<p>Sunday Morning Book Thread - 8-3-2025 ["Perfessor" Squirrel]</p>

Sunday Morning Book Thread - 8-3-2025 ["Perfessor" Squirrel]

HT: sharon (willow's apprentice)

Welcome to the prestigious, internationally acclaimed, stately, and illustrious Sunday Morning Book Thread! The place where all readers are welcome, regardless of whatever guilty pleasure we feel like reading. Here is where we can discuss, argue, bicker, quibble, consider, debate, confabulate, converse, and jaw about our latest fancy in reading material. As always, pants are required, unless you are wearing these pants...

So relax, find yourself a warm kitty (or warm puppy--I won't judge) to curl up in your lap, and dive into a new book. What are YOU reading this fine morning?

I have some bad news for you this morning. Due to my current life circumstances, I will no longer be able to be the custodian of the Sunday Morning Book Thread for the foreseeable future. I simply do not have the time or energy to maintain it. I do know there are many excellent 'rons and 'ettes out there who can pick up the slack. If interested, you can reach out to CBD or MisHum. Their contact information is in the left hand sidebar of the main page.

I know I am in your prayers, just as you are in mine. I also know God has a purpose for me and is now revealing it to me, though I know not where this path shall take me.

Stay blessed, my dear friends.

++++++++++

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MORON RECOMMENDATIONS

Recently passed author Martin Cruz Smith is known for his Inspector Renko series of mysteries. Arkady Renko is a Russian detective who first appeared in the best seller Gorky Park. The series follows Renko as his fortunes change along with his country. After he solves the inconvenient murder in that book, he is sentenced to a fishery vessel in Polar Star, previously reviewed here, in which he solves the murder of an American. While they are all stand alone novels, they are best read in order as they follow his career.
The third book and subject of this review is Red Square. Renko, now restored as an inspector, returns to a Moscow post collapse, where rubles are worthless and the mob runs the country. A money launderer Renko is trailing is the victim of a car bomb, and Renko must try to get to the bottom of it amidst the corruption in the new Russia, as well as a newly reunited Germany.
In all of the Renko novels, his intuition plays an important role, and he rarely shares his insights with the reader until they become obvious. As you read, you are racing to catch up to the clues. The books also capture the mood of a Russia emerging from the soviet era.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at July 27, 2025 09:14 AM (Vfq+S)

+++++

I'm reading Ira Levin's dystopian novel One Perfect Day, about a vast central computer (UniComp) ruling an orderly, uniform, monochromatic society (thanks to whoever mentioned it last week). Very good 70's SF, and puzzlingly one of the few Levine novels not to be made into a movie. The man was a spin-rack paperback god back in the day: Rosemary's Baby, The Stepford Wives, The Boys From Brazil, etc. One Perfect Day would have fit right in with that decade's bleak aesthetic.
"Old cities were demolished; new cities were built. The new cities had taller buildings, broader plazas, larger parks, monorails whose cars flew faster though less frequently.
The free hour was extended by five minutes. Voice-input telecomps began to replace key-input ones, and totalcakes came in a pleasant second flavor. Life expectancy increased to 62.4. Members worked and ate, watched TV and slept. They sang and went to museums and walked in amusement gardens."
Sounds like a fair and equitable paradise!
Thank Uni!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at July 27, 2025 09:18 AM (kpS4V)

MORE MORON RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE FOUND HERE: AoSHQ - Book Thread Recommendations

+-----+-----+-----+-----+

WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THIS PAST WEEK:

After reviewing some of OregonMuse's old Book Threads, I thought I'd try something a bit different. Instead of just listing WHAT I'm reading, I'll include commentary as well. Unless otherwise specified, you can interpret this as an implied recommendation, though as always your mileage may vary.

The House of Thunder by Dean Koontz

Anno Dracula 1899 and Other Stories by Kim Newman

The Vision by Dean Koontz

PREVIOUS SUNDAY MORNING BOOK THREAD - 7-27-2025 (NOTE: Do NOT comment on old threads!)

Tips, suggestions, recommendations, etc., can all be directed to perfessor -dot- squirrel -at- gmail -dot- com.

Disclaimer: No Morons were physically harmed in the making of this Sunday Morning Book Thread.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 09:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 I'll let the others know...

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 03, 2025 08:58 AM (O7YUW)

2 Gone most of the week. Didn't read anything but blog posts.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 08:59 AM (0eaVi)

3 Hoo would wear those pants??

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 08:59 AM (0eaVi)

4 Tolle Lege
Slowly getting to the end of Rick Atkinson's The Day of the Battle, a account of the Italian campaign in WWII

Think will get his American Revolution books afterwards

Posted by: Skip at August 03, 2025 09:00 AM (bQn8Z)

5 Top 5?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:00 AM (omVj0)

6 @3/OrangeEnt: "Hoo would wear those pants??"

All signs point to Sponge, since Hoo is on FIRST!!!!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 03, 2025 09:01 AM (O7YUW)

7 Gulp!

Will I actually have to say "the end of the book thread" today??!!

There has to be someone out there in Moron Land who could do it, but I have no idea who. Sad news today Perfessor.

I do have a suggestion, however. Maybe you should find out who your boss's boss is and ask for his job. Let your boss be out of a job, not you.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:02 AM (0eaVi)

8 Perfessor, we will miss you! Good luck on leaping over whatever hurdles you hae in your path.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:03 AM (omVj0)

9 Morning, Perfessor.

Howdy, Horde.

That's some downer of a content this morning. Hope things get better for you soon, Perfessor. Your thread will be missed.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 09:04 AM (q3u5l)

10
Sorry to hear the news Perfesser!

You've been a good and true custodian of the Book Thread. I hope you won't be stranger to the thread when your current circumstances shake out.

Good luck in whatever's happening now and in the future.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 03, 2025 09:04 AM (iJfKG)

11 I've got an Inter-Library Loan request out for P.T. Deutermann's "Pacific Glory" so I can start reading that series from the beginning. I'd just finished his "Rising Sun" book.

Currently reading: Raconteur Press Anthology #40, "Giant Stomping Robots" (fun book so far!)

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 03, 2025 09:04 AM (O7YUW)

12 I have some bad news for you this morning. Due to my current life circumstances, I will no longer be able to be the custodian of the Sunday Morning Book Thread for the foreseeable future. I simply do not have the time or energy to maintain it.

Did I miss something? Are you ok?

Posted by: dantesed at August 03, 2025 09:05 AM (Oy/m2)

13 Oh, Perfessor, I am so sad to hear of your departure. You picked up the Book Thread and kept it chugging along. For that you have my gratitude.

Farewell, squirrel pimp.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:05 AM (p/isN)

14 OrangeEnt: "Hoo would wear those pants??"

All signs point to Sponge, since Hoo is on FIRST!!!!
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 03, 2025 09:01 AM (O7YUW)

Of course! Why didn't I think of that!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:06 AM (0eaVi)

15 Ah-ah-ah! Don't touch that dial! 'Cause if you do, you'll bring an end to vaudeville!

Well, of course, nobody listened, to this suggestion. They listened to radio, however -- by the millions -- and George Burns writes about the radio era in "All My Best Friends."

Radio begat movies featuring radio stars, but as Burns remembers it, a lot of those movies forgot to include plots. They were made solely to let viewers put faces to the voices on their radios.

Those led to what we call biopics. Some resuscitated careers, most notably Al Jolson's. Others were lousy. As Burns put it, Warner Brothers made Eddie Cantor's life story seem boring.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:06 AM (p/isN)

16 @"Perfessor" Squirrel: "I have some bad news for you this morning. Due to my current life circumstances, I will no longer be able to be the custodian of the Sunday Morning Book Thread for the foreseeable future."

You concentrate on what needs doing in your life, sir. May order reign over chaos, and may things get back to normal for you with a quickness.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 03, 2025 09:07 AM (O7YUW)

17 Bummer of a book thread.

My reading this week was almost entirely D&D reference books as the campaign I am managing has outrun my original story idea. It all started with a conversation in June about playing, how many players were needed and the next thing I know, I'd been conscripted to run it, with the opening session a couple of days away.

I'm no newcomer to the hobby, but I've outgrown the immersive world-building of my youth. Instead, I bought some of the Gazetteers from the late 1980s and have retrofit them into the 5th edition rules, though I only own the players handbook of that edition. The rest of my material is the 1981 red and blue books because I'm too cheap to buy any other material. The players don't seem to mind.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:08 AM (ZOv7s)

18 Good morning fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading.

Here's hoping Perfessor comes through the hurdles he's facing and comes out stronger and well rested.

Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 09:08 AM (yTvNw)

19 As Burns put it, Warner Brothers made Eddie Cantor's life story seem boring.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:06 AM (p/isN)

Weird. You'd think Cantor's story would just sing.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:08 AM (0eaVi)

20 YouTube video embedded is timestamped to the end.

Knight is pronounced Keh-Nigt, right?

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 03, 2025 09:09 AM (6ydKt)

21 Well, the Tech Thread merged imperceptibly into the Book Thread, as I predicted. That's okay, I like both.

I am currently on Robert Crais's fourth or fifth Elvis Cole novel, 1995's Voodoo River. In this one, L.A. private eye Elvis Cole is hired to find the birth parents of a famous TV actress. She doesn't really want to contact them, but wants to know her medical history (or so she says. Elvis is beginning to suspect he's been lied to). He travels to Baton Rouge, LA, and to Ville Platte and Eunice in Cajun country! I worked in Ville Platte back in 1977, and I remember the local eatery, the Pig Stand, that Elvis visits.

Crais comes by his knowledge of Lousy-ana honestly. He was born in Independence, a little town north of Hammond, which is about an hour's drive north of Nawlins. I suspect he will have his details right.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:10 AM (omVj0)

22 Perfessor you will be missed

Posted by: Skip at August 03, 2025 09:10 AM (bQn8Z)

23 Perfessor, Thanks for all that you've done here. Hope things work out well.

Posted by: InspiredHistoryMike at August 03, 2025 09:10 AM (KaHlS)

24 Perfessor,

Thank you for keeping the light of the book thread bright for so long. It is a highlight of my weekends.

Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 09:11 AM (yTvNw)

25 You have to take care of yourself first, Perfessor. I'm sure someone will come along to take up the reins.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 03, 2025 09:11 AM (Vfq+S)

26 Of course! Why didn't I think of that!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:06 AM (0eaVi)
---
I finally got around to applying to the writers' group. Check your inbox.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:12 AM (ZOv7s)

27 I know nothing of Eddie Cantor's life story except that he clapped his hands and rolled his eyes around while prancing about when he sang.

What made his life in particular so interesting to George Burns?

Posted by: naturalfake at August 03, 2025 09:12 AM (iJfKG)

28 Perfessor you will be missed
Posted by: Skip at August 03, 2025 09:10 AM (bQn8Z)
---
Just because he don't run the joint don't mean that he can't hang out.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:12 AM (ZOv7s)

29 Perfessor, thank you for carrying the baton for so long and so well. Good luck in your new endeavours!

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:13 AM (kpS4V)

30 I’m not a regular on your thread Perfessor, but I wish you luck all the same.

Hope we can see you around on the threads, still, until you get everything handled IRL.

I think you should deputize Wolfus for Book Thread duties.

