Search burnit99's books

About meWhenever I visit somebody’s home, I wander over to their bookcases at first opportunity. It’s a compulsion; I can’t help it. It’s my version of checking out bathroom medicine cabinets. I tell ya, though, I don’t know a better way of finding out what makes someone tick.

My wonderful and long-suffering wife Nancy resigned herself to my bibliophilia a long time ago; she rarely reads for pleasure. My two wonderful boys (Ben and Jacob) will do so, if bored or threatened. I still have hopes of infecting them with the bug.

About my libraryI decided in high school that I wanted to be a “well-read man”, whatever I thought that meant. So I pushed myself into reading a wide range of genres, and lo and behold, ended up liking a lot of it. Many of my books are dear and old friends that I revisit every so often. But I sadly resign myself that I'll never again open most of them, and that there's also a ton of great books out there I'll never read. Stupid mortality...

I love good writing, whatever the genre. I love good art, too, so to me a lifelong fascination with comic strips, comic books and graphic novels is only natural. They so effectively and enjoyably combine art and writing that it's worth the veiled glances when I bring a "Dilbert" book to work. Besides, it entertains my co-workers at lunch when I read "Zits" and snort milk out my nose.

My rating system is admittedly personal and subjective. I’ll grudgingly acknowledge that Dostoevsky’s books are a slightly higher art form than “Calvin and Hobbes”. But I enjoy that little social misfit and his stuffed tiger a heckuva lot more, and so it gets a higher score.

And finally, if I may put in a plug for a terrific book: Gail Barth has written and published a wonderful collection of wisdom and self-deprecating humor that draws on her many years of experience teaching high school English. It can be ordered through her website at www.gailbarth.com. She will even inscribe it for you. No audiobook, but if you include a phone number, I’m sure she’d be happy to read chapters to you on your cellphone while you take your morning constitutional. She’s just that kind of lady.

GroupsBaseball, Cartoons, Everything Illustration and Comic Art!, James Bond: Double-0 Heaven, Mark Twain, Science & Mystery Adventure Series for Children, Star Trek Books

Favorite authorsIsaac Asimov, Herbert Block, Ray Bradbury, Milton Caniff, Arthur C. Clarke, Percy Crosby, Ian Fleming, Harold Gray, Bob Greene, George Herriman, Lynn Johnston, Walt Kelly, Frank King, Harper Lee, Sinclair Lewis, Peter O'Donnell, Anna Quindlen, J. K. Rowling, Carl Sandburg, William Saroyan, John Steinbeck, Cliff Sterrett, Anne Tyler, Bill Watterson (Shared favorites)

Membership LibraryThing Early Reviewers/Member Giveaway

Real nameMike Burnett

LocationFlorissant, Missouri

Emailburnit99att.net

Account typepublic, lifetime

URLs http://www.librarything.com/profile/burnit99 (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/burnit99 (library)

Member sinceDec 24, 2006

Most recent activity

burnit99 reviewed, rated, added:
Wolverine & Black Cat: Claws 2 by James Palmiotti

(read review)

burnit99 reviewed, rated, added:
Your New Job Title Is "Accomplice": A Dilbert Book by Scott Adams

(read review)

burnit99 reviewed, rated, added:
Barnaby (Vol. 1) (Barnaby) by Crockett Johnson

(read review)

burnit99 reviewed, rated, added:
Theodore Boone: The Activist (Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer) by John Grisham

(read review)

burnit99 reviewed, rated, added:
Archie Americana Volume 3: Best of the 1960s (Archie's Americana) by Inc. Archie Comic Publications

(read review)

burnit99 reviewed, rated, added:
Ask Bob: A Novel by Peter Gethers

(read review)

For custom patterns I charge according to the time it takes and according to whether or not I'll be able to sell the pattern to others from my shop. Sadly that's a no when it comes to Pogo. With those characters the charge would probably be between $15 and $20 each, depending on how long each one took to design. I think most of them would probably be fairly quick, but that price is more because I need to get all my labor costs covered in one sale.

