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Sunday Morning Book Thread - 01-21-2024 ["Perfessor" Squirrel]
Like Castle Guy, I'll remove the dust jacket of hardcover books while I'm reading them and put them back on the book when I'm finished reading them. This does prevent the dust jacket from sustaining damage. I don't know how much actual "protection" they provide to the books while they are on the shelves. They do give the books a very nice visual appearance, especially from a distance. However, when you get closer, you can often note the small tears and creases the dust jackets have sustained over time. For those of you who are serious about protecting dust jackets, you can purchase Mylar and wrap the book covers in that to really add a layer of protection. The advantage of this method is that you can tape the Mylar to itself in such a way as to keep the cover intact on the book even as you are reading it. The book cover itself will then be protected even as it's protecting the book. This is, in fact, what public libraries do to their books so that they can lend them out to numerous patrons over the years or decades. I've seriously considered it.
Here's another question for the Horde: Dust jackets; yea or nay? I tend to keep my dust jackets, because books that come with them tend to be very plain (or even un-labeled) without them. But, I take off the dust jacket whenever I actually read a book, because the jacket tends to slide around in my grip, and get bent/crumpled if it doesn't remain perfectly aligned with the real cover. This means that at any given time I have a pile of empty dust jackets cluttering one of my shelves.... Posted by: Castle Guy at January 07, 2024 10:13 AM (Lhaco)
MORON RECOMMENDATIONS
Hail to the guardian of the sacred Book Thread! I have a new book out, Book 2 in the Red Wolf series. Red Wolf: Scout Part 1 (It is serialized, so this is part 1 of Book 2.) More fun for a SF-wannabe in an alternate timeline Asia that went even worse than ours! Chases, escapes, trying to explain the concept of swimsuits to people who don't know how to swim ... and unexpected uses for a modern travel guide combined with a reluctant geology degree. May contain confused Buddhist monk medics, too. Thanks for all you do! Sabrina Chase
Comment: The idea of a detective solving a crime while in a sickbed is hardly new. It does give an interesting twist because the detective's normal resources and skills become limited in key ways that inhibit his ability to solve the crime. He can't visit the crime scene except through proxies. He can only evaluate evidence directly if it's brought to him. He may or may not be able to tap into human sources of information that are usually at his disposal. On the other hand, he does have a lot of time to think about and reflect on the crime, thus he can channel his energy in other productive ways. In the book described above, the extra challenge is that the murders took place centuries ago. There are no contemporary eyewitnesses. Most of the evidence has been lost, either destroyed deliberately or simply disappeared via the vagaries of time and neglect.
What can you do to pass the time if you are a policeman laid up in hospital with a broken leg? Why not solve a centuries old cold case? This is the plotline of The Daughter of Time, the last novel by Josephine Tey, a book mentioned here a few months back. Detective Alan Grant needs something to occupy his mind while he heals, and becomes interested in the infamous killing of the Plantagenet boys in the Tower of London during the War of the Roses, officially blamed on Richard III. Grant's friends provide him with documents from the time that contradict the official story, and he collates them and ties the clues together. This novel reminds me slightly of Hunters Lodge by Agatha Christie, where the crime is solved from a sickbed. The clues in Tey's story come from actual historical documents, and provide convincing evidence that Richard was innocent of the murders, and in fact the likely murderer was Henry Tudor. This story sneaks up on the reader, becoming more interesting as it goes. No wonder it was voted the best UK crime story of the last century. Grant slowly builds his case fact by fact, until it seems certain that Richard has been blamed for 500 years for a Tudor crime. Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 14, 2024 09:06 AM (ec9mh)
Comment: I'd say that most books worth reading fall into the category of "excellent read with some frustrating flaws." It's very difficult to find the "perfect" read, after all. In this case, it looks like the book was written by a medical doctor-turned-author, which may account for some of the flaws. Although the author has had success with previous novels and has gone through numerous writing workshops, it's possible that the "clinical" nature of the doctor's training may creep in from time to time. Science fiction authors who are engineers first and foremost tend to suffer the same problems with their writing, no matter how awesome the story is. They don't always handle characters very well.
I have been reading Cutting For Stone, by Abraham Verghese for a while. It wonderfully written, but the characters are hit and miss. Some are described well, with real depth, but others seem like caricatures. And the book veers into reportage, which is okay because the topics are fascinating, but still... Anyway, I finished it a few days ago and I think I can recommend it as an excellent read with some frustrating flaws. Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 14, 2024 11:00 AM (EXR5U)
Comment: I'm not Catholic, but I know many of you folks are Catholic. One of my dearest friends is Catholic. Note that the "outrageous calumnies issued against the Church" tends to go both ways. Protestants don't always regard the Catholics in high regard and vice versa. Many of the mainline Protestant denominations seem to have lost their way these days. But the Catholic Church also has some problems it needs to address (Pope Francis?). ANY organization that is managed by humans is going to be flawed eventually, no matter how noble it was intended to be from the beginning. I say live and let live with respect to my Catholic brothers in faith, and please do me the courtesy of allowing me to pursue my own Christian spiritual journey in peace. More Moron-recommended reading material can be found HERE! (1000+ Moron-recommended books!)
And last but not least, reading Trent Horn's The Case for Catholicism, Classic and Contemporary Answers to Protestant Objections. Horn is an excellent Catholic apologist who has Masters Degrees in Theology, Philosophy and Bioethics. He's a very good writer and a very, very deep thinker, indeed, who explains things very calmly and clearly and without animosity even when presented with the most outrageous Protestant calumnies issued against the Church. Posted by: Sharkman at January 14, 2024 09:54 AM (/RHNq)
In the epilogue of Book 4, one of the characters promises to share his life story with another character. Well, Midnight Tides is that story, more or less. We now move to an entirely different continent that is far distant from the Malazan Empire. A new war is heating up between the Tiste Edur and the expansionist Letherites to their south. It is still tied into the overarching narrative of the series, however. I'll be interested to see exactly how this fits into the Malazan storylines in the previous four books. For some reason, I get a weird Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim vibe from this book as it involves a war between a corrupt empire and Nordic-style tribes ruled by a king who has harnessed mysterious powers. The book was published several years before Skyrim was released.
WHAT I'VE ACQUIRED THIS PAST WEEK: I do have a couple of books added to my library this week:- Secret Project Book 1 - Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson -- Two independent recommendations convinced me to purchase this book. I decided to go ahead and get the rest of the books in this series as well. Each is an independent story. the "Secret Project" name just refers to the way Sanderson ran his kickstarter campaign to fund these book projects.
- Secret Project Book 2 - The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson
- Secret Project Book 3 - Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson -- This one seems to have garnered negative reactions from Horde members who have attempted it, but I'm willing to give it a shot.
Disclaimer: No Morons were harmed in the making of this Sunday Morning Book Thread. One poor soul was forcibly ejected from his awesome library/man cave under mysterious circumstances...
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
Wait til next week!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:02 AM (Angsy)
2
hiya
Posted by: JT at January 21, 2024 09:02 AM (T4tVD)
3
Good morning fellow Book threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading. Mine included a lot of Tolkien. (Obligatory mention)
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:02 AM (zudum)
4
Pants guy just wants the ladies to play Twister. I'm hip to his trickery.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:03 AM (OX9vb)
5
I read an excerpt from a novel by Norrin Radd. That's about it.
On A Literary Horde.
(still open for business)
On A Literary Horde.
(still open for business)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:04 AM (Angsy)
6
Hello, fellow bibliophiliacs!
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:04 AM (+RQPJ)
7
Nooded.
Morning all.
Started this morning out with cat yak in front of my chair. Good thing my shoes were there to catch about half of it.
Off to content.
Morning all.
Started this morning out with cat yak in front of my chair. Good thing my shoes were there to catch about half of it.
Off to content.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:05 AM (slFzJ)
8
Tolle Lege
Still working reading Alexander Mikaberize's German Liberation War of 1813 , it's 2nd part of a Russian Artillery officer Memoirs
Still working reading Alexander Mikaberize's German Liberation War of 1813 , it's 2nd part of a Russian Artillery officer Memoirs
Posted by: Skip at January 21, 2024 09:05 AM (fwDg9)
9
Going to be busy so I'll just leave this here: If you've not read Paul Johnson's Intellectuals, consider putting it on your list. It's awesome.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 09:05 AM (H5IZ1)
10
In "Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires", theorist Douglas Rushkoff relates how he was summoned to a posh desert retreat far away from the lumpenproles to let a handful of uberwealthy techbros pick his brain regarding how to survive The Event.
This event could be nuclear, environmental, societal, solar flare, grey goo, whatever. How best to insulate themselves from the coming collapse? One fellow had secured the services of a dozen Navy SEALs to converge on his compound when he gave the bat signal. But how to ensure these burly alpha ruffians obeyed orders and didn't just take over the redoubt themselves?
Shock collars?
These are the new feudal lords. Remember when technology was going to unite us? Information wants to be free, man! *bong rip*
Rushkoff tried to steer them toward a more communal approach where denizens of the compound were members contributing toward the common welfare, who wanted to assist each other, but he got glassy-eyed stares.
So, shock collars then?
This event could be nuclear, environmental, societal, solar flare, grey goo, whatever. How best to insulate themselves from the coming collapse? One fellow had secured the services of a dozen Navy SEALs to converge on his compound when he gave the bat signal. But how to ensure these burly alpha ruffians obeyed orders and didn't just take over the redoubt themselves?
Shock collars?
These are the new feudal lords. Remember when technology was going to unite us? Information wants to be free, man! *bong rip*
Rushkoff tried to steer them toward a more communal approach where denizens of the compound were members contributing toward the common welfare, who wanted to assist each other, but he got glassy-eyed stares.
So, shock collars then?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
11
"The Mindset is based on a staunchly atheistic and materialist scientism", opines Rushkoff, and they see human beings as a problem to be controlled and contained, or an impediment to be removed.
Rushkoff is a pinko commie but he thoroughly rejects the amoral and mechanistic outlook of people like Dawkins, and notes that many of the scientists he debated, who were so dismissive of his "moralism", were later seen on Epstein's flight logs.
I do feel like there was a bait-and-switch with the title of this book versus the actual topic, which turned out to be the outlook leading to mental bubbles that isolate the extremely wealthy. I wanted more stories about crazy compounds!
Rushkoff is a pinko commie but he thoroughly rejects the amoral and mechanistic outlook of people like Dawkins, and notes that many of the scientists he debated, who were so dismissive of his "moralism", were later seen on Epstein's flight logs.
I do feel like there was a bait-and-switch with the title of this book versus the actual topic, which turned out to be the outlook leading to mental bubbles that isolate the extremely wealthy. I wanted more stories about crazy compounds!
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
12
I returned to my reading of the Zion Covenant series by Bodie Thoene. I read the fifth book in the series, Danzig Passage. The book begins with a description of Kristal Nacht. Karl Ibsen, a Christian pastor who refuses to bow to Hitler's edicts, is arrested for helping Jews. His family tries to escape Germany by making their way to the Free State of Danzig on the Baltic Sea. Also on the path to Danzig is the Wallich family as they flee Vienna for safety.
Posted by: Zoltan at January 21, 2024 09:07 AM (wtBAT)
13
Good morning Bookists! Thanks Perfessor!
Finally finished War in the Shadows, and I have gleefully moved along to the original Tarzan series, on archive.org. Loving it, as I had only read the comics, back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
Happy reading, all.
Finally finished War in the Shadows, and I have gleefully moved along to the original Tarzan series, on archive.org. Loving it, as I had only read the comics, back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
Happy reading, all.
Posted by: goatexchange at January 21, 2024 09:08 AM (3pf2q)
14
I call partial BS on the man cave library. It's entirely too neat and populated by copious bric a brac; often overly cute/twee bric a brac. This guy definitely had professional female assistance.
I'm not saying I don't want it; I do.
I'm not saying I don't want it; I do.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:08 AM (CsUN+)
15
... members of the Moron Horde who participate in the Sunday Morning Book Thread are indeed members of The Passionate Few. We are *voracious* readers. If I'm not reading at least 100 books a year, I feel like I'm doing something wrong.
If that "did" describe me, but doesn't that much anymore, can I still be part of "The Passionate Few?"
(tear forms in eye)
If that "did" describe me, but doesn't that much anymore, can I still be part of "The Passionate Few?"
(tear forms in eye)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:09 AM (Angsy)
16
Beware the rabbit holes!
It started innocently enough. I was reading some essays about George MacDonald and his influence on the Inklings. Interesting stuff for literary nerds. But then I became intrigued by the many references in the essays. That led to the importance of imagination as a way to perceive and express God's creation. That speculation led to the following:
- Biographia Literaria by Coleridge
- several Coleridge poems
- "A Dish of Orts" by George MacDonald which is a series of essays and sermons
- letters between Coleridge and Wordsworth
- art of the Pre-Raphaelite painters
- Theseus' speech from Act V, scene 1 of Midsummer Night's Dream
- various statements from Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton, and Barfield that deal with MacDonald's influence and why
- several sources dealing with religion, faith, philosophy, and the power of words in history and culture
- ruminations about devaluing of language, both deliberate and from celebrated ignorance and the evil that results
There is more but I won't burden you further.
Makes me wonder if Alice falling down the rabbit hole was inspired by Lewis Carroll's reading habits.
Anyone else have this problem?
It started innocently enough. I was reading some essays about George MacDonald and his influence on the Inklings. Interesting stuff for literary nerds. But then I became intrigued by the many references in the essays. That led to the importance of imagination as a way to perceive and express God's creation. That speculation led to the following:
- Biographia Literaria by Coleridge
- several Coleridge poems
- "A Dish of Orts" by George MacDonald which is a series of essays and sermons
- letters between Coleridge and Wordsworth
- art of the Pre-Raphaelite painters
- Theseus' speech from Act V, scene 1 of Midsummer Night's Dream
- various statements from Tolkien, Lewis, Chesterton, and Barfield that deal with MacDonald's influence and why
- several sources dealing with religion, faith, philosophy, and the power of words in history and culture
- ruminations about devaluing of language, both deliberate and from celebrated ignorance and the evil that results
There is more but I won't burden you further.
Makes me wonder if Alice falling down the rabbit hole was inspired by Lewis Carroll's reading habits.
Anyone else have this problem?
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:09 AM (zudum)
17
P.G. Wodehouse once complimented Rex Stout by observing that he would reread Nero Wolfe novels although he would know the solution the second time. "Man, that's writing."
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 09:09 AM (p/isN)
18
Boy, in the concluding chapters of "The Rhinemann Exchange," Robert Ludlum shovels in exclamation points as if he had got them wholesale.
He also relies too much on characters understanding each other's cryptic references.
This is the first Ludlum that didn't have me grabbing the atlas I had opportunity, but I decided to wait until afterward.
Also afterward comes the decision: keep or trade in? I could use the shelf space.
He also relies too much on characters understanding each other's cryptic references.
This is the first Ludlum that didn't have me grabbing the atlas I had opportunity, but I decided to wait until afterward.
Also afterward comes the decision: keep or trade in? I could use the shelf space.
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 09:10 AM (p/isN)
19
Coffee is now mixed with heavy cream and Swiss Miss.
Posted by: Jamaica at January 21, 2024 09:10 AM (Eeb9P)
20
No reading for me this week.
Posted by: rhennigantx at January 21, 2024 09:10 AM (lwOKI)
21
10 In "Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires"...But how to ensure these burly alpha ruffians obeyed orders and didn't just take over the redoubt themselves?
Shock collars?
These are the new feudal lords.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
What's that people say? Believe them when they tell you who they are?
Feeling a little nauseous right now.
Shock collars?
These are the new feudal lords.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
What's that people say? Believe them when they tell you who they are?
Feeling a little nauseous right now.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:12 AM (OX9vb)
22
Howard Brooke was found dead five years ago at the top of a ruined castle tower with only one staircase and sheer walls. Witnesses say the stairs were empty, and the locals believe the victim succumbed to a vampire that flew to the top of the tower. This is the tale told to Miles Hammond during his visit to the Murder Club in London. To his surprise, Fay Seton, the young woman suspected of being the killer, just happens to be the woman he has recently hired to help him organize the library in his newly inherited house. This is the opening of He Who Whispers by John Dickson Carr, another locked room mystery with some very interesting twists. The locked room was in the past, but the danger seems to follow Fay wherever she goes, and Miles and his sister are now targets.. All through the book, memories, dreams, and misunderstandings play their part in keeping the reader off balance, and the twist at the end is quite stunning. Carr was considered the master of the locked room, and this is no exception, though the real shock in this story goes beyond the locked room. I found this story to be full of surprises, and quite entertaining.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:12 AM (pQD8E)
23
Didn't Rodney Dangerfield wear some of "these pants" in Caddy Shack?
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:13 AM (zudum)
24
I am SERIOUSLY jealous of that hidden library. It has everything: comfy chairs, standing globe, card catalog coffee table, window nook, coffee station, marble bust....
Wait , there's no cat.
Heck, I'm envious if the false library out front.
Wait , there's no cat.
Heck, I'm envious if the false library out front.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:13 AM (+RQPJ)
25
*Rushkoff tried to steer them toward a more communal approach where denizens of the compound were members contributing toward the common welfare, who wanted to assist each other.*
Welcome to Plymouth Colony.
Welcome to Plymouth Colony.
Posted by: Will they ever learn? at January 21, 2024 09:15 AM (NBVIP)
26
Good morning morons. I've whined up some buttermilk biscuits and bacon for breakfast. h/t Brock Purdy
Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 21, 2024 09:15 AM (RIvkX)
27
Greetings!
I am midway thru Kurt Schlichter's newest, The Attack.
It is very well done. I hesitate to say that I am enjoying it, because frankly it is terrifying. It is terrifying because it is entirely plausible.
I am midway thru Kurt Schlichter's newest, The Attack.
It is very well done. I hesitate to say that I am enjoying it, because frankly it is terrifying. It is terrifying because it is entirely plausible.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at January 21, 2024 09:15 AM (MeG8a)
28
I've done enough encaps for one lifetime, thank you. Mylar, polyethylene, vinyl acetate, you name it. I've covered hundreds of miles of paper in plastic.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at January 21, 2024 09:15 AM (0FoWg)
29
Anyone else have this problem?
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:09 AM (zudum)
----
Yes! I go off on crazy reading tangents, abandoning my TBR pile for new and flashy TBRs.
I also suffer from Wikipedia Rabbithole Syndrome.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:09 AM (zudum)
----
Yes! I go off on crazy reading tangents, abandoning my TBR pile for new and flashy TBRs.
I also suffer from Wikipedia Rabbithole Syndrome.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:16 AM (+RQPJ)
30
Yay book thread! This week I finished The Holy Angels by Mother Alexandra.
It's a quick, easy read, and examines how angels are handled in the Bible, by the Church Fathers, and in the various liturgies. Mother Alexandra is Romanian Orthodox, but she is very respectful to Catholic traditions as well as those Protestants that continue to acknowledge angels.
Near the end of the book she comes down rather hard on the sentimentalization angels, which downplay their importance and treat them as greeting card kitsch.
If you want a more spiritual way of looking at the world, this is a very accessible gateway.
It's a quick, easy read, and examines how angels are handled in the Bible, by the Church Fathers, and in the various liturgies. Mother Alexandra is Romanian Orthodox, but she is very respectful to Catholic traditions as well as those Protestants that continue to acknowledge angels.
Near the end of the book she comes down rather hard on the sentimentalization angels, which downplay their importance and treat them as greeting card kitsch.
If you want a more spiritual way of looking at the world, this is a very accessible gateway.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:16 AM (llXky)
31
I finished 1Q84, by Haruki Murakami. It's magical realism, which I don't read much anymore, but this was recommended to me by a relative. The book is actually 3 books, and clocks in at a whopping 1157 pages.
It's very difficult to explain the plot, but it's a group of people who experience a transition to an alternate timeline, and have to deal with a cult, various "little people", and two moons, all while everyone else continues in the world as we know it. It combines elements of mystery, fantasy, murder, and, well, everything. Like I said, it's really tough to pigeonhole this one.
I'm the kind of person who likes a clear denouement, but this book doesn't have one. The pleasure of this book is simply in the reading. The prose is very well done, even though it's a translation. There is graphic sex in it, but it's not overly lurid.
Recommended.
It's very difficult to explain the plot, but it's a group of people who experience a transition to an alternate timeline, and have to deal with a cult, various "little people", and two moons, all while everyone else continues in the world as we know it. It combines elements of mystery, fantasy, murder, and, well, everything. Like I said, it's really tough to pigeonhole this one.
I'm the kind of person who likes a clear denouement, but this book doesn't have one. The pleasure of this book is simply in the reading. The prose is very well done, even though it's a translation. There is graphic sex in it, but it's not overly lurid.
Recommended.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:16 AM (CsUN+)
32
Mornin' Horde.
I finished Till We Have Faces (loved it). Now reading The Hobbit for the first time. (at age 50)
I have my own list and the trip leaders' recommended list, but happily consider Moron recommendations for my next Inklings read/reread.
I finished Till We Have Faces (loved it). Now reading The Hobbit for the first time. (at age 50)
I have my own list and the trip leaders' recommended list, but happily consider Moron recommendations for my next Inklings read/reread.
Posted by: screaming in digital at January 21, 2024 09:16 AM (i671v)
33
Yes! I go off on crazy reading tangents, abandoning my TBR pile for new and flashy TBRs.
There's a famous meme that describes you.
There's a famous meme that describes you.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:18 AM (CsUN+)
34
This event could be nuclear, environmental, societal, solar flare, grey goo, whatever. How best to insulate themselves from the coming collapse? One fellow had secured the services of a dozen Navy SEALs to converge on his compound when he gave the bat signal. But how to ensure these burly alpha ruffians obeyed orders and didn't just take over the redoubt themselves?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
Tech bros need to Google the word "Mamluk". Also, exactly how many freelance SEALs do these guys think are out there?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
Tech bros need to Google the word "Mamluk". Also, exactly how many freelance SEALs do these guys think are out there?
