Member: jsagalovsky

Julia

Thank you for adding me to your list of interesting libraries.

I had a quick look at your library - your collection of Rowan magazines is very impressive. I look forward to browsing your liberary in more detail.

Caesia

posted by Caesia at 8:06 am (EST) on Jun 6, 2008

Hello Julia:

I won't try to use French to reply although I noted your profile headings were all french-was this by choice or accident? Finally tied your number of books catalogued; so far we share only 109 books, but a lot of favorite authors! I'm very fond of Dunnett, Carey, George, Kay, Perez-Reverte and Cauldwell, also.

How is London? I was hoping to cross the pond this year and take my partner to see the UK (or at least the parts I have found most choice so far--the Malvern hills, Ledbury, York and Edinborough); I confess to being defeated by the current exchange rate. Maybe next year!

Cheers!

BarbN

posted by BarbN at 3:22 pm (EST) on Dec 29, 2007

I am usually reading about twenty books at one time, mostly nonfiction. I also have about ten quilting projects going at any one time. That I do so I don't get bored or fed up with one. I learned a long time ago from an artist friend to stop working while you are still excited about a project then you will want to get back to it. If you keep working until you hit a snag or are just plain tired of it then it will be much harder to return. That doesn't really work with books. If I am really excited about a book I will not stop until I finish it. I picked up Love in the Time of Cholera recently (it has been on my shelf for about twenty years) and it is one I have to finish.

Cheers

posted by carolcarter at 4:00 pm (EST) on Nov 2, 2007

Actually I have read tons of good stuff lately. Mostly the Booker shortlist but also Gods Behaving Badly, some ghost stories by Susan Hill, I can't remember all of them. They are all on my blog though if you are looking for something.

What is the weather like in London?

Candy

posted by carolcarter at 6:40 pm (EST) on Nov 1, 2007

Julia,

How are you. Did you ever read Darkmans? I thought it should have won. Still do even after reading The Gathering.

Cheers.

Candy

posted by carolcarter at 4:26 am (EST) on Nov 1, 2007

Julia,

Well this will show you how technologically inept I am - I didn't know I could categorize my posts. How do I do that?

I'll have to look up "Dark Hearts of Chicago". Never heard of it.

How are you?

Candy

posted by carolcarter at 2:52 am (EST) on Sep 26, 2007

I finished Darkmans. There is a review on my blog and on LT. I loved it, loved it but I can't explain why.I think it will be studied by generations of undergraduates in Britain, at least, for generations to come. It is unlike anything I have ever read.

posted by carolcarter at 6:57 pm (EST) on Sep 25, 2007

I had a hard time finding 'Darkmans' also. I finally got it from www.bookdepository.co.uk. They will ship anywhwere with no shipping charges. I received it finally yesterday and am on page 144. I don't quite know what to think about it yet. The only book I can remotely compare it to is 'The Satanic Verses' by Rushdie and I read that so long ago I am not sure the comparison is apt. It is definitely different.

I hope you enjoy Jeeves as much as I did. He is not my favorite however, Lord Emsworth is. He is hilarious. Both him and his pig. I loved Laurie and Fry but I rarely find them on. I suppose I should see if there are dvds. Our library system is abysmal. We have gorgeous new buildings but not much of interest in them. I didn't realize Lucia and Mapp had been dramatized. I might like to see that. Who played the roles?

I am just getting started on the Booker books. I did read 'On Chesil Beach' as soon as it came out since McEwan is my favorite living author. I hated that book. I was really angry with him since now I have a long wait for his next one. I was slow getting hold of these books so 'Darkmans' is only the second one and it is 800+ pages. I have not yet read last year's Booker winner. I started it and got depressed and put it aside as it did not seem cheerful. Must get back to that.

Cheers.

posted by carolcarter at 5:27 pm (EST) on Sep 20, 2007

Hi back to you, Julia!
I have not read books in Italian in quite a while, I am afraid. When I was young, and my English was not good enough to allow me to read books in that language, I read Italian translations. Now I stay away from them because, the very few times I tried, I was disgusted at the lousy translation of many of them and the poor writing skills of the translator(s).
In my younger days I translated and edited, mostly art related works, for both publishers and museums here in the US. It is a difficult job, as translating is actually almost rewriting in another language.
So, now, I only read Italian fiction and literature in the original language and, whenever possible, translations from French and Spanish into Italian, as the language is musically more attuned to my mother tongue.
You mentioned reading Shakespeare translated into Russian by one of your greatest poets. Who is he/she? I would like to know.
I am currently reading a book of collected stories by Ivan Bunin and love it. In the introduction the translator speaks about the difficulties of translating Bunin in English because of the poetical characteristics of the language and the wealth of adjectives, some of them almost untranslatable. Regrettably, I cannot read the original, but I am thoroughly enjoying the translation.
I would be very interested in reading your feedback, if and when you have the time or inclination to write.
Pleasure talking to you!
Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 11:26 am (EST) on Sep 20, 2007

I finished the first book last night and I have to say I absolutely hate the Lucia character and I was so hoping she would get what was coming to her and was very disappointed. Perhaps I am not getting the humor properly. I am not going on just yet because the Man Booker books are piling up and the prize will be announced next month and I want to get on with some of them.