There can be some back and forth in pattern design, but honestly if you haven't done any cross-stitch and aren't familiar with looking at patterns and visualizing the final product, I'm not sure you'll be able to judge accurately. The designs can look very different when stitched, especially to a novice. I'm very much a perfectionist too, which is why I'm still working on finishing details for an Asterix pattern I started ages ago, and when I first starting doing cross-stitch I was constantly amazed over how different something could look once it was stitched.

Definitely let me know, and if you want to start the commission process it's probably best to do that via Etsy and their internal message system.

Meredith
http://hardcorestitchcorps.etsy.com

posted by mabith at 9:59 am (EST) on Apr 20, 2012

Thanks! I created the patterns myself and sell them in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/86798834/tintin-and-obelix-cross-stitch-patterns

I also take commissions to make custom patterns for folk. Is there a specific character you're looking for?

meredith

posted by mabith at 11:55 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2012

"Yen Sid." Let's see... Dis... Oh, yeah! :)

posted by bookblotter at 9:20 pm (EST) on Mar 15, 2012

Really important info on some cartoon characters. Okay, I'm bored...

posted by bookblotter at 4:29 pm (EST) on Mar 14, 2012

I enjoyed your review of Conrad's Victory.

posted by carterchristian1 at 12:58 pm (EST) on Jan 16, 2012

Mike,

On used book stores, see my comment note below of May 28, 2010. As far as I know, things haven't changed. I'd highly recommend Powells in Hyde Park.

German restaurants:

It was old when I first started working in Chicago's Loop in the 1960s era, The Berghoff. The food was always very good with German feeling dining rooms, although I haven't been there in ages, maybe 15 years, so I'm maybe not as up-to-date I should be. In downtown Chicago.

Another old one, Chicago Brauhaus. I used to date (what the hell is dating???) a girl that lived close to there and went there once in a while and remember it being quite good. That was 40 years ago, give or take. About 6 or 7 miles north of downtown.

Here is an interesting one, a konditorei, Lutz Cafe & Pastry Shop (study those pics of the bakery and chocolate stuff) and, believe it or not, I've been there 2 or 3 times in the past 5 years. Light dining and based around the bakery. Has nice patio in back; if you go now, you might get frost bite and have to tip the waitress heavily due to weather hazard conditions. It does have indoor dining as well. About 5 or 6 miles north of downtown.

One other restaurant which, while maybe not specifically German, has a continental flavor is Cafe Selmarie. I think that the food is very good and the place has a nice neighborhood "feel" to it and it's own very good bakery. It's my go-to place in Chicago for an inexpensive, nice meal. About 6 miles north of downtown.

Here is a bonus; has nothing to do with Chicago, just beer drinking and getting in the mood...

Ya!
Munn

P.S. The street you may be thinking about may be 57th Street (see posting referred to below).

posted by bookblotter at 4:43 pm (EST) on Jan 9, 2012

Well, Mike, another year has rolled around (see Dec 31, 2010 posting below) so Happy New Year... That includes the six days already passed.

I see that the new Pogo series has come out, at least volume 1. A couple of the Amazon reviews said that there will be a series of 12 books (at $25 apiece, lessee, that's $300 bucks if my math works). Well, it'll be a heirloom for my kids someday.

I publicly confessed the Great Kitchen Cabinet Fire here at LT. It feels better to have that off my chest after about 65 years. My dad was so ticked when he found grey cabinets, changed from white by my big experiment with lighter fluid while he was gone from home for ten minutes. Just last year I regained my ability to sit down.

And, how are things in St Louie, Louie? We near Chicago, and I assume you southern folks, have had a really mild winter so far (don't curse me when it changes to the more usual cold, ice and snow). Saw 56º on the car thermometer yesterday and just about drove off the road.

Regards from the rabbits and me,
Munn

posted by bookblotter at 9:04 am (EST) on Jan 7, 2012

Hey, I change my account from private to public. I really enjoyed reading your reviews. You are an avid reader! Kendra

posted by kendrabonnett at 1:25 pm (EST) on Oct 4, 2011

Well, Mike, I was reflecting on the world today, got to thinking of Pogo and from that, you popped into my head. Trolled over to Pogo Possum dot com and that lead me to Roger Ebert's posting from (apparently) August this year.