Or one of our other bookworm, moron, authors, here among the Horde.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at August 03, 2025 09:14 AM (6ydKt)

31 I read Clifford D. Simak's 1964 Hugo Award winner "Way Station" and absolutely loved it. Great plot, character development, and some interesting scientific ideas. Felt like I was reading an old Ray Bradbury. You know, that 50s/60s pulp sci fi magazine feeling? Brilliant story.

I think I'm going to just print out the Hugo (est. 1953) and Nebula (est. 1966) Award lists and start reading the stories/novels from inception forward, and stopping about 10 years ago when they stopped awarding excellent stories and started going Woke.

Also just finishing reading a draft of Ryan Williamson's soon to be published novel "Immortal," which is the beginning of his new Dark Legacies trilogy. Its fantastic. If you like apocalyptic/portal military sci fi, his Doomsday Recon trilogy with Jason Anspach is outstanding.

Good morning, Book Nerdz.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 09:15 AM (/RHNq)

32 Oh no! Perfessor you will be missed but we wish you the best in your future adventures.

Posted by: Hedley Lamarr at August 03, 2025 09:15 AM (UWRAE)

33 Good Sunday morning, horde.

Perfessor, I am disappoint that you will be unable to continue the book thread. I hope you'll still hang out with us here, though. And pray that your future, both near and extended, holds good things.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 03, 2025 09:15 AM (h7ZuX)

34 Professor. Thank you for all work on the book thread. I always learn a lot from the discussion here. It's the highlight of my Sunday morning. I hope your future brings you happiness and fulfillment in whatever you do. Peace.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at August 03, 2025 09:15 AM (qliBS)

35 I finally got around to applying to the writers' group. Check your inbox.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:12 AM (ZOv7s)

A.H. link on the way.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:15 AM (0eaVi)

36 Professor,
Thank you for your efforts these past months, years? I am sure life won't throw any pitch you can't hit over the fence. Mixing my metaphors, you really moved the ball up the field!

Posted by: Miflin at August 03, 2025 09:16 AM (aA6YN)

37 This week, I finished two Jack Reachers, Worth Dying For (quite good) and its direct sequel, A Wanted Man (a bit of letdown in the last chapters, but still quite entertaining).

Then I tried some Faulkner, a volume of three of his short novels. Not my speed. "Old Man" was touted on the back cover as something of an adventure story, but it didn't grab me. I'll try the other two -- but I'm not sanguine. As I mentioned on the Tech Thread just now, it's not only that Faulkner's long sentences are a slog, but also I'm afraid that, if I read too much of him, I'll start writing like him.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:16 AM (omVj0)

38 Well, of course, nobody listened, to this suggestion. They listened to radio, however -- by the millions -- and George Burns writes about the radio era in "All My Best Friends."

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:06 AM (p/isN)
---
George Burns was one of those remarkable guys who was born old. Those of us who are 29 remember him as being old and telling jokes about it, but even if you go back, he was always the mature, gruff dude ("Say goodnight, Gracie") vs everyone else.

Wilford Brimley also went through puberty to 65 in a single year.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:16 AM (ZOv7s)

39 Perfessor, you didn't give the info on the library pic. I'm thinking it's a university library, but then I remembered current university students can't read. So, it must be somewhere else.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:16 AM (0eaVi)

40 Perfesser, I am praying for you!
God has a plan.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 03, 2025 09:17 AM (DoBxX)

41 I read Carl Hisaasen's "Skinny Dip", about a woman pushed off a cruise ship by her sleazy husband. She manages to swim toward shore and, clinging to a bale of pot, is rescued by an ex-cop. They decide not to notify the authorities that she survived, and she plots to exact her revenge.

It's a funny story, full of Hiaasen's patented corruptocrats and weirdos, but after reading only one other Hiassen book (I remember there was a vicious Miami cop who met his demise at the fins of a rapey dolphin) I feel confident I know Carl's schtick and I'm done.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:17 AM (kpS4V)

42 Sad to hear that the Sunday Book Thread is in need of a custodian, and that the Perfessor is facing IRL challenges...

A note - I am wrapping up the second in my YA historical adventure series, about a family in the 19th century frontier, and am looking for beta readers. The second book will be titled "Hills of Gold" - and features a 9-11 year old boy during the early days of the California Gold Rush. (This is the character who was a small child in the first book, West Towards the Sunset.) He is adventurous, slightly dyslexic and wishes that he could be a mountain man, like one of his family friends. Anyone who wants to go over a PDF, and offer comments on readability, and historical accuracy, let me know at clyahayes-at-gee-mail-dot-com.

Posted by: Sgt. Mom at August 03, 2025 09:17 AM (Ew3fm)

43 It is an amazing story. A New Yorker known as a workaholic comes out of nowhere to be elected president, and angers members of both parties. He is removed in the next election, but in a stunning comeback, returns to the white house four years later. Of course, I am speaking of Grover Cleveland.

In A Man of Iron, Troy Senik reviews our 22nd/24th president, a man who tried to hold onto the traditional democratic values that his party abandoned in the pursuit of progressivism. Cleveland certainly had a meteoric rise, moving from law clerk to the mayor of Buffalo, to the governor's mansion, and to the white house in just a few short years.

Cleveland was known for his honesty, and for his reticence to force his will on congress. In his tenure, he faced the Pullman strike, tariffs, the panic of 1893 , and a run on the gold reserves of the country. Twice, he was elected to bring integrity to the office, yet political factions on both sides twice opposed his solutions. What nobody could disagree with was that he put the constitution first. Ultimately, he failed to prevent his party from going progressive, which hurt him deeply. He deserves more remembrance than he is given.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 03, 2025 09:19 AM (Vfq+S)

44 I read Clifford D. Simak's 1964 Hugo Award winner "Way Station" and absolutely loved it. Great plot, character development, and some interesting scientific ideas. Felt like I was reading an old Ray Bradbury. You know, that 50s/60s pulp sci fi magazine feeling? Brilliant story. . . .

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025

***
Simak goes back a ways, to the pre-Campbell Astounding era. Asimov tells the story of how he read one of Cliff's tales and found it too rushed. He wrote a letter to Simak about that. Simak took the comment well, but pointed out how his short scenes were intended to make the story move swiftly. Asimov reread the tale and realized Cliff was right. He began to incorporate that technique into his short stories, which had not sold, and found it worked well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:19 AM (omVj0)

45 @27 --

As Burns tells it, WB prettied up Cantor's life story, omitting the bad things he did.

He says Hollywood did the same thing with Blossom Seely (I didn't recognize the name, either), turning a young slut into a virgin. Betty Grable was the lead in that movie, whose title I forget. The book's downstairs, and I'm not.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:20 AM (p/isN)

46 It's a funny story, full of Hiaasen's patented corruptocrats and weirdos, but after reading only one other Hiassen book (I remember there was a vicious Miami cop who met his demise at the fins of a rapey dolphin) I feel confident I know Carl's schtick and I'm done.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:17 AM (kpS4V)
---
That's sort of surprising given your penchant for someone predictable material that checks the right boxes.

Is the humor strained? Plot points telegraphed? Just curious because my wife likes formulaic stuff so long as it is the right formula.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:20 AM (ZOv7s)

47 Those pants are fine. Owl wear them to barbeque in my back yard.

Posted by: A wise guy at August 03, 2025 09:20 AM (vFG9F)

48 A.H. link on the way.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:15 AM (0eaVi)
---
Wow, a decoder ring and a secret handshake! Suave!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:24 AM (ZOv7s)

49 Perfessor, you got this. Sometimes a shakeup is good. When you reach the fork in the road, take it!

Posted by: fd at August 03, 2025 09:24 AM (vFG9F)

50 So instead of doing a revisit of (Sturgeon, Leiber, Malzberg, Ramsey Campbell, Maugham, Malamud, onandonandonandon) I decided to try some Nabokov after failing miserably on his stuff umpteen years ago. Laughter in the Dark ain't bad (and if IMDB can be believed, Scott Frank has that in pre-production; Frank did a dynamite job on Tevis's The Queen's Gambit and Block's Walk Among the Tombstones, so the flick might be good), and Lolita's reading better than I recall it. Some day maybe I'll actually get through Pale Fire. Could happen.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 09:24 AM (q3u5l)

51 Lloyd I do mean as proprietor of this thread

Posted by: Skip at August 03, 2025 09:25 AM (bQn8Z)

52 “ I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. “

Luke 2:4-5

Posted by: Marcus T at August 03, 2025 09:25 AM (fDNpu)

53 There is absolutely nothing wrong with those pants. They convey a sense ofnwisdom.amd dignity.

Here's a prayer that your situation improves soon. Thanks for all the Book Threads you have shepherded for us.

Posted by: tankdemon at August 03, 2025 09:26 AM (B/SF7)

54 "I think you should deputize Wolfus for Book Thread duties."

I second this motion.

Posted by: fd at August 03, 2025 09:26 AM (vFG9F)

55 Lloyd I do mean as proprietor of this thread
Posted by: Skip at August 03, 2025 09:25 AM (bQn8Z)
---
Certainly, but I have seen (as have you, I'm sure) that sometimes when people step down they also step away, which would be unfortunate.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:27 AM (ZOv7s)

56 Re: the Elvis Cole stories by Robert Crais: Those of you who have read Robert B. Parker's Spenser series will notice a lot of similarities in style and attitude to the early Spensers. It's rather pleasant to read about a private eye who is not sour and embittered, who likes his life and (mostly) his work. The Wiki article on Crais says in fact that he was influenced by the usual hardboiled writers and Hemingway, but also Parker -- and Steinbeck. No wonder I like his stuff so far.

Like Parker, too, he wrote for TV in his early days, for Hill Street Blues among others.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:29 AM (omVj0)

57 Sharkman, I agree. Waystation is a wonderful book, and Simak at his best —which he usually is.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 03, 2025 09:29 AM (EXyHK)

58 I read a couple of books this week. The settings are continents and decades apart, but they shared a theme of people keeping secrets.

The first:

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy: a drowned woman washes ashore at a research facility off Antarctica. The family who rescues and revives her is mysteriously clammed up about what happened to the others who had been working on the island. The main character has secrets of her own. Great intrigue, have to remove a point for climate change hysteria, even though apocalyptic future is a basis for the whole situation in the first place.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 03, 2025 09:29 AM (h7ZuX)

59 Thank you, Perfessor, for all you've done to make this an excellent Book Thread. I hope things improve for you rapidly and will keep you in my prayers. God bless.

Posted by: KatieFloyd at August 03, 2025 09:29 AM (0sVVa)

60 @43 --

I read a column once (in Editor & Publisher, of all places) that said Cleveland was known as "Big Steve." Does "Man of Iron" mention that?

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:30 AM (p/isN)

61 "I think you should deputize Wolfus for Book Thread duties."
*
I second this motion.
Posted by: fd at August 03, 2025

***
Me? I'm flattered, and as a new recruit to the ranks of the retiree army I have time . . . but I would not know how to go about assembling a thread every week. I'd be glad to help a regular cob to start with, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:31 AM (omVj0)

62 If I kept up with things as well as I used to, I'd volunteer for it myself. But I don't. I'd probably wash out within six months. Coming up with decent content week after week can be a beast of a job (ask anyone who's ever done a weekly column of any kind). My hat's off to the Perfessor, as it was to Oregon Muse.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 09:31 AM (q3u5l)

63 I read a column once (in Editor & Publisher, of all places) that said Cleveland was known as "Big Steve." Does "Man of Iron" mention that?
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:30 AM (p/isN)

Cleveland's first name was Stephen. Pretty funny to choose Grover over Stephen as the name he'd go by.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:32 AM (0eaVi)

64 That's sort of surprising given your penchant for someone predictable material that checks the right boxes.
---/

WTF?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:32 AM (kpS4V)

65 I was going to make this a week for reading Coleridge and Chesterton. Then the latest issue of Muzzleloader arrived and piqued my thoughts about hands-on hobbies in general: shooting traditional black powder firearms and the history of their times, basic book binding, drawing. No intellectual rabbit holes to follow and get lost in, just informative and pleasant reading.

