A New Year, and a new post. I remember struggling a bit to get through some of the books at the end of last year, so I started this year with a couple of old friends. Sort of a "sorbet" to cleanse the palate. There are also a couple of oddities this month, and what I think is a real find.
Series
Walking Shadow - Robert B. Parker ($7.50/$.50, 281 pages, copyright 1994, Paperback)
Spenser and Hawke. Two old friends that I can always rely on to provide a few hours of entertainment. Add Susan into the mix and you almost don't need a plot. The conversations alone could probably carry a book. Anyway, this one starts with a stalker, leads to a murder, and mixes in a Chinese Tong. Classic Parker. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
Her Forbidden Knight - Rex Stout ($4.95/$.50, 248 pages, copyright 1997, Paperback)
Don't let the copyright date fool you, that applies only to this volume. The nearest I can figure this was originally published back in the 40's. That is an appropriate time period, because I can see this as the basis for one of those movies from back then, maybe with Lew Ayres as the lead and a cast of the usual back up players. It nominally involves a group of guys who hang around a New York hotel lobby, a telegraph girl, and a handsome stranger passing bogus $10 bills. The oddity here is that it is written by a pre-Nero Wolfe Rex Stout. I enjoyed it.
Welcome to Xanadu - Nathaniel Benchley ($5.95/$.50, 304 pages, copyright 1968, Hard Cover)
The oddity here is that it is a Hard Cover book, published in 1968, with a cover price of $5.95. You can't even get a paperback for that price now (unless you do what I do). This is an story about a farmer's daughter in New Mexico who gets kidnapped by an escaped patient from a mental institution, and how they both learn something from each other. I found it to be very interesting.
Let the Great World Spin - Colum McCann ($15.00/$.50, 349 pages, copyright 2009, Trade Paperback)
The central point for this book is that in August of 1974 a man walked across a tightrope stretched between the Twin Towers. Maybe that's what attracted me to the book. Maybe I thought it would be based on what happens down there in lower Manhattan - a place I worked in for 20 years. I was wrong. It is so much more. The tightrope walker is peripheral, and the other characters are tied to each other in an almost "six degrees of separation" way. I think the author is trying to show that each off us walks a tightrope every day - life. AND McCann's writing style had me locked in from the very first section. I found it hard to put down. I really enjoyed it.
Serendipitous Side Note
As anyone who's read any of these posts knows, I enjoy comic books (please note, I said "comic books" and not "graphic novels"). To that end I'd like to mention that NBC is now airing a show called The Cape on Monday nights at 9:00 PM. I saw the 2 hour pilot last night, and enjoyed it a lot. There are elements from established comics that run through it - Batman, Luthor, Oracle, The Circus of Crime from Spiderman to name a few - and they have been blended together in a very enjoyable way. I don't know if it will last long but I intend to go down with the ship.
The serendipity part comes in now - when I sat down to write this, I put the TV on as sort of background noise. I found that the SyFy channel was broadcasting the old Green Hornet show. Unfortunately, these are not as good today as I remember but what the hell - Van Williams and Bruce Lee for a few hours? I'm down for that.
Keep Reading!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Special Insert #4
I hadn't planned on posting any more additions to this blog this year and then something happened.
I spent some time today with people who got their presents early this year, and they were really into them. I started thinking about all the presents I've received over the years, and which ones stood out - which ones I still remember and still think about. Most of them were received on Christmas Day, but one was early and one was a little late. Here are the stand-outs, with the years I received them, as near as I can remember. (I can add this to this blog because there are at least 2 books listed.)
1.) 2008. Some people I didn't know donated their late son's organs and I received the heart. The gift of life. You can't beat that. (This was about a month early.)
2.) 1984. My daughter was born. She has brought joy to my life. (This one was a few days late, but well worth the wait.)
3.) Anything my daughter has ever given me. Specifically, in 2005 she gave me a DVD player, and in 2007 she gave me the gadget that allowed me to hook it up to my TV. (That was OK, because I didn't have any DVDs at the time anyway.)
4.) 1983. We had just moved into the house in New Jersey in July, and money was a little tight. And yet, for Christmas that year my wife (at the time) gave me the Annotated Sherlock Holmes. A 2 volume, hard cover edition in a slip case, written by William S. Baring-Gould one of the preeminent Sherlockian scholars. It detailed all the stories, using photographs, maps, and illustrations, had loads of details, and retailed, at the time, for $50.
5.) 1974 or 1975 (?). My mom gave me an autographed copy of John Huston's autobiography. We were both fans of Huston's work and this was a really wonderful surprise. (Thanks have to go to my cousin Anne, who was working at a book store in New York and got the copy for my mom.)