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 09:18 AM (H5IZ1)
35
Screaming in Digital, do you have a good map of Middle Earth? It helps.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:19 AM (+RQPJ)
36
Those pants are teh awesome. I don't golf but I would totally wear them around town.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 21, 2024 09:19 AM (RIvkX)
37
How best to insulate themselves from the coming collapse? One fellow had secured the services of a dozen Navy SEALs to converge on his compound when he gave the bat signal. But how to ensure these burly alpha ruffians obeyed orders and didn't just take over the redoubt themselves?
Because no SEALS have families of their own they'd be concerned about protecting.
Because no SEALS have families of their own they'd be concerned about protecting.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:19 AM (CsUN+)
38
Put ze candle back!
Posted by: MichiCanuck at January 21, 2024 09:21 AM (crQ01)
Posted by: JT at January 21, 2024 09:21 AM (T4tVD)
40
a more communal approach where denizens of the compound were members contributing toward the common welfare, who wanted to assist each other
There's a book that covers this dissonance, but it's like 800 pages long and doesn't hold your interest.
There's a book that covers this dissonance, but it's like 800 pages long and doesn't hold your interest.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (zdLoL)
41
Because no SEALS have families of their own they'd be concerned about protecting.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:19 AM (CsUN+)
I wonder if that 'one fellow' who was mentioned was paying said SEALs a retainer. When the balloon goes up, he might be in for a disappointing surprise.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:19 AM (CsUN+)
I wonder if that 'one fellow' who was mentioned was paying said SEALs a retainer. When the balloon goes up, he might be in for a disappointing surprise.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (H5IZ1)
42
Hidden library would be a nice place to escape the apocalypse.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (OX9vb)
43
I'm slowly limping my way through Walls of Men by our own AH Lloyd.
I have a problem with this sort of book.
ADD.
I find myself getting a page or two down and pretty soon I'm out in the shop pulling unread tomes off the shelfs.
I sort of did a huge parallel dig about 10 years ago on the Mongols but ... ADD. I abaondoned it.
Now it's a new towering, potentially fatal if toppled stack of books to read on my headboard.
I have a problem with this sort of book.
ADD.
I find myself getting a page or two down and pretty soon I'm out in the shop pulling unread tomes off the shelfs.
I sort of did a huge parallel dig about 10 years ago on the Mongols but ... ADD. I abaondoned it.
Now it's a new towering, potentially fatal if toppled stack of books to read on my headboard.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (tKXCy)
44
I do feel like there was a bait-and-switch with the title of this book versus the actual topic, which turned out to be the outlook leading to mental bubbles that isolate the extremely wealthy. I wanted more stories about crazy compounds!
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
---
There is an assumption that wealthy people possess some sort of special insight or deep wisdom. They're the modern equivalent of the larger than life Greek and Roman leaders.
The truth is that our society is geared in a way that coming up with a minor piece of technology at just the right time can make one obscenely wealthy, and there are zero indications of other wisdom being necessary.
Indeed, the extreme introvert, borderline sociopathic behavior beneficial to tech overlords makes them uniquely unsuited to any sort of leadership position in a crisis. I mean, there's a reason why other people now run their companies and they just collect the checks.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
---
There is an assumption that wealthy people possess some sort of special insight or deep wisdom. They're the modern equivalent of the larger than life Greek and Roman leaders.
The truth is that our society is geared in a way that coming up with a minor piece of technology at just the right time can make one obscenely wealthy, and there are zero indications of other wisdom being necessary.
Indeed, the extreme introvert, borderline sociopathic behavior beneficial to tech overlords makes them uniquely unsuited to any sort of leadership position in a crisis. I mean, there's a reason why other people now run their companies and they just collect the checks.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (llXky)
45
I've just started reading Belwulf. It has me thinking about a challenge.
My cradle language was Low German. Old Low German and Old English were closely.
So I'd like to try to find a way to read Beowulf in the original. It would be challenging
My cradle language was Low German. Old Low German and Old English were closely.
So I'd like to try to find a way to read Beowulf in the original. It would be challenging
Posted by: Northernlurker at January 21, 2024 09:23 AM (kSHhA)
46
The only problem with the hidden library is that it isn't big enough.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:23 AM (pQD8E)
47
Tech bros need to Google the word "Mamluk". Also, exactly how many freelance SEALs do these guys think are out there?
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 09:18 AM (H5IZ1)
----
If I were a SEAL, I'd take the initiative to ingratiate myself to a techbro with delusions of feudal lordship and target him for takeover. I can see a rookery of SEALs sniggering as they plot his overthrow.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 09:18 AM (H5IZ1)
----
If I were a SEAL, I'd take the initiative to ingratiate myself to a techbro with delusions of feudal lordship and target him for takeover. I can see a rookery of SEALs sniggering as they plot his overthrow.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:23 AM (+RQPJ)
48
The hidden library is perfect down to every detail. If it is situated in a home in the mountains, with lakes and trails nearby, it would be beyond perfect. Or by the sea, on a craggy cliff. And of course, needs cats.
Read, hike, eat, shower, sleep, read, eat, read, nap... mix and repeat... oh, and feed cats
Read, hike, eat, shower, sleep, read, eat, read, nap... mix and repeat... oh, and feed cats
Posted by: screaming in digital at January 21, 2024 09:24 AM (i671v)
49
"A great example is my re-read of Michael Ende's The Neverending Story. I had not read that book since I was a child, but I read it again a couple of years ago (right after I took over the Sunday Morning Book Thread) and was just blown away by how much it impacted me when I read it through adult eyes."
Now I'm curious. I'll have to get a copy of The Neverending Story. I'm finding there are books intended for children that are well worth adult's attention. The "Wingfeather " series is one. The Harry Potter books might qualify as classics for some people but I have no interest in rereading them. Their major benefit, in my opinion, is they got young folks reading actual books sometimes leading to more advanced books. I knew several who followed the Harry Potter books with Tolkien.
Now I'm curious. I'll have to get a copy of The Neverending Story. I'm finding there are books intended for children that are well worth adult's attention. The "Wingfeather " series is one. The Harry Potter books might qualify as classics for some people but I have no interest in rereading them. Their major benefit, in my opinion, is they got young folks reading actual books sometimes leading to more advanced books. I knew several who followed the Harry Potter books with Tolkien.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:25 AM (zudum)
50
Recently I was tipped off to the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells, scifi set in the somewhat distant future. Most are available for free on Kindle Unlimited. I enjoyed them, but do have caveats.
"Murderbot," usually referred to as SecUnit, is a cyborg construct rented out to protect clients exploring planets. In the first book it tells us that it was able to hack its governor module, meaning that it doesn't have to follow orders any more. It protects its clients from an attack on a planet, during which time its secret comes to light. As the clients are nice people, they don't report this. SecUnit spends the next several books researching its past and protecting these clients.
The Big Bad is the Corporation Rim, a loose association of corporations that do lots of bad things (no space here for details); the clients hail from a clearly socialist planet with a basically perfect society. I found this hilarious, as a society organized along these lines would last for all of five minutes. However, the action/characters/dialogue are great and I feel the books are worth a try.
"Murderbot," usually referred to as SecUnit, is a cyborg construct rented out to protect clients exploring planets. In the first book it tells us that it was able to hack its governor module, meaning that it doesn't have to follow orders any more. It protects its clients from an attack on a planet, during which time its secret comes to light. As the clients are nice people, they don't report this. SecUnit spends the next several books researching its past and protecting these clients.
The Big Bad is the Corporation Rim, a loose association of corporations that do lots of bad things (no space here for details); the clients hail from a clearly socialist planet with a basically perfect society. I found this hilarious, as a society organized along these lines would last for all of five minutes. However, the action/characters/dialogue are great and I feel the books are worth a try.
Posted by: Alice at January 21, 2024 09:25 AM (TTB3l)
51
Because no SEALS have families of their own they'd be concerned about protecting.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:19 AM (CsUN+)
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The tech overlords have no concept of family, and no understanding of the powerful loyalty it can engender.
Again, a bunch of these guys grew up as California transplants with no extended kinship ties. Their inner circle was like-minded savants and even their kids (if they have them) are alienated from them (check out Palo Alto's teen suicide rate if you don't believe me).
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:19 AM (CsUN+)
---
The tech overlords have no concept of family, and no understanding of the powerful loyalty it can engender.
Again, a bunch of these guys grew up as California transplants with no extended kinship ties. Their inner circle was like-minded savants and even their kids (if they have them) are alienated from them (check out Palo Alto's teen suicide rate if you don't believe me).
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:25 AM (llXky)
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 09:26 AM (Dm8we)
53
Perf, re: your acquired books, all by the same author.
How do prolific authors complete so many works, especially if they're tomes? Now, I've only tried writing for the last three years, and I see I have around twenty shorts stories, two completed novels, a novella, and about three quarters through another novel. (all first draft status) Do these writers just write to a formula, do they have ghost writers who flesh out the writer's outlines, or do they just write that much? Seems a bit hard to do and keep stuff at a high quality.
How do prolific authors complete so many works, especially if they're tomes? Now, I've only tried writing for the last three years, and I see I have around twenty shorts stories, two completed novels, a novella, and about three quarters through another novel. (all first draft status) Do these writers just write to a formula, do they have ghost writers who flesh out the writer's outlines, or do they just write that much? Seems a bit hard to do and keep stuff at a high quality.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:27 AM (Angsy)
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 09:27 AM (p/isN)
55
Screaming in Digital, do you have a good map of Middle Earth? It helps.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
---
No, but I'm sure my brother does. I'll ask when they are over for dinner tonight.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
---
No, but I'm sure my brother does. I'll ask when they are over for dinner tonight.
Posted by: screaming in digital at January 21, 2024 09:27 AM (i671v)
56
Good morning, erudite, pants-wearing , readers of the horde! I tried to start the Malayan series, but I really hated it. This made me sad, because this type of epic fantasy is usually my favorite genre. But it had my top three hates: nihilistic storyline with utterly omnipotent big bads; morally compromised characters ( I could 'root for' no one); so much history and names thrown in at the outset that I was overwhelmed with place and time.
I actually checked to see if I was at the beginning of the series.
I actually checked to see if I was at the beginning of the series.
Posted by: Gouverneur Morris at January 21, 2024 09:28 AM (J8OCH)
57
Now it's a new towering, potentially fatal if toppled stack of books to read on my headboard.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (tKXCy)
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For safety reasons, my sources were spread out over the dining room table, great room table, and every other available horizontal surface. Family was very happy when I was done and after two years of this (Long Live Death started this mess), my wife suggested I go with some fiction writing.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (tKXCy)
---
For safety reasons, my sources were spread out over the dining room table, great room table, and every other available horizontal surface. Family was very happy when I was done and after two years of this (Long Live Death started this mess), my wife suggested I go with some fiction writing.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:28 AM (llXky)
58
Finished reading Vardis Fisher’s historical fiction Tales of Valor: A Novel of the Lewis and Clark Expedition c1958.
It’s L&C’s journal entries rewritten in narrative form - with a dash here and there of believable, but fictional dialogue. He’s not turned a blind eye to unflattering behavior. I think it would make a great Lewis and Clark homeschooling book.
It’s L&C’s journal entries rewritten in narrative form - with a dash here and there of believable, but fictional dialogue. He’s not turned a blind eye to unflattering behavior. I think it would make a great Lewis and Clark homeschooling book.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024 09:28 AM (jsqVJ)
59
If I were a SEAL, I'd take the initiative to ingratiate myself to a techbro with delusions of feudal lordship and target him for takeover. I can see a rookery of SEALs sniggering as they plot his overthrow.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:23 AM (+RQPJ)
"I'm Petty Officer Smith, Mr. Zuckerberg. My callsign is 'Baybars'".
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:23 AM (+RQPJ)
"I'm Petty Officer Smith, Mr. Zuckerberg. My callsign is 'Baybars'".
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 09:29 AM (H5IZ1)
60
Power back on after hours of being out. A breaker at the pole tripped. I threw a case of beer into the cab of the bucket truck as thanks - those poor slobs.
I read that is the appropriate thing to do somewhere.
I read that is the appropriate thing to do somewhere.
Posted by: Tonypete at January 21, 2024 09:30 AM (qoGsy)
61
If I were a SEAL, I'd take the initiative to ingratiate myself to a techbro with delusions of feudal lordship and target him for takeover. I can see a rookery of SEALs sniggering as they plot his overthrow.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:23 AM (+RQPJ)
---
Given the extremely limited social experience of these guys, it would be quite easy to either fake being a SEAL, or present one's actual military experience (if any) as superior in an operational/strategic frame, even if you never advanced beyond E4 and spooned out gravy for a living.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:23 AM (+RQPJ)
---
Given the extremely limited social experience of these guys, it would be quite easy to either fake being a SEAL, or present one's actual military experience (if any) as superior in an operational/strategic frame, even if you never advanced beyond E4 and spooned out gravy for a living.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:30 AM (llXky)
62
Booken Morgen Horden!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:32 AM (TX2EM)
63
Good morning fellow book lovers!
This week I started reading: The Red Harvest by Hammett; To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Paolini and Monster Hunters: Sinners by Correia and Ringo.
First, Red Harvest: I discovered that Hammet wrote The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man amongst other books. So I was pretty excited about it. The writing was archaic and I heard my head voice as an old b/w movie. I got halfway through it and found it's plot to be too contrived and obvious for me.
Next, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars: It's too juvenile for me and I quit it about a third of the way through. If you like the character "Venom and Carnage" from the MCU, you might like it.
Third, Monster Hunters: Sinners: My first foray into the MHI universe. Except for the movie. No relation. Is there an antagonist? It's like reading a hunters journal. I need a plot! I got a bit more than halfway through this one. I kept hoping for a baddie with a plan besides "killing everyone". I never thought I'd put down a book by Correia or Congo but here I am.
Oh well. Next up are: Red Thunder by Varley and Sister of Staring Seas by Brooks. I can't go wrong with Varley and Brooks *fingers crossed*
This week I started reading: The Red Harvest by Hammett; To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Paolini and Monster Hunters: Sinners by Correia and Ringo.
First, Red Harvest: I discovered that Hammet wrote The Maltese Falcon and The Thin Man amongst other books. So I was pretty excited about it. The writing was archaic and I heard my head voice as an old b/w movie. I got halfway through it and found it's plot to be too contrived and obvious for me.
Next, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars: It's too juvenile for me and I quit it about a third of the way through. If you like the character "Venom and Carnage" from the MCU, you might like it.
Third, Monster Hunters: Sinners: My first foray into the MHI universe. Except for the movie. No relation. Is there an antagonist? It's like reading a hunters journal. I need a plot! I got a bit more than halfway through this one. I kept hoping for a baddie with a plan besides "killing everyone". I never thought I'd put down a book by Correia or Congo but here I am.
Oh well. Next up are: Red Thunder by Varley and Sister of Staring Seas by Brooks. I can't go wrong with Varley and Brooks *fingers crossed*
Posted by: p0indexterous at January 21, 2024 09:32 AM (QBwMV)
64
iven the extremely limited social experience of these guys, it would be quite easy to either fake being a SEAL, or present one's actual military experience (if any) as superior in an operational/strategic frame, even if you never advanced beyond E4 and spooned out gravy for a living.
Yes, Mr. Bezos, my MOS was hydrodynamics in viscous media. It's crucial to an army in the field.
Yes, Mr. Bezos, my MOS was hydrodynamics in viscous media. It's crucial to an army in the field.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:32 AM (CsUN+)
65
*Again, a bunch of these guys grew up as California transplants with no extended kinship ties. Their inner circle was like-minded savants and even their kids (if they have them) are alienated from them*
This is about me, isn't it?
This is about me, isn't it?
Posted by: Elizabeth Holmes at January 21, 2024 09:32 AM (NBVIP)
66
I read the second Anthony Horowitz/Hawthorne book, The Sentence is Death and have requested the third book in the series from ILL. That's a recommendation.
Posted by: huerfano at January 21, 2024 09:33 AM (Q4KYm)
67
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:27 AM (Angsy)
Brandon Sanderson does video classes about writing that he posts to YouTube (I think. I've never watched one) for free.
Also, wow. You are quite prolific yourself.
Brandon Sanderson does video classes about writing that he posts to YouTube (I think. I've never watched one) for free.
Also, wow. You are quite prolific yourself.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:33 AM (nC+QA)
68
My hardbackss generally get the Mylar treatment.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:33 AM (pQD8E)
69
Still reading "A Canticle for Liebowitz" and about to pick up "The Bible Made Impossible: Why Biblicism Is Not a Truly Evangelical Reading of Scripture," by Christian Smith.
Enjoying Canticle very much. From the blurb for Mr. Smith's book:
"Biblicism, an approach to the Bible common among some American evangelicals, emphasizes together the Bible's exclusive authority, infallibility, clarity, self-sufficiency, internal consistency, self-evident meaning, and universal applicability. Acclaimed sociologist Christian Smith argues that this approach is misguided and unable to live up to its own claims. If evangelical biblicism worked as its proponents say it should, there would not be the vast variety of interpretive differences that biblicists themselves reach when they actually read and interpret the Bible. Far from challenging the inspiration and authority of Scripture, Smith critiques a particular rendering of it, encouraging evangelicals to seek a more responsible, coherent, and defensible approach to biblical authority."
Hmmmm. I must read and ponder.
Enjoying Canticle very much. From the blurb for Mr. Smith's book:
"Biblicism, an approach to the Bible common among some American evangelicals, emphasizes together the Bible's exclusive authority, infallibility, clarity, self-sufficiency, internal consistency, self-evident meaning, and universal applicability. Acclaimed sociologist Christian Smith argues that this approach is misguided and unable to live up to its own claims. If evangelical biblicism worked as its proponents say it should, there would not be the vast variety of interpretive differences that biblicists themselves reach when they actually read and interpret the Bible. Far from challenging the inspiration and authority of Scripture, Smith critiques a particular rendering of it, encouraging evangelicals to seek a more responsible, coherent, and defensible approach to biblical authority."
Hmmmm. I must read and ponder.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 09:34 AM (/RHNq)
70
This week's review: "Long Tall Stranger" by LR Smith (Western genre). This is an Amazon Kindle-only title, no print copy available. Rated 8+ which I didn't notice when I first purchased it, but I'm a father so I decided to read/review in the mindset of "Would other parents of young children be interested in this as a story for their own kids?"
Well turns out that's a yes, and in fact this might make a great young-man's adventure for a father and son to read together at bedtime. Has themes of good guys vs. bad guys, cowboys, cattle management, gambling, cheating, swindling, some post civil war politics, gun fights, and death (no gore though.) No sex scenes.
The main character is a 14 year old man whose dad went off to fight with the Confederate army, whose mom has since left him to fend for himself, and he's alone with a farm/ranch and a bunch of problems that force him to become a man right quick due to the weight of the world bearing down on him.
Well turns out that's a yes, and in fact this might make a great young-man's adventure for a father and son to read together at bedtime. Has themes of good guys vs. bad guys, cowboys, cattle management, gambling, cheating, swindling, some post civil war politics, gun fights, and death (no gore though.) No sex scenes.
The main character is a 14 year old man whose dad went off to fight with the Confederate army, whose mom has since left him to fend for himself, and he's alone with a farm/ranch and a bunch of problems that force him to become a man right quick due to the weight of the world bearing down on him.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at January 21, 2024 09:35 AM (qPw5n)
71
Quick question book nerdz - what is a good eBible to have on my phone while traveling?
I prefer traditional literal translations, and would be wonderful ifbit was a study bible with notes on translation decisions.
I prefer traditional literal translations, and would be wonderful ifbit was a study bible with notes on translation decisions.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:35 AM (TX2EM)
72
This is about me, isn't it?
Posted by: Elizabeth Holmes
Speaking of that thing, I read 'Bad Blood' awhile back. Interesting, once again, how our supposed superiors got taken in by a pretty face.
One would hope they'd be smarter but - nope.
Posted by: Elizabeth Holmes
Speaking of that thing, I read 'Bad Blood' awhile back. Interesting, once again, how our supposed superiors got taken in by a pretty face.
One would hope they'd be smarter but - nope.
Posted by: Tonypete at January 21, 2024 09:35 AM (qoGsy)
73
I mentioned last week when the book cover thing came up that I was trying a new tape instead of my usual 3M clear tale. The Uline version of clear tape.
I think it's the same tape on a Uline marked dooper roll.
I think it's the same tape on a Uline marked dooper roll.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:35 AM (tKXCy)
74
I read The Taking by Dean Koontz last week. He referenced The Wasteland by T.S. Elliot throughout it. Interlibrary loan delivered a copy of collected works, so I'm reading that.
Posted by: NaughtyPine at January 21, 2024 09:36 AM (oJ3aY)
75
@63 --
"Red Harvest" is a collection of Continental Op adventures that happen to take place in the same town.
"Red Harvest" is a collection of Continental Op adventures that happen to take place in the same town.
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 09:37 AM (p/isN)
76
Speaking of that thing, I read 'Bad Blood' awhile back. Interesting, once again, how our supposed superiors got taken in by a pretty face.
Rasmussen polled what he labelled as "elites", which are really mostly graduate level-educated women in cities.
These “elites,” so defined, are living in another world than the rest of us. They are extraordinarily loyal to the regime; 84% of them approve of Joe Biden’s performance as president...These elites even trust journalists: 79% have a favorable opinion of them, as do 84% of the “Ivy League elite.”