I did sneak in a few passages from LOTR simply to enjoy Tolkien's mastery of language for description and setting a mood.

Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 09:32 AM (yTvNw)

66 I am a lurker on the book thread, usually because I am late to the reading room. I'll be praying for you, Perfesser. It is unsettling to have change thrust upon us and it's frightening, too. Thank you for taking care of the Sunday morning bookworms' corner of the AoS.

Posted by: PennaLady at August 03, 2025 09:32 AM (y6jPI)

67 Interesting that Pixy's thread on how teaching reading is fubared and it is immediately followed by the book thread.

AoS is amazing.

Posted by: Tonypete at August 03, 2025 09:33 AM (cYBz/)

68 Lloyd I agree with that

Posted by: Skip at August 03, 2025 09:33 AM (bQn8Z)

69 Read To Turn the Tide by SM Stirling . 5 classics nerds go back to the time of Marcus Aurelius to try and stop the Roman Empire from collapsing.

It mentions L Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall which I can't remember reading so eill have to buy that as the library doesn't have it.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at August 03, 2025 09:33 AM (DoBxX)

70
Cleveland's first name was Stephen. Pretty funny to choose Grover over Stephen as the name he'd go by.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025

***
Maybe the repetition of sounds, the "eve" in both Stephen and Cleveland, deterred him -- or he thought it would deter voters?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:33 AM (omVj0)

71 Here is the link to this gorgeous library in Italy that is partially displayed at the top.

https://tinyurl.com/4yu52fsj
Library Biblioteca Palermo Italy
I was surprised at how much Jewish history and culture there is in Italy. They are so much better at preserving these ancient texts.
It is a sharp contrast to the utilitarian look of today's libraries.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 03, 2025 09:33 AM (t/2Uw)

72 Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:32 AM (kpS4V)

Troll-Be-Gone?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 09:35 AM (0eaVi)

73 George Burns had an amazing life. I recently read Gracie, A Love Story. It was a wonderful look at vaudeville and the transition from vaudeville.

There was never any professional jealousy between me and Gracie. Acts would run into trouble when they began competing for laughs. We never did; Gracie got the laughs, and at the end of the night, I got to bring Gracie home.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 03, 2025 09:35 AM (EXyHK)

74 Fascinating reading in David S. Brown's "Hell of a Storm: The Battle for Kansas, the End of Compromise, and the Coming of the Civil War".
Playing kick-the-can on key issues for decades after the Revolutionary War and the territory expanded. I've wondered many times how our nation didn't dissolve.

There was a heated debate among black thought leaders like Frederick Douglass, who were loathe to cede hard-won ground and would demand their rights as American citizens on their native soil, and the pro-emigration faction led by free black (and later Union officer) Martin Delaney, who wanted his kind to extend their own Manifest Destiny in the Western Hemisphere as colonizers in the southern latitudes.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:36 AM (kpS4V)

75 I thought the name was Grover S. Cleveland.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:36 AM (p/isN)

76 Perfesser Squirrel, have you ever considered piracy? You’d make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts.

Posted by: Eromero at August 03, 2025 09:36 AM (jgmnb)

77 Reading related. Check out the top piece of Pixy's thread this morning about 'why Johnny can't read'.

Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 09:36 AM (yTvNw)

78 I read a column once (in Editor & Publisher, of all places) that said Cleveland was known as "Big Steve." Does "Man of Iron" mention that?

Posted by: Weak Geek

Yes, Senik noted that he tipped the scales at 275 pounds, second only to William Howard Taft in the circumference department.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 03, 2025 09:36 AM (Vfq+S)

79 Just finished Grisham's "The Racketeer," an enjoyable tale of two federal prison inmates and their plot to get free and get rich while doing so. Grisham can sure tell a story.

Posted by: M. Gaga at August 03, 2025 09:37 AM (yZ+81)

80 The second:

Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdale. Lansdale is hit or miss with me, but I really liked this one. A trio of East Texas kids gets a notion to cremate the body of their deceased friend, escape town by river, and take her ashes and scatter them in Hollywood to fulfill her dreams.

Set in the era of the Depression, each of these kids has a good reason to escape--violent families, post-slavery racism, no hope for a successful future, etc. There is also found money involved, and villains who want it and will kill to get it.

Along the way, each is obligated to reveal secrets and sins. I couldn't put it down.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 03, 2025 09:37 AM (h7ZuX)

81 Well, that's a rough way to start a morning....Good luck with whatever you're going through Perfesser. We've enjoyed your work...

Posted by: Castle Guy at August 03, 2025 09:39 AM (Lhaco)

82 Sorry to hear you are stepping down Perfessor. Your book thread is my favorite way to start the week. I pray that whatever you have going on sorts itself out.

No reading this week. No time.
I have to figure out a way to fix that. Working swing shift is weird.

Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025 09:39 AM (ZEu5J)

83 I reread I Am Jackie Chan this week. His account of being trained into the very demanding Chinese Opera tradition and using those skills to transition into action flicks was amazing. The glut of Opera-trained actors as the opera died out is probably a good part of why Hong Kong style action films were so stunt heavy.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 03, 2025 09:40 AM (EXyHK)

84 Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 09:36 AM (yTvNw)

Agreed. It was excellent, and sobering.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (with a beret and a Gauloises) at August 03, 2025 09:40 AM (n9ltV)

85 I thought the name was Grover S. Cleveland.

Posted by: Weak Geek

It was actually Stephen Grover Cleveland. Had I had a middle name of Grover, I would not have gone by that.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 03, 2025 09:40 AM (Vfq+S)

86 Edge of Dark Water by Joe R. Lansdale. Lansdale is hit or miss with me, but I really liked this one. A trio of East Texas kids gets a notion to cremate the body of their deceased friend, escape town by river, and take her ashes and scatter them in Hollywood to fulfill her dreams.

Set in the era of the Depression, each of these kids has a good reason to escape--violent families, post-slavery racism, no hope for a successful future, etc. There is also found money involved, and villains who want it and will kill to get it.

Along the way, each is obligated to reveal secrets and sins. I couldn't put it down.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 03, 2025

***
I've read a couple of Lansdales this year or last, and enjoyed them. I'll look for this one!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:41 AM (omVj0)

87 Anyone else run into issues with book sizes? Like, the actual physical size of a book? I had my eye on one particular book, but then saw that it was 14 inches tall. That is unnecessary, even for an artsy book. I don't think there's a shelf in my house that would hold it. And it's probably incredibly unwieldy to actually read. Unless I wanted to buy a lectern to set it on...

Anyways, I think I'm passing on that book.

Posted by: Castle Guy at August 03, 2025 09:42 AM (Lhaco)

88 ...I decided to try some Nabokov after failing miserably on his stuff umpteen years ago. Laughter in the Dark ain't bad (and if IMDB can be believed, Scott Frank has that in pre-production; Frank did a dynamite job on Tevis's The Queen's Gambit and Block's Walk Among the Tombstones, so the flick might be good), and Lolita's reading better than I recall it.

Some day maybe I'll actually get through Pale Fire. Could happen.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 09:24 AM (q3u5l)

Interesting. I found "Pale Fire" laugh out loud funny and not boring at all.

The story is about a next door neighbor "critiquing" a famous poet's last poem and the footnotes constitute the story, mostly about the the "critic's" jealousy and animosity toward the poet, along with insane interpretations of the poem.

Yeah, yeah, it's artsy and clever, but that's the kind of writer Nabokov was. He's not trying to prove he's the smartest guy in the room...because, you know, he usually was.

Great prose stylist too. Like PG Wodehouse in this regard for me, though they're totally different, I can't read his stuff while I'm writing or I unconsciously try to imitate him.

YMMV. Check him out.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 03, 2025 09:43 AM (iJfKG)

89 Anyone else run into issues with book sizes? Like, the actual physical size of a book? I had my eye on one particular book, but then saw that it was 14 inches tall. That is unnecessary, even for an artsy book. I don't think there's a shelf in my house that would hold it. And it's probably incredibly unwieldy to actually read. Unless I wanted to buy a lectern to set it on...

Anyways, I think I'm passing on that book.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 03, 2025

***
The new sizing in paperback books, where they aspire to be as tall as a hardcover, is subtly disturbing to me. Comparing the paperback Lee Child I just finished to one of my vintage U.N.C.L.E. paperbacks, I see the Child is only about a quarter inch taller, but it seems much bigger than that.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 09:45 AM (omVj0)

90 @73 --

Burns said one big difference between vaudeville and radio was that in vaudeville, a solid 17-minute show could keep you eating for years because you could do the act in so many different venues. Few people would see it more than once.

In radio, however, those 17 minutes went national at once, and now you'd need something new for the next week. The pressure, he said -- quoting Jack Benny -- required a diet of coffee and fingernails.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:45 AM (p/isN)

91 "Where's my pa ma?"

"He's in the White House, ha ha ha."

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 03, 2025 09:45 AM (ZmEVT)

92 Physical book size is definitely an issue for me these days. I have no compunctions against flipping the book on the shelf so it rests on the spine instead of standing upright, but yes some of them are unwieldy to hold for reading. One of the big things, along with print size and bindings so tight that hold the book open hurts the hands, that has made me prefer to do my reading on Kindle for the past decade plus.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 09:47 AM (q3u5l)

93 Thank you Perfessor and b"h

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 03, 2025 09:48 AM (JvZF+)

94 Anyone else run into issues with book sizes? Like, the actual physical size of a book? I had my eye on one particular book, but then saw that it was 14 inches tall. That is unnecessary, even for an artsy book. I don't think there's a shelf in my house that would hold it. And it's probably incredibly unwieldy to actually read. Unless I wanted to buy a lectern to set it on...

Anyways, I think I'm passing on that book.

Posted by: Castle Guy

I have several books like the Jane's series and atlases that are oversized. I built a bookshelf with a 20 inch bottom shelf to accommodate them.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 03, 2025 09:49 AM (Vfq+S)

95 I started Goethe's 'Maxims and Reflections' this week. That's the way I like to receive wisdom: distilled down to a numbered listicle of pithy nuggets, kinda like the Book of Proverbs. No extraneous prose or riddles or scene-setting.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at August 03, 2025 09:49 AM (2XN3U)

96 Thank you for your most excellent service to us, Perfessor Squirrel. If there is anything you need from us, any help you need, or just to talk, please feel free to reach out.

Eventhorizonescapee -at- gmail -dot- com.

May God bless you abundantly.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 09:49 AM (/RHNq)

97 Squirrel - thanks to you for all you do, and have done. Take care and best of luck.

Posted by: goatexchange at August 03, 2025 09:49 AM (hyS0X)

98 I read cs Lewis's surprised by joy and I am amazed how much we've regressed.

Once upon a time that is what a western intellectual was like.

How we have men in dresses ranting about muh raycissms blue jeans

Posted by: 18-1 at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (rskVH)

99 Just got here from church. Pefessor, thank you SO MUCH for your yeoman's work on the Book Thread and may you be blessed in the future.

