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Reading Thread [09/21/2025]
Anyway... Below the fold is a book I am currently reading, by an author I have enjoyed for a very long time. I discovered him by chance, when he published a short story in Commentary magazine, back when it was a solid conservative institution.
Perfection: A Story, by Mark Helprin, is an odd but endearing peek into the confluence of baseball, the Holocaust, and the sometimes unfathomable intricacies of Orthodox Judaism, with a glimpse of 1950s NYC tossed in for color. That short story introduced me to the author (I have a soft spot for good short fiction), and I have read several more of his works.
Helprin's descriptions, both of the physical world and the thoughts of his characters are dense with imagery, and yet curiously easy to read. That makes his books pleasant reads, without the feeling of density that so many modern writers insist upon. A Soldier of the Great War is typical of him, and while the descriptions are deeply personal, they provide a certain flavor of the place that makes one...or at least me...want to visit.
On the 9th of August, 1964, Rome lay asleep in afternoon light as the sun swirled in a blinding pinwheel above its roofs, its low hills, and its gilded domes. The city was quiet and all was still except the crowns of a few swaying pines, one lost and tentative cloud, and an old man who rushed across the Villa Borghese, alone. Limping along paths of crushed stone and tapping his cane as he took each step, he raced across intricacies of sunlight and shadow spread before him on the dark garden floor like golden lace.
Maybe that isn't your cup of tea, but he is a fine writer, without any of the deeply narcissistic tics that so many modern writers display. Give him a shot!
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
Sheesh. Stuck in a rut. Haven't read anything I've bought. Haven't felt like writing. Haven't done anything but stare at screens all week.
I have things ready to read, just haven't gotten around to doing it. Too many things to distract.
I have things ready to read, just haven't gotten around to doing it. Too many things to distract.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:01 AM (uQesX)
2
Tolle Lege
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 09:01 AM (+qU29)
3
Top 5?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:01 AM (omVj0)
4
Didn't get much further in Rick Atkinson's The British are Coming, a history of the American Revolution 1775-7 because I don't have much control over my own tablet
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 09:02 AM (+qU29)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:03 AM (uQesX)
6
Morning, Book Folken,
There was once a set of the Great Books called the Five-Foot Shelf, which was supposed to contain many of the great works of Western civilization, and to fit on a shelf five feet wide. (Exceptions being made for Ace, I presume.)
There was once a set of the Great Books called the Five-Foot Shelf, which was supposed to contain many of the great works of Western civilization, and to fit on a shelf five feet wide. (Exceptions being made for Ace, I presume.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:03 AM (omVj0)
7
CBD thank you for today's reading thread!
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:04 AM (DoBxX)
8
Before my senior year in college my roommates and I agreed to read one book recommended by each other over the summer. I got stuck with "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."
What a slog.
What a slog.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 09:04 AM (RIvkX)
Posted by: dantesed at September 21, 2025 09:06 AM (Oy/m2)
10
Living in Mountain time. It is way too early for me to be here, but be here I shall.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 21, 2025 09:06 AM (A62KL)
11
I'd like to spend part of my morning reading, but a very large German Shepherd is insisting on attention so I guess we're going walkies instead.
Posted by: PabloD at September 21, 2025 09:07 AM (UzUeq)
12
I would give Vonnegut another try. He was not a doctrinaire leftist of today's ilk. He had a good BS detector.
Posted by: PTSD giver at September 21, 2025 09:07 AM (gTo/1)
13
I am intrigued by the the two lists you presented.
I am trying to be more directed in my reading, specially trying to catch up with theological teading.
Appreciate the lists
I am trying to be more directed in my reading, specially trying to catch up with theological teading.
Appreciate the lists
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:07 AM (DoBxX)
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 21, 2025 09:07 AM (vUecY)
15
Sent an e-mail to Weasel for this week's Book Thread, and CBD does the honors!
Well anyway, I received a link from Jerry Jenkin's newsletter about free access to one of the top SF/F writer's groups for ten people.
Here's a link to a post about it:
https://tinyurl.com/22tymxrs
Well anyway, I received a link from Jerry Jenkin's newsletter about free access to one of the top SF/F writer's groups for ten people.
Here's a link to a post about it:
https://tinyurl.com/22tymxrs
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:08 AM (uQesX)
16
For those interested, The Camp of the Saints has now been reissued, and is available through Amazon, but here is a link to the publisher:
https://is.gd/vG8sAf
https://is.gd/vG8sAf
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at September 21, 2025 09:08 AM (PiwSw)
17
l liked his iconoclastic memoir from an ant proof case, where his character was a teacher of portuguese,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:08 AM (bXbFr)
18
Good Sunday morning, horde.
I stayed up too late several nights this week reading Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz, another in the Orphan X series.
Thinking about adding a philosophy selection to this week's reading--haven't decided which one. Need to see what I have on my shelf unread.
I stayed up too late several nights this week reading Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz, another in the Orphan X series.
Thinking about adding a philosophy selection to this week's reading--haven't decided which one. Need to see what I have on my shelf unread.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (h7ZuX)
19
At the top up there CBD mentioned Hobbes, but not Calvin. That's like mentioning Smith but not Wesson.
Posted by: Eromero at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (LHPAg)
20
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:08 AM (uQesX)
-----
My apologies. I meant to forward that to CBD!
-----
My apologies. I meant to forward that to CBD!
Posted by: Weasel at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (+OnsA)
21
Have I read Helprin- I might have considered him too literary. I generally avoid literary fiction. Too mannered and self-conscious usually.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (DoBxX)
22
The Camp of the Saints has now been reissued
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at September 21, 2025 09:08 AM (PiwSw)
-
Happy ending? I'm asking for some native Europeans.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at September 21, 2025 09:08 AM (PiwSw)
-
Happy ending? I'm asking for some native Europeans.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (vUecY)
23
OE, I haven't done any writing either as I prepare for my IN trip. However, I'm sure that my mind will generate some interesting things as I drive for twelve hours each way.
This week I finished the third Jack Reacher book, Tripwire,, which I think is one of the best I've read in the series (I haven't gotten to them all). We get not only a fascinating and hateful villain, but also a thunderbolt mystery solution by JR -- who seemed to be developing into more of a human being at this point. Some of that has been lost in later books.
Currently I am trying Larry Niven & MJ Harrington's The Goliath Stone (2013), about nanotechnology and a 2050s US ruled by the Greens. As usual we have one of LN's incredibly intelligent characters, though he is not the lead, and some humor -- a thing LN was known for in his early days, and which has gone by the wayside in a lot of his later works.
This week I finished the third Jack Reacher book, Tripwire,, which I think is one of the best I've read in the series (I haven't gotten to them all). We get not only a fascinating and hateful villain, but also a thunderbolt mystery solution by JR -- who seemed to be developing into more of a human being at this point. Some of that has been lost in later books.
Currently I am trying Larry Niven & MJ Harrington's The Goliath Stone (2013), about nanotechnology and a 2050s US ruled by the Greens. As usual we have one of LN's incredibly intelligent characters, though he is not the lead, and some humor -- a thing LN was known for in his early days, and which has gone by the wayside in a lot of his later works.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (omVj0)
24
And emo
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (DoBxX)
25
I got stuck with "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."
What a slog.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 09:04 AM (RIvkX)
Truly. I read that in college, too---well, about half of it. That was my limit.
What a slog.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 09:04 AM (RIvkX)
Truly. I read that in college, too---well, about half of it. That was my limit.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (h7ZuX)
26
Can you transfer ebooks to a alternative machine?
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (+qU29)
27
Further into Robert Galbraith's(J.K.Rowling)"The Hallmarked Man". Things are getting much more complicated as Cormoran and Robin work to identify a mutilated body found in the vault of a silver shop.
Posted by: Tuna at September 21, 2025 09:11 AM (lJ0H4)
28
I would give Vonnegut another try. He was not a doctrinaire leftist of today's ilk. He had a good BS detector.
Posted by: PTSD giver at September 21, 2025 09:07 AM (gTo/1)
Fair enough, but I am not suggesting that he shouldn't be read, just that he doesn't belong on a list of the West's great books!
Morrison is a different issue...
Posted by: PTSD giver at September 21, 2025 09:07 AM (gTo/1)
Fair enough, but I am not suggesting that he shouldn't be read, just that he doesn't belong on a list of the West's great books!
Morrison is a different issue...
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (Flying the American Flag!) at September 21, 2025 09:11 AM (n9ltV)
29
I'm almost finished with the Licanius Trilogy by James Islington.
It's a deconstruction of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.
Lots of conversations about the conflict between good and evil. Naturally, many of those on the side of evil believe the ends justify the means, while maintaining that they are RIGHT (i.e., good). Those on the side of good struggle to do the right thing in the right way, even if it may be inconvenient.
Also lots of time traveling, deconstructing prophecies and the inevitability of events.
It's a deconstruction of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series.
Lots of conversations about the conflict between good and evil. Naturally, many of those on the side of evil believe the ends justify the means, while maintaining that they are RIGHT (i.e., good). Those on the side of good struggle to do the right thing in the right way, even if it may be inconvenient.
Also lots of time traveling, deconstructing prophecies and the inevitability of events.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:12 AM (IBQGV)
30
My apologies. I meant to forward that to CBD!
Posted by: Weasel at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (+OnsA)
No problem, Weasel. I'm not sure how long before they close it. Posted today is probably good enough.
Posted by: Weasel at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (+OnsA)
No problem, Weasel. I'm not sure how long before they close it. Posted today is probably good enough.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:12 AM (uQesX)
31
This week's Kindle read was a space opera series.
"The Bobiverse series, written by Dennis E. Taylor, follows the story of Robert "Bob" Johansson, who is cryonically frozen and later revived as an artificial intelligence to explore the universe. The series includes several books, starting with "We Are Legion (We Are Bob)" and continuing through titles like "For We Are Many" and "Heaven's River.""
My favorite part was when Bob discovers the planet of the Manbat-pigs, and decides to prod their Stone Age culture along.
"The Bobiverse series, written by Dennis E. Taylor, follows the story of Robert "Bob" Johansson, who is cryonically frozen and later revived as an artificial intelligence to explore the universe. The series includes several books, starting with "We Are Legion (We Are Bob)" and continuing through titles like "For We Are Many" and "Heaven's River.""
My favorite part was when Bob discovers the planet of the Manbat-pigs, and decides to prod their Stone Age culture along.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 21, 2025 09:12 AM (A62KL)
32
BD, I'll let Rod Dreher answer that:
"The Camp of the Saints is not really about migrants; it’s about us, and whether we peoples of the West, long paralyzed by the sentimental humanitarianism and civilizational self-hatred of a spiritually corrupt elite, still have the power to rewrite this tragic story."
"The Camp of the Saints is not really about migrants; it’s about us, and whether we peoples of the West, long paralyzed by the sentimental humanitarianism and civilizational self-hatred of a spiritually corrupt elite, still have the power to rewrite this tragic story."
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at September 21, 2025 09:13 AM (PiwSw)
33
Have I read Helprin- I might have considered him too literary. I generally avoid literary fiction. Too mannered and self-conscious usually.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025
***
My two giveaways about "mannered and self-conscious" fiction: The story is told in the present tense, and the author has an MFA or a Ph.D. in English. Uh-oh.
Miss Linda picked up a slim novel from the library called The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo. It's supposed to be a horror story, set in 1920s Appalachia; and that could be good. And it is in past tense. But the cover trumpets that it includes a "trans romance." TRANS??? In the 1920s? There were cross-dressers then, sure, transvestites; in the NYC and Berlin of the time there were lots of them, I gather. But in Appalachia???? Why is that necessary to put in???
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025
***
My two giveaways about "mannered and self-conscious" fiction: The story is told in the present tense, and the author has an MFA or a Ph.D. in English. Uh-oh.
Miss Linda picked up a slim novel from the library called The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo. It's supposed to be a horror story, set in 1920s Appalachia; and that could be good. And it is in past tense. But the cover trumpets that it includes a "trans romance." TRANS??? In the 1920s? There were cross-dressers then, sure, transvestites; in the NYC and Berlin of the time there were lots of them, I gather. But in Appalachia???? Why is that necessary to put in???
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:14 AM (omVj0)
34
just finished going thru Nick Cutter's oeuvre - The Deep was the best one, and will be turned into a very scary (hopefully) miniseries on streaming.
but wow reading a bunch of his horror novels does bring you down. he has a fairly clear - somewhat aligned with Christianity? - concept of evil. dark stuff.
now I'm on to Lionel Shriver, starting with Big Brother! I had read We Need to Talk About Kevin, but recently read some substack or article about her other books, so thought I'd check em out.
but wow reading a bunch of his horror novels does bring you down. he has a fairly clear - somewhat aligned with Christianity? - concept of evil. dark stuff.
now I'm on to Lionel Shriver, starting with Big Brother! I had read We Need to Talk About Kevin, but recently read some substack or article about her other books, so thought I'd check em out.
Posted by: Black Orchid at September 21, 2025 09:14 AM (FHttA)
35
Have I read Helprin- I might have considered him too literary. I generally avoid literary fiction. Too mannered and self-conscious usually.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (DoBxX)
Interesting thought. What do you consider Literary Fiction?
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:09 AM (DoBxX)
Interesting thought. What do you consider Literary Fiction?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:14 AM (uQesX)
36
Why read real books when imaginary books are semi-available?
Libraries Are Flooded With Requests for AI-Invented Books Included on Newspaper Reading Lists
Libraries Are Flooded With Requests for AI-Invented Books Included on Newspaper Reading Lists
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:16 AM (L/fGl)
37
26 Can you transfer ebooks to a alternative machine?
I have a kindle and read books from Libby and other places on it?
so you can use a kindle or an iPad to read yeah
I can't have all these genre books I read littering my house and our libraries never seem to have anything I want around here. it's all girly HERstorical fiction and whatnot lol
Kindle Unlimited trials are also helpful
I have a kindle and read books from Libby and other places on it?
so you can use a kindle or an iPad to read yeah
I can't have all these genre books I read littering my house and our libraries never seem to have anything I want around here. it's all girly HERstorical fiction and whatnot lol
Kindle Unlimited trials are also helpful
Posted by: Black Orchid at September 21, 2025 09:17 AM (FHttA)
38
Great books that define our culture? Lord of the Rings and the Matt Helm series.
Having gotten the mandatory Tolkien and Matt Helm Sunday Reading thread mentions out of the way, I shall go make breakfast. See you later.
Having gotten the mandatory Tolkien and Matt Helm Sunday Reading thread mentions out of the way, I shall go make breakfast. See you later.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 21, 2025 09:17 AM (A62KL)
39
BD, I'll let Rod Dreher answer that:
"The Camp of the Saints is not really about migrants; it’s about us, and whether we peoples of the West, long paralyzed by the sentimental humanitarianism and civilizational self-hatred of a spiritually corrupt elite, still have the power to rewrite this tragic story."
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at September 21, 2025 09:13 AM (PiwSw)
-
All you had to do was say 'no.'
"The Camp of the Saints is not really about migrants; it’s about us, and whether we peoples of the West, long paralyzed by the sentimental humanitarianism and civilizational self-hatred of a spiritually corrupt elite, still have the power to rewrite this tragic story."
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at September 21, 2025 09:13 AM (PiwSw)
-
All you had to do was say 'no.'
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 21, 2025 09:17 AM (vUecY)
40
he has handed in some silly ops against elon and trump in the last few months though,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:17 AM (bXbFr)
41
According to Louis L'Amour, it's Blackstone's "Law", and Plato's "Republic".
Posted by: Elrond Hubbard at September 21, 2025 09:18 AM (ekM0A)
42
I tend to agree with Vonnegut aversion; he seems very self-indulgent ("Here is my drawing of an asshole").
However, that's his later stuff, especially post-Slaughterhouse-Five, which was only about 25% as self-indulgent as he later became. His earlier The Sirens of Titan was excellent, or so I remember it.
However, that's his later stuff, especially post-Slaughterhouse-Five, which was only about 25% as self-indulgent as he later became. His earlier The Sirens of Titan was excellent, or so I remember it.
Posted by: Splunge at September 21, 2025 09:18 AM (nFWCu)
43
Can you transfer ebooks to a alternative machine?
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (+qU29)
Amazon has Kindle for PC. Don't know if you buy e-books from there, but if you do, you ought to be able to go online to your library and download it to K for PC?
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (+qU29)
Amazon has Kindle for PC. Don't know if you buy e-books from there, but if you do, you ought to be able to go online to your library and download it to K for PC?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:19 AM (uQesX)
44
Miss Linda picked up a slim novel from the library called The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo. It's supposed to be a horror story, set in 1920s Appalachia; and that could be good. And it is in past tense. But the cover trumpets that it includes a "trans romance." TRANS??? In the 1920s? There were cross-dressers then, sure, transvestites; in the NYC and Berlin of the time there were lots of them, I gather. But in Appalachia???? Why is that necessary to put in???
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:14 AM (omVj0)
----
They stick it in there simply because they can and to rub it in normies' faces.
They are not interested in accurately portraying the culture of 1920's Appalachia.
Instead, they want to *impose* modern culture on that time and place, rewriting history in the process.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:14 AM (omVj0)
----
They stick it in there simply because they can and to rub it in normies' faces.
They are not interested in accurately portraying the culture of 1920's Appalachia.
Instead, they want to *impose* modern culture on that time and place, rewriting history in the process.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:19 AM (IBQGV)
45
well it was about the North South Narrative, that was present in the 70s, among fashionable types,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:19 AM (bXbFr)
46
like the black anne boleyn in that bbc series, lol
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:21 AM (bXbFr)
47
Texas has a fascinating history; the early Texans faced attacks from Indians as well as Mexicans, and from the earliest days, a group was formed to protect the citizens which came to be known as the Texas Rangers. Tom Clavin describes these early days in Follow Me to Hell, and narrates the story of Leander McNelly, the fearless man who led the band from almost the beginning.
A small, slight, tubercular man, McNelly may not have appeared imposing, but his courage inspired his men to take on overwhelming odds on numerous occasions, and always successfully. Against the fearsome Commanche raiders, Mexican rustlers, and outlaws like John Wesley Hardin, the early rangers used a combination of guile and unflappable bravery to pacify the Texas border lands, both west and south.
Jack Hays was the first leader of the patrol when Texas was a republic, up until the civil war. McNelly learned his skills in the war, then took over leadership of the rangers. His courage was legendary, and his determination brought peace to the state. Clavin gives an entertaining overview of how Texas went from unruly Spanish territory to a state, and how order was brought to this land.
A small, slight, tubercular man, McNelly may not have appeared imposing, but his courage inspired his men to take on overwhelming odds on numerous occasions, and always successfully. Against the fearsome Commanche raiders, Mexican rustlers, and outlaws like John Wesley Hardin, the early rangers used a combination of guile and unflappable bravery to pacify the Texas border lands, both west and south.
Jack Hays was the first leader of the patrol when Texas was a republic, up until the civil war. McNelly learned his skills in the war, then took over leadership of the rangers. His courage was legendary, and his determination brought peace to the state. Clavin gives an entertaining overview of how Texas went from unruly Spanish territory to a state, and how order was brought to this land.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at September 21, 2025 09:21 AM (0U5gm)
48
I remember "Harvard Classics", the 5ft shelf of books.
Great Books classes were in Chicago and for some reason I think they were an offshoot of Britannica.
Great Books classes were in Chicago and for some reason I think they were an offshoot of Britannica.
Posted by: mustbequantum at September 21, 2025 09:21 AM (GjnYY)
49
. I got stuck with "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."
What a slog.
Posted by: San Franpsycho
I enjoyed that. In my defense, I was like 10, and enjoyed pretty much all books. My main takeaway was when attempting to fix something mechy, take my time to just look at everything and see.
I was also la rather literal reader.
What a slog.
Posted by: San Franpsycho
I enjoyed that. In my defense, I was like 10, and enjoyed pretty much all books. My main takeaway was when attempting to fix something mechy, take my time to just look at everything and see.
I was also la rather literal reader.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:21 AM (znREB)
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 09:21 AM (RIvkX)
51
like a novel by Charlie Newton set in the 30s, where instead of the Jews, the Bedouin are the victims of Hebron,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (bXbFr)
52
Reading The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Command by Andrew Gordon.
A fascinating book. It outlines the culture of the Royal Navy, and to a lesser extent the Hochseeflotte. Every naval enthusiast should read this.
It explains, in great detail, the why of Jutland. Lots of details from previous works are corrected, and the action flows.
There is a insightful coda of blinding gifts of the obvious that today's US Navy should follow. Lots of insight here.
Makes me wonder. How ready is the US Navy for the PLAN? We should be doing a lot more red cell training at sea. Instead, we are trying to fix mechanical and system problems.
A fascinating book. It outlines the culture of the Royal Navy, and to a lesser extent the Hochseeflotte. Every naval enthusiast should read this.
It explains, in great detail, the why of Jutland. Lots of details from previous works are corrected, and the action flows.
There is a insightful coda of blinding gifts of the obvious that today's US Navy should follow. Lots of insight here.
Makes me wonder. How ready is the US Navy for the PLAN? We should be doing a lot more red cell training at sea. Instead, we are trying to fix mechanical and system problems.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (u82oZ)
53
Miss Linda picked up a slim novel from the library called The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo. It's supposed to be a horror story, set in 1920s Appalachia; and that could be good. And it is in past tense. But the cover trumpets that it includes a "trans romance." TRANS??? In the 1920s? There were cross-dressers then, sure, transvestites; in the NYC and Berlin of the time there were lots of them, I gather. But in Appalachia???? Why is that necessary to put in???
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere
Speaking of the South in the 1920s . . .
Jasmine Crockett: "Most black people are not Republicans simply because we just is like, 'Y'all racist. I can't hang out with the KKK and them.'"
-
Notice the use of language and grammar.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere
Speaking of the South in the 1920s . . .
Jasmine Crockett: "Most black people are not Republicans simply because we just is like, 'Y'all racist. I can't hang out with the KKK and them.'"
-
Notice the use of language and grammar.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (L/fGl)
54
And CBD, Thank you so much for suggesting Perfection
Posted by: Eromero at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (LHPAg)
55
I read The Fifth Man this week, by "Manning Coles," which is an alias for the two co-authors. It's an easy read, a flowing tale of spy shenanigans in Britain (and some Germany) during WWII. I enjoyed reading it, with the caveat that there's not much depth there, so it feels a little like drinking Light beer. But it's clever and well done.
Posted by: Splunge at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (nFWCu)
56
I followed on twitter the narrator to Savage Realms Monthly. Then he followed me back.
Here's a free episode.
https://youtu.be/-1g1j91qpYk?si=zT5O3JgHEpXn9dWl
Here's a free episode.
https://youtu.be/-1g1j91qpYk?si=zT5O3JgHEpXn9dWl
Posted by: BourbonChicken at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (lhenN)
57
The top shelves of my living room bookcases are devoted to books I consider "literature" or living next door to it. There's Steinbeck, a little (very little) Hemingway, Herman Wouk, Richard Adams's Watership Down, Dorothy Parker, one Sinclair Lewis, Screwtape Letters, to Kill a Mockingbird, ACo Dunces, Gentleman's Agreement, Nineteen Eighty-Four, and others. You will note that each either has a strong story or is considered remarkably funny, or both. (No, Screwtape has no real story, but it is very witty and clever.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:23 AM (omVj0)
58
Mrs. BD has joined a new book reading group formed by a good friend of our. Their first meeting will be in about a month's time.
The first book on the reading list is "Comic World" by Graham Greene.
I'm out.
The first book on the reading list is "Comic World" by Graham Greene.
I'm out.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 21, 2025 09:24 AM (vUecY)
59
Every naval enthusiast should read this.
-
Venezuela has lost another commercial ship. That's four but who's counting?
-
Venezuela has lost another commercial ship. That's four but who's counting?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:24 AM (L/fGl)
60
Ooohhh ... stayed up too late last night, but I'm the only person in Oklahoma who wants to see Lincoln Riley succeed.
********
As I was wrapping up "The Osterman Weekend," I came to a scene in which the protagonist is about to learn the identity of his enemy. I turned the page, only to come upon a new chapter set several hours later. The enemy is referred to in passing. I thought that was an unusual spproach.