6.) 1960(?). A 2-foot long submarine from my folks. The top came off, revealing the various rooms within, and it came with scale-size navy crewmen and frogmen, and fired torpedoes and missiles.
There have been lots of gifts in lots of years, but these stand out because they touched me. For the most part, they showed that someone thought about me, and got a gift that showed how much they cared. Having given one of those early presents I mentioned at the beginning of this post, and really enjoying how much that person enjoyed the gift, I can only hope that the givers of the presents I've received have enjoyed my enjoyment.
I remember these gifts, and I remember the people who gave them to me. And I'm pretty sure I always will.
I spent some time today with people who got their presents early this year, and they were really into them. I started thinking about all the presents I've received over the years, and which ones stood out - which ones I still remember and still think about. Most of them were received on Christmas Day, but one was early and one was a little late. Here are the stand-outs, with the years I received them, as near as I can remember. (I can add this to this blog because there are at least 2 books listed.)
1.) 2008. Some people I didn't know donated their late son's organs and I received the heart. The gift of life. You can't beat that. (This was about a month early.)
2.) 1984. My daughter was born. She has brought joy to my life. (This one was a few days late, but well worth the wait.)
3.) Anything my daughter has ever given me. Specifically, in 2005 she gave me a DVD player, and in 2007 she gave me the gadget that allowed me to hook it up to my TV. (That was OK, because I didn't have any DVDs at the time anyway.)
4.) 1983. We had just moved into the house in New Jersey in July, and money was a little tight. And yet, for Christmas that year my wife (at the time) gave me the Annotated Sherlock Holmes. A 2 volume, hard cover edition in a slip case, written by William S. Baring-Gould one of the preeminent Sherlockian scholars. It detailed all the stories, using photographs, maps, and illustrations, had loads of details, and retailed, at the time, for $50.
5.) 1974 or 1975 (?). My mom gave me an autographed copy of John Huston's autobiography. We were both fans of Huston's work and this was a really wonderful surprise. (Thanks have to go to my cousin Anne, who was working at a book store in New York and got the copy for my mom.)
6.) 1960(?). A 2-foot long submarine from my folks. The top came off, revealing the various rooms within, and it came with scale-size navy crewmen and frogmen, and fired torpedoes and missiles.
There have been lots of gifts in lots of years, but these stand out because they touched me. For the most part, they showed that someone thought about me, and got a gift that showed how much they cared. Having given one of those early presents I mentioned at the beginning of this post, and really enjoying how much that person enjoyed the gift, I can only hope that the givers of the presents I've received have enjoyed my enjoyment.
I remember these gifts, and I remember the people who gave them to me. And I'm pretty sure I always will.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Chapter Fourteen
I've been thinking today about the two sides to things. This blog entry is the Start of my second blog-year, and it's the Last for the calendar year. Today is the 30th anniversary of the Death of John Lennon, and the Birth of my first grand-nephew Thomas Anthony. One door closes and another opens.
Anyway, on to this month's and a Special Mention at the end.
Series
Irresistible Impulse - Robert K. Tanenbaum ($6.99/$.50, 434 pages, copyright 1997, paper back)
This series revolves around Butch Karp, Manhattan DA; his wife Marlene Ciampi, private detective/one-woman army type; and their family, friends and associates as they work their way through various trials, crimes, and personal crises. This volume deals with a multiple-murder trial and a deadly stalker case that start out as separate issues but wind up connected. Usually, I enjoy these but this is one of the early ones, and I found it slow going. It was OK.
Golden Buddha - Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo ($15.00/$.50, 420 pages, copyright 2003, Trade Paperback)
This is billed as "The First Novel of the Oregon Files". The Oregon is a super-secret, high tech, private spy ship hidden inside a decrepit old cargo vessel and run by a group of mercenaries. This volume involves stealing a 600 pound golden statue of the Buddha and reinstating the Dalai Lama in Tibet. It's almost like reading the script for a Mission Impossible movie. (Do you ever wonder how the work is divided between the Big Name Writer and the little name one?) I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
Cold Steel Rain - Kenneth Abel ($5.99/$.50, 368 pages, copyright 2000, paper back)
Here's a crime novel set in New Orleans. The main character is a one-time Assistant DA who now serves as a bag man for a hotshot politician. There are, of course, underlying motives. AND there are problems. The two main female characters are both in law enforcement and have similar names so it gets confusing. At least one character, who I thought was going to be a major one, disappears. And if your going to set a book in New Orleans it should feel like New Orleans. Here the only weather is rain, and it could be any other inner city. Didn't really like it.