So how do the elites want to limit our excessive freedom? A shocking 77% say they favor the “strict rationing of gas, meat and electricity.” That basically means living in a poor, totalitarian state like the USSR. And by 89% to 10%, the Ivy League elites want to see “strict rationing” of these most basic commodities.
These “elites” are fascists.
http://tinyurl.com/2mz6bc25
Rasmussen polled what he labelled as "elites", which are really mostly graduate level-educated women in cities.
These “elites,” so defined, are living in another world than the rest of us. They are extraordinarily loyal to the regime; 84% of them approve of Joe Biden’s performance as president...These elites even trust journalists: 79% have a favorable opinion of them, as do 84% of the “Ivy League elite.”
So how do the elites want to limit our excessive freedom? A shocking 77% say they favor the “strict rationing of gas, meat and electricity.” That basically means living in a poor, totalitarian state like the USSR. And by 89% to 10%, the Ivy League elites want to see “strict rationing” of these most basic commodities.
These “elites” are fascists.
http://tinyurl.com/2mz6bc25
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:40 AM (CsUN+)
77
I've seriously considered it.
***
Most libraries get their collection maintenance supplies from Demco
Sometimes there are sales and coupons (not often though)
***
Most libraries get their collection maintenance supplies from Demco
Sometimes there are sales and coupons (not often though)
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:41 AM (TX2EM)
78
I finally finished my annual read of LOTR. One of my favorite parts of the books is the ride of Rohan to Minas Tirith. It's an interesting combination of factors involving battles. There is the time it takes to gather forces, equip them and travel. Tolkien shows an appreciation of those matters. I wonder if his WW I experience came out in this part. Certainly some of his descriptions of ruined lands was inspired by the No Man's Land battle grounds he saw. Then he shows the doubts and worries that assail the leaders and soldiers even though they persevere. And I always liked the part with Ghan-buri-Ghan and the help the Druadan tribes offer. It's another example of how Tolkien valued being in touch with nature as a positive. And his portrayal of Theoden and the riders is the epitome of honor and bravery.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:41 AM (zudum)
79
I think it's the same tape on a Uline marked dooper roll.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:35 AM (tKXCy)
Forgot to mention that I also now have 68 rolls of it.
That'll bind a library.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:35 AM (tKXCy)
Forgot to mention that I also now have 68 rolls of it.
That'll bind a library.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:42 AM (tKXCy)
80
Sabrina Chase's new book sounds interesting. I like the cover.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:42 AM (TX2EM)
81
So how do the elites want to limit our excessive freedom? A shocking 77% say they favor the “strict rationing of gas, meat and electricity.” That basically means living in a poor, totalitarian state like the USSR. And by 89% to 10%, the Ivy League elites want to see “strict rationing” of these most basic commodities.
These “elites” are fascists.
Posted by: Archimedes
History shows again and again
How nature points up the folly of man.
(Godzirra!!)
These “elites” are fascists.
Posted by: Archimedes
History shows again and again
How nature points up the folly of man.
(Godzirra!!)
Posted by: Tonypete at January 21, 2024 09:43 AM (qoGsy)
82
read the second Anthony Horowitz/Hawthorne book, The Sentence is Death and have requested the third book in the series from ILL. That's a recommendation.
Posted by: huerfano
Horowitz did a very good job on The House of Silk, an authorized Sherlock Holmes story which I recommended here earlier. I will have to check his other works, thanks.
Posted by: huerfano
Horowitz did a very good job on The House of Silk, an authorized Sherlock Holmes story which I recommended here earlier. I will have to check his other works, thanks.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:43 AM (pQD8E)
83
New word of the week: Entheogen
"Entheogens are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwise"
Many of the elites are into mind-altering substances to blow out the margins of conventional thinking. As someone who read a lot of Lilly and Leary in New word of the week: Entheogen
"Entheogens are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwise"
A lot of the elites are taking mind-altering substances to blow out the margins of conventional thinking. Micro dosing is a big thing. As someone who read a lot of Leary and Lilly in her youth, I am somewhat sympathetic. However, you're still the same person when you wake up in the Barrel.
"Entheogens are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwise"
Many of the elites are into mind-altering substances to blow out the margins of conventional thinking. As someone who read a lot of Lilly and Leary in New word of the week: Entheogen
"Entheogens are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwise"
A lot of the elites are taking mind-altering substances to blow out the margins of conventional thinking. Micro dosing is a big thing. As someone who read a lot of Leary and Lilly in her youth, I am somewhat sympathetic. However, you're still the same person when you wake up in the Barrel.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:43 AM (+RQPJ)
84
@75~
Well that makes some sense. TY
Does the protagonist have a name? Seems strange that nobody, ever, asks him his name.
Well that makes some sense. TY
Does the protagonist have a name? Seems strange that nobody, ever, asks him his name.
Posted by: p0indexterous at January 21, 2024 09:44 AM (QBwMV)
85
Hidden library would be a nice place to escape the apocalypse.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (OX9vb)
Pro tip: Bring extra glasses.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (OX9vb)
Pro tip: Bring extra glasses.
Posted by: Henry Bemis at January 21, 2024 09:44 AM (Angsy)
86
Yes! I go off on crazy reading tangents, abandoning my TBR pile for new and flashy TBRs.
There's a famous meme that describes you.
Posted by: Archimedes
I suggest it describes most of us here.
There's a famous meme that describes you.
Posted by: Archimedes
I suggest it describes most of us here.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:44 AM (pQD8E)
87
I hear they're planning an animated movie on the Rohirrim.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:45 AM (+RQPJ)
88
I hear they're planning an animated movie on the Rohirrim.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
What's this!? Tell me more.
*rests chin on fist*
Posted by: All Hail Eris
What's this!? Tell me more.
*rests chin on fist*
Posted by: She Hobbit at January 21, 2024 09:46 AM (ftFVW)
89
The Passionate Few? Really?
Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi eat a lot of hot dogs. Does that make them food connoisseurs?
Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi eat a lot of hot dogs. Does that make them food connoisseurs?
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 09:46 AM (991eG)
90
"Entheogens are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwise"
In my day we called it "Cognac."
"Entheogens are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior for the purposes of engendering spiritual development or otherwise"
In my day we called it "Cognac."
Posted by: E. A. Poe at January 21, 2024 09:47 AM (NBVIP)
91
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:35 AM (TX2EM)
I've been using the (generous, All of Genesis and Exodus) Kindle sample of The NKJV Study Bible: Full color edition for the last week. It is online only, and $25, but I'm seriously considering it. Almost every verse has a hyperlink for deeper explanation as well as to cross references. There's also an in depth synopsis at the beginning of the Bible itself and each book. A dead tree version would be well over $25 and probably pretty unwieldy.
I've been using the (generous, All of Genesis and Exodus) Kindle sample of The NKJV Study Bible: Full color edition for the last week. It is online only, and $25, but I'm seriously considering it. Almost every verse has a hyperlink for deeper explanation as well as to cross references. There's also an in depth synopsis at the beginning of the Bible itself and each book. A dead tree version would be well over $25 and probably pretty unwieldy.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:47 AM (nC+QA)
92
I'm irrationally jealous. That hidden library is larger than the entire ground floor of my townhome...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 09:47 AM (Lhaco)
93
"I say live and let live with respect to my Catholic brothers in faith, and please do me the courtesy of allowing me to pursue my own Christian spiritual journey in peace."
Hallelujah. My main issue with being a staunch Olde School Roman Catholic is that we spend so much of our lives defending ourselves against allegedly learned people who know nothing of the actual history of Christianity and the Bible. I think Fulton Sheen said something like: "There aren't 20 people who hate the Catholic Church as it actually is, but millions who hate what they wrongly believe it is." (Or words to that effect.)
Most of the nonsense I hear against my religion comes from my Nutter Seventh Day Adventist ex-wife and ex-MIL, as well as my son, whom his Mom is turning into a religious fanatic in her own mold. Sigh.
IMHO (don't get me started), Francis isn't pope and the See of Peter remains empty since B16 passed away, B16's attempted abdication of half the role of pope being ineffective and invalid for various technical/legal/ethical reasons. Francis is an anti-pope and a curse on the Church and and sooner he is gone the better. Again, sigh.
In any event, peace to all today. Jesus prevails.
Hallelujah. My main issue with being a staunch Olde School Roman Catholic is that we spend so much of our lives defending ourselves against allegedly learned people who know nothing of the actual history of Christianity and the Bible. I think Fulton Sheen said something like: "There aren't 20 people who hate the Catholic Church as it actually is, but millions who hate what they wrongly believe it is." (Or words to that effect.)
Most of the nonsense I hear against my religion comes from my Nutter Seventh Day Adventist ex-wife and ex-MIL, as well as my son, whom his Mom is turning into a religious fanatic in her own mold. Sigh.
IMHO (don't get me started), Francis isn't pope and the See of Peter remains empty since B16 passed away, B16's attempted abdication of half the role of pope being ineffective and invalid for various technical/legal/ethical reasons. Francis is an anti-pope and a curse on the Church and and sooner he is gone the better. Again, sigh.
In any event, peace to all today. Jesus prevails.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 09:47 AM (/RHNq)
94
Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi eat a lot of hot dogs. Does that make them food connoisseurs?
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 09:46 AM (991eG)
===
No ketchup.
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 09:46 AM (991eG)
===
No ketchup.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 21, 2024 09:48 AM (RIvkX)
95
77 should have added - while not cheap, the nice thing about Demco and other library supply stores is that a human will answer their customer service number.
Another supply store is Brodart but something bad happened to their website last year and now they've been selling through their catalog (phone, email, fax) for months now. I wonder what happened - ransomware maybe?
Another supply store is Brodart but something bad happened to their website last year and now they've been selling through their catalog (phone, email, fax) for months now. I wonder what happened - ransomware maybe?
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:48 AM (TX2EM)
96
@84 --
The Op is never named.
And why would most of these guys care? They're crooks; using aliases is no big deal to them.
The Op is never named.
And why would most of these guys care? They're crooks; using aliases is no big deal to them.
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 09:49 AM (p/isN)
97
I saw that Rasmussen poll earlier. The opinions of the elite are not as shocking as the fact that these elites are supposedly well educated and yet are so incredibly naive, but feel they are the thought leaders.
Its not the blind leading the blind, but the blind leading the sighted.
Its not the blind leading the blind, but the blind leading the sighted.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:49 AM (pQD8E)
98
Read The Hobbit in like two days during my teens. Couldn't put it down.
Lost interest in The Fellowship of the Ring within 50 pages, tried again a time or two, but I'm too old now and have no desire to try again.
Lost interest in The Fellowship of the Ring within 50 pages, tried again a time or two, but I'm too old now and have no desire to try again.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 09:49 AM (Dm8we)
99
Mostly been rereading garbage lately,... guess I needed a mental vacation.
Planning to start Children of Dune soon. Only finally read Dune and Messiah last year. Started Dune once as a pre-teen because I had enjoyed the 1984 movie version as a kid, but got distracted by whatever adolescent silliness was going on at the time and never made it back.
Planning to start Children of Dune soon. Only finally read Dune and Messiah last year. Started Dune once as a pre-teen because I had enjoyed the 1984 movie version as a kid, but got distracted by whatever adolescent silliness was going on at the time and never made it back.
Posted by: She Hobbit at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (ftFVW)
100
I have a Bible app on my phone by You Version.
I can't really endorse it, because it is difficult to search at times and it is a bit of a nag if I don't use it regularly. But it does have a very good audible type text to speech feature. I often prefer to read from a regular book Bible.
I can't really endorse it, because it is difficult to search at times and it is a bit of a nag if I don't use it regularly. But it does have a very good audible type text to speech feature. I often prefer to read from a regular book Bible.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (MeG8a)
101
Hey, neat! My comment made it to the main article!
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (Lhaco)
102
Hidden library would be a nice place to escape the apocalypse.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (OX9vb)
I was thinking it would be a great meeting place for a secret society
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:22 AM (OX9vb)
I was thinking it would be a great meeting place for a secret society
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (TX2EM)
103
Given the extremely limited social experience of these guys, it would be quite easy to either fake being a SEAL, or present one's actual military experience (if any) as superior in an operational/strategic frame, even if you never advanced beyond E4 and spooned out gravy for a living.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:30 AM (llXky)
Who would fake being a SEAL??
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:30 AM (llXky)
Who would fake being a SEAL??
Posted by: Jesse Ventura at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (Angsy)
104
Do these writers just write to a formula, do they have ghost writers who flesh out the writer's outlines, or do they just write that much? Seems a bit hard to do and keep stuff at a high quality.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:27 AM (Angsy)
---
When I had time to write, I had a deadline in mind and a weekly quota of words to put down. I measured the success of a session by how many words I added to the text. I imagine full-time writers simply have a higher output expectations and the notion that the book is your income helps with motivation and drive.
I mean, I write during spare moments (which sadly don't exist write now), but if I could get up and just do a morning, afternoon, evening sessions and then taking time to read, my output would be much greater, albeit I think less interesting.
That's a key element - a lot of prolific authors write essentially the same story about the same characters. Harry Potter comes to mind. Sophie Kinsella (whom my wife used to read a lot), and so on. You find a genre, and just crank your way through it.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:27 AM (Angsy)
---
When I had time to write, I had a deadline in mind and a weekly quota of words to put down. I measured the success of a session by how many words I added to the text. I imagine full-time writers simply have a higher output expectations and the notion that the book is your income helps with motivation and drive.
I mean, I write during spare moments (which sadly don't exist write now), but if I could get up and just do a morning, afternoon, evening sessions and then taking time to read, my output would be much greater, albeit I think less interesting.
That's a key element - a lot of prolific authors write essentially the same story about the same characters. Harry Potter comes to mind. Sophie Kinsella (whom my wife used to read a lot), and so on. You find a genre, and just crank your way through it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (llXky)
105
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:47 AM (nC+QA)
Thanks Polliwog, will look at that
Thanks Polliwog, will look at that
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:51 AM (TX2EM)
106
Its not the blind leading the blind, but the blind leading the sighted. ...off a cliff.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:51 AM (CsUN+)
107
I was thinking it would be a great meeting place for a secret society
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion
So the password is either 'Valu-rite' or 'Maple Syrup' - amirite?
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion
So the password is either 'Valu-rite' or 'Maple Syrup' - amirite?
Posted by: Tonypete at January 21, 2024 09:52 AM (qoGsy)
108
Still reading my crazypants (or should I say "verrückte Hosen"?) Antarctic space Nazi book.
I learned that a German sub set up an automated weather station on the north end of Labrador. Ballsy! It was called Weather Station Kurt:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2g13BZ6L1nU
It lay dormant for years and was only discovered in 1977.
There is supposedly a sunken u-boat in Churchill River, Labrador, 100 km inland.
Every page has a revelation. Did you know that when Reagan placed flowers on the graves of German soldiers at Bitburg, it signified a "formal integration of the former Waffen SS and its many tentacles into the US military's secret space program"?
The Third Power (a sort of Vril-powered techno Fourth Reich) gave us masers and lasers and technology to produce positrons for space travel(!!!). The technology was developed at secret labs in the Arctic, Antarctic, and South America, and maybe Tibet (yes there's a secret Nazi base in Tibet).
Also, apparently we nuked an Antarctic base in 1954. Can anyone confirm this for me?
God I love this stuff.
I learned that a German sub set up an automated weather station on the north end of Labrador. Ballsy! It was called Weather Station Kurt:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2g13BZ6L1nU
It lay dormant for years and was only discovered in 1977.
There is supposedly a sunken u-boat in Churchill River, Labrador, 100 km inland.
Every page has a revelation. Did you know that when Reagan placed flowers on the graves of German soldiers at Bitburg, it signified a "formal integration of the former Waffen SS and its many tentacles into the US military's secret space program"?
The Third Power (a sort of Vril-powered techno Fourth Reich) gave us masers and lasers and technology to produce positrons for space travel(!!!). The technology was developed at secret labs in the Arctic, Antarctic, and South America, and maybe Tibet (yes there's a secret Nazi base in Tibet).
Also, apparently we nuked an Antarctic base in 1954. Can anyone confirm this for me?
God I love this stuff.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:52 AM (+RQPJ)
109
Planning to start Children of Dune soon. Only finally read Dune and Messiah last year. Started Dune once as a pre-teen because I had enjoyed the 1984 movie version as a kid, but got distracted by whatever adolescent silliness was going on at the time and never made it back.
Posted by: She Hobbit at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (ftFVW)
---
The paradox of Herbert's writing is that the more he wrote, the better he got, but the less he actually had to say.
Planning to start Children of Dune soon. Only finally read Dune and Messiah last year. Started Dune once as a pre-teen because I had enjoyed the 1984 movie version as a kid, but got distracted by whatever adolescent silliness was going on at the time and never made it back.
Posted by: She Hobbit at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (ftFVW)
---
The paradox of Herbert's writing is that the more he wrote, the better he got, but the less he actually had to say.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:52 AM (llXky)
110
Oh oh -- Marconi faked his death in 1937 and moved with over a hundred scientists to a secret jungle location in South America to set up a space center based on Tesla technology.
I want to use this on some impressionable minds as a legit history textbook.
I want to use this on some impressionable minds as a legit history textbook.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:53 AM (+RQPJ)
111
Brandon Sanderson does video classes about writing that he posts to YouTube (I think. I've never watched one) for free.
Also, wow. You are quite prolific yourself.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:33 AM (nC+QA)
I've seen some of his YT vids. Didn't watch them, but I know he's done them. Might have to scan his channel and see what he's done.
PS: sold nothing though, so maybe not a good writer....
Also, wow. You are quite prolific yourself.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:33 AM (nC+QA)
I've seen some of his YT vids. Didn't watch them, but I know he's done them. Might have to scan his channel and see what he's done.
PS: sold nothing though, so maybe not a good writer....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:54 AM (Angsy)
112
I suggest it describes most of us here.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:44 AM (pQD8E)
I filled a 4' x 8', 5 shelf 3000 lb industrial unit on my last "Dammit! I can't even walk in this place now" maniacal unstacking shelving operation. Caused by reading Walls of Men and needing to go back 10 years into the stacks looking for a stack that is now stacked next to another stack...
Then I sit and read this place to much next to the stacks.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 09:44 AM (pQD8E)
I filled a 4' x 8', 5 shelf 3000 lb industrial unit on my last "Dammit! I can't even walk in this place now" maniacal unstacking shelving operation. Caused by reading Walls of Men and needing to go back 10 years into the stacks looking for a stack that is now stacked next to another stack...
Then I sit and read this place to much next to the stacks.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 09:54 AM (tKXCy)
113
Last week I read One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig, a dark fantasy take on Beauty & the Beast.
I like it enough to plan to read book 2
I like it enough to plan to read book 2
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:55 AM (TX2EM)
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 09:55 AM (p/isN)
115
One thing about this latest reread of LOTR was tracking the movements of the characters as Tolkien describes in the story. I have a large map of Middle-Earth on the wall and traced the action after each chapter. My sense of direction is, shall we say, limited which is why Mrs. JTB is always the navigator on trips. Using Tolkien's carefully drawn map really improved my appreciation of the story.
The next annual reading I'm giving thought to listening instead. I have the unabridged LOTR on CD, narrated by Andy Serkis. I've listened to parts of it and it is excellent and his interpretations bring out aspects I hadn't considered. After all, it's not like I don't know what's going to happen.
The next annual reading I'm giving thought to listening instead. I have the unabridged LOTR on CD, narrated by Andy Serkis. I've listened to parts of it and it is excellent and his interpretations bring out aspects I hadn't considered. After all, it's not like I don't know what's going to happen.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 09:56 AM (zudum)
116
Hot Coffee!!! how prophetic...Just finished Book 1 River World...next in queue...The road to Fatima Gate!!!
real World learning!!!
real World learning!!!
Posted by: qmark at January 21, 2024 09:56 AM (+t9Oi)
117
A lot of the elites are taking mind-altering substances to blow out the margins of conventional thinking. Micro dosing is a big thing. As someone who read a lot of Leary and Lilly in her youth, I am somewhat sympathetic. However, you're still the same person when you wake up in the Barrel.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:43 AM (+RQPJ)
If it were readily available and legal, I would totally microdose LSD. Not because I have any elitist notion that it would make me smarter, or open my mind, or more elite than the other elites, but because when I was young and wild, I thought LSD was fun.
I would enjoy just a touch of it, without the extreme effects, same as we all enjoy a glass of bourbon to unwind.
You guys thought you knew me, didn't you? LOL
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:43 AM (+RQPJ)
If it were readily available and legal, I would totally microdose LSD. Not because I have any elitist notion that it would make me smarter, or open my mind, or more elite than the other elites, but because when I was young and wild, I thought LSD was fun.
I would enjoy just a touch of it, without the extreme effects, same as we all enjoy a glass of bourbon to unwind.
You guys thought you knew me, didn't you? LOL
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:56 AM (OX9vb)
118
Brandon Sanderson does video classes about writing that he posts to YouTube (I think. I've never watched one) for free.
Also, wow. You are quite prolific yourself.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:33 AM (nC+QA)
I've seen some of his YT vids. Didn't watch them, but I know he's done them. Might have to scan his channel and see what he's done.
PS: sold nothing though, so maybe not a good writer....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:54 AM (Angsy)
---
I watched a few of his vids on creative writing. He's a decent lecturer and gives his students excellent writing advice. He's VERY successful, so he knows of what he speaks. His foundational principles seem to be: Promise. Progress. Payoff.
Also, wow. You are quite prolific yourself.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:33 AM (nC+QA)
I've seen some of his YT vids. Didn't watch them, but I know he's done them. Might have to scan his channel and see what he's done.
PS: sold nothing though, so maybe not a good writer....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:54 AM (Angsy)
---
I watched a few of his vids on creative writing. He's a decent lecturer and gives his students excellent writing advice. He's VERY successful, so he knows of what he speaks. His foundational principles seem to be: Promise. Progress. Payoff.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (BpYfr)
119
Would someone please specify this meme that's mentioned today?