From the Pogo Possum site I see that the new series is delayed. Time deadlines are made to be broken.

Anyway, have a Happy New Year!

Munn

P.S. The rabbits still are lacking in pitch and so am I.

posted by bookblotter at 10:17 am (EST) on Dec 31, 2010

---And I tried listening to your ceramic rabbits with my head tilted, but what I heard seemed a little off-key. Not sure if the bunnies need to practice more or if I need to modify my head tilt.

You know, I started out recommending a 180 degree head move, but folks complained about passing out.

Being rabbits, of course they have great hearing, but the concept of pitch, etc has eluded them. Apparently, they just like noise.

BTW, they were in a house we rented near Santa Fe, NM years ago and my daughter insisted that I line them up and photograph them. Cool bunnies, cool house, cool property. The on site owners also raised peacocks, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits (real ones) and assorted other critters. The peacocks during mating season are REALLY noisy but put on quite a show. No one can strut like a male peacock looking for action. No one can ignore them like a female peacock playing it cool. But, somehow they make more peacocks!

--- And you may know, but a new set of Pogo books is coming out.

I do now thanks to you and checked pogopossum.com.

Munn

posted by bookblotter at 11:36 am (EST) on Oct 26, 2010

Just sitting here on a lovely day near Chicago - and, probably, near St Louis - scanning a few of your reviews. Hey, I was outside in Ma Nature's sunshine until a few minutes ago and working like the proverbial dog.

In your review of "Freedom's Just Another Word..." I came across a sentence I just love, "The nice thing about "Dilbert" is that when you put it up at work, the bosses risk revealing themselves as pointy-haired bosses if they take it down, so they usually don't."

Regards, Munn

posted by bookblotter at 3:01 pm (EST) on Oct 21, 2010

I see that you have started to enter your Life magazines. You're right around my BD so far. What an era! Of course, I don't have much first hand memory of it. About all I remember first hand from WW II is rationing, my aunt and uncle in uniform and having a Victory Garden. I do have some recollection of reading about it; probably from Life.

Cheers,
Munn

posted by bookblotter at 7:24 pm (EST) on Jun 5, 2010

I stumbled upon you via our mutual friends, Walt Kelly and Pogo. I read and enjoyed Pogo hot off the press in the Chicago Tribune back in the dark ages. I believe that the newspaper was then printed on papyrus. I also noted your comments on checking out other people’s libraries and agree with your comments in terms of insights. However, for the safety of your Pogo books that I don’t have, I wouldn’t let me near your book shelves.

Enjoyed reading your “About Me” and “About My Library” sections. While I very much enjoy reading, including books others might deem worthwhile and otherwise, I do think quite a few folks take reading overly seriously on a 24/7 basis. A little levity goes a long way.

You are the only one that I’ve visited on LT who has reviewed 99.99% (I didn’t actually do the math :-) ) of their books, a service to mankind which should rank with Albert Schweitzer, Clara Barton, Thomas Edison, et al.

So, I’ve dubbed your library “Interesting.” Thanks for making it an accessible library.

Regards, Munn

posted by bookblotter at 11:48 am (EST) on May 24, 2010

Hi,
sorry I can't be of much help with rare bookstores here. I usually just get my books at Barnes & Noble. But I recently discovered this small bookshop, if you like mystery...
http://www.crimepays.com/

Yuliya

posted by Gwendolen_North at 7:14 pm (EST) on Mar 13, 2010

Oh. You asked specifically for rare or used books. Duh. Here's another list!
* Bauman Rare Books @ http://www.baumanrarebooks.com/
* Left Bank Books @ http://www.leftbankbooksnyc.com/
* Argosy Bookstore @ http://www.argosybooks.com/shop/argosy/index.html
* Ursus Books & Prints @ http://www.ursusbooks.com/
* Books of Wonder @ http://www.booksofwonder.com/

There are a LOT of stores and galleries carrying rare books. Some of them require that you call and make an appointment before they let you come in to see the books. I'm not sure if that's how rare you wanted your books so I'm stopping the list here. But you said you're only staying for a few days so that should be plenty for you :)

I thought you may like these, too:
* Midtown Comics @ http://www.midtowncomics.com/
* Forbidden Planet @ http://www.fpnyc.com/store/
* Jim Hanley's Universe @ http://www.jhuniverse.com/

Enjoy your time in NYC!