Too Close to Home - Linwood Barclay ($7.99/$.50, 500 pages, copyright 2008, paper back)
The premise here is how the murder of the family next door, impacts the lives of the neighbor family. Information comes out way too slowly, including connections among characters, and personal secrets. Not a bad book, but too long. Barclay trails a lot of strings throughout, and does tie everything up neatly, but he could've cut out 50 pages or so. It was OK.
Great Books
It's Christmas time, and I was trying to come up with a gift for a relative.Since she's always asking me about books to read, I was browsing through a local bookstore when it hit me.............
The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck ($13.00, 619 pages, copyright 1939, Trade Paperback)
I've read this book at least 3 times and, to me, it is the Great "American" Novel. The story of the Joad family's struggle at home, difficult journey to and harsh reception in a "Promised Land" just resonates with the American experience. You can get a cheaper edition, of course, but this one looks good and has a picture of Steinbeck on the cover. Great Book.
Special Mention
OK, I don't watch her show, but I have to give credit where credit is due - Oprah Winfrey gets my first ever Special Mention. Why, you might ask? Well, I'll tell you. She has a Book Club. I haven't read any of her previous selections, but she is getting people to read. Also, she likes real books - yes, she has a Kindle but she says she only uses it when she travels. AND her latest pick(s) are "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. If she can get people reading the classics, more power to her. (Extra kudos for getting Penguin to issue both books in a single volume.)
That's it for now. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. And....
Keep Reading.
Anyway, on to this month's and a Special Mention at the end.
Series
Irresistible Impulse - Robert K. Tanenbaum ($6.99/$.50, 434 pages, copyright 1997, paper back)
This series revolves around Butch Karp, Manhattan DA; his wife Marlene Ciampi, private detective/one-woman army type; and their family, friends and associates as they work their way through various trials, crimes, and personal crises. This volume deals with a multiple-murder trial and a deadly stalker case that start out as separate issues but wind up connected. Usually, I enjoy these but this is one of the early ones, and I found it slow going. It was OK.
Golden Buddha - Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo ($15.00/$.50, 420 pages, copyright 2003, Trade Paperback)
This is billed as "The First Novel of the Oregon Files". The Oregon is a super-secret, high tech, private spy ship hidden inside a decrepit old cargo vessel and run by a group of mercenaries. This volume involves stealing a 600 pound golden statue of the Buddha and reinstating the Dalai Lama in Tibet. It's almost like reading the script for a Mission Impossible movie. (Do you ever wonder how the work is divided between the Big Name Writer and the little name one?) I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
Cold Steel Rain - Kenneth Abel ($5.99/$.50, 368 pages, copyright 2000, paper back)
Here's a crime novel set in New Orleans. The main character is a one-time Assistant DA who now serves as a bag man for a hotshot politician. There are, of course, underlying motives. AND there are problems. The two main female characters are both in law enforcement and have similar names so it gets confusing. At least one character, who I thought was going to be a major one, disappears. And if your going to set a book in New Orleans it should feel like New Orleans. Here the only weather is rain, and it could be any other inner city. Didn't really like it.
Too Close to Home - Linwood Barclay ($7.99/$.50, 500 pages, copyright 2008, paper back)
The premise here is how the murder of the family next door, impacts the lives of the neighbor family. Information comes out way too slowly, including connections among characters, and personal secrets. Not a bad book, but too long. Barclay trails a lot of strings throughout, and does tie everything up neatly, but he could've cut out 50 pages or so. It was OK.
Great Books
It's Christmas time, and I was trying to come up with a gift for a relative.Since she's always asking me about books to read, I was browsing through a local bookstore when it hit me.............
The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck ($13.00, 619 pages, copyright 1939, Trade Paperback)
I've read this book at least 3 times and, to me, it is the Great "American" Novel. The story of the Joad family's struggle at home, difficult journey to and harsh reception in a "Promised Land" just resonates with the American experience. You can get a cheaper edition, of course, but this one looks good and has a picture of Steinbeck on the cover. Great Book.
Special Mention
OK, I don't watch her show, but I have to give credit where credit is due - Oprah Winfrey gets my first ever Special Mention. Why, you might ask? Well, I'll tell you. She has a Book Club. I haven't read any of her previous selections, but she is getting people to read. Also, she likes real books - yes, she has a Kindle but she says she only uses it when she travels. AND her latest pick(s) are "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. If she can get people reading the classics, more power to her. (Extra kudos for getting Penguin to issue both books in a single volume.)
That's it for now. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year. And....
Keep Reading.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
First Anniversary Issue!!!!!!!!