Now to catch up on the comments

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (PiwSw)

100 Perfessor, thank you for carrying the baton for so long and so well. Good luck in your new endeavours!

==

Seconded. Thank you.

Posted by: runner at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (g47mK)

101 Nuggety pith.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (2XN3U)

102 This Perfect Day

Posted by: Jim at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (DcE5z)

103 Hey Horde,

I have been using AI to create arts related to my "John Ringo meets Douglas Adams military space opera from the POV of the bad guys" novels and promoting it on X and instagram. It's actually working, I'm getting a few sales.

https://www.instagram.com/vtk52_25/

Also, I think I'll be doing a giveaway around Labor Day weekend, so, I'll let you know in case anyone wants to read but doesn't wanna pay.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (DIweC)

104 Good luck Perfessor! If you're looking for another job, I hope you find one that deserves your talents.

Posted by: gp's Movie Laffs at August 03, 2025 09:51 AM (2XN3U)

105 @87 --

It would depend on the content of the book. I can think of some comics whose art I would like to see at that proportion. You could always lie the book on the shelf.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:51 AM (p/isN)

106 I will miss you Perfessor. Hope all works out to your advantage.
Not much reading this week. Finished “Rat Pack Confidential “by Shawn Levy. Frank and the boys were some messed up dudes. Women,drugs and booze. Not to mention JFK and the mob. Poor Marilyn getting passed around like a bag of chips.
They were that generations rock and roll bad boys. I recently watched Oceans Eleven again. Love that movie. By the way, they were my parent’s generation. I’m not that far past 29. Not yet.

Posted by: RetSgtRN at August 03, 2025 09:51 AM (7pJhp)

107 Well this is news I didn’t expect. But I also know the work you must put into curating your corner of this blog. My prayers are with you, and am glad we will still see you in the comments.

I will even put on something other than leggings for the person who picks up your baton to give them as much support as I am able.

Posted by: Piper at August 03, 2025 09:53 AM (QzINz)

108
WTF?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:32 AM (kpS4V)
---
Look, we all have various boxes we check in terms of our favorite material. I'm pretty sure if I find a book on Moon Nazis invading the hollow earth, you'd raise an eyebrow of interest.

So I'm just curious as to why this author amused but also bored you.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:54 AM (ZOv7s)

109 Naturalfake,

I've mentioned before that I spent more than a decade reading almost nothing but sf/fantasy/and some mystery/suspense for pleasure. Important reading years, I think, from 12 into mid-20s, and I remain convinced that this did a number on things like my attention span and notions on things like how a story should be told and how long a novel needs to be.

So there are a number of classics and a lot of writers like Nabokov that I never really caught up with. Working on it, but it's slow these days, and I've long since resigned myself to never catching up with the Amazing Colossal To-Be-Read Pile; won't even get close.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 09:55 AM (q3u5l)

110 I read cs Lewis's surprised by joy and I am amazed how much we've regressed.

Once upon a time that is what a western intellectual was like.

How we have men in dresses ranting about muh raycissms blue jeans
Posted by: 18-1 at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (rskVH)
---
I'm to the point where anything less than 50 years old has to justify my even looking at it.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:56 AM (ZOv7s)

111 I just finished The Time-Swept City, by Thomas F. Monteleone. Imagine a dystopia co-authored by Simak, Harlan Ellison, and Olaf Stapledon...

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at August 03, 2025 09:57 AM (PiwSw)

112 Perf, if I'd known this would be your last Book Thread I'd have worn pants.

Maybe.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:57 AM (kpS4V)

113 @91 --

THAT's why the piece appeared in Editor & Publisher! It was during the Clinton administration.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:57 AM (p/isN)

114 I have set writing aside, mostly, but I've become weirdly fixated on writing an alt-life biography of myself; based on not making the stupid choices I made and avoiding the toxic people I met along the way. It's fascinating to map out things like, "I should have chosen the small, STEM university instead of the Big 10 school" and seeing what parts of my life get cut out entirely, and what new possibilities would have come out of those choices.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 09:58 AM (DIweC)

115 The rest of my material is the 1981 red and blue books because I'm too cheap to buy any other material. The players don't seem to mind.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:08 AM

Introduce the HordeSource (tm) Spell, which is an instant +20 save for any situation.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 03, 2025 09:58 AM (0sNs1)

116 Perf, if I'd known this would be your last Book Thread I'd have worn pants.

Maybe.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 09:57 AM

Just who do you think you are kidding?

Posted by: Bob from NSA at August 03, 2025 10:00 AM (0sNs1)

117 Also, I think I'll be doing a giveaway around Labor Day weekend, so, I'll let you know in case anyone wants to read but doesn't wanna pay.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 09:50 AM (DIweC)

One never reads for free the works of fellow Morons. How declasse!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 10:00 AM (0eaVi)

118 Introduce the HordeSource (tm) Spell, which is an instant +20 save for any situation.
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 03, 2025 09:58 AM (0sNs1)
---
Another big difference is that I'm not really interested in micro-managing magic items or things like that. We've had DMs that were obsessive and controlling, and I'm the opposite, so when players are all about "gee, it would be great if this item was..." my response is "yeah, let's go for that."

"What spells did I find?"
"What spells do you want?"

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 10:01 AM (ZOv7s)

119 One never reads for free the works of fellow Morons. How declasse!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 10:00 AM (0eaVi)

Gauche, even.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at August 03, 2025 10:01 AM (PiwSw)

120 87 Anyone else run into issues with book sizes? Like, the actual physical size of a book? I had my eye on one particular book, but then saw that it was 14 inches tall. That is unnecessary, even for an artsy book. I don't think there's a shelf in my house that would hold it. And it's probably incredibly unwieldy to actually read. Unless I wanted to buy a lectern to set it on...

Anyways, I think I'm passing on that book.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 03, 2025 09:42 AM (Lhaco)

You don't get that problem with a Kindle.

Posted by: tankdemon at August 03, 2025 10:02 AM (B/SF7)

121 I have set writing aside, mostly, but I've become weirdly fixated on writing an alt-life biography of myself; based on not making the stupid choices I made and avoiding the toxic people I met along the way. It's fascinating to map out things like, "I should have chosen the small, STEM university instead of the Big 10 school" and seeing what parts of my life get cut out entirely, and what new possibilities would have come out of those choices.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025

***
I've been thinking about this too, but in the context of fiction, i.e., "In an alternate timeline, how would a guy like myself have fared in 1972 if he had . . .?" Though you're right; an "alt-life biography" of yourself would be fiction anyway.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:02 AM (omVj0)

122 I'm pretty sure if I find a book on Moon Nazis invading the hollow earth, you'd raise an eyebrow of interest.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:54 AM

Do they have tentacles? ~~Because I'd be Spock eyebrowing~~

Asking for a friend.

Posted by: Kurt E. at August 03, 2025 10:03 AM (0sNs1)

123 Thanks for your work, Perfessor Squirrel. Hope that the path you are now on is a great and fulfilling one. Prayers for you and yours, as sometimes there's someone other than ourselves for whom we make time. All the best, I wish you only good things.

Posted by: night lifted at August 03, 2025 10:05 AM (/YboP)

124 Perhaps the book thread could be a collaborative effort (like the movie thread)?

Hope things clear up for you soon, Perfessor!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at August 03, 2025 10:08 AM (ULPxl)

125 I have a couple of books that are really thick because they're collections of Robert Ludlum novels. I got them years ago at a garage sale for $5 total.

I'm wondering how easy it will be to read the books in the middle and whether I should just get the individual books instead.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 10:09 AM (p/isN)

126 I've been thinking about this too, but in the context of fiction, i.e., "In an alternate timeline, how would a guy like myself have fared in 1972 if he had . . .?" Though you're right; an "alt-life biography" of yourself would be fiction anyway.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:02 AM (omVj0)

This discussion is leading to an old Calvin and Hobbes strip, where Calvin decides to write a 'fictional autobiography.' What is different in the fictional tale? "Well, in this version, I own a flame-thrower."

Posted by: Castle Guy at August 03, 2025 10:10 AM (Lhaco)

127 I've become weirdly fixated on writing an alt-life biography of myself; based on not making the stupid choices I made and avoiding the toxic people I met along the way.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 09:58 AM (DIweC)

If I had eliminated the most toxic person I know from my life when I first met them I would have never met the wonderful women who became my wife and mother of my child.
If I were to write an alternate version of my life I wouldn't change anything. Well, except dad and the way he passed. I would change a lot about that.

Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025 10:10 AM (ZEu5J)

128 "I think you should deputize Wolfus for Book Thread duties."

I second this motion.

Posted by: fd

I'm somewhat inclined to jump into the job of Book Thread Coordinator, but I think I'd need help, since I work bonkers hours at the group home (about 88 hours per week, not all paid) from Wednesday through Monday morning and the only time I'd have to work on it would be Tuesday, my only day off. I'm at work now, as a matter of fact.

Wolfus, how would you feel about teaming up? AH Lloyd? Anyone? Beuhler??

Eventhorizonescapee -at- gmail -dot -com for anyone who would like to discuss. I'll ponder the rest of today on this and perhaps will be emailing Mishum and CBD later this week. Hmmmm.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 10:10 AM (/RHNq)

129 I can't let you leave without telling you just how much I do enjoy the Saturday Book posts. Most weeks, I pick up at least one or two recommendations that lead me to either buy or get the books from my library.
I do understand your need to give this up, however. I've not had the energy to pursue many former hobbies or volunteer positions in the last several years.
I'll be praying for you today.

Posted by: Linda S Fox at August 03, 2025 10:10 AM (7Rs+y)

130 I got a copy of the 10 Zelazny Amber books in one paperback as a Christmas gift. It is impossible to read as it huge and unwieldy to hold and keep open and the print is tiny.
I recently got a Spenser hardcover from ABe books. It is in mint condition with a pristine dust cover. I am so impressed with the quality of the paper stock. It feels like I'm turning two pages. The print is crystal clear. It is such a pleasure to read.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at August 03, 2025 10:13 AM (t/2Uw)

131 114 I have set writing aside, mostly, but I've become weirdly fixated on writing an alt-life biography of myself; based on not making the stupid choices I made and avoiding the toxic people I met along the way.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 09:58 AM (DIweC)

I hate to even do this exercise. I've been so many kinds of stupid in my life, if I dwell too much it's just depressing. Have to ask forgiveness and move forward and Be Better.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 03, 2025 10:14 AM (h7ZuX)

132 This discussion is leading to an old Calvin and Hobbes strip, where Calvin decides to write a 'fictional autobiography.' What is different in the fictional tale? "Well, in this version, I own a flame-thrower."
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 03, 2025

***
In my alternate life, I'd have owned a car much earlier than I in reality did!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:14 AM (omVj0)

133 Thanks for the Book Thread, Perfessor! And thank you for your excellent stewardship of the Book Thread these past few years.

Prayers up that your situation resolves for the best possible outcome for you and your future. When God closes one door, He always opens a window. May you quickly find that window!

Posted by: Legally Sufficient at August 03, 2025 10:14 AM (kB9dk)

134 I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties, Perfessor. Thanks for picking up for the late, great OregonMuse--you did well.

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at August 03, 2025 10:15 AM (lcJ+A)

135 I'm somewhat inclined to jump into the job of Book Thread Coordinator, but I think I'd need help, since I work bonkers hours at the group home (about 88 hours per week, not all paid) from Wednesday through Monday morning and the only time I'd have to work on it would be Tuesday, my only day off. I'm at work now, as a matter of fact.