—Allie

posted by alevtina at 11:41 pm (EST) on Mar 6, 2010

Here's a brief list of some great bookstores in Manhattan:
* The Strand Bookstore @ http://www.strandbooks.com/
* Book Culture @ http://www.bookculture.com/
* Rizzoli Bookstore @ http://www.rizzoliusa.com/
* Idlewild Books @ http://idlewildbooks.com/
* Kinokuniya Bookstores @ http://www.kinokuniya.com/

The list goes on and on... Don't forget that we also have some great libraries!
* Poets House @ http://www.poetshouse.org/
* New York Public Library (Schwarzman Building) @ http://www.nypl.org/locations/schwarzman
* The Morgan Library & Museum @ http://www.themorgan.org/
* The Center for Fiction @ http://www.centerforfiction.org/

Make sure to pack an extra duffel bag to carry all your newly purchased books back home! :)

—Allie

posted by alevtina at 11:28 pm (EST) on Mar 6, 2010

Oh, no, I totally did. Thought maybe we could get you to appreciate him. ;D And I've recognized your user account from way back when I first joined. Oh, the fists you've gotten me to shake after reading all those negative Brautigan reviews.

posted by rickybutler at 2:37 am (EST) on Nov 22, 2009

Thanks for your review of Bob Greene's "And You Know You Should Be Glad." I read a book of Greene's years ago and am thinking of reading another. Did he write much about his resignation from the paper and the scandal surrounding that? Thanks!

posted by MaggieLovesBooks at 3:50 am (EST) on Jul 18, 2009

Thanks for reply. Keep on touch.

posted by DarylERobidoux at 3:55 am (EST) on Jun 8, 2009

Hi, your "Science Fiction" collections are excellent

posted by DarylERobidoux at 12:17 am (EST) on May 30, 2009

Noticed you liked She's Come Undone, and I was wondering if you'd be interested in reviewing my new novel and posting your comments here as well as a few other book-related sites. Thought you might like my book since it's also about a disturbed young girl's downward spiral and a bit dark. I could e-mail you the novel in an e-book format if you'd like (I'm out of physical copies at the moment). Let me know if you're interested. Here's a link to a summary in case you're interested:

http://christophertusa.com/

Thanks,

Chris

posted by cmtusa at 10:12 pm (EST) on Apr 29, 2009

Discovered your library through your review of The Great Comic Book Heroes. I know about that "checking out the bookcase thing." Best, Harry

posted by stevetempo at 9:16 pm (EST) on Nov 6, 2008

Nice to see someone besides me has the Flash Gordon reprints that Pacific Comics distributes in the US. I should have some more of those coming in the mail soon.

posted by Powerslave214 at 12:06 pm (EST) on Aug 20, 2008

Hi Mike!
I came to visit your library because I happened across your "Barnaby" review. You likened Barnaby to Calvin and Hobbs, which is exactly what I thought, but I couldn't think of a way to link them together either, except by the obvious imaginary companion, so I left them out...

I stayed around to check out your library because although we don't share very many books (only 70), your opinions and interests sound more like mine than any other LT library that I've visited (and I love to visit other peoples' libraries)! That's why I added you to my interesting libraries.

By the way, you don't happen to have any relatives in Ottumwa Iowa do you?? My son-in-law's name is Mike Burnett. But I suppose it's a pretty common name.

I'll have to try Gail Barth's website...

Happy reading,
Anne

posted by anneofia at 4:44 am (EST) on Jul 31, 2008

I always see your reviews...

...and every time I do I want to yell "HEY MAN SEND YOUR BRAUTIGAN COPIES MY WAY! TO A PERSON WHO LOVES!" and I may have before...but I'm doing it now. Again. You should! I'd pay money! (If they're mass markets...and cheap....)