That's right, today - November 13th - is the First Anniversary of this blog. Actually, the first entry only laid out what I hoped to do which was to tell you of the things I've read or watched, and any other thing that piqued my curiosity. Maybe I succeeded, maybe I didn't, I don't know. I do know that I've had fun. So, first I'll go over this months books, and then I'll give you some numbers for the past year.
Series
Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay ($12.95/$.50, 288 pages, copyright 2004, Trade paperback) OK. I know that ShowTime has made a series out of this book and it's sequels but I haven't seen it. I understand a lot of people like it. Given that fact, and that the main character is a sociopathic serial killer, you'd think I'd like it too. Not so much. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting, but I figured out the hook early on, and that kind of ruined it for me. It was OK.
Sherlock Holmes
There was a certain amount of serendipity to how this particular section came together over the last month. I had picked up the first book, then found the second, then the TV series started, and I came across the DVD. Coincidence? I think not. Holmes doesn't believe in coincidences.
Night Watch - Stephen Kendrick ($23.00/$.50, 258 pages, copyright 2001, hard cover)
Holmes and Watson in late 1902. Older, wiser, and involved in a secret meeting of the world's major religions in London. And, oh yeah, murder. PLUS FATHER BROWN, G. K. Chesterton's famous sleuth as a young cleric. I enjoyed it.
The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes - Adrian Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr (No Price/$.66, 338 pages, copyright 1952, '53, '54, hard cover)
Adrian Conan Doyle is the youngest son of Sir Arthur, and John Dickson Carr is a well-known mystery writer and a master of the "locked room" puzzle. The pedigree is there, and yet the 12 stories in this collection are uneven. Some of them are excellent, but some lack the atmosphere that Sir Arthur could bring to a damp, foggy London night or a cold country setting. Taken as a whole, they were OK.
Sherlock
A new TV series, produced by the BBC, and shown here on PBS over the last 3 Sundays. The interesting twist in these 3 90-minute episodes is that they take place in the current time. That's right, Watson is a veteran of Iraq, and writes of their exploits in his blog. Holmes' nicotine habit is seen through his use of nicotine patches. And they call each other by they're first names. As I said, there were only 3 episodes, ending in a cliff-hanger. I enjoyed them, and look forward to the second season. (For those of you who missed this, the DVD came out at the same time as the first episode was aired.)
Young Sherlock Holmes
This DVD is of a movie released in 1985. It was directed by Barry Levinson, produced by Steven Spielberg, ans some effects were done by Industrial Light & Magic. It imagines a first meeting of Watson and Holmes at a prep school, where they unravel a series of murders. A good period piece, and interesting enough, but it could have been better. Perhaps unintentionally, I kept finding visual references to earlier Spielberg productions like "ET and "The Goonies". But for a movie that's 25 years old, it holds up. I enjoyed it.
OK. Now for some Anniversary numbers. Over the last year (including those mentioned above) I've told you about:
10 Comic Book Trade Editions/Graphic Novels. I may not be covering any more, due to the rising prices of these collections.
4 individual DVDs and 1 boxed set of TV Westerns from the 1950's. I may be watching more of these since I can usually get older ones for $5.00 and I can borrow the newer ones from my daughter, who has NetFlix.
6 Sherlock Holmes books, for a cover price total of $88.85, but I spent $25.61.
18 books from various different series' for a total cover price of $178.92, for which I paid $10.50.
28 miscellaneous books/novels for a total cover price of $382.51, for which I paid $17.43.
My totals for the year are 52 books read, with a combined cover price of $650.28, for which I paid $53.54. Or 1 dollar per book per week. Not too shabby.
I have made no progress on that jigsaw puzzle I told you about back in January.
Shameless Plug: I have spent a lot of time on my other blog http://www.ramdomblogsdennyoneill.blogspot.com/ . Faction (fact and fiction) based on my true story. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Another year awaits, and I've already got some interesting reads lined up.
Keep Reading!
Series
Darkly Dreaming Dexter - Jeff Lindsay ($12.95/$.50, 288 pages, copyright 2004, Trade paperback) OK. I know that ShowTime has made a series out of this book and it's sequels but I haven't seen it. I understand a lot of people like it. Given that fact, and that the main character is a sociopathic serial killer, you'd think I'd like it too. Not so much. Don't get me wrong, it was interesting, but I figured out the hook early on, and that kind of ruined it for me. It was OK.
Sherlock Holmes
There was a certain amount of serendipity to how this particular section came together over the last month. I had picked up the first book, then found the second, then the TV series started, and I came across the DVD. Coincidence? I think not. Holmes doesn't believe in coincidences.