Wolfus, how would you feel about teaming up? AH Lloyd? Anyone? Beuhler??

Eventhorizonescapee -at- gmail -dot -com for anyone who would like to discuss. I'll ponder the rest of today on this and perhaps will be emailing Mishum and CBD later this week. Hmmmm.
Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025

***
I'd be glad to help! I'll hit my email a little later today.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:15 AM (omVj0)

136 Wolfus, how would you feel about teaming up? AH Lloyd? Anyone? Beuhler??

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 10:10 AM (/RHNq)
---
I'm flattered and would love to do it, and maybe once the grandkids move out (or get a little older) I'll be able to, but things are just too random here for me to make that kind of commitment.

School will be starting soon, though, and that should force some order on the household.

Then again, I thought when I retired with the Guard I'd have all this free time...

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 10:15 AM (ZOv7s)

137 Simak goes back a ways, to the pre-Campbell Astounding era. Asimov tells the story of how he read one of Cliff's tales and found it too rushed. He wrote a letter to Simak about that. Simak took the comment well, but pointed out how his short scenes were intended to make the story move swiftly. Asimov reread the tale and realized Cliff was right. He began to incorporate that technique into his short stories, which had not sold, and found it worked well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

I like Simak's writing style a lot. Not a wordy chap, and his chapters are short and to the point. And he's not always dropping yuge, lengthy tech commentary, that can be very boring.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 10:16 AM (/RHNq)

138 If I had eliminated the most toxic person I know from my life when I first met them I would have never met the wonderful women who became my wife and mother of my child.

I have that same issue. The most toxic person I ever met was the one who convinced me to get into foster care, which is how I adopted my sons. I wouldn't change that latter part, but I've been brainstorming pathways to get me to that place without ever meeting that particular psychopath. Like we all admit, this is fiction.

If I were to write an alternate version of my life I wouldn't change anything.

Aside from different choices about college and relationships, if I had the wisdom of a 29 year old at, say, the age of 12... I could have avoided a lot of cringe memories from adolescence.

It's like the happy moments of my youth are in low-res jpegs, and the cringe moments are 8K UHD and play in my head on a continuous loop.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:16 AM (DIweC)

139 This is like where I work.

Whomever doesn't come to the meeting is assigned all the follow-ups by the people who do.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 03, 2025 10:16 AM (JvZF+)

140 good morning Perfessor, Horde

Posted by: callsign claymore at August 03, 2025 10:17 AM (6ZQz9)

141 Red Square. Renko, now restored as an inspector, returns to a Moscow post collapse, where rubles are worthless and the mob runs the country.

-
Lies, corruption, incompetence, violence in a fallen country. Boy, am I glad that could never happen here!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025 10:17 AM (L/fGl)

142 In my alternate life, I'd have owned a car much earlier than I in reality did!

Same. Probably an AMC Eagle. Those were beasts, and I'd've needed it in the North Country where my alt-life engineering school was located.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:17 AM (DIweC)

143 Sharkman, Wolfus, Bueller --

Think I'd be able to kick in a bit working on a book thread, but I probably wouldn't be good for more than one a month. Helena Handbaskets suggestion of a rotating thread like Saturday night movie/music threads ain't bad.

Give me a holler if need be.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 10:17 AM (q3u5l)

144 Wait. Does this mean I may not have to wear pants on Sunday mornings?
*shifts uncomfortably in chair*

Ah, well. All change feels like loss. At least initially. Quite often it isn't, although that may take a while to be seen.

Perfesser, put the oxygen mask over your own nose (but don't take off the pimp hat) before you attempt to assist others.

We thank you for your diligence and thought you've put into this thread. While some of the genres focused on here may not hold my interest, I've still found the dialogue beneficial.
I'll put it beside my experience with Toastmasters: you'll always do yourself a favor by hanging out with those looking to improve themselves.
And that's what the book thread is.
Thanks again.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 03, 2025 10:17 AM (XQo4F)

145 If I had eliminated the most toxic person I know from my life when I first met them I would have never met the wonderful women who became my wife and mother of my child. . . .

Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025

***
My most toxic person was also paradoxically the one who made me happy for the first time in my life for five solid years, so it'd be a tossup whether I'd be better off with her or without her.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:18 AM (omVj0)

146 In my alternate life, I'd have owned a car much earlier than I in reality did!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:14 AM (omVj0)
---
We talked about this a long time ago on this very thread. The "road not taken" is very fraught when you have kids (and grandkids!). All of a sudden the question of whether you should have tried to make a play for that cute girl in high school has some severe downstream consequences.

I think it's fine to have 'tactical' what-ifs - minor events that probably won't change much.

But at the same time, even a small action, like flirting on a Star Wars chatroom in 1999, ended up having life-changing consequences.

"A chance-meeting, as we say in Middle Earth."

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 10:19 AM (ZOv7s)

147 When you're a pimp, you can't just step down. Those book bitches in your stable are going to be out for your hide.

Best distract them... oh look, another squirrel!

Regards.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 03, 2025 10:20 AM (Q6y99)

148 The "road not taken" is very fraught when you have kids (and grandkids!). All of a sudden the question of whether you should have tried to make a play for that cute girl in high school has some severe downstream consequences.

Most of my real life has been a series of severe downstream consequences. Anyway, I know it's unrealistic. There will never be a do-over. But maybe what one can pull out of the exercise is a better understanding of one's self, and maybe even some spiritual insight into why things had to happen the way they did.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:23 AM (DIweC)

149 Ain't life funny. George Burns' consort in later life is a long standing customer. Her horses are George, Gracie and Willy.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 03, 2025 10:24 AM (HFcKg)

150 Re: kicking in on a book thread

If you try emailing me, the link in my nic may not go straight to email, but if you look at the link you can grab the email from there. At least in theory.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 10:24 AM (q3u5l)

151 Hey Sharkman,

I'm in to help out. E-mail enroute.

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at August 03, 2025 10:25 AM (lcJ+A)

152 Most of my real life has been a series of severe downstream consequences. Anyway, I know it's unrealistic. There will never be a do-over. But maybe what one can pull out of the exercise is a better understanding of one's self, and maybe even some spiritual insight into why things had to happen the way they did.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:23 AM (DIweC)
---
To be sure, one should learn from one's mistakes, not only for your own sake, but to give better advice.

But there's also a need to forgive oneself, admit imperfect knowledge and move on. And, of course, accept that maybe there are other powers at work and that there is another world to come.

A few years ago I made a deliberate effort to change my brain into being positive, and looking for the bright side whenever possible. It is not easy, but it pays off even if you only get partway there.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 10:26 AM (ZOv7s)

153 Some day I'll figure what I need to do to make that url in the nic go straight to email.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 10:27 AM (q3u5l)

154 Sheesh, this place sounds like a funeral dirge in here. Perfessor ain't passing on, he's passing the torch. It'll just be different. Everybody likes change, right?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 10:27 AM (0eaVi)

155 154 OE: I was thinking the same thing.

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at August 03, 2025 10:29 AM (lcJ+A)

156 I've been thinking about this too, but in the context of fiction, i.e., "In an alternate timeline, how would a guy like myself have fared in 1972 if he had . . .?" Though you're right; an "alt-life biography" of yourself would be fiction anyway.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

Whenever I think that I'd like to go back and change everything/make other choices, in order to avoid the two horrible marriages and/or business and personal failures ive suffered, I always think: "Nope, wouldn't change a thing. Because if I did, I wouldn't have my three Kids, and my three Grandsons."

Some would say: "Oh, you'd still have Kids/Grands!," but it wouldn't be the ones I love.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 10:29 AM (/RHNq)

157 Most of my real life has been a series of severe downstream consequences. Anyway, I know it's unrealistic. There will never be a do-over. But maybe what one can pull out of the exercise is a better understanding of one's self, and maybe even some spiritual insight into why things had to happen the way they did.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:23 AM (DIweC)

This has been on my TBR pile for awhile. The Power of Regret, by Daniel Pink:

https://is.gd/nIJPb5

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at August 03, 2025 10:29 AM (PiwSw)

158 I have to get back to "Work." Happy Sunday and "See" y'all later.

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16 at August 03, 2025 10:30 AM (lcJ+A)

159 I'd be glad to help! I'll hit my email a little later today.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

Excellent. And I shall continue to ponder the issue.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 10:31 AM (/RHNq)

160 Greetings from Las Cruces, NM, as Casa Sin Problemas rolls on to its new Gulf Coast address

Prayers up, Professor. May your burdens lighten and your remaining days/months/years be awash in serenity and good reads...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at August 03, 2025 10:31 AM (6kyji)

161 @149 --

Are you a horseshoer?

George and Gracie are obvious. Willy, I think, refers to a brother of one of them. He was one of their writers.

Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 10:31 AM (p/isN)

162 Looked at your artwork, VTK. You must be using something other than Tensor Art. Or, you've figured out how to get AI to do exactly what you want. I can't get it to do anything the way I tell it to.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 10:32 AM (0eaVi)

163 A sad morning indeed. Good luck with whatever’s ailing you, Perfessor. We all appreciate the time and effort in maintaining this little corner of the HQ and I salute you.
God Bless.

Posted by: Buzzy Krumhunger at August 03, 2025 10:32 AM (DTBr0)

164 Perfessor, thank you for all your hard work in keeping the Book Thread running.

And good luck with whatever you are dealing with in your life!

Posted by: John F. MacMichael at August 03, 2025 10:33 AM (aYnHS)

165 Perfesser -- Way back, when we were grieving OM and flailing, you brought us in focus and kept us engaged and contributing. Thank you so much and 'break a leg' as they say for your future endeavors. I think us Morons owe you big time.

Posted by: mustbequantum at August 03, 2025 10:33 AM (WvpwN)

166 It's like the happy moments of my youth are in low-res jpegs, and the cringe moments are 8K UHD and play in my head on a continuous loop.
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:16 AM (DIweC)

Same. I remember the horrible stuff like it was 5 minutes ago and the good times are all "oh, yeah. I remember that a little."
Having grandkids brings up a lot of the good time memories. Their age split is the same as my brother and I so it's like watching us grow up again. I'll see the older one do some sneaky shit and call him on it and he'll look at me like "can Papa really read my mind?"

Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025 10:33 AM (ZEu5J)

167 Don't want to butt in, but for those asking about the Perfessor, he posted it was job related, not health.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 10:34 AM (0eaVi)

168 Perfessoer, you will be missed, and prayed for daily. I'm so glad you're taking care of yourself.

Perhaps a few of us can rotate doing the thread? I'd be willing to take a turn. I'd be willing to do it outright, just not sure I'd do it well!

Maybe one of tbe regular jobs could throw up a thread next Sunday taking suggestions on what we'd like to see going forward?

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 10:35 AM (Ezs10)

169 Weak Geek, I have had them in my care for 23 years. Willy was indeed George 's brother. I can and do shoe some horses but not as a profession.

Posted by: Ben Had at August 03, 2025 10:35 AM (HFcKg)

170 Sharkman, Wolfus,

Bleep the link in the nic. If you want to contact me on this,

mail to tony-rabig-at-gmail-dot-com

Wolfus, you probably still have my email address anyway, unless you're one of those people who REALLY cleans out your inbox and sent items.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 10:35 AM (q3u5l)

171 Cobs, not jobs. Sigh.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 10:36 AM (Ezs10)

172 You have done a great job with the book-thread, PS. Thanks.

Job well done. A+.