YEAH!

posted by rickybutler at 11:56 pm (EST) on May 27, 2008

I notice the number of reviews you have equal the number of books. Are the reviews based on near contemporary notes made at the time of reading? I have for many years done a post-reading note to myself telling me what I thought of the book, and am in the process of posting reviews based on those post-reading notes. I could never remember what I thought of many books if I had to rely only on my memory, so I am curious how you can have the number of review equal the number of books...

posted by Schmerguls at 12:25 pm (EST) on Dec 18, 2007

I just read Fraternity and checked your review. You are right on target. This is exactly what I would have written. The only thing I would have added is that Greene also has a message for the retired of any ilk, not just presidents. When it is over, the peak of your life is over, then you go on and must make a choice to select another goal. Jimmy Carter and his wife have done exactly that. The new film Man from Plains shows that. While John Quincey Adams was in a previous century, he did the same thing by remaining in the House of Representatives until his death, considering his contribution there greater than in the presidency.

posted by carterchristian at 10:43 pm (EST) on Nov 20, 2007

'Burn it!' This is the kind of order Nero could have given concerning Rome... Sorry if I have been cryptic. I like puns and sometimes I cannot refrain myself.
Yes, I liked your review better than the book. Besides, I read the Satyricon in a modern translation which wasn't at all to my taste. I wonder how it looks like in a more classical translation, but I'm not ready to try a second time...
Best wishes
François

posted by Pepys at 3:03 am (EST) on Nov 7, 2007

I've just read your review on Petronius' Satyricon. I just wonder if your user name has ever induced you to write something about Nero's time... ;-) F

posted by Pepys at 9:29 am (EST) on Nov 6, 2007

Hi! re: Three Investigator books. I too loved them as a kid, but forgot about them until I stumbled upon one as an adult. The ones written by Robt. Arthur are pretty darn good and they are as fun as I remembered them. I couldn't resist collecting them.

Most of the copies I own have come from library book sales and used bookstores. While the series has been reprinted and rejuvenated several times since their debut, I do not believe they are currently in print.

My sister-in-law is an eBay bookseller and often cruises for books. I cataloged my collection on LibraryThing so she could keep track of my collection.

???
egy

posted by egyarnetsky at 10:30 pm (EST) on Sep 26, 2007

Hi Mike! Thanks for your comment on my library, and for your wonderful thoughts and encouragement. I do hope that one day I get the courage to publish. :) I think that's the biggest hurdle to overcome, really. No matter how much I've always wanted to get published, I think I've always been rather afraid of it -- if that makes sense.

I've read She's Come Undone, and I agree it's a good book. (I should really finish my whole library catalog here! I haven't done so in a while.) I haven't read the Traveling Pants, but maybe I will when I see it in the bookstore or library. How does it compare to the movie, do you think? I haven't watched the movie, I'm just curious. :)

posted by angelamaria at 2:58 am (EST) on Sep 11, 2007

thanks for the tip on the movie! I also immediately wander over people's bookcases when i visit someone's home for the first time! :)

posted by amanaceerdh at 10:43 am (EST) on Aug 27, 2007

They are currently combined with "Best of". I've passed the problem on to the Combiners! group, http://www.librarything.com/talktopic.php?newpost=1&topic=18288 .

posted by jimroberts at 6:23 am (EST) on Aug 15, 2007

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll get on with the exorcism straight away, but then it really is my bedtime.

But what about "Sun dial time" and "Love sonnets of a cave man"? Can they be the same as "The best of Don Maquis"? If you aren't sure, I'll post a cry for help to the Combiners! group.

posted by jimroberts at 5:39 pm (EST) on Aug 14, 2007

By the way, on the subject of Roßhalde, you are quite right - it's pronounced as written, like most words in German.

posted by jimroberts at 4:09 pm (EST) on Aug 14, 2007

I gather from your review of "The best of Don Marquis" that it cannot be the same work as "archyology the long lost tales of archy and mehitabel", which contains (apart from the preface) only pieces by archy.

