Julie -2012 Book List

[Roland Butter]

I'll second Mr Whicher, it's a very good book. I think Kate Summerscales has recently had a new one published, too.

[julie]

Thanks Roland

I'll have to check it out ,and also read the Whicher one . I've just been bumbling along lately ,having a time trying to focus on the next book I choose.

[pontalba]

Third here for Mr. Whicher. It was detailed, but not gory. Well put together I thought.

She does have another one coming out later this year, but she has one out at present, from 2008, and it sounds a doozy!

Queen of Whale City

Edited February 9, 2012 by pontalba

[julie]

Thanks Pontalba !

The link you sent certainly looks like an interesting story . Sounds like she will have another good one on the way in a few months too . I guess I should bump up Mr . Whicher . Sounds like several of you have enjoyed it .

Sorry about not keeping up on The Stand, you know ,sometimes you just aren't in the right mood for a particular book ? It seems I am like that right now.Can't seem to stay focused on one very well now .

[poppyshake]

Thanks Pontalba !

The link you sent certainly looks like an interesting story . Sounds like she will have another good one on the way in a few months too . I guess I should bump up Mr . Whicher . Sounds like several of you have enjoyed it .

Sorry about not keeping up on The Stand, you know ,sometimes you just aren't in the right mood for a particular book ? It seems I am like that right now.Can't seem to stay focused on one very well now .

Put it to one side Julie .. you can go back to it when you're more in the mood for it. Read something that grabs you ... have a look at all the first chapters of your books and see which one sparks your interest.

Anyway it sounds like you need a hug .. so I'm sending as many as this post will allow :friends0: :friends0: :friends0: :friends0: :friends0:

[pontalba]

Thanks Pontalba !

The link you sent certainly looks like an interesting story . Sounds like she will have another good one on the way in a few months too . I guess I should bump up Mr . Whicher . Sounds like several of you have enjoyed it .

Sorry about not keeping up on The Stand, you know ,sometimes you just aren't in the right mood for a particular book ? It seems I am like that right now.Can't seem to stay focused on one very well now .

 

Oh, pish posh! Don't give it another thought. I'm happy to be reading it, in fact, I think I only have a little over a hundred pages to go. I'm enjoying it, and don't remember a thing about it from before. /grin/ I'm beginning to wonder if I actually read the beginning of the Dark Tower series instead......

 

I'll echo what poppyshake said! You cannot read something you don't have the vibes for at the time. It's all vibes baby, all vibes! And that's why I have so many books going at the time...start, read awhile, drop it. ennh!

[julie]

Put it to one side Julie .. you can go back to it when you're more in the mood for it. Read something that grabs you ... have a look at all the first chapters of your books and see which one sparks your interest.

Anyway it sounds like you need a hug .. so I'm sending as many as this post will allow :friends0: :friends0: :friends0: :friends0: :friends0:

 

Thank you Miss Poppy.

You are such a sweetie pie .

Just something scarey coming up at the docs and not sure how it will end up .Actually I don't have the energy to be afraid,so I KNOW that's a bad sign . (Or good, at least I wont drive myself bonkers worrying .)

 

 

 

Pontalba

Thank you ,too for being so kind . I really had every intention of reading along with you ,and bought it especially for that. It did sound interesting,but maybe just a little too "down" at the moment to read something else that is down . I'm sure once I get through this latest Black Lagoon I'll be ready to read again .

[poppyshake]

Thank you Miss Poppy.

You are such a sweetie pie .

Just something scarey coming up at the docs and not sure how it will end up .Actually I don't have the energy to be afraid,so I KNOW that's a bad sign . (Or good, at least I wont drive myself bonkers worrying .)

Oh I'm very, very sorry to hear that Julie sending love. Don't worry .. I know you said you wouldn't but just incase .. I'm sure it will turn out fine. Keeping everything crossed for you

[julie]

Thanks Miss Poppy

I can't get in to this doc until the 21st --booked solid til then . Very scarey and it won't be a one-visit thing. It will lead to tests, probably a biopsy, then who knows what after that ?

As I get older I have learned that there's really nothing I can DO about this other than go to the doc, do what he tells me,and hope for the best .

Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed for me .

[pontalba]

Thanks Miss Poppy

I can't get in to this doc until the 21st --booked solid til then . Very scarey and it won't be a one-visit thing. It will lead to tests, probably a biopsy, then who knows what after that ?

As I get older I have learned that there's really nothing I can DO about this other than go to the doc, do what he tells me,and hope for the best .

Thanks for keeping your fingers crossed for me .

