pontalba

I came across this article in the Guardian, and really appreciated the interpretations that were made of these films. I've seen only 4 of them. It's A Wonderful Life Ida Memento Galaxy Quest http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/apr/14/force-majeure-films-philosophy-memento-ida-its-a-wonderful-life?CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2 I'd like to find the others and see now. It was interesting to see the value they put on Galaxy Quest, as I know it can be viewed as a simple bit of fluff........and it is to a great extent. But the other feelings about truth and dignity that are put across are powerful in their own way. And if made me look at Ida in a bit of a different light as well.

I didn't know the origin of the quote, although I'd seen it quoted through others before. Especially in connection with Vladimir Nabokov. I wonder if it irritates some authors that readers sometimes completely misinterpret their (the author's) original intent. In the poetry group we used to belong to, we'd present our poems, and sometimes others in the group would come up with interpretations that were completely foreign to what I'd thought or intended. It's disconcerting.

I actually meant to quote an earlier one, but then I couldn't find it.....oy! Oh, I know, I just wanted to shake her at times!!

Glad you enjoyed it, that was one of the books we read last May in a group read on books of WWI. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12734-a-very-long-engagement-by-sebastian-japrisot-plus-others/

Rain, rain, rain, oh and more rain now for a week at least, and forecast for another week. Oh well, at least it keeps the A/C out of use! Electric bill will be less.

/fall down dead in a faint/ 58 books! You are more than steaming along, you're a freight train! I saw a review of Kate Mulgrew's book, and it does look interesting.

The first two of the second half have already aired over here. We've seen them through Amazon streaming. Excellent!

I tried to post this on my profile feed, but I think it was too long. So, will put here to keep it. This is from A Word A Day, a daily newsletter I receive. http://wordsmith.org/words/today.html A book, once it is printed and published, becomes individual. It is by its publication as decisively severed from its author as in parturition a child is cut off from its parent. The book "means" thereafter, perforce, -- both grammatically and actually, -- whatever meaning this or that reader gets out of it. -James Branch Cabell, novelist, essayist, critic (14 Apr 1879-1958)

Even better, I have subscribed to a newsletter from them for my area. I've tried Tortilla Flat, The Pearl, Of Mice and Men, and something else I can't remember. No dice, for me. Ahhh, can't wait to hear the results! Good Luck!

Whoops! I didn't even search, didn't think! Wasn't there quite a kerfuffle when his last book came out? I believe I read that he said it would be his last, and that he wasn't going to write anymore. I just looked up the review for Under the Skin. I'm reminded of the old television show The Twilight Zone. There was an episode called To Serve Man. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Serve_Man_(The_Twilight_Zone) Crimson Petal and the White is the only of his I've tried, with no success. I know how popular it is, and so many on here loved it. I just couldn't.

I know I'll go back to The Wasp Factory, for sure. I think I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for it at the times I tried. Re Under the Skin.....I'm not surprised. The articles and review I read on it were disturbing, I thought. But of course I didn't like his other books at all. I'm trying to think of others as well. Have to check the lists. I wonder if part of the reason I found the film of Notes on a Scandal so bothering was the fact that I absolutely adore Dame Dench and couldn't stand to see her in that role. That is entirely possible. I was the same about Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector. Couldn't watch it. Hah. I have a hate/hate relationship with Steinbeck. I have started innumerable of his books, all put aside. Except for East of Eden....I was asked to take over a discussion about 10 years ago of it. So, I gritted my teeth and did finish. By the hardest. And yes!, Cathy certainly was despicable, to say the least. I don't know exactly what it is about Steinbeck's writing that so sets my teeth on edge. So many readers I know absolutely love him, so I kept trying. But no more, I've had it. I've never even tried any of Palahniuk's books. I don't think we even have any around here, unless husband had one that he transported down here.

I came across this article in The Guardian this morning. http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/apr/10/what-are-the-most-disturbing-novels-bret-easton-ellis?CMP=ema_565 It's an interesting list. There are only 4 that I've tried to read, and put aside. The others I haven't even tried, or some not even heard of. The ones I've started and put aside are: Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, I've tried at least twice to read it and couldn't. The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, I believe I've started it twice, and while I think I'd eventually be ok with it, both times I've put it aside. Just from the vibes I received at the beginning. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, It wasn't any creepiness in this case that put me off, but the (to me, at least) disconnected story/style. But Margaret Atwood is not ordinarily my cuppa in any case. Regarding Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller, I've only started the film and in spite of my absolutely adoring Judi Dench, I couldn't bear to watch it. Haven't tried the book. What is y'alls take on the subject?

That's interesting, Gaia. A while back, someone else on here....sorry can't remember exactly who it was....mentioned that they couldn't find any in the U.K. either. I wonder if it's simply a case of terminology. For example, here in the U.S., we call what the U.K. calls a boot sale, a garage sale, or yard sale. So, it could conceivable be a simple case of what do they call our Estate Sale in the U.K. and The Netherlands. It's hard to believe that there is nothing comparable anywhere else in the world.

No, they are quite cheap, usually running from one to two dollars each. Sometimes less, sometimes, for special editions etc, a little more. Thanks! Much cheaper than second hand bookstores, and much less than marketplace on Amazon. As posted just above, they are in the one to two dollar U.S. range. So, in all I think we paid about 35 U.S. dollars for the books I've listed in the two posts above from that particular estate sale. Sad thing is, there were not that many book buyers visiting the sale. I am sad for all the "left over" books and wonder what the family will do with them. I just don't understand the family not wanting to keep at least some of their father's books. Thanks! Yes indeed, that was a great find!!

