Hi Blackdog,

Snow Country? As you guessed, I really enjoyed it. Probably one of the most beautiful books I've ever read - perhaps not one of the best, but if you read it, I think you'll see what I'm getting at; Kawabata paints the most wonderful pictures with words, it's like looking at a painting. Another LT-er left an interesting message on my Reading Globally thread, about how the 'turning points' in Japanese literature are often much more subtle than in Western lit, and this novel is a great illustration of that. For example, instead of an awful accident being the event which signals change, here it's the turning of the leaves. I know I tend to race through things, but here I had to slow down and pay attention; I didn't mind, though, because it was such a pleasure to savour every word.

I read an excellent translation by Edward G. Seidensticker (don't know if there are others), and his introduction really added to my understanding, and therefore enjoyment, of the novel.

Look forward to hearing what you make of it!

posted by rachbxl at 3:41 pm (EST) on Jul 4, 2008

I am two thirds of the way through The Fountainhead and am FINALLY beginning to enjoy it. It was a labor of love for a while. Dominique is becoming an adjective in my vocabluary. "That was a domoninique attitude", or "What a dominique-like decision that was!" This type of comment, however, is lost on most as the majority of those, when asked if they ever read this book, claim they couldn't finish it. My comment to them is that they gave up too quickly. The end, so far, has justified the means.

posted by JWebb at 10:12 am (EST) on Jul 4, 2008

Forgot to say - Plainsong was one of the best things I read last year (I'd never have left it on my TBR shelf for that long if I'd known!). I only found out the other day that there's a sequel (through LT, obviously), so it's gone straight on my wish list.

posted by rachbxl at 11:15 am (EST) on Jun 29, 2008

Hi Blackdog,

Thanks for your message, and for adding my library to your interesting libraries. Whenever I go and visit someone, I love to stand and stare at their bookshelves - on LT you can do it without even leaving home! I'm looking forward to paying a visit to your library very soon...

You're right, I'm lucky to be able to read in languages other than English, and with the languages I read (French, Spanish, Italian), I can cover a lot of the world. The downside, though, is that for a long time that made me neglect everywhere else - if I was going to have to read it in translation, I didn't want to know (apart from a few things that I desperately wanted to read, like Anna Karenina)...so I understand what you're saying about never knowing how much you lose in translation. A couple of years ago I took a conscious decision to change that, and I'm glad I did; it's led me to read Mahfouz, Kawabata, Murakami - and one of my favourite reads so far this year was translated from the Norwegian.

You asked about Belgium - I've been here about 6 years now, for work, and it looks like I'm here for the long-term. (I'm British).

I'm off for a nose around your library now...!

Rachel

posted by rachbxl at 11:10 am (EST) on Jun 29, 2008

I'm glad you enjoyed ''The Virginian''. I really should put it on my read-again list for someday. I read it when I was in my teens and at the time I thought it was the most unusual way to write a western. Not full of the slam-bang shoot-em ups I was used to. I never thought I cared for it, but I must have on some level because I can remember much more detail from it than from most others of the same genre. I'll keep an eye out for the journals...it's always interesting to read about life from the author's own perspective.

posted by Oklahoma at 10:52 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2008

Are you enjoying 'The Virginian'? I read it a few years ago, and have never met another living soul who had.

posted by Oklahoma at 12:14 pm (EST) on Jun 20, 2008

I shall listen to your recommendation then. Glad it was an enjoyable experience. I have The Virginian somewhere I know I do so I'll keep a look out for the journals and letters.

posted by TheBookImp at 7:55 pm (EST) on Jun 17, 2008

I finally finished Daylight and Nightmare by G K Chesterton. I liked it overall. Some of the stories were very good and begged to be longer. Talk to you later.
Carrie

posted by cal8769 at 9:30 am (EST) on Jun 17, 2008

Great. I hope you like it. The saying was wonderful.