It's the one with the guy walking with his girlfriend. His head is turned to look at another girl walking by, and his girlfriend looks very irritated.
It's the one with the guy walking with his girlfriend. His head is turned to look at another girl walking by, and his girlfriend looks very irritated.
Posted by: Archimedes at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (CsUN+)
120
IMHO (don't get me started), Francis isn't pope and the See of Peter remains empty since B16 passed away
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 09:47 AM (/RHNq)
---
Alternative take: Francis was put where he was for a reason, and we are seeing the fruit of that through his exposure of the deep network of pedo-friendly archbishops and porn-writing cardinals. None of this would have come to light but for Francis indicating it was safe for them to come out and make their move.
Look how Fiducia Supplicans has played out! Massive repudiation from every quarter. The conferences of France, Hungary, the Netherlands, all of Africa - all decisively rejecting it.
That's how evil often functions - overplaying its hand and rallying the righteous.
IMHO (don't get me started), Francis isn't pope and the See of Peter remains empty since B16 passed away
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 09:47 AM (/RHNq)
---
Alternative take: Francis was put where he was for a reason, and we are seeing the fruit of that through his exposure of the deep network of pedo-friendly archbishops and porn-writing cardinals. None of this would have come to light but for Francis indicating it was safe for them to come out and make their move.
Look how Fiducia Supplicans has played out! Massive repudiation from every quarter. The conferences of France, Hungary, the Netherlands, all of Africa - all decisively rejecting it.
That's how evil often functions - overplaying its hand and rallying the righteous.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (llXky)
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (p/isN)
122
Sharkman, I am about to come to the conclusion that most of the so called evangelical "Biblicists" that most folks know about have become co-opted by $ when it comes to eschatology.
Pre-trib is a lie from the pits of hell but it sure sells.
And you can't come up with preterism, full or partial, without allegorizing easy to understand passages if you just take them for what they say. Same with amillennialism and post-millennialism.
You cannot imagine how much it saddens me with the likes of MacArthur, Sproul, Begg and others being so good on so many other things.
Pre-trib is a lie from the pits of hell but it sure sells.
And you can't come up with preterism, full or partial, without allegorizing easy to understand passages if you just take them for what they say. Same with amillennialism and post-millennialism.
You cannot imagine how much it saddens me with the likes of MacArthur, Sproul, Begg and others being so good on so many other things.
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (5k0TE)
123
For some reason these guys who think they'll be the ones on top after the whatever-apocalypse always remind me of Broderick Crawford in the under-rated Glenn Ford flick 'The Fastest Gun Alive.' Crawford's a fast gun who gets told by a blind man that there's somebody faster; Crawford's outraged, demands to know how he can say that when the guy can't even see how fast he is, how can he say there's someone faster. Blind guy says 'Because there always is.' These guys just can't imagine that there's somebody else smart enough and quick enough to take them down.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (a/4+U)
124
Just now, for no apparent reason, the thought occurred to me:
"Hey, Sharkman, remember those "Phantom" novels written way back when by Lee Falk that you loved so much? I wonder how much it would cost to obtain the whole series?"
Heh. "Free" on Kindle Unlimited, which of course I have because I have no social life and only read and work. So, I'm off to read the first of 15 volumes of that character's excellent adventures.
"The Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks". Woot!
"Hey, Sharkman, remember those "Phantom" novels written way back when by Lee Falk that you loved so much? I wonder how much it would cost to obtain the whole series?"
Heh. "Free" on Kindle Unlimited, which of course I have because I have no social life and only read and work. So, I'm off to read the first of 15 volumes of that character's excellent adventures.
"The Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks". Woot!
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (/RHNq)
125
Posted by: gourmand du jour at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (MeG8a)
I used You Version for a couple if years, but it stopped working well on my Kindle. Got a pretty decent (verses not hacked to bits) Bible in a Year and used that for a couple of years. Trying to do Life Study type journaling this year and actually *read* the verses, not just listen to them.
I used You Version for a couple if years, but it stopped working well on my Kindle. Got a pretty decent (verses not hacked to bits) Bible in a Year and used that for a couple of years. Trying to do Life Study type journaling this year and actually *read* the verses, not just listen to them.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (nC+QA)
126
Sabrina Chase's new book sounds interesting. I like the cover.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:42 AM (TX2EM)
Gosh, hate to sound like a broken record, but I posted about book covers and a book cover artist on ALH yesterday. Seems like an interesting subject to...er, cover.
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 09:42 AM (TX2EM)
Gosh, hate to sound like a broken record, but I posted about book covers and a book cover artist on ALH yesterday. Seems like an interesting subject to...er, cover.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (Angsy)
127
I want to use this on some impressionable minds as a legit history textbook.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Ha. Couldn't be any worse than the garbage history they are learning now.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Ha. Couldn't be any worse than the garbage history they are learning now.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (pQD8E)
128
Morning, Book Folk!
Classics within a genre, esp. those that can be re-read over and over? Watership Down, the thriller for rabbits, comes to mind. Great world-building, humor in places, one of the towering villain figures in all literature, and pulse-pounding action. Okay, it's a long book, and it starts off slowly. But I promise you: Once you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology (really!), you'll be hooked.
Classics within a genre, esp. those that can be re-read over and over? Watership Down, the thriller for rabbits, comes to mind. Great world-building, humor in places, one of the towering villain figures in all literature, and pulse-pounding action. Okay, it's a long book, and it starts off slowly. But I promise you: Once you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology (really!), you'll be hooked.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (omVj0)
129
So the password is either 'Valu-rite' or 'Maple Syrup' - amirite?
Posted by: Tonypete
---
KABOOM
Posted by: Tonypete
---
KABOOM
Posted by: screaming in digital at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (i671v)
130
The conferences of France, Hungary, the Netherlands, all of Africa - all decisively rejecting it.
That's how evil often functions - overplaying its hand and rallying the righteous.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (llXky)
How to know when you're over-woked: the freaking Netherlands says "Nah, too far."
That's how evil often functions - overplaying its hand and rallying the righteous.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (llXky)
How to know when you're over-woked: the freaking Netherlands says "Nah, too far."
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (H5IZ1)
131
Good morning all.
Orange Ent, I have often wondered about authors like Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz who not only write under their own name but also write under pseudonyms in other genres. It's like they have multiple personalities. They are also prolific and wildly popular. Sometimes I like their writing in a particular genre and find other stuff boring.
For example, Nora Roberts pure romance books all feel like a Hallmark movie, totally formulaic. But hr "magic" novels, usually trilogies, still fun.
Orange Ent, I have often wondered about authors like Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz who not only write under their own name but also write under pseudonyms in other genres. It's like they have multiple personalities. They are also prolific and wildly popular. Sometimes I like their writing in a particular genre and find other stuff boring.
For example, Nora Roberts pure romance books all feel like a Hallmark movie, totally formulaic. But hr "magic" novels, usually trilogies, still fun.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (t/2Uw)
132
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings:_
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (+RQPJ)
133
I am really sick of classic franchises being given to writers that hate the franchise.
The most recent case I came across: Red Sonja, the almost-Robert-E-Howard character who is the archetypal warrior-woman in a chainmail bikini. Thanks to a Humble Bundle offer, I have a digital version of her 2019 comic book series written by Mark Russel. And Russel clearly hates the concept. He does everything he can to keep her covered up (why even use the character if you aren't going to show off the main feature that has kept her around for 50 years), kept her out of any worthwhile fighting until 20 issues in (again, ignoring the point of the character) and ignored or outright contradicted any of her standard characterization. Hist story was just a generic fantasy tale with Red Sonja shoehorned into the story as a 'selling point'.
And frankly, I think Russel hates fantasy as a genre, because the story sucks on its own merits. The set-up feels artificial and contrived, the characters all feel current-day in their attitudes and mannerisms, and he has a surface-level understanding of the most basic concepts. (Re-supplying an army--that's a one-time event, right?) Just awful...
The most recent case I came across: Red Sonja, the almost-Robert-E-Howard character who is the archetypal warrior-woman in a chainmail bikini. Thanks to a Humble Bundle offer, I have a digital version of her 2019 comic book series written by Mark Russel. And Russel clearly hates the concept. He does everything he can to keep her covered up (why even use the character if you aren't going to show off the main feature that has kept her around for 50 years), kept her out of any worthwhile fighting until 20 issues in (again, ignoring the point of the character) and ignored or outright contradicted any of her standard characterization. Hist story was just a generic fantasy tale with Red Sonja shoehorned into the story as a 'selling point'.
And frankly, I think Russel hates fantasy as a genre, because the story sucks on its own merits. The set-up feels artificial and contrived, the characters all feel current-day in their attitudes and mannerisms, and he has a surface-level understanding of the most basic concepts. (Re-supplying an army--that's a one-time event, right?) Just awful...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (Lhaco)
134
The pants pic was clearly taken at a college football tailgate, most likely in the Southeastern Conference. Note the University of Tennessee logo on the clothing of the person on the right.
You have to admire UT fans for their clothing efficiency. Wearing all orange sets them up for three days:
- they're dressed to go to the football game on Saturday
- they're dressed to go hunting on Sunday
- they're dressed to ride the garbage truck on Monday.
You have to admire UT fans for their clothing efficiency. Wearing all orange sets them up for three days:
- they're dressed to go to the football game on Saturday
- they're dressed to go hunting on Sunday
- they're dressed to ride the garbage truck on Monday.
Posted by: Rocked Top at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (NBVIP)
135
I WANT that hidden library/man cave, dammit!! (Not that I feel strongly about it.)
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 10:01 AM (zudum)
136
Interesting question: what makes a book a classic? One test is originality: Did the book introduce a genre of books? A second is age: Has the book stood the test of time? Have multiple generations found it worthwhile to read? But both depend *readability* and *re-readability*: The book has to be rewarding both on the first read, and on subsequent reads. A true classic will reveal facets of itself over time, with each reading of the book unveiling new riches to the reader.
For example, I think that Ursula LeGuin's "The Dispossessed" is a classic. It's not particularly original, but I first read it when I was in my early 20s, and I've read it each decade of my life since then; and now that I'm in my early 70s, I still find that it resonates with my life as I am living it now. If that's not a classic, please tell me what is! (Of course, you may disagree on "The Dispossessed"; YMMV, as they say around here.)
A counter-example is Arthur Hailey's "Airport". It sold millions of copies when it first came out, but it's now almost entirely forgotten. Not long ago, I watched "Airplane!" with my kids, and I had to explain what "Airport" and who Arthur Hailey were. Not a classic.
For example, I think that Ursula LeGuin's "The Dispossessed" is a classic. It's not particularly original, but I first read it when I was in my early 20s, and I've read it each decade of my life since then; and now that I'm in my early 70s, I still find that it resonates with my life as I am living it now. If that's not a classic, please tell me what is! (Of course, you may disagree on "The Dispossessed"; YMMV, as they say around here.)
A counter-example is Arthur Hailey's "Airport". It sold millions of copies when it first came out, but it's now almost entirely forgotten. Not long ago, I watched "Airplane!" with my kids, and I had to explain what "Airport" and who Arthur Hailey were. Not a classic.
Posted by: Nemo at January 21, 2024 10:01 AM (S6ArX)
137
Three non-fiction books by Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn now on deck and Toilers of the Hills, a historical fiction work by Vardis Fisher.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024 10:02 AM (/OeKS)
138
You guys thought you knew me, didn't you? LOL
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:56 AM (OX9vb)
----
Nice Girls drop acid too!
(And yeah, I'm curious myself)
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 09:56 AM (OX9vb)
----
Nice Girls drop acid too!
(And yeah, I'm curious myself)
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (+RQPJ)
139
These guys just can't imagine that there's somebody else smart enough and quick enough to take them down.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (a/4+U)
---
They lack that all important trait of humanity: Humility.
They are unable or unwilling to accept that there are any forces on earth greater than their own desires.
In the end, they forget the most important rule:
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (a/4+U)
---
They lack that all important trait of humanity: Humility.
They are unable or unwilling to accept that there are any forces on earth greater than their own desires.
In the end, they forget the most important rule:
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
140
vmom, someone here--I think it was grammie winger, recommended Bible Gateway app a few years back. I used it to listen to audio versions of the Bible back when I had a commute to work. It has reading and study plans, and offers pretty much every version of the Bible ever printed.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (OX9vb)
141
Sharkman, I am about to come to the conclusion that most of the so called evangelical "Biblicists" that most folks know about have become co-opted by $ when it comes to eschatology.
Pre-trib is a lie from the pits of hell but it sure sells.
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (5k0TE)
---
There is a huge market for "end times explained!" or "Secrets of the Bible Decoded!" kind of writing and lectures.
Presenting the Catholic/Orthodox reading of Revelation is, to be honest, not all that exciting. Sorry, no vacant cars weaving along the high, but those Left Behind books sure sold well back in the day.
Pre-trib is a lie from the pits of hell but it sure sells.
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 09:59 AM (5k0TE)
---
There is a huge market for "end times explained!" or "Secrets of the Bible Decoded!" kind of writing and lectures.
Presenting the Catholic/Orthodox reading of Revelation is, to be honest, not all that exciting. Sorry, no vacant cars weaving along the high, but those Left Behind books sure sold well back in the day.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:04 AM (llXky)
142
@119 --
Thank you.
I wonder how the people who posed for that shot must feel. Imagine if they got residuals.
Thank you.
I wonder how the people who posed for that shot must feel. Imagine if they got residuals.
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024 10:04 AM (p/isN)
143
I'm deep into Boston author Dennis Lehane's 2012 historical crime novel, Live By Night. Kicking off in 1926 Boston, it chronicles the rise within gangster circles of Joe Coughlin, a Boston cop's son who describes himself as an outlaw. In prison he comes under the protection of a Mafia kingpin, and when he gets out he heads to Tampa to safeguard, and build, the don's interests in literal rum-running.
As usual with Lehane, there is more *there* there than a quick synopsis can yield. Except for Shutter Island, which was pretty much okay, I've yet to hit a Lehane which did not grab me from page one and leave me breathless afterward.
As usual with Lehane, there is more *there* there than a quick synopsis can yield. Except for Shutter Island, which was pretty much okay, I've yet to hit a Lehane which did not grab me from page one and leave me breathless afterward.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:04 AM (omVj0)
144
In the end, they forget the most important rule:
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
Remember, Techbro, thou art mortal.
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
Remember, Techbro, thou art mortal.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 10:05 AM (H5IZ1)
145
"I have my own list and the trip leaders' recommended list, but happily consider Moron recommendations for my next Inklings read/reread."
Have you read Lewis' Space Trilogy? Highly recommended. Another is "The Great Divorce". Some years ago, I saw an actor do a one-man re-telling of that book; it was quite moving.
Have you read Lewis' Space Trilogy? Highly recommended. Another is "The Great Divorce". Some years ago, I saw an actor do a one-man re-telling of that book; it was quite moving.
Posted by: Nemo at January 21, 2024 10:05 AM (S6ArX)
146
The Passionate Few? Really?
Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi eat a lot of hot dogs. Does that make them food connoisseurs?
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 09:46 AM (991eG)
Pfft.
Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi eat a lot of hot dogs. Does that make them food connoisseurs?
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 09:46 AM (991eG)
Pfft.
Posted by: Beard Meets Food at January 21, 2024 10:05 AM (Angsy)
147
Orange Ent, I have often wondered about authors like Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz who not only write under their own name but also write under pseudonyms in other genres. It's like they have multiple personalities. They are also prolific and wildly popular. Sometimes I like their writing in a particular genre and find other stuff boring.
For example, Nora Roberts pure romance books all feel like a Hallmark movie, totally formulaic. But hr "magic" novels, usually trilogies, still fun.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)
---
My favorite author is Elizabeth Peters (pseudonym for Barbara Mertz, a Ph.D. in Egyptology). But only her Amelia Peabody books. I can't get into the other series like Vicky Bliss or Jacqueline Kirby (who is a librarian). Her other pseudonym is Barbara Michaels, and I've not tried any of those.
For example, Nora Roberts pure romance books all feel like a Hallmark movie, totally formulaic. But hr "magic" novels, usually trilogies, still fun.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)
---
My favorite author is Elizabeth Peters (pseudonym for Barbara Mertz, a Ph.D. in Egyptology). But only her Amelia Peabody books. I can't get into the other series like Vicky Bliss or Jacqueline Kirby (who is a librarian). Her other pseudonym is Barbara Michaels, and I've not tried any of those.
Posted by: screaming in digital at January 21, 2024 10:05 AM (i671v)
148
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
---
That's why they're trying to extend their life and upload their brains.
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
---
That's why they're trying to extend their life and upload their brains.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:06 AM (llXky)
149
P.G. Wodehouse once complimented Rex Stout by observing that he would reread Nero Wolfe novels although he would know the solution the second time. "Man, that's writing."
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024
***
+ 1000 I re-read several Stout NW novels every year. Even when you know what's coming, you want to spend time in that old brownstone house of Wolfe's and savor again Archie Goodwin's commentaries about people and places in the twentieth century.
Archie on TV: "Most television programs are for the overbrained or the underbrained, and I come in between."
Posted by: Weak Geek at January 21, 2024
***
+ 1000 I re-read several Stout NW novels every year. Even when you know what's coming, you want to spend time in that old brownstone house of Wolfe's and savor again Archie Goodwin's commentaries about people and places in the twentieth century.
Archie on TV: "Most television programs are for the overbrained or the underbrained, and I come in between."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:07 AM (omVj0)
150
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
---
That's why they're trying to extend their life and upload their brains.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:06 AM (llXky)
---
I've read the science fiction on that (Tad Williams' Otherland comes to mind). Doesn't turn out well...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
---
That's why they're trying to extend their life and upload their brains.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:06 AM (llXky)
---
I've read the science fiction on that (Tad Williams' Otherland comes to mind). Doesn't turn out well...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (BpYfr)
151
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
---
That's why they're trying to extend their life and upload their brains.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
______________
*Glenn Reynolds has entered the chat*
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
---
That's why they're trying to extend their life and upload their brains.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
______________
*Glenn Reynolds has entered the chat*
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (Dm8we)
152
I just clicked on the "guilty pleasures" link, which goes to a book on collectible dolls.
The cover photo shows a gaggle of Victorian dollies, but is that Vlad the Impaler glowering at top right?
The cover photo shows a gaggle of Victorian dollies, but is that Vlad the Impaler glowering at top right?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (+RQPJ)
153
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings:_
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Thank you, good lady.
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Thank you, good lady.
Posted by: She Hobbit at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (ftFVW)
154
*Glenn Reynolds has entered the chat*
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (Dm8we)
---
I stopped reading him more than a year ago. I think he is the most conventional of all the unconventional thinkers.
I don't miss him.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (Dm8we)
---
I stopped reading him more than a year ago. I think he is the most conventional of all the unconventional thinkers.
I don't miss him.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:10 AM (llXky)
155
Have you read Lewis' Space Trilogy? Highly recommended. Another is "The Great Divorce". Some years ago, I saw an actor do a one-man re-telling of that book; it was quite moving.
Posted by: Nemo
---
I have not read the Space Trilogy - and it is definitely on my pre-trip list, but I haven't ordered it yet. (I think I'll probably end up with a post-trip list as well...)
I should have a copy of The Great Divorce, if I can put my hands on it. I believe I've unpacked all of my C.S. Lewis but there are a few book boxes still to be opened. (Is it bad that I'm a librarian - a former cataloger, even - and I'm not sure whether I have a particular title?)
Posted by: Nemo
---
I have not read the Space Trilogy - and it is definitely on my pre-trip list, but I haven't ordered it yet. (I think I'll probably end up with a post-trip list as well...)
I should have a copy of The Great Divorce, if I can put my hands on it. I believe I've unpacked all of my C.S. Lewis but there are a few book boxes still to be opened. (Is it bad that I'm a librarian - a former cataloger, even - and I'm not sure whether I have a particular title?)
Posted by: screaming in digital at January 21, 2024 10:10 AM (i671v)
156
Hidden library would be a nice place to escape the apocalypse.
Sure, if you didn't, you know, drop your glasses.
Sure, if you didn't, you know, drop your glasses.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at January 21, 2024 10:11 AM (zdLoL)
157
Good morning, Horde, haven't read very much for a while now, but here I am with my pen and notepad seeking inspiration.
Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at January 21, 2024 10:11 AM (Sgq8y)
158
That's a key element - a lot of prolific authors write essentially the same story about the same characters. Harry Potter comes to mind. Sophie Kinsella (whom my wife used to read a lot), and so on. You find a genre, and just crank your way through it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (llXky)
A.H., isn't that the definition of a "hack?"
Also, when you have a family, do all the housework and cooking and getting the kid ready for school because said wife works six days a week with some overtime, doesn't give you much time to write anyway. I'm a write here and there person too. No time to sit for hours each day.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 09:50 AM (llXky)
A.H., isn't that the definition of a "hack?"
Also, when you have a family, do all the housework and cooking and getting the kid ready for school because said wife works six days a week with some overtime, doesn't give you much time to write anyway. I'm a write here and there person too. No time to sit for hours each day.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 10:11 AM (Angsy)
159
132 ... "https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings:_
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim"
All Hail Eris,
I've seen a few YT videos about this. I'm hoping they do a good job with the story and the animation. No stiff anime or ralph Bakshi crap. Hope they learned from the Rings of Power fiasco.