The next day, I was rereading the final chapters, only to find that I had flipped past the last two pages of the denoument chapter. Now the story structure made sense. (And my guess about the villain was way off.)
Now I've begun "Bolo," a collection of some of Keith Laumer's stories about Bolos, armored vehicles of the future. These stories were published when I was a toddler. They have inadvertent anachronisms, such as a new 1979 car. By then, I could have been reading these tales.
********
As I was wrapping up "The Osterman Weekend," I came to a scene in which the protagonist is about to learn the identity of his enemy. I turned the page, only to come upon a new chapter set several hours later. The enemy is referred to in passing. I thought that was an unusual spproach.
The next day, I was rereading the final chapters, only to find that I had flipped past the last two pages of the denoument chapter. Now the story structure made sense. (And my guess about the villain was way off.)
Now I've begun "Bolo," a collection of some of Keith Laumer's stories about Bolos, armored vehicles of the future. These stories were published when I was a toddler. They have inadvertent anachronisms, such as a new 1979 car. By then, I could have been reading these tales.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 09:24 AM (p/isN)
61
After letting it sit on my shelf for far too long, I pulled down and read "Watership Down: the Graphic Novel." It took all of 10 pages for me to declare it the best WD adaptation, better than all three of the animated versions. It has a neat sense of pacing that makes some of the small conversations feel real. (That's a bit surprising for a comic)
Of course, it still pales in comparison to the original novel. Indeed, the comic's biggest weakness is that is a dialogue-only comic. There are no thought bubbles, no narration... A lot of mood gets lost without that. Including some neat commentary from the author. Like the following; "With the exception of Buckthorn and the addition of Bluebell, the rabbits that set out beech hanger...were those that had left Sandleford with Hazel five weeks before."
Of course, it still pales in comparison to the original novel. Indeed, the comic's biggest weakness is that is a dialogue-only comic. There are no thought bubbles, no narration... A lot of mood gets lost without that. Including some neat commentary from the author. Like the following; "With the exception of Buckthorn and the addition of Bluebell, the rabbits that set out beech hanger...were those that had left Sandleford with Hazel five weeks before."
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 09:25 AM (Lhaco)
62
I enjoyed that. In my defense, I was like 10, and enjoyed pretty much all books. My main takeaway was when attempting to fix something mechy, take my time to just look at everything and see.
I was also la rather literal reader.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:21 AM (znREB)
====
Rather precocious. I was 20 and doing a lot of acid. A lot.
I was also la rather literal reader.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:21 AM (znREB)
====
Rather precocious. I was 20 and doing a lot of acid. A lot.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 09:25 AM (RIvkX)
63
Worth re-posting, from Pixy Tech thread:
184 For those interested, The Camp of the Saints has now been reissued, and is available through Amazon, but here is a link to the publisher:
https://is.gd/vG8sAf
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes
184 For those interested, The Camp of the Saints has now been reissued, and is available through Amazon, but here is a link to the publisher:
https://is.gd/vG8sAf
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 09:25 AM (XeU6L)
64
Why is that necessary to put in???
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:14 AM (omVj0)
Gotta check the boxes. What a stupid time to be alive.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:14 AM (omVj0)
Gotta check the boxes. What a stupid time to be alive.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 09:26 AM (h7ZuX)
65
Morning, CBD.
Howdy, Horde.
Took a break from Nabokov this week and revisited John D. MacDonald's April Evil and the first two Travis McGee books. Tinkering with a short story for one of the Raconteur anthologies (having been unceremoniously bounced from the Creature book, but what else is new?).
If I had a chance to redo my undergrad English major, I'd love to try St. John's, which I believe used to base the whole 4-year curriculum on that list; maybe that's still the case. I'd probably wash out at Paradise Lost, though.
Howdy, Horde.
Took a break from Nabokov this week and revisited John D. MacDonald's April Evil and the first two Travis McGee books. Tinkering with a short story for one of the Raconteur anthologies (having been unceremoniously bounced from the Creature book, but what else is new?).
If I had a chance to redo my undergrad English major, I'd love to try St. John's, which I believe used to base the whole 4-year curriculum on that list; maybe that's still the case. I'd probably wash out at Paradise Lost, though.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:26 AM (q3u5l)
66
Speaking of the South in the 1920s . . .
Jasmine Crockett: "Most black people are not Republicans simply because we just is like, 'Y'all racist. I can't hang out with the KKK and them.'"
-
Notice theuse lack of language and grammar.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (L/fGl)
-
FIFY
Jasmine Crockett: "Most black people are not Republicans simply because we just is like, 'Y'all racist. I can't hang out with the KKK and them.'"
-
Notice the
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (L/fGl)
-
FIFY
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 21, 2025 09:26 AM (vUecY)
67
Texas has a fascinating history; the early Texans faced attacks from Indians as well as Mexicans, and from the earliest days, a group was formed to protect the citizens which came to be known as the Texas Rangers. Tom Clavin describes these early days in Follow Me to Hell, and narrates the story of Leander McNelly, the fearless man who led the band from almost the beginning.
A small, slight, tubercular man, McNelly may not have appeared imposing, but his courage inspired his men to take on overwhelming odds on numerous occasions, and always successfully. Against the fearsome Commanche raiders, Mexican rustlers, and outlaws like John Wesley Hardin, the early rangers used a combination of guile and unflappable bravery to pacify the Texas border lands, both west and south.
***
No doubt McNelly was an inspiration for Larry McMurtry's Gus McRae in Lonesome Dove.
A small, slight, tubercular man, McNelly may not have appeared imposing, but his courage inspired his men to take on overwhelming odds on numerous occasions, and always successfully. Against the fearsome Commanche raiders, Mexican rustlers, and outlaws like John Wesley Hardin, the early rangers used a combination of guile and unflappable bravery to pacify the Texas border lands, both west and south.
***
No doubt McNelly was an inspiration for Larry McMurtry's Gus McRae in Lonesome Dove.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:26 AM (omVj0)
68
Massive crowds gathering at 6:30 am in Phoenix.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 09:27 AM (RIvkX)
69
What do you consider Literary Fiction?
Posted by: OrangeEnt
It's a marketing genre and the publisher generally puts it there.
It will be touted as "important ", "seminal", "authentic " etc and have a rather dreary or abstract cover.
On the back inside cover you will read about the author's academic and/or activitist credentials.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
It's a marketing genre and the publisher generally puts it there.
It will be touted as "important ", "seminal", "authentic " etc and have a rather dreary or abstract cover.
On the back inside cover you will read about the author's academic and/or activitist credentials.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:28 AM (eZ5tL)
70
Venezuela has lost another commercial ship. That's four but who's counting?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:24 AM (L/fGl)
-
Is it Sinko De Maya already?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:24 AM (L/fGl)
-
Is it Sinko De Maya already?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at September 21, 2025 09:28 AM (vUecY)
71
After letting it sit on my shelf for far too long, I pulled down and read "Watership Down: the Graphic Novel." It took all of 10 pages for me to declare it the best WD adaptation, better than all three of the animated versions. . . .
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025
***
There were three adaptations? I well remember (and love) the 1970s one, and there was a miniseries on Netflix or HBO a few years ago. I tried to watch samples of it on YooToob and gave up. When was the third?
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025
***
There were three adaptations? I well remember (and love) the 1970s one, and there was a miniseries on Netflix or HBO a few years ago. I tried to watch samples of it on YooToob and gave up. When was the third?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:29 AM (omVj0)
72
I'm worried we're going to see a drop in the quality of books due to AI. It's going to take some integrity as an author to not use AI to do your work for you. I have absolutely no interest in stuff written by AI; for me, the mental bond with the human storyteller is the whole point.
Posted by: Splunge at September 21, 2025 09:29 AM (nFWCu)
73
This week I read Travels in Alaska by John Muir. What a great book. He clearly loves the glaciers and the wilderness and describes them quite lyrically. He was also one tough dude with great endurance and daring. Highly recommended.
I liked the Helprin extract. I have at least one of his books in my kindle queue but it hasn't risen to the top yet.
Now back to the top to read the comments
I liked the Helprin extract. I have at least one of his books in my kindle queue but it hasn't risen to the top yet.
Now back to the top to read the comments
Posted by: who knew at September 21, 2025 09:29 AM (+ViXu)
74
Don't take Thucydides if you are allergic to Thucydides.
Posted by: FDA at September 21, 2025 09:30 AM (Y1sOo)
75
From what I have seen, most financial articles online are now written by AI. They are a complete waste of electrons.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at September 21, 2025 09:30 AM (0U5gm)
76
(Continued from 61)
While the graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down leaves much to be desired (no narration to convey the author's voice or set the mood, abridging certain scenes that really should have been adapted in full) it did do the most important thing right; it perfectly nailed Bigwig! He is instantly recognizable (as opposed to every other rabbit, Hazel included) without looking silly. And they drew him a way that makes him look angry in every panel he's in. He's great! Which makes it all the more sad that the comic doesn't utilize thought bubbles, so we lose all the brooding he did during his mission to Efrafa...
While the graphic novel adaptation of Watership Down leaves much to be desired (no narration to convey the author's voice or set the mood, abridging certain scenes that really should have been adapted in full) it did do the most important thing right; it perfectly nailed Bigwig! He is instantly recognizable (as opposed to every other rabbit, Hazel included) without looking silly. And they drew him a way that makes him look angry in every panel he's in. He's great! Which makes it all the more sad that the comic doesn't utilize thought bubbles, so we lose all the brooding he did during his mission to Efrafa...
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 09:30 AM (Lhaco)
77
Would hang!
Posted by: redridinghood at September 21, 2025 09:31 AM (NpAcC)
78
The next day, I was rereading the final chapters, only to find that I had flipped past the last two pages of the denoument chapter.
--
Hah! I've done that.
--
Hah! I've done that.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:31 AM (eZ5tL)
79
Mike Hammer, did you notice that Vauban Books is in Blowing Rock?
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at September 21, 2025 09:31 AM (PiwSw)
80
My dislike of the present tense in fiction has an exception: Jay McInerney's Bright Lights, Big City. It's not only told in present tense, but in second person ("You are not the kind of person who would be found in a place like this at three a.m."). But it somehow *works* despite that. It's dramatic and funny, and etches some sharp portraits of the NYC of the '80s -- and satirizes The New Yorker as well.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:31 AM (omVj0)
81
And CBD, Thank you so much for suggesting Perfection
Posted by: Eromero at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (LHPAg)
Am I forgiven for neglecting Calvin?
Posted by: Eromero at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (LHPAg)
Am I forgiven for neglecting Calvin?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (Flying the American Flag!) at September 21, 2025 09:32 AM (n9ltV)
82
Anthony Burgess wrote a book listing -
The best "99 Novels" in English since 1939.
with a short review and opinion about each novel.
I haven't read them all because some of the stories don't sound interesting to me, however-
every single novel that AB has listed that I've read has been excellent.
Check out his list or find the book in a used book store. Lots of great reading to be had.
The best "99 Novels" in English since 1939.
with a short review and opinion about each novel.
I haven't read them all because some of the stories don't sound interesting to me, however-
every single novel that AB has listed that I've read has been excellent.
Check out his list or find the book in a used book store. Lots of great reading to be had.
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (iJfKG)
83
I like the picture, even if it is AI. Which is unusual for me.
Posted by: Nancy@7000ft at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (qFnnL)
84
Don't forget the prime modern signifier of Literary work: the embossed Award medal.
Seeing that a non-genre book brags about winning an award on its cover is a really great way for me to quickly know I don't want it.
Seeing that a non-genre book brags about winning an award on its cover is a really great way for me to quickly know I don't want it.
Posted by: Splunge at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (nFWCu)
85
take Donald Kagan as a midway point, his small precis on Thucydides, really put him in perspective, he was like one of those New Frontier generals trying to cover for JFK,
John McHale is good at fleshing out the importance of naval engagements in Athens for a 200 year cycle,
John McHale is good at fleshing out the importance of naval engagements in Athens for a 200 year cycle,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (bXbFr)
86
Sheesh. Stuck in a rut. Haven't read anything I've bought. Haven't felt like writing. Haven't done anything but stare at screens all week.
I have things ready to read, just haven't gotten around to doing it. Too many things to distract.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:01 AM (uQesX)
Preach it, brother. I thought I'd finished the first draft of my novel, but it turns out I'm still a long way from finished. I feel depressed, worn out and empty. I need to start writing again, but I can't find the energy.
Even reading is a chore. I look at all the books on my shelves and all the unread ones I've bought in a vain attempt to cheer myself up and I feel like screaming and putting a match to them all.
I have things ready to read, just haven't gotten around to doing it. Too many things to distract.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:01 AM (uQesX)
Preach it, brother. I thought I'd finished the first draft of my novel, but it turns out I'm still a long way from finished. I feel depressed, worn out and empty. I need to start writing again, but I can't find the energy.
Even reading is a chore. I look at all the books on my shelves and all the unread ones I've bought in a vain attempt to cheer myself up and I feel like screaming and putting a match to them all.
Posted by: The Master at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (ufSfZ)
87
CBD, nice job with the book thread!
Posted by: Splunge at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (nFWCu)
88
I'd agree that Vonnegut's earlier stuff beats the later work. But if you're going to read Vonnegut don't miss some of his short work. "Who Am I This Time?" is a delight (and got a nice adaptation for PBS's American Playhouse with Christopher Walken and Susan Sarandon). His "Harrison Bergeron" is one that everybody should read if they haven't already -- I assume that all Horde members know of this one even if they haven't read it yet.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (q3u5l)
89
Fuck. Off sock.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (ufSfZ)
90
Rather precocious. I was 20 and doing a lot of acid. A lot.
Posted by: San Franpsycho
Just bored and blessedly pre-internet
Posted by: San Franpsycho
Just bored and blessedly pre-internet
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (eZ5tL)
91
to think the New Yawker has gotten much worse since then,
coked up editiorial assistants would be an improvement,
coked up editiorial assistants would be an improvement,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:35 AM (bXbFr)
92
a booker prize, is almost always an indication that irs pretentious garbage, thats why some foreign writers with good translations are better,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 09:37 AM (bXbFr)
93
The way Jasmine Crockett speaks is an affectation. It's no more real than Jim Carney doing his Ernest P. Worrell bit. She talks that way so that her base will see her as "authentic".
Posted by: Toad-0 at September 21, 2025 09:37 AM (OA3Zb)
94
But in Appalachia???? Why is that necessary to put in???
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius,
-------
The only era-relevant Appalachia novels are those written by authors who lived it in that time frame. John Fox, Harriet Arnow, Harold Wright.
I have recommended here before, especially, 'Hunter's Horn', Arnow.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius,
-------
The only era-relevant Appalachia novels are those written by authors who lived it in that time frame. John Fox, Harriet Arnow, Harold Wright.
I have recommended here before, especially, 'Hunter's Horn', Arnow.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 09:37 AM (XeU6L)
95
Lost in the shuffle of life, I never mentioned that I finished reading the "Justice League Internation Omnibus 2" comic book. It features the silly version of the Justice League: Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Ice, Guy Gardner, Martian Manhunter... The character interactions are great, the stories not so much. The writers fail to strike a good balance between silliness and seriousness. They lean too much into the hijinks and low-stakes buffoonery, so that when a real threat appears, it feels out of place, and the heroes don't seem competent enough to even try to stand up against a real villain. Again, I like the concept and I like the characters, I just wish the execution had been better.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 09:37 AM (Lhaco)
96
Anthony Burgess wrote a book listing -
The best "99 Novels" in English since 1939.
====
Thanks he is one of my favorite authors.
The best "99 Novels" in English since 1939.
====
Thanks he is one of my favorite authors.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 09:37 AM (RIvkX)
97
The main difference imo between literary fiction versus general and genre fiction is that in literary fiction, the most important person is the writer.
In other forms of fiction, the most important person is (or should be) the reader.
In other forms of fiction, the most important person is (or should be) the reader.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:37 AM (GhIJO)
98
Thanks for the lists CBD. I’ve been trying to find some of the old ones recently. I also occasionally enjoy good short stories. Often this time of year, Audible will make The Legend of Sleepy Hollow free. Perfect listing for cool fall days.
Posted by: Menagerie at September 21, 2025 09:38 AM (n/MLA)
99
MP4 you need a break
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:39 AM (GhIJO)
100
Mike Hammer, did you notice that Vauban Books is in Blowing Rock?
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes
------
No! Heh, interesting...
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes
------
No! Heh, interesting...
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 09:39 AM (XeU6L)
101
Also this week I picked up Loren Estleman's collection of his affectionate Nero Wolfe parodies about "Claudius Lyon" and "Arnie Woodbine," Nearly Nero.
That led me to grab a copy of Stout's own And Be a Villain. This is the first of the Arnold Zeck trilogy, chronicling Wolfe's battle with his own Moriarty, the crime boss who is, according to Archie, abrupt on the phone and has the eyes of a shark. I may have it in a collection here, but I couldn't recall. And yes, I've read it more than once. But Stout? C'mon, he's always re-readable.
That led me to grab a copy of Stout's own And Be a Villain. This is the first of the Arnold Zeck trilogy, chronicling Wolfe's battle with his own Moriarty, the crime boss who is, according to Archie, abrupt on the phone and has the eyes of a shark. I may have it in a collection here, but I couldn't recall. And yes, I've read it more than once. But Stout? C'mon, he's always re-readable.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:39 AM (omVj0)
102
I am well into Galbraith's newest and starting to see some clues to the mystery. Thee is a lot of personal stuff going on between the characters that I am starting to find kind of annoying but that won't keep me from keeping on.
Also huge thank you to whoever mentioned the TV series. Tuna, was that you? I did buy it and I think it's wonderful. Really good casting of Strike and Robin. Pretty true to the books except Strike is more engaging I think. Touch of humor.
Also huge thank you to whoever mentioned the TV series. Tuna, was that you? I did buy it and I think it's wonderful. Really good casting of Strike and Robin. Pretty true to the books except Strike is more engaging I think. Touch of humor.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025 09:40 AM (t/2Uw)
103
I've heard it said that present tense in a story is supposed to add a sense of immediacy. Maybe it works that way for some people, but I've always found that it gives fiction a feel of icy detachment somehow and keeps the reader at well over arm's length. Some writers can make it work, though -- I think Barry Malzberg did a lot of present tense stuff; ditto Ballard and Moorcock, if memory serves.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:41 AM (q3u5l)
104
47 ...Tom Clavin describes these early days in Follow Me to Hell, and narrates the story of Leander McNelly, the fearless man who led the band from almost the beginning.
Posted by: Thomas Paine
Just perused the library app for this, and it looks like he's written a number of books that would interest me. Thanks for the rec.
Posted by: Thomas Paine
Just perused the library app for this, and it looks like he's written a number of books that would interest me. Thanks for the rec.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 09:41 AM (h7ZuX)
105
102 I am well into Galbraith's newest and starting to see some clues to the mystery.
--
I sm the hold list for that!
On my reading report, read and enjoyed T Kingfisher's Hemlock and Silver, a Snow White inspired fantasy.
--
I sm the hold list for that!
On my reading report, read and enjoyed T Kingfisher's Hemlock and Silver, a Snow White inspired fantasy.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:42 AM (GhIJO)
106
Tinkering with a short story for one of the Raconteur anthologies (having been unceremoniously bounced from the Creature book, but what else is new?).
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:26 AM (q3u5l)
Contracts went out yesterday for CF? That's the thing, they never tell you if you're not in. You just have to wait and see if you get a contract.
I know they're busy, but it'd be nice to know why you don't get chosen. Is it your writing style, you didn't follow the submission guidelines, or maybe they think you're just aren't proficient enough yet?
Well, good luck with the next one.
Waiting until October 18 for Bourbon and Lead submission result.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:26 AM (q3u5l)
Contracts went out yesterday for CF? That's the thing, they never tell you if you're not in. You just have to wait and see if you get a contract.
I know they're busy, but it'd be nice to know why you don't get chosen. Is it your writing style, you didn't follow the submission guidelines, or maybe they think you're just aren't proficient enough yet?
Well, good luck with the next one.
Waiting until October 18 for Bourbon and Lead submission result.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:42 AM (uQesX)
107
A long time ago I went to St. John's College in Annapolis, the Great Books School. It was an incredible experience, though at the time I may have been more into the Great Extracurriculars. It was rated the top party school by Esquire magazine for several years, then finally was taken off the list as they had gone 'from amateur status to pro'.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (tRYqg)
108
"... too many had the immediate disqualifier of anything by Tony Morrison or Kurt Vonnegut or Burroughs ..."
So "Tarzan of the Apes" is on some lists of great books? Cool!
So "Tarzan of the Apes" is on some lists of great books? Cool!
Posted by: Nemo at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (4RPgu)
109
to think the New Yawker has gotten much worse since then
The New Yorker has always been twee and self-selecting. It's founder, Harold Ross, advertised it as "not for the little old lady in Dubuque."
Hatred and dismissal of 'flyover country' existed long before the Wright Brothers.
The New Yorker has always been twee and self-selecting. It's founder, Harold Ross, advertised it as "not for the little old lady in Dubuque."
Hatred and dismissal of 'flyover country' existed long before the Wright Brothers.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (ufSfZ)
110
OrangeEnt, do they never send rejection emails?
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (GhIJO)
111
MP4, glad to see you here.
I couldn't recall having seen your nic in some time, and I was concerned.
I couldn't recall having seen your nic in some time, and I was concerned.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (p/isN)
112
MP4 you need a break
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025
***
Yes. Take a trip somewhere new and as different as possible from MA, like New Mexico. Hike in the woods or hills. Don't even think about writing. You'll come back and look at your computer with fresh eyes.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025
***
Yes. Take a trip somewhere new and as different as possible from MA, like New Mexico. Hike in the woods or hills. Don't even think about writing. You'll come back and look at your computer with fresh eyes.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:44 AM (omVj0)
113
Against the fearsome Commanche raiders, Mexican rustlers, and outlaws like John Wesley Hardin, the early rangers used a combination of guile and unflappable bravery to pacify the Texas border lands, both west and south.
---------
AND a lot of ammo.
---------
AND a lot of ammo.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 09:44 AM (g8Ew8)
114
Reading is FUNdamental.
Posted by: haffhowershower at September 21, 2025 09:44 AM (144I4)
115
Mike Hammer, did you notice that Vauban Books is in Blowing Rock?
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes
------
Of all unlikely places, but then, I suppose that all that is required these days is an internet connection to set up a business. I will, at any rate, order a copy (kinda $) to support them. Moreover, I have been regretting giving away my copy some years ago.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes
------
Of all unlikely places, but then, I suppose that all that is required these days is an internet connection to set up a business. I will, at any rate, order a copy (kinda $) to support them. Moreover, I have been regretting giving away my copy some years ago.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 09:45 AM (XeU6L)
116
It's a marketing genre and the publisher generally puts it there.
It will be touted as "important ", "seminal", "authentic " etc and have a rather dreary or abstract cover.
On the back inside cover you will read about the author's academic and/or activitist credentials.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:28 AM (eZ5tL)
From what I've gathered, it's more style than substance. As if the plot doesn't matter, just characterization, word play, allusions, and such. Eh, they can be good, or boring.
They're showing their skill at wordsmithing.
It will be touted as "important ", "seminal", "authentic " etc and have a rather dreary or abstract cover.
On the back inside cover you will read about the author's academic and/or activitist credentials.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:28 AM (eZ5tL)
From what I've gathered, it's more style than substance. As if the plot doesn't matter, just characterization, word play, allusions, and such. Eh, they can be good, or boring.
They're showing their skill at wordsmithing.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:45 AM (uQesX)
117
The New Yorker has always been twee and self-selecting. It's founder, Harold Ross, advertised it as "not for the little old lady in Dubuque."
Hatred and dismissal of 'flyover country' existed long before the Wright Brothers.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025
***
And yet Ross himself was born in a cabin in Colorado!
