pontalba

I liked Thinner as well, Anna. Very "Twilight Zone-ish".. I haven't read a lot of Stephen King, but have to agree with above posts. The Stand was a marvelous story of how people cope in terrible times. What proves important, really important in their lives. I enjoyed 11/22/63 a lot, partially because I like reading about what people think happened, really happened. Plus there is the whole 'wanting to change the world' scenario. We always wonder about the path not taken, how would our lives have turned out, what would be different, would it be vastly different.....for the better, or worse. And, even if you know the basic outlines of a historical period, what unknowns can throw a monkey wrench in the works. It's the details that'll kill ya. So, I guess The Stand is my favorite, so far.

It's true, it's true.....^^^^^^^^^^^ what he said. As my Aunt used to say.....'to each their own kettle of fish!'

Oh, I hope so too! I'll look forward to hearing your take on it.

That's good to know!

This is a "guilt-free" zone!! What some have said above is very true, no smoking, no bar crawls, etc....although I can't say no shoes....not after the collection I've gotten together in the last several years.....but really a gal has to have some vices! And, books are practical. Think of the Rh factor! /she said with a totally straight face/

We stopped watching when they started cutting body parts off while on camera, about 3/4ths through the first season.

Thanks, Athena. I'm reading Kirk Douglas's I Am Sparticus: Making a Film, Breaking the Blacklist. I like Douglas's writing, it's forceful and very direct. Interesting take on what happened with the famous McCarthy blacklist. Terrible times.

Do you find it is sticking close to the book? Are they combining all the books, or part? Love this show. We watched it all in a row a couple of years ago on DVD. Good stuff! I read some of the first book, but put it down. I'm not sure I want to finish. A bit icky..... Well written, but still.

What is nice, too, is that when the paperback has come out, the hardback usually has many second hand copies available at a cheaper rate than the paperback! Oddness, in a way. I think you are right.....not always a year, many times less. Back in the Stone Age, it was almost always a year. But everything is faster nowadays. heh

Thanks, it really is. Thinking about it, it's actually comforting in a large way.

Thanks!

You are on a great run of books and reviews, Gaia! Good work. Regarding not buying books.......it's very difficult. We've cut down this year, but still managed to buy (and 98% are second hand/library sale books!) a little over 500 this year. You should see our wish list....... Not to mention the little pieces of paper around on the desk here with titles and authors. It's a weaning process. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!!

All great reviews ian. I didn't realize that Hitchcock's film was based on a Du Maurier story! thanks.

I always read them. Can't help myself, just gotta read what is there. Not more common, I think.....but I've mostly seen them in paperbacks. Probably because when a book in a series goes to paperback, the next in the series is probably coming out, and they want to hook the reader. Isn't it usually a year between initial hardback and paperback editions?

My husband is a big reader, and many times we read the same book in conjunction, or one after the other. My mother loved to read as well. My father was mostly into technical books, but I was so young when he died, I don't know what else. I know my grandparents on both sides were readers as well, and great grandparents....I have some of their books. So, I guess you could say I come from a long line of readers, and married into a family of readers. I didn't have children, but I'd bet they'd be readers as well! heh

I read the Gerrold book, and didn't care for it at all. It didn't have near the depth or character development of Replay, I believe I finished it, but only by the hardest. heh

I didn't even finish Penumbra...can't even remember how far I read into it. Not a third, IIRC. Bleech. I've finished I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes, the book, Michelle kindly sent me. It was fantastic, a definite 5/5 ! A detective story wrapped in a great spy story. Review on my book thread. Thanks again Michelle!

I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes 5/5 !! A thriller? Yes. A fascinating detective story? Yes. A spy out in the cold? Oh, yeah. A puzzle wrapped in an enigma? Definitely. Terry Hayes has wrapped what is already a fascinating detective story into a frantic global chase for a man only known by a code name. The Saracen. A man that has the cold and calculating intelligence and more importantly, the practical know how to devastate the civilized world. We are told the stories of the two protagonists in alternating sections, opening in New York City with the first murder and Pilgrim's story slowly unfolds, how he came to be the person he is. Others are told in conjunction. One such is a story of a NYC detective whose story will partially enfold with his. Then we are whisked away to Saudi Arabia, and The Saracen's story is told. Why he is who he has become, and what drives him. From New York City, to Paris to the barren war torn wastes of Afghanistan, the story's final confrontation on both issues, takes place in a seaside, tourist town in Turkey. The landscapes are gorgeously rendered, the people well fleshed out. Interestingly enough Hayes has combined something that I've not seen before. A murder mystery and a spy story. It occurs to me that while there are similarities, the types are actually polar opposites. A detective starts with a crime....murder, robbery, and has to work backwards to solve it and catch the criminal. The spy must catch the criminal/terrorist before the crime has been committed. Hayes has juxtaposed those opposing types. The result is mesmerizing. There are always reasons why we humans are the way we are, no matter how alien they may be to another. All sides are well represented in this novel of intrigue, love and loyalty. Recommended.

I'd seen it a few days ago, but now I've saved the link. Thanks so much! I love it!! It's so funny...the lion is rubbing its jaw on the man...that is how they mark their scent on something. Beautiful. Just a big kitty.

Still summer in the South. Gonna be hot, and it might rain. Although the last several nights have been as cool as 68F or 69F.

I'm quite sure that the female judge knows a lot more about the entire case and all its evidence than we outside of both the courtroom and the country know. And frankly I would neither second guess her, or judge her.

You are really steaming along with your excellent reviews, and reading in general! And, btw, great Star Trek collection! I have a few of the Deep Space 9 books, but my collection is more of the original series, and then a lesser collection of the Next Generation books. I collected quite a few a long time ago.

Sometimes more than a bit........ But she was a good egg about it.

Great reviews, Alexi! Even though you hated the Auster. I hated it the first time I attempted it, and only made it less than half way through. Second time, 6 years or so later, was the charm for me. But I'm really glad you enjoyed the King! It was great, I agree, def! And, yays on seeing the highlights, NYC! Were the tourists still sticking their ipads out through the bars? Man, they gave me the shivers! Did you get a picture?

Aww, why'd you leave off Milk Cow?! They did, for sure. I hope you can get the car fixed somewhere else!