Carrie

posted by cal8769 at 9:09 pm (EST) on Jun 6, 2008

Hiya

I noticed in your TBR pile that you have The Virginian I was wondering whether to get that or not so I'll look forward to your thoughts.

posted by TheBookImp at 11:06 am (EST) on Jun 4, 2008

Hi, I saw that you were looking for a used copy of [Night] by elie weisel. If I still have one I can send it to you. I'll let you know when I get a chance to look

Carrie

posted by cal8769 at 5:48 pm (EST) on May 26, 2008

Hey Blackdog,
Thanks for the compliment on my profile page. I get bored sometimes at work and I come up with all these ideas. They are born out of a lull in brain activity. Though I am not deep into it yet, Enduring Love seems like its gonna be good. The moment I am done reading, I will get the movie. Its very interesting to hear that McEwan was that closely involved with the production. I will let you know what my thoughts are on both movie and book when I am done.

posted by TrishNYC at 10:24 pm (EST) on May 22, 2008

Thanks for the congrats. You're right I haven't been around very much for a while, busy time here so I was missing for a bit. Back now though LOL.

posted by TheBookImp at 2:51 pm (EST) on May 21, 2008

Hi Blackdog, Thanks for your note. I just recently joined library thing and find communicating with other members the most interesting part of it. Read Fifth business with a library book group and was amazed by the cleverness of the story itself and the depth of the characters. The Deptford Trilogy had been recommended to me for yrs so I was happy to see it on this book club list; have yet to read the next two in the trilogy. I find myself turning to nonfiction bio/ memoir genres lately not getting into the current fiction that Im chosing. Id love to hear what you've been reading..

posted by kateblu at 9:01 am (EST) on May 3, 2008

I just finished Blaze. I enjoyed it. It wasn't what I expected. I felt bad for Blaze! Duma Key is about 3 books down. I have some library books to finish before I start it. Talk to you soon

Carrie

posted by cal8769 at 7:59 am (EST) on Apr 29, 2008

let me know if you get to Duma Key before me. I keep putting it off because of it's size. I read fast but my TBR pile is huge and I can't keep up!!

Carrie

posted by cal8769 at 1:21 pm (EST) on Apr 23, 2008

I love King. I had read most of his books when I was younger. I would like to re read them but the TBR pile keeps beckoning me. I have Duma Key in the pile also. I'm glad that you wrote about Blaze. I haven't heard too much about it. Talk to you soon

Carrie

posted by cal8769 at 6:25 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2008

Hey blackdog,
Thanks for adding me to your "interesting libraries".I am truly honored as I can see that you are an avid reader yourself. I had a preliminary look over your library and all I can say is "Whoa". When I am done writing you this note, I will go look some more cause I love to get ideas on what to read.

I really like the book "Nam" as it tells the stories of the man and women who have seen war and its horrors especially one of America's worst conflicts. Funny enough its one of the books that I am reading right now, though I am reading it in addition to other books so it may be awhile before I am finished with it.

As to the book Blink, I read that about a year and half ago and I liked it. It basically says that our split second observations cannot be discounted as they may hold information that is vital to our survival. He believes that many times the "less is more attitude" to information gathering is best. I remember thinking that I disagreed with some of the whole ideas of split second decisions because I felt that those instanteous decisions may contain hints of long buried prejudices and preconceived notions about other people and that if we are to take the split second decision as our main guide then we are open to making racist and sexist decisions before our better nature is able to prevail. I can't remember now if he addresses this but I believe he may have discussed what he called bad cognition and I guess the aforementioned falls into this catergory. I would recommend it.

By the way its so funny that you read The Gift of Fear cause a friend of mine was telling me about it. We were discussing the ways in which women are almost taught to second guess themselves and how that second guessing of self can be the reasons why women get attacked as they failed to heed their first impression of a situation. I guess this fits very well with Blink. But my friend loves The Gift of Fear and now hearing you mention it makes me want to read it.

I loved Gourevitch's We wish to inform you... and I would recommend it with no reservations. It is very well written and I believe that it shows you the depth and scope of the genocide in Rwanda. Its heart wrenching and when I was done reading it, I was haunted by the experience.

By the by, I LOVE your dog. I am a sucker for dogs. I miss not having a dog anymore but the moment I get a house, I am getting a dog. I live in New York and though my apartment is big by New York City standards, I just do not want a dog in such a small space. So I live vicariously through other people's dog. What is your beautiful pooch's name?

