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dtrpath27

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  1. Okay, another thought...I told you I've been dying to discuss this! One particular scene that was quite thought-provoking to me is the one where they were discussing how the tragedy happened to begin with. How quickly things escalated, people died, and before they knew it, some office-boy intern type is the one with the codes to destroy humanity. There are safeguards in place. There is a chain of command. What happens, though, when the chain of command breaks down? We're lulled into a sense of security that there are plans upon plans, but the best laid plans can be laid to waste. One just has to look at any disaster in recent history to see how quickly things can fall apart and that maybe we're not all as secure as we think. What would happen if there was a disaster like any of those happened on a global scale? Is there really any control at all, or just the illusion of it?
  2. So do you think I should read Day of the Triffids? Lol. I actually haven't read anything by him before. I'll have to check it out. Now I've gone back and read a few responses which triggered a few more thoughts... For work, I see it as an anchor to normalcy - a way for them to maintain a hold on who they were and the way things were, no matter how tenuous. So many people define themselves by their work; I don't think that would have been any different back then. If your work is who you are, it would be very difficult to let go of that. Think of the tram car operator. He made such an impression on me. I don't have the book in front of me, and I'm not one for remembering exact details, but his whole idea that this is who I am, this is what I do and nothing is going to change that. I find that to be so honorable. Also, the comfort it brought was almost tangible. It made me think of Hiroshima, how within days of the bombing, the people of that city cleared enough track to get the trams up and running. The city was flattened, their food and water were contaminated, those who survived were dying a horrible death, but somehow they managed to do this one thing. At least there was that - the hope and comfort something so normal amidst a reality that was anything but, and a small way to find order in a world so hopelessly out of control.
  3. I have been so excited to discuss this book. I didn't read anyone else's comments so I could give an unbiased opinion. What did you think of the book, in general? Well, as I'm sure some of you may have noticed, I absolutely loved this book. I wasn't sure what to expect, as I'd never heard of the book or the author. Truthfully, the blurb on the back cover left me a bit lukewarm, so I put off reading it even after I checked it out of the library. Once I jumped in, however, I was quite pleasantly (if that's the best word) surprised. Beautiful writing, memorable characters, unforgettable story -- it had it all. Who was your favourite character? Were there any characters whom you disliked? This is a hard one because I felt that all of the characters were so well-written. If I had to choose, though, I would say Moira. She had so many facets to her personality; I really enjoyed watching her unfold. Was there a particular part you enjoyed more than the rest? Did you like the writing? What did you think of the way the story was told? So, I'm going to combine these. I loved the way the story built, layer upon layer, and then washed away until it lay bare at the end. I've never read anything like that. I found his storytelling to be quite masterful. Was this the first book you've read by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? Yes it was. I enjoyed it so much that I really am keen to check out some of his other pieces. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? This might seem silly, but if I had about a year left knowing that a death cloud was approaching and that it would all have dissipated in five years, I would be digging myself a bunker, not laying in wait out in the open. However, I say this in an age where post-apocalyptic novels abound, there are tv shows called Doomsday Preppers, and there are dozens of companies specializing in end-of-the-world survival not to mention that bunker construction and supply procurement would have ruined the whole thing. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? Five stars. I loved the story, the writing, everything. Even without a bunker.
  4. March 2014 Lexicon by Max Barry Publishing Information: ©2013 by Penguin Press Pages: 387 Genre: Fictional thriller Setting: Very near future Part of Amazon Synopsis: At an exclusive school somewhere outside of Arlington, Virginia, students aren’t taught history, geography, or mathematics—they are taught to persuade. Students learn to use language to manipulate minds, wielding words as weapons. The very best graduate as “poets,” and enter a nameless organization of unknown purpose...A brilliant thriller that traverses very modern questions of privacy, identity, and the rising obsession of data-collection, connecting them to centuries-old ideas about the power of language and coercion, Lexicon is Max Barry’s most ambitious and spellbinding novel yet. Impressions: I tried to read this book before, but couldn't get past the first chapter. I'm really glad I gave it a second chance and made it through this time. The book was a bit grittier than I usually read, but I (surprisingly) rather liked that about it. Definitely creative and more than a bit unsettling, I would definitely recommend it. My dearest and I don't often agree on books, but this is one we both enjoyed.
  5. How is Lexicon going? I'm starting the last section right now.
  6. Trixie Belden! Now that is a blast from the past. We had the series when I was little and used to love reading them. Every time we played at anything we would choose Honey, Mart and Trixie as character names. Lol. Such goofy little kids we were.
  7. Thanks! That's too bad you didn't make it; you would've gotten to meet your twin. My dearest didn't get to go either; he was rather disappointed. JPL is having a sale in a few weeks, so hopefully he'll get to go to that. Eastbank doesn't have the movie, but it looks like Westbank does, so I'm going to request it. Will your library do an inter-library loan for you, or is it too far? (After I've watched it of course! )
  8. I used to have a lovely herb garden. My daughter and I were just talking today about doing a container one this year. I've tried veggie once before, but it just got away from me. I have more time to devote to it now, though, so I might try some tomatoes and beans and such this summer. I have to say, though, t h at the tomatoes and peppers I grew were the most delicious I'd eaten since childhood. What is celeriac, by the way? I love discovering new food.
  9. Roast pork always makes me sleepy! It's one of my favorite cold weather meals. I love asparagus! You'll have to share your recipe for asparagus tart. I've done quite a number on my back, so I'm confined to bed, I'm afraid. I'm going to see if my dearest will make those ribs I was wanting last week. Daughter made a lovely barbecue rub that I've been dying to try out.
  10. We thought so! I was even more pleased that we stayed within the limit we set for ourselves. Charity book sales can be a dangerous thing! Funny thing, though, while there we started chatting with the nicest woman over Jasper Fforde books. She was Pontalba's doppelganger! I couldn't believe how striking the similarity was.
  11. No I had no idea there was a movie; I'd love to see it, though. Eta: I just looked it up on Wikipedia. Gregory Peck...now I really want to see it. I wonder if the library will have a copy...
  12. Both of you, this sounds so delicious!
  13. If so, I would count Poe as classic literature.
  14. I just got back from a book sale and am quite happy with my finds! Between the two of us, we got 13 books (several hardbacks) for only $19.00! Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson A Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - I was quite excited about this one as it was hardback, brand new, and one I've been wanting to read! The Marioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki The Pomegranate Lady and Her Sons by Goli Taraghi - a collection of short stories by an Iranian author Three different Alex Rider books by Anthony Horowitz The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde Three dystopian novels One random German history book Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys - no relation to Fifty Shades... Not bad for less than twenty dollars!
  15. Thanks! It was a great book. Will you be joining in the April reading circle? That's the whole reason I picked up this book. To be honest, I had never even heard of it before.
  16. Lol! The font size is rather epic.
  17. Ooh...I'm starting Lexicon tonight. My cover is totally different, though. My dearest has read it and said he really enjoyed it. Congrats on snagging a copy for free.
  18. Yes, now which? It has to do with the painting of a certain picket fence.
  19. Okay, so that was a very disjointed way to post reviews, but it actually helped me to get it done.
  20. No, not King. Another hint: This is from a very popular (maybe just within the U.S.?) American classic. Its equally popular sequel was deemed "trash and suitable only for the slums." Eta: Sorry Vimes! Missed your post. 1800's. My next hint is a clincher!
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