Hatred and dismissal of 'flyover country' existed long before the Wright Brothers.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025
***
And yet Ross himself was born in a cabin in Colorado!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:45 AM (omVj0)
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 09:46 AM (ufSfZ)
119
26 Can you transfer ebooks to a alternative machine?
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (+qU29)
Generally yes, although you may need to have the proper app/program to read the ebook files (.azw3 for Amazon's books, .epub for Barns and Noble, and .pdf files can be read by about anything) There are ways of changing file types, but I haven't bothered with that. The Nook or Kindle e-ink e-readers are great for novels, and have a mass-market-paperback-sized screen.
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 09:10 AM (+qU29)
Generally yes, although you may need to have the proper app/program to read the ebook files (.azw3 for Amazon's books, .epub for Barns and Noble, and .pdf files can be read by about anything) There are ways of changing file types, but I haven't bothered with that. The Nook or Kindle e-ink e-readers are great for novels, and have a mass-market-paperback-sized screen.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 09:46 AM (Lhaco)
120
To me, the most interesting part of the Galbraith series is that they actually do detective work. The dialog at during interviews is well done with Rowling showing the psychology behind what the detective be it Strike or Robin is trying to accomplish. They go undercover, they tail people. They deal,with actually running a business. I find this unique in the genre.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025 09:46 AM (t/2Uw)
121
52 Reading The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Command by Andrew Gordon.
A fascinating book. It outlines the culture of the Royal Navy, and to a lesser extent the Hochseeflotte. Every naval enthusiast should read this.
It explains, in great detail, the why of Jutland. Lots of details from previous works are corrected, and the action flows.
There is a insightful coda of blinding gifts of the obvious that today's US Navy should follow. Lots of insight here.
Makes me wonder. How ready is the US Navy for the PLAN? We should be doing a lot more red cell training at sea. Instead, we are trying to fix mechanical and system problems.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (u82oZ)
________
I agree. There is a fun appendix in which he makes a case against taking logs too seriously. Aside from an account of how there is often stuff going on which puts the record keeping to the side, he recounts one very interesting example. HMS New Zealand kept two plots, on in the fore, the other in the after conning tower. Gordon juxtaposes the tow. There were times the after CT was several miles ahead of the fore.
A fascinating book. It outlines the culture of the Royal Navy, and to a lesser extent the Hochseeflotte. Every naval enthusiast should read this.
It explains, in great detail, the why of Jutland. Lots of details from previous works are corrected, and the action flows.
There is a insightful coda of blinding gifts of the obvious that today's US Navy should follow. Lots of insight here.
Makes me wonder. How ready is the US Navy for the PLAN? We should be doing a lot more red cell training at sea. Instead, we are trying to fix mechanical and system problems.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (u82oZ)
________
I agree. There is a fun appendix in which he makes a case against taking logs too seriously. Aside from an account of how there is often stuff going on which puts the record keeping to the side, he recounts one very interesting example. HMS New Zealand kept two plots, on in the fore, the other in the after conning tower. Gordon juxtaposes the tow. There were times the after CT was several miles ahead of the fore.
Posted by: Eeyore at September 21, 2025 09:47 AM (s0JqF)
122
Yes. Take a trip somewhere new and as different as possible from MA, like Haiti. Hike in the jungle or slums. Run from the cannibals. Don't even think about writing. You'll come back and look at your computer with fresh eyes.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 21, 2025 09:47 AM (A62KL)
123
By the way, I want to strongly recommend two must-read books: Thucydides' "The Peloponnesian War", and Herodotus' "The History". The tell the story of the war between Greece and Persia, which led to the war between Athens and Sparta. The former shows Greek civilization at its finest, the latter shows that civilization at its most foolish and irresponsible.
The best editions, by far, are the Landmark editions: a little pricy, but worth every penny. They have very informative introductions and appendices, lots and lots of footnotes so the reader who know who's who and what's what, and, most importantly, are richly illustrated with beautifully drawn maps. Highly recommended!
The best editions, by far, are the Landmark editions: a little pricy, but worth every penny. They have very informative introductions and appendices, lots and lots of footnotes so the reader who know who's who and what's what, and, most importantly, are richly illustrated with beautifully drawn maps. Highly recommended!
Posted by: Nemo at September 21, 2025 09:47 AM (4RPgu)
124
I've reached a point where I just do not read books by living authors. When Patrick O'Brian died, that was it for me.
Posted by: Eeyore at September 21, 2025 09:48 AM (s0JqF)
125
I've heard it said that present tense in a story is supposed to add a sense of immediacy. Maybe it works that way for some people, but I've always found that it gives fiction a feel of icy detachment somehow and keeps the reader at well over arm's length. Some writers can make it work, though -- I think Barry Malzberg did a lot of present tense stuff; ditto Ballard and Moorcock, if memory serves.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025
***
I'd hope there are exceptions. But I find it self-conscious. Even worse is the technique where the author dispenses with quotation marks, like Cormac McCarthy, or the foreign writers like Joyce who use(d) dashes to start off a quote. That makes me feel claustrophobic.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025
***
I'd hope there are exceptions. But I find it self-conscious. Even worse is the technique where the author dispenses with quotation marks, like Cormac McCarthy, or the foreign writers like Joyce who use(d) dashes to start off a quote. That makes me feel claustrophobic.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:48 AM (omVj0)
126
There is a insightful coda of blinding gifts of the obvious that today's US Navy should follow. Lots of insight here.
Makes me wonder. How ready is the US Navy for the PLAN? We should be doing a lot more red cell training at sea. Instead, we are trying to fix mechanical and system problems.
Posted by: NaCly Dog
========
I don't think the PLAN is particularly prepared for the USN etc. either. Naval warfare, like aerial warfare, is going to change with modern standoff weapons and drones.
Imagine in WWII if the Japanese had been able to convert their islands in the Pacific chains into unsinkable missile and drone carriers against the USN.
And this decentralized style of warfare directly challenges the older big iron carrier group paradigm. Unsinkable island chain drone and missile defenses might be a cheaper and better option to rein in the PLAN from a distance.
And submarines/underwater drones doing a lot of the rest.
Makes me wonder. How ready is the US Navy for the PLAN? We should be doing a lot more red cell training at sea. Instead, we are trying to fix mechanical and system problems.
Posted by: NaCly Dog
========
I don't think the PLAN is particularly prepared for the USN etc. either. Naval warfare, like aerial warfare, is going to change with modern standoff weapons and drones.
Imagine in WWII if the Japanese had been able to convert their islands in the Pacific chains into unsinkable missile and drone carriers against the USN.
And this decentralized style of warfare directly challenges the older big iron carrier group paradigm. Unsinkable island chain drone and missile defenses might be a cheaper and better option to rein in the PLAN from a distance.
And submarines/underwater drones doing a lot of the rest.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 09:49 AM (WDjG6)
127
AND a lot of ammo.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacon
The Rangers essentially rescued Colt from bankruptcy by word of mouth about their exploits.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacon
The Rangers essentially rescued Colt from bankruptcy by word of mouth about their exploits.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at September 21, 2025 09:49 AM (0U5gm)
128
Good morning fellow Book/Reading Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading. Mine was exceptionally lovely.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 09:50 AM (yTvNw)
129
Its ok MPPPP their are many forgivable mistakes on this blog.
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2025 09:50 AM (vFG9F)
130
To me, the most interesting part of the Galbraith series is that they actually do detective work. The dialog at during interviews is well done with Rowling showing the psychology behind what the detective be it Strike or Robin is trying to accomplish. They go undercover, they tail people. They deal,with actually running a business. I find this unique in the genre.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025
***
While I've read only the first in the series, and found it a little too long, from what I gather "Galbraith" has an appreciation for the true mystery and actually has some surreal or unusual murder scenes or settings. Is that true?
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025
***
While I've read only the first in the series, and found it a little too long, from what I gather "Galbraith" has an appreciation for the true mystery and actually has some surreal or unusual murder scenes or settings. Is that true?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:50 AM (omVj0)
131
Morning is not starting off well. I've already bought three books. The Rules of the Game, The Camp of the Saints, and Watership Down.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (L/fGl)
132
123 By the way, I want to strongly recommend two must-read books: Thucydides' "The Peloponnesian War", and Herodotus' "The History". The tell the story of the war between Greece and Persia, which led to the war between Athens and Sparta. The former shows Greek civilization at its finest, the latter shows that civilization at its most foolish and irresponsible.
The best editions, by far, are the Landmark editions: a little pricy, but worth every penny. They have very informative introductions and appendices, lots and lots of footnotes so the reader who know who's who and what's what, and, most importantly, are richly illustrated with beautifully drawn maps. Highly recommended!
Posted by: Nemo
-------
Two classics indeed. And I think Victor David Hanson has a book about those two books with the actual military history from a couple of millennia in hindsight.
The best editions, by far, are the Landmark editions: a little pricy, but worth every penny. They have very informative introductions and appendices, lots and lots of footnotes so the reader who know who's who and what's what, and, most importantly, are richly illustrated with beautifully drawn maps. Highly recommended!
Posted by: Nemo
-------
Two classics indeed. And I think Victor David Hanson has a book about those two books with the actual military history from a couple of millennia in hindsight.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (WDjG6)
133
A Donald Westlake line: "Like any authentic New Yorker, he was born someplace else."
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (p/isN)
134
Don't forget the prime modern signifier of Literary work: the embossed Award medal.
Seeing that a non-genre book brags about winning an award on its cover is a really great way for me to quickly know I don't want it.
Posted by: Splunge at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (nFWCu
They used to mean something. Maybe they were always false. Not sure of the current status today is.
Seeing that a non-genre book brags about winning an award on its cover is a really great way for me to quickly know I don't want it.
Posted by: Splunge at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (nFWCu
They used to mean something. Maybe they were always false. Not sure of the current status today is.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (uQesX)
135
Its ok MPPPP their are many forgivable mistakes on this blog.
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2025 09:50 AM (vFG9F)
----
Misspelling the word "their" for "there" is not one of the forgivable mistakes.
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2025 09:50 AM (vFG9F)
----
Misspelling the word "their" for "there" is not one of the forgivable mistakes.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (IBQGV)
136
OrangeEnt,
Yep, contracts went out yesterday. I had no idea how they worked rejections either, and thought for a while that maybe the closer you got to contract date the better the chance that you were in; then a week ago I started thinking that maybe they just sent contracts and rejections the same day. Sure enough, the bounce notice was in yesterday's mail.
The rejection had some links to other places announcing open calls, though. If you like, I'll share that list with the LitHorde group.
Yep, contracts went out yesterday. I had no idea how they worked rejections either, and thought for a while that maybe the closer you got to contract date the better the chance that you were in; then a week ago I started thinking that maybe they just sent contracts and rejections the same day. Sure enough, the bounce notice was in yesterday's mail.
The rejection had some links to other places announcing open calls, though. If you like, I'll share that list with the LitHorde group.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (q3u5l)
137
If you take on the Book Thread you can edit comments. (I think)
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2025 09:52 AM (vFG9F)
138
In my reality there is no their there.
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2025 09:52 AM (vFG9F)
139
Morning is not starting off well. I've already bought three books. The Rules of the Game, The Camp of the Saints, and Watership Down.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (L/fGl)
---
I dunno. Three books that are highly rated by the Moron Horde sounds like a win.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (L/fGl)
---
I dunno. Three books that are highly rated by the Moron Horde sounds like a win.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:52 AM (IBQGV)
140
CBD,
Thanks for today's reading thread and for the mention of Mark Helprin. Never read any of his stuff but from your description it sounds like just the kind of writing I've been enjoying lately. The search begins.
Thanks for today's reading thread and for the mention of Mark Helprin. Never read any of his stuff but from your description it sounds like just the kind of writing I've been enjoying lately. The search begins.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 09:53 AM (yTvNw)
141
Thanks to a certain famous 1960s TV series which shall remain nameless, I found my way to novels about the US Navy in WWII and loved them. The Caine Mutiny, Alastair Maclean's H.M.S. Ulysses (not a thriller, but very affecting and entertaining), Run Silent, Run Deep, and more.
I even read a lot of the Hornblower series. Forester's prequel, Lieutenant Hornblower, features a fine and chilling portrait of paranoia.
I even read a lot of the Hornblower series. Forester's prequel, Lieutenant Hornblower, features a fine and chilling portrait of paranoia.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:54 AM (omVj0)
142
Even reading is a chore. I look at all the books on my shelves and all the unread ones I've bought in a vain attempt to cheer myself up and I feel like screaming and putting a match to them all.
Posted by: The Master at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (ufSfZ)
Most of the books I've bought are moron authors, or suggestions from moron authors, but I just can't seem to do it. I hope it's not long term. I get the feeling if my latest submission gets rejected, it may get a lot worse.
Posted by: The Master at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (ufSfZ)
Most of the books I've bought are moron authors, or suggestions from moron authors, but I just can't seem to do it. I hope it's not long term. I get the feeling if my latest submission gets rejected, it may get a lot worse.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:55 AM (uQesX)
143
MP4, glad to see you here.
I couldn't recall having seen your nic in some time, and I was concerned.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (p/isN)
Thanks, WG, that means a lot. I've been trying to 'digitally fast,' so I'm usually here only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when I have to be online to work. I'm just having one of those dark "what's the point?" times. They come and go.
I couldn't recall having seen your nic in some time, and I was concerned.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (p/isN)
Thanks, WG, that means a lot. I've been trying to 'digitally fast,' so I'm usually here only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when I have to be online to work. I'm just having one of those dark "what's the point?" times. They come and go.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 09:55 AM (ufSfZ)
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:56 AM (L/fGl)
145
I looked at Burgess' list of 99 and I've read 17 and there are probably another 10 on my want to read list. I'd read his justifications for them if I ever saw the book but I don't think I'll go looking for it'
Posted by: who knew at September 21, 2025 09:57 AM (+ViXu)
146
> I will forgive them for sneaking in a few from my proscribed list!
I would replace those with some Thomas Sowell, Friedrich Hayek, Solzhenitsyn, and Arthur Koestler.
I would replace those with some Thomas Sowell, Friedrich Hayek, Solzhenitsyn, and Arthur Koestler.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 21, 2025 09:57 AM (qpyNK)
147
While I agree that the PLAN is still learning how to Navy at all, it's never a good idea to assume that "our warrior virtues can overcome a lack of materiel." The Confederates and the Japanese thought that, and were proved wrong.
That being said, as long as we can prevent the PRC from politically subverting the nations of the island chain, I don't think they're breaking out to become a blue water threat.
That being said, as long as we can prevent the PRC from politically subverting the nations of the island chain, I don't think they're breaking out to become a blue water threat.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 09:57 AM (78a2H)
148
Off sock.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (ufSfZ)
MP, if you want a beta read, I can pass it on to my niece who read your other book. You can post on ALH if you wish.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 09:34 AM (ufSfZ)
MP, if you want a beta read, I can pass it on to my niece who read your other book. You can post on ALH if you wish.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:57 AM (uQesX)
149
I did mention that I'd read Dwight Chapin's The President's Man, who believes that the Watergate break-in and subsequent ass-covering falls squarely on the shoulders of John Dean.
I also read Ready For My Close-Up, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Sunset Boulevard. Worth reading if you like the movie, though if you're familiar with it, there are no bombshells or secrets revealed.
And speaking of Sunset, next month sees the release of a coffee-table book of stills and candid photos from the movie. That's definitely one for my collection.
I also read Ready For My Close-Up, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Sunset Boulevard. Worth reading if you like the movie, though if you're familiar with it, there are no bombshells or secrets revealed.
And speaking of Sunset, next month sees the release of a coffee-table book of stills and candid photos from the movie. That's definitely one for my collection.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 09:57 AM (ufSfZ)
150
56 I followed on twitter the narrator to Savage Realms Monthly. Then he followed me back.
Here's a free episode.
https://youtu.be/-1g1j91qpYk?si=zT5O3JgHEpXn9dWl
Posted by: BourbonChicken at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (lhenN)
Nice. I like reading Savage Realms short stories while in the park, but I'm far behind the current material. That youtube story will probably be new for me.
Here's a free episode.
https://youtu.be/-1g1j91qpYk?si=zT5O3JgHEpXn9dWl
Posted by: BourbonChicken at September 21, 2025 09:22 AM (lhenN)
Nice. I like reading Savage Realms short stories while in the park, but I'm far behind the current material. That youtube story will probably be new for me.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 09:58 AM (Lhaco)
151
Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
I pay attention when you post. You have an eloquent voice in the Horde.
Heck, you got me to buy your books, on a subject that is very far from my interests. You did well.
I pay attention when you post. You have an eloquent voice in the Horde.
Heck, you got me to buy your books, on a subject that is very far from my interests. You did well.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 21, 2025 09:58 AM (u82oZ)
152
>
I even read a lot of the Hornblower series. Forester's prequel, Lieutenant Hornblower, features a fine and chilling portrait of paranoia.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:54 AM (omVj0)
Have you read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series?
Immensely superior to Hornblower, IMO, though I enjoyed Hornblower as well.
I even read a lot of the Hornblower series. Forester's prequel, Lieutenant Hornblower, features a fine and chilling portrait of paranoia.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:54 AM (omVj0)
Have you read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series?
Immensely superior to Hornblower, IMO, though I enjoyed Hornblower as well.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 21, 2025 09:58 AM (qpyNK)
153
WWII Navy novels . . . I seem to recall some marketed to young adults: Up Periscope and Torpedo Run. The latter is about a PT boat crew in the Pacific, I think. Wiki says it appeared in 1962, and perhaps it was inspired by the story of JFK and PT109, but my memory says it was a strong action story. Didn't Scholastic Books sell a lot of those to schools?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:59 AM (omVj0)
154
Have you read Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series?
Immensely superior to Hornblower, IMO, though I enjoyed Hornblower as well.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 21, 2025
***
I've tried one, and found the prose pretty dense. Now that I have more time, perhaps I'll try again.
Immensely superior to Hornblower, IMO, though I enjoyed Hornblower as well.
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 21, 2025
***
I've tried one, and found the prose pretty dense. Now that I have more time, perhaps I'll try again.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:00 AM (omVj0)
155
FWIW, I read Mick Herron's Clown Town (number 9) of the Slow Horses.
This, and the occasional new release in the Jim Butcher's Dresden series are about the only fiction I have read in recent years.
And not a fan of the latest work which I also think has infected a lot of sci fi/fantasy. Every book has to be 'bigger'--bigger villains, more violence, higher stakes, etc. and particularly in the pseudo intel writings, it is simply not that realistic. And I find the Slow Horse series simply has people stuck--the scene, villains, etc. move but the people don't become smarter, wiser, more humble, faithful, etc.
Herron is emulating LeCarre to some extent but over a larger series of books with more main characters. So it comes off more like an Elmore Leonard book filled with odd characters juxtaposed with LeCarre complicated plots involving several threads (some more interesting than others).
Was disappointed.
A way to carry such a long series off, like Butcher or for that matter Stefan Brust with his Vlad series, is to play with time, expand or contract surrounding characters, have lesser moments and so on. Throw in a simple story now and again.
This, and the occasional new release in the Jim Butcher's Dresden series are about the only fiction I have read in recent years.
And not a fan of the latest work which I also think has infected a lot of sci fi/fantasy. Every book has to be 'bigger'--bigger villains, more violence, higher stakes, etc. and particularly in the pseudo intel writings, it is simply not that realistic. And I find the Slow Horse series simply has people stuck--the scene, villains, etc. move but the people don't become smarter, wiser, more humble, faithful, etc.
Herron is emulating LeCarre to some extent but over a larger series of books with more main characters. So it comes off more like an Elmore Leonard book filled with odd characters juxtaposed with LeCarre complicated plots involving several threads (some more interesting than others).
Was disappointed.
A way to carry such a long series off, like Butcher or for that matter Stefan Brust with his Vlad series, is to play with time, expand or contract surrounding characters, have lesser moments and so on. Throw in a simple story now and again.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:00 AM (WDjG6)
156
Tuesday, September 22, is international Hobbit Day. It's Bilbo's and Frodo's shared birthday. I don't do costumes or any of that stuff but I have picked out a few sections from LOTR to read: the 'Concerning Hobbits prologue, Merry and Pippen at Isengard, and the Scouring of the Shire chapters. I have a copy of the pipe Aragorn smokes in the Prancing Pony in the film (a superb pipe BTW), have a favorite tobacco in mind, and may even do Second Breakfast. Should be fun.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:00 AM (yTvNw)
157
Often this time of year, Audible will make The Legend of Sleepy Hollow free. Perfect listing for cool fall days.
Posted by: Menagerie at September 21, 2025 09:38 AM (n/MLA)
I grew up near there...
Posted by: Menagerie at September 21, 2025 09:38 AM (n/MLA)
I grew up near there...
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:01 AM (n9ltV)
158
153 WWII Navy novels . . . I seem to recall some marketed to young adults: Up Periscope and Torpedo Run. The latter is about a PT boat crew in the Pacific, I think. Wiki says it appeared in 1962, and perhaps it was inspired by the story of JFK and PT109, but my memory says it was a strong action story. Didn't Scholastic Books sell a lot of those to schools?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
=====
Back in the Day, Boy's Life also published a LOT of war short stories, sci fi, etc. I have one compiled version of such from childhood on WWII stories published originally in Boy's Life.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
=====
Back in the Day, Boy's Life also published a LOT of war short stories, sci fi, etc. I have one compiled version of such from childhood on WWII stories published originally in Boy's Life.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (WDjG6)
159
Perhaps I should just keep my opinion to myself, but that is one weird looking pair of pants in that picture.
Or maybe it's a Who Dis?
Or maybe it's a Who Dis?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (XQo4F)
160
I even read a lot of the Hornblower series. Forester's prequel, Lieutenant Hornblower, features a fine and chilling portrait of paranoia.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025
***
I meant to add that it's Hornblower's captain -- at a time when a British Navy ship's captain had the power of life and death over his men -- who is the paranoiac. Imagine Capt. Bligh with paranoid delusions. Brrrr.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025
***
I meant to add that it's Hornblower's captain -- at a time when a British Navy ship's captain had the power of life and death over his men -- who is the paranoiac. Imagine Capt. Bligh with paranoid delusions. Brrrr.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (omVj0)
161
Good morning Book Horde!
I've started a few new books this week: "Six Frigates", by Ian Toll, a history of the founding of the Navy. I'm only 50 pages in, but so far I love it.
"Indian Country" by Colonel Schlichter, the second book in his "People's Republic" series about the second Civil War. Seemed fitting after recent events.
And I just got in the mail "Spacecraft 2000 to 2100 AD" by Stewart Cowley, part of a series of sci fi books full of gorgeous 70s sci Fi art.
I've started a few new books this week: "Six Frigates", by Ian Toll, a history of the founding of the Navy. I'm only 50 pages in, but so far I love it.
"Indian Country" by Colonel Schlichter, the second book in his "People's Republic" series about the second Civil War. Seemed fitting after recent events.
And I just got in the mail "Spacecraft 2000 to 2100 AD" by Stewart Cowley, part of a series of sci fi books full of gorgeous 70s sci Fi art.
Posted by: Josephistan at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (iVL8M)
162
Wolfus, I would encourage you to keep going. I always feel like I am right there watching the action. Strike is a much more realistic former military investigator than Reacher. The books are long but like a Sanderson novel, it all comes together at the end.
I don't think she gets enough credit for how brilliant a writer she is.
I don't think she gets enough credit for how brilliant a writer she is.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025 10:03 AM (t/2Uw)
163
CBD,
Thanks for today's reading thread and for the mention of Mark Helprin. Never read any of his stuff but from your description it sounds like just the kind of writing I've been enjoying lately. The search begins.
Posted by: JTB
----
A hearty endorsement here for 'A Soldier of the Great War'.
Thanks for today's reading thread and for the mention of Mark Helprin. Never read any of his stuff but from your description it sounds like just the kind of writing I've been enjoying lately. The search begins.
Posted by: JTB
----
A hearty endorsement here for 'A Soldier of the Great War'.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 10:03 AM (XeU6L)
164
Up Periscope and Torpedo Run. Too lazy to check right now, but weren't those written by Robb White? Believe White is also the fella who gave us House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:03 AM (q3u5l)
165
In my reality there is no their there.
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2025 09:52 AM (vFG9F)
====
Say what now?