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim"
All Hail Eris,
I've seen a few YT videos about this. I'm hoping they do a good job with the story and the animation. No stiff anime or ralph Bakshi crap. Hope they learned from the Rings of Power fiasco.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 10:11 AM (zudum)
160
How would you still be yourself if you have no tactile senses, can't smell flowers or feel the wind blowing, can't eat bacon, never sleep, etc.?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:12 AM (+RQPJ)
161
I like the hidden library, and there was a time just a couple of decades ago when I'd have wanted it. These days I look at what little I've retained from the mountain of books that used to dominate the house, and try to talk myself into unloading just a little more so as not to leave the offspring with the job of finding homes for the ones they don't want to keep themselves. I find myself re-reading Joseph Epstein's essay 'Books Won't Furnish a Room' more often lately. Go figure.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 10:12 AM (a/4+U)
162
. . . I think that Ursula LeGuin's "The Dispossessed" is a classic. It's not particularly original, but I first read it when I was in my early 20s, and I've read it each decade of my life since then; and now that I'm in my early 70s, I still find that it resonates with my life as I am living it now. If that's not a classic, please tell me what is! (Of course, you may disagree on "The Dispossessed"; YMMV, as they say around here.)
A counter-example is Arthur Hailey's "Airport". It sold millions of copies when it first came out, but it's now almost entirely forgotten. . . . Not a classic.
Posted by: Nemo at January 21, 2024
***
I'd single out LeGuin's The Left Hand of Darkness as a minor classic, major within SF but readable by literary people too.
Airport was only one of Hailey's output. He specialized in examining industries within our society, and making them come alive with interesting people. Hotel, also made into a movie, was one. He did one about banking and one about the automotive industry too.
A counter-example is Arthur Hailey's "Airport". It sold millions of copies when it first came out, but it's now almost entirely forgotten. . . . Not a classic.
Posted by: Nemo at January 21, 2024
***
I'd single out LeGuin's The Left Hand of Darkness as a minor classic, major within SF but readable by literary people too.
Airport was only one of Hailey's output. He specialized in examining industries within our society, and making them come alive with interesting people. Hotel, also made into a movie, was one. He did one about banking and one about the automotive industry too.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:12 AM (omVj0)
163
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:07 AM (omVj0)
One way that modernity interferes is that Wolf has to have a special-built chair for his "enormous" 300 pounds. Let's just say Inspector weighed 2/3 of that when he was super buff, and one sees even larger people pretty regularly.
One way that modernity interferes is that Wolf has to have a special-built chair for his "enormous" 300 pounds. Let's just say Inspector weighed 2/3 of that when he was super buff, and one sees even larger people pretty regularly.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 10:14 AM (nC+QA)
164
*Glenn Reynolds has entered the chat*
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (Dm8we)
---
I stopped reading him more than a year ago. I think he is the most conventional of all the unconventional thinkers.
I don't miss him.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
_______________
I like him, but he wears his fear of death like it's a badge of honor.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (Dm8we)
---
I stopped reading him more than a year ago. I think he is the most conventional of all the unconventional thinkers.
I don't miss him.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
_______________
I like him, but he wears his fear of death like it's a badge of honor.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at January 21, 2024 10:15 AM (Dm8we)
165
I've read the science fiction on that (Tad Williams' Otherland comes to mind). Doesn't turn out well...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (BpYfr)
---
The trans debate is basically a retread of the old gnostic position that mind and body are interchangeable, a skin suit for the intellect. As the Church Fathers noted, our body defines what we know. You only see through your eyes, feel through your hands, and the rest is just conjecture.
Respiration, body temperature, that distant buzz in your ears - these fundamentally shape who we are. It's not like changing pants.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:08 AM (BpYfr)
---
The trans debate is basically a retread of the old gnostic position that mind and body are interchangeable, a skin suit for the intellect. As the Church Fathers noted, our body defines what we know. You only see through your eyes, feel through your hands, and the rest is just conjecture.
Respiration, body temperature, that distant buzz in your ears - these fundamentally shape who we are. It's not like changing pants.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:15 AM (llXky)
166
How would you still be yourself if you have no tactile senses, can't smell flowers or feel the wind blowing, can't eat bacon, never sleep, etc.?
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Especially the part about bacon.
Seriously, these people are looking for heaven without the theology.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Especially the part about bacon.
Seriously, these people are looking for heaven without the theology.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 10:15 AM (pQD8E)
167
Stepping away for awhile now. Many thanks, Perfessor and Horde, for a great thread. It's a treat to be here with y'all (yes, I'm livestreaming church today instead of hauling my sorry carcass out on a cold morning).
Have a good one, Horde, and stay cozy in whatever your own hidden library is...
Have a good one, Horde, and stay cozy in whatever your own hidden library is...
Posted by: screaming in digital at January 21, 2024 10:16 AM (i671v)
168
147 ... "My favorite author is Elizabeth Peters (pseudonym for Barbara Mertz, a Ph.D. in Egyptology). But only her Amelia Peabody books."
Mrs. JTB and I loved the Peabody books. Part of the enjoyment was Peters had more fun with the characters as the series went on.
Mrs. JTB and I loved the Peabody books. Part of the enjoyment was Peters had more fun with the characters as the series went on.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 10:16 AM (zudum)
169
Glenn's place is a fun place to find memes on the Open Thread at 9:30 pm Eastern time.
Posted by: But please, no Ed Driscoll at January 21, 2024 10:19 AM (NBVIP)
170
The "passionate Few" may not always be passionate.
Richard Condon, most famous for "The Manchurian Candidate" had the "Condon Cult", which devoured his first few novels after "TMC".
It was enough of a phenom that people actually called it that and talked about it.
Buuuuut, after about 8 or so novels the "Condon Cult" died out because they were disappointed in his novels and topics.
He came back to fame several years later with "Prizzi's Honor".
Anywho, I'm reading the Prizzi books starting with the first in the timeline, "Prize's Family", which leads into "Prize's Honor".
I admire Richard Condon as a writer and all of his good traits are on display in "PF". Quick concise character descriptions of who they are are what they want. So, the conflicts and potential conflicts are played out for the reader. Humorous and off-kilter descriptions and dialogue. Surprising subversion of fictional stereotypes. Some nice satire. Good stuff all around.
Check him out.
Richard Condon, most famous for "The Manchurian Candidate" had the "Condon Cult", which devoured his first few novels after "TMC".
It was enough of a phenom that people actually called it that and talked about it.
Buuuuut, after about 8 or so novels the "Condon Cult" died out because they were disappointed in his novels and topics.
He came back to fame several years later with "Prizzi's Honor".
Anywho, I'm reading the Prizzi books starting with the first in the timeline, "Prize's Family", which leads into "Prize's Honor".
I admire Richard Condon as a writer and all of his good traits are on display in "PF". Quick concise character descriptions of who they are are what they want. So, the conflicts and potential conflicts are played out for the reader. Humorous and off-kilter descriptions and dialogue. Surprising subversion of fictional stereotypes. Some nice satire. Good stuff all around.
Check him out.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2024 10:19 AM (nFnyb)
171
Weak Geek, you took me on a trip down memory lane. I used to wait for and devour Robert Ludlum books, back in the day. He definitely had an excitable writing style.
I am thinking I will spend time each week this year reading some good American history books, and some biographies of notable American patriots.
Since I’ve been reading so much junk stuff it should be good for me.
A book I’d recommend for any cookbook fans, The Cash and Carter Family Cookbook by John Carter Cash. It has some recipes I want to make, and what a variety of selections. However, the memories and family stories he sacatters among the recipes are really the draw.
I am thinking I will spend time each week this year reading some good American history books, and some biographies of notable American patriots.
Since I’ve been reading so much junk stuff it should be good for me.
A book I’d recommend for any cookbook fans, The Cash and Carter Family Cookbook by John Carter Cash. It has some recipes I want to make, and what a variety of selections. However, the memories and family stories he sacatters among the recipes are really the draw.
Posted by: Menagerie at January 21, 2024 10:19 AM (n/MLA)
172
I watched a few of his vids on creative writing. He's a decent lecturer and gives his students excellent writing advice. He's VERY successful, so he knows of what he speaks. His foundational principles seem to be: Promise. Progress. Payoff.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (BpYfr)
I keep getting him confused with Brian McNulty, who you posted a link to last week. I've watched quite a few writing vids. Just watched a few by Abbie Emmons. Then, I see so many "this is how to write" vids by what looks like 20 year old women, and I think, "how the hell would you know how to write? You haven't lived long enough. But, they're published....
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 09:57 AM (BpYfr)
I keep getting him confused with Brian McNulty, who you posted a link to last week. I've watched quite a few writing vids. Just watched a few by Abbie Emmons. Then, I see so many "this is how to write" vids by what looks like 20 year old women, and I think, "how the hell would you know how to write? You haven't lived long enough. But, they're published....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 10:20 AM (Angsy)
173
God I love this stuff.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
What is the name of this masterful work of historical awesomeness? I must investigate . . .
Posted by: All Hail Eris
What is the name of this masterful work of historical awesomeness? I must investigate . . .
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 10:20 AM (/RHNq)
174
The biscuits could've been browner but I'm not one to complain.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at January 21, 2024 10:21 AM (RIvkX)
175
71 Quick question book nerdz - what is a good eBible to have on my phone while traveling?
I use BlueBible, though it's better on a tablet. You can pick your version, do parallel listings w/2 versions, compare verse texts from multiple versions. Other stuff I'm probably forgetting
I use BlueBible, though it's better on a tablet. You can pick your version, do parallel listings w/2 versions, compare verse texts from multiple versions. Other stuff I'm probably forgetting
Posted by: yara at January 21, 2024 10:21 AM (xr64u)
176
@141 - A.H. Lloyd
Not sure what Catholicism teaches on eschatology. Closest friend is Catholic and he believes in "post-trib."
Referring to th 70th week of Daniel as the tribulation is often the first step in getting off track. God's Word never does.
But pre-tribbers like to use that to then say that the entire 70th week is the time of God's eschatological wrath to which we are not appointed.
Tribulation, thlipsis in the Greek, simply means pressure.
Not sure what Catholicism teaches on eschatology. Closest friend is Catholic and he believes in "post-trib."
Referring to th 70th week of Daniel as the tribulation is often the first step in getting off track. God's Word never does.
But pre-tribbers like to use that to then say that the entire 70th week is the time of God's eschatological wrath to which we are not appointed.
Tribulation, thlipsis in the Greek, simply means pressure.
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (5k0TE)
177
Seriously, these people are looking for heaven without the theology.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 10:15 AM (pQD8E)
---
To do what? Obligatory book plus: In The Vampires of Michigan, my focus is on what immortality would actually be like. That is to say, probably boring after a while. You've sampled every sense, tried every perversion and...then what?
A brain in a jar sounds like you can read and know all, but who shares that with you? Who wants life without actual human interaction, be it a touch, a hug, a kiss?
They're crippled half-people who dream of being even less. Sad.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 10:15 AM (pQD8E)
---
To do what? Obligatory book plus: In The Vampires of Michigan, my focus is on what immortality would actually be like. That is to say, probably boring after a while. You've sampled every sense, tried every perversion and...then what?
A brain in a jar sounds like you can read and know all, but who shares that with you? Who wants life without actual human interaction, be it a touch, a hug, a kiss?
They're crippled half-people who dream of being even less. Sad.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (llXky)
178
Reading "The Inspector Of Time" by Josephine Tey, and enjoying it. Went on a Wodehouse jag this past week, for relief from constant negativity. "Uncle Fred Flits By" may be the greatest of his short stories, and I loved rereading it.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (oMQtW)
179
I read the second Anthony Horowitz/Hawthorne book, The Sentence is Death and have requested the third book in the series from ILL. That's a recommendation.
Posted by: huerfano
On Amazon, you have been able to pre-order the fourth in the series for a few months now and it.isn't scheduled to be released until April.
Posted by: huerfano
On Amazon, you have been able to pre-order the fourth in the series for a few months now and it.isn't scheduled to be released until April.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (FVME7)
180
Poindexterous, Red Harvest has never been among my favorite Hammett stories. In fact I've never liked The Thin Man as much as I ought to, and it took me several tries to finish Maltese Falcon. Somehow I think Hammett was better at the short form; the Continental Op short stories are neat and short and well done.
Now, what Hammett did was to drag the detective/crime story out of the drawing room and into the alleys where real gritty crime is committed (paraphrasing Raymond Chandler there). Falcon, for instance, is a virtuoso writing job. We never delve into any character's mind, not even Sam Spade's. All emotion is expressed through tones of voice, body language, and actions. Tough to pull off, esp. in a long story.
Now, what Hammett did was to drag the detective/crime story out of the drawing room and into the alleys where real gritty crime is committed (paraphrasing Raymond Chandler there). Falcon, for instance, is a virtuoso writing job. We never delve into any character's mind, not even Sam Spade's. All emotion is expressed through tones of voice, body language, and actions. Tough to pull off, esp. in a long story.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:23 AM (omVj0)
181
Look how Fiducia Supplicans has played out! Massive repudiation from every quarter. The conferences of France, Hungary, the Netherlands, all of Africa - all decisively rejecting it.
That's how evil often functions - overplaying its hand and rallying the righteous.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
I hope you are correct about this, Fine Sir. Right now I feel like I'm watching Satan take over the Church in real time and it is profoundly disturbing and saddening for me.
That's how evil often functions - overplaying its hand and rallying the righteous.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
I hope you are correct about this, Fine Sir. Right now I feel like I'm watching Satan take over the Church in real time and it is profoundly disturbing and saddening for me.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 10:24 AM (/RHNq)
182
Mrs Some Guy is a huge fan of Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Mertz and some of the Barbara Michaels; has been for decades, since our days at Kroch's & Brentano's in Chicago. One of the sales floor staff there, if memory serves, was a friend of Peters so we could be sure of finding new Peters titles in stock as they came out. Working in a big book store had its good points...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 10:24 AM (a/4+U)
183
Reading "The Inspector Of Time" by Josephine Tey, and enjoying it. Went on a Wodehouse jag this past week, for relief from constant negativity. "Uncle Fred Flits By" may be the greatest of his short stories, and I loved rereading it.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (oMQtW)
----------
Meant "Daughter of Time"(an Inspector Grant mystery)
No idea why I mistyped the title.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (oMQtW)
----------
Meant "Daughter of Time"(an Inspector Grant mystery)
No idea why I mistyped the title.
Posted by: Huck Follywood at January 21, 2024 10:25 AM (DwYZJ)
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2024 10:26 AM (nFnyb)
185
They're crippled half-people who dream of being even less. Sad.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (llXky)
Stealing this.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (llXky)
Stealing this.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 10:27 AM (H5IZ1)
186
One way that modernity interferes is that Wolf has to have a special-built chair for his "enormous" 300 pounds. Let's just say Inspector weighed 2/3 of that when he was super buff, and one sees even larger people pretty regularly.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024
***
Wolfe, Archie keeps telling us, weighs "somewhere between 250 and a ton," or "a seventh of a ton." "Wolfe, who could get a job in a physics laboratory as an Immovable Object if the detective business ever played out . . ." And at least once Archie tells him on the phone, "Don't overdo."
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024
***
Wolfe, Archie keeps telling us, weighs "somewhere between 250 and a ton," or "a seventh of a ton." "Wolfe, who could get a job in a physics laboratory as an Immovable Object if the detective business ever played out . . ." And at least once Archie tells him on the phone, "Don't overdo."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:27 AM (omVj0)
187
Not sure what Catholicism teaches on eschatology. Closest friend is Catholic and he believes in "post-trib."
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (5k0TE)
---
It's simply not that important. The End Times will show up and none shall know the hour. So be vigilant.
Catholicism (and Orthodoxy) focuses entirely on the life before you, preparing for the life to come. That should be your focus, not putting a decal on the minivan and watching the calendar.
Over the last couple of years I've noticed that daily events trouble me less because of that distant focus. We go when we go, so what am I doing today? Is my prayer life sufficient?
Speaking of which, time to go to Mass! Thanks again, Perfesser!
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (5k0TE)
---
It's simply not that important. The End Times will show up and none shall know the hour. So be vigilant.
Catholicism (and Orthodoxy) focuses entirely on the life before you, preparing for the life to come. That should be your focus, not putting a decal on the minivan and watching the calendar.
Over the last couple of years I've noticed that daily events trouble me less because of that distant focus. We go when we go, so what am I doing today? Is my prayer life sufficient?
Speaking of which, time to go to Mass! Thanks again, Perfesser!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:27 AM (llXky)
188
Orange Ent, I have often wondered about authors like Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz who not only write under their own name but also write under pseudonyms in other genres. It's like they have multiple personalities. They are also prolific and wildly popular. Sometimes I like their writing in a particular genre and find other stuff boring.
For example, Nora Roberts pure romance books all feel like a Hallmark movie, totally formulaic. But hr "magic" novels, usually trilogies, still fun.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (t/2Uw)
Sharon, I do believe there are authors who can be good and prolific at the same time. I'd say different names for different genres, and maybe to not over use one name. I have two pen names, one for westerns, and one for others myself, so I sort of understand that. Since there are only seven stories, it seems like those with massive published credits must be re-writing the same story, just changing names and places. As mentioned by someone above.
For example, Nora Roberts pure romance books all feel like a Hallmark movie, totally formulaic. But hr "magic" novels, usually trilogies, still fun.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (t/2Uw)
Sharon, I do believe there are authors who can be good and prolific at the same time. I'd say different names for different genres, and maybe to not over use one name. I have two pen names, one for westerns, and one for others myself, so I sort of understand that. Since there are only seven stories, it seems like those with massive published credits must be re-writing the same story, just changing names and places. As mentioned by someone above.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 10:28 AM (Angsy)
189
They're crippled half-people who dream of being even less. Sad.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (llXky)
Exactly Eldest Kidlet had a guy interested in her for a bit, but he was a trans-humanist so he never had a chance. He had "anger issues" that he was afraid of and longed for a world of pure logic. Illogically, he believed that would cure all conflict and didn't understand that, at heart, he was insisting everyone think exactly like he did.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at January 21, 2024 10:22 AM (llXky)
Exactly Eldest Kidlet had a guy interested in her for a bit, but he was a trans-humanist so he never had a chance. He had "anger issues" that he was afraid of and longed for a world of pure logic. Illogically, he believed that would cure all conflict and didn't understand that, at heart, he was insisting everyone think exactly like he did.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 10:28 AM (nC+QA)
190
Wolfus, "Watership Down" is another of my all-time favorite books of my misspent yute that I really need to pick up again. It's been 45 years, and I imagine it will be just as great now as it was then.
Have you read "Shardick" by the same author? Very strange and wonderful book in its own right.
Have you read "Shardick" by the same author? Very strange and wonderful book in its own right.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 10:29 AM (/RHNq)
191
Most of my reading this week has been either the book I'm writing, or an unpublished book from a friend of mine who wanted comments.
However: to the surprise of absolutely no one except liberal airheads, there were voting irregularities on the Hugo Awards at the Chengdu World SF Convention. Here's the story: http://tinyurl.com/4k8ktvhz
And here's the official Hugo voting data: http://tinyurl.com/mwenr8pu
Of course, all of us who didn't want to go to the CCP WorldCon and were told we were racists because of it can now enjoy a good chortle of schadenfreude. I'm sure Larry Correia will have some choice words to say about all this.
However: to the surprise of absolutely no one except liberal airheads, there were voting irregularities on the Hugo Awards at the Chengdu World SF Convention. Here's the story: http://tinyurl.com/4k8ktvhz
And here's the official Hugo voting data: http://tinyurl.com/mwenr8pu
Of course, all of us who didn't want to go to the CCP WorldCon and were told we were racists because of it can now enjoy a good chortle of schadenfreude. I'm sure Larry Correia will have some choice words to say about all this.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 21, 2024 10:29 AM (78a2H)
192
They're crippled half-people who dream of being even less. Sad.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
They are seeking immortality on the earthly plane, not willing to accept the existence of God.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
They are seeking immortality on the earthly plane, not willing to accept the existence of God.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 10:30 AM (CIlEP)
193
Shark man, it's: "Antarctica and the Secret Space Program: From WWII to the Current Space Race" by David Hatcher Childress.
He's not a complete loon. He's usually just reporting what others allege. As Anna Russell used to say as she summarized a Richard Wagner opera, "I'm not making this up, you know!"
He's not a complete loon. He's usually just reporting what others allege. As Anna Russell used to say as she summarized a Richard Wagner opera, "I'm not making this up, you know!"
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:31 AM (+RQPJ)
194
Thanks for the Book Thread, Perfesser!
It's dreary and wintery outside so it is a perfect day to curl up with a good book. The Book Thread has introduced me to writers and books I would have otherwise missed. I consider myself blessed to be able to enjoy the Book Thread.
It's dreary and wintery outside so it is a perfect day to curl up with a good book. The Book Thread has introduced me to writers and books I would have otherwise missed. I consider myself blessed to be able to enjoy the Book Thread.
Posted by: Legally Sufficient at January 21, 2024 10:32 AM (a8Rgt)
195
Wolfus, "Watership Down" is another of my all-time favorite books of my misspent yute that I really need to pick up again. It's been 45 years, and I imagine it will be just as great now as it was then.
Have you read "Shardick" by the same author? Very strange and wonderful book in its own right.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024
***
I haven't, and keep meaning to.
Have you read "Shardick" by the same author? Very strange and wonderful book in its own right.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024
***
I haven't, and keep meaning to.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:32 AM (omVj0)
196
#27. I'm also about halfway through Schlicter's "The Attack" ... and it is an unsettling read, because I can see it all happening here in real life. Perhaps not so well coordinated as the author has it, but yeah ... a bunch of hopped-up jihadis going all October 7th on ordinary Americans. Too readily believable. Very frightening. I lived with the possibility of terrorism all the time that I was stationed overseas in Greece and Spain during the 80s and 90s. Horrific to imagine it happening here, as it did in Israel.