If you can confirm that this is so, I will separate the two works ("Best of" and "archyology") and add a disambiguation notice - unless you want to do it yourself.

Regards, Jim Roberts

posted by jimroberts at 3:54 pm (EST) on Aug 14, 2007

Just want to stop by your profile and say how much I love your reviews. I'm cataloguing comic books right now and your reviews about Calvin and Hobbes, and Zits, remind me why I love those books so much.

posted by Heather19 at 3:50 pm (EST) on Jul 20, 2007

Not sure about family friendly, but there is an exceptionally large shoe store in Portland. That's how I'm planning on distracting my wife long enough to spend a few hours there when I go in August. It's also right in downtown and there is plenty of shopping and dining in the area. The Rose Garden is beautiful, but a little further away from the bookstore.

posted by coffeezombie at 6:17 pm (EST) on Jul 8, 2007

Cheers to anyone who chooses Sinclair Lewis as a favorite author.

Happy cataloging to you.

posted by coffeezombie at 1:05 pm (EST) on Jul 8, 2007

Mike, I think you talked me into giving Sinclair Lewis another try. Unusually for a book that was assigned in high school, I loved Babbitt, and even have some fond memories of things like Gideon Planish.

posted by Pawcatuck at 9:07 pm (EST) on May 29, 2007

Mike,

I replied to the comment you left me (Wharton & Moorcock), but I don't really know how LT commenting works, so I wasn't sure if you'd see my response there. In any case, here is what I said. Now I'm off to wander through your library....

.....

What an intriguing concept! I have not yet read any Michael Moorcock, so I will definitely have to look into that (not to mention that it's high time I re-read some Edith Wharton.... it's been a while!).

I'm looking forward to poking through your online library! Feel free to pass on any other suggestions, and I will let you know when I manage to look into the Moorcock trilogy.

And here's a random suggestion for you, unrelated to anything in particular.... if you haven't read "The Carpet Makers" by Andreas Eschbach, I highly recommend it. It's unlike ANYTHING I have ever read before.

Take care,
Amy

posted by amysisson at 10:48 pm (EST) on Apr 14, 2007

Hi,

I stumbled upon your library through our mutual fondness of Abbie & Slats. A very handsome library you've got there.... Lots of thoughtful comments in your reviews. Kudos!

posted by wfallow at 4:16 am (EST) on Apr 12, 2007

Thanks for your recent comments on my profile! We do share quite a lot of books don't we?

I was aware that books ordered from the FBFW site would be autographed but haven't taken advantage of that yet.

posted by GeecheGirl at 8:24 am (EST) on Mar 20, 2007

Hiya

Thanks for the link on the Modesty Blaise books - you're right the price is prohibitive but I'm drooling anyway.

Cheers, Samvara

posted by Black_samvara at 9:17 am (EST) on Mar 19, 2007

Hi there, no it's not a spoof. It's a book about a psychiatric institution. It's a moving, challenging and educational read. The central characters are a husband and his schizophrenic wife. They're very much in love. The strength of their love is really put to the test as she gets progressively worse.

posted by nikki5 at 8:48 am (EST) on Mar 17, 2007

I'm looking for someone who has read One Flew Under the Cuckoo's Nest???

posted by nikki5 at 4:55 pm (EST) on Mar 14, 2007

If I can take it that your "Signed by Author" tag actually mean you have those works signed in person by the actual author, then bravo! Very nice!! I am especially envious of your signed collections by Bradbury and Keillor. I love listening to Keillor on NPR every weekend and Bradbury is one of my favorite writers, hands down. I also am impressed by your signed Gaiman, Crichton, and Bova.