Posted by: fd at September 21, 2025 09:52 AM (vFG9F)
====
Say what now?
Posted by: "City" of Oakland at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (RIvkX)
166
Often this time of year, Audible will make The Legend of Sleepy Hollow free. Perfect listing for cool fall days.
Posted by: Menagerie at September 21, 2025 09:38 AM (n/MLA)
I grew up near there...
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:01 AM (n9ltV)
Does that explain your pumpkin-head?
Posted by: Menagerie at September 21, 2025 09:38 AM (n/MLA)
I grew up near there...
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:01 AM (n9ltV)
Does that explain your pumpkin-head?
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (iJfKG)
167
> Navy ship's captain had the power of life and death over his men -- who is the paranoiac. Imagine Capt. Bligh with paranoid delusions. Brrrr.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (omVj0)
Wasting one's superior officer is far from a new phenomenon. "And exactly how did the Captain come to fall down the hatchway, Lieutenant Hornblower?"
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (omVj0)
Wasting one's superior officer is far from a new phenomenon. "And exactly how did the Captain come to fall down the hatchway, Lieutenant Hornblower?"
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (qpyNK)
168
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (tRYqg)
Any movement in your novel?
Any movement in your novel?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (uQesX)
169
Rowling and Anthony Horowitz have both written mysteries set in the world of book publishing, The Silkworm by Galbraith and Magpie Murders by Horowitz, and both present it as full of evil, crazy, horrible people.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:05 AM (L/fGl)
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (RIvkX)
171
Have tried Helprin a couple of times, but he seems to be one of those horses that bucks me off within a chapter or two -- no idea why. Planning to revisit at some point, but not sure when.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (q3u5l)
172
OrangeEnt, do they never send rejection emails?
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (GhIJO)
No, vmom. They post a date for the contracts being sent to the author. If you don't get one by that day, you ain't in.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 09:43 AM (GhIJO)
No, vmom. They post a date for the contracts being sent to the author. If you don't get one by that day, you ain't in.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (uQesX)
173
Wolfus, I would encourage you to keep going. I always feel like I am right there watching the action. Strike is a much more realistic former military investigator than Reacher. The books are long but like a Sanderson novel, it all comes together at the end.
I don't think she gets enough credit for how brilliant a writer she is.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025
***
I saw that during the Harry Potter books. Not only were they clever and imaginative, each one featured a mystery for Harry to solve. And setting the whole thing in what basically is a junior high/high school is a classic example of marketing your work to exactly the right demographic. Though the novels are a delight for adults too.
I don't think she gets enough credit for how brilliant a writer she is.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025
***
I saw that during the Harry Potter books. Not only were they clever and imaginative, each one featured a mystery for Harry to solve. And setting the whole thing in what basically is a junior high/high school is a classic example of marketing your work to exactly the right demographic. Though the novels are a delight for adults too.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (omVj0)
174
I've tried one, and found the prose pretty dense. Now that I have more time, perhaps I'll try again.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
*whispers* Don't tell anyone, but I think CS Forester's Hornblower series is a lot more fun than the Aubrey/Maturin books
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
*whispers* Don't tell anyone, but I think CS Forester's Hornblower series is a lot more fun than the Aubrey/Maturin books
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (6U1c2)
175
*I have one compiled version of such from childhood on WWII stories published originally in Boy's Life.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM*
###
Like this?
https://tinyurl.com/3tzvkkh3
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM*
###
Like this?
https://tinyurl.com/3tzvkkh3
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (XQo4F)
176
MP, if you want a beta read, I can pass it on to my niece who read your other book. You can post on ALH if you wish.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:57 AM (uQesX)
I'll keep that in mind. I still have a big scene to write and then will be heading north to an isolated Maine cabin to whip it into shape.
And I just found out all emails for the writing group have been going to my junk folder. Ugh.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:57 AM (uQesX)
I'll keep that in mind. I still have a big scene to write and then will be heading north to an isolated Maine cabin to whip it into shape.
And I just found out all emails for the writing group have been going to my junk folder. Ugh.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (ufSfZ)
177
Up Periscope and Torpedo Run. Too lazy to check right now, but weren't those written by Robb White? Believe White is also the fella who gave us House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Exactamundo!
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Exactamundo!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:07 AM (omVj0)
178
They stick it in there simply because they can and to rub it in normies' faces.
They are not interested in accurately portraying the culture of 1920's Appalachia.
Instead, they want to *impose* modern culture on that time and place, rewriting history in the process.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:19 AM (IBQGV)
Yeah, but how do you rub something like that in the face of someone who has rejected your story?
They are not interested in accurately portraying the culture of 1920's Appalachia.
Instead, they want to *impose* modern culture on that time and place, rewriting history in the process.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:19 AM (IBQGV)
Yeah, but how do you rub something like that in the face of someone who has rejected your story?
Posted by: Cow Demon at September 21, 2025 10:07 AM (2WqTM)
179
There were three adaptations? I well remember (and love) the 1970s one, and there was a miniseries on Netflix or HBO a few years ago. I tried to watch samples of it on YooToob and gave up. When was the third?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:29 AM (omVj0)
Arouond 2000 there was a 2d cartoon of Watership down from....I don't know, the Canadian version of PBS, or something. Very much for kids. And it went far beyond the bounds of book, and possibly completely off the rails. Campion became a main character, then got a scar, and started worrying he was becoming Woundwort...
Many years back I watched it on Youtube, but as background noise as I did something else.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:29 AM (omVj0)
Arouond 2000 there was a 2d cartoon of Watership down from....I don't know, the Canadian version of PBS, or something. Very much for kids. And it went far beyond the bounds of book, and possibly completely off the rails. Campion became a main character, then got a scar, and started worrying he was becoming Woundwort...
Many years back I watched it on Youtube, but as background noise as I did something else.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 10:07 AM (Lhaco)
180
Does that explain your pumpkin-head?
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (iJfKG)
It was a wonderful place, where people who shook Manhattans were shunned, and sometimes stoned to death on the village green.
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (iJfKG)
It was a wonderful place, where people who shook Manhattans were shunned, and sometimes stoned to death on the village green.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:08 AM (n9ltV)
181
I get the feeling if my latest submission gets rejected, it may get a lot worse.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
======
In my case, academic publishing, rejections are a fact of life and I have a full set of them from academic publishing efforts which when I was purging a lot of old manuscripts, etc. from teh basement upon retirement, I was reminded all over again about the vagaries of publishing. Also where I zigged when I should have zagged and other fun memories.
My law review articles were much more fun to write than the dreary tomes put in academic journals. Law Reviews allow multiple submissions so that one manuscript can go to multiple different law schools--flips the whole waiting game from teh author to the outlet. First offer from any of the law reviews then wins.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
======
In my case, academic publishing, rejections are a fact of life and I have a full set of them from academic publishing efforts which when I was purging a lot of old manuscripts, etc. from teh basement upon retirement, I was reminded all over again about the vagaries of publishing. Also where I zigged when I should have zagged and other fun memories.
My law review articles were much more fun to write than the dreary tomes put in academic journals. Law Reviews allow multiple submissions so that one manuscript can go to multiple different law schools--flips the whole waiting game from teh author to the outlet. First offer from any of the law reviews then wins.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:08 AM (WDjG6)
182
Magpie Murders is quite good; I think I reviewed it here not too long ago. It is one of those story-within-a-story books I enjoy.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at September 21, 2025 10:08 AM (0U5gm)
183
*whispers* Don't tell anyone, but I think CS Forester's Hornblower series is a lot more fun than the Aubrey/Maturin books
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025
***
"Reef the main tops'l, Mister Bush!"
Harry Harrison, I think it was, had fun writing a short SF-centered parody of the Hornblowers. "Combined with his low intelligence and low birth, it meant that Mr. Shrub could never rise above the rank of rear admiral."
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025
***
"Reef the main tops'l, Mister Bush!"
Harry Harrison, I think it was, had fun writing a short SF-centered parody of the Hornblowers. "Combined with his low intelligence and low birth, it meant that Mr. Shrub could never rise above the rank of rear admiral."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:09 AM (omVj0)
184
Up Periscope and Torpedo Run. Too lazy to check right now, but weren't those written by Robb White? Believe White is also the fella who gave us House on Haunted Hill and The Tingler.
Posted by: Just Some Guy
Yes. Robb White began me on a lifetime of reading. I got The Secret Sea from the Scholastic Book Club in elementary school and never looked back.
Posted by: Just Some Guy
Yes. Robb White began me on a lifetime of reading. I got The Secret Sea from the Scholastic Book Club in elementary school and never looked back.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (L/fGl)
185
Arouond 2000 there was a 2d cartoon of Watership down from....I don't know, the Canadian version of PBS, or something. Very much for kids. And it went far beyond the bounds of book, and possibly completely off the rails. Campion became a main character, then got a scar, and started worrying he was becoming Woundwort...
Many years back I watched it on Youtube, but as background noise as I did something else.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Looks like I didn't miss anything.
Many years back I watched it on Youtube, but as background noise as I did something else.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Looks like I didn't miss anything.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (omVj0)
186
Can anyone tell me how to join the LitHorde?
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (78a2H)
187
Often this time of year, Audible will make The Legend of Sleepy Hollow free. Perfect listing for cool fall days.
Posted by: Menagerie at September 21, 2025 09:38 AM (n/MLA)
I grew up near there...
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:01 AM (n9ltV)
I've wanted to visit that area for a long time (I find upstate NY to be a lovely place) but I vaguely recall that it's now pretty crime-infested.
It reminds me of Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier, who, after The Andy Griffith Show ended, went to live in Mount Airy, NC, which was the inspiration for Mayberry, and was burglarized the first week.
Posted by: Menagerie at September 21, 2025 09:38 AM (n/MLA)
I grew up near there...
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:01 AM (n9ltV)
I've wanted to visit that area for a long time (I find upstate NY to be a lovely place) but I vaguely recall that it's now pretty crime-infested.
It reminds me of Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier, who, after The Andy Griffith Show ended, went to live in Mount Airy, NC, which was the inspiration for Mayberry, and was burglarized the first week.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:11 AM (ufSfZ)
188
Anybody read any of Richard Yates’ works.
I’ve only read Eleven Kinds Of Loneliness, which is a great collection of short stories.
I’ve only read Eleven Kinds Of Loneliness, which is a great collection of short stories.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at September 21, 2025 10:11 AM (dzrYd)
189
103 I've heard it said that present tense in a story is supposed to add a sense of immediacy. Maybe it works that way for some people, but I've always found that it gives fiction a feel of icy detachment somehow and keeps the reader at well over arm's length.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:41 AM (q3u5l)
The only book I've recent read in present tense was a The Walking Dead tie-in prequel novel, and I agree with you. It was odd, and it took me out of the story more than it pulled me in.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:41 AM (q3u5l)
The only book I've recent read in present tense was a The Walking Dead tie-in prequel novel, and I agree with you. It was odd, and it took me out of the story more than it pulled me in.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 10:12 AM (Lhaco)
190
Oh, come now. Nothing is being imposed on that time and place. It's just that you eeeevil h8ers suppressed the truth of trans lives that had to be lived in the shadows. Now it can be told. So there.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:12 AM (q3u5l)
191
Imagine in WWII if the Japanese had been able to convert their islands in the Pacific chains into unsinkable missile and drone carriers against the USN.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 09:49 AM (WDjG6)
It seems that's exactly what the Chinese are doing with all those artificial islands they're making.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 09:49 AM (WDjG6)
It seems that's exactly what the Chinese are doing with all those artificial islands they're making.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:12 AM (uQesX)
192
WWII Navy novels . . . I seem to recall some marketed to young adults: Up Periscope and Torpedo Run.
--------
I received a copy of 'Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo' when I was 10 years old.
A good war novel: 'The Good Shepherd' is a 1955 British novel about naval warfare during World War II, by C. S. Forester.
I mean, it's C.S. Forester, 'nough said.
--------
I received a copy of 'Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo' when I was 10 years old.
A good war novel: 'The Good Shepherd' is a 1955 British novel about naval warfare during World War II, by C. S. Forester.
I mean, it's C.S. Forester, 'nough said.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 10:12 AM (XeU6L)
193
It won't be everyone's cup of tea but "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi may be some of the best writing of this century, at least for my taste. It is gentle, the observations are piercing and reveal place and character without trumpeting them, and the creativity he demonstrates in making his small southern town enhances the reading experience. It is not slam bang action, more of a pleasant walking pace as people and place are woven into the story. And it is entirely positive in outlook. I can only compare it to novels by Wendell Berry and the books by William Gilmore Simms from the 1850s.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:12 AM (yTvNw)
194
AW, only 6 episodes in to the TV series but Silkworm was one of them. Luckily I read the books long enough ago that I don't remember whodunnit, so really enjoying the dramatization of the books.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025 10:14 AM (t/2Uw)
195
The rejection had some links to other places announcing open calls, though. If you like, I'll share that list with the LitHorde group.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (q3u5l)
That would be fine. It's always hard to find places to sub to.
It's interesting you received a rejection notice. I didn't for my Pinup Noir story. Makes my earlier post to vmom a bit out of date....
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (q3u5l)
That would be fine. It's always hard to find places to sub to.
It's interesting you received a rejection notice. I didn't for my Pinup Noir story. Makes my earlier post to vmom a bit out of date....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (uQesX)
196
I've wanted to visit that area for a long time (I find upstate NY to be a lovely place) but I vaguely recall that it's now pretty crime-infested.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:11 AM (ufSfZ)
It's not upstate NY. It's really the suburbs of NYC. Sleepy Hollow is only a few miles north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Easy to reach on a train from Grand Central.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:11 AM (ufSfZ)
It's not upstate NY. It's really the suburbs of NYC. Sleepy Hollow is only a few miles north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Easy to reach on a train from Grand Central.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (n9ltV)
197
In regard to the Chinese navy, let me recommend "Red Cell," the first book in a series by Mark Henshaw.
CIA case officer Kyra Striker flees Venezuela after her cover is blown. Back in the States, she is assugned to the "Red Cell," which consists of a brilliant analyst, whose name I don't recall (dammit). This all ties in with the PRC's invasion of tiny islands near Taiwan.
This is a contemporary work, so smartphones are in abundance. A far cry from Matt Helm struggling to find a phone to call Mac.
Henshaw has written four books, and I have them all, but I have yet to read the last two. Unfortunately, I read that his fourth book comes down on the Palestinian side, so I'm not sure whether I'll buy more by him. Damned shame -- the first two are terrific.
CIA case officer Kyra Striker flees Venezuela after her cover is blown. Back in the States, she is assugned to the "Red Cell," which consists of a brilliant analyst, whose name I don't recall (dammit). This all ties in with the PRC's invasion of tiny islands near Taiwan.
This is a contemporary work, so smartphones are in abundance. A far cry from Matt Helm struggling to find a phone to call Mac.
Henshaw has written four books, and I have them all, but I have yet to read the last two. Unfortunately, I read that his fourth book comes down on the Palestinian side, so I'm not sure whether I'll buy more by him. Damned shame -- the first two are terrific.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (p/isN)
198
Does that explain your pumpkin-head?
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (iJfKG)
It was a wonderful place, where people who shook Manhattans were shunned, and sometimes stoned to death on the village green.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:08 AM (n9ltV)
Nice. I laughed.
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (iJfKG)
It was a wonderful place, where people who shook Manhattans were shunned, and sometimes stoned to death on the village green.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:08 AM (n9ltV)
Nice. I laughed.
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (iJfKG)
199
178 They stick it in there simply because they can and to rub it in normies' faces.
They are not interested in accurately portraying the culture of 1920's Appalachia.
Instead, they want to *impose* modern culture on that time and place, rewriting history in the process.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:19 AM (IBQGV)
Yeah, but how do you rub something like that in the face of someone who has rejected your story?
Posted by: Cow Demon
As a palate cleanser, go old school with Manly Wade Wellman and his Silver John series set in Appalachia. Profoundly Christian but fun reads, especially in Wellman's short stories about his character. I rate those above the novels.
Wellman was a prolific writer and moved from genre to genre from his origins and had a pretty interesting life to draw his novels from.
I think the Silver John short stories were compiled into Who Fears the Devil originally and later John the Balladeer. Imagine a Christian minstrel wandering the hills and hollows of Appalachia dealing with the supernatural.
They are not interested in accurately portraying the culture of 1920's Appalachia.
Instead, they want to *impose* modern culture on that time and place, rewriting history in the process.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at September 21, 2025 09:19 AM (IBQGV)
Yeah, but how do you rub something like that in the face of someone who has rejected your story?
Posted by: Cow Demon
As a palate cleanser, go old school with Manly Wade Wellman and his Silver John series set in Appalachia. Profoundly Christian but fun reads, especially in Wellman's short stories about his character. I rate those above the novels.
Wellman was a prolific writer and moved from genre to genre from his origins and had a pretty interesting life to draw his novels from.
I think the Silver John short stories were compiled into Who Fears the Devil originally and later John the Balladeer. Imagine a Christian minstrel wandering the hills and hollows of Appalachia dealing with the supernatural.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (WDjG6)
200
I've started a few new books this week: "Six Frigates", by Ian Toll, a history of the founding of the Navy. I'm only 50 pages in, but so far I love it.
Posted by: Josephistan at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (iVL8M)
Great book!
Posted by: Josephistan at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (iVL8M)
Great book!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:16 AM (n9ltV)
201
And I just found out all emails for the writing group have been going to my junk folder. Ugh.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (ufSfZ)
====
You read your email?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (ufSfZ)
====
You read your email?
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 10:16 AM (RIvkX)
202
Regarding "trans fiction" set in 1920s Appalachia: the writers do it because that's how to get published. The editors are all nose-ringed young women who went to Smith and Bryn Mawr and are getting paid sweatshop wages while trying to live in NYC, but they console themselves by having real cultural power. They can pick the books that reach the shelves, and those books have to reflect their personal opinions and prejudices. They're part of an insular social/professional community caught in a very rapid and tight purity spiral, so they constantly have to out-do each other by accepting books that are "transgressive" without transgressing any Progressive shibboleths. Trans is absolutely bulletproof right now, so expect a tsunami of books with trans heroes in 6-9 months, just in time for Pride Month.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:16 AM (78a2H)
203
Thanks to a certain famous 1960s TV series which shall remain nameless, I found my way to novels about the US Navy in WWII and loved them.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:54 AM (omVj0)
You're a fan of McHale's Navy too?!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 09:54 AM (omVj0)
You're a fan of McHale's Navy too?!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:17 AM (uQesX)
204
Wolfus, I would also say to read the books in order. They really do build on one another.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (t/2Uw)
205
131 Morning is not starting off well. I've already bought three books. The Rules of the Game, The Camp of the Saints, and Watership Down.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (L/fGl)
Okay, the morning started off expensive, but in the long run, the morning's haul will bring much joy.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 09:51 AM (L/fGl)
Okay, the morning started off expensive, but in the long run, the morning's haul will bring much joy.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (Lhaco)
206
The Hudson Valley is beautiful. My favorite tailgating for football games was at West Point.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (EYmYM)
207
A good war novel: 'The Good Shepherd' is a 1955 British novel about naval warfare during World War II, by C. S. Forester.
-
I see Das Boot book author Lothar-Günther Buchheim did not like the movie. He felt it too glorified the Nazis. Boy, I didn't see any Nazi glorification.
-
I see Das Boot book author Lothar-Günther Buchheim did not like the movie. He felt it too glorified the Nazis. Boy, I didn't see any Nazi glorification.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (L/fGl)
208
Richard Yates is terrific. But if you want something cheerful, you might stay away.
If you want a good sampler of his work, I think Everyman's Library did a volume including Revolutionary Road, The Easter Parade, and Eleven Kinds of Loneliness; intro by Richard Price. Blake Bailey's biography of Price ain't bad either.
If you want a good sampler of his work, I think Everyman's Library did a volume including Revolutionary Road, The Easter Parade, and Eleven Kinds of Loneliness; intro by Richard Price. Blake Bailey's biography of Price ain't bad either.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (q3u5l)
209
Michael Knowles has teamed up with PragerU on a video series called the Book Club. I have watched a few episodes and I imagine any book on that list is probably worthwhile.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (0U5gm)
210
It seems that's exactly what the Chinese are doing with all those artificial islands they're making.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
======
Yes. You are absolutely correct in the S. China seas, as much for allowing the Chinese boats to overfish and look for oil due to intl EEZ laws as for forward bases.
I think modern warfare is reaching a massive paradigm change with cheap droids, robots, AI, and missiles to the extent that air, sea, and land battles will not be the same going forward as they were in the past. Room for a lot of new speculation (like Laumer's older Bolo series about autonomous tanks) in military sci fi if someone will publish it.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
======
Yes. You are absolutely correct in the S. China seas, as much for allowing the Chinese boats to overfish and look for oil due to intl EEZ laws as for forward bases.
I think modern warfare is reaching a massive paradigm change with cheap droids, robots, AI, and missiles to the extent that air, sea, and land battles will not be the same going forward as they were in the past. Room for a lot of new speculation (like Laumer's older Bolo series about autonomous tanks) in military sci fi if someone will publish it.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:19 AM (WDjG6)
211
I also finished the new Karin Slaughter We Are All Guilty. It got better as it went along but unlike the Will Trent books, I just didn't care about the characters in the book. I won't bother with her stand alones again.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025 10:19 AM (t/2Uw)
212
steve berry's the Medicis return was informative about Florenze but also Siena notably that contest we saw in he opening of Quantum, that is pivotal to the plot,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 10:20 AM (bXbFr)
213
"Combined with his low intelligence and low birth, it meant that Mr. Shrub could never rise above the rank of rear admiral."
"Harrumph!"
- - Sir Joseph Porter, KCB
"Harrumph!"
- - Sir Joseph Porter, KCB
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:20 AM (ufSfZ)
214
It's not upstate NY. It's really the suburbs of NYC. Sleepy Hollow is only a few miles north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Easy to reach on a train from Grand Central.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (n9ltV)
====
[types][deletes]
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (n9ltV)
====
[types][deletes]
Posted by: San Franpsycho at September 21, 2025 10:20 AM (RIvkX)
215
I see Das Boot book author Lothar-Günther Buchheim did not like the movie. He felt it too glorified the Nazis. Boy, I didn't see any Nazi glorification.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (L/fGl)
One of my father’s favorite movies.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (L/fGl)
One of my father’s favorite movies.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:20 AM (EYmYM)
216
A good war novel: 'The Good Shepherd' is a 1955 British novel about naval warfare during World War II, by C. S. Forester.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (L/fGl)
I read that several years ago and enjoyed it immensely.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (L/fGl)
I read that several years ago and enjoyed it immensely.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:21 AM (n9ltV)
217
It's not upstate NY. It's really the suburbs of NYC. Sleepy Hollow is only a few miles north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. Easy to reach on a train from Grand Central.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (n9ltV)
Oh. I wonder what I was thinking of? Kinderhook?
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (n9ltV)
Oh. I wonder what I was thinking of? Kinderhook?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:22 AM (ufSfZ)
218
Tuesday, September 22, is international Hobbit Day. It's Bilbo's and Frodo's shared birthday.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:00 AM (yTvNw)
Well, in honor of that:
https://tinyurl.com/5dwpmft6
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:00 AM (yTvNw)
Well, in honor of that:
https://tinyurl.com/5dwpmft6
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:23 AM (uQesX)
219
OrangeEnt,
Raconteur has different editors for each anthology, so maybe each one handles the correspondence differently. For the Creature book, rejections and contracts appear to have gone out the same day. No notice at all seems just a tad inconsiderate (if not kinda unprofessional).
Raconteur has different editors for each anthology, so maybe each one handles the correspondence differently. For the Creature book, rejections and contracts appear to have gone out the same day. No notice at all seems just a tad inconsiderate (if not kinda unprofessional).
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:23 AM (q3u5l)
220
I also finished the new Karin Slaughter We Are All Guilty. It got better as it went along but unlike the Will Trent books, I just didn't care about the characters in the book. I won't bother with her stand alones again.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025
***
I've not heard of Slaughter, but Ruth Rendell -- who began her career in 1964 and only died recently -- not only had a series of classic mysteries with her Inspector Wexford, but also wrote stand-alones as Rendell and as Elizabeth Vine. They are crime stories, but they are studies of character as well, and are very well done. And her England changes with the times, too.