I did have an initial criticism, that a lot of the individual narrators in the first part of the book did tend to sound alike, although most of them were supposed to be from various backgrounds and occupations. Each narrator is basically a monologue, and one ought to be able to pick out background, character, age, etc just from the words and concepts. A writer has to have an ear for that sort of thing - fortunately, Schlicter's later monologues are more convincing that way.
I did have an initial criticism, that a lot of the individual narrators in the first part of the book did tend to sound alike, although most of them were supposed to be from various backgrounds and occupations. Each narrator is basically a monologue, and one ought to be able to pick out background, character, age, etc just from the words and concepts. A writer has to have an ear for that sort of thing - fortunately, Schlicter's later monologues are more convincing that way.
Posted by: Sgt. Mom at January 21, 2024 10:32 AM (xnmPy)
197
I go on reading tangents a lot. I’ve sort of gotten on a Solzhenitsyn tangent because my sister expressed an interest in The Gulag Archipelago so I got it for her for Christmas, except the first time I ordered Part III by mistake, so I’ll be reading that. Then I got an old ‘70s National Review that had a cover article on Solzhenitsyn and the seller was kind enough to throw a couple other articles from when he first became a big deal, and I’m starting The First Circle which has been on myself forever, and I’m enjoying it, about high-end Soviet prison camps full of engineers. He has a fascinating long section where we see inside Stalin’s head and all his narcissism and paranoia and how they fed each other.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at January 21, 2024 10:32 AM (hsWtj)
198
Good morning!
Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.
Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 21, 2024 10:32 AM (u82oZ)
199
"a seventh of a ton” gets used through the book series. It’s funny every time he says it.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024 10:33 AM (c8VnL)
200
* on my shelf forever
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at January 21, 2024 10:33 AM (hsWtj)
201
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:04 AM (omVj0)
Wolfus, I have a story idea for you. Based in NOLA, so I don't think I could do it.
Wolfus, I have a story idea for you. Based in NOLA, so I don't think I could do it.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 10:34 AM (Angsy)
202
"Why Men Hate Going to Church"
Posted by: By David Murrow at January 21, 2024 10:35 AM (NBVIP)
203
Focus on daily life and prayer, etc. Of course.
But not important?
God sure spent a lot of scripture in both Old and New Testaments for something that is not important.
But not important?
God sure spent a lot of scripture in both Old and New Testaments for something that is not important.
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 10:36 AM (5k0TE)
204
I long ago gave up letting others, especially academics, determine what classics are for me. In too many cases their pronouncements were just echoes of what they had been told and I doubt how many of them actually read the books. F. Scott Fitzgerald, most of Hemingway, and others: meh. Tolstoy and Dostoevsky: nope.
But there are some I think qualify as classics that are never mentioned for inspiring, effective writing and frequently reread. Nero Wolfe mysteries. The Matt Helm series. The original Conan stories. The Lensman and Skylark series are classic space opera.
Books that, in my opinion, will be classics in the future: Patrick O'Brian stories, Wendell Berry essays and poetry, and Malcolm Guite books and poetry.
I have no idea if the Harry Potter books are still big sellers, especially since the movies came out, so I don't know if they will be considered classics for future generations.
But there are some I think qualify as classics that are never mentioned for inspiring, effective writing and frequently reread. Nero Wolfe mysteries. The Matt Helm series. The original Conan stories. The Lensman and Skylark series are classic space opera.
Books that, in my opinion, will be classics in the future: Patrick O'Brian stories, Wendell Berry essays and poetry, and Malcolm Guite books and poetry.
I have no idea if the Harry Potter books are still big sellers, especially since the movies came out, so I don't know if they will be considered classics for future generations.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 10:37 AM (zudum)
205
"a seventh of a ton” gets used through the book series. It’s funny every time he says it.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024
***
That was Stout's amazing skill. He was not a great mystery plotter in the Ellery Queen/John Dickson Carr vein, no. And sometimes he never gave the reader all the information needed to solve the crime. Doesn't matter. Sprightly, fast-moving books with atmosphere, wit, and timeless narration -- Archie, who is supposed to be writing these tomes, writes exactly the way he talks.
Coming back to them in adult years, I've discovered things. Archie in one novel about the magazine business mentions a "Mr. Tite" as clearly a bigwig in publishing. Not until I was a grownup did I realize that was a play on the name of Henry Luce, who founded Time magazine.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024
***
That was Stout's amazing skill. He was not a great mystery plotter in the Ellery Queen/John Dickson Carr vein, no. And sometimes he never gave the reader all the information needed to solve the crime. Doesn't matter. Sprightly, fast-moving books with atmosphere, wit, and timeless narration -- Archie, who is supposed to be writing these tomes, writes exactly the way he talks.
Coming back to them in adult years, I've discovered things. Archie in one novel about the magazine business mentions a "Mr. Tite" as clearly a bigwig in publishing. Not until I was a grownup did I realize that was a play on the name of Henry Luce, who founded Time magazine.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:38 AM (omVj0)
206
Snowed in so I read a lot this week.
In Kate Hope Day's "If, Then", four neighbors in Oregon who live at the base of a long-dormant volcano begin to experience baffling visions of themselves in parallel realities. When the earth trembles, it triggers brief glimpses of this other life. A wildlife scientist sees a vision of impending disaster and begins feverishly building a shelter in his backyard. His wife sees herself in the arms of someone else. A grieving daughter sees her recently deceased mother bustling around the kitchen. A new mother struggling to finish her thesis sees herself pregnant again.
I liked how the different versions of a character would catch sight of their doppelgänger when the tissue between realities was thinning, and wonder about how their lives in this alternate reality. The visions start out benign but get more and more disturbing.
In Kate Hope Day's "If, Then", four neighbors in Oregon who live at the base of a long-dormant volcano begin to experience baffling visions of themselves in parallel realities. When the earth trembles, it triggers brief glimpses of this other life. A wildlife scientist sees a vision of impending disaster and begins feverishly building a shelter in his backyard. His wife sees herself in the arms of someone else. A grieving daughter sees her recently deceased mother bustling around the kitchen. A new mother struggling to finish her thesis sees herself pregnant again.
I liked how the different versions of a character would catch sight of their doppelgänger when the tissue between realities was thinning, and wonder about how their lives in this alternate reality. The visions start out benign but get more and more disturbing.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:38 AM (+RQPJ)
207
Watership Down sunk with me.
I loved both the book and the cartoon as a kid.
Tried to read it about 5 years ago and for some reason just didn't get into it. Tried the cartoon and it sent me off into a what the hell was wrong with the 70's dig.
I loved both the book and the cartoon as a kid.
Tried to read it about 5 years ago and for some reason just didn't get into it. Tried the cartoon and it sent me off into a what the hell was wrong with the 70's dig.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 10:39 AM (tKXCy)
208
They are seeking immortality on the earthly plane, not willing to accept the existence of God.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 10:30 AM (CIlEP)
Well, for some people it could be that.
I'm thinking it's mostly this:
I enjoy life and I want to live as long as I can live it well. Not interested in living to 150 as a senile, decrepit shell.
And not interested in living as a "consciousness" in a machine somewhere. I can't think of anything less appealing than handing complete control of myself over to some unknown person running a computer somewhere.
Tha's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip.
Death comes for us all the same way that birth did. You have no control over that moment (sans suicide). When your tickets punched it's punched. so, enjoy the gift of life while you can.
They are seeking immortality on the earthly plane, not willing to accept the existence of God.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at January 21, 2024 10:30 AM (CIlEP)
Well, for some people it could be that.
I'm thinking it's mostly this:
I enjoy life and I want to live as long as I can live it well. Not interested in living to 150 as a senile, decrepit shell.
And not interested in living as a "consciousness" in a machine somewhere. I can't think of anything less appealing than handing complete control of myself over to some unknown person running a computer somewhere.
Tha's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip.
Death comes for us all the same way that birth did. You have no control over that moment (sans suicide). When your tickets punched it's punched. so, enjoy the gift of life while you can.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2024 10:39 AM (nFnyb)
209
Wolfus, I have a story idea for you. Based in NOLA, so I don't think I could do it.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024
***
I haven't checked in on the writer's group in a bit, I know. Details there?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024
***
I haven't checked in on the writer's group in a bit, I know. Details there?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:39 AM (omVj0)
210
@144~~
In the end, they forget the most important rule:
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
Remember, Techbro, thou art mortal.
"We all wake from the dream"
In the end, they forget the most important rule:
"Death comes for us all." -- Aiel proverb
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at January 21, 2024 10:03 AM (BpYfr)
Remember, Techbro, thou art mortal.
"We all wake from the dream"
Posted by: p0indexterous at January 21, 2024 10:40 AM (QBwMV)
211
The Third Power (a sort of Vril-powered techno Fourth Reich) gave us masers and lasers and technology to produce positrons for space travel(!!!).
-
Vril is now known as Mass Effect.
-
Vril is now known as Mass Effect.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:41 AM (FVME7)
212
He's not a complete loon. He's usually just reporting what others allege. As Anna Russell used to say as she summarized a Richard Wagner opera, "I'm not making this up, you know!"
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:31 AM (+RQPJ)
A person who's not in my family who knows Anna Russell. *fistbump*
"You're exactly where you started TWENTY HOURS AGO!"
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:31 AM (+RQPJ)
A person who's not in my family who knows Anna Russell. *fistbump*
"You're exactly where you started TWENTY HOURS AGO!"
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 10:41 AM (H5IZ1)
213
Watership Down sunk with me.
I loved both the book and the cartoon as a kid.
Tried to read it about 5 years ago and for some reason just didn't get into it. Tried the cartoon and it sent me off into a what the hell was wrong with the 70's dig.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024
***
I read it, and saw the animated film, when I was about twenty-five, and they both blew me away. Recently one of the streaming services had a new adaptation of the book, not two hours long but six or something. From what little I saw, it was dull, and all the rabbits were drawn so much alike you couldn't tell them apart.
I loved both the book and the cartoon as a kid.
Tried to read it about 5 years ago and for some reason just didn't get into it. Tried the cartoon and it sent me off into a what the hell was wrong with the 70's dig.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024
***
I read it, and saw the animated film, when I was about twenty-five, and they both blew me away. Recently one of the streaming services had a new adaptation of the book, not two hours long but six or something. From what little I saw, it was dull, and all the rabbits were drawn so much alike you couldn't tell them apart.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:42 AM (omVj0)
214
I totally read that as "Sharkdick" and wondered how I had ever missed this book.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:42 AM (+RQPJ)
215
Finished Winged Victory: The Army Air Forces in World War II by Geoffrey Perret .
This was approved by Anna Puma as a dry, dusty, yet comprehensive book on the WWII activities of the Army Air Corps.
It is pitched at a telling of the strategic levels of the war. Some tactical and operational levels are lightly sketched.
The strength of this book is explaining why some policies and leaders were chosen, with a melding of dogma, procurement, and logistics
to win a war. The mechanism is the personal choices of flawed leaders, who started off with a strategic plan that did not work. How they fixed the problems of winning the war is the heart of the book.
I liked it, just like I liked the author's There's a War to Be Won: The United States Army in World War II
This was approved by Anna Puma as a dry, dusty, yet comprehensive book on the WWII activities of the Army Air Corps.
It is pitched at a telling of the strategic levels of the war. Some tactical and operational levels are lightly sketched.
The strength of this book is explaining why some policies and leaders were chosen, with a melding of dogma, procurement, and logistics
to win a war. The mechanism is the personal choices of flawed leaders, who started off with a strategic plan that did not work. How they fixed the problems of winning the war is the heart of the book.
I liked it, just like I liked the author's There's a War to Be Won: The United States Army in World War II
Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 21, 2024 10:43 AM (u82oZ)
216
I’m starting The First Circle which has been on myself forever, and I’m enjoying it, about high-end Soviet prison camps full of engineers.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at January 21, 2024 10:32 AM (hsWtj)
I started this one a few months ago, but abandoned it, because I wasn't in the mood for it then. But I'm reminded of a review for it on goodreads that I found hilarious: something like "didn't finish, so much misogyny."
A leftist feminist expected something different from the mid-century Soviet paradise?
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at January 21, 2024 10:32 AM (hsWtj)
I started this one a few months ago, but abandoned it, because I wasn't in the mood for it then. But I'm reminded of a review for it on goodreads that I found hilarious: something like "didn't finish, so much misogyny."
A leftist feminist expected something different from the mid-century Soviet paradise?
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 10:43 AM (OX9vb)
217
"That's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip."
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (+RQPJ)
218
I find that Gatsby, some Hemingway, etc, read better for me as I get more ancient. Books that seemed top-of-the-line when I was younger are less so now. Guessing at what will be classic later? Jeez, who knows? Storytellers like Dickens and Doyle and Kipling and Stevenson will probably still be around. Writers from our own day? Don't believe I'll even try to figure that.
But if I had to try, one name I'd put out there as deserving to last is Don Robertson. His three Civil War novels don't really do it for me, but the rest do. And I've said before that if I could write something one-thousandth as good as his novel 'Mystical Union' I would die a happy man.
But if I had to try, one name I'd put out there as deserving to last is Don Robertson. His three Civil War novels don't really do it for me, but the rest do. And I've said before that if I could write something one-thousandth as good as his novel 'Mystical Union' I would die a happy man.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (a/4+U)
219
Morning NaCly,
Ran into American Kestrel last night on ONT.
Doing well so that eased my mind on that front.
Btw, phone bit the dust and since, par for the course I forgot my email password, addy no longer good.
Proton giving me fits starting another. They're speaking in computerese about some problem with the "keys" I'm using and, well...
Outta here
Love each other fellow babies
Ran into American Kestrel last night on ONT.
Doing well so that eased my mind on that front.
Btw, phone bit the dust and since, par for the course I forgot my email password, addy no longer good.
Proton giving me fits starting another. They're speaking in computerese about some problem with the "keys" I'm using and, well...
Outta here
Love each other fellow babies
Posted by: TeeJ at January 21, 2024 10:46 AM (5k0TE)
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 10:46 AM (/RHNq)
221
The Mylar dust jacket struck a chord. Those of us over 29 probably remember putting covers in our textbooks as kids. I uses to cover mine in clear Mylar. It would anniy my teachers who called me out fie not having my books covered, only to realize the covers were transparent. Yeah...young me was a bit of a smartass.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2024 10:46 AM (hhERr)
222
A leftist feminist expected something different from the mid-century Soviet paradise?
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 10:43 AM (OX9vb)
It's all fun and games until the head of State Security decides you've got a pretty mouth.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at January 21, 2024 10:43 AM (OX9vb)
It's all fun and games until the head of State Security decides you've got a pretty mouth.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 10:47 AM (H5IZ1)
223
Seriously, these people are looking for heaven without the theology.
Posted by: Thomas Paine
Everybody wants to go to Heaven. Nobody wants to go to church.
Posted by: Thomas Paine
Everybody wants to go to Heaven. Nobody wants to go to church.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:48 AM (FVME7)
224
Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 21, 2024 10:43 AM (u82oZ)
To me it’s just another lesson that we have always had incompetence in the government and military and no period of our history was a utopia. Admittedly some periods are worse than others.
To me it’s just another lesson that we have always had incompetence in the government and military and no period of our history was a utopia. Admittedly some periods are worse than others.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024 10:48 AM (MNhXM)
225
@160~~ How would you still be yourself if you have no tactile senses, can't smell flowers or feel the wind blowing, can't eat bacon, never sleep, etc.?
Posted by: All Hail Eris
In the Repairman Jack series they use a medical procedure called the "Ultimate Hell" (I think), where a Dr severs a person's spine at C4, auditory nerves, optic nerves and removes the tongue so that the person is deaf, blind paralyzed, can't taste or speak but can still smell so he knows when he's uh...soiled his pants.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
In the Repairman Jack series they use a medical procedure called the "Ultimate Hell" (I think), where a Dr severs a person's spine at C4, auditory nerves, optic nerves and removes the tongue so that the person is deaf, blind paralyzed, can't taste or speak but can still smell so he knows when he's uh...soiled his pants.
Posted by: p0indexterous at January 21, 2024 10:49 AM (QBwMV)
226
I find that Gatsby, some Hemingway, etc, read better for me as I get more ancient. Books that seemed top-of-the-line when I was younger are less so now. Guessing at what will be classic later? Jeez, who knows? Storytellers like Dickens and Doyle and Kipling and Stevenson will probably still be around. . . .
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024
***
In his How to Write a Best-Seller in the '80s, Dean Koontz said he thought John D. Macdonald would still be read in the twenty-first century. I think he included Stephen King, and there were two others whose names I've forgotten. I was familiar with them all then and agreed with him.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024
***
In his How to Write a Best-Seller in the '80s, Dean Koontz said he thought John D. Macdonald would still be read in the twenty-first century. I think he included Stephen King, and there were two others whose names I've forgotten. I was familiar with them all then and agreed with him.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:49 AM (omVj0)
227
128 Morning, Book Folk!
Classics within a genre, esp. those that can be re-read over and over? Watership Down, the thriller for rabbits, comes to mind. Great world-building, humor in places, one of the towering villain figures in all literature, and pulse-pounding action. Okay, it's a long book, and it starts off slowly. But I promise you: Once you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology (really!), you'll be hooked.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (omVj0)
I love how that book goes from "We need to find a new home that is safe" to "We need to destroy this evil empire." Also, Bigwig is one of the unappreciated gems of literature.
Classics within a genre, esp. those that can be re-read over and over? Watership Down, the thriller for rabbits, comes to mind. Great world-building, humor in places, one of the towering villain figures in all literature, and pulse-pounding action. Okay, it's a long book, and it starts off slowly. But I promise you: Once you hit the exploration of rabbit abnormal psychology (really!), you'll be hooked.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (omVj0)
I love how that book goes from "We need to find a new home that is safe" to "We need to destroy this evil empire." Also, Bigwig is one of the unappreciated gems of literature.
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 10:49 AM (Lhaco)
228
Mylar is for chumps. Were I to make a dust jacket for a book, I would insist on using Marklar.
https://southpark.cc.com/video-clips/30dert/
south-park-mr-mrs-click-click-derk
Mylar is for chumps. Were I to make a dust jacket for a book, I would insist on using Marklar.
https://southpark.cc.com/video-clips/30dert/
south-park-mr-mrs-click-click-derk
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 21, 2024 10:49 AM (xG4kz)
229
"That's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip."
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (+RQPJ)
Outline: A sentient computer chip running a smart toilet system in a hotel. It becomes bored and lonely, so it begins cataloguing all the unique markers of the poop that passes through its system. Using this information, it can track the movements (lol) of people around and through the complex it works in. Doing so, it discovers....
I don't know what happens next.
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (+RQPJ)
Outline: A sentient computer chip running a smart toilet system in a hotel. It becomes bored and lonely, so it begins cataloguing all the unique markers of the poop that passes through its system. Using this information, it can track the movements (lol) of people around and through the complex it works in. Doing so, it discovers....
I don't know what happens next.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 10:50 AM (H5IZ1)
230
How would you still be yourself if you have no tactile senses, can't smell flowers or feel the wind blowing, can't eat bacon, never sleep, etc.?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:12 AM (+RQPJ)
They wouldn't. They'd be soul-less peo... wait.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:12 AM (+RQPJ)
They wouldn't. They'd be soul-less peo... wait.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 10:51 AM (Angsy)
231
132 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings:_
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (+RQPJ)
it's a shame that Brian Blessed is now probably too old to play Helm Hammerhand.
The_War_of_the_Rohirrim
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:00 AM (+RQPJ)
it's a shame that Brian Blessed is now probably too old to play Helm Hammerhand.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 21, 2024 10:51 AM (q3gwH)
232
Just finished the book The Secret Language of Colors. I don’t think you have to be an artist to thoroughly enjoy reading about the science of colors.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024 10:51 AM (MNhXM)
233
... a Dr severs a person's spine at C4, auditory nerves, optic nerves and removes the tongue so that the person is deaf, blind paralyzed, can't taste or speak but can still smell so he knows when he's uh...soiled his pants.
He seems nice.
... a Dr severs a person's spine at C4, auditory nerves, optic nerves and removes the tongue so that the person is deaf, blind paralyzed, can't taste or speak but can still smell so he knows when he's uh...soiled his pants.
He seems nice.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 21, 2024 10:52 AM (xG4kz)
234
Those of us over 29 probably remember putting covers in our textbooks as kids.
-
They don't do that anymore because school books don't last as long. They've got to regularly change the pronouns for one thing.
-
They don't do that anymore because school books don't last as long. They've got to regularly change the pronouns for one thing.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:52 AM (FVME7)
235
it's a shame that Brian Blessed is now probably too old to play Helm Hammerhand.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 21, 2024 10:51 AM (q3gwH)
BILBO'S ALIVE?!
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 21, 2024 10:51 AM (q3gwH)
BILBO'S ALIVE?!
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 10:52 AM (H5IZ1)
236
We used to make dust jackets out of paper grocery bags. Not really dust jackets - more like book armor.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024 10:53 AM (c8VnL)
237
I made the mistake of watching a YT video about Shelby Foote and his Civil War books. Big mistake. Now I'm eying my hardcover set for a third reread.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 10:53 AM (zudum)
238
Wolfus,
I read that Koontz book too -- Yep, he cited King and MacDonald and I think he's right on both. One of the writers he gave high marks was Elmore Leonard who hadn't yet ascended to popular fiction godhood; if memory serves he said that if he was a major publisher, he'd give Leonard a big bag of money and tell him to go off and write the ultimate novel about street types. Given Leonard's career, sounds like somebody was paying attention.
I read that Koontz book too -- Yep, he cited King and MacDonald and I think he's right on both. One of the writers he gave high marks was Elmore Leonard who hadn't yet ascended to popular fiction godhood; if memory serves he said that if he was a major publisher, he'd give Leonard a big bag of money and tell him to go off and write the ultimate novel about street types. Given Leonard's career, sounds like somebody was paying attention.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 10:54 AM (a/4+U)
239
I love how that book goes from "We need to find a new home that is safe" to "We need to destroy this evil empire." Also, Bigwig is one of the unappreciated gems of literature.