Anyway, just wanted to say your collection as a whole is great and I can commiserate with your rating system... Long live Calvin & Hobbes!!!

posted by thegreattim at 11:46 am (EST) on Mar 13, 2007

thanks for stopping by and yes anne tyler is delightful. i just finished breathing lessons and loved it. i have dinner at the homesick restaraunt in my drawer at work to start soon. and i will check out your reviews, thanks for the tip and feel free to stop by anytime with more suggestions!!! happy reading! :0)

posted by amanaceerdh at 9:37 am (EST) on Mar 13, 2007

Re: Three Investigators -

Hee - well, my copies are holdovers from when I was a child, and now I'm glad I held onto them. I thought they were still in print (they were about a decade ago, when I bought some for my nephew), but in looking at Amazon, I'm not seeing any current editions. However, I'd be really surprised if at least a few titles aren't re-released sometime this year, since a film is supposed to be coming out this fall: "The Three Investigators and the Secret of Skeleton Island," is the title, AFAIK. So, hopefully, some of the books will be making a reappearance in conjuction with the film.

I started re-reading one of them not long ago, because sometimes I'm a bit leery about my childhood recollections. I loved the Trixie Beldon books as a child, but when I re-read those a few years ago, I really didn't like them at all. They seem SO dated now. So far, though, the Three Investigators seem to have stood the test of time. I hope I'll still feel that way after reading a few of them. They're probably more likely to seem "current," since the characters are boys, and so won't have been subjected to all the sorts of horrid sexist things that Trixie had to endure (which is the reason I really don't like those books now). In any case, I'm hoping my son will enjoy these, as a change of pace from Goosebumps. Like you said about manga, not that there's anything wrong with Goosebumps (they're fluff, but fluff has it's place), but still. Diversity is a good thing. :)

posted by herebedragons at 10:15 pm (EST) on Mar 10, 2007

Mike: I love your analysis! It must be our intelligence and modesty that makes us special!! Thanks for the good wishes. I just got back from a long weekend with my grandbabies - I go into withdrawl if I wait too long. I should be good to go for awhile now. I hope you like Beloved Benjamin as much as I do. There's something about the heroine - scared to death, but doing what she has to do - that I really admire. Mary Lou

posted by MerryMary at 9:37 am (EST) on Mar 5, 2007

Your reviews keep popping up next to mine, and your opinions about books I own are nearly always completely in synch with my own. I find it fascinating to read a total stranger's opinions and hear echoes of myself. Thought I'd say "Hi," and are you Nebraskan, female, in your 50's, a Virgo, a librarian?????? There must be some common thread! :-)

posted by MerryMary at 8:57 pm (EST) on Mar 1, 2007

Hello, burnitt99. Thanks for your review of Jerry Farber's "Student as Nigger."

I find it fascinating how many folks do NOT share books in my library, and can't resist contacting anyone who is the ONLY one to share a book in my library.

Cheers,

s h a r o n
on the central Oregon coast

posted by seashar at 12:05 pm (EST) on Feb 19, 2007

HI,
Do you know how do you pronounce the book title - Rosshalde by Hermann Hesse
I thought I'd give it a try to see if you knew how to pronounce it.
If you do, can you write it out like how you would say it, like how dictionaries do it?
Thanks. for any help.

posted by killingmesoftly at 3:22 am (EST) on Feb 6, 2007

Thanks for the info: I fixed the Feiffer listings to separate the old editions from the new.

posted by grunin at 9:58 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2007

Hi Burnit99,
Actually the Iliad and the Odyssey were not written in Latin but in a form of Ionian Greek.
Actually they were not written at all, but were orally transmitted epics probably dating from the early Bronze Age, perhaps even earlier. The versions which have come down to us today were probably written down during the 6th Century BCE during the time of Pisistritus, Tyrant of Athens. It is thought that there were lots of different versions of the epics floating around the Meditteranean basin during this period, and that Pisistritus ordered them to be written down(probably for his own political ends, knowing tyrants...).
Actually Homer did not really exist as a person, and certainly not as 'the blind poet' of our imagination. It was usual for the blind in the ancient world to make a living as reciters of oral epics, and 'Homer' may have been the name of one of the bards who dictated his own version of the epics to the scribes of Pisistritus.
Fascinating stuff, I reckon, and makes the poems even more remarkable as primary documents of the Western cultural Heritage.
I particularly love book 24 of the Iliad. I find the scene between Priam and Achilles in which Priam begs Achilles for the body of his son in the dead of night especially moving.
Cheers.
Murr.

posted by tomcatMurr at 5:50 am (EST) on Jan 31, 2007

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