Night Watch - Stephen Kendrick ($23.00/$.50, 258 pages, copyright 2001, hard cover)
Holmes and Watson in late 1902. Older, wiser, and involved in a secret meeting of the world's major religions in London. And, oh yeah, murder. PLUS FATHER BROWN, G. K. Chesterton's famous sleuth as a young cleric. I enjoyed it.
The Exploits of Sherlock Holmes - Adrian Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr (No Price/$.66, 338 pages, copyright 1952, '53, '54, hard cover)
Adrian Conan Doyle is the youngest son of Sir Arthur, and John Dickson Carr is a well-known mystery writer and a master of the "locked room" puzzle. The pedigree is there, and yet the 12 stories in this collection are uneven. Some of them are excellent, but some lack the atmosphere that Sir Arthur could bring to a damp, foggy London night or a cold country setting. Taken as a whole, they were OK.
Sherlock
A new TV series, produced by the BBC, and shown here on PBS over the last 3 Sundays. The interesting twist in these 3 90-minute episodes is that they take place in the current time. That's right, Watson is a veteran of Iraq, and writes of their exploits in his blog. Holmes' nicotine habit is seen through his use of nicotine patches. And they call each other by they're first names. As I said, there were only 3 episodes, ending in a cliff-hanger. I enjoyed them, and look forward to the second season. (For those of you who missed this, the DVD came out at the same time as the first episode was aired.)
Young Sherlock Holmes
This DVD is of a movie released in 1985. It was directed by Barry Levinson, produced by Steven Spielberg, ans some effects were done by Industrial Light & Magic. It imagines a first meeting of Watson and Holmes at a prep school, where they unravel a series of murders. A good period piece, and interesting enough, but it could have been better. Perhaps unintentionally, I kept finding visual references to earlier Spielberg productions like "ET and "The Goonies". But for a movie that's 25 years old, it holds up. I enjoyed it.
OK. Now for some Anniversary numbers. Over the last year (including those mentioned above) I've told you about:
10 Comic Book Trade Editions/Graphic Novels. I may not be covering any more, due to the rising prices of these collections.
4 individual DVDs and 1 boxed set of TV Westerns from the 1950's. I may be watching more of these since I can usually get older ones for $5.00 and I can borrow the newer ones from my daughter, who has NetFlix.
6 Sherlock Holmes books, for a cover price total of $88.85, but I spent $25.61.
18 books from various different series' for a total cover price of $178.92, for which I paid $10.50.
28 miscellaneous books/novels for a total cover price of $382.51, for which I paid $17.43.
My totals for the year are 52 books read, with a combined cover price of $650.28, for which I paid $53.54. Or 1 dollar per book per week. Not too shabby.
I have made no progress on that jigsaw puzzle I told you about back in January.
Shameless Plug: I have spent a lot of time on my other blog http://www.ramdomblogsdennyoneill.blogspot.com/ . Faction (fact and fiction) based on my true story. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Another year awaits, and I've already got some interesting reads lined up.
Keep Reading!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Chapter Thirteen
This time around, I have the longest book I've read since I started this blog, and the "shortest". I'll explain why I have quotes around the "shortest" when I get to it.
Non-Fiction
30 Second Mysteries - Bob Moog/Jeff Pinsker ($9.95/$.25, 238 pages, copyright 2002, soft cover)
This is actually a game (complete with spinner) where you have a series of "mysteries" broken down into 4 categories - who, what, where, and why. "Mysteries" is actually too strong a word - they`'re more like situations, and there are 28 in each category. You're given a couple of paragraphs and you are expected to solve it for points. There are clues for each "mystery" which, if given, lower the point value. Some of these were pretty good, but many rely on fairy tale characters, which cheapens the game, to my mind. It was interesting.
Series
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson ($7.99/$.50, 644 pages, copyright 2008, paperback)
This is the longest book that I referred to earlier, and the first of 3 that Mr. Larsson wrote before he passed away. The main characters are a reporter hired to solve a very old missing person's case, and the young female researcher who helps him. That description in no way will prepare you for the depth of characters and the twists and turns that flow freely throughout the book. Originally written in Swedish, this translation is excellent and, outside of a few place names and phrases, made it feel as though it was situated here. I enjoyed it.
A Kiss Gone Bad - Jeff Abbott ($6.99/$.50, 404 pages, copyright 2001, paperback)
A first novel in, what I hope, will be an ongoing series. The main character is a Justice of the Peace (sort of a junior judge) in a coastal town in Texas. It starts with an apparent suicide, brings in murders, missing persons, drugs, and a little local color. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
Under the Black Ensign - L. Ron Hubbard ($9.95/$.50, 121 pages, copyright 2007, soft cover)
Apparently, some one had the bright idea to publish all of Hubbard's pulp stories in brand new editions. Not a bad idea, but poorly executed and done at the expense of the reader. The story here - a typical pirate novel that evokes Errol Flynn as Captain Blood - is only 84 pages long, with blank pages between chapters and full page illustrations that lowered the page count to less then 80. The rest of the book is an excerpt from another story, a complete list of Hubbard's stories, and a biography of the author. Not bad for an old, pulp story but - really? $10? I don't think so.
