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pontalba

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    Alex's 2015 Reading Log

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Oh don't be sorry guys, I don't mind. Half the time I read spoilers even when I know they're there :lol:

     

    I love spoilers, they whet the appetite!  :)  In fact, I used to read the last few pages of whatever book I was reading.  I gave up the habit, but still get the urge sometimes to peek..... :D

     

    Big congratulations, Alexi!  Very happy for you. :)

     

    Great reviews.  You've made me want to pull White Tiger from the shelf to read....and I will. :)

    Little Pixie`s Bookshelf 2015

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Thank you ! Do push your Mr and Mrs North book up in your reading list* ; I`ll be interested to see if you like it as much.  :D Though ,  you need to be the mood for particular genres, I find.  :smile:

     

    * I`ll read something which you`ve picked from my TBR too ? 

     

    I honestly can't remember atm if I've actually bought any Mr. and Mrs. North books.....but I did find some DVDs on sale on Amazon.  They are sitting on the table in front of the machine right now.  I'll have to search my Library Thing account.  :blush2:

     

    Not to butt into the conversation, but I just wanted to say I feel the same way :).

     

    Piffle.  You're not.  And, you're right.  I'm definitely a "moody" reader. 

    I'd fully intended to go back to another "present" read after I finished my reread of The Martian.  Well, last night I finished, and started something entirely different.  Hah, go figure!  :hide:

    The greatest year for books ever?

    in Book News

    Posted

    Boo, not accessible from the UK.  :negative:   

     

    Boo! Hiss!  That doesn't even make sense. 

    Thanks for posting the article, frankie.  :)

     

     

     

    :)  Just goes to show, if one person/newspaper/essay expresses an opinion, a dozen more, just as interesting will come out of the woodwork. 

    Column space used up!! :readingtwo:  :D

    Kylie's Literary Adventures in 2015

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I've just finished The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson. I had placed this in my book jar as a priority read for this year, but I couldn't wait to read it after Poppyshake's review, so I just jumped in. It was absolutely wonderful! If you're interested in mental health and stories of crazy/weird people, as well as how they're treated in society and mental institutions, you'll find this interesting. Ronson has an engaging way of writing that makes the pages fly by, and the book was very difficult to put down.

     

    Partway through reading it I decided to research a bit more about Robert Hare, who invented a widely used checklist for determining whether a person is psychopath. Ronson interviewed him extensively for his book. I found Hare's website, which has published two pieces regarding Ronson's book. One is a general commentary by members of the Psychopathy Society, and the other is a longer piece by Hare himself. People who have read the book might be interested in reading them; I certainly found them interesting! Unfortunately, Hare and other psychologists have not been at all impressed with Ronson's book. They generally seem to think that he has been irresponsible in his flippant use of the checklist to try and diagnose people. I can understand their point, but I don't think most people reading the book would believe that it is quite as simple as that checklist. I think the checklist is basically a summary of a very long book Hare wrote about psychopaths. You have to go on an expensive course and pay even more money to view the book...I would love to be able to read it! Also, Hare mentions that Ronson has taken artistic licence when recounting their interviews, but I could tell when reading the dialogue that it wasn't verbatim. Don't let all of this put you off reading it though! It's such a fascinating look at mental health.

     

    I have five other books by Ronson on my TBR pile, which all focus on his meetings with eccentric people. I think I'll read The Men Who Stare at Goats next. :)

     

    Interesting review, I quite enjoyed Ronson's book.  I found it quite approachable. 

     

    Great review Kylie! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) As for Hare etc, it's a shame they don't approve of Jon's book. Surely they understand that he has a certain jokey style? One look at his previous books would tell you that. 

    I was a bit sceptical when I heard how much people have to shell out for the course and then .. in addition .. the book. Jon has told us the basics for a much cheaper price :D Maybe that annoys them .. but I bet it has drummed up a lot of interest too. 

     

    Jon's books are everywhere at the moment .. I love the striking covers :)

     

    Maybe that is why... :D

    Library news

    in Book News

    Posted

    This video is awesome.

     

    'The Seattle Public Library launched the 2013 Summer Reading Program by setting a new world record for the longest book domino chain!'

     

     

     

    That was awesome :D

     

    It reminded me of this.

     

     

    It's not really library related but I'm edgy like that :P

     

     

    Both very cool.  Love the creativity. 

    pontalba's 2015 Reading List

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I hope you enjoy your new books, Kate :)!

     

    Thanks, Gaia.....they're coming faster than I can read them! :D

     

    I'm glad to see you around and to hear things are alright with you! :smile2: 

     

     

    It's only my opinion of course, some might not see it as good as the first novel. But Marie H is also enjoying it very much, as is poppy. I hope you can get to the book soon, I'd love to hear how you like it! :) 

     

     

    I can't wait to hear your thoughts on this when you've read it, since Dinner was such a polarizing title! :)

     

    Thanks, Sari. :) 

    I will be getting to it, I'm sure.

     

    I have already read it in ebook form.  Last summer.....I just happened to see a hardback in the consignment store we sometimes frequent.  Hadda have it.  :D 

    Here is my review  of last July.  http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12437-pontalbas-2014-reading-list/?p=400377

    pontalba's 2015 Reading List

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Thanks, Gaia. :)

     

     

    Sarah, re the Philippa Gregory book.....in a way it's a continuation, or more accurately an offshoot of the White Queen books.  It's the story of the last of the Yorks, Margaret Pole.  A good part, mostly, takes place in Henry VIII's reign. 

     

    A few more books.......