 

Scary, yes. Not worrying is one of the hardest things to do, or not do. But I'll tell you what my Aunt used to alwasy tell me, worry wart that I am. "Quit crossing your bridges, till you have to!!"

All you can do is, as you say, do what the doctor says. And pray.

 

The Stand is def not something to read when worried and upset. Something totally disconnected and unrealistic would be great.

[julie]

Pontalba

I certainly understand the worrywart thng,because that's me too , although as I've said, it seems to have slowed down a bit. I guess aftyer the past few years , I've had so much on my plate, I have grown used to bad luck and scarey things ,so it's becoming easier maybe (?) ,to accept bad news. Maybe easier isn't the right word. Maybe more USED TO bad news or prepared for it .

Thanks for your kindness .

[chaliepud]

How sad that you are getting used to receiving bad news Julie, but you seem to handling everything very well to me, and having people to talk to must help so always feel free to vent here. I'm a bit of a worrier too, I think most women are as it is our way of getting things done! My OH doesn't worry enough so I end up worrying for the both of us otherwise nothing would get done!!! For example I just got back from my youngest sons celebration assembly, and had asked Steve to pick up our elder son from school for his orthodontist appointment, luckily I got back a bit earlier than expected as he had totally forgotten!!!! (Luckily I had told him 10 mins earlier than he needed to be there anyway )

[julie]

Chalie

Well, let's just say that between health issues and family issues there has been very little joy in my life for a very long time,so you become used to it and don't want to get your hopes up too high that things will improve,because many of them definitely won't .

It might sound like I'm looking at things negatively, but I look at it as being the truth and facing it instead of lying to myself .

It definitely helps to have people to talk to and be able to get it out .

 

I agree about ladies, I do think we worry more ,but probably because SOMEONE has to . Men seem to just kind of bumble along through life without a care .They manage to function and get things done, but not always in a timely manner .

[pontalba]

Just remember there is a fine line between negativity and reality. Easily crossed. Negativity is bad for us in general, so it's important to keep on the guard. Sending good vibes and hugs.

 

I can say this because when I tell my husband I'm being realistic, he says....no, you're being negative. hee hee /sigh/

[Sofia]

*crossing fingers for you*

[lauraloves]

adding my hugs and crossed finger too

[julie]

Just remember there is a fine line between negativity and reality. Easily crossed. Negativity is bad for us in general, so it's important to keep on the guard. Sending good vibes and hugs.

 

Pontalba

We must be married to brothers. My hubster is always telling me the same . He tells me not to look at the bad side, to look at the good. I always think it's best to be prepared for the bad news so you will be able to handle it when it comes . You really don't have to PREPARE for good news.

I can say this because when I tell my husband I'm being realistic, he says....no, you're being negative. hee hee /sigh/

*crossing fingers for you*

Thanks Sofia ! You're so sweet .

adding my hugs and crossed finger too

Thank you also Laura .

 

You guys are all so very nice to me . I'm so glad I found this place. A real caring group of people.

[julie]

Mail Order Murder : The Sensational Trial of Mary Crumroy

I read this book within a few hours. It was a Kindle book,priced at $4.99 . It was a true crime book I hadn't read,so figured I'd spend the 5 bucks to read it .

It was about a farm couple back in the 1920's who were both on marriage number 2.They were in their late40'sor early 50's I'd guess,and both had kids from their first marriage who were almost all grown.Only one boy remained at home .

The man supposedly took sick and the wife supposedly cared for him, each day ,him becoming worse. They had a few doctors visit the house and the wife was also "doctoring him" herself with someof the old time medications available back then ,which were supposedly for almost any ailment ,but really didn't do much good .

Anyhow ,the book wouldpossibly have been more interesting if the author had chosen to tell the family's story a little more thoroughly before jumping straight into the crime. It told some about what life was like back then and how hard people worked on their farms,etc .

Then it went straight to the day the man became ill,and his death following a few days later . The author then went straight into the court transcripts . After reading them, the author tells you to go to this website to read more info and decide for yourself if you think the wife poisined the guy or he died of an illness alone . The website is no longer there,so I just read on .It at least wrapped the story up nicely,telling what the verdict was, then telling where everyone in both families ended up ,and what they did the rest of their lives ,so that part wasnice, knowing what happened to everyone .

The book was ok ,not written the best . No photos, and not much of a story line,so it was lacking .

Anyhow, at least I managed to get another book read . On to search for the next .