There is a website called Estatesales.net. Here is the New Orleans area link that I most often use. http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/LA/New-Orleans.aspx?utm_source=bellsouth.net&utm_medium=email&utm_term=70431&utm_content=New-Orleans-LA&utm_campaign=2015-04-07-3DaysBefore But they are a national site, so even when we travel we are able to find estate sales wherever we go in the U.S. I've not seen an International site......yet. If I ever do I'll be sure to post a link! Yes, trouble is, I can't wait to get to all of the books! /sigh/

Finished a couple of meh books, starting The Wind Up Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi.

Finished a couple of books, Do Not Enter by Jutta Profijt and Rain on the Dead by Jack Higgins. Not thrilled with either of them. No reviews at this time.

Interesting You Tube. Thanks for posting the link. Beautiful place, yeah. Thanks! It was pretty good, and we went back the next day and found a few more....... Hannibal by Ernle Bradford Talleyrand by Duff Cooper The Murder of Napoleon by Ben Weiders & David Hapgood Nearer, My God (Autobiography of Faith) by William F. Buckley, Jr. Where Shall Wisdom Be Found by Harold Bloom Lionhearts Richard I, Saladin, and the Eara of the Third Crusade by Geoffrey Regan The Nazis by Laurence Rees Live by the Sword by Gus Russo The Habsburgs by Andrew Wheatcroft Emperor The Gods of War by Conn Iggulden The Life and Death of Lenin by Robert Payne The Phoenicians by Gerhard Herm Troja by Heinrich Schliemann A Durable Peace by Benjamin Netanyahu

From an Estate Sale in Metairie, a Doctor that had 4,000 books, supposedly. He had a nice selection, but very few novels. Very focused history buff though. And God Created the French by Louis-Bernard Robitaille Execution Eve by William F. Buckley, Jr. In Search of the Dark Ages by Michael Wood Versions of History from Antiquity to the Enlightenment Edited by Donald R. Kelley Charlemagne by Derek Wilson (the only duplicate we bought) The Origins of Modern Europe by R. Allen Brown The Fall of Constantinople 1453 by Steven Runciman Kings & Queens of England by David Williamson The Illustrated Origin of Species by Charles Darwin 1,000 Years, 1,000 People by various The End of the World Edited by Lewis H. Lapham with Peter T. Struck Men of Athens by Rex Warner The Military Life of Julius Caesar: Imperator by Trevor Nevitt dupuy Justinian's Flea by William Rosen The Gnostics by Tobias Churton Caesars & Saints The Rise of the Christian State A.D. 180-313 by Stewart Perowne Gods and Heros by Gustav Schwab Thermopylae by Ernle Bradford Explaining Hitler by Ron Rosenbaum The Ultra Secret by F.W. Winterbotham The German Generals Talk by B.H. Liddell Hart The Murder of Adolf Hitler by Hugh Thomas American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964 by William Manchester Secret Affairs: Franklin Roosevelt, Cordell Hull, and Sumner Wells by Irwin F. Gellman And, from Amazon... Murder at Wrotham Hill by Diana Souhami Near Enemy by Adam Sternbergh

Netflix doesn't have the Montalbano series, at all. Neither streaming or DVD. Hmmm, will investigate. Do you subscribe to MHZ ?

Thanks, we are really looking forward to it! While I haven't, and probably won't read this book, from what y'all have posted, it sounds disturbing. It makes me remember Tom Cruise's diatribe on Brooke Shields taking of meds for her post-partum depression. Cruise really went nuts on the subject (on Oprah of all things). I'm not one to take any medication I don't need, but when I need it, it's done. If something helps a person to function, they should take the doctor's advice and take it.

Just added Spiral to our watchlist. Is "Inspector Montalbano" the actual name of the show? If so, they don't have it. I like the books)

I know, like reading, not enough hours in the day. Our watchlist is huge! Yikes! /sigh/ yes, it's a disease, as noted elsewhere...... .....for which I hope there is no cure. Yes, and our taste in films, etc is very similar, so no arguments over what to watch. Yup, now to be able to get to them! No, haven't seen Dexter, although we have the first two books. Re Roots. Yes, I know what you mean, some books hit us at the right time in our lives, just when we need them and we'll have sweet memories of that forever. It can be both encouraging and strengthening. Thanks! No, but I'll look for it next time we get on. Thanks for the tip!

Ouch, sorry you're still down with the flu. (but "girl" flu?)

For which I sincerely hope there is no cure!! This is where we'll be Thursday..... http://www.estatesales.net/estate-sales/LA/Metairie/70002/833589?utm_source=bellsouth.net&utm_medium=email&utm_term=70431&utm_content=New-Orleans-LA&utm_campaign=2015-03-30-3DaysBefore (note the 4000+ books for sale) Glad you're enjoying Wool....yes, I believe the silos are based on ones in the Midwest U.S. I wonder at the sizes as well...but the ones in the story were underground as well, so maybe they were old missile silos. I think they'd be much larger than grain silos. Gee, I'm almost tempted....even though I have the hardback...../sigh/ I hope you enjoy it! Frankie, the ending in the film was the same. But, Claire, don't let that stop you...it's the journey that is interesting.