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024
***
To be fair, part of the reason they mount their mission into Efrafa, the evil empire, was to rescue some females for their own new warren. Otherwise the new warren would have died.
General Woundwort had something of the same vision, a warren safe from all dangers. In his own "crack-brained slavedriver" way, that is.
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024
***
To be fair, part of the reason they mount their mission into Efrafa, the evil empire, was to rescue some females for their own new warren. Otherwise the new warren would have died.
General Woundwort had something of the same vision, a warren safe from all dangers. In his own "crack-brained slavedriver" way, that is.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:54 AM (omVj0)
240
I think Steven Pressfield writes the best books for wannabe writers. They are also helpful for other individual endeavors.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024 10:54 AM (MNhXM)
241
I read that Koontz book too -- Yep, he cited King and MacDonald and I think he's right on both. One of the writers he gave high marks was Elmore Leonard who hadn't yet ascended to popular fiction godhood; if memory serves he said that if he was a major publisher, he'd give Leonard a big bag of money and tell him to go off and write the ultimate novel about street types. Given Leonard's career, sounds like somebody was paying attention.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024
***
You're right, DK did say that! It was probably what sent me to look Leonard up.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024
***
You're right, DK did say that! It was probably what sent me to look Leonard up.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:56 AM (omVj0)
242
Yeah...young me was a bit of a smartass.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2024 10:46 AM (hhERr)
You haven't changed a bit!
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2024 10:46 AM (hhERr)
You haven't changed a bit!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 21, 2024 10:56 AM (gSZYf)
243
We used to make dust jackets out of paper grocery bags. Not really dust jackets - more like book armor.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024
***
And they would last most of the school year, too.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024
***
And they would last most of the school year, too.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:56 AM (omVj0)
244
Bad news, everybody.
Globalnews.ca
@globalnews
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
Globalnews.ca
@globalnews
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:57 AM (FVME7)
245
I barley took my books out of my locker.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024 10:57 AM (MNhXM)
246
"That's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip."
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (+RQPJ)
You're right, Eris.
I thought the same thing after I wrote it.
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (+RQPJ)
You're right, Eris.
I thought the same thing after I wrote it.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2024 10:58 AM (nFnyb)
247
229 - I like this. My first thought was a new plague - could be cholera/polio/Ebola/the 19 virus; but maybe radioactive isotopes are showing up in people's poop.
Why? Side effect of a tracking technology, perhaps. Or some evildoer is practicing a technique to wipe out the population?
Why? Side effect of a tracking technology, perhaps. Or some evildoer is practicing a technique to wipe out the population?
Posted by: Alice at January 21, 2024 10:59 AM (TTB3l)
248
"That's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip."
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Call it, "Borneo Toilet Hobo"
It is only right.
"That's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip."
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris
Call it, "Borneo Toilet Hobo"
It is only right.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 21, 2024 11:00 AM (xG4kz)
249
That's the way you wind up parsed and running self-flush toilets in Borneo as a sentient chip."
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (+RQPJ)
You're right, Eris.
I thought the same thing after I wrote it.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2024 10:58 AM (nFnyb)
Bob’s Burgers had an episode on a Smart Toilet.
----
'Fake, this needs to be a short story.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:45 AM (+RQPJ)
You're right, Eris.
I thought the same thing after I wrote it.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2024 10:58 AM (nFnyb)
Bob’s Burgers had an episode on a Smart Toilet.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024 11:00 AM (MNhXM)
250
I barley took my books out of my locker.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024
***
One year, eighth grade I think, the principal of my school (a female Gen. Woundwort if there ever was one) issued an edict that everybody had to take home at least one textbook every afternoon. She actually appointed monitors at the schoolyard gates to check on us as we left.
We clever little hobbitses all chose our spelling book; it was the lightest and smallest. After all, Mrs. Woundwort had not specified a certain size.
In a couple of weeks the whole thing vanished and was forgotten.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024
***
One year, eighth grade I think, the principal of my school (a female Gen. Woundwort if there ever was one) issued an edict that everybody had to take home at least one textbook every afternoon. She actually appointed monitors at the schoolyard gates to check on us as we left.
We clever little hobbitses all chose our spelling book; it was the lightest and smallest. After all, Mrs. Woundwort had not specified a certain size.
In a couple of weeks the whole thing vanished and was forgotten.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:01 AM (omVj0)
251
Exactly Eldest Kidlet had a guy interested in her for a bit, but he was a trans-humanist so he never had a chance. He had "anger issues" that he was afraid of and longed for a world of pure logic. Illogically, he believed that would cure all conflict and didn't understand that, at heart, he was insisting everyone think exactly like he did.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 10:28 AM (nC+QA)
Sounds like a guy obsessed with Mr. Spock when Star Trek was being first run. Sourced by David Gerrold, or one of the other ST behind the scenes books of the time. The guy basically became Spock. Ruined his life. Tried to go back to normal, ended up a suicide. Couldn't deal with life.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 10:28 AM (nC+QA)
Sounds like a guy obsessed with Mr. Spock when Star Trek was being first run. Sourced by David Gerrold, or one of the other ST behind the scenes books of the time. The guy basically became Spock. Ruined his life. Tried to go back to normal, ended up a suicide. Couldn't deal with life.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 11:02 AM (Angsy)
252
General Woundwort had something of the same vision, a warren safe from all dangers. In his own "crack-brained slavedriver" way, that is.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:54 AM (omVj0)
So, a bunny Hitler?
I don't remember *any* of the latter part of the book, maybe should get an ILL. Which means setting up the library app on my Kindle again. Which is okay, since I want Butcher's newest book too.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:54 AM (omVj0)
So, a bunny Hitler?
I don't remember *any* of the latter part of the book, maybe should get an ILL. Which means setting up the library app on my Kindle again. Which is okay, since I want Butcher's newest book too.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 11:02 AM (nC+QA)
253
Globalnews.ca
@globalnews
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:57 AM (FVME7)
Wow, who could ever have seen that coming???
@globalnews
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:57 AM (FVME7)
Wow, who could ever have seen that coming???
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 21, 2024 11:02 AM (q3gwH)
254
"Pre-trib is a lie from the pits of hell..."
The concept of "catching away the righteous" actually originates with 26 Isaiah:
Your dead shall live;
together with my dead body they shall arise.
Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust;
for your dew is like the dew of herbs,
and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Come, my people, enter your chambers,
and shut your doors behind you;
hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment,
until the indignation is past.
For behold, the Lord comes out of His place,
to punish the inhabitants of the earth
for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain.
Paul continues this topic in Thessalonians, bringing it into the Church Age.
The concept of "catching away the righteous" actually originates with 26 Isaiah:
Your dead shall live;
together with my dead body they shall arise.
Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust;
for your dew is like the dew of herbs,
and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Come, my people, enter your chambers,
and shut your doors behind you;
hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment,
until the indignation is past.
For behold, the Lord comes out of His place,
to punish the inhabitants of the earth
for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain.
Paul continues this topic in Thessalonians, bringing it into the Church Age.
Posted by: Ju at January 21, 2024 11:04 AM (aTmM/)
255
Globalnews.ca
@globalnews
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:57 AM (FVME7)
No waaaaaaaaaaay.
Shocked, shocked etc.
@globalnews
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:57 AM (FVME7)
No waaaaaaaaaaay.
Shocked, shocked etc.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 11:04 AM (H5IZ1)
256
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
How can that be? Why, there were alien airports right next door in the Atacama Desert of Chile!
Those 'aliens' found in Peru? They're definitely not real, forensics experts say.
How can that be? Why, there were alien airports right next door in the Atacama Desert of Chile!
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 21, 2024 11:04 AM (xG4kz)
257
Wolfus,
That was the one that sent me to Leonard too. One big reason I bought the book was for that long section talking about all the good writers who illustrated the kind of things he discussed in the writing sections. Found a lot of terrific reading thanks to that book.
Also through a pamphlet called 'The Double:Bill Symposium' by Bill Mallardi and Bill Bowers. Snagged it at the 1969 SF convention in St. Louis. One of the questions they asked the participating writers was about the writers who influenced them -- found a lot of terrific reading there too. And quite a few of them cited John D. MacDonald as well.
That was the one that sent me to Leonard too. One big reason I bought the book was for that long section talking about all the good writers who illustrated the kind of things he discussed in the writing sections. Found a lot of terrific reading thanks to that book.
Also through a pamphlet called 'The Double:Bill Symposium' by Bill Mallardi and Bill Bowers. Snagged it at the 1969 SF convention in St. Louis. One of the questions they asked the participating writers was about the writers who influenced them -- found a lot of terrific reading there too. And quite a few of them cited John D. MacDonald as well.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 11:04 AM (a/4+U)
258
General Woundwort had something of the same vision, a warren safe from all dangers. In his own "crack-brained slavedriver" way, that is.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024
*
So, a bunny Hitler?
I don't remember *any* of the latter part of the book, maybe should get an ILL. Which means setting up the library app on my Kindle again. Which is okay, since I want Butcher's newest book too.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024
***
Indeed he was, with his own Gestapo (the Owsla, the retinue of a warren's Chief Rabbit -- benign in good warrens) helping him turn the warren into a totalitarian state. (Darn, now I want to go read it from the beginning again --!)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024
*
So, a bunny Hitler?
I don't remember *any* of the latter part of the book, maybe should get an ILL. Which means setting up the library app on my Kindle again. Which is okay, since I want Butcher's newest book too.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024
***
Indeed he was, with his own Gestapo (the Owsla, the retinue of a warren's Chief Rabbit -- benign in good warrens) helping him turn the warren into a totalitarian state. (Darn, now I want to go read it from the beginning again --!)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:07 AM (omVj0)
259
I haven't checked in on the writer's group in a bit, I know. Details there?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:39 AM (omVj0)
Groggily wakes up from faint.
You haven't??!!!
Sent you an e-mail.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:39 AM (omVj0)
Groggily wakes up from faint.
You haven't??!!!
Sent you an e-mail.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 11:09 AM (Angsy)
260
I need to find Koontz's How to Write a Best-Seller and go through it again. Maybe my university library would have a copy in non-fiction.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:09 AM (omVj0)
261
Good morning, Perfessor, Horde
Posted by: callsign claymore at January 21, 2024 11:09 AM (JcnCJ)
262
... so it begins cataloguing all the unique markers of the poop that passes through its system. Using this information, it can track the movements (lol) of people around and through the complex it works in.
"Your poop is unique and special. You, however -- not so much."
That would be a perfect retort to someone who insisted on plaguing you about what were their protons and their gender identity.
... so it begins cataloguing all the unique markers of the poop that passes through its system. Using this information, it can track the movements (lol) of people around and through the complex it works in.
"Your poop is unique and special. You, however -- not so much."
That would be a perfect retort to someone who insisted on plaguing you about what were their protons and their gender identity.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 21, 2024 11:09 AM (xG4kz)
263
"SharkDick" will be the name of my autobiography. If I ever write one.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 11:11 AM (/RHNq)
264
ANY organization that is managed by humans is going to be flawed eventually, no matter how noble it was intended to be from the beginning.
__________
"The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine – but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight." - Hilaire Belloc
ANY organization that is managed by humans is going to be flawed eventually, no matter how noble it was intended to be from the beginning.
__________
"The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine – but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight." - Hilaire Belloc
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 21, 2024 11:11 AM (MoZTd)
265
Speaking of classics . . .
“Wizard of Oz” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” Remakes Will Recast Persons of Color in Lead Roles
“Wizard of Oz” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” Remakes Will Recast Persons of Color in Lead Roles
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:11 AM (FVME7)
266
I read it, and saw the animated film, when I was about twenty-five, and they both blew me away. Recently one of the streaming services had a new adaptation of the book, not two hours long but six or something. From what little I saw, it was dull, and all the rabbits were drawn so much alike you couldn't tell them apart.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:42 AM (omVj0)
To chime in once again on the same topic: I never liked the Watership Down movie. I think I was expecting better animation, and it chopped away too much of what made the story great.
There was a kids cartoon (by PBS or somesuch) which wasn't great either. Kiddie-fied the story far too much, and took things in wildly different directions. I think Champion (from Efrafa) becomes a main character and has his own little will-I-become-the-next Woundort storyline...
The recent Netflix series was a travesty. Efrafa was portrayed as little more than a few holes in the side of an abandoned irrigation ditch. I disliked it more than I did the kiddie cartoon version.
(to be continued)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 10:42 AM (omVj0)
To chime in once again on the same topic: I never liked the Watership Down movie. I think I was expecting better animation, and it chopped away too much of what made the story great.
There was a kids cartoon (by PBS or somesuch) which wasn't great either. Kiddie-fied the story far too much, and took things in wildly different directions. I think Champion (from Efrafa) becomes a main character and has his own little will-I-become-the-next Woundort storyline...
The recent Netflix series was a travesty. Efrafa was portrayed as little more than a few holes in the side of an abandoned irrigation ditch. I disliked it more than I did the kiddie cartoon version.
(to be continued)
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 11:13 AM (Lhaco)
267
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:07 AM (omVj0)
I just remember the warren that seemed unusually civilized and wealthy, which was because they were semi-domesticated and just edited lost members from their memories.
Talking about it now makes me think Watership Down was, at least partially, the bunny equivalent of L. Sprague DeCamp's Unbeheaded King series.
I just remember the warren that seemed unusually civilized and wealthy, which was because they were semi-domesticated and just edited lost members from their memories.
Talking about it now makes me think Watership Down was, at least partially, the bunny equivalent of L. Sprague DeCamp's Unbeheaded King series.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 11:13 AM (nC+QA)
268
And we all thought Iron Sky was just silly fun...
Posted by: Brewingfrog at January 21, 2024 11:14 AM (E0Ivz)
269
(continued musings on Watership Down adaptations)
There is also a recently-released graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down, as well. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm sure I will sometime. From the preview pages, it appears to be illustrated with pen-and-ink linework and colored-pencil colors. That will definitely give the book a unique feel. I just hope the story is well dond...
There is also a recently-released graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down, as well. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm sure I will sometime. From the preview pages, it appears to be illustrated with pen-and-ink linework and colored-pencil colors. That will definitely give the book a unique feel. I just hope the story is well dond...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 11:15 AM (Lhaco)
270
... a Dr severs a person's spine at C4, auditory nerves, optic nerves and removes the tongue so that the person is deaf, blind paralyzed, can't taste or speak but can still smell so he knows when he's uh...soiled his pants.
He seems nice.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM)
She was nice about it. You need to understand that the ... Patient was a worst kind of psychopath who sold out humanity to the demons.
I think.... It's been awhile since I read Williams' Repairman Jack series
... a Dr severs a person's spine at C4, auditory nerves, optic nerves and removes the tongue so that the person is deaf, blind paralyzed, can't taste or speak but can still smell so he knows when he's uh...soiled his pants.
He seems nice.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM)
She was nice about it. You need to understand that the ... Patient was a worst kind of psychopath who sold out humanity to the demons.
I think.... It's been awhile since I read Williams' Repairman Jack series
Posted by: p0indexterous at January 21, 2024 11:16 AM (QBwMV)
271
“Wizard of Oz” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” Remakes Will Recast Persons of Color in Lead Roles
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:11 AM (FVME7)
Zero creativity.
Zero imagination.
Literally all they can do is re-do shit other people have done before, except race, gender and gay swap the main characters so they feel good about themselves.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:11 AM (FVME7)
Zero creativity.
Zero imagination.
Literally all they can do is re-do shit other people have done before, except race, gender and gay swap the main characters so they feel good about themselves.
Posted by: Vanya at January 21, 2024 11:16 AM (H5IZ1)
272
I like the pants. From when golf was golf and men could be tasteless.
Posted by: From about that Time at January 21, 2024 11:16 AM (4780s)
273
Also finished The Great Explosion by Eric Frank Russel. It described a militarized, arrogant Earth trying to reclaim long lost splinter cultures spread out on many different planets.
4 different cultures are lightly sketched, but the end culture is what won awards: "And Then There were None". It is a libertarian culture that works, based on obligations made and repaid.
The story made the phrase Mind Your Own Business (MYOB) popular.
4 different cultures are lightly sketched, but the end culture is what won awards: "And Then There were None". It is a libertarian culture that works, based on obligations made and repaid.
The story made the phrase Mind Your Own Business (MYOB) popular.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 21, 2024 11:16 AM (u82oZ)
274
I have completed Schlichter's The Attack.
Absolutely excellent.
Interesting style in how he tells the story. Very well written and the concept is frightening as it is doable. Plus just the right amount of humor.
Absolutely excellent.
Interesting style in how he tells the story. Very well written and the concept is frightening as it is doable. Plus just the right amount of humor.
Posted by: Diogenes at January 21, 2024 11:17 AM (W/lyH)
275
Time for chores.
Have a great day, everyone.
May your travels be safe, and your books both illuminating and fun.
Have a great day, everyone.
May your travels be safe, and your books both illuminating and fun.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 21, 2024 11:18 AM (u82oZ)
276
Hidden library is epic. Now If I can just figure out where to put a hidden library that hides the hidden music room....
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at January 21, 2024 11:18 AM (VwHCD)
277
I totally read that as "Sharkdick" and wondered how I had ever missed this book.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:42 AM (+RQPJ)
I thought it said, Sharedick.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 10:42 AM (+RQPJ)
I thought it said, Sharedick.
Posted by: Pete Buttgigger at January 21, 2024 11:19 AM (Angsy)
278
Wolfus,
Interlibrary loan would be your best bet on the Koontz book. Copies on abebooks are a tad pricey these days. If you join the internet archive (archive.org) you can borrow Koontz's 'How to Write Best-Selling Fiction,' which is the one with the long last chapter recommending good writers, for an hour at a time; easy to read on the computer if you go that way. He's got an earlier one there too, called 'Writing Popular Fiction.'
Interlibrary loan would be your best bet on the Koontz book. Copies on abebooks are a tad pricey these days. If you join the internet archive (archive.org) you can borrow Koontz's 'How to Write Best-Selling Fiction,' which is the one with the long last chapter recommending good writers, for an hour at a time; easy to read on the computer if you go that way. He's got an earlier one there too, called 'Writing Popular Fiction.'
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 11:20 AM (a/4+U)
279
"The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine – but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight." - Hilaire Belloc
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
Rarely will one find so much truth packed into a single sentence.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
Rarely will one find so much truth packed into a single sentence.
Posted by: Sharkman at January 21, 2024 11:20 AM (/RHNq)
280
I just remember the warren that seemed unusually civilized and wealthy, which was because they were semi-domesticated and just edited lost members from their memories. . . .
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024
***
Yes, that was the "abnormal psychology of rabbits" thing I mentioned.
The 1979 animated film was very well done, I thought. Yes, they had to cut out certain things from the book for time constraints. But the voice work (John Hurt, Harry Andrews) was superb; the action was shown beautifully, and in at least one scene they somehow made more dramatic an already great moment. It's not a kid's movie (or book), or not that alone. The rabbits fight and bleed, and there is danger and tension. If I'd seen it at age six it would have given me nightmares, I'll bet.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024
***
Yes, that was the "abnormal psychology of rabbits" thing I mentioned.
The 1979 animated film was very well done, I thought. Yes, they had to cut out certain things from the book for time constraints. But the voice work (John Hurt, Harry Andrews) was superb; the action was shown beautifully, and in at least one scene they somehow made more dramatic an already great moment. It's not a kid's movie (or book), or not that alone. The rabbits fight and bleed, and there is danger and tension. If I'd seen it at age six it would have given me nightmares, I'll bet.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:20 AM (omVj0)
281
So, a bunny Hitler?
I don't remember *any* of the latter part of the book, maybe should get an ILL. Which means setting up the library app on my Kindle again. Which is okay, since I want Butcher's newest book too.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 11:02 AM (nC+QA)
Maybe more of a bunny Stalin, but, yeah, that's the gist of it. A rabbit totalitarian state. I actually prefer the second half of the book.
...Every few years a get triggered and have to re-read the story. I can be a little obsessive about it, sometimes...
I don't remember *any* of the latter part of the book, maybe should get an ILL. Which means setting up the library app on my Kindle again. Which is okay, since I want Butcher's newest book too.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 11:02 AM (nC+QA)
Maybe more of a bunny Stalin, but, yeah, that's the gist of it. A rabbit totalitarian state. I actually prefer the second half of the book.
...Every few years a get triggered and have to re-read the story. I can be a little obsessive about it, sometimes...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 11:21 AM (Lhaco)
282
I read Shardik many years ago and thought it was great. I loved the fact while the people around him thought the great bear was a god, the great bear is never anything other than a bear (or at least that's how I remember it 40 years later). Recently picked up the kindle version so it is lurking somewhere in my TBR stack.
Posted by: who knew at January 21, 2024 11:22 AM (4I7VG)
283
236 We used to make dust jackets out of paper grocery bags. Not really dust jackets - more like book armor.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024 10:53 AM (c8VnL)
---
I used to make fake book covers for my textbooks, like "Observer's Guide to Mental Disorders" with a photo of Norbert Wiener peering at someone's facial structure. Photo and huzzahtory blurb on back, title on spine. Teachers thought it was legit at first glance.
