Random books from burnit99's library

"You Can Fool All of the People All of the Time" by Art Buchwald

Asterix in Corsica - Asterix and Obelix by Rene Goscinny

The Rights of Teachers: The Basic ACLU guide to a Teacher's Constitutional Rights (An American Civil Liberties Unio by David Rubin

Chambers Biographical Dictionary by E. M. Kirkpatrick

George Herriman's Krazy + Ignatz - Shed a Soft Mongolian Tear - The Komplete Kat Komics, Volume Nine, 1924 by George Herriman

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Member: burnit99

Library2,713 books — see library

Reviews2,711 reviews — see reviews

Cloudstag cloud, author cloud

TagsFiction (903), Comic Strip Compilations (801), Comic Book Compilations/Graphic Novels (457), Drama (343), Science Fiction (332), Reference (186), Star Trek (179), Signed by Author (145), Short Stories (122), Humor (101) — see all tags

GroupsBaseball, Cartoons, 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 Franks 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)

About me Whenever 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 library I 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.

Membership LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Real nameMike Burnett

LocationFlorissant, Missouri

Emailburnit99sbcglobal.net

Account typepublic, lifetime

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

Member sinceDec 24, 2006

Comments from other LibraryThing-ers

(Leave a comment.)

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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