     

    The Drowning Pool by Ross MacDonald

    The Death of Caesar by Barry Strauss

    The Third Reich in History and Memory by Richard J. Evans

    Refusal by Felix Francis

    What Are You Watching Now? - 2015

    in Music / TV / Films

    Posted

    Watched the first 6 episodes of House of Cards, and just loved it!

     

    Also binge watched the first season of Outlander.  I'm really impressed that they've stuck so closely to the book.  The fairly minor changes they did make did not degrade the story a bit.  In fact, one of the changes was really excellent!

     

    Have seen the first two seasons of Elementary.  We love it, the dynamic between Holmes and this Watson are delicious.

    Athena's Reading List 2015

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Very good reviews, Gaia. :)  I'm glad that you have been able to give most of the books a good rating.  When you've read so many, there are bound to be a few duds in the mix.  You've been mostly on the plus side, so that's a good thing! I really like that you post the cover art, it's very pretty. 

    pontalba's 2015 Reading List

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Lots of books about the royals :DThe stage adaptations of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies will be interesting .. to see exactly how they've altered the books to suit. Lovely lot of book purchases .. did they all come at once or in dribs and drabs? Very exciting. Hope you enjoy them Kate :)

     

    Thanks, Kay.  :)  Yeah, well Mantel worked on it so I expect it will be at least somewhat close. heh  Somehow I can't see her allowing too much mangling. 

    Dribs and drabs.  I'd see something that filled in a hole in our library, and hadda have it! :D

     

     

    I hope you enjoy your new books, Kate, and I'm glad you liked the ones you read :). I hope you'll get more into your current reads soon.

     

    Thanks, Gaia.  Funny thing is, I really do like all of them......but there has been too many other things going on, and I don't get as much reading time as before. 

    We're following three TV shows.....The Blacklist, Elementary, and Person of Interest. 

     

    Another new entry arrived.  The Death of Caesar by Barry Strauss, it's supposed to be an in-depth examination of the machinations and  politics surrounding Julius Caesar's assassination.  Right up my alley! :D

    pontalba's 2015 Reading List

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I have actually completed three more books,

     

    The Girl With a Clock for a Heart by Peter Swanson 4/5

    Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki by Haruki Murakami 4/5

    Iron House by John Hart 3.5/5

     

    Sarah, I don't remember if you've already read CTT, but you definitely should!  :D

    pontalba's 2015 Reading List

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I thought I'd catch up on our purchases listings.  Here are the newest arrivals. :)

     

    The Skeleton Road by Val McDermind

    The Wild Trees by Richard Preston

    The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon

    Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Mind by Antonio Damasio

    Killers of the King: The Men Who Dared to Execute Charles I by Charles Spencer

    Lamentations by C.J. Sansom

    Wolf Hall & Bring Up the Bodies: The Stage Adaptation by Hilary Mantel, Mike Poulton (Adapter)

    The Autobiography of Malcom X  by Malcolm X, Alex Haley

    Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch (a HB, I only had the kindle copy before)

    The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation  by Ian Mortimer

    Rain on the Dead by Jack Higgins

    The King's Curse by Phillippa Gregory

    pontalba's 2015 Reading List

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    :D  Not snowed in, in fact not one flake has fallen within many miles of here.  We are, thankfully, out of the severe weather range.  Too far South. /phew/  But we have had too many nights of way below freezing weather.  Down in the 20'sF.  For the centigrade'ers out there, 32F is freezing.  :)  And now, starting tonight,  we'll have rain for 4 days, forecast anyhow.  But I'm not complaining!  When I see the video of all that snow up there, it just horrifies me. :icon_eek:

     

    All is find over here, we've been streaming a bunch of free stuff from Amazon (Prime), and some DVDs we already had.  I've got 4 books going atm, can't seem to settle on any one of them for too long.  One of them is Fortune's Favorites by Colleen McCullough....it's third in her Masters of Rome series.  I'd started it last year, and put it down about a third of the way through.  I was just Rome'd out at the time.  But the sections covering Sulla were absolutely fascinating.  Her knowledge and research just shines!

     

    Frankie, I saw your notation on the new Rosie book over yonder in my notifications from GR.  As mentioned, I'm so glad the sequel is as good as the first.  I'll have to get to it. 

     

    Sarah, I loved Scheherazade as well.  I loved the uncertainty and open ended-ness of it. 

     

    I guess neither of us has been online that much lately.  But right now I'm looking out of the window seeing a beautiful blue sky with some fluffy white clouds and looking forward to some warm and dry weather today.  And going across the lake to see a live production of Suddenly Last Summer. :)

    pontalba's 2015 Reading List

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Fresh arrivals from Amazon. :)

     

    World Order by Henry Kissinger

    My Life in Court by Louis Nizer

    The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach

    None Shall Look Back by Caroline Gordon

    The Hunting Gun by Yasushi Inoue

    American Sniper by Chris Kyle w/ Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice

    What Are You Watching Now? - 2015

    in Music / TV / Films

    Posted

    The price finally lessened by about 40% on the Swedish Wallander Season 3!!  Yays!!  We've been watching, and it is absolutely terrific.  Krister Henriksson  is absolutely on target and accurate as the troubled Kurt Wallander. 

     

    We have also recently re-watched some of the UK Wallander with Kenneth Branagh, and while they are well done I don't find Branagh's Wallander as compelling, or accurate to the novel Kurt Wallander.  I think at least one of the main differences is that Branagh emotes, he fails to be as stoic as Wallander is in the novels.

       
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