Have you read Jeeves? Wodehouse is the funniest writer of all time except for Dave Barry. I have all PG's books that I could find and that is a lot and whenever I get depressed he is who I reach for.

It has been absolutely freezing here lately and now it is supposed to get up into the 80s. It doesn't feel like Fall it feels like winter alternately with summer. I needed gloves when I ran three nights ago and tonight I will be wearing shorts. Michigan has always been somewhat like that but now it is far worse.

posted by carolcarter at 8:00 pm (EST) on Sep 18, 2007

I have begun Lucia finally. Not very far but they are hilarious. Hope you are well.

posted by carolcarter at 11:25 pm (EST) on Sep 17, 2007

I've never experienced jet lag but I can imagine. My mom was a wonderful cook and she started me cooking (out of necessity) when I still needed a stepstool to reach the stove. She was not adventurous though and I am certainly that. You can get unpasteurized cheese and speck here you just have to know where to look. America is getting into artisanal cooking in a big way. About time too. Most of our food tastes like nothing.

That market must be wonderful. Imagine what it would have been like in the thirteenth century and here it still is. You are very fortunate.

I was thinking of you last night while I read Campion. If you like mysteries I read one of the best recently. It is nothing like the British mysteries, it is American all the way but it was really good. It is titled "What the Dead Know" by Laura Lippman. Another new mystery writer with a very unique voice is Erin Hart. She is American but lives somewhere in Britain. Her novels are set in Ireland, at least so far. Also there is Rennie Airth. He is British but contemporary. His novels are set in post WWII Britain but they are definitely different. His are pretty gory but I like them.

Hope your jet lag abates soon. Take care.

posted by carolcarter at 8:27 pm (EST) on Aug 31, 2007

Julia,

Knew you would love it. Join me in sending good vibes to Tom Holt, who knows, maybe he'll write another sequel.

Bill

posted by 18rabbit at 6:42 pm (EST) on Aug 31, 2007

Tilly and Louise are sisters! I like them both a lot. I read Jilly's early books when I was a teenager/young adult and enjoyed them. They're definitely not like the big bonkbusters she wrote later, but they have their charm, I thought.

posted by tinylittlelibrarian at 10:47 pm (EST) on Aug 30, 2007

Hey I collect innocuous things as well. It is much better than being a drug addict or an alcoholic. I know there is probably some icky psychological, freudian reason but I feel more secure the more books I have. If all hell breaks loose I will have books to lose myself in and also they can be used for heating (god forbid) if it should come to that. I also collect quilts, tiny shoes, fiesta ware oh jeez lots. We are part of an antique store and we always have stuff coming through here. Some we keep some we sell. It is a lot of fun and makes our house a constantly changing work of art.

I haven't planned to cook from Cradle of Flavor. That doesn't mean I won't. I have over 900 cookbooks and I use them for reference generally. I went to culinary school and cookbooks provide a lot of inspiration. If I want to make something I look for all the various recipes for it and then go on and make my own. Not with baking however. I use recipes for that. As for the ingredients, I did a post on my blog called Searching for Sustenance about a year ago on my hunt for all the esoteric ingredients used in ethnic cooking. At this point, with the internet, you can find pretty much anything online if you don't have it in your area. I finally found squid ink through Amazon of all places.

Enjoy. I put recipes on my blog also so if you are looking for something come on by. I just put up one today for Herbed Goat Cheese.

I haven't started Lucia yet. I am still in the middle of Campion. Looking forward to it and thanks for the info about the Holt books.

Have fun.

posted by carolcarter at 8:41 pm (EST) on Aug 30, 2007

I loooove the early books! I think Rivals is my favourite because Rupert gets Taggie. I was very disappointed with Wicked, though. Too much creepy underage sex stuff and it could have used a jolly good edit, I thought.