OK. Next time around, I'll be writing about the First Anniversary of this blog. Maybe a recap of the whole year, but definitely some new stuff to consider. Till then...............
Keep Reading!
Non-Fiction
30 Second Mysteries - Bob Moog/Jeff Pinsker ($9.95/$.25, 238 pages, copyright 2002, soft cover)
This is actually a game (complete with spinner) where you have a series of "mysteries" broken down into 4 categories - who, what, where, and why. "Mysteries" is actually too strong a word - they`'re more like situations, and there are 28 in each category. You're given a couple of paragraphs and you are expected to solve it for points. There are clues for each "mystery" which, if given, lower the point value. Some of these were pretty good, but many rely on fairy tale characters, which cheapens the game, to my mind. It was interesting.
Series
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson ($7.99/$.50, 644 pages, copyright 2008, paperback)
This is the longest book that I referred to earlier, and the first of 3 that Mr. Larsson wrote before he passed away. The main characters are a reporter hired to solve a very old missing person's case, and the young female researcher who helps him. That description in no way will prepare you for the depth of characters and the twists and turns that flow freely throughout the book. Originally written in Swedish, this translation is excellent and, outside of a few place names and phrases, made it feel as though it was situated here. I enjoyed it.
A Kiss Gone Bad - Jeff Abbott ($6.99/$.50, 404 pages, copyright 2001, paperback)
A first novel in, what I hope, will be an ongoing series. The main character is a Justice of the Peace (sort of a junior judge) in a coastal town in Texas. It starts with an apparent suicide, brings in murders, missing persons, drugs, and a little local color. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
Under the Black Ensign - L. Ron Hubbard ($9.95/$.50, 121 pages, copyright 2007, soft cover)
Apparently, some one had the bright idea to publish all of Hubbard's pulp stories in brand new editions. Not a bad idea, but poorly executed and done at the expense of the reader. The story here - a typical pirate novel that evokes Errol Flynn as Captain Blood - is only 84 pages long, with blank pages between chapters and full page illustrations that lowered the page count to less then 80. The rest of the book is an excerpt from another story, a complete list of Hubbard's stories, and a biography of the author. Not bad for an old, pulp story but - really? $10? I don't think so.
OK. Next time around, I'll be writing about the First Anniversary of this blog. Maybe a recap of the whole year, but definitely some new stuff to consider. Till then...............
Keep Reading!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Special Insert #3
Looking back, I've noticed that the previous Special Inserts have been about comic books, so I'll start this one in the same vein. Comic books have been around since the 1940's and were an offshoot of the pulp novels that preceded them. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words this made sense. At the time, they were mostly adventure, western, horror, and true love based but the Golden Age and the birth of the super heroes came quickly.
Unfortunately, in the early 1950's, someone took exception to the graphic violence and underlying sex of this form of entertainment - specifically the horror books as published by EC Comics - and created an uproar. There were comic burnings and bannings across the country, and it caused the industry to create the Comics Code and a regulating body to oversee content in order to survive. This regulating body and its "seal of approval" lasted into the 1990's when individual publishers such as Marvel and DC decided that they would regulate on their own the images, situations, and even words that they felt were appropriate to the story.
The point of this history lesson is that when the government doesn't like something - they try to ban it.
Welcome to Banned Books Week.
Banning books - even burning them - isn't new. It's gone on for centuries. The point is that it is usually carried out by totalitarian governments that suppress their citizens and regulate every aspect of their lives. This should not be done in a democracy like the United States of America.
And yet, it has been. What follows is a brief list of books that were banned at one time or another.
"1984" - George Orwell. Banned to teenagers for political reasons.
"Animal Farm" - George Orwell. Banned to teenagers for political reasons.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" - Harper Lee. Banned due to racial inequality and rape.
Slaughterhouse-Five" -Kurt Vonnegut. Banned to adults for religious reasons.
"Brave New World" - Aldous Huxley. Banned to teens for religious reasons.
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" - Mark Twain. Banned for social reasons.
"Of Mice and Men" - John Steinbeck. Banned for social reasons.
"The Grapes of Wrath" - John Steinbeck. Banned for social reasons.
"Leaves of Grass" - Walt Whitman, Banned for immorality.
"Ulysses" - James Joyce. Banned for obscenity.