[vodkafan]

Yeah she did it fo' sure

[julie]

Last Statements and Case Files of Executed Death Row Inmates

 

This was a free kindle book, if you could class it as that. No story to it, just pages copied form probably the prison files,it had a page typed out with the guy's photo,then told what he said before they executed him.

A VERY short book . My reading mojo got lost someplace,so I am trying to kick start it in any way possible ,so I started out with this tiny little "book" just to see if I can focus myself enough to get started reading again .

If this book cost money, I'd say don't buy it, but for free, it was interesting . VERY hard to see on my plain old kindle --- you'd need to read it online on your kindle app or someplace where you could make the print bigger .

[poppyshake]

Was it a depressing book Julie? .. what DID they say before execution? I don't know if I'd be capable of rational thought before being executed .. I'm hardly capable of it at the best of times. Were the majority of them trying to make peace? protest their innocence? send love to their nearest and dearest? ... I'm intrigued.

 

Is crime your preferred genre? I reckon you could commit the perfect one now .. you've done so much research

 

Hope you can kickstart your mojo soon .. it must be very frustrating

[julie]

Hi Miss Poppy

They were a mixture of the following : About 1/3 apologized to the family of the victim or to their own family for the grief he caused them .

A few admitted they did it and said they had changed and found religion, or realized their mistakes in life .

A couple blamed their upbringing on their bad choices they made .

I think only one or 2 said they were innocent and we are killing the wrong guy . Those are the ones that get to me. Iread a book several years ago about the death penalty in our country,and to the author's knowledge, he had found 128 cases where we have executed an innocent person .

I know this is a touchy subject in our country ,with people for or against . I am against because of those 128 . Even if it were only ONE, it's too many . We are murderers ourselves if we agree to kill these people .What IF they get one wrong ? An innocent person died .

I also don't feel it is a deterrant in any way . If someone is in the frame of mind to murder another person, for whatever their reason, they will not stop to think it through and think about the punishment they will get on down the road .

It also costs us more money to have someone on death row,and allow all the appeals to go through ,then to leave them in jail for life .

 

As to whether it was depressing ? No, just SAD ... I do like true crime and read a lot of it when I can READ ... I find it fascinating to figure out where a person's head must be while commiting the crime, how they try to get away,how they catch them,and how they do the trial , as far as prosecutors and defense lawyers.

So I wouldnt call the books entertaining, just informative .

 

I suppose if I wanted to knock someone off, I could do it, but I doubt I'd take the time to try to hide it or make it look like an accident. I know the cops are good at what they do and will more than likely catch you,so I wouldnt think it all out ahead of time trying to beat the system . I'd just call them and say come get me, or I'd turn myself in .

I'm moody with a smartmouth, but have never gotten angry enough to HURT anyone. I just curse like a drunken sailor, then I'm done .

[poppyshake]

Hi Miss Poppy

They were a mixture of the following : About 1/3 apologized to the family of the victim or to their own family for the grief he caused them .

A few admitted they did it and said they had changed and found religion, or realized their mistakes in life .

A couple blamed their upbringing on their bad choices they made .

I think only one or 2 said they were innocent and we are killing the wrong guy . Those are the ones that get to me. Iread a book several years ago about the death penalty in our country,and to the author's knowledge, he had found 128 cases where we have executed an innocent person .

I know this is a touchy subject in our country ,with people for or against . I am against because of those 128 . Even if it were only ONE, it's too many . We are murderers ourselves if we agree to kill these people .What IF they get one wrong ? An innocent person died .

I also don't feel it is a deterrant in any way . If someone is in the frame of mind to murder another person, for whatever their reason, they will not stop to think it through and think about the punishment they will get on down the road .

It also costs us more money to have someone on death row,and allow all the appeals to go through ,then to leave them in jail for life.

I think miscarriage of justice is the main reason we no longer have the death penalty here .. three people have received posthumous pardons but what use is that? .. there was definitely sufficient evidence to cast doubt on their convictions but they were no longer alive to face a re-trial. They say that figure would have been a lot higher if the death penalty had not been abolished in 1965. To my mind executing just one innocent person is one too many. In any case I read somewhere that the States that have the death penalty have a higher rate of (murder) crime than those that don't .. so it's not even an effective deterrent is it?

It's a tough one though .. you have murderers like Ian Huntley .. who killed two schoolgirls. He has tried to commit suicide several times, it's costing the state lots to keep him in prison .. there is no doubt that he murdered them .. nobody outside of his family cares if he lives or dies .. what on earth should you do in his case?