Funny, but as a teen, if I'd tried her work, I'd have devoured the Wexford series and skipped the stand-alones. Now I'm the other way. Go figure.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at September 21, 2025
***
I've not heard of Slaughter, but Ruth Rendell -- who began her career in 1964 and only died recently -- not only had a series of classic mysteries with her Inspector Wexford, but also wrote stand-alones as Rendell and as Elizabeth Vine. They are crime stories, but they are studies of character as well, and are very well done. And her England changes with the times, too.
Funny, but as a teen, if I'd tried her work, I'd have devoured the Wexford series and skipped the stand-alones. Now I'm the other way. Go figure.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:24 AM (omVj0)
221
Now that it's fall I've been re-reading some HP Lovecraft plus some of the fascinating books about his work by Kenneth Hite. I re-read "The Shadow Out of Time" recently and probably will next go back to "The Whisperer in Darkness."
Lovecraft is definitely one of those writers who rewards multiple readings. First read: the tense buildup and scary resolution! Second read: the even more creepy offhand implications scattered through the text. Third read: his really excellent descriptions of places. And so on.
Lovecraft is definitely one of those writers who rewards multiple readings. First read: the tense buildup and scary resolution! Second read: the even more creepy offhand implications scattered through the text. Third read: his really excellent descriptions of places. And so on.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:24 AM (78a2H)
222
Regarding "trans fiction" set in 1920s Appalachia: the writers do it because that's how to get published. The editors are all nose-ringed young women who went to Smith and Bryn Mawr and are getting paid sweatshop wages while trying to live in NYC, but they console themselves by having real cultural power.
Hey, when you majored in Twelfth Century French Lesbian Poetry, this is the only job you can get!
and are getting paid sweatshop wages while trying to live in NYC
Thank God for Mommy and Daddy - those fascist pigs!
Hey, when you majored in Twelfth Century French Lesbian Poetry, this is the only job you can get!
and are getting paid sweatshop wages while trying to live in NYC
Thank God for Mommy and Daddy - those fascist pigs!
Posted by: Publishing House Employees! at September 21, 2025 10:25 AM (xTIDn)
223
They renamed Tarrytown to Sleepy Hallow to take advantage of the book’s fame.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:25 AM (EYmYM)
224
Here's another recommendation for "Six Frigates."
I think the story of Decatur's mission to northern Africa would make for a gripping movie.
I think the story of Decatur's mission to northern Africa would make for a gripping movie.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 10:26 AM (p/isN)
225
Re: Yates at 208
Blake Bailey's biography of Yates, not Price. Remind me to have my brain overhauled.
Blake Bailey's biography of Yates, not Price. Remind me to have my brain overhauled.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:26 AM (q3u5l)
226
I grew up near there...
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
=========
Created the legend of the Headless Dildo.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
=========
Created the legend of the Headless Dildo.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:26 AM (WDjG6)
227
Hollow stupid autocorrect
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:26 AM (EYmYM)
228
And I just found out all emails for the writing group have been going to my junk folder. Ugh.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (ufSfZ)
Ah, that explains it. You had replies to your post.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:06 AM (ufSfZ)
Ah, that explains it. You had replies to your post.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:27 AM (uQesX)
Posted by: sock at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (mlg/3)
230
but they console themselves by having real cultural power.
Some literary organization in Portland nominates one book a year that everyone in Portland should read.
This year, it was Ketanji Brown Jackson's autobiography.
Some literary organization in Portland nominates one book a year that everyone in Portland should read.
This year, it was Ketanji Brown Jackson's autobiography.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (xTIDn)
231
Not a book, exactly, but I enjoyed this six minute YouTube about why Jews and Muslims don't eat pork and why Christians do.
https://is.gd/sDGhG29
https://is.gd/sDGhG29
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (L/fGl)
232
Regarding "trans fiction" set in 1920s Appalachia: the writers do it because that's how to get published. The editors are all nose-ringed young women who went to Smith and Bryn Mawr and are getting paid sweatshop wages while trying to live in NYC, but they console themselves by having real cultural power. . . .
Posted by: Publishing House Employees! at September 21, 2025
***
The overall concept of Mandelo's The Woods All Black is a good one, and that the novel (Wiki calls it a "novella") is short is another appealing detail. But I just can't get into the trans thing when it's set so wildly out of place.
Posted by: Publishing House Employees! at September 21, 2025
***
The overall concept of Mandelo's The Woods All Black is a good one, and that the novel (Wiki calls it a "novella") is short is another appealing detail. But I just can't get into the trans thing when it's set so wildly out of place.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (omVj0)
233
83 I like the picture, even if it is AI. Which is unusual for me.
Posted by: Nancy@7000ft at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (qFnnL)
_________
I guess AI Ace is the best Ace.
Posted by: Nancy@7000ft at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (qFnnL)
_________
I guess AI Ace is the best Ace.
Posted by: Eeyore at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (s0JqF)
234
They renamed Tarrytown to Sleepy Hallow to take advantage of the book’s fame.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:25 AM (EYmYM)
Sleepy Hollow is just north of Tarrytown.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:25 AM (EYmYM)
Sleepy Hollow is just north of Tarrytown.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (n9ltV)
235
My reading lately has centered on positive, well written books. I haven't been in the mood for rapid paced action or 'searing' controversy. I've been singing the praises of Henry Beston in recent threads and will continue to. This week has been GK Chesterton: Orthodoxy and "Tales of the Long Bow". Orthodoxy for his usual insights into cultural matters but with his brilliant style of clarity combined with a bit of humor that emphasizes his points. Tales of the Long Bow is a collection of short pieces where Chesterton makes his observations through absurdity and a exaggeration. While he is never nasty, he does take delight in puncturing cultural balloons. And he seems to be having fun with the whole process.
Orthodoxy was written well over a century ago, before WW I darkened Europe and Western culture. It is disturbing how many of his insights still apply to today. The man was a prophet.
Orthodoxy was written well over a century ago, before WW I darkened Europe and Western culture. It is disturbing how many of his insights still apply to today. The man was a prophet.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (yTvNw)
236
219 OrangeEnt,
Raconteur has different editors for each anthology, so maybe each one handles the correspondence differently. For the Creature book, rejections and contracts appear to have gone out the same day. No notice at all seems just a tad inconsiderate (if not kinda unprofessional).
Posted by: Just Some Guy
------
Bugscuffle Gazette is the personal blog of Lawdog aka Ian. I think he had some post a day or two ago (as he does from time to time) about some press business pertinent to authors.
Blog in general is entertaining and LawDog got his start writing by being the Firing Line moderator and telling tales of his career in serial form. Grew up in Africa and later became a lawman in Texas.
Raconteur has different editors for each anthology, so maybe each one handles the correspondence differently. For the Creature book, rejections and contracts appear to have gone out the same day. No notice at all seems just a tad inconsiderate (if not kinda unprofessional).
Posted by: Just Some Guy
------
Bugscuffle Gazette is the personal blog of Lawdog aka Ian. I think he had some post a day or two ago (as he does from time to time) about some press business pertinent to authors.
Blog in general is entertaining and LawDog got his start writing by being the Firing Line moderator and telling tales of his career in serial form. Grew up in Africa and later became a lawman in Texas.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (WDjG6)
237
Now that it's fall I've been re-reading some HP Lovecraft plus some of the fascinating books about his work by Kenneth Hite. I re-read "The Shadow Out of Time" recently and probably will next go back to "The Whisperer in Darkness."
I'm a big fan of HPL. Leslie Klinger has brought out a 2-volume "Annotated" set, which is well worth getting if you want to dive deeper into the stories and their inspirations / backgrounds.
The Lovecraft Historical Society has just brought out a limited two-volume edition of the stories, along with a readers' guide as well as various nick-nacks such as a Miskatonic University patch and an MU diploma where you can add your own name.
https://tinyurl.com/nhadc526
I'm a big fan of HPL. Leslie Klinger has brought out a 2-volume "Annotated" set, which is well worth getting if you want to dive deeper into the stories and their inspirations / backgrounds.
The Lovecraft Historical Society has just brought out a limited two-volume edition of the stories, along with a readers' guide as well as various nick-nacks such as a Miskatonic University patch and an MU diploma where you can add your own name.
https://tinyurl.com/nhadc526
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:30 AM (ufSfZ)
238
I am re-reading Problem Simplification by Steven Van Dyke, which is about how to break down problems to find solutions.
there are three principles:
Make sure you know what the problem is before you try to solve it
It is easier to solve a bunch of smaller problems than one big problem
There is a simple, easy solution to every problem, and it usually wrong, but figuring out why it is wrong will should give you the right answer
The rest of the book is about those three items.
It is not exactly "how to think like Leonardo Da Vinci", but it is about half way there.
there are three principles:
Make sure you know what the problem is before you try to solve it
It is easier to solve a bunch of smaller problems than one big problem
There is a simple, easy solution to every problem, and it usually wrong, but figuring out why it is wrong will should give you the right answer
The rest of the book is about those three items.
It is not exactly "how to think like Leonardo Da Vinci", but it is about half way there.
Posted by: Kindltot at September 21, 2025 10:30 AM (rbvCR)
239
167
Wasting one's superior officer is far from a new phenomenon. "And exactly how did the Captain come to fall down the hatchway, Lieutenant Hornblower?"
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (qpyNK)
Haven't read the Hornblower books, but really enjoy the A&E tv movies based on them. Except for the 2-part movie based on that story. There were some great moments in it, but the super-depressing ending killed any enjoyment I got out of it...
Wasting one's superior officer is far from a new phenomenon. "And exactly how did the Captain come to fall down the hatchway, Lieutenant Hornblower?"
Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at September 21, 2025 10:04 AM (qpyNK)
Haven't read the Hornblower books, but really enjoy the A&E tv movies based on them. Except for the 2-part movie based on that story. There were some great moments in it, but the super-depressing ending killed any enjoyment I got out of it...
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 10:30 AM (Lhaco)
240
Yay Book Thread! A bit late today as we're shifting around the Mass schedule.
Still reading Milton's Paradise Lost, still chucking at his bizarre theology.
Still reading Milton's Paradise Lost, still chucking at his bizarre theology.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 10:31 AM (ZOv7s)
241
Can anyone tell me how to join the LitHorde?
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (78a2H)
Read a comic book. Then, voila, you're in.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (78a2H)
Read a comic book. Then, voila, you're in.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 10:31 AM (g8Ew8)
242
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:08 AM (WDjG6)
Well, so far everything's been rejected. I do have one story that will supposedly be in an anthology at some point. (The one I asked for votes for here, and won) But, the publisher is at least ten anthologies behind, and I've seen no movement for months, so I'm expecting it will never see print.
I'll keep slogging until I feel it'll never happen.
Well, so far everything's been rejected. I do have one story that will supposedly be in an anthology at some point. (The one I asked for votes for here, and won) But, the publisher is at least ten anthologies behind, and I've seen no movement for months, so I'm expecting it will never see print.
I'll keep slogging until I feel it'll never happen.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:32 AM (uQesX)
243
Orthodoxy was written well over a century ago, before WW I darkened Europe and Western culture. It is disturbing how many of his insights still apply to today. The man was a prophet.
Posted by: JTB
Humans change less in nature than technology. The very latest technology like stream of firehouse comms, instant gratification, and impersonal algorithms controlling a lot of the ebb and flow of the internet though may be changing that paradigm. Add in merging humans and tech via Neuralink and staving off aging, I think we may be coming up to a discontinuity like Vernor Vinge wrote about.
Posted by: JTB
Humans change less in nature than technology. The very latest technology like stream of firehouse comms, instant gratification, and impersonal algorithms controlling a lot of the ebb and flow of the internet though may be changing that paradigm. Add in merging humans and tech via Neuralink and staving off aging, I think we may be coming up to a discontinuity like Vernor Vinge wrote about.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:33 AM (WDjG6)
244
241 Can anyone tell me how to join the LitHorde?
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (78a2H)
Read a comic book. Then, voila, you're in.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 10:31 AM (g8Ew
THEY'RE CALLED GRAPHIC NOVELS!!!
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (78a2H)
Read a comic book. Then, voila, you're in.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 10:31 AM (g8Ew
THEY'RE CALLED GRAPHIC NOVELS!!!
Posted by: Slightly touchy LitHorde member at September 21, 2025 10:33 AM (PiwSw)
245
One thing which amuses/bemuses me is how the Headless Horseman from Washington Irving's story has been transformed into some kind of unstoppable supernatural killing machine in modern films.
The whole point of the short story is that it's a fake, a prank by the locals on the know-it-all from out of town.
The whole point of the short story is that it's a fake, a prank by the locals on the know-it-all from out of town.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:34 AM (78a2H)
246
Can anyone tell me how to join the LitHorde?
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (78a2H)
I'm slow reading comments because I want to savor the intelligent and clever comments of the horde. So, if someone's already said... send e-mail to link on front page sidebar. (on the left side)
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (78a2H)
I'm slow reading comments because I want to savor the intelligent and clever comments of the horde. So, if someone's already said... send e-mail to link on front page sidebar. (on the left side)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:35 AM (uQesX)
247
Looks like I didn't miss anything.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (omVj0)
Nope. I don't think I made it through the whole thing, even as background noise.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:10 AM (omVj0)
Nope. I don't think I made it through the whole thing, even as background noise.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 10:35 AM (Lhaco)
248
Speaking of Beowulf:
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:03 AM (uQesX)
---
My first novel was a sci-fi horror adaptation of Beowulf: Battle Officer Wolf available in paperback and ebook. Check it out!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 09:03 AM (uQesX)
---
My first novel was a sci-fi horror adaptation of Beowulf: Battle Officer Wolf available in paperback and ebook. Check it out!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 10:36 AM (ZOv7s)
249
Not a book, exactly, but I enjoyed this six minute YouTube about why Jews and Muslims don't eat pork and why Christians do.
https://is.gd/sDGhG29
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (L/fGl)
It can be summed up in one word: Bacon.
https://is.gd/sDGhG29
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Pumpkin Spice! at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (L/fGl)
It can be summed up in one word: Bacon.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 10:37 AM (g8Ew8)
250
218 ... OrageEnt,
Thanks (I think) for that link. Must have been around 1967/8, painfully so. The Hippies had adopted LOTR as their own, which always bugged me. It does shatter the image of Leonard Nimoy most people have. I don't usually associate Hobbits with Go-Go dancers but I will say the girls in the video were perky.
Thanks (I think) for that link. Must have been around 1967/8, painfully so. The Hippies had adopted LOTR as their own, which always bugged me. It does shatter the image of Leonard Nimoy most people have. I don't usually associate Hobbits with Go-Go dancers but I will say the girls in the video were perky.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:38 AM (yTvNw)
251
08 Richard Yates is terrific. But if you want something cheerful, you might stay away.
If you want a good sampler of his work, I think Everyman's Library did a volume including Revolutionary Road, The Easter Parade, and Eleven Kinds of Loneliness; intro by Richard Price. Blake Bailey's biography of Price ain't bad either.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (q3u5l)
———-
I actually “met” Yates when I was in college. I had transferred to the University of Alabama in 1991. There was a diner in the “Strip” next to the University, very popular at night after the parties. But I went to eat there around lunch and there was this old man with an oxygen tube up his nostrils. He was wheezing and couching and stuff and looked almost green. I walked by him and said hi to him not knowing who he was or having ever read a book by him.
A couple of years later I bought Eleven Kinds of Loneliness and his picture was on the back. I told myself “hot damn that’s the guy in the dinner.” I never really had any proof, but if you go on Wikipedia you’ll find he died of emphysema in Birmingham and he taught briefly at UofA the exact time I was there.
If you want a good sampler of his work, I think Everyman's Library did a volume including Revolutionary Road, The Easter Parade, and Eleven Kinds of Loneliness; intro by Richard Price. Blake Bailey's biography of Price ain't bad either.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (q3u5l)
———-
I actually “met” Yates when I was in college. I had transferred to the University of Alabama in 1991. There was a diner in the “Strip” next to the University, very popular at night after the parties. But I went to eat there around lunch and there was this old man with an oxygen tube up his nostrils. He was wheezing and couching and stuff and looked almost green. I walked by him and said hi to him not knowing who he was or having ever read a book by him.
A couple of years later I bought Eleven Kinds of Loneliness and his picture was on the back. I told myself “hot damn that’s the guy in the dinner.” I never really had any proof, but if you go on Wikipedia you’ll find he died of emphysema in Birmingham and he taught briefly at UofA the exact time I was there.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at September 21, 2025 10:38 AM (dzrYd)
252
Well, so far everything's been rejected. I do have one story that will supposedly be in an anthology at some point. (The one I asked for votes for here, and won) But, the publisher is at least ten anthologies behind, and I've seen no movement for months, so I'm expecting it will never see print.
I'll keep slogging until I feel it'll never happen.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
======
Try the website I listed above if you haven't already and you might put in a personal note to Ian in the comments on one of his Press blog posts.
I found academic publishing as one of the most boring, tedious, and ridiculous practices from both the author and reviewer perspective. Wasted time, did little to put information out in a timely fashion, and was rife with good ole boy nepotism and double secret probation for forbidden knowledge.
From all accounts, fiction publishing appears to be a more unpleasant exercise than academic publishing.
FWIW, you might find Sarah Hoyt's blog and Mad Genius Club as useful to get both input into the business process and also contacts. Like academic publishing, it appears from my reading that contacts uber alles in publishing are important.
I'll keep slogging until I feel it'll never happen.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
======
Try the website I listed above if you haven't already and you might put in a personal note to Ian in the comments on one of his Press blog posts.
I found academic publishing as one of the most boring, tedious, and ridiculous practices from both the author and reviewer perspective. Wasted time, did little to put information out in a timely fashion, and was rife with good ole boy nepotism and double secret probation for forbidden knowledge.
From all accounts, fiction publishing appears to be a more unpleasant exercise than academic publishing.
FWIW, you might find Sarah Hoyt's blog and Mad Genius Club as useful to get both input into the business process and also contacts. Like academic publishing, it appears from my reading that contacts uber alles in publishing are important.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (WDjG6)
253
This is a contemporary work, so smartphones are in abundance. A far cry from Matt Helm struggling to find a phone to call Mac.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (p/isN)
Smart phones and computers could kill the detective/mystery novel. Instantaneous communication is a deus ex machina. That's why the now apparently moribund epistolary we're writing on ALH is set in 1950. Make the dick do leg work.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (p/isN)
Smart phones and computers could kill the detective/mystery novel. Instantaneous communication is a deus ex machina. That's why the now apparently moribund epistolary we're writing on ALH is set in 1950. Make the dick do leg work.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (uQesX)
254
There's a great throwaway line in Kipling's short story "The Church That Was at Antioch" -- about Roman colonial officials dealing with the natives in Judea -- where one of the Romans, after having Jewish dietary laws explained to him, says "Can't get decent boar east of Gaul anyway." Which kind of sums it up, I think.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (78a2H)
255
Orthodoxy was written well over a century ago, before WW I darkened Europe and Western culture. It is disturbing how many of his insights still apply to today. The man was a prophet.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (yTvNw)
---
Orthodoxy was a sequel to Heretics, providing a positive example as a follow up to his criticisms.
Both are good reads. I lost my copy of Heretics at the hospital, and hope the person who found it enjoyed it.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (yTvNw)
---
Orthodoxy was a sequel to Heretics, providing a positive example as a follow up to his criticisms.
Both are good reads. I lost my copy of Heretics at the hospital, and hope the person who found it enjoyed it.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 10:40 AM (ZOv7s)
256
The Hudson Valley is beautiful. My favorite tailgating for football games was at West Point.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (EYmYM)
Ah, West Point. I hardly knew ye. (snif)
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:18 AM (EYmYM)
Ah, West Point. I hardly knew ye. (snif)
Posted by: John Andre at September 21, 2025 10:42 AM (uQesX)
257
FWIW, you might find Sarah Hoyt's blog and Mad Genius Club as useful to get both input into the business process and also contacts. Like academic publishing, it appears from my reading that contacts uber alles in publishing are important.
Sarah Hoyt was very kind to promote my last novel both on her site and on Insty. She said her only complaint was that the third book wasn't out yet. Which I found very encouraging.
Sarah Hoyt was very kind to promote my last novel both on her site and on Insty. She said her only complaint was that the third book wasn't out yet. Which I found very encouraging.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:42 AM (ufSfZ)
258
I have pretty much given up on modern writers. I'm going back to the 19th century English literature, currently reading through all of Charles Dickens and enjoying myself far more than I expected.
Modern writers simply lack vocabulary and writing skill. I mean, nobody writes anymore. It's all screens, texting and memes and shitposting. People seem unable to even write in complete sentences and this carries over into published novels. And with AI...it's gonna get worse, much worse.
Modern writers simply lack vocabulary and writing skill. I mean, nobody writes anymore. It's all screens, texting and memes and shitposting. People seem unable to even write in complete sentences and this carries over into published novels. And with AI...it's gonna get worse, much worse.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at September 21, 2025 10:42 AM (xcxpd)
259
199
I think the Silver John short stories were compiled into Who Fears the Devil originally and later John the Balladeer. Imagine a Christian minstrel wandering the hills and hollows of Appalachia dealing with the supernatural.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (WDjG6)
Dude. Less than a month ago I was watching one of those lets-laugh-at-terrible-movies Youtube shows, and the movie was "The Legend of Hillbilly John." The video was prefaced by the viewers being gifted some books that the video was (loosely) based on... And the movie sounds exactly like what you described! Small world...
The youtube channel was 'Jason Brant,' for the record.
I think the Silver John short stories were compiled into Who Fears the Devil originally and later John the Balladeer. Imagine a Christian minstrel wandering the hills and hollows of Appalachia dealing with the supernatural.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:15 AM (WDjG6)
Dude. Less than a month ago I was watching one of those lets-laugh-at-terrible-movies Youtube shows, and the movie was "The Legend of Hillbilly John." The video was prefaced by the viewers being gifted some books that the video was (loosely) based on... And the movie sounds exactly like what you described! Small world...
The youtube channel was 'Jason Brant,' for the record.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 10:43 AM (Lhaco)
260
Now that it's fall I've been re-reading some HP Lovecraft plus some of the fascinating books about his work by Kenneth Hite. I re-read "The Shadow Out of Time" recently and probably will next go back to "The Whisperer in Darkness."
I'm a big fan of HPL. Leslie Klinger has brought out a 2-volume "Annotated" set, which is well worth getting if you want to dive deeper into the stories and their inspirations / backgrounds.
The Lovecraft Historical Society has just brought out a limited two-volume edition of the stories, along with a readers' guide as well as various nick-nacks such as a Miskatonic University patch and an MU diploma where you can add your own name.
https://tinyurl.com/nhadc526
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)
I would recommend a couple of Lovecraftian writers to check out: T E.D. Klein, and Thomas Ligotti. Klein hasn't written a lot but what he has written is very good and would be at home in the "Cthulhu Mythos". Ligotti's stories don't feature nameless horrors from out of time and space, but his style of writing, along with themes, are a lot like Lovecraft
I'm a big fan of HPL. Leslie Klinger has brought out a 2-volume "Annotated" set, which is well worth getting if you want to dive deeper into the stories and their inspirations / backgrounds.
The Lovecraft Historical Society has just brought out a limited two-volume edition of the stories, along with a readers' guide as well as various nick-nacks such as a Miskatonic University patch and an MU diploma where you can add your own name.
https://tinyurl.com/nhadc526
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)
I would recommend a couple of Lovecraftian writers to check out: T E.D. Klein, and Thomas Ligotti. Klein hasn't written a lot but what he has written is very good and would be at home in the "Cthulhu Mythos". Ligotti's stories don't feature nameless horrors from out of time and space, but his style of writing, along with themes, are a lot like Lovecraft
Posted by: Josephistan at September 21, 2025 10:43 AM (iVL8M)
261
Oh. I wonder what I was thinking of? Kinderhook?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:22 AM (ufSfZ)
OK!
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 10:22 AM (ufSfZ)
OK!