You know what strikes me about this list? We now consider each and every one of these to be a CLASSIC.
Society changes. And its moral and ethical center varies from day to day. And every now and then, misogyny rears its ugly head. Salmon Rushdie wrote a book - and then had to go into hiding because his own people - his own religion - wanted him dead because of it. That is a sad fact, and a foreign country. This is America.
Not everything that is written is good. I'd guess very little of it is, percentage-wise. But what is is an expression of the writer, and here we have Freedom of Expression. Now don't get me wrong. Not everything that is written should be. There are laws against libeling someone by accusing them of things that can't be proven. And, I would like to think, a lot of a writer's output, upon second reading, gets trashed.
But what's written should stay written, and what's published should stay published. Even if no one ever reads it.
It takes an idea to write something. An idea so powerful in a writer's mind that he or she has to set it down on paper, has to try and share it. An idea - good, bad, or indifferent - makes us human. A shared idea makes us a community.
Keep reading!
Unfortunately, in the early 1950's, someone took exception to the graphic violence and underlying sex of this form of entertainment - specifically the horror books as published by EC Comics - and created an uproar. There were comic burnings and bannings across the country, and it caused the industry to create the Comics Code and a regulating body to oversee content in order to survive. This regulating body and its "seal of approval" lasted into the 1990's when individual publishers such as Marvel and DC decided that they would regulate on their own the images, situations, and even words that they felt were appropriate to the story.
The point of this history lesson is that when the government doesn't like something - they try to ban it.
Welcome to Banned Books Week.
Banning books - even burning them - isn't new. It's gone on for centuries. The point is that it is usually carried out by totalitarian governments that suppress their citizens and regulate every aspect of their lives. This should not be done in a democracy like the United States of America.
And yet, it has been. What follows is a brief list of books that were banned at one time or another.
"1984" - George Orwell. Banned to teenagers for political reasons.
"Animal Farm" - George Orwell. Banned to teenagers for political reasons.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" - Harper Lee. Banned due to racial inequality and rape.
Slaughterhouse-Five" -Kurt Vonnegut. Banned to adults for religious reasons.
"Brave New World" - Aldous Huxley. Banned to teens for religious reasons.
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" - Mark Twain. Banned for social reasons.
"Of Mice and Men" - John Steinbeck. Banned for social reasons.
"The Grapes of Wrath" - John Steinbeck. Banned for social reasons.
"Leaves of Grass" - Walt Whitman, Banned for immorality.
"Ulysses" - James Joyce. Banned for obscenity.
You know what strikes me about this list? We now consider each and every one of these to be a CLASSIC.
Society changes. And its moral and ethical center varies from day to day. And every now and then, misogyny rears its ugly head. Salmon Rushdie wrote a book - and then had to go into hiding because his own people - his own religion - wanted him dead because of it. That is a sad fact, and a foreign country. This is America.
Not everything that is written is good. I'd guess very little of it is, percentage-wise. But what is is an expression of the writer, and here we have Freedom of Expression. Now don't get me wrong. Not everything that is written should be. There are laws against libeling someone by accusing them of things that can't be proven. And, I would like to think, a lot of a writer's output, upon second reading, gets trashed.
But what's written should stay written, and what's published should stay published. Even if no one ever reads it.
It takes an idea to write something. An idea so powerful in a writer's mind that he or she has to set it down on paper, has to try and share it. An idea - good, bad, or indifferent - makes us human. A shared idea makes us a community.
Keep reading!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Chapter Twelve
This time around, I have an interesting mix of books to tell you about. AND, another in my random sampling of DVD's.
Miscellaneous
Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic - Terry Jones ($12.00/$.50, 245 pages, copyright 1997, Trade paperback)
That's right - Douglas Adams - as in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. AND that's right - Terry Jones - as in Monty Python's Flying Circus. I have to admit I was sceptical when I picked this one up. I've read other books by other "comedians" (see past Chapters) and I've always been disappointed. Not this one! Take the greatest starship ever built, and in 3 Earthlings who, typically, don't know what they're doing, and stir in complete destruction and you get a very funny book. I enjoyed it.
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha - Roddy Doyle ($10.95/$.50, 282 pages, copyright 1993, Trade paperback)
What's interesting here is that there are no chapters. Just snippets of a 10-year old boy's life in the Ireland of the 1960's. These run everywhere from a half a page, to several pages, are largely Paddy's dialog - external and internal - and always come across as accurate. They the gamut from childish pranks to how a child deals with serious issues. I don't know if any of it is autobiographical but it rings true. I enjoyed it.