I hope you look back on your stewardship and feel a great sense of contentment and accomplishment.

Posted by: Thesokorus at August 03, 2025 10:37 AM (z6Ybz)

173 Been listening to Too Old to Die by John Walker, a sci-fi series that was either recommended here or I found because I was looking at something else that had been recommended. It seems like a very good concept decently written and terribly edited. At $4 for 2,000+ pages I can't complain too much though.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 03, 2025 10:38 AM (lFFaq)

174 Wolfus, you probably still have my email address anyway, unless you're one of those people who REALLY cleans out your inbox and sent items.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025

***
I do clean things out; my Protonmail account is free, so I have a (fairly big) message limit. But I still have yours.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:38 AM (omVj0)

175 We can all chip in and help on the book thread, just like when Harry Carey had his stroke, and various people took turns.

Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 03, 2025 10:39 AM (Vfq+S)

176 Maybe one of tbe regular jobs could throw up a thread next Sunday taking suggestions on what we'd like to see going forward?
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025

***
I'd say we should have a Major Thought Question, book- or writing-related, that will get us discussing things.

And I would love to see the Who Dis? tradition of a mystery pic return.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:41 AM (omVj0)

177 I'm here so I can drop the link --

https://johnkassnews.com/there-was-a-book/

I remember when the big public library controversy, especially for children, was to focus on 'literature' to educate kids, or to focus on popularity to increase circulation. When I was a kidlet, the sweet elderly ladies running our library worried about it a lot.

Posted by: mustbequantum at August 03, 2025 10:43 AM (WvpwN)

178 Life is hard. Don’t beat yourself up about the past or what could have been. The faithful also understand that’s it’s but a second in time compared to what’s to come. That said it’s never too late .

Luke 23:43

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 10:43 AM (VofaG)

179
Perfessor,
I hope my sentiments are not redundant, but we Hordians are in your debt for continuing and maintaining the high standards for the Book Thread. You have done a magnificent job with it. I pray your struggles get resolved for the best.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 03, 2025 10:45 AM (HZi96)

180 I have been re-reading all of Marko Kloos' books in poreparation for his next release which is upcoming, but had to put all that aside. Decades ago I translated a section of E.V. Kireyeva's The History Of Costume on the clothing of the ancient Rus and while I made a stack of print-outs, the original file has gone walkabout. So I've had to sit my butt down and do data entry, typing it back into digital format. It's a PITA but it'll be good to get the thing out online where other costuming folk interested in 10th-17th century Russian clothing may have the full reference material. Now on page 9 of 26. *sigh*

Posted by: tankascribe at August 03, 2025 10:46 AM (NtoJk)

181 Finished Doorways by a Hordeling author. It seems like a meditation on choices and their unforseen consequences. That made me wonder about the final choice of the main character. For a short story it had very good characterization and slow but constant action. I actually stayed up way too late one night finishing it. I don't remember any glaring editing mistakes either.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 03, 2025 10:47 AM (lFFaq)

182 This is like where I work.

Whomever doesn't come to the meeting is assigned all the follow-ups by the people who do.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 03, 2025 10:16 AM (JvZF+)

Like the time Opus was nominated as vice presidential candidate by the Bloom County Party because he had been dispatched to purchase the Cheetos.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 10:48 AM (0aYVJ)

183 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 10:41 AM (omVj0)

Excellent!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 10:48 AM (Ezs10)

184 Thank you for doing the book thread for these last years Perfesser.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 03, 2025 10:48 AM (lFFaq)

185 I’m reading Conn Iggulden’s Conqueror about Kublai Khan. It’s better than his Julius Cesar historical fiction novel.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 10:50 AM (VofaG)

186 Posted by: tankascribe at August 03, 2025 10:46 AM (NtoJk

I’m guessing the clothing is mostly based on keeping warm.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 10:52 AM (VofaG)

187 Gird your nutsack, pimp. The magpies are coming for your cashews.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at August 03, 2025 10:53 AM (Q6y99)

188 Unfortunately (or fortunately) many art reference books are huge. This problem was solved by acquiring a wooden book stand along with a nice leather book weight to hold pages open when the book's flat. But a kindle (or any ebook reader) is certainly much lighter to hold, the font is adjustable (I snicker when DH has the font set so large that one sentence takes up the entire screen), and the newer ones are self-illuminated.

Kudos to anybody trying to read Russian literature or Russian authors. The only thing more dense and boring than that is Soviet literature!

Mucho thanks to you, Perfesser, for your great job in keeping the SUnday Morning Book Thread alive! I will miss your little literary squirrel.

Posted by: tankascribe at August 03, 2025 10:53 AM (NtoJk)

189 Very little reading this week, it's Mile of Music and I've been out and about listening to dozens of new bands all day everyday. Started on the second book in the Last Policeman trilogy. I can't judge their quality as mysteries because I hardly ev3er read mysteries, but the first one did win an Edgar for whatever that's worth. But I love how he sets up the looming end of the world.

Posted by: who knew at August 03, 2025 10:53 AM (+ViXu)

190 I saw Kublai Kahn open for The Golden Horde in China in 1279.

Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025 10:54 AM (ZEu5J)

191 I used to enjoy positing what was keeping OregonMuse from posting the book thread when he was late.

Did he wake up in a tub full of ice and missing a kidney in some Tijuana flophouse, with no idea how he got there?

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 10:55 AM (kpS4V)

192 Is that a rolling staircase in the left of the library photo? People with fear of heights would probably avoid.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 10:55 AM (VofaG)

193 Well, off to Mass. Thanks again for all your work, Perfesser! Don't be a stranger!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 10:55 AM (ZOv7s)

194
If I had my life to live again, I'd make a whole new set of catastrophic mistakes. You drag your failings with you.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 03, 2025 10:55 AM (HZi96)

195 I’m guessing the clothing is mostly based on keeping warm.
Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 10:52 AM (VofaG)

Yer absolutely correct, polynikes! It's all about creating air pockets to trap body warmth inside, which is a horrible shock to those costuming gals who want something formfitting and are utterly dismayed to find that the ancient Rus' idea of beauty is a female outline which is static and shaped like a traffic cone.

Posted by: tankascribe at August 03, 2025 10:56 AM (NtoJk)

196 Good morning Perfessor and Hordemates.
I just finished Kurt Schlichter's new book on the American Civil War II. As usual a good read. Grim, realistic, interesting writing, and a few chuckles. I fully recommend it.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 03, 2025 10:57 AM (W/lyH)

197 Looked at your artwork, VTK. You must be using something other than Tensor Art. Or, you've figured out how to get AI to do exactly what you want. I can't get it to do anything the way I tell it to.

Thanks for looking. I am mostly using ChatGPT. But it takes a lot of trial and error. Like 4 of 5 rejects for every 1 "good enough."

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:57 AM (DIweC)

198 191 I used to enjoy positing what was keeping OregonMuse from posting the book thread when he was late.

Did he wake up in a tub full of ice and missing a kidney in some Tijuana flophouse, with no idea how he got there?
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 03, 2025 10:55 AM (kpS4V)

Haha, I had forgotten that he was often not prompt.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 03, 2025 10:58 AM (h7ZuX)

199 Ken Follett's Night Over Water has been mentioned a few times here so I read it. I liked it but noticed something about the book I hadn't noticed in previous Follett books, or possibly about myself. There was a lot of explicit sex in the book that I didn't like. It slowed the action down, seemed more contrived than realistic, and just offended me. Although I hadn't read any Follett in decades, I have read quite a lot, The Eagle Has Landed, The Key to Rebecca, The Man From Saint Petersburg, The Eye of the Needle etc. I don’t recall such scenes in those novels but perhaps my younger self was not so offended as my older, crumudgeonly self has become.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025 10:58 AM (L/fGl)

200 I saw Kublai Kahn open for The Golden Horde in China in 1279.
Posted by: Reforger
_______

Caught their European tour in Hungary in 1241.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 03, 2025 10:59 AM (XvL8K)

201 Is that a rolling staircase in the left of the library photo? People with fear of heights would probably avoid.
Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 10:55 AM (VofaG)

It's why libraries such as this hired literate Sherpas to retrieve books.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 03, 2025 10:59 AM (g8Ew8)

202 *When I was a kidlet, the sweet elderly ladies running our library worried about it a lot.
Posted by: mustbequantum at August 03, 2025 10:43 AM*

###

“I remember when the librarian was a much older woman: Kindly, discreet, unattractive. We didn't know anything about her private life. We didn't WANT to know anything about her private life. She didn't HAVE a private life.”

Posted by: Lieutenant Bookman, NYC Public Library cop at August 03, 2025 10:59 AM (XQo4F)

203 Finished Doorways by a Hordeling author. It seems like a meditation on choices and their unforseen consequences. That made me wonder about the final choice of the main character. For a short story it had very good characterization and slow but constant action. I actually stayed up way too late one night finishing it. I don't remember any glaring editing mistakes either.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 03, 2025

***
I ordered the paperback and it arrived last week. Haven't gotten to it yet.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:00 AM (omVj0)

204 Getting a late start this morning but would like to add my sympathies for the Perf's circumstances and best wishes for the eventual outcome and to say "Thank you" for the good work you've done here. You have done OM proud.

Posted by: Oddbob at August 03, 2025 11:01 AM (/y8xj)

205 Thanks for looking. I am mostly using ChatGPT. But it takes a lot of trial and error. Like 4 of 5 rejects for every 1 "good enough."
Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 10:57 AM (DIweC)

At least your people look real. Tensor does ok for natural things and objects but always seems to get something wrong on the people.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 11:02 AM (0eaVi)

206 Oh no.

Thanks for all the words, Perfesser.

God bless you on your walk ahead.

Posted by: mindful webworker's cell at August 03, 2025 11:02 AM (+fWH5)

207 There was a lot of explicit sex in the book that I didn't like. It slowed the action down, seemed more contrived than realistic, and just offended me.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025 10:58 AM (L/fGl)

Oh, yeah, this annoyed me in Wild Dark Shore, also ( @58 ). If I want erotica, I'll just go find some erotica. It annoys me when I'm reading an otherwise-good book. Maybe I'm just a prude, but it makes me uncomfortable and I can think of no example where it is necessary to the story.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 03, 2025 11:03 AM (h7ZuX)

208 I dated a librarian’s sister for a little while. The sister was a bitch. She probably still hates me after all these years.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:04 AM (VofaG)

209 . . . There was a lot of explicit sex in the book that I didn't like. It slowed the action down, seemed more contrived than realistic, and just offended me. Although I hadn't read any Follett in decades, I have read quite a lot, The Eagle Has Landed, The Key to Rebecca, The Man From Saint Petersburg, The Eye of the Needle etc. I don’t recall such scenes in those novels but perhaps my younger self was not so offended as my older, crumudgeonly self has become.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025

***
I dunno about the others, but Eye of the Needle has such a scene. A good one, too, revealing the characters of the German spy Die Nadel and the married woman.

The Eagle Has Landed was not a Follett book; that was by Jack Higgins (which was not a Follett pen name as far as I know). And no, I don't recall any explicit sex in that one myself.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:04 AM (omVj0)

210 There was a lot of explicit sex in the book that I didn't like. It slowed the action down, seemed more contrived than realistic, and just offended me.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025 10:58 AM (L/fGl)

I’m no prude but I also thought it unnecessary in the book Jaws.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:05 AM (VofaG)

211 "Unfortunately (or fortunately) many art reference books are huge."