Posted by: Martin Van at September 21, 2025 10:44 AM (uQesX)
262
I have pretty much given up on modern writers. I'm going back to the 19th century English literature, currently reading through all of Charles Dickens and enjoying myself far more than I expected.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at September 21, 2025 10:42 AM (xcxpd)
---
The only recent books I've read were research for my history books. For fiction, it's all older stuff. So many great authors that I have barely touched on, and I don't have to worry about them being woke or terrible.
I mean, Milton is annoying, but he's also Important, and relevant to my next project, so I shall persevere. One does get used to him after a while.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at September 21, 2025 10:42 AM (xcxpd)
---
The only recent books I've read were research for my history books. For fiction, it's all older stuff. So many great authors that I have barely touched on, and I don't have to worry about them being woke or terrible.
I mean, Milton is annoying, but he's also Important, and relevant to my next project, so I shall persevere. One does get used to him after a while.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 10:45 AM (ZOv7s)
263
I've started a few new books this week: "Six Frigates", by Ian Toll, a history of the founding of the Navy. I'm only 50 pages in, but so far I love it.
Posted by: Josephistan at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (iVL8M)
Great book!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
-------
I managed to suppress the urge to hare off in search of a used copy. I have TOO many books. Checked local library system, AH! one copy in the system, placed a hold on it.
Posted by: Josephistan at September 21, 2025 10:02 AM (iVL8M)
Great book!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
-------
I managed to suppress the urge to hare off in search of a used copy. I have TOO many books. Checked local library system, AH! one copy in the system, placed a hold on it.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 10:46 AM (XeU6L)
264
Raconteur has different editors for each anthology, so maybe each one handles the correspondence differently. For the Creature book, rejections and contracts appear to have gone out the same day. No notice at all seems just a tad inconsiderate (if not kinda unprofessional).
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:23 AM (q3u5l)
Could be. I'm not sure if it's the same editor for B and L as for PN. Guess I'll find out in about thirty days.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 10:23 AM (q3u5l)
Could be. I'm not sure if it's the same editor for B and L as for PN. Guess I'll find out in about thirty days.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:46 AM (uQesX)
265
245 One thing which amuses/bemuses me is how the Headless Horseman from Washington Irving's story has been transformed into some kind of unstoppable supernatural killing machine in modern films.
The whole point of the short story is that it's a fake, a prank by the locals on the know-it-all from out of town.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:34 AM (78a2H)
The Disney cartoon was pretty scary and that sort of took over the idea of the Headless Horseman.
Brom Bones is kind of a dick, to be honest.
The whole point of the short story is that it's a fake, a prank by the locals on the know-it-all from out of town.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 10:34 AM (78a2H)
The Disney cartoon was pretty scary and that sort of took over the idea of the Headless Horseman.
Brom Bones is kind of a dick, to be honest.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at September 21, 2025 10:48 AM (xcxpd)
266
Smart phones and computers could kill the detective/mystery novel. Instantaneous communication is a deus ex machina. That's why the now apparently moribund epistolary we're writing on ALH is set in 1950. Make the dick do leg work.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (uQesX)
It can be used well by a good writer. See again: the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) discussed upthread. Robin is on the devices constantly, finding information important to the case and communicating with key characters.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (uQesX)
It can be used well by a good writer. See again: the Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) discussed upthread. Robin is on the devices constantly, finding information important to the case and communicating with key characters.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 10:48 AM (h7ZuX)
267
I managed to suppress the urge to hare off in search of a used copy. I have TOO many books. Checked local library system, AH! one copy in the system, placed a hold on it.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 10:46 AM (XeU6L)
It's worth owning.
https://is.gd/by9f34
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 10:46 AM (XeU6L)
It's worth owning.
https://is.gd/by9f34
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:48 AM (n9ltV)
268
Still reading Milton's Paradise Lost, still chucking at his bizarre theology.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
I've been reading St Iraeneus of Lyon on Heresies. Milton is shockingly normal compared with Gnosticism. Some of the most unbelievable cobbling together of Scripture, Pythogorean cult, opportunism, and idiocy ever put forward as the basis for a religion. Bonus, you get St. Iraeneus mockingly and dryly observing the convoluted mess of such theology.
Some of the other heresies are also a reminder that the early ages of Christianity had their version of TV preachers making bank on religion then too.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
I've been reading St Iraeneus of Lyon on Heresies. Milton is shockingly normal compared with Gnosticism. Some of the most unbelievable cobbling together of Scripture, Pythogorean cult, opportunism, and idiocy ever put forward as the basis for a religion. Bonus, you get St. Iraeneus mockingly and dryly observing the convoluted mess of such theology.
Some of the other heresies are also a reminder that the early ages of Christianity had their version of TV preachers making bank on religion then too.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:49 AM (WDjG6)
269
The only recent books I've read were research for my history books. For fiction, it's all older stuff. So many great authors that I have barely touched on, and I don't have to worry about them being woke or terrible.
I mean, Milton is annoying, but he's also Important, and relevant to my next project, so I shall persevere. One does get used to him after a while.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 10:45 AM (ZOv7s)
Milton really grew on me. I bounced off him my first few attempts (same problem with Dante) but once I got into it, I really found it engrossing.
Some of the best Christian Fan Fic ever.
I mean, Milton is annoying, but he's also Important, and relevant to my next project, so I shall persevere. One does get used to him after a while.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 10:45 AM (ZOv7s)
Milton really grew on me. I bounced off him my first few attempts (same problem with Dante) but once I got into it, I really found it engrossing.
Some of the best Christian Fan Fic ever.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at September 21, 2025 10:49 AM (xcxpd)
270
Here's another recommendation for "Six Frigates."
I think the story of Decatur's mission to northern Africa would make for a gripping movie.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 10:26 AM (p/isN)
I'm not familiar with that. But, if he's going against Barbary Pirates, forget it being made. Unless they can make some proto-industrialist the villain. Maybe he's making Decatur capture slaves for sale, or something.
I think the story of Decatur's mission to northern Africa would make for a gripping movie.
Posted by: Weak Geek at September 21, 2025 10:26 AM (p/isN)
I'm not familiar with that. But, if he's going against Barbary Pirates, forget it being made. Unless they can make some proto-industrialist the villain. Maybe he's making Decatur capture slaves for sale, or something.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:49 AM (uQesX)
271
---
The only recent books I've read were research for my history books. For fiction, it's all older stuff. So many great authors that I have barely touched on, and I don't have to worry about them being woke or terrible.
-------
Moreover, because of the nature of publishing, say, pre-WWII, to be published the book was likely to have literary merit.
The only recent books I've read were research for my history books. For fiction, it's all older stuff. So many great authors that I have barely touched on, and I don't have to worry about them being woke or terrible.
-------
Moreover, because of the nature of publishing, say, pre-WWII, to be published the book was likely to have literary merit.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 10:50 AM (XeU6L)
272
It's worth owning.
https://is.gd/by9f34
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
-------
You're not helping.
https://is.gd/by9f34
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
-------
You're not helping.
Posted by: Mike Hammer's crowded bookcases at September 21, 2025 10:52 AM (XeU6L)
273
which is ironic because Barbary Pirates were slavers,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 10:52 AM (bXbFr)
274
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (WDjG6)
Wombat on Stacy McCain's site links to Bugscuffle on occasion. I've read some, but nothing lately. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Wombat on Stacy McCain's site links to Bugscuffle on occasion. I've read some, but nothing lately. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:53 AM (uQesX)
275
Some literary organization in Portland nominates one book a year that everyone in Portland should read.
This year, it was Ketanji Brown Jackson's autobiography.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (xTIDn)
I read it too, for the meditations on the limits of judicial power and the sex scenes. But mostly for the sex scenes.
This year, it was Ketanji Brown Jackson's autobiography.
Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (xTIDn)
I read it too, for the meditations on the limits of judicial power and the sex scenes. But mostly for the sex scenes.
Posted by: Associate Justice Elena Kagan at September 21, 2025 10:53 AM (A62KL)
276
Dude. Less than a month ago I was watching one of those lets-laugh-at-terrible-movies Youtube shows, and the movie was "The Legend of Hillbilly John." The video was prefaced by the viewers being gifted some books that the video was (loosely) based on... And the movie sounds exactly like what you described! Small world...
The youtube channel was 'Jason Brant,' for the record.
Posted by: Castle Guy
=====
Yes, the movie is appallingly bad despite having some of the best of Wellman's short stories in them. Used a folksinger Hedge something or other to play John. The short stories are a lot better. Wellman also wrote a series based on a suave occult 'detective' named John Thunstone which is also good but not on level with Silver John imho.
Wellman used a mix of human villains often allied with dark powers of one sort or another for his protagonists to work to destroy. Thunstone had someone based I think on Aleister Crowley as his foil.
The youtube channel was 'Jason Brant,' for the record.
Posted by: Castle Guy
=====
Yes, the movie is appallingly bad despite having some of the best of Wellman's short stories in them. Used a folksinger Hedge something or other to play John. The short stories are a lot better. Wellman also wrote a series based on a suave occult 'detective' named John Thunstone which is also good but not on level with Silver John imho.
Wellman used a mix of human villains often allied with dark powers of one sort or another for his protagonists to work to destroy. Thunstone had someone based I think on Aleister Crowley as his foil.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:53 AM (WDjG6)
277
243 ... "Humans change less in nature than technology. The very latest technology like stream of firehouse comms, instant gratification, and impersonal algorithms controlling a lot of the ebb and flow of the internet though may be changing that paradigm."
Good morning, Whig. I agree. You can see echoes of Chesterton's concerns in Tolkien and Lewis a generation later as well as in Wendell Berry's writing. I am encouraged, at least mildly, at a growing movement back to faith and some Western traditions in younger people. There is a surprising uptick of interest in classic literature, especially poetry, that was a foundation to Western culture. Even the reaction to Charlie Kirk's murder, all positive, is indicative.
Good morning, Whig. I agree. You can see echoes of Chesterton's concerns in Tolkien and Lewis a generation later as well as in Wendell Berry's writing. I am encouraged, at least mildly, at a growing movement back to faith and some Western traditions in younger people. There is a surprising uptick of interest in classic literature, especially poetry, that was a foundation to Western culture. Even the reaction to Charlie Kirk's murder, all positive, is indicative.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 10:53 AM (yTvNw)
278
Wombat on Stacy McCain's site links to Bugscuffle on occasion. I've read some, but nothing lately. I'll check it out. Thanks.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
I read the blog for other reasons as Lawdog is very familiar with self defense issues and writes about it on occasion.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
I read the blog for other reasons as Lawdog is very familiar with self defense issues and writes about it on occasion.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:54 AM (WDjG6)
279
They renamed Tarrytown to Sleepy Hallow to take advantage of the book’s fame.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:25 AM (EYmYM)
Sleepy Hollow is just north of Tarrytown.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (n9ltV)
Sorry I was just being quick. , They renamed the village of North Tarrytown.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:25 AM (EYmYM)
Sleepy Hollow is just north of Tarrytown.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 10:29 AM (n9ltV)
Sorry I was just being quick. , They renamed the village of North Tarrytown.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 10:55 AM (EYmYM)
Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 21, 2025 10:56 AM (kpS4V)
281
That's why the now apparently moribund epistolary we're writing on ALH is set in 1950. Make the dick do leg work.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (uQesX)
"Something, something... -The Paolo"
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (uQesX)
"Something, something... -The Paolo"
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 21, 2025 10:56 AM (A62KL)
282
Good morning, Whig. I agree. You can see echoes of Chesterton's concerns in Tolkien and Lewis a generation later as well as in Wendell Berry's writing. I am encouraged, at least mildly, at a growing movement back to faith and some Western traditions in younger people. There is a surprising uptick of interest in classic literature, especially poetry, that was a foundation to Western culture. Even the reaction to Charlie Kirk's murder, all positive, is indicative.
Posted by: JTB
========
Modernity is a hollow edifice to materialism. Seems that those turned off from it are moving to tradition values instead of the ghastly fun house mirror version provided by leftism.
Most people need some reason to believe in something and Marxism simply substitutes its awful inhuman values for those of Judeo Christianity.
Posted by: JTB
========
Modernity is a hollow edifice to materialism. Seems that those turned off from it are moving to tradition values instead of the ghastly fun house mirror version provided by leftism.
Most people need some reason to believe in something and Marxism simply substitutes its awful inhuman values for those of Judeo Christianity.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:56 AM (WDjG6)
283
The Camp of the Saints is currently temporarily unavailable (sold out) at a number of sites, including Amazon, but is available at others. It's a good sign that people are perhaps waking up and want to save Western civilization. We'll see.
Posted by: IrishEi at September 21, 2025 10:57 AM (3ImbR)
284
280 *snorts awake*
The book thread!
Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 21, 2025 10:56 AM (kpS4V)
Good morning! I was just wondering where you were!
The book thread!
Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 21, 2025 10:56 AM (kpS4V)
Good morning! I was just wondering where you were!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 10:57 AM (h7ZuX)
285
Also huge thank you to whoever mentioned the TV series. Tuna, was that you? I did buy it and I think it's wonderful. Really good casting of Strike and Robin. Pretty true to the books except Strike is more engaging I think. Touch of humor.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)
Yep. It was me. Glad you're enjoying the TV series.
Has anyone here watched the "Slow Horses" series on Apple TV? It based on the Slough House series of novels. Gary Oldman stars and I've been wondering if is worth watching.
Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice)
Yep. It was me. Glad you're enjoying the TV series.
Has anyone here watched the "Slow Horses" series on Apple TV? It based on the Slough House series of novels. Gary Oldman stars and I've been wondering if is worth watching.
Posted by: Tuna at September 21, 2025 10:59 AM (lJ0H4)
286
Milton really grew on me. I bounced off him my first few attempts (same problem with Dante) but once I got into it, I really found it engrossing.
Some of the best Christian Fan Fic ever.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards
Two of my former colleagues, one is now at Hillsdale, were Great Books type scholars. I, alas, am not. I can read them, absorb their lessons, but usually find them less inspiring than the Good Book. One could go far nowadays publishing a thinly veiled book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes as a modern self help book. Just leave out the source to get through the publishing industry disdain.
Some of the best Christian Fan Fic ever.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards
Two of my former colleagues, one is now at Hillsdale, were Great Books type scholars. I, alas, am not. I can read them, absorb their lessons, but usually find them less inspiring than the Good Book. One could go far nowadays publishing a thinly veiled book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes as a modern self help book. Just leave out the source to get through the publishing industry disdain.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:00 AM (WDjG6)
287
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:39 AM (WDjG6)
I've corresponded with Cedar a couple times, but I don't think she's covering the genres I'm writing. I read and occasionally comment at Sarah's blog and MGC. Sarah has put me in contact with an editor for one of my books, but I don't have the money to pay her. Don't know if I ever will.
I know there's always selfpub, but it ain't free either.
I've corresponded with Cedar a couple times, but I don't think she's covering the genres I'm writing. I read and occasionally comment at Sarah's blog and MGC. Sarah has put me in contact with an editor for one of my books, but I don't have the money to pay her. Don't know if I ever will.
I know there's always selfpub, but it ain't free either.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 11:01 AM (uQesX)
288
Rejection slips (or emails) are a way of life. There are a ton of magazines/anthologies out there, and a thousand tons of manuscripts trying to squeeze into them. I can't recall ever sending anything out believing that it would be accepted, just because of the numbers involved. Sometimes you get lucky, but you can't ever count on it.
The best rejection story I can remember was from Harlan Elllison. Early days of his career, still trying to break in, NYC. Sent one out and got it back in the afternoon mail. As he said, "It was returned almost before it had been read."
The best rejection story I can remember was from Harlan Elllison. Early days of his career, still trying to break in, NYC. Sent one out and got it back in the afternoon mail. As he said, "It was returned almost before it had been read."
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:01 AM (q3u5l)
289
I just finished a novel by Mark Helprin, "The Ocean and the Stars". It's set in the modern US Navy, about a Captain, aide to SecNav, who commits the sin of speaking facts contrary to the belief of a sitting president, is banished to a command far beneath his rank, sent on a mission that is designed to fail, and then he repeatedly does "the right thing" that eventually results in court-martial. Overlaying this is a love relationship, the type that has kept men going against impossible odds.
When I first started the book I wondered if it was just a soap opera, and when the protagonist confronted the sitting president (an idiot) I figure this was another liberal leaning novel but that is not the case. It's about courage, taking the job you're given and making it work, doing the right thing against difficult odds knowing it will end badly for you but save lives. Lots of military action. A few technical items were not quite right, based on my military experience, but not enough to take away from the story. There's also the story about love, what I often call "that relationship crap", about the solid love between a man and woman that keeps them going. Worth a read.
When I first started the book I wondered if it was just a soap opera, and when the protagonist confronted the sitting president (an idiot) I figure this was another liberal leaning novel but that is not the case. It's about courage, taking the job you're given and making it work, doing the right thing against difficult odds knowing it will end badly for you but save lives. Lots of military action. A few technical items were not quite right, based on my military experience, but not enough to take away from the story. There's also the story about love, what I often call "that relationship crap", about the solid love between a man and woman that keeps them going. Worth a read.
Posted by: George V at September 21, 2025 11:01 AM (HUbHH)
290
The Disney cartoon was pretty scary and that sort of took over the idea of the Headless Horseman.
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In Disney's new version the horseman is a non-binary trans furry.
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In Disney's new version the horseman is a non-binary trans furry.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 11:02 AM (g8Ew8)
291
Has anyone here watched the "Slow Horses" series on Apple TV? It based on the Slough House series of novels. Gary Oldman stars and I've been wondering if is worth watching.
Posted by: Tuna
=======
Caught one of those episodes. Okay as far as it goes and far worse is out there. Mick Herron's books are decent potboilers and so is the tv version by all accounts other than my experience.
Posted by: Tuna
=======
Caught one of those episodes. Okay as far as it goes and far worse is out there. Mick Herron's books are decent potboilers and so is the tv version by all accounts other than my experience.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:02 AM (WDjG6)
292
Well, gotta go cut the grass -- possibly for the last time this year.
Posted by: Trimegistus at September 21, 2025 11:02 AM (78a2H)
293
Some of the other heresies are also a reminder that the early ages of Christianity had their version of TV preachers making bank on religion then too.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:49 AM (WDjG6)
I read something in Acts recently that reminded me of that, a disturbing passage I never paid attention to before. Acts 19:11-17; 7 sons of a local Jewish leader in Ephesus, I believe, have a thriving business going in which they claim to cast out demons, and then they run into the real thing. They’ve heard of Paul and Jesus, so they attempt to use their names, but they’re not actual believers.
“15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?””
And then the demon in the man beat the crap out of all 7 of them and sent them screaming and bleeding into the street.
Several lessons there, but one is don’t mess with what you don’t understand.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:49 AM (WDjG6)
I read something in Acts recently that reminded me of that, a disturbing passage I never paid attention to before. Acts 19:11-17; 7 sons of a local Jewish leader in Ephesus, I believe, have a thriving business going in which they claim to cast out demons, and then they run into the real thing. They’ve heard of Paul and Jesus, so they attempt to use their names, but they’re not actual believers.
“15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?””
And then the demon in the man beat the crap out of all 7 of them and sent them screaming and bleeding into the street.
Several lessons there, but one is don’t mess with what you don’t understand.
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (5Gg6R)
294
168 OrangeEnt, sent my novel to a new publisher, Enclave. They specialize in Christian sci fi and fantasy. I didn’t know there was such a thing.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (DYKW0)
295
Yes, the movie is appallingly bad despite having some of the best of Wellman's short stories in them. Used a folksinger Hedge something or other to play John. The short stories are a lot better. Wellman also wrote a series based on a suave occult 'detective' named John Thunstone which is also good but not on level with Silver John imho.
Wellman used a mix of human villains often allied with dark powers of one sort or another for his protagonists to work to destroy. Thunstone had someone based I think on Aleister Crowley as his foil.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:53 AM (WDjG6)
The ebook version of John the Balladeer is 10 bucks. ....grrrrr.... That is too steep for an ebook. Cool cover art, though. (Though that's really only relevant for a physical book)
The guy's full name; Manly Wade Wellman, seems like the kind of name an author would make up to sound almost like a joke. I mean, 'Manly Wade'?
Wellman used a mix of human villains often allied with dark powers of one sort or another for his protagonists to work to destroy. Thunstone had someone based I think on Aleister Crowley as his foil.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:53 AM (WDjG6)
The ebook version of John the Balladeer is 10 bucks. ....grrrrr.... That is too steep for an ebook. Cool cover art, though. (Though that's really only relevant for a physical book)
The guy's full name; Manly Wade Wellman, seems like the kind of name an author would make up to sound almost like a joke. I mean, 'Manly Wade'?
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (Lhaco)
296
I've corresponded with Cedar a couple times, but I don't think she's covering the genres I'm writing. I read and occasionally comment at Sarah's blog and MGC. Sarah has put me in contact with an editor for one of my books, but I don't have the money to pay her. Don't know if I ever will.
I know there's always selfpub, but it ain't free either.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
=======
I think you might do okay with AI as an editor. I think AI is oversold but as a helper for matters like organization, summary, etc it can be a superb aide at your fingertips. FWIW, Copilot is becoming mandatory on Windows 11 and perhaps on Windows 10.
I know there's always selfpub, but it ain't free either.
Posted by: OrangeEnt
=======
I think you might do okay with AI as an editor. I think AI is oversold but as a helper for matters like organization, summary, etc it can be a superb aide at your fingertips. FWIW, Copilot is becoming mandatory on Windows 11 and perhaps on Windows 10.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:05 AM (WDjG6)
297
Here's some new-to-me Rooseveltiana -- I knew of Kermit's trip to the Amazon with his father (read "River of Doubt" -- its terrific) and Theodore Jr's WWII exploits, but I never knew the two brothers traveled to southwest China in the 1920's to find the elusive panda bear.
"The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers' Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda" by Nathalie Holt follows the group into areas of jungle and mountain unmarked on the map. Few of the locals had ever seen a panda.
The expedition is a nonstop train of misery, with bitter cold, disease, bandits, and starvation. And when they finally track down this near-mythical creature, shooting it was not the hunter's high they'd anticipated. Far from being like aggressive brown, black, and polar bears, the panda proved to be slow and solitary. Both brothers were shaken by the experience, and were appalled by the rush to secure pandas for zoos and trophies. Kermit in particular turned away from hunting and embraced conservation.
Holt writes a gripping account but has a tendency to lapse into modern finger-wagging and whataboutism. Still, highly recommended.
"The Beast in the Clouds: The Roosevelt Brothers' Deadly Quest to Find the Mythical Giant Panda" by Nathalie Holt follows the group into areas of jungle and mountain unmarked on the map. Few of the locals had ever seen a panda.
The expedition is a nonstop train of misery, with bitter cold, disease, bandits, and starvation. And when they finally track down this near-mythical creature, shooting it was not the hunter's high they'd anticipated. Far from being like aggressive brown, black, and polar bears, the panda proved to be slow and solitary. Both brothers were shaken by the experience, and were appalled by the rush to secure pandas for zoos and trophies. Kermit in particular turned away from hunting and embraced conservation.
Holt writes a gripping account but has a tendency to lapse into modern finger-wagging and whataboutism. Still, highly recommended.
Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 21, 2025 11:05 AM (kpS4V)
298
Paradise Lost:
Satan gets to scheming and it makes him miserable. And he can stop any time at all but his ego won't let him. Very Shakespearean. He builds a city in Hell called Pandamonium, and this is God giving him every thing he asks for, which is to say to be separate and left alone.
When he fights Gabriel, he grows to the size of a skyscraper. Gabriel matches him and the Voltron soundtrack plays in the background.
Satan gets to scheming and it makes him miserable. And he can stop any time at all but his ego won't let him. Very Shakespearean. He builds a city in Hell called Pandamonium, and this is God giving him every thing he asks for, which is to say to be separate and left alone.
When he fights Gabriel, he grows to the size of a skyscraper. Gabriel matches him and the Voltron soundtrack plays in the background.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at September 21, 2025 11:06 AM (lhenN)
299
The guy's full name; Manly Wade Wellman, seems like the kind of name an author would make up to sound almost like a joke. I mean, 'Manly Wade'?