The Fuck-up - Arthur Nersesian ( $12.95/$1.00, 296 pages, copyright 1991, Trade paperback)
Another "slice of life" story, this time set in New York City in the 1980's. The protagonist here is an early-20 something. A slacker with no ambition and the people who come in and out of his life. Unfortunately, to me, he has no redeeming qualities and his friends aren't any better. I couldn't finish it.
Series
The Neon Rain - James Lee Burke ($4.99/$.50, 281 pages, copyright 281 pages, paperback)
I think this is the first of Burke's novels dealing with Dave Robicheaux. Set in and around New Orleans, Burke paints a wonderful picture of the cities, towns, and bayous that surround the area. Robicheaux, at least in this one, is a police lieutenant dealing with a murder that grows into a drug case, government intervention, and family problems - and the personal demons faced by all alcoholics. I enjoyed it.
Some Danger Involved - Will Thomas ($15.00/$.50, 290 pages, copyright 2004, Trade paperback)
This is the first in a proposed series of mysteries set in London in the late 1880's. The main character is down on his luck, and gets taken on as an assistant by a private detective. This one leans more toward the seamy side of London, and involves the murder of a Jewish immigrant and the possibility of religious persecution in the crowded streets of back-alley London. I enjoyed it.
DVD
Highlander
"In the end, there can be only one." Well, in the beginning, there was. This movie, in my mind, was a one-shot. Then something interesting happened, it became popular. So a sequel was made (not as good), and others, and a TV series. It became a sci-fi phenomenon. But in the beginning there was only one. Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) is the Highlander and Ramirez (Sean Connery) teaches how to be an immortal and how - for some reason - they fight with swords and behead each other until the end. A self-contained movie, and it was perfect - from the sword fights to the special effects, to the soundtrack by Queen. I enjoyed it.
That's it for now. I have more books to read and more DVD's to watch.
Keep reading!
Miscellaneous
Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic - Terry Jones ($12.00/$.50, 245 pages, copyright 1997, Trade paperback)
That's right - Douglas Adams - as in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. AND that's right - Terry Jones - as in Monty Python's Flying Circus. I have to admit I was sceptical when I picked this one up. I've read other books by other "comedians" (see past Chapters) and I've always been disappointed. Not this one! Take the greatest starship ever built, and in 3 Earthlings who, typically, don't know what they're doing, and stir in complete destruction and you get a very funny book. I enjoyed it.
Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha - Roddy Doyle ($10.95/$.50, 282 pages, copyright 1993, Trade paperback)
What's interesting here is that there are no chapters. Just snippets of a 10-year old boy's life in the Ireland of the 1960's. These run everywhere from a half a page, to several pages, are largely Paddy's dialog - external and internal - and always come across as accurate. They the gamut from childish pranks to how a child deals with serious issues. I don't know if any of it is autobiographical but it rings true. I enjoyed it.
The Fuck-up - Arthur Nersesian ( $12.95/$1.00, 296 pages, copyright 1991, Trade paperback)
Another "slice of life" story, this time set in New York City in the 1980's. The protagonist here is an early-20 something. A slacker with no ambition and the people who come in and out of his life. Unfortunately, to me, he has no redeeming qualities and his friends aren't any better. I couldn't finish it.
Series
The Neon Rain - James Lee Burke ($4.99/$.50, 281 pages, copyright 281 pages, paperback)
I think this is the first of Burke's novels dealing with Dave Robicheaux. Set in and around New Orleans, Burke paints a wonderful picture of the cities, towns, and bayous that surround the area. Robicheaux, at least in this one, is a police lieutenant dealing with a murder that grows into a drug case, government intervention, and family problems - and the personal demons faced by all alcoholics. I enjoyed it.
Some Danger Involved - Will Thomas ($15.00/$.50, 290 pages, copyright 2004, Trade paperback)
This is the first in a proposed series of mysteries set in London in the late 1880's. The main character is down on his luck, and gets taken on as an assistant by a private detective. This one leans more toward the seamy side of London, and involves the murder of a Jewish immigrant and the possibility of religious persecution in the crowded streets of back-alley London. I enjoyed it.
DVD
Highlander
"In the end, there can be only one." Well, in the beginning, there was. This movie, in my mind, was a one-shot. Then something interesting happened, it became popular. So a sequel was made (not as good), and others, and a TV series. It became a sci-fi phenomenon. But in the beginning there was only one. Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert) is the Highlander and Ramirez (Sean Connery) teaches how to be an immortal and how - for some reason - they fight with swords and behead each other until the end. A self-contained movie, and it was perfect - from the sword fights to the special effects, to the soundtrack by Queen. I enjoyed it.
That's it for now. I have more books to read and more DVD's to watch.
Keep reading!
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