pontalba

Sending , oh!, and

I like your optimistic view! And hope it comes to pass in that fashion. I've always hated that the viewer was literally forced to buy a plethora of unwanted channels, just because they were in a package. Wasteful and arrogant on the companies part! It's very difficult to find any sort of what we used to call "art" theatres here. I think that New Orleans is so far behind some of the other larg(er) cities in, well most everything. It used to be said that N.O. was at least 10 years behind in fashion, behind New York City. I believe it! Unfortunately, the few art/innovative theatres that have opened are in neighborhoods that I'd be very nervous to park and leave the car in. And, they're out of the way enough (for us) to have to use the car. Annoying. The only films that are shown at the chain theatres are very run of the mill, and they all seem to show basically the same things. I'd like to go to the movies more than we do, but the selection is poor. It burns me up when I read, for example, the New York Times Movies page and see some films I'd really like to see, but they don't come down here! Just have to wait, and hope they will be streamed on Amazon (for example).

Well, we had coupons, don't you see? It was a necessity. I mean, really, one can't just let good coupons go to waste, right?? Barnes & Noble purchases, on sale, and with coupons. The Science of Interstellar by Kip Thorne w/ Foreword by Christopher Nolan (!) Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews (Edgar Award Winner for Best First Novel) The Abominable by Dan Simmons The First Phone Call From Heaven by Mitch Albom

Interesting article, glad to see they're making a series of them! I've only read the first one, Cuckoo's Nest....here is my review. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12437-pontalbas-2014-reading-list/?p=380731 I have to say I liked it. Certainly enough to want to read the next one, which is on the shelf waiting, patiently, for me to get to it. I've found that most first novels of a series are a bit difficult, and sometimes awkward. Not 100%, but enough for me to expect it.

That will make fascinating reading! Reading their own words, it's so eye opening. But what an awful time for your GGF and GGM.

This article is in today's New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/11/science/new-research-quantifies-the-oceans-plastic-problem.html?emc=edit_au_20141210&nl=afternoonupdate&nlid=28874140&_r=1 Some interesting conclusions, some good, some not so. But all progress in our knowledge and understanding of the amount of plastic in our oceans. There is some discussion as to whether the smaller amounts found (than previously thought) is good, or bad. If bad, it means that the plastics have broken down so far as to release all the toxins, and that marine life has consumed those smaller bits and passed them on up the food chain. A partial quote, bolding mine: So, is it getting better, not as bad as we thought, or much worse than we thought? Stay tuned......

Glad to hear I'm not a complete dinosaur!

Good review, Ian. I always enjoy a Bosch book. I haven't read enough of them! Must really get on that. You are right, they are just satisfying reads and the motivations are pretty clear.

We've started watching the original Upstairs, Downstairs on (gasp) VHS tape. Yes, I've had them that long.

Fantastic news! First you get the classes you want/need, then this ^^^^. Very happy for you, Anna!

Just saw on Amazon Kindle deals http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I7JFCAY/ref=s9_hps_ft_g351_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-6&pf_rd_r=0ZM13FW46APASB5H9XC8&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=1589752402&pf_rd_i=1000677541 The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien [Kindle Edition] J.R.R. Tolkien J.R.R. Tolkien (Author) › Visit Amazon's J.R.R. Tolkien Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author Are you an author? Learn about Author Central (Author), Humphrey Carpenter (Editor) for 2.99 USD

It's funny. I've done that several times in the past. Two off the top of my head are The Untouchable by John Banville, a spy story...actually a fictional take on the real Kim Philby story. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Philby The other is Paul Auster's New York Trilogy. That one is just a mind blower! But in a good way. I gave up early on with both of them, went back later and loved them. I suppose I'm just "book-moody".

That sounds like the right thing to do, June. I'm glad you're taking the leap of faith. Caring people are at a minimum in that field, and I'm sure you'll make a difference. Good luck on both the new position and the revamping of your book.

'Wow. Just Wow! Interesting, yes. Amazing.....Yes!

I've read several of the short stories in The Polish Boxer by Eduardo Halfon. When I started, I wasn't aware it was a book of short stories, but the narrator, interestingly enough, is named Eduardo Halfon. So, a common narrator of all stories. I'm loving it.

Nice review, Julie...sounds good. Glad you're reading 'n reviewing again. Yup, I've broken a hundred, as I'd hoped. I'm reading, I think #108 right now. (nuttin' like our Gaia though!) There was one in particular I thought you'd like....I meant to post it on your thread.....did I? lol It's from November, The Great New Orleans Kidnapping Case by Michael A. Ross 4/5. True story of a little girl kidnapped in 1860something in New Orleans. I think this link will lead you to my review. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12437-pontalbas-2014-reading-list/?p=409268

I wasn't officially in the game, but I did read 90%, and finished up, When We Were Orphans...336 pages.

Hey there!! Very glad to see you back here! Oh, I hope you can avoid the hospital stay, Julie. And, hooray for a running auto! Hugs, and good vibes coming your way. <<<<>>>>

I've finished When We were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro, and loved it! Review over on my book thread. Not sure what is next. I'll decide in the morning, it's just past Midnight here.

When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro 5/5 To live a life that counts, to accomplish what others have been unable to manage. Our protagonist, Christopher Banks, lives his first 9 years in a kind of golden glow. When both parents, over the course of a few months, disappear from the International Settlement in Shanghai he is returned to England. Later in life he makes a success of himself, but yearns to solve the mystery of his Mother and Father's (assumed) kidnapping. Do they still live? What really happened to them? His memories become more and more unreal to him as he struggles to find the truth. Nothing and no one is what they appear to be, each has their own agenda. And reasons for either helping or hindering Christopher's search. Ishiguro entwines the political situation of pre-war Shanghai with Christopher's search, giving it a surreal air that shows the reader, at least the fallout of that time. Friends become foes, and enemies are not what they seem. Another enigmatic entry by Ishiguro. Well worth the read. Oddly this is the second time I've tried it. Threw in the towel the first time....Hah!

Thanks, Gaia!

It. Was. Fabulous. Not what one would expect. Want to see it again.

Congratulations on your new membership! Your library sounds a good example to all.

It is fascinating. Below that layer of letters, I found letters dating back to the American Civil War, Now, if only I can decipher the handwriting! I've started When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro. I'd bought it years ago, a hardback...started, gave it to a friend as I didn't like it. Now I'm reading a paperback copy I found cheap, and after a few pages, I think I like it. hah

Malice by Keigo Higashino 4-5/5 Aptly named, this convoluted, twisted murder mystery isn't, finally, about the who, but about the why. The name could have been "Much Malice Aforethought" and been even more appropriate. Almost unbelievable, but all too believable in the end. Why would former childhood friends, fellow authors have such an ending to their relationship. Does it involve "sex, money and rock and roll", or is the reasoning much deeper, more elemental? I don't want to commit spoilers, so that's all I'll say. A very dark offering by Mr. Higashino. Four stars for construction, but actually five stars for the feeling of dread that follows the reading of the novel. Very difficult to shake off.