Posted by: Castle Guy
========
He was a tough old git--you might want to read up on the guy--interesting life and the sort that our vigorous American culture created back before WWI. Guy wrote anything apparently that he could sell until established.
Posted by: Castle Guy
========
He was a tough old git--you might want to read up on the guy--interesting life and the sort that our vigorous American culture created back before WWI. Guy wrote anything apparently that he could sell until established.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (WDjG6)
300
Discussion of Chesterton brings to mind an approach to my book collection. There are affordable ebook collections of Chesterton and others. The Delphi series is usually excellent and under three dollars. But for Chesterton, MacDonald, and a few others I want good quality physical books as I can find them. Besides the pleasure of real books, I want copies that can be gifted or passed down to younger folks.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (yTvNw)
301
Posted by: George V at September 21, 2025 11:01 AM (HUbHH)
Reminded me of movie I just watched called Emperor about General Feller. About the split in opinion to try Hirohito for war crimes. He wasn’t punished but was demoted back to Colonel after his ‘temp’ promotion to Brigadier General . Supposedly this was normal operating procedure after the war and reduction of force. He was later given back the rank after his retirement.
Reminded me of movie I just watched called Emperor about General Feller. About the split in opinion to try Hirohito for war crimes. He wasn’t punished but was demoted back to Colonel after his ‘temp’ promotion to Brigadier General . Supposedly this was normal operating procedure after the war and reduction of force. He was later given back the rank after his retirement.
Posted by: The way I see it at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (EYmYM)
302
The Camp of the Saints is currently temporarily unavailable (sold out) at a number of sites, including Amazon, but is available at others. It's a good sign that people are perhaps waking up and want to save Western civilization. We'll see.
Posted by: IrishEi
-----
Least expensive used that I see is $30.00, paperback, from UK.
Posted by: IrishEi
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Least expensive used that I see is $30.00, paperback, from UK.
Posted by: Mike Hammer's crowded bookcases at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (XeU6L)
303
I wanted to know if someone is going to be forced to read Harris's book so no one else has to here
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 11:08 AM (+qU29)
304
"Something, something... -The Paolo"
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 21, 2025 10:56 AM (A62KL)
You are a very perceptive moron.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 21, 2025 10:56 AM (A62KL)
You are a very perceptive moron.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 11:08 AM (uQesX)
305
The guy's full name; Manly Wade Wellman, seems like the kind of name an author would make up to sound almost like a joke. I mean, 'Manly Wade'?
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Well, he was born in 1903, so . . .
Wiki says he was born in West Africa where his father was a medical officer. "An early story, 'Back to the Beast,' resulted in one teacher remarking 'Your work is impossible!' Yet this same story became his first professional sale when editor Farnsworth Wright bought it and published it in Weird Tales (November 1927)."
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Well, he was born in 1903, so . . .
Wiki says he was born in West Africa where his father was a medical officer. "An early story, 'Back to the Beast,' resulted in one teacher remarking 'Your work is impossible!' Yet this same story became his first professional sale when editor Farnsworth Wright bought it and published it in Weird Tales (November 1927)."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 11:09 AM (omVj0)
306
Castle Guy,
OP of Baen paperbacks on Ebay goes for a lot more than the Kindle. And that compilation was published in the 80's.
Wellman is not a throwaway type read either like much of what is on Kindle nowadays.
OP of Baen paperbacks on Ebay goes for a lot more than the Kindle. And that compilation was published in the 80's.
Wellman is not a throwaway type read either like much of what is on Kindle nowadays.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:10 AM (WDjG6)
307
303 I wanted to know if someone is going to be forced to read Harris's book so no one else has to here
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 11:08 AM (+qU29)
I suspect there is a copy in the Barrel, so whoever has to go there first has to give the report.
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 11:08 AM (+qU29)
I suspect there is a copy in the Barrel, so whoever has to go there first has to give the report.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 11:10 AM (h7ZuX)
308
I want copies that can be gifted or passed down to younger folks.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (yTvNw)
There's one problem. Younger folks don't read. And if they can, they don't understand.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (yTvNw)
There's one problem. Younger folks don't read. And if they can, they don't understand.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 11:13 AM (g8Ew8)
309
Good Lord! Forcing someone to read Harris's book? Seems like a horrible thing to do to some poor Hordeling.
So do all of our nics go into a hat and Ace or CBD pulls out the name of the loser?
And since chances are the loser will simply make up something when "reviewing" the book, and the rest of us will never go within ten thousand miles of the thing and so catch the loser at his phony review, let's not bother.
Besides, we wouldn't want Harris's book to get that sale or library circulation count, would we?
So do all of our nics go into a hat and Ace or CBD pulls out the name of the loser?
And since chances are the loser will simply make up something when "reviewing" the book, and the rest of us will never go within ten thousand miles of the thing and so catch the loser at his phony review, let's not bother.
Besides, we wouldn't want Harris's book to get that sale or library circulation count, would we?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:13 AM (q3u5l)
310
Several lessons there, but one is don’t mess with what you don’t understand.
Posted by: Tom Servo
True. I was watching a Lila Rose interview with the diocese of DC's chief exorcist (Catholic of course). Letting darkness into one's life runs a serious risk of bad things happen because the door is opened.
FWIW, that exorcist mentioned he found cleansing places far easier than exorcising people.
Posted by: Tom Servo
True. I was watching a Lila Rose interview with the diocese of DC's chief exorcist (Catholic of course). Letting darkness into one's life runs a serious risk of bad things happen because the door is opened.
FWIW, that exorcist mentioned he found cleansing places far easier than exorcising people.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:14 AM (WDjG6)
311
OrangeEnt, sent my novel to a new publisher, Enclave. They specialize in Christian sci fi and fantasy. I didn’t know there was such a thing.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (DYKW0)
Check out Jerry Jenkins website. He might have some links on it. Or you can ask them.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (DYKW0)
Check out Jerry Jenkins website. He might have some links on it. Or you can ask them.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 11:14 AM (uQesX)
312
Patrick O'Brian was mentioned upthread. I'm going to mention his collection of short stories. Hard to believe that they are by the author of the Master and Commander books. Seriously dark stuff, Brit Goth, I would call it. Yikes.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (XeU6L)
313
When he fights Gabriel, he grows to the size of a skyscraper. Gabriel matches him and the Voltron soundtrack plays in the background.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at September 21, 2025 11:06 AM (lhenN)
---
Don't forget Satan counterattacking heaven with an artillery park, repelling the Archangel Michael with grapeshot.
And then Jesus rolls in with the Divine Chariots leading an armored assault that completely overruns the position.
Soundtrack by Sabaton.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at September 21, 2025 11:06 AM (lhenN)
---
Don't forget Satan counterattacking heaven with an artillery park, repelling the Archangel Michael with grapeshot.
And then Jesus rolls in with the Divine Chariots leading an armored assault that completely overruns the position.
Soundtrack by Sabaton.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (ZOv7s)
314
Possibly indicative of a growing Hobbit attitude, I enjoy reading cookbooks, especially the ones about food preservation and bread baking. Making things from scratch, not packages. I find it relaxing to read and a spur to make better food for taste and health. Kent Rollins, Mary's Nest, and this week the King Arthur Big Book of Bread are in the rotation. The photography is usually beautiful and the anecdotes are enjoyable.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (yTvNw)
315
Also about Wellman:
"In 1946 Wellman won the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Award over William Faulkner for his Native American detective tale 'A Star for a Warrior.' Apparently Faulkner was quite upset to be second fiddle to a science fiction and horror writer. Faulkner indignantly wrote to the editors of the magazine, proclaiming that he was the father of the French literary movement and the most important American writer in Europe."
Sounds like Faulkner. As I recall,I read that awards collection as a teen, and Faulkner's "An Error in Chemistry" is a decent crime tale with a clever trick. I don't remember the Wellman story.
"In 1946 Wellman won the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Award over William Faulkner for his Native American detective tale 'A Star for a Warrior.' Apparently Faulkner was quite upset to be second fiddle to a science fiction and horror writer. Faulkner indignantly wrote to the editors of the magazine, proclaiming that he was the father of the French literary movement and the most important American writer in Europe."
Sounds like Faulkner. As I recall,I read that awards collection as a teen, and Faulkner's "An Error in Chemistry" is a decent crime tale with a clever trick. I don't remember the Wellman story.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (omVj0)
316
And since chances are the loser will simply make up something when "reviewing" the book, and the rest of us will never go within ten thousand miles of the thing and so catch the loser at his phony review, let's not bother.
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I can do this for you.
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I can do this for you.
Posted by: AI at September 21, 2025 11:16 AM (XeU6L)
317
Several lessons there, but one is don’t mess with what you don’t understand.
"Do not call up that which you cannot put down," as Lovecraft wrote in The Case of Charles Dexter Ward.
"Do not call up that which you cannot put down," as Lovecraft wrote in The Case of Charles Dexter Ward.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 11:16 AM (ufSfZ)
318
Some years ago found Camp of the Saints on line
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 11:16 AM (+qU29)
319
The guy's full name; Manly Wade Wellman, seems like the kind of name an author would make up to sound almost like a joke. I mean, 'Manly Wade'?
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (Lhaco)
---
There is a building on Michigan State's campus named after Manly Miles, a distinguished alum. I guess it was a thing.
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (Lhaco)
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There is a building on Michigan State's campus named after Manly Miles, a distinguished alum. I guess it was a thing.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 11:17 AM (ZOv7s)
320
Looking further into the John the Balladeer... Not only is the ebook edition $9.99, but Amazon's 'read sample' button doesn't actually let you read a sample of the story! No, the 'sample' shows you the title page, the copyright page (Super important, that!) the table of contents, and then two separate forwards by other authors who talk about the book that follows...And then the sample cuts off without letting you read a single word of the actual book you are considering purchasing!
What a pointless waste!
What a pointless waste!
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 11:17 AM (Lhaco)
321
So do all of our nics go into a hat and Ace or CBD pulls out the name of the loser?
And since chances are the loser will simply make up something when "reviewing" the book, and the rest of us will never go within ten thousand miles of the thing and so catch the loser at his phony review, let's not bother.
Besides, we wouldn't want Harris's book to get that sale or library circulation count, would we?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:13 AM (q3u5l)
Too late! You have been chosen!
And since chances are the loser will simply make up something when "reviewing" the book, and the rest of us will never go within ten thousand miles of the thing and so catch the loser at his phony review, let's not bother.
Besides, we wouldn't want Harris's book to get that sale or library circulation count, would we?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:13 AM (q3u5l)
Too late! You have been chosen!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 11:17 AM (n9ltV)
322
I think you might do okay with AI as an editor. I think AI is oversold but as a helper for matters like organization, summary, etc it can be a superb aide at your fingertips. FWIW, Copilot is becoming mandatory on Windows 11 and perhaps on Windows 10.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:05 AM (WDjG6)
I did use ProWritingAid's AI editor twice. It's only $50 so I said why not? It seemed to know things, but it also told me things to change that I hadn't written: saying one character did something when it was another character, or telling me wrong chapters for action. I don't know how good it really is.
I've also paid someone on Fiverr, but it sure seemed like a bot to me.
I think I'd rather have a real, live person edit for me. Just need the money.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:05 AM (WDjG6)
I did use ProWritingAid's AI editor twice. It's only $50 so I said why not? It seemed to know things, but it also told me things to change that I hadn't written: saying one character did something when it was another character, or telling me wrong chapters for action. I don't know how good it really is.
I've also paid someone on Fiverr, but it sure seemed like a bot to me.
I think I'd rather have a real, live person edit for me. Just need the money.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 11:18 AM (uQesX)
323
Several lessons there, but one is don’t mess with what you don’t understand.
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (5Gg6R)
---
I think some of the "ghost hunter" types have also experienced something like this.
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 21, 2025 11:03 AM (5Gg6R)
---
I think some of the "ghost hunter" types have also experienced something like this.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 11:18 AM (ZOv7s)
324
Reading a biography of George IV by Christopher Hibbert. George was Prince Regent from 1810-1820 during the final madness of George III, then king until his death in 1830.
He was a real piece of work. Arrogant, debauched, libidinous, selfish and a spendthrift. He married to Caroline of Brunswick, a surpassingly stupid and silly woman, in order to get his massive debts paid, then dumped her after a week. Surprisingly, a daughter, Charlotte, was born of this, an example of bad breeding producing bad offspring.
Everyone who knew him, especially his ministers and many mistresses, came to despise him. After his death, the Times said, "‘What eye has wept for him? What heart has heaved one throb of unmercenary sorrow … for that Leviathan of the haut ton, George IV. … If he ever had a friend – a devoted friend in any rank of life – we protest that the name of him or her never reached us. An inveterate voluptuary, especially if he be an artificial person, is of all known beings the most selfish... Nothing more remains to be said about George III but to pay – as pay we must – for his profusion."
Reading a biography of George IV by Christopher Hibbert. George was Prince Regent from 1810-1820 during the final madness of George III, then king until his death in 1830.
He was a real piece of work. Arrogant, debauched, libidinous, selfish and a spendthrift. He married to Caroline of Brunswick, a surpassingly stupid and silly woman, in order to get his massive debts paid, then dumped her after a week. Surprisingly, a daughter, Charlotte, was born of this, an example of bad breeding producing bad offspring.
Everyone who knew him, especially his ministers and many mistresses, came to despise him. After his death, the Times said, "‘What eye has wept for him? What heart has heaved one throb of unmercenary sorrow … for that Leviathan of the haut ton, George IV. … If he ever had a friend – a devoted friend in any rank of life – we protest that the name of him or her never reached us. An inveterate voluptuary, especially if he be an artificial person, is of all known beings the most selfish... Nothing more remains to be said about George III but to pay – as pay we must – for his profusion."
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 21, 2025 11:18 AM (tgvbd)
325
If memory serves, Theodore Sturgeon's "Bianca's Hands" beat a Graham Greene story in some magazine's contest. I don't recall hearing that Greene, who as far as I know was a class act, sent a letter of protest to the magazine, though.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:19 AM (q3u5l)
326
Some years ago found Camp of the Saints on line
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 11:16 AM (+qU29)
It's still there...in PDF
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 11:16 AM (+qU29)
It's still there...in PDF
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 11:19 AM (n9ltV)
327
There's one problem. Younger folks don't read. And if they can, they don't understand.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons
Some do and some don't. Literacy in the culture got (perhaps on purpose) devalued during an era of DEI and other such nostrums emphasizing author demographics rather than what they actually say.
Plus the absolutely stupid whole language model that has destroyed literacy in the US despite being debunked over and over again by actual empirical evidence.
But, perhaps, the tide is shifting. Screen time has become stagnant on devices (about 8 hrs per day on average I think). Boredom with visual imagery may lead to a return in reading, I hope.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons
Some do and some don't. Literacy in the culture got (perhaps on purpose) devalued during an era of DEI and other such nostrums emphasizing author demographics rather than what they actually say.
Plus the absolutely stupid whole language model that has destroyed literacy in the US despite being debunked over and over again by actual empirical evidence.
But, perhaps, the tide is shifting. Screen time has become stagnant on devices (about 8 hrs per day on average I think). Boredom with visual imagery may lead to a return in reading, I hope.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:19 AM (WDjG6)
328
Least expensive used that I see is $30.00, paperback, from UK.
Posted by: Mike Hammer's crowded bookcases at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (XeU6L)
~~~~~
That seems to be the going rate. I forget where I got mine, but I think I paid $32.
Posted by: Mike Hammer's crowded bookcases at September 21, 2025 11:07 AM (XeU6L)
~~~~~
That seems to be the going rate. I forget where I got mine, but I think I paid $32.
Posted by: IrishEi at September 21, 2025 11:20 AM (3ImbR)
329
320 Looking further into the John the Balladeer... Not only is the ebook edition $9.99, but Amazon's 'read sample' button doesn't actually let you read a sample of the story!
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 11:17 AM (Lhaco)
Do you use any library apps? I found it on Libby (Ohio Digital Libraries--I'm sure it depends on whether your state's library system has it).
Posted by: Castle Guy at September 21, 2025 11:17 AM (Lhaco)
Do you use any library apps? I found it on Libby (Ohio Digital Libraries--I'm sure it depends on whether your state's library system has it).
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!, Female Gentleman at September 21, 2025 11:20 AM (h7ZuX)
330
the Hanovers were really on their last legs, back then, Georgianna showed some of his exploits,
Posted by: miguel cervantes at September 21, 2025 11:21 AM (bXbFr)
331
Reading a biography of George IV by Christopher Hibbert. George was Prince Regent from 1810-1820 during the final madness of George III, then king until his death in 1830.
JB Priestly's The Prince of Pleasure is an excellent look at George IV and the Regency (it only covers the years he was Regent). I recommend it highly.
Surprisingly, a daughter, Charlotte, was born of this, an example of bad breeding producing bad offspring.
Interesting take. From all I've read, Princess Charlotte was adored by everyone and there was true national mourning when she died.
JB Priestly's The Prince of Pleasure is an excellent look at George IV and the Regency (it only covers the years he was Regent). I recommend it highly.
Surprisingly, a daughter, Charlotte, was born of this, an example of bad breeding producing bad offspring.
Interesting take. From all I've read, Princess Charlotte was adored by everyone and there was true national mourning when she died.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 11:21 AM (ufSfZ)
332
I've been reading St Iraeneus of Lyon on Heresies. Milton is shockingly normal compared with Gnosticism. Some of the most unbelievable cobbling together of Scripture, Pythogorean cult, opportunism, and idiocy ever put forward as the basis for a religion. Bonus, you get St. Iraeneus mockingly and dryly observing the convoluted mess of such theology.
Some of the other heresies are also a reminder that the early ages of Christianity had their version of TV preachers making bank on religion then too.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:49 AM (WDjG6)
———
Meh. Considering the massive variation in theology in Christianity, I don’t consider it to be any better.
Some of the other heresies are also a reminder that the early ages of Christianity had their version of TV preachers making bank on religion then too.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 10:49 AM (WDjG6)
———
Meh. Considering the massive variation in theology in Christianity, I don’t consider it to be any better.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken at September 21, 2025 11:21 AM (Vh9CX)
333
I find it relaxing to read and a spur to make better food for taste and health. Kent Rollins, Mary's Nest, and this week the King Arthur Big Book of Bread are in the rotation. The photography is usually beautiful and the anecdotes are enjoyable.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (yTvNw)
And Townsends. Don't forget Townsends.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (yTvNw)
And Townsends. Don't forget Townsends.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 11:22 AM (uQesX)
334
I am always a bit tickled at how Milton brought the word “pandemonium” into our language.
(Pan = all, + demonium)
(Pan = all, + demonium)
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 21, 2025 11:23 AM (5Gg6R)
335
And since chances are the loser will simply make up something when "reviewing" the book, and the rest of us will never go within ten thousand miles of the thing and so catch the loser at his phony review, let's not bother.
------
I can do this for you.
Posted by: AI at September 21, 2025 11:16 AM (XeU6L)
True. AI will reach into that toilet and squeeze that greasy turd. It's the appropriate use of AI.
------
I can do this for you.
Posted by: AI at September 21, 2025 11:16 AM (XeU6L)
True. AI will reach into that toilet and squeeze that greasy turd. It's the appropriate use of AI.
Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at September 21, 2025 11:23 AM (g8Ew8)
336
Read USS Indianapolis which was very good if sad and maddening. I also preordered The Camp of the Saints and it landed on the 15th, this is an excellent read. Written in 1975 it’s very funny in parts but oh so true for today. Highly recommended
Posted by: kelly at September 21, 2025 11:23 AM (GxGGi)
337
@324 'I sing the Georges IV
For Providence could stand no more.'
For Providence could stand no more.'
Posted by: Nazdar at September 21, 2025 11:23 AM (NcvvS)
338
321 -- "Too late! You have been chosen"
Jeez, CBD, what did I ever do to you? Oh, wait, was it the maple syrup on French toast? Was that it? Can't I atone some other way? Maybe walking barefoot over ten miles of hot coals? But please not the Harris book, oh please, oh please, oh please...
Jeez, CBD, what did I ever do to you? Oh, wait, was it the maple syrup on French toast? Was that it? Can't I atone some other way? Maybe walking barefoot over ten miles of hot coals? But please not the Harris book, oh please, oh please, oh please...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:23 AM (q3u5l)
339
If memory serves, Theodore Sturgeon's "Bianca's Hands" beat a Graham Greene story in some magazine's contest. I don't recall hearing that Greene, who as far as I know was a class act, sent a letter of protest to the magazine, though.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Faulkner shouldn't have complained. His story was published in the awards volume in second place, and he was paid well for it. I read somewhere that he complained that a literary story would have brought him next to nothing, but it was a lowly mystery magazine that came across.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025
***
Faulkner shouldn't have complained. His story was published in the awards volume in second place, and he was paid well for it. I read somewhere that he complained that a literary story would have brought him next to nothing, but it was a lowly mystery magazine that came across.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 11:24 AM (omVj0)
340
Well, I think I will pick up a book from my unread pile and see how far I get.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at September 21, 2025 11:24 AM (ufSfZ)
341
I disliked "Bright Lights, Big City" very intensely. I won't give any spoilers but when it was explained at the very end what happened to the protagonist to make him like he was, I actually laughed out loud.
Posted by: Brunnhilde at September 21, 2025 11:25 AM (3AwA+)
342
Interesting take. From all I've read, Princess Charlotte was adored by everyone and there was true national mourning when she died.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)
_______
The Duke of Wellington said that, had she lived, she would have turned out as bad as her mother, which is saying something.
Interesting take. From all I've read, Princess Charlotte was adored by everyone and there was true national mourning when she died.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)
_______
The Duke of Wellington said that, had she lived, she would have turned out as bad as her mother, which is saying something.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 21, 2025 11:25 AM (tgvbd)
343
Camp of the Saints ends in destruction of the West by migrants.
Posted by: night lifted at September 21, 2025 11:26 AM (/YboP)
344
Meh. Considering the massive variation in theology in Christianity, I don’t consider it to be any better.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
=======
Like Gibbons, part of the fun comes from when the author steps down from their role at informing to that of commenting. Iraeneus was a proto Moron as was Gibbons in that respect.
Posted by: MAGA_Ken
=======
Like Gibbons, part of the fun comes from when the author steps down from their role at informing to that of commenting. Iraeneus was a proto Moron as was Gibbons in that respect.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:26 AM (WDjG6)
345
But please not the Harris book, oh please, oh please, oh please...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:23 AM (q3u5l)
Seriously... I'll bet it is an easy read. Mostly fluff, and hagiographic.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:23 AM (q3u5l)
Seriously... I'll bet it is an easy read. Mostly fluff, and hagiographic.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (Flying the American Flag!) at September 21, 2025 11:26 AM (n9ltV)
346
308 ... "There's one problem. Younger folks don't read. And if they can, they don't understand."
That can be a concern. I'm fortunate that I have young family members who do read and are teaching their kids those values. Even as youngsters they knew about great Uncle JTB and his love of certain books. As they got into their teens they approached me about such things and why I enjoyed them. It was a very pleasant shock. That has continued, to my utter delight, as they start their own families.
That can be a concern. I'm fortunate that I have young family members who do read and are teaching their kids those values. Even as youngsters they knew about great Uncle JTB and his love of certain books. As they got into their teens they approached me about such things and why I enjoyed them. It was a very pleasant shock. That has continued, to my utter delight, as they start their own families.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:27 AM (yTvNw)
347
And the other crime-oriented stories in Faulkner's collection about Mississippi lawyer Gavin Knight, Knight's Gambit, are not really mysteries. There's a crime in his unpronounceable MS county, and Gavin has to straighten things out, but I recall no mystery elements in the classic style.
That sort of thing often happens when a literary figure tries to write a genre story. He gets the surface stuff mostly right, but the true core of the genre eludes him. Graham Greene came closest with his "entertainments," but Faulkner couldn't or wouldn't do it. Can anybody think of others?
