Moving to Hive
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (FVME7)

What does that mean?

Posted by: polynikes at December 18, 2022 11:26 AM (dQoNW)

262 259. Someone is writing about the Horde?

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 11:26 AM (Zzbjj)

263 DC Comics Reportedly Encouraging Creators to Protest Elon Musk’s Purchase of Twitter by Moving to Hive
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 11:13 AM (FVME7)

What does that mean?
Posted by: polynikes at December 18, 2022 11:26 AM (dQoNW)
---
Probably going to create a Lex Luthor-type supervillain using Musk's likeness...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 11:27 AM (BpYfr)

264 Also, I learned the words "vermifuge" and "scintillationibus", but I am struggling to use both in the same sentence. Well, other than that last sentence.
Posted by: fd at December 18, 2022 09:47 AM (iayUP)

The correct vermifuge ends the scintillationibus dance of the offending parasites.

"he collapsed with a scinilationibus quiver, like a cestoda drenched with a verifuge; with similar benefit to the world."

Posted by: Kindltot at December 18, 2022 11:28 AM (xhaym)

265 260 The white supremacists ar really nazi white supremacists, not conservatives.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:25 AM (Y+l9t)

So writer is using the antifa handbook idea of "nazis" to besmirch conservatives. As much as I hate Alcoff, he did research his tactics

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 11:28 AM (Zzbjj)

266 Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 11:27 AM (BpYfr)

Roger that. Psychopaths. All of them.

Posted by: polynikes at December 18, 2022 11:28 AM (dQoNW)

267 Apologies for all the typos in my comment above, Where is a good editor when you need one.

Posted by: who knew at December 18, 2022 11:28 AM (4I7VG)

268 (she also does lectures on learning Hebrew, but I find she is weird like Nina Hagen)

Posted by: Kindltot

Thank you for the link, K.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 11:29 AM (VRkIV)

269 "Basically a mockery of the modern military. I had to shelve it until my military retirement, which is at the end of this month. "

So- a sequel to Three Weeks with The Coasties?😂

Posted by: Marcus T at December 18, 2022 11:29 AM (SAX5G)

270 What does that mean?
Posted by: polynikes

The Hive is a far leftist social media site.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 11:29 AM (FVME7)

271 I've only watched it ten times. Or maybe more. No way Robbie really looks like that.

Used to be you could only believe what you saw with your own eyes. Now with digital image tech, you can't even do that. Still, Robbie is not the star of that trailer. The little girl with glasses steals it.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2022 11:30 AM (nfrXX)

272 It felt more or less like a hate letter to his fans

There may well be much in what you have to say.
I 'met' him once, at a small-college reading, and behind a literati facade he was clearly nobody's sweetheart. A man with issues, but they were The Big Issues, back then.

He had taken to signing autographs with a little "star" motif appended, and fans did not have to ask to have it explained that it represented a sphincter.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 18, 2022 11:30 AM (jYCXf)

273 The mystery revolves around people who spend most of their lives on line living an anonymous fantasy life.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:30 AM (Y+l9t)

274 The mystery revolves around people who spend most of their lives on line living an anonymous fantasy life.

Don't know anybody like that. Nope. Nope.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2022 11:32 AM (nfrXX)

275 "he collapsed with a scinilationibus quiver, like a cestoda drenched with a verifuge; with similar benefit to the world."
Posted by: Kindltot at December 18, 2022 11:28 AM (xhaym)

owie owie owie!

Posted by: Kindltot's Autocucumber at December 18, 2022 11:33 AM (PiwSw)

276 Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks Now With Pumpkin Spice! at December 18, 2022 11:29 AM (FVME7)

Thanks. Never heard of it. You should always be aware of what the enemy is up to. Disappointed I was unaware.

Posted by: polynikes at December 18, 2022 11:33 AM (dQoNW)

277 CN, don't know where you got that from my comment. She goes after far left, far right, dope smoking free love hippies, socialists, capitalists, you name it. I did not see any political bias against any one tribe. They all contribute to the chaos that is the internet. I think that's her point.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:36 AM (Y+l9t)

278 The formatting of Vonnegut's books allowed me to read them whilst driving across country several times. So, there's that.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 11:38 AM (VRkIV)

279 Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:36 AM (Y+l9t)

The reason I dislike writing as though that person is above it all and bashes everyone is that criticism shouldn't be shared equally. One side is far worse than the other.

