pontalba Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 I forgot to mention I also finished All Souls by Javier Marias a definite 3.5/5.....bordering on 4/5 really. Marias, as always a slow moving, round about story of a man, a (single) Spanish professor, on loan to Oxford University. He chronicles his affair with a married woman that lasts most of his two year sojourn at the University. We hear all the juicy gossip of the professors, but told in a non-salacious manner. The interesting thing to me is that this character is the same one that comes to.......lets say a mystifying end in Marias's latest book, The Infatuations. Which I just happened to have read only last month. Synchronicity at it's best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 Yippie!!!! The boxes of books arrived in today's mail! I can't believe it! We only mailed them from WDC Thursday morning....... :D The Kramer Books are: Dark Back of Time by Javier Marias When I was Mortal by Javier Marias Bangkok Haunts by John Burdett Priceless by Robert K. Wittman A Brief History of Thought by Luc Ferry The Obamians by James Mann Dusk by James Salter Cassada by James Salter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 Wow, that was fast - they almost beat you guys home ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 That's pretty fast! Nice haul ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 Lovely hearing about your trip. Hurray for new books ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 I love the smell of new books! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 20, 2013 Author Share Posted October 20, 2013 Thank you, all! I was knocked out when I opened the mailbox and there they were, filling the rather large, rural mailbox. Well, I must admit to stopping by B&N this afternoon. We managed only two books. Never Come Back by David Bell Others of My Kind by James Sallis Also, I added a few to my wish list on the iphone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I love the smell of new books! Why did I get an image of you shouting that from the door of a helicopter with Ride of the Valyries blasting away in the background? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Why did I get an image of you shouting that from the door of a helicopter with Ride of the Valyries blasting away in the background? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 (edited) Others of My Kind by James Sallis 5/5 Last night I read a James Sallis novel, in one sitting, Others of My Kind, I cannot say enough good things about it, or his writing. Poetic, spare, eloquent and hard hitting. It will break your heart, then revive your faith in humanity.His characters are complex, and straight forward at the same time. The more I think about the story, the more I love it. I found James Sallis through this very forum, and am very grateful to a poster that hasn't posted here since, that I know of, one sophiagia10. Here is that thread...just FYI http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/11107-top-10-books-of-2012-for-fans-of-new-orleans-and-louisiana-set-tales/#entry322873 I've read several of Sallis's Lew Griffin series, a PI based in New Orleans a few decades ago. Good stuff, accurate portrayal of Non-touristy New Orleans. Edited October 23, 2013 by pontalba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Kat I was gonna say I think I remember you reading another book by this same author not too long ago, so you must enjoy his writing . I haven't read anything by him . So is he from your area, or just likes to write stories set down there ? I think I remember the Sophia person who was on here, but haven't seen her in awhile . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidsmum Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Thanks for the review of Others Of My Kind Pontalba i just checked the library catalogue & my local library has a copy so now i'm thinking do i have time to get down there today & grab it before any one else get there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Kat I was gonna say I think I remember you reading another book by this same author not too long ago, so you must enjoy his writing . I haven't read anything by him . So is he from your area, or just likes to write stories set down there ? I think I remember the Sophia person who was on here, but haven't seen her in awhile . Yeah, I've read several of Sallis's, plus have more on the shelf. Def worth a look. Thanks for the review of Others Of My Kind Pontalba i just checked the library catalogue & my local library has a copy so now i'm thinking do i have time to get down there today & grab it before any one else get there Oh, you are quite welcome, glad you are giving him a go! Hope the library still has it. A few more books to add to the stacks: The Cave and the Light by Arthur Herman The Hidden White House by Robert Klara JFK Conservative by Ira Stoll Ancient Greece, Everyday Life in the Birthplace of Western Civilization by Robert Garland Brain Workout Cryptograms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 The Cave and the Light by Arthur Herman The Hidden White House by Robert Klara JFK Conservative by Ira Stoll Ancient Greece, Everyday Life in the Birthplace of Western Civilization by Robert Garland Brain Workout Cryptograms x Nice ! Do you do brain puzzles sometimes! I've got quite a few puzzle books and magazines but I haven't made many of them yet (I've been too tired). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 x Nice ! Do you do brain puzzles sometimes! I've got quite a few puzzle books and magazines but I haven't made many of them yet (I've been too tired). No, my husband is the cryptographer in the family. He is very good at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 (edited) With no relationship to any post above, only my finally remembering to post it.... My husband and I recently watched all seasons of The Sopranos. Loved it. One of the most wonderful characters was Tony Soprano's mother, Livia. She was played by Nancy Marchand, a wonderful actress that unfortunately passed away during the show's run. She had some very, er, expressive mannerisms about her and one of the best, IMO, was this. The gesture was accompanied by a rather guttural ennhhhhh! She was an interesting and, when younger, a beautiful woman. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Marchand Edited October 25, 2013 by pontalba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Pixie Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Loved The Sopranos. I hadn`t realised that Nancy Marchand was also on Lou Grant ! I dimly remember her earlier work now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I hadn`t realised that Nancy Marchand was also on Lou Grant ! She was great on Lou Grant, too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 She was great on Lou Grant, too That is where I remembered her from. Her character was based on Katherine Graham, who was the publisher of the Washington Post.......her family owned it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I loved sopranos too, except for the way they just suddenly end it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 I loved sopranos too, except for the way they just suddenly end it. I know. Me too. There have been some great articles on the ending. But I think it mostly boils down to the fact the story was told from Tony's POV, and that guy that came in after his daughter is the one that came up behind Tony and shot him. Hence the going black. Tony was dead. Here's a great blog that talks about the ending.........scroll down a little to "Introduction". http://masterofsopranos.wordpress.com/the-sopranos-definitive-explanation-of-the-end/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 27, 2013 Author Share Posted October 27, 2013 I've wavered between a two and three star rating for Livia: First Lady of Imperial Rome by Anthony A. Barrett. Finally, on account of his exhaustive research I've come down on a three star rating.Apparently there is not much in the way of hard evidence as to Livia's personality or actions. Barrett makes it very clear that historians Tacitus', Seneca and Suetonius et als are torn, and conflicting in their portrayal of Livia. The former being the most acid and hostile to Livia.Barrett begins his biography by devoting paragraphs to speaking of Robert Graves' portrayal of Livia in I, Claudius and Claudius the God, including the BBC filming of same. He states (correctly) that Sian Phillips's portrayal of Livia was so strong, it has taken over popular opinion as the "real" Livia. There is a great deal of truth in what he says. However as far as I am concerned, Barrett has done very little to counteract that picture.He states time after time (ad nauseam) that there is no verifiable proof of Livia being a poisoner as stated in Graves books. Every step of the way though, Barrett backs up the verifiable events as seen in Graves work. There is nothing to counteract those assumptions of being a poisoner. And, I hasten to admit, as far as I can tell, they are assumptions. We have no forensic proof that Livia poisoned the ones she was accused of poisoning in Graves books. As Barrett presents her Livia did in fact, have motive and opportunity to commit those crimes that she has been accused of.Livia is presented by Barrett as being the epitome of Roman Womanhood, an example to be followed in every way. Loyal, and doing everything possible to support her husband. Let us also remember that Octavian/Augustus ran roughshod over many to become Emperor, and was politically savvy and an opportunist.From the Preface:"One of the burdens shouldered by the modern historian is that of correcting false impressions created by the popular media, particularly dangerous when a production is distinguished and the performances brilliant. This process usually involves the thankless task of demonstrating pedantically that, contrary to popular belief, truth is rarely stranger than fiction, and is usually far less exciting."Barrett seems to have shot himself in the foot in my view, as he doesn't prove anything, and is far too repetitive, and far too (his word) pedantic.In fact, as far as I am concerned, methinks the historian doth protest too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 27, 2013 Author Share Posted October 27, 2013 The other day I posted on the film thread that we'd gone to see The Counselor. Directed by Ridley Scott and screenplay written by Cormac McCarthy. We loved the film, although "love" in that context is probably the last thing to think of. It's an intense, scary movie with intense and very scary characters. Crooked lawyer, innocent girl, Mexican drug cartel, rip off artist(s). Everyone is conning everyone, and the last con is not totally apparent till the last of the film. Fantastic actors. Amazing direction, and the writing! The writing! Anyhow, I'm posting about this here because I just read a wonderful article, an interview with Ridley Scott in the New York Times. It's informative and laugh out loud funny. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/magazine/ridley-scott-most-novelists-are-desperate-to-do-what-i-do.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20131027&_r=0 I like Scott even more after reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted October 28, 2013 Author Share Posted October 28, 2013 An American Spy by Olen Steinhauer 4/5 Dithering between a three and four star rating....came down on four. Just because of Steinhauer's amazing talent for dragging the reader along even through iffy parts.The story is, in some ways a typical spy, cross, double-cross, unknown quantities, and other ways quite extraordinary. Steinhauer constructs his stories in a sort of stacked manner, and shifts perspective and adjusts the timeline so that finally at the end the reader has the entire picture of "what really happened". Even if all the participants of the story are not fully in the loop. I'm not exactly sure what to make of that, whether or not I fully agree with that style. It is, however, interesting.I haven't read all of the "Tourist" stories to date, and I am certainly moved to do so. I'd recommend Steinhauer to anyone that loves a twisty spy story, with perhaps a bit of an untypical ending, and complicated characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julie Posted October 28, 2013 Share Posted October 28, 2013 Kate You really have a wide range of reading tastes . Are there any genres you refuse to read , or do you like them all ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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