That sort of thing often happens when a literary figure tries to write a genre story. He gets the surface stuff mostly right, but the true core of the genre eludes him. Graham Greene came closest with his "entertainments," but Faulkner couldn't or wouldn't do it. Can anybody think of others?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 11:27 AM (omVj0)
348
341 I disliked "Bright Lights, Big City" very intensely. I won't give any spoilers but when it was explained at the very end what happened to the protagonist to make him like he was, I actually laughed out loud.
Posted by: Brunnhilde
======
Movie was pretty bad for an 80's movie. No desire to read the book.
As far as NYC stories, would rather re-read The Four Millions by O. Henry despite it being set nearly a century earlier in stories.
Posted by: Brunnhilde
======
Movie was pretty bad for an 80's movie. No desire to read the book.
As far as NYC stories, would rather re-read The Four Millions by O. Henry despite it being set nearly a century earlier in stories.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:29 AM (WDjG6)
349
Uncle JTB and his love of certain books. As they got into their teens they approached me about such things and why I enjoyed them. It was a very pleasant shock. That has continued, to my utter delight, as they start their own families.
Posted by: JTB
======
Helluva legacy for you and may it long continue. At the end of the day, it is the people we affect and touch from our lives that are our legacy.
Posted by: JTB
======
Helluva legacy for you and may it long continue. At the end of the day, it is the people we affect and touch from our lives that are our legacy.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:31 AM (WDjG6)
350
There are very few American authors worth reading at all, and I think virtually none will be considered worthwhile in a couple centuries. Our literary tradition, such as it is, will be lost to history.
I'm not saying that to knock America. Far from it. High minded intellectualizing has just never been our strong suit, and never will be. It's very much a "boots in the mud" culture vs. a "heads in the clouds" culture.
So we get Toni Morrison instead of good writers like Dostoevsky, and mechanized agriculture instead of 20th century serfdom. If you want food, go to America, if you want a good book, go to Europe.
I'm not saying that to knock America. Far from it. High minded intellectualizing has just never been our strong suit, and never will be. It's very much a "boots in the mud" culture vs. a "heads in the clouds" culture.
So we get Toni Morrison instead of good writers like Dostoevsky, and mechanized agriculture instead of 20th century serfdom. If you want food, go to America, if you want a good book, go to Europe.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:31 AM (BI5O2)
351
>>>Perfection: A Story, by Mark Helprin, is an odd but endearing peek into the confluence of baseball, the Holocaust, and the sometimes unfathomable intricacies of Orthodox Judaism, with a glimpse of 1950s NYC tossed in for color.
Oh, my goodness; thank you so much.
Oh, my goodness; thank you so much.
Posted by: m at September 21, 2025 11:32 AM (aURVT)
352
Camp of the Saints ends in destruction of the West by migrants.
Posted by: night lifted
-------
Here is a good summary of the book, keep scrolling down:
https://sobrief.com/books/the-camp-of-the-saints
Posted by: night lifted
-------
Here is a good summary of the book, keep scrolling down:
https://sobrief.com/books/the-camp-of-the-saints
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 11:32 AM (XeU6L)
353
Seriously... I'll bet it is an easy read. Mostly fluff, and hagiographic.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
=======
I've read them professionally back in the day, almost all of them are pretty bad. Churchill and Thatcher actually had something to say and teach from their times in office, most modern politicians engage in song and dance, titillating hints, and make themselves into ridiculous heroes of their story.
I had to get nuggets out of them sometimes for research purposes and separating the signal from the noise was not a pleasant task.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
=======
I've read them professionally back in the day, almost all of them are pretty bad. Churchill and Thatcher actually had something to say and teach from their times in office, most modern politicians engage in song and dance, titillating hints, and make themselves into ridiculous heroes of their story.
I had to get nuggets out of them sometimes for research purposes and separating the signal from the noise was not a pleasant task.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:33 AM (WDjG6)
354
333 ... "And Townsends. Don't forget Townsends."
True. The cookbooks from Townsends are wonderful insights into the history of cooking and colonial history in general. Plus some of those recipes are still excellent from the simple baked onion to healthy drinks that are better than anything on the market to making the most out of every bit of food.
True. The cookbooks from Townsends are wonderful insights into the history of cooking and colonial history in general. Plus some of those recipes are still excellent from the simple baked onion to healthy drinks that are better than anything on the market to making the most out of every bit of food.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:34 AM (yTvNw)
355
But picked the wrong migration
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 11:35 AM (+qU29)
356
I like the picture, even if it is AI. Which is unusual for me.
Posted by: Nancy@7000ft at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (qFnnL)
Shouldn't Ewoks have claws?
Posted by: Nancy@7000ft at September 21, 2025 09:33 AM (qFnnL)
Shouldn't Ewoks have claws?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2025 11:38 AM (hA1Nw)
357
That sort of thing often happens when a literary figure tries to write a genre story. He gets the surface stuff mostly right, but the true core of the genre eludes him. Graham Greene came closest with his "entertainments," but Faulkner couldn't or wouldn't do it. Can anybody think of others?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 11:27 AM (omVj0)
Tentatively raises hand.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 11:27 AM (omVj0)
Tentatively raises hand.
Posted by: The Unpublished OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 11:39 AM (uQesX)
358
350 There are very few American authors worth reading at all, and I think virtually none will be considered worthwhile in a couple centuries. Our literary tradition, such as it is, will be lost to history.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice
------
Our prose writers are excellent btw. And you seem to have an elevated view of Russian literature--having read a fair chunk of classic Russian lit, it reflects Russia, but is not a universal experience of the West.
For better or worse, we are an English and Enlightenment influenced culture and that includes what we read and write.
Want to understand a culture, then read its literature, listen to its music, and view its art, but comparing them outside of societal context is fraught with the apples and oranges problem.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice
------
Our prose writers are excellent btw. And you seem to have an elevated view of Russian literature--having read a fair chunk of classic Russian lit, it reflects Russia, but is not a universal experience of the West.
For better or worse, we are an English and Enlightenment influenced culture and that includes what we read and write.
Want to understand a culture, then read its literature, listen to its music, and view its art, but comparing them outside of societal context is fraught with the apples and oranges problem.
Posted by: whig at September 21, 2025 11:40 AM (WDjG6)
359
Think about how sparse the Roman intellectual legacy is, compared to the Greeks. It's very much how I view the difference in this regard between America and Europe.
Even in their own time, Roman's just said "fuck it, we're not so good at this, kidnap a bunch of Greek pedagogues, poets, and philosophers. They can do this work while we conquer everything else."
Even in their own time, Roman's just said "fuck it, we're not so good at this, kidnap a bunch of Greek pedagogues, poets, and philosophers. They can do this work while we conquer everything else."
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:42 AM (BI5O2)
360
Never drop your guard around an Ewok unless he's reading. He'll savage your orifices quicker than a penguin in the rut.
Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at September 21, 2025 11:43 AM (oFjl0)
361
I've reached a point where I just do not read books by living authors. When Patrick O'Brian died, that was it for me.
Posted by: Eeyore at September 21, 2025 09:48 AM (s0JqF)
I would suggest Larry Correia, he is a heck of a writer.
Posted by: Eeyore at September 21, 2025 09:48 AM (s0JqF)
I would suggest Larry Correia, he is a heck of a writer.
Posted by: Kindltot at September 21, 2025 11:43 AM (rbvCR)
362
There are very few American authors worth reading at all, and I think virtually none will be considered worthwhile in a couple centuries. Our literary tradition, such as it is, will be lost to history.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:31 AM (BI5O2)
I disagree. American writing can be superb, and rival anything in the world. We also had and have a monstrous amount of absolute shit being produced.
But the rest of the world also published dreck...we just don't see much of it here.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:31 AM (BI5O2)
I disagree. American writing can be superb, and rival anything in the world. We also had and have a monstrous amount of absolute shit being produced.
But the rest of the world also published dreck...we just don't see much of it here.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 11:46 AM (n9ltV)
363
Texted the St. John's reading list link to kids. One snap responded, "Those books would give me a headache."
Posted by: scampydog at September 21, 2025 11:46 AM (41CYW)
364
Well, it's that time of Sunday morning again. Wife wants me to take her to work early, so bye.
Remember, life's too short to read bad books. Burn them. You can read good books by the firelight.
Remember, life's too short to read bad books. Burn them. You can read good books by the firelight.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 11:46 AM (uQesX)
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 11:47 AM (n9ltV)
366
I've heard it said that present tense in a story is supposed to add a sense of immediacy.
Way late to the thread but...
The use of present tense that I really hate is Stephenson's. Instead of "Tom walks into the store" it's "Now Tom is walking into the store" which is not just immediate but outright intrusive.
Way late to the thread but...
The use of present tense that I really hate is Stephenson's. Instead of "Tom walks into the store" it's "Now Tom is walking into the store" which is not just immediate but outright intrusive.
Posted by: Oddbob at September 21, 2025 11:49 AM (3nLb4)
367
There are very few American authors worth reading at all, and I think virtually none will be considered worthwhile in a couple centuries. Our literary tradition, such as it is, will be lost to history.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:31 AM (BI5O2)
I disagree. American writing can be superb, and rival anything in the world. We also had and have a monstrous amount of absolute shit being produced.
But the rest of the world also published dreck...we just don't see much of it here.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 11:46 AM (n9ltV)
A pretty good example of that is the Booker Prize in Old Blighty. Look at the recent nominees.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:31 AM (BI5O2)
I disagree. American writing can be superb, and rival anything in the world. We also had and have a monstrous amount of absolute shit being produced.
But the rest of the world also published dreck...we just don't see much of it here.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo [Flying the American Flag!] at September 21, 2025 11:46 AM (n9ltV)
A pretty good example of that is the Booker Prize in Old Blighty. Look at the recent nominees.
Posted by: naturalfake at September 21, 2025 11:50 AM (iJfKG)
368
Book Title: Everyone Loves you when you're Dead/Neil Strauss
A fitting epitaph of modern times celebrating the Bonfire of Vanities, and Epic Moral Vandalism on a Global Scale which justifies gunning you down and setting fire to your children -- while charging you for the bullets OF COURSE!
Second only to the Eternal Urinal that will be erected upon Bill Clinton's grave, as the only fitting tribute to the man who factually stood there at the pinnacle of our Civilization -- to PISS IT ALL AWAY.
Remember who did this: Had he done back in Mogadishu in '92 what Somalia accomplished in a week nearly a decade later, there would factually have been no OBL, no 911, no LIB global catastrophe that is reducing this world to a cinder, as lifeless and as useless as MARS. ... as they shutdown gov't Oct1st, establish MADMANI/Sharia Nov4th, and proliferate open conflict warfare by Xmas.
I BELIEVE IN HARVEY DENT: Jaime Dimon, Making money hand over fist on behalf of the Desperate and Deliberate Evil
https://tinyurl.com/forWARd-MorallySuperiorSharks
... Even more obscene is the celebration by the Democrats.. They would gladly sacrifice the country if only they could rule over its ruins. ...
...
A fitting epitaph of modern times celebrating the Bonfire of Vanities, and Epic Moral Vandalism on a Global Scale which justifies gunning you down and setting fire to your children -- while charging you for the bullets OF COURSE!
Second only to the Eternal Urinal that will be erected upon Bill Clinton's grave, as the only fitting tribute to the man who factually stood there at the pinnacle of our Civilization -- to PISS IT ALL AWAY.
Remember who did this: Had he done back in Mogadishu in '92 what Somalia accomplished in a week nearly a decade later, there would factually have been no OBL, no 911, no LIB global catastrophe that is reducing this world to a cinder, as lifeless and as useless as MARS. ... as they shutdown gov't Oct1st, establish MADMANI/Sharia Nov4th, and proliferate open conflict warfare by Xmas.
I BELIEVE IN HARVEY DENT: Jaime Dimon, Making money hand over fist on behalf of the Desperate and Deliberate Evil
https://tinyurl.com/forWARd-MorallySuperiorSharks
... Even more obscene is the celebration by the Democrats.. They would gladly sacrifice the country if only they could rule over its ruins. ...
...
Posted by: MANFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at September 21, 2025 11:50 AM (HVhV5)
369
CBD, Thanks for the links to those reading lists. I'll look them over carefully later but even the brief glimpse was encouraging. Mrs. JTB sent the links to our niece and nephew and families.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:52 AM (yTvNw)
Posted by: All Hail Eris,, coming to you live from the Roller Disco of Discord! at September 21, 2025 11:54 AM (kpS4V)
371
I have said it before, the Rammage series was written by a man who loved sailing, and the Aubrey and Maturin series was written by a man who loved language.
Both cover the same area plot-wise, with much difference in how the subject is covered.
Both cover the same area plot-wise, with much difference in how the subject is covered.
Posted by: Kindltot at September 21, 2025 11:54 AM (rbvCR)
372
Couldn't begin to suggest writers who might still be read in a hundred or two hundred years. But it wouldn't surprise me to find that people dismissed by the literati as hacks might make the cut, just because some of them are so damned much fun to read. And the genre stuff might be fairly well represented then. Browsing through the library shelves, you might not find Stevenson's The Black Arrow, but you'll usually find Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde. You might not find The History of Mr Polly, but you'll usually find War of the Worlds and The Time Machine. I like to think we'd still find Richard Yates, Jon Hassler, and Don Robertson, but as we can't find them in a lot of libraries or bookshops even now, I'm not counting on it.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:55 AM (q3u5l)
373
Even in their own time, Roman's just said "fuck it, we're not so good at this, kidnap a bunch of Greek pedagogues, poets, and philosophers. They can do this work while we conquer everything else."
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:42 AM (BI5O2)
---
One could argue that the Romans didn't get truly philosophical until they became Christian.
I'm also a fan of Tacitus, who is a brilliant writer and historian. My daughter is digging into The Historie (Year of the Four Emperors) but has taken a detour into Suetonius for more background.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 11:42 AM (BI5O2)
---
One could argue that the Romans didn't get truly philosophical until they became Christian.
I'm also a fan of Tacitus, who is a brilliant writer and historian. My daughter is digging into The Historie (Year of the Four Emperors) but has taken a detour into Suetonius for more background.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 11:56 AM (ZOv7s)
374
Well, off to annoy anyone unlucky enough to come within reach.
Thanks for the thread, CBD.
Have a good one, gang.
Thanks for the thread, CBD.
Have a good one, gang.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at September 21, 2025 11:56 AM (q3u5l)
375
Yup, time for chores. Thanks, CBD, for another entertaining Book Thread!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 11:57 AM (omVj0)
376
Thanks, CBD.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 21, 2025 11:58 AM (ZOv7s)
377
@367 - Old cartoon of a couple coming out of a movie theater, the man looking very angry, the woman saying, 'I told you it was an Academy Award winner!'
Posted by: Nazdar at September 21, 2025 11:59 AM (NcvvS)
378
The overall concept of Mandelo's The Woods All Black is a good one, and that the novel (Wiki calls it a "novella") is short is another appealing detail. But I just can't get into the trans thing when it's set so wildly out of place.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (omVj0)
You know, this would would be a good application for AI. Imagine an AI editor that could be instructed to take all the trans shit, and convert it to something else.
An AI book sanitizer, if you will. And not just cut it out. Replace the tranny with someone else, maybe a vacuum cleaner salesman.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 10:28 AM (omVj0)
You know, this would would be a good application for AI. Imagine an AI editor that could be instructed to take all the trans shit, and convert it to something else.
An AI book sanitizer, if you will. And not just cut it out. Replace the tranny with someone else, maybe a vacuum cleaner salesman.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2025 11:59 AM (hA1Nw)
379
WE HAZ A NOOD
Posted by: Skip at September 21, 2025 12:01 PM (+qU29)
380
Nood.
Posted by: Nazdar at September 21, 2025 12:01 PM (NcvvS)
381
I think the only novel I've read by Mark Helprin is Winter's Tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a kind of grown-up fairy tale depicting New York and environs shifting back and forth in time. There is imagery from that novel that I have remembered for decades.
Posted by: Paco at September 21, 2025 12:02 PM (mADJX)
382
I have said it before, the Rammage series was written by a man who loved sailing, and the Aubrey and Maturin series was written by a man who loved language.
------
Perhaps it was you who suggested that Rammage is about sailing, Aubrey/Maturin is (are?) about people. An apt observation.
------
Perhaps it was you who suggested that Rammage is about sailing, Aubrey/Maturin is (are?) about people. An apt observation.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 12:04 PM (XeU6L)
383
202
'Trans is absolutely bulletproof right now'
The Nashville and Uvalde shooters weren't absolutely bulletproof.
'Trans is absolutely bulletproof right now'
The Nashville and Uvalde shooters weren't absolutely bulletproof.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 21, 2025 12:05 PM (3wi/L)
384
Gah!!!! Too many books, too little time...
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 12:05 PM (XeU6L)
385
I bought a card chased GME ( game master emulator) so I could figure out who the murderer was in my Weird West dino mystery. Now I know, plus the motivation, and also have the rest of the characters that populate the main street of the town. Which means I need to actually *write* the thing.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at September 21, 2025 12:07 PM (syfZv)
386
I disagree. American writing can be superb, and rival anything in the world.
-----
It can be. We're clearly not retarded; we just focus our energies on different things, in most cases.
Here's a Roman/Greek example to illustrate what I'm talking about.
Aurelius is remembered as among the premiere Roman thinkers. He reigned at a time when the Roman Empire had grown so much bigger than its Republican roots in the Southeast, and had much more time to think, and many more foreign influences.
But still, as brilliant as he undeniably was, he famous for adapting the ideas of a Greek slave (Epictetus) to the governance of a dominant Empire.
And yes, Epictetus postdates Seneca, but he was the bigger influence, and Seneca was a provincial anyway (though Roman educated; lord only knows how much better he'd be remembered if he attended a Greek tutor).
-----
It can be. We're clearly not retarded; we just focus our energies on different things, in most cases.
Here's a Roman/Greek example to illustrate what I'm talking about.
Aurelius is remembered as among the premiere Roman thinkers. He reigned at a time when the Roman Empire had grown so much bigger than its Republican roots in the Southeast, and had much more time to think, and many more foreign influences.
But still, as brilliant as he undeniably was, he famous for adapting the ideas of a Greek slave (Epictetus) to the governance of a dominant Empire.
And yes, Epictetus postdates Seneca, but he was the bigger influence, and Seneca was a provincial anyway (though Roman educated; lord only knows how much better he'd be remembered if he attended a Greek tutor).
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at September 21, 2025 12:08 PM (BI5O2)
387
You know, this would would be a good application for AI. Imagine an AI editor that could be instructed to take all the trans shit, and convert it to something else.
An AI book sanitizer, if you will. And not just cut it out. Replace the tranny with someone else, maybe a vacuum cleaner salesman.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2025
***
Unfortunately, I think the trans character in this one is the lead, a doctor visiting the Appalachian communities to bring them modern medicine. If the AI just gave him or her an interesting back story that conflicts with his/her mission, you'd have something.
You know, this would would be a good application for AI. Imagine an AI editor that could be instructed to take all the trans shit, and convert it to something else.
An AI book sanitizer, if you will. And not just cut it out. Replace the tranny with someone else, maybe a vacuum cleaner salesman.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 21, 2025
***
Unfortunately, I think the trans character in this one is the lead, a doctor visiting the Appalachian communities to bring them modern medicine. If the AI just gave him or her an interesting back story that conflicts with his/her mission, you'd have something.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at September 21, 2025 12:11 PM (omVj0)
388
Unfortunately, I think the trans character in this one is the lead, a doctor visiting the Appalachian communities to bring them modern medicine. If the AI just gave him or her an interesting back story that conflicts with his/her mission, you'd have something.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
------
Hmm. Brings to mind 'The Cider House Rules', kinda.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius
------
Hmm. Brings to mind 'The Cider House Rules', kinda.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 21, 2025 12:14 PM (XeU6L)
389
All tics are narcissist.
One time I found a tick on my dick.
I couldn't think which way do I unwind the creature.
One time I found a tick on my dick.
I couldn't think which way do I unwind the creature.
Posted by: Dreamingrobot at September 21, 2025 12:15 PM (vepQc)
390
I find it relaxing to read and a spur to make better food for taste and health. [ . . . ]
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (yTvNw)
I really like books on the chemistry and techniques of cooking, and old books, usually from 1880's to 1920 that give traditional ways of cooking before all the electrical and thermometers and boxed additives. Knowing the chemistry helps work out what technique is doing what.
So few books really explain, for example, what flour is doing as it gels in a gravy, or why you can't knead pie dough or what chemistry aids making large soft scrambled egg curds, or why you must knead and rise bread multiple times.
Posted by: JTB at September 21, 2025 11:15 AM (yTvNw)
I really like books on the chemistry and techniques of cooking, and old books, usually from 1880's to 1920 that give traditional ways of cooking before all the electrical and thermometers and boxed additives. Knowing the chemistry helps work out what technique is doing what.
So few books really explain, for example, what flour is doing as it gels in a gravy, or why you can't knead pie dough or what chemistry aids making large soft scrambled egg curds, or why you must knead and rise bread multiple times.
Posted by: Kindltot at September 21, 2025 12:21 PM (rbvCR)
391
311 I didn’t think about Jenkins’ site, I’ll check it out, thanks. Faith Bible U. in Ankeny, IA, where my pastor went, has a publishing house and their website clued me into some evangelical publishers.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at September 21, 2025 12:29 PM (DYKW0)
392
It's worth owning.
https://is.gd/by9f34
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
Working hard to steal Perfesser's pimp hat, I see.
https://is.gd/by9f34
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo
Working hard to steal Perfesser's pimp hat, I see.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 12:40 PM (dE3DB)
393
Has anyone here watched the "Slow Horses" series on Apple TV? It based on the Slough House series of novels. Gary Oldman stars and I've been wondering if is worth watching.
Posted by: Tuna
One of my favorite shows
Posted by: Tuna
One of my favorite shows
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 12:43 PM (dE3DB)
394
Good luck, Norrin.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 21, 2025 12:50 PM (jb3MW)
395
324
Prinny (Prince Regent) is a favorite cameo villain in older Regency romances. He usually shows up at balls to leer and /or make a pass at the innocent young heroine.
This was before regency romances succumbed to the all-pervasive smut infection.
Prinny (Prince Regent) is a favorite cameo villain in older Regency romances. He usually shows up at balls to leer and /or make a pass at the innocent young heroine.
This was before regency romances succumbed to the all-pervasive smut infection.
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at September 21, 2025 12:53 PM (dE3DB)
396
Can you transfer ebooks to a alternative machine?
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Posted by: Skip
------
I know that this has probably been many answers to this, but...
The issue is DRM -Digital Rights Management- an attempt to enforce copyright at the individual level. If your ebook has DRM (and every Kindle book from Amazon does) your ability to transfer is going to be restricted by the same mechanism that prevents copying.
Some publishers don't use DRM, instead, accepting that there will be thievery of their intellectual property, in order to.not make their paying customers' experience easier - backup copies, for instance, for when the phone gets lost, or the hard drive crashes. Baen, the SF publisher, uses no DRM, and provides their ebooks in multiple formats. I use the epub format and read it on my android tablet using an ebook reader called Lithium. Moving and/or making copies is identical to any computer file.
Use your preferred search engine to look for how to.move other formats, including Kindle. There are also programs which will strip DRM and/or convert from one ebook format to the other.
Your choice.
Reading a book on a phone just wouldn't be possible
Posted by: Skip
------
I know that this has probably been many answers to this, but...
The issue is DRM -Digital Rights Management- an attempt to enforce copyright at the individual level. If your ebook has DRM (and every Kindle book from Amazon does) your ability to transfer is going to be restricted by the same mechanism that prevents copying.
Some publishers don't use DRM, instead, accepting that there will be thievery of their intellectual property, in order to.not make their paying customers' experience easier - backup copies, for instance, for when the phone gets lost, or the hard drive crashes. Baen, the SF publisher, uses no DRM, and provides their ebooks in multiple formats. I use the epub format and read it on my android tablet using an ebook reader called Lithium. Moving and/or making copies is identical to any computer file.
Use your preferred search engine to look for how to.move other formats, including Kindle. There are also programs which will strip DRM and/or convert from one ebook format to the other.
Your choice.
Posted by: buddhaha at September 21, 2025 01:41 PM (gKGQo)
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