And make sure you don't take one into the restroom at Brentano's.

Posted by: George Costanza at August 03, 2025 11:05 AM (XQo4F)

212 I've been trying the sumbitch who messed up my life and turns out it was me.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025 11:05 AM (L/fGl)

213 Polli, can you remind me of the author of Doorways? There are a few books with the title on Amazon.

Thank you and I hope you snd years are keeping well! Sending my best to the Inspektor!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 11:07 AM (Ezs10)

214 I’m no prude but I also thought it unnecessary in the book Jaws.
Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025

***
Plus, as I recall, it revealed the shark expert Hooper as a guy who deserved to get eaten -- unlike Richard Dreyfuss's version in the film. Peter Benchley himself was involved in writing the screenplay. I've often wondered if he took the lead in cutting out the extraneous, soap-opera stuff and going right to the story: three men in a boat, going out to catch a deadly fish as big as the boat.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:07 AM (omVj0)

215 I have no plans to conduct any study of this, but can't help wondering if explicit sex scenes became more frequent in novels as the page counts expected by publishers increased.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 11:08 AM (q3u5l)

216

I'm reading David Mamet's new release The Disenlightenment. Haven't finished, but I will.

Mamet is always worth reading. He's artistic and makes a lot of free associations. Some interesting concepts such as TDS being a form of herd behavior.

Posted by: Frankly at August 03, 2025 11:09 AM (8uBxo)

217 Congratulations on a job well done, Professor. You have put incredible amounts of thought, time, and effort into us. Thank you.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 03, 2025 11:09 AM (iFhzS)

218 212 I've been trying the sumbitch who messed up my life and turns out it was me.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks
_____

No. It's someone else. Likely a white male. Join us.

Posted by: Democrats at August 03, 2025 11:09 AM (XvL8K)

219 But we can all be thankful for the line "We're gonna need a bigger boat" which has been used countless times in countless ways throughout the interwebs.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 03, 2025 11:10 AM (XQo4F)

220 Polliwog, thanks for the comment on Doorways.

Tammy al-Thor, in case Polli doesn't see your question, author on Doorways is Tony Rabig.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (q3u5l)

221 As to 'these pants'. I find owls to be fascinating. It would never occur to me to have them on my pants.

Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (yTvNw)

222 I mentioned him last week but no one chimed in but I’ll ask again because I’m curious if anyone reads Stephen Hunter books?

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (VofaG)

223 Thanks so much for your stewardship of the Book Thread, Perfesser! And thanks in particular for turning me on to the Preston and Child novels. I hope your job situation resolves quickly. Any employer would be lucky to have you!

Posted by: Moonbeam at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (rbKZ6)

224 I have no plans to conduct any study of this, but can't help wondering if explicit sex scenes became more frequent in novels as the page counts expected by publishers increased.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025

***
The explicit scenes became more prevalent with the loosening of strictures in publishing in the late Fifties and early Sixties -- which was also, I think, the beginning of the "big" novel phenomenon. Seems to me I recall Evan Hunter's Strangers When We Meet has such a scene or two; not surprising in a novel about an extramarital affair, though. Movies took a decade or more to follow suit with the explicit stuff and/or nudity.

People used to think the James Bond books were scandalous, but they are pretty tame by today's standards.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (omVj0)

225 I think a "What if I had Made This Decision" writing exercise would be fun, but in none of them would I have ended up with my beautiful and wonderful sons. So, it would truly be just an exercise to get me writing more regularly.

Reminds me of one of the saddest films I ever saw: Family Man; Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. But mine turned out well, thank the Lord.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:12 AM (0aYVJ)

226 As to 'these pants'. I find owls to be fascinating. It would never occur to me to have them on my pants.
Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (yTvNw)

The owls are not what they seem.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:14 AM (0aYVJ)

227 Reminds me of one of the saddest films I ever saw: Family Man; Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni. But mine turned out well, thank the Lord.
Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:12 AM (0aYVJ)

Can’t decide if it was sad or hopeful as it gave him another bite at the apple.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:14 AM (VofaG)

228 I’m curious if anyone reads Stephen Hunter books?

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (VofaG)

I've read several. They are usually fun reads, but his characters are often one-dimensional. And his dialog needs some work!!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (with a beret and a Gauloises) at August 03, 2025 11:15 AM (n9ltV)

229 Perfessor,
Sorry that you have to end your association with the Book Thread. I sincerely hope your circumstances improve quickly and to your satisfaction. I will miss Huggy Squirrel and his cute little pimp hat.

Posted by: Tuna at August 03, 2025 11:16 AM (lJ0H4)

230 I mentioned him last week but no one chimed in but I’ll ask again because I’m curious if anyone reads Stephen Hunter books?
Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (VofaG)

That's it! I could never find his books because I was looking for Grover Hunter!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 11:17 AM (0eaVi)

231 I’m curious if anyone reads Stephen Hunter books?

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:11 AM (VofaG)

I've read several. They are usually fun reads, but his characters are often one-dimensional. And his dialog needs some work!!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (with a beret and a Gauloises) at August 03, 2025 11:15 AM (n9ltV)

Yeah he’s what I call a beach book writer but he’s a big gun guy in real life and I assume not a Lefty so I like buying his books.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:18 AM (VofaG)

232 215 I have no plans to conduct any study of this, but can't help wondering if explicit sex scenes became more frequent in novels as the page counts expected by publishers increased.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 11:08 AM
---
Some months ago I went to see The Brutalist, because I don't know, when does a movie ever come along about architecture...
Anyway, I knew it was three hours long, but I went anyway.
It contained three, maybe four explicit sex scenes that really added no value and could have been done much more tastefully.
The movie should have been at an hour shorter plus had a very feeble conclusion. But hey, this is a book thread.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 03, 2025 11:18 AM (XQo4F)

233 I have bought, but have not yet read, a book with an interesting premise. Time travelers from a dystopian future go back to 2016 to save Trump from assassination and, presumably, prevent Hillzabub from becoming president. (I have no problem believing a Hillz presidency would result in a dystopian nightmare.) Saving Trump by W. Green. I'm a sucker for time travel anyway.

https://is.gd/4bOdj8

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025 11:19 AM (L/fGl)

234 Can’t decide if it was sad or hopeful as it gave him another bite at the apple.
Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:14 AM (VofaG)

Perhaps, but those wonderful kids would not be part of that life, because of all the strange twists real life presents to make things just so. It hit me hard.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:21 AM (0aYVJ)

235 I just finished The Time-Swept City, by Thomas F. Monteleone. Imagine a dystopia co-authored by Simak, Harlan Ellison, and Olaf Stapledon...

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes

Now, that is a Helluva recommendation.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 11:23 AM (/RHNq)

236 Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Something Smells Funny In Here at August 03, 2025 11:19 AM (L/fGl)

I’m sure a Lefty is writing a book about a time traveler from a paradise future goes back and assassinates Trump so Hillary could be President and save the world from a horrible dystopian future.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:23 AM (VofaG)

237 Speaking of arts.

1. My khets in the bath.
2. My khets in the bath with renaissance art filter.

https://is.gd/Xtdgis

What do you think? Morning Art Thread worthy?

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 11:23 AM (DIweC)

238 222. "I mentioned him last week but no one chimed in but I’ll ask again because I’m curious if anyone reads Stephen Hunter books?"

I read the first three or four of the Swagger series and enjoyed them. Didn't keep up with Hunter but have no idea why. Possibly got more interested in classic literature and hobbies.

Posted by: JTB at August 03, 2025 11:23 AM (yTvNw)

239 Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:21 AM (0aYV

Yeah having to leave the two kids is sad but the little girl knew he wasn’t her daddy so I believed she was going to get her real daddy back so it was only sad for him and not the kids. In that timeline.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:25 AM (VofaG)

240 I’m curious if anyone reads Stephen Hunter books?

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025

***
One or two. His first, The Master Sniper, as I think I mentioned before, has some world-class scene-shifting technique in the final chapter. I think I've read one of the Bob Lee Swagger novels, too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:25 AM (omVj0)

241 the little girl knew he wasn’t her daddy so I believed she was going to get her real daddy back so it was only sad for him and not the kids. In that timeline.
Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:25 AM (VofaG)

Excellent point. I may watch that one again.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:27 AM (0aYVJ)

242 I love a good time travel story and recently discovered B.W Haggart's "Romancing Time" series. The third one, Saving Time, was excellent and had the kind of characters that really stick with you. What's really fun is that the author's a man who got turned on to reading romances by his wife and said what many of us do, "I can write better than this!" Myself, I'm still on the hunt for somebody who can write a Regency romance up to Georgette Heyer standards and this guy is very close to fitting the bill.

Posted by: tankascribe at August 03, 2025 11:28 AM (NtoJk)

243 I have no plans to conduct any study of this, but can't help wondering if explicit sex scenes became more frequent in novels as the page counts expected by publishers increased.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 11:08 AM (q3u5l)

It's when more women started writing more books.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 03, 2025 11:30 AM (g8Ew8)

244 I did a painting from a screen shot I took of Cristopher Reeves and Jane Seymour waking on a rocky beach in the time traveling movie Somewhere in Time. That’s a chick movie I really liked.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:30 AM (VofaG)

245 Thanks to the Perfesser for keeping this thing going. Today proves it's not a thankless job but I'm sure it was a time consuming effort and a rest is well deserved. I hope everything works out.

Posted by: who knew at August 03, 2025 11:32 AM (+ViXu)

246 I’m still trying to find an author that’s as easy to read for me as Steven Pressfield is.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:32 AM (VofaG)

247 I’m still trying to find an author that’s as easy to read for me as Steven Pressfield is.
Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025

***
What kind of books does he write?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:34 AM (omVj0)

248 Perfessor, I always read the book thread, I am not usually here to comment though. I can't say much that hasn't already been said, I am very appreciative of the time and effort that you expended here. I am sure that you will overcome the challenges that you are facing and wind up in a far better place. Best of luck.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at August 03, 2025 11:34 AM (0nHVk)

249 I've been trying the sumbitch who messed up my life and turns out it was me.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks
_____

No. It's someone else. Likely a white male. Join us.
Posted by: Democrats at August 03, 2025 11:09 AM (XvL8K)

LOL

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 03, 2025 11:36 AM (g8Ew8)

250 Go with God, Perfessor. Keep reading.

Posted by: Cosda at August 03, 2025 11:38 AM (5+sdl)

251 The crappy romance novels my mom consumed in the 70's and 80's were pretty explicit. Those ones with some variation of the bare chested guy holding up tennis racket with a half naked chick wrapped around his legs as cover art. Eventually all had Fabio on them.

Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025 11:38 AM (ZEu5J)

252 'Bout time I headed out to handle some Sunday chores. I'll re-scan this thread later today and send emails about the future of the Book Thread to all of you!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:39 AM (omVj0)

253
Article on FOX website says the Superintendent of Fairfax County schools makes more than President Trump. She has a car allowance and is now wanting a bodyguard.

Our tax dollars pay for that.

Posted by: fourseasons at August 03, 2025 11:40 AM (3ek7K)

254 4
' Rick Atkinson's The Day of the Battle, a account of the Italian campaign in WWII'

So, does Rick know why we were never able to flank the Germans with amphibious landings more frequently?