Posted by: 13times at January 21, 2024 10:53 AM (c8VnL)
---
I used to make fake book covers for my textbooks, like "Observer's Guide to Mental Disorders" with a photo of Norbert Wiener peering at someone's facial structure. Photo and huzzahtory blurb on back, title on spine. Teachers thought it was legit at first glance.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 11:24 AM (+RQPJ)
284
Bunny Hitler would be a great name for a character, maybe a socialite on the dark side if the moon.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 11:25 AM (+RQPJ)
285
They don't do that anymore because school books don't last as long. They've got to regularly change the pronouns for one thing.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:52 AM (FVME7)
Every book is paperback at my kid's charter school. Kid keeps book at end of year because they can write in them.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 10:52 AM (FVME7)
Every book is paperback at my kid's charter school. Kid keeps book at end of year because they can write in them.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 11:25 AM (Angsy)
286
There is also a recently-released graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down, as well. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm sure I will sometime. From the preview pages, it appears to be illustrated with pen-and-ink linework and colored-pencil colors. That will definitely give the book a unique feel. I just hope the story is well dond...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024
***
If any novel could lend itself to the graphic retelling, it would be that one. When the movie was new I picked up the Watership Down Film Picture Book "with linking text by Richard Adams." It's not the story told in pictures, but a series of cels from the film which somehow does tell the essence of the story.
General Woundwort: "I'll settle with you myself, Bigwig."
Bigwig: "You crack-brained slave driver, I'd like to see you try!"
There is also a recently-released graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down, as well. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm sure I will sometime. From the preview pages, it appears to be illustrated with pen-and-ink linework and colored-pencil colors. That will definitely give the book a unique feel. I just hope the story is well dond...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024
***
If any novel could lend itself to the graphic retelling, it would be that one. When the movie was new I picked up the Watership Down Film Picture Book "with linking text by Richard Adams." It's not the story told in pictures, but a series of cels from the film which somehow does tell the essence of the story.
General Woundwort: "I'll settle with you myself, Bigwig."
Bigwig: "You crack-brained slave driver, I'd like to see you try!"
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:25 AM (omVj0)
287
Book covers. Brown paper bags. Solid, wear well, inexpensive as well.
Shelves tend to look a bit plain.
Shelves tend to look a bit plain.
Posted by: From about that Time at January 21, 2024 11:27 AM (4780s)
288
...Every few years a get triggered and have to re-read the story. I can be a little obsessive about it, sometimes...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 11:21 AM (Lhaco)
I was referring to the "crack-brained" bit which I had read as 'crack-head'. I suppose "just" paranoid, not high does describe Stalin better than Hitler.
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024 11:21 AM (Lhaco)
I was referring to the "crack-brained" bit which I had read as 'crack-head'. I suppose "just" paranoid, not high does describe Stalin better than Hitler.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 11:27 AM (nC+QA)
289
Reading a book without its dust jacket and then shelving it with the jacket on is literally the opposite of how it works. The dust jacket is an ugly protective sleeve that keeps your oily fingerprints off the book.
Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at January 21, 2024 11:29 AM (5YmYl)
290
Shot:
Biden Tells Republicans to Stop Weaponizing His Open Border Crisis
Chaser:
End Wokeness
@EndWokeness
Reporter: "Where are you from?"
Middle Eastern illegal migrant: "Soon you will know who I am. Believe me. You will see."
http://tinyurl.com/mvahstmd
Biden Tells Republicans to Stop Weaponizing His Open Border Crisis
Chaser:
End Wokeness
@EndWokeness
Reporter: "Where are you from?"
Middle Eastern illegal migrant: "Soon you will know who I am. Believe me. You will see."
http://tinyurl.com/mvahstmd
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:31 AM (FVME7)
291
Never thought I’d say it but enjoying a Newt Gingrich book, Pearl Harbor. Probably because John Fortchen is co-author.
Posted by: Eromero at January 21, 2024 11:31 AM (DXbAa)
292
Posted by: Taro Tsujimoto at January 21, 2024 11:29 AM (5YmYl)
Then they shouldn't have made the dust jackets so pretty? Or fragile. Or prone to sliding off on their own anyway.
Then they shouldn't have made the dust jackets so pretty? Or fragile. Or prone to sliding off on their own anyway.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 11:31 AM (nC+QA)
293
One thing I like about Folio Society books is that they come with slipcases as opposed to covers.
Keeps your snazzy reprint of "Roadside Picnic" or whatever in good shape.
Keeps your snazzy reprint of "Roadside Picnic" or whatever in good shape.
Posted by: naturalfake at January 21, 2024 11:32 AM (nFnyb)
294
This is a surprise. After Perfessor mentioned The Neverending Story in the post, I checked our local library and local Barnes and Noble. Not a damn copy. Plenty of videos but no actual books. I find this to be increasingly frequent and it pisses me off. I've long had thoughts about the shit for brains who orders books for B and N. And for my needs the county library system is 85% useless.
Posted by: JTB at January 21, 2024 11:34 AM (zudum)
295
"...but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight."
I s l a m, Buddhism, Hinduism, among others qualify in that category of "would(n't) have lasted a fortnight" as it would appear.
We all choose our beliefs. "I Am G-d, there is no other" is good enough for me.
I s l a m, Buddhism, Hinduism, among others qualify in that category of "would(n't) have lasted a fortnight" as it would appear.
We all choose our beliefs. "I Am G-d, there is no other" is good enough for me.
Posted by: Ju at January 21, 2024 11:39 AM (aTmM/)
296
Well, time to go act like I'm accomplishing something (I won't actually accomplish anything, but it'll look like I tried...)
Thanks for the thread, Perfessor.
Have a good one, gang.
Thanks for the thread, Perfessor.
Have a good one, gang.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at January 21, 2024 11:43 AM (a/4+U)
297
Never thought I’d say it but enjoying a Newt Gingrich book, Pearl Harbor. Probably because John Fortchen is co-author.
Posted by: Eromero at January 21, 2024 11:31 AM (DXbAa)
IOW, the real author.
Posted by: Eromero at January 21, 2024 11:31 AM (DXbAa)
IOW, the real author.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 11:43 AM (Angsy)
298
“Wizard of Oz” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” Remakes Will Recast Persons of Color in Lead Roles
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:11 AM (FVME7)
Someone tell them that Michael Jackson already did The Wiz.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:11 AM (FVME7)
Someone tell them that Michael Jackson already did The Wiz.
Posted by: Tom Servo at January 21, 2024 11:45 AM (q3gwH)
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 11:45 AM (991eG)
300
The rabbits are _on_ a U-boat.
Posted by: Trimegistus at January 21, 2024 11:46 AM (78a2H)
301
There is also a recently-released graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down, as well. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm sure I will sometime. From the preview pages, it appears to be illustrated with pen-and-ink linework and colored-pencil colors. That will definitely give the book a unique feel. I just hope the story is well dond...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024
***
I checked it over on AMZ, and the panels do look great.
There is also a recently-released graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down, as well. I haven't picked it up yet, but I'm sure I will sometime. From the preview pages, it appears to be illustrated with pen-and-ink linework and colored-pencil colors. That will definitely give the book a unique feel. I just hope the story is well dond...
Posted by: Castle Guy at January 21, 2024
***
I checked it over on AMZ, and the panels do look great.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:48 AM (omVj0)
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:49 AM (FVME7)
303
Maybe a useful definition of a "true classic" would be a book that a illiterate person has heard of...
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 11:50 AM (991eG)
304
Thanks Perfesser.
Gotta go figure out the snack menu for tonight's Taylor Swiftathon.
Gotta go figure out the snack menu for tonight's Taylor Swiftathon.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 21, 2024 11:50 AM (NBVIP)
305
“Wizard of Oz” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” Remakes Will Recast Persons of Color in Lead Roles
So they're remaking "The Wiz."
So they're remaking "The Wiz."
Posted by: BeckoningChasm at January 21, 2024 11:51 AM (CHHv1)
306
So Watership Down is about rabbits?
All these years I presumed it was a WWII U-Boat thriller.
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024
***
Until I read it, I thought it had to do with a maritime disaster, yes. It's a fantasy novel, but one that is particularly well done: The rabbits' oral culture is drawn from the actual life of wild rabbits, their everyday habits, etc. But it is a thriller with (believe it or not) elements of James Bond and MIision: Impossible. No, really.
All these years I presumed it was a WWII U-Boat thriller.
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024
***
Until I read it, I thought it had to do with a maritime disaster, yes. It's a fantasy novel, but one that is particularly well done: The rabbits' oral culture is drawn from the actual life of wild rabbits, their everyday habits, etc. But it is a thriller with (believe it or not) elements of James Bond and MIision: Impossible. No, really.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:51 AM (omVj0)
307
Got to make a start on my usual Sunday chores. Thanks once again for a great Book Thread, Perfessor!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:52 AM (omVj0)
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 11:52 AM (991eG)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 21, 2024 11:53 AM (omVj0)
310
Dust covers on.
They make a good bookmark. Better than dog earing the pages.
They make a good bookmark. Better than dog earing the pages.
Posted by: Diogenes at January 21, 2024 11:55 AM (W/lyH)
311
These are the new feudal lords. Remember when technology was going to unite us? Information wants to be free, man! *bong rip*
Rushkoff tried to steer them toward a more communal approach where denizens of the compound were members contributing toward the common welfare, who wanted to assist each other, but he got glassy-eyed stares.
So, shock collars then?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
There was a fairly unpleasant DAW book by Tim Huntley called One On Me, that had as the world that "the big one" had happened, and the brave new world on Earth had been resettled by those survivors that had crawled out of their shelters when it was over. It later turns out that only the first ones who crawled out of their shelters survived, the others were gassed in their shelters by the early emergers who decided they didn't like competition.
It is a major plot element that gives the basic purpose to the rest of the book though the plot itself didn't have much to do with it.
Rushkoff tried to steer them toward a more communal approach where denizens of the compound were members contributing toward the common welfare, who wanted to assist each other, but he got glassy-eyed stares.
So, shock collars then?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
There was a fairly unpleasant DAW book by Tim Huntley called One On Me, that had as the world that "the big one" had happened, and the brave new world on Earth had been resettled by those survivors that had crawled out of their shelters when it was over. It later turns out that only the first ones who crawled out of their shelters survived, the others were gassed in their shelters by the early emergers who decided they didn't like competition.
It is a major plot element that gives the basic purpose to the rest of the book though the plot itself didn't have much to do with it.
Posted by: Kindltot at January 21, 2024 11:56 AM (D7oie)
312
"An overwhelming majority of the members of WSFS who voted on the site of the 2023 Worldcon (at the 2021 Worldcon in DC) selected Chengdu, China as the host of the 2023 Worldcon,"...
In other words, the site was bombed with Chinese voters.
In other words, the site was bombed with Chinese voters.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 11:58 AM (+RQPJ)
313
For as much as he is mentioned here Tolkien's made up written languages sure do fly under the radar.
Tengar and Tobar or something like that.
I had friends who could write and read in both.
Had one guy around here do a dot matrix program that spit it out if a printer.
Used it for DnD games.
Tengar and Tobar or something like that.
I had friends who could write and read in both.
Had one guy around here do a dot matrix program that spit it out if a printer.
Used it for DnD games.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 11:59 AM (Gfl5i)
314
Taking out the trash.
http://tinyurl.com/hbrfubv6
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:49 AM (FVME7)
I know people here hate coyotes, but the coyote is just doing what comes naturally. That thing he has on a leash is a freak of nature that doesn't have a purpose.
http://tinyurl.com/hbrfubv6
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 11:49 AM (FVME7)
I know people here hate coyotes, but the coyote is just doing what comes naturally. That thing he has on a leash is a freak of nature that doesn't have a purpose.
Posted by: BurtTC at January 21, 2024 11:59 AM (7bmh6)
315
elements of James Bond and MIision: Impossible. No, really.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
********
"Your mission, Peter, should you decide to accept it, is to, along with Mopsy, Flopsy, and little Cotton-Tail to enter Mr. McGregor's garden without being detected and return with the Maltese Carrots. This tape will self-destruct in 30 seconds..."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
********
"Your mission, Peter, should you decide to accept it, is to, along with Mopsy, Flopsy, and little Cotton-Tail to enter Mr. McGregor's garden without being detected and return with the Maltese Carrots. This tape will self-destruct in 30 seconds..."
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 11:59 AM (991eG)
316
Thanks for another outstanding Book Thread, Perf and Horde!
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 12:00 PM (+RQPJ)
317
I fear death because I fear Hell and know I deserve it. I'm not fool enough to think I can evade death, though.
Posted by: leoncaruthers at January 21, 2024 12:01 PM (UfRqq)
318
So, shock collars then?
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
Masque of the Red Death is a sort of a classic by Edgar Allen Poe, but it was nowhere as funny as Berenice.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:06 AM (+RQPJ)
Masque of the Red Death is a sort of a classic by Edgar Allen Poe, but it was nowhere as funny as Berenice.
Posted by: Kindltot at January 21, 2024 12:01 PM (D7oie)
319
Oh no. The saddest part of Sunday morning again. The end of the Book Thread. Thanks, Perfessor.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at January 21, 2024 12:01 PM (Angsy)
320
Finally nearly finished reading the complete short stories of Cyril M. Kornbluth.
Fun, pulpy, sci-fi from the forties and fifties.
Fun, pulpy, sci-fi from the forties and fifties.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at January 21, 2024 12:01 PM (ufFY8)
321
Nood. Gaza stuff.
Posted by: Reforger at January 21, 2024 12:02 PM (Gfl5i)
322
Megyn Kelly
@megynkelly
A man just won the women’s golf tournament.
Also the correct pronoun is HE. He won. Not she. This is a great example of how using “preferred” pronouns obfuscates the offense. If a “she” had won there’d be no problem. PRONOUNS ARE A GATEWAY DRUG to a very sick ideology.
-
Well stated.
@megynkelly
A man just won the women’s golf tournament.
Also the correct pronoun is HE. He won. Not she. This is a great example of how using “preferred” pronouns obfuscates the offense. If a “she” had won there’d be no problem. PRONOUNS ARE A GATEWAY DRUG to a very sick ideology.
-
Well stated.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here at January 21, 2024 12:02 PM (FVME7)
323
Thanks for another outstanding Book Thread, Perf and Horde!
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 12:00 PM (+RQPJ)
Seconded !
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 12:00 PM (+RQPJ)
Seconded !
Posted by: JT at January 21, 2024 12:02 PM (T4tVD)
324
I'd like to try to find a way to read Beowulf in the original. It would be challenging
Posted by: Northernlurker at January 21, 2024 09:
I have a copy of Beowulf in the original on the left page and English on the right. Very interesting.
Posted by: Northernlurker at January 21, 2024 09:
I have a copy of Beowulf in the original on the left page and English on the right. Very interesting.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at January 21, 2024 12:06 PM (ufFY8)
325
I fear death because I fear Hell and know I deserve it. I'm not fool enough to think I can evade death, though.
Posted by: leoncaruthers at January 21, 2024 12:01 PM (UfRqq
There is a guaranteed way to avoid hell. But you would have to surrender here on earth. That's the hard part to take that first step.
Posted by: leoncaruthers at January 21, 2024 12:01 PM (UfRqq
There is a guaranteed way to avoid hell. But you would have to surrender here on earth. That's the hard part to take that first step.
Posted by: Titanium White at January 21, 2024 12:11 PM (wNewd)
326
There are over 2.5 million new titles published every year worldwide. This is certainly a lowball estimate from ISBN records and does not include non-ISBN publications as well as scientific articles, magazine serial works, online works such as long-form essays, rants, manifestos or limericks, never mind literature-adjacent works like movies, videos, theater, etc.
Much of this content is not original, morally uplifting (except maybe the limericks) or of profound social significance, and most of it remains obscure to the broader public.
What is a reasonable proportion of this massive output that should be considered "classics"?
Do we rely on "The Passionate Fanbois" to whittle down the list?
Much of this content is not original, morally uplifting (except maybe the limericks) or of profound social significance, and most of it remains obscure to the broader public.
What is a reasonable proportion of this massive output that should be considered "classics"?
Do we rely on "The Passionate Fanbois" to whittle down the list?
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 12:13 PM (991eG)
327
Oh, I like Kornbluth. I feel like he's under-rated.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my book!) at January 21, 2024 12:13 PM (k4dou)
328
There are no guarantees. He will say to me at my end that He never knew me. If my only security is to unite my will to His, I'm extraneous. A bit player ad-libbing without being allowed to read the script. Servile fear is the best I can bring to the table, and that's not enough.
Posted by: leoncaruthers at January 21, 2024 12:17 PM (UfRqq)
329
A bit late arriving here, but want to comment on the 'Classics' vid. 'Classic' is, of course, a bit difficult to define. It is complete fantasy, but it would be interesting if it were possible to know specfically what people (all people) have read. Would make a fascinating graphical presentation.
A lateral question is, 'What are (or have been) the most influential books?' I'm doubtful that 'Classic' and 'Influential' would have many intersections. Are 'classics' defined only by their popularity, or more by their longevity? Their substance, or their entertainment value?
A lateral question is, 'What are (or have been) the most influential books?' I'm doubtful that 'Classic' and 'Influential' would have many intersections. Are 'classics' defined only by their popularity, or more by their longevity? Their substance, or their entertainment value?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at January 21, 2024 12:23 PM (XeU6L)
330
I'd like to try to find a way to read Beowulf in the original. It would be challenging
Posted by: Northernlurker
-------
I wish that I could give you a hand.
Posted by: Northernlurker
-------
I wish that I could give you a hand.
Posted by: Grendel at January 21, 2024 12:26 PM (XeU6L)
331
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 12:13 PM (991eG)
Off topic, but did you see the reports from Grand Junction about new homeowners who found a severed head in an old deepfreeze left by the previous owner?
Off topic, but did you see the reports from Grand Junction about new homeowners who found a severed head in an old deepfreeze left by the previous owner?
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at January 21, 2024 12:27 PM (nC+QA)
Posted by: Michelle Fields at January 21, 2024 12:27 PM (XeU6L)
333
|| I'd like to try to find a way to read Beowulf in the original.
I've done that. It's not as bad as you'd think.
It's like Shakespeare where you kind of get your ears after a while. Takes a bit longer but once you do, you realize most of the words are the same and there aren't that many you have to look up.
I've done that. It's not as bad as you'd think.
It's like Shakespeare where you kind of get your ears after a while. Takes a bit longer but once you do, you realize most of the words are the same and there aren't that many you have to look up.
Posted by: moviegique (buy my book!) at January 21, 2024 12:28 PM (k4dou)
334
Yeah...young me was a bit of a smartass.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2024 10:46 AM (hhERr)
You haven't changed a bit!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 21, 2024 10:56 AM
You have to admit, it beats being a dumbass.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2024 10:46 AM (hhERr)
You haven't changed a bit!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at January 21, 2024 10:56 AM
You have to admit, it beats being a dumbass.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState at January 21, 2024 12:32 PM (CuQIa)
335
Off topic, but did you see the reports from Grand Junction about new homeowners who found a severed head in an old deepfreeze left by the previous owner?
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette
*******
Yeah. We drive by within about 100' of that house every time we go to our daughter's place. The total find consisted of one head and two hands, no other body parts, no torso, no limbs. Word on the street is the family that lived there were hoarders. The husband died of respiratory problems during COVID (2-3 years ago), leaving mother and son, who recently sold and moved out. The new owner is a "flipper" who opened the house up for the public to pick through and help clean out the accumulated debris. One person bought the functioning freezer and upon opening it up discvered the head in a plastic bag. There is talk (rumors at this stage) of a daughter who used to live there but hasn't been seen by neighbors for some years.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette
*******
Yeah. We drive by within about 100' of that house every time we go to our daughter's place. The total find consisted of one head and two hands, no other body parts, no torso, no limbs. Word on the street is the family that lived there were hoarders. The husband died of respiratory problems during COVID (2-3 years ago), leaving mother and son, who recently sold and moved out. The new owner is a "flipper" who opened the house up for the public to pick through and help clean out the accumulated debris. One person bought the functioning freezer and upon opening it up discvered the head in a plastic bag. There is talk (rumors at this stage) of a daughter who used to live there but hasn't been seen by neighbors for some years.
Posted by: Muldoon at January 21, 2024 12:42 PM (991eG)
336
"Bunny Hitler would be a great name for a character, maybe a socialite on the dark side if the moon."
Craig Ferguson did standup for awhile using the name Bing Hitler.
Craig Ferguson did standup for awhile using the name Bing Hitler.
Posted by: Pope John 20th at January 21, 2024 12:48 PM (cYrkj)
337
This one seems to have garnered negative reactions from Horde members who have attempted it, but I'm willing to give it a shot.
--------
I enjoyed Yumi the most out of the four secret project novels. So tastes will vary.
--------
I enjoyed Yumi the most out of the four secret project novels. So tastes will vary.
Posted by: junior at January 21, 2024 01:15 PM (Kmg+A)
338
Perfesser, thanks for another great book thread!
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at January 21, 2024 01:20 PM (TX2EM)
339
This ƅlog was... how do I say it? Relеvant!! Finally I have found something
which helped me. Many tһankѕ!
which helped me. Many tһankѕ!
Posted by: carts at January 21, 2024 02:30 PM (ClNA9)
340
carts sounds like a bot
Posted by: moviegique (buy my book!) at January 21, 2024 02:38 PM (k4dou)
341
I am SERIOUSLY jealous of that hidden library. It has everything: comfy chairs, standing globe, card catalog coffee table, window nook, coffee station, marble bust....
Wait , there's no cat.
Heck, I'm envious if the false library out front.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:13
Indeed AHEris, I'll agree wholeheartedly. But it needs at least one dog too, maybe up to 3 if the young one learns to stop chasing the cat.
Wait , there's no cat.
Heck, I'm envious if the false library out front.
Posted by: All Hail Eris at January 21, 2024 09:13
Indeed AHEris, I'll agree wholeheartedly. But it needs at least one dog too, maybe up to 3 if the young one learns to stop chasing the cat.
Posted by: Farmer at January 21, 2024 08:08 PM (55Qr6)
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