pontalba

This is a larger version of my avatar, it's the wall directly in back of me whilst at the computer, and the view above the computer, and that wall in front of me... and to one side, same view on the other side as well...

I'm still dithering between 6 or 7 books, I'll start one, then be caught without it when we've gone out and I've had an opportunity to read, so I start something else. /sigh/ Tis a puzzlement.

It is wonderful, and no one looks like I'd thought..... love it! lol of course,with my memory, or lack thereof.....

I finally bought the annotated edition of Lolita, after reading it without a couple of times, and marking and cross referencing the original version. It did help though, mostly with terms of the time that I'd been unfamiliar with, and French, as I don't speak French. I found it added another layer. I have the annotated copy of Ulysses, although all of it unread at present. The annotation is longer than the book itself!

LOL Thanks Sophia, they are the only ones that don't eat! Wee nook indeed weave, great looking shelves.

Ok, a few more views...

poppy, this is a fantastic thread!!!! Oh, good grief! ME Too!! I don't know how many times I read it, loved it. /sigh/ That and What Katy Did, and Black Beauty. Oick! Aw shucks poppy. What Kylie said too, I think part of the magic of Nabokov is making an undesirable person such as HH into a sympathatic character, and making the reader question Lo herself. I've read several Grisham, but not this one, although it's on my shelf.... I read Mockingbird when I was a kid, and enjoyed it, but frankly, I hardly remember any details. Loved Gregory Peck as Atticus though. I read most of Delderfield's books waaaay back when, and loved them all. Must reread. Of course the Herriotts as well. My Mostest favorite book though.....that'd be really hard. Lolita of course, but Malevil by Robert Merle has to be at the top of the list, the main character Emanuel (I may be off a little on the name) was probably the most wonderfully - morally - heroic and just plain tragic character in fiction I can think of. I hardly ever cry, and even though I've read and reread Malevil many times, it always makes me cry.

Thanks y'all, I'll try to get some more up tonight. Willoyd, your shelves are wonderful! Love the alcoves. Beautifully done! Verra !

Hi Devi. No, not at all! I found this article, What is the Difference between Novels, Novellas, and Short Stories? that can explain it much better, and more accurately than I can, I think. But basically, a very short novel.

I'd started something else, put it down after a couple of pages, then my eye touched on The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. My husband read it last year, and even reread it a few weeks ago. I was in the midst of The Stand at the time, but wanted to get to the Barnes. More novella than novel, it combines a partially unreliable narrator, deep irony, self deprecating humor into a wonderfully heartbreaking story of what might have been, what could have been, what was, and was not. If you see that particular ending coming, you are a better reader than I am. 5/5 Highly Recommended!

LOL Andrea. After a few short books, or regular sized. , I'll be starting King's 11/22/63.

My husband just downloaded this book to his kindle, read the first bits to me, and it does sound good. The writing is well done so far. And the price was right, at 2.99 USD.

I finished Stolen Souls by Stuart Neville today, and have picked up The Erasers by Alain Robbe-Grillet, probably will continue with it, looks interesting.

Ghost Light by Frank Rich Frank Rich was the New York Times theatre columnist for many years, and this book is a moving memoir of his childhood and his very early love for the theatre. His parents divorced in a time, the 1960's, when divorce was a hidden and shameful thing for all involved, and certainly not advertised. Theatre was his escape, and salvation in a time when he could not cope with his changing reality. The book carries his life through his mother's remarriage, and his fathers, and Frank's first job at the National Theatre, the Washington, D.C local theatre, up to his beginning college. It was an enjoyable read, informative of the plays at the time, and an insight on the feelings of confusion a child of divorce goes through. 4/5

Stephen King has been touch and go for me as I am not a fan of horror. I've enjoyed stories like Dead Zone, Thinner, and Firestarter. I thought I'd read the original, shorter version of The Stand years ago, but this newer expanded version didn't ring any bells at all, so now I wonder if I'd actually read the beginning of the Dark Tower series. hmmmmm Oh well, no matter. I loved The Stand. King's classic confrontation of good vs evil begins so simply. A computer delay of 40 seconds. A man running for his life with his family. A deadly virus that is unstoppable, and so easily communicable. People in denial. A government that reacts in an awful manner. And that's the first 5 minutes..... I think it is the peoples lives, their motivations that so fascinate me. King is truly a master of characterization and analysis of people, and how some walk the fine line between good and evil, and why they fall on either side of same....and the struggles that entails. He can see what makes us tick, and knows how to convey that knowledge in a compulsively readable manner. Whether you are a fan of horror and fantasy, or not, The Stand is a wonderful story of human compassion, corruption, love, hate, good and evil. Read it.

BG, The Stand was one of those books I hated to put down, and couldn't wait to pick up again. I'm sorry it's over actually. I've started Stolen Souls by Stuart Neville, it's the third in the (so far) trilogy taking place mostly in Belfast. The first one The Ghosts of Belfast was Neville's first novel, and really and truly blew me away. Great concept. Wonderful characters.

Well, funny thing that. I thought I'd read it when it came out the first time, but nothing in this longer version was familiar to me. I'm beginning to wonder if I didn't start the Dark Tower series back then. lol I loved Tom Cullen, he was simply fantastic, especially with what he accomplished.

Just remember there is a fine line between negativity and reality. Easily crossed. Negativity is bad for us in general, so it's important to keep on the guard. Sending good vibes and hugs. I can say this because when I tell my husband I'm being realistic, he says....no, you're being negative. hee hee /sigh/

Thanks y'all. I'd posted another couple of pictures, but I got the notice that there were too any images in the post, so I deleted some, then one came out Huge, so deleted that. It was almost 3 in the morning here, so I gave up. lol Will post again later today.

After last year's bookshelf frenzy of purchasing, we hoped to organize our shelves. Now that it is his/mine/ours it's a real hodgepodge. I have my sincere doubts they will ever be in a real order. But here is some of it.

I love it too, the first time I saw it was with my mother, she brought me downtown, it was a big deal at that time, you know, back when dinosaurs roamed the earth......... heh

Thanks Janet, that was last October, about 10 minutes after we were married.

Thanks, I've wondered about that. I've finished The Stand, and all I can say is......that it's well worth the time invested. Also finished off another one previously begun, Ghost Light by Frank Rich. It's a lovely memoir of his childhood, and his love affair with the theatre, it's beginnings and source.

Ok, here goes. Husband and self.

Thanks! I'll try it.