Posted by: Dr. Claw at August 03, 2025 11:40 AM (3wi/L)

255 What kind of books does he write?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 03, 2025 11:34 AM (omVj0)

Historical Fiction mostly but he’s also the author of The Legend of Bagger Vance.

Posted by: polynikes at August 03, 2025 11:41 AM (VofaG)

256 I read One Perfect Day after having it recommended to me on another site. I did enjoy it, it's quite clever. But I did not think it came up to the level of Rosemary's Baby, which was a very well written, creepy book. Think that movie is great too. The evil in the bright sunshine of a NY summer day is really scary!

Posted by: jocon307 at August 03, 2025 11:42 AM (EuROc)

257 Explicit sex in books annoys me no end. There is an entire genre for that, that is readily available. If I want to read pron, I can go and get a book full of it any time I please. At the risk of offending the righteous among you, on a Sunday no less, the Victorians were quite good at this type of writing, and I've got a bit on my shelves.

And there went my shot at hosting the Book Thread! 🤣

But my point is, there is no need to fill regular books up with it!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 11:42 AM (Ezs10)

258 Sorry to hear that Perfessor. Good luck and God bless.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at August 03, 2025 11:43 AM (bss/y)

259
Tammy,

I agree with you.

Posted by: fourseasons at August 03, 2025 11:44 AM (3ek7K)

260 Her bosom heaved like a college freshman on dollar-beer night.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:44 AM (0aYVJ)

261 Sharkman, Wolfus, Perfessor, whoever...

If anyone wants to contact me re contributing to a book thread and can't get at my email here on the postings, just post something here. I'll watch both my inbox and today's book thread comments.

Perfessor, thanks again and hope the job situation works out for you. Don't be a stranger. It's been a terrific thread, and it's much appreciated.

Thanks again for the thread.

Have a good one, gang.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 03, 2025 11:45 AM (q3u5l)

262 Explicit sex in books annoys me no end. There is an entire genre for that, that is readily available. If I want to read pron, I can go and get a book full of it any time I please. At the risk of offending the righteous among you, on a Sunday no less, the Victorians were quite good at this type of writing, and I've got a bit on my shelves.

And there went my shot at hosting the Book Thread! 🤣

But my point is, there is no need to fill regular books up with it!
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 11:42 AM (Ezs10)

Not so fast. I think I could write a few dozen reviews of Debbie Does Dallas.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 03, 2025 11:46 AM (g8Ew8)

263 260 Her bosom heaved like a college freshman on dollar-beer night.
Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:44 AM (0aYVJ
She just couldn’t stay away from Five Points on game day.

Posted by: Eromero at August 03, 2025 11:46 AM (jgmnb)

264 Perfessor, prayers that all goes well in your journey through life, and I've enjoyed the book thread. You had some big shoes to fill, and you did it admirably.

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:46 AM (0aYVJ)

265 Others have said it better than I, but I want to add my thanks for your wonderful work on the book thread, Perfessor.

Posted by: screaming in digital at August 03, 2025 11:47 AM (7HoOO)

266 Grits teeth, it's This Perfect Day, guys! It's from a child's rhyme for bouncing a ball:

Christ, Marx, Wood, and Wei,
Led us to this perfect day.

The author made it up (there's more lines) to point up the premise in the book, that everything's based on four founders to the point where there are only four names for boys (and four names for girls), following by a number, thus giving everyone in this dystopian future a nameber.

Posted by: tankascribe at August 03, 2025 11:49 AM (NtoJk)

267 He says Hollywood did the same thing with Blossom Seely (I didn't recognize the name, either), turning a young slut into a virgin. Betty Grable was the lead in that movie, whose title I forget. The book's downstairs, and I'm not.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 03, 2025 09:20 AM (p/isN)

I think you mean Betty Hutton as Blossom Seeley in Somebody Loves Me.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045171/

I'm not much for old musicals, so I've never seen it.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 03, 2025 11:50 AM (p4nXC)

268 Beyond history books, most of my fiction reading is sci-fi or fantasy (and not a lot of modern stuff beyond a couple authors.)

There are not many explicit sex scenes in these. Most scenes do the 'John Wayne grabs Maureen O'hara, they kiss and then the camera shifts to the curtains blowing in the window.' Which is absolutely fine with me.

Those that are there... clang. Or are repugnant/repelling.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at August 03, 2025 11:50 AM (bss/y)

269 251 The crappy romance novels my mom consumed in the 70's and 80's were pretty explicit. Those ones with some variation of the bare chested guy holding up tennis racket with a half naked chick wrapped around his legs as cover art. Eventually all had Fabio on them.
Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025 11:38 AM (ZEu5J)

My mom didn’t have great taste in literature - I remember Jackie Collins books sitting around.

Posted by: Tom Servo at August 03, 2025 11:50 AM (iFhzS)

270 Bless you, Perfessor Squirrel! Many, many, many thanks

Posted by: AccentuateThePositive at August 03, 2025 11:50 AM (jYVXj)

271 This will be a sad nood. Thank you Perfessor.
Best wishes.
With that I must go water the yard.

Posted by: Reforger at August 03, 2025 11:51 AM (ZEu5J)

272 260 Her bosom heaved like a college freshman on dollar-beer night.
Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, First of his name at August 03, 2025 11:44 AM (0aYVJ)

Heh.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at August 03, 2025 11:51 AM (bss/y)

273 Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at August 03, 2025 11:46 AM (g8Ew

😂

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 11:51 AM (Ezs10)

274
The crappy romance novels my mom consumed in the 70's and 80's were pretty explicit.

_________

HM consumes them like I'd consume pretzels. I picked one of them up, thinking it would be some story sweeping up to a grand consummation toward the end. Instead they were hammering away by Page 5.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 03, 2025 11:53 AM (HZi96)

275 HM consumes them like I'd consume pretzels. I picked one of them up, thinking it would be some story sweeping up to a grand consummation toward the end. Instead they were hammering away by Page 5.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 03, 2025 11:53 AM (HZi96)

One must give the ladies, how you say, what they want.

Posted by: The Paolo at August 03, 2025 11:57 AM (bss/y)

276 perfesser, I'm sorry you are going through things now. God's blessings on your endeavors, His comfort through the trial, and His best and perfect will on your future. I'm really going to miss your writing and your reviews, especially since we seem to have very similar tastes in literature!!!

Posted by: moki at August 03, 2025 11:58 AM (wLjpr)

277 Nood.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at August 03, 2025 12:00 PM (bss/y)

278 Posted by: Tom Servo at August 03, 2025 11:50 AM (iFhzS)

Writing doesn't have to rise to the level of "literature". I don't think I've read any of her books, but I do think plenty of authors can tell an engaging story without having the kind of mind boggling intellect or gift for writing that constitutes literature.

I suspect it's why some here are reluctant to participate in the thread. We're not all out there reading Homer and Marcus Aurelius and Nabakov and Dostoyevsky. Some of us don't even want to make the attempt! ( I do like Dostoyevsky and his ilk, but need to be in the mood)

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 12:01 PM (Ezs10)

279 As Perfessor Squirrel's final book thread comes to an end, we remember the books we found through it. Maybe the thrust will change from genres covered to new ones. Always interesting to see what others read, even if I'm not interested in them.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 12:01 PM (0eaVi)

280 "...the Superintendent of Fairfax County schools makes more than President Trump. She has a car allowance and is now wanting a bodyguard."
---

Fairfax County: More Dollars Than Sense.™

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 03, 2025 12:03 PM (XQo4F)

281 Beyond history books, most of my fiction reading is sci-fi or fantasy (and not a lot of modern stuff beyond a couple authors.)

There are not many explicit sex scenes in these. Most scenes do the 'John Wayne grabs Maureen O'hara, they kiss and then the camera shifts to the curtains blowing in the window.' Which is absolutely fine with me.

One thing that happened in writing "The Baddies" and "Hell Yeah, We're the Baddies" that I didn't realize I had done until they were finished was that sex is treated very differently in both books. The books tell the same sequence of events from two perspectives. The perspective of the low-end Imperial conscript is that he longs for sex but is constantly thwarted. The perspective of the high ranking Imperials is they have constant access to casual sex, but it means nothing to them.

That said, there are no explicit sex scenes, just references, mostly, to off-screen sex. And one thwarted attempt at virtual sex.

Posted by: Victor Tango Kilo at August 03, 2025 12:07 PM (DIweC)

282 Perf, best book thread ever. It costs me book $ every time I read it and I still come back for more. Where will I go for my library porn now?

Posted by: JSpicy at August 03, 2025 12:07 PM (C7Yya)

283 Perfessor Squirrel,
Thanks for hosting the thread for the last year or so. Your presence and patience will be missed. Did not post much on this particular thread but it was always interesting to read and you had to put out a LOT of content.

May your troubles be light and your path to sunnier days be found soon.

Posted by: whig at August 03, 2025 12:08 PM (ctrM5)

284 I'm in to help out. E-mail enroute.

Posted by: SPinRH_F-16

Righteous.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 03, 2025 12:11 PM (/RHNq)

285 The saddest part of the saddest day, the End of The Book Thread. Thanks for your work, Perfessor.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 03, 2025 12:11 PM (0eaVi)

286 I'm to the point where anything less than 50 years old has to justify my even looking at it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 03, 2025 09:56 AM (ZOv7s)

Fiction on the shelves is almost exclusively published before 1990. Lots of my Catholic apologia pre-dates Vatican II (with a few exceptions such as Fathers Robert Spitzer and Mitch Pacwa).

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at August 03, 2025 12:14 PM (pJWtt)

287 "It mentions L Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall which I can't remember reading so eill have to buy that as the library doesn't have it."

Science Fiction through the late 40s or early 50s was principally published in magazines, mostly the pulps. New (ish) science fiction books (de Camp for example, not reprints of Verne and Wells) were often published by speciality publishers (Gnome Press for example) or in short runs and not reprinted as often as they are today. Because of this, in the late 40s Galaxy Publishing Company (not Galaxy Press which is a Ron Hubbard/Scientology reprint house) began reprinting cheap pb editions of mostly recent sf novels as "Galaxy Novels." They were advertised in Galaxy Magazine and the two (Galaxy Publishing and Galaxy Magazine) may have been related, I'm not sure albeit Galaxy Magazine's first issue wasn't until October 1950.

Anyway, "Lest Darkness Fall" was reprinted as Galaxy Novel no. 24 in 1949 (originally published as a novel in 1941). A copy of the Galaxy Novel edition of "Lest Darkness Fall" is available as a download from the Internet Archive

Posted by: Pope John 20th at August 03, 2025 12:21 PM (yl1YV)

288 Polli, can you remind me of the author of Doorways? There are a few books with the title on Amazon.

Thank you and I hope you snd years are keeping well! Sending my best to the Inspektor!
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at August 03, 2025 11:07 AM (Ezs10)

Just Some Guy. He put his email with his name in it a little further up the thread.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 03, 2025 12:26 PM (phT8I)

289 Thank you Perfessor for picking up the reins and riding herd on the wonderful book thread, always mindful of continuity and tradition but also bringing new features into the party. Hopefully someone will step up and you'll visit often.

Posted by: scottst at August 03, 2025 12:31 PM (yjKqP)

290 Thanxs perfessor.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 03, 2025 01:16 PM (W/lyH)

291 I know there's a new thread, but I must still add my thanks to the Perfessor for being such a successful host. I wish you well, sir. Perhaps you can bequeath your pimp hat to your successors?

Posted by: Wenda at August 03, 2025 01:32 PM (4rENN)

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