Posted by: polynikes at December 18, 2022 11:40 AM (dQoNW)

280 @swa so these Rowling mysteries are aimed at adult audiences?

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 11:42 AM (pwExq)

281 "Becalmed in Hell" - A couple of astronauts (well one and a half astronauts--it's a bit complicated) are trapped on Venus and have to find a way to escape.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 09:15 AM (BpYfr)

I remember that story. Very clever, it is.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at December 18, 2022

***
Niven only wrote 2 or maybe 3 stories about Eric the "Donovan's Brain" and his human partner exploring the Solar System as it was then known to be. HIs first sale, in fact, was an Eric story where they visit Mercury, which was thought in 1964 always to turn one face to the sun. He sent it in to Fred Pohl, who accepted it. Then the news came out that Mercury does rotate. The young Niven asked if he should send the check back.

Pohl pretty much told him, "Don't even think about it." The story ran as written.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 11:42 AM (KAKDL)

282 Umm, yes, and no. Especially, no. But, yes.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at December 18, 2022 11:45 AM (IyrhE)

283 Just finished the prologue of the book I'm reading...75 pages down, 834 to go!

Hope to have it done by next Sunday...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 11:45 AM (BpYfr)

284 @swa so these Rowling mysteries are aimed at adult audiences?
Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022

***
I get that impression too (though her Harry Potters can be enjoyed by grownups too). What I am hoping, from comments here, is that they are true, fairly-clued, thunderbolt-surprise mysteries in the Ellery Queen mold. So many "cozies" I've run across in recent years are flabby things, all involving female amateur detectives who run a bookstore or other business in a small town, and with cats wedged into the story so they can be on the paperback cover.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 18, 2022 11:46 AM (KAKDL)

285 White House Continues Denying Rumors That Treasury Sec Janet Yellen Will Leave Position
-
We won't have Soccer Ball Head to kick around anymore?
Posted by:

I hope not, I still have my marker on "President Yellen Impeached for a second time but with no conviction early 2024"

Posted by: Kindltot at December 18, 2022 11:46 AM (xhaym)

286 Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:36 AM (Y+l9t)

I got that idea form this line: 259 Oh, VMom, she goes after everyone online in the book. I even recognized some of us.

I interpreted "some of us" to mean some of us.

Posted by: CN at December 18, 2022 11:48 AM (Zzbjj)

287 Up early, got food, puked LOL. Recovered, went to Commissary, back home. Did some Navy work, send a veiled nasty letter to a few people. Now watching the World Cup. How did France come back?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 18, 2022 11:52 AM (Irn0L)

288 I read all the Potter books, found them compelling once started, and only maybe 1 movie had seen first

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2022 11:52 AM (xhxe8)

289 800 pages? Pffft, a days reading if that.

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2022 11:54 AM (xhxe8)

290 @287 Very slowly, then all at once, France Mbappe'd back.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at December 18, 2022 11:54 AM (jYCXf)

291 I interpreted "some of us" to mean some of us.

If she has a character named "Lucy van Pelt's Sybian," we'll know who she means.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 18, 2022 11:54 AM (nfrXX)

292 I read "Notes from the Velvet Underground" by Howard Sounes. It's a biography of Lou Reed, using interviews of practically everyone who knew him. Sounes is clearly a fan, but he doesn't spare the criticism and there was a lot to criticize about ol' Lou. There's a reason Reed is most commonly referred to as "prick."

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at December 18, 2022 11:55 AM (cq4C8)

293 willowed and OT -
Predicted high for Wed is -6 for me. -31 for the low Thursday night. Welcome to Montana!
Posted by: free tibet at December 18, 2022 11:17 AM (iNp3L)
Posted by: free tibet at December 18, 2022 11:19 AM (iNp3L)

Quit making me homesick!

Posted by: Beartooth at December 18, 2022 11:58 AM (PX01u)

294 To those who asked, I actually like everything. I'm not the biggest fan of fantasy or sci-fi, but I never avoid a genre! I don't buy fiction in general because I'm already drowning in homeschool books.

Posted by: Catherine at December 18, 2022 11:58 AM (ZSsrh)

295 Yes, these are books for grown ups. This is not a romance novel. I think her style is unique. I will be very curious to see what those of you who read the series think.
There is no formulaic process. I can't imagine the outline of this story it is so complex and there are online anonymous characters but who have full personalities online as well as the mystery being solved by the main characters.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 18, 2022 11:59 AM (Y+l9t)

296 800 pages? Pffft, a days reading if that.
Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2022 11:54 AM (xhxe

---
*sigh* more true than you know...The first time I read this book it took me two days only because I needed a break to mentally digest everything that happened up until the midpoint...I very nearly took a day off work to read it...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 18, 2022 11:59 AM (BpYfr)

297 I do find that I'm not reading as much or as quickly as I used to. Part of the problem is that most of the books I get are just not that engaging -- the Tchaikovsky book mentioned above is a conspicuous exception. Too often it feels like work.

Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 12:01 PM (QZxDR)

298 Damn Argentina

Posted by: goatexchange at December 18, 2022 12:02 PM (APPN8)

299 I do find that I'm not reading as much or as quickly as I used to. Part of the problem is that most of the books I get are just not that engaging -- the Tchaikovsky book mentioned above is a conspicuous exception. Too often it feels like work.
Posted by: Trimegistus at December 18, 2022 12:01 PM (QZxDR)

I am reading two books right now, one a recollection of a guy who homesteaded in Alaska in the 40's, a Patrick O'Brian book, and I still get bogged down. I am tempted to drop them both and get onto the Monster Hunter book instead.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 18, 2022 12:04 PM (xhaym)

300 I read "Jesus and the Essenes" by Dolores Cannon.
It was a captivating read, at the heart of it is the doctrine of reincarnation, a concept of which I am only vaguely familiar. Of course, reincarnation is heresy in Christianity, but the Essenes were were an obscure and isolated sect.
I have read that any references to reincarnation were stricken from the gospels during the council of Nicaea.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at December 18, 2022 12:04 PM (jTmQV)

301 287 Up early, got food, puked. Captain, sounds like the old Marine Aviator breakfast of coffee, two cigarettes, and a barf.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2022 12:05 PM (lz5hY)

302 I have read many 800 page books, just like a 300 page one page at a time

Posted by: Skip at December 18, 2022 12:05 PM (xhxe8)

303 Up early, got food, puked. Captain, sounds like the old Marine Aviator breakfast of coffee, two cigarettes, and a barf.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2022 12:05 PM (lz5hY)

That is my old morning routine. Buy baking soda to rinse the bile out of your mouth, and think about getting a different career. It is an indication you won't live to spend your pension.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 18, 2022 12:07 PM (xhaym)

304 In the Peanuts comic strip Lucy was named after Louanne Van Pelt, a former neighbor of Charles Schulz in Colorado Springs and, according to David Michaelis of Time Magazine, was modeled after Schulz's first wife, Joyce.

Posted by: Random facts at December 18, 2022 12:08 PM (DhOHl)

305 It is an indication you won't live to spend your pension.
Posted by: Kindltot at December 18, 2022 12:07 PM (xhaym)

Since I came in late, with a Waiver, I can not do 20. Will top out at 16 years at 69. I've loved almost every minute of it. And about life? I'll leave that in G-D's hands

Posted by: Nevergiveup at December 18, 2022 12:14 PM (Irn0L)

306 Started watching October Faction on Prime which seems to be somewhat like Monster Hunters International but they started Teh Ghey very heavy in episode 1. They are supposed to wait until ep 5 when you are already invested.

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 12:16 PM (pwExq)

307 305 Captain, even with sixteen years you could write a book. Maybe "Dentist and Commander of All the Blue, or, How I Tolerated the Assholes at BuMed (barely)".

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at December 18, 2022 12:19 PM (lz5hY)

308 With regard to university presses, the University of Wisconsin Press publishes quite a few books on Spain and the Spanish Civil War. Among their publications is "Franco: A Personal and Political Biography", by Stanley G. Payne and Jesús Palacios, which I read recently and found to be excellent. Payne is generally considered to be a conservative, but he doesn´t let his personal politics color his view of Franco - the biography is even-handed and deeply informative.

Posted by: Nemo at December 18, 2022 12:22 PM (S6ArX)

309 Whew...content, content, content!

'I had forgotten all about Robinson Crusoe. One of these days I'll have to get around to reading it.'
--

Do. I disremember which book it was that had a character who stated, 'All that I need to know in life, I learned from reading Robinson Crusoe'.

Last week (inspired by Miklos) I re-read 'Johnny Tremain'. I'm glad I did, it recalled an active childhood interest in the nation's history. Also finished my annual re-read of 'A Christmas Carol'. I always find something new in the latter, every year. Also finished the 9th in the 'Lord Ramage', Pope, series. The Ramage novels are entertaining if one has a nautical bent.