 

As to whether it was depressing ? No, just SAD ... I do like true crime and read a lot of it when I can READ ... I find it fascinating to figure out where a person's head must be while commiting the crime, how they try to get away,how they catch them,and how they do the trial , as far as prosecutors and defense lawyers.

So I wouldnt call the books entertaining, just informative.

I do find that fascinating about murderers .. nine times out of ten they haven't thought it out properly. They all seem to follow a pattern and it's obvious that the finger will eventually point at them. I suppose the thing is, unless it's a crime of passion, the murderer is not sane anyway and rational thought has long gone out the window. It makes you seethe when you read about men who rape women/children .. and then dispose of them like last weeks rubbish. And then there are all those supposed loved ones that go on TV to 'appeal' for witnesses .. faking distress .. and then it turns out it was them all along. I guess it's times like those that I could quite happily see the death penalty come back .. but really I just want to put them all together on an island .. and let them prey on each other but ... what if someone is innocent .. it would be as bad as killing them.

I suppose if I wanted to knock someone off, I could do it, but I doubt I'd take the time to try to hide it or make it look like an accident. I know the cops are good at what they do and will more than likely catch you,so I wouldnt think it all out ahead of time trying to beat the system . I'd just call them and say come get me, or I'd turn myself in .

I'm moody with a smartmouth, but have never gotten angry enough to HURT anyone. I just curse like a drunken sailor, then I'm done .

Something would have had to have gone radically wrong for me to ever harm anyone .. unless you're talking about my cooking

[julie]

Palaces by Perla Licci

 

I got this when I was on free Amazon prime,so got it for nothing for my kindle. It now costs 10 bucks .

 

Ok, so I cheated ... this book was a PICTURE book. I thought it would tell about each castle and have a lttle different type of castle than they had.

I somehow lose all sense of reason on these free Kindle books,and grab them when I really don't read more about them ahead of time . I guess the sparkley word FREE clouds my judgement.

I was hoping this would show photos of OLD palaces with antiques and dusty books and dead stuffed lions in the den .

Nope .

 

This was MODERN palaces, most in United Arab Emirates ,2 in Florida . I would call them mansions ,but who am I to say WHAT they are ?

They are beautiful photos and gorgeous rooms ,but palaces ?

NOPE .

 

I know, I'm cheating today folks-- finding some quickies to make it look like I'm reading up a storm .

If it makes you feel any better, I looked thru the picture book twice .

[julie]

Miss Poppy

I bet you are a good cook,so doubt your food would hurt anyone. If I have a hubster who has eaten coal black grilled cheeses for 35 years and it hasnt caused him any damage,then I'm sure your cooking is safe .

 

As for the "pardons" for innocent dead folks, like you say,why bother ? Maybe it gives some sense of closure to the dead man's family to have his name cleared,but gosh ,he's DEAD .

 

It does sound as though the states that kill the most people in executions have the highest crime rates. Texas is probably number one,followed closely by Florida. Our state has the death penalty,but they go for big gaps of time ,then might kill one or two,then maybe none for years .so it's a slow process . We seem to have some of the wackos on death row who try to get off by saying they are SLOW LEARNERS or they are OBESE so they think it will be inhumane to give them the drug to kill them,since it might be hard to get the IV in through all their layers of skin .

UUUHHHHHHhh.... I don't know .. I don't go for the death penalty but some of these guys, you'd like to punch them in the nose for being stupid .

I think the reason the 2 states I mentioned may have the high rate of executons don't necessarily have the highest crime rates in the country ( although they do have LOTS of crime) ,is the fact that they speed up the process some . Our state ? Kill somebody and get death ? You'll be alive for 20 years at least .

 

We know a couple whose daughter was kidnapped and killed. I think she was 12 or so. Playing at the park across the street from her house . The guy grabbed her in front of 2 friends, and they found her dead under a pile of brush about 10 days later . The guy got the death penalty when she would have been 30-something .

Her dad and brothers went to view the execution . They are VERY religious,but they believed an eye for an eye . They thought they owed it to Krista to be there to make sure he got death. He never admitted to it ,never apologized. Just got a needle, medecine, took a couple breaths ,and died.

They had the poor family on the news right afterwards . They had no sense of happiness that he was dead,no sense of closure.

They felt EMPTY inside. Their girl was still dead,so no matter what they did to this guy,they were going home without their girl .

VERY sad .

 

 

I know what you mean about dirtbags like this ... they don't deserve to live,but I think we let them off easy if we give them a shot and they don't wake up. They should have to live their entire life in a cage like an animal.that HAS to be worse punishment than getting a nice simple shot and floating off to wherever they float to .