Anyway its nice talking to you.
Patricia

posted by TrishNYC at 10:18 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

How strange is this... After answering messages on here, off I went to the shops, walked into my favourite second hand book shop which is across the street from the frozen goods shop (any excuse), and what was the first thing I saw?

Christ the Lord Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. Well obviously I had to buy it. Fate I tell you Fate!

posted by TheBookImp at 10:08 am (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

Yup I'm a few books missing from my Rice collection. I was thinking that most of the books of hers that I've read have religious undertones so the fact that she's writing about the life of Jesus at the moment didn't really surprise me.

Tagging! I love tagging. I guess the OCD gene is in my make up as well. Actually I think it's my early training as a filing clerk coming out. I hate to not be able to find something easily. I normally just tag as I add.

And no Bradbury is not in my library but I intend to rectify that as soon as I can get out on a book buying trip, amongst other authors.

posted by TheBookImp at 4:59 am (EST) on Apr 7, 2008

Well, I'll tell ya, I love seeing what other people read too. It makes me feel a bit more connected to a sliver of the 6.6 billion other people out there. But, then I start learning about all these other great authors that I'd never heard of before. And I start buying THEIR books too. Crazy.

As to Joe Hill: I'm thinking that the Stephen King/Tabitha King connection was WAY downplayed. I think I discovered it on Wikipedia or something. If you were Stephen King's kid, it might be tempting to garner royalties via your folks, but clearly this is a man who wants to weave a yarn by his own merits. And he does it! Good for him!

I've enjoyed reading your messages, and also seeing your contributions to "Talk". Your enthusiasm and positivity are appreciated.

posted by alaskabookworm at 10:46 pm (EST) on Apr 6, 2008

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this is my first Rushdie, though I own a number of his books. The first one I bought years and years ago was "The Satanic Verses" which my mom and friends thought I had to be a little "off" to want to read. I keep trying to convince my book club group to read it, but they just aren't interested. Oh well.

I see you're reading "Heart-Shaped Box". I did that one earlier this year. It was fun; I hadn't read a "thriller" in a long time. I was surprised to later discover he is Stephen King's son. Joe is also an LT author, which I think is kind of fun. Its that whole six-degrees-of-separation thing.

posted by alaskabookworm at 2:44 pm (EST) on Apr 6, 2008

Thanks for visiting my profile. I have to confess that most of my books - while all physically present in my house - remain unread. Since joining LT, adding books is my household (and keeping track of them) has gotten so much easier that I've got a little crazy. I love corresponding with LT people; most people in my life don't read as much as I do. Its so fun to meet people who are passionate about books and reading.

I'm currently reading the new Salman Rushdie for the Early Reviewers program. Its really, really good. I'm having a hard time doing anything but read it; its been a long time since a book grabbed me that way.

posted by alaskabookworm at 9:29 pm (EST) on Apr 5, 2008

Ok De Lint sounds interesting. Holdstock's Ryhope Wood series is a little different. They're fantasy, almost an alternate reality but it's peopled by those out of legends and myths, so you might get someone who has a vague resemblance to Jason and the Argo, Robin Hood, King Arthur etc., though they don't always react the way the legends tell us they do. Can be quite disturbing, very dark too. I think Holdstock coined the phrase mythic fantasy or adopted it at any rate.

Thanks for adding me as an IL. Don't worry about asking questions.

Cheers indeed!

Imp

posted by TheBookImp at 10:13 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2008

Hiya. The interesting libraries and friends links are at the top of your page in the green column. When you go to a profile you like you click on one or either of those, a message gets sent to the profile owner "et voila".

De Lint, give me some clues, if there are similarities I want to know about it :)

posted by TheBookImp at 10:00 pm (EST) on Apr 2, 2008

LOL! Think you got the messages crossed there. I'm currently re-reading Brave New World, just having problems with it because it's a re-read I think. The comment was apt though. Glad you're finding out how to tweak your profile though. Keep it up.

posted by TheBookImp at 4:30 am (EST) on Apr 2, 2008

Hi blackdogbooks :)

Here's a couple of groups that you might find of help for changing your profile page. I know I did.

http://www.librarything.com/groups/fyi

http://www.librarything.com/groups/greyh...

Nice to know that we're not book snobs LOL! Like that comment. Catch you later.

Imp

posted by TheBookImp at 4:07 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2008