Currently reading (still) 'Japan at War', Cook, and will finish that before I take up 'at First Light', Larimore.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2022 12:32 PM (S5P0o)

310 Bunch a no nooders. Nood.

Posted by: blaster at December 18, 2022 12:33 PM (pwExq)

311 "Hey, hey, Paula . . . I wanna . . . You . . . "

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 12:37 PM (VRkIV)

312 Look, Paula, Sarah titillates with cash. Be better.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 18, 2022 12:41 PM (59Ws+)

313 If you've not read his "Children of Time" or "Children of Ruin" yet, you simply must.

Posted by: Sharkman at December 18, 2022 09:42 AM

A story that features giant intelligent spiders gets a hard pass from me.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at December 18, 2022 01:00 PM (iZEhM)

314 We did not get to the O. Henry DVD -- too busy eating and chatting -- but I'm second in line to borrow it.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 18, 2022 01:51 PM (Om/di)

315 What up, fellow morons? Didn't get a chance to chime in last week, but big thanks to Perfessor Squirrel for doing great work (AND announcing the next entry in my Paxton Locke series!)

J. Wamsley, not sure of your handle here on the HQ, but I appreciate the review you left for Fade. Fair points all, and I hope the things you didn't like about the first book don't keep you from checking out the following entries. There are a few things I'd go back and polish or flesh out if I rewrote, and you nailed most of them.

-Daniel Humphreys AKA Emile Antoon Khadaji

Posted by: Emile Antoon Khadaji at December 18, 2022 04:55 PM (kq79J)

316 Can anyone recommend books for boys aged 7 to about 14 either non fiction or fiction. The only thing I can think of is the Hardy Boys because I cannot recall what my son read at that age, and some of the books in public school are-not surprisingly-rubbish and left wing. Thanks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 18, 2022 05:23 PM (Xebbf)

317 Can anyone recommend books for boys aged 7 to about 14 either non fiction or fiction. The only thing I can think of is the Hardy Boys because I cannot recall what my son read at that age, and some of the books in public school are-not surprisingly-rubbish and left wing. Thanks.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 18, 2022 05:23 PM (Xebbf)

At the younger end of that range, I'd strongly recommend the Encyclopedia Brown mysteries. There are a ton of them, they require logic and common sense, invoke good values (and hence, there's no wokeness. Good for boys and girls. I think I read them up until age 10 or so.

Posted by: LASue at December 18, 2022 05:33 PM (Ed8Zd)

318 Thanks very much, LASue.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 18, 2022 05:47 PM (sp1zn)

319 John Bellairs books are aimed squarely at that cohort. And, of course, for the classics go for Robert A. Heinlein's juveniles. "Citizen of the Galaxy", "Have Spacesuit, Will Travel" and "Time for the Stars" are a few of the titles that spring to mind. Another series that I would recommend are L. M. Boston's "Greene Knowe" books.

Posted by: John F. MacMichael at December 18, 2022 07:31 PM (DoysP)

320 And, on the non-fiction front, "Two Years Before the Mast" is a classic sea story. Or, for those into military history, Xenophon's "Anabasis" (also known as "The March of the Ten Thousand"). It is a first hand account of how a Greek mercenary army was hired by a rebel Persian prince. When their employer was killed in battle their native allies deserted them and they were cut off deep in a hostile empire. Then their commanders were murdered by treachery. Xenophon was one of the junior officers who rallied the troops and led them as they fought their way out.

Posted by: John F. MacMichael at December 18, 2022 07:41 PM (DoysP)

321 The Magic Tree House books. Good for boys and girls. My sons also went through the Animorphs series.

I don't know of anything from the past few years.

Posted by: Weak Geek at December 18, 2022 07:44 PM (Om/di)

322 Just finished book 30 in the Bob's Saucer Repair series. Jerry Boyd has been writing a book every six weeks or so for almost 3 years and I wait impatiently for each. What happens when a galactic hottie's saucer breaks down and she falls in love with the Missouri Hillbilly who fixes it? The series is lighthearted, very funny, immensely enjoyable, and very serious about what it takes to be a good person. Way, way above many of the other multi-book series now appearing on Amazon. And, if you've got a Kindle, you can read the whole series free on Kindle Unlimited.

Posted by: Mark Waldman at December 19, 2022 06:05 AM (GrDD3)

323 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..... https://makehorny69.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Ashley Mason at December 20, 2022 12:18 AM (09Ser)

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