Have you read Tilly Bagshawe's 2 books, Adored and Showdown? She reminded me of the old-school Jilly.

posted by tinylittlelibrarian at 7:15 pm (EST) on Aug 30, 2007

Hi there,

I just noticed that you're the only other person with Jilly Cooper as a fave author, so I HAD to leave you a comment, since I love her, too! :)

posted by tinylittlelibrarian at 5:47 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2007

I don't know but I find the older I get the less tolerance I have for bigots and racists no matter what period they are from.

Lucia Rising arrived today and I am excited to read it. If Noel Coward and Nancy Mitford endorse it surely it will be wickedly amusing. Do tell if you like the Tom Holt books.

posted by carolcarter at 11:16 pm (EST) on Aug 28, 2007

Been reading Allingham and have found the same antisemitism as well as terribly racist comments throughout. I am sure I noticed them when I read before but probably put it down to the times. I am not sure that is acceptable though. These were intelligent, well educated women. I figured out in High School that those kinds of things were horrible, it was a time of heightened awareness, but I can't imagine behaving like that. Perhaps the publishers should be made aware. Some judicious editing would not change anything in the plot.

What do you think?

posted by carolcarter at 11:46 pm (EST) on Aug 27, 2007

Hi Julia,

Glad to hear you got the Holt books, I hope at not to dear a price. I want to suggest a book you might like. Its called 'The Straight and Narrow Path" written by the Anglo-Irish writer Honor Tracy. Its a period piece, 1950's Ireland, but it still packs a good laugh. Enjoy your reading.

Bill

posted by 18rabbit at 5:52 pm (EST) on Aug 25, 2007

Hi Julia,

Glad to hear you got the Holt books, I hope at not to dear a price. I want to suggest a book you might like. Its called 'The Straight and Narrow Path" written by the Anglo-Irish writer Honor Tracy. Its a period piece, 1950's Ireland, but it still packs a good laugh. Enjoy your reading.

Bill

posted by 18rabbit at 5:50 pm (EST) on Aug 25, 2007

Hope you have a good trip. Are you having the horrible weather I am reading about. It sounds like the Chicago area is getting hit pretty hard. We had something really bad last night. Really scary winds, terrible storms. Two houses on our street had fires. We had no power for most of the day. I was fine with a book and a candle. Not so my son. He can't live without modern technology. Hopefully the weather will calm down for a bit. Take care.

posted by carolcarter at 11:50 pm (EST) on Aug 24, 2007

I saw that conversation and figured it was someone picking up the series. Let me know if I should read those as well. How long will you be in Chicago?

posted by carolcarter at 7:55 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2007

Julia,

Okay now I await a Lucia book and you have me rereading Allingham. Actually it is just what is needed as the weather is so hot and sultry I need some light reading.

Candy

posted by carolcarter at 1:21 am (EST) on Aug 23, 2007

Julia,

"Lucia in Wartime" is a paperback published by Black Swan Books, Publishered by Transworld Publishers Ltd., Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London W5 5SA. Its
ISBN 0 552 99202 X.

"Lucia Triumphant" is also by Black Swan Book, Ltd. ISBN 0 552 99281 X. Let me know how your seach goes. I beleive in the personal honesty of Luciaophiles and if push comes to shove I would consider lending them to you. Hope your search goes well, but let me know.

Good Luck,

Bill

posted by 18rabbit at 6:26 pm (EST) on Aug 20, 2007

Hi Julia.

I highly reccomend Tom Holt. He really captures Benson's sense of the ridiculous. His 1st attempt with "Lucia Triumphant" is quite good. "Lucia in Wartime" is great!!! In the "Wartime" he not only gets the Mapp and Lucia rivalry exact to the T, but really brings Georgie into his own. Oh, how lucky you are, two great books await you.

Have fun.

Bill

posted by 18rabbit at 7:40 pm (EST) on Aug 16, 2007

Oh boy those books sound delicious. I shall look them up. Thanks. Hope your travel experience is pleasant.

posted by carolcarter at 2:31 pm (EST) on Aug 15, 2007

Who are Mapp and Lucia? I don't know those. Don't know E. F. Benson either. Enlighten me. Are they mysteries?

Gotta go to bed now as I am a vampire and the sun will be rising soon.

posted by carolcarter at 5:02 am (EST) on Aug 15, 2007

Julia,

The book I have is titled 'Pearls Before Swine'. It begins exactly as you describe. I have just spent some time flipping through my Allingham books which I have not read in probably twenty years. I think it might be the time to revisit Campion and Lugg. There was a PBS series with Campion years ago. I believe it was a British production. Peter Davison of Dr. Who fame played Campion and I thought the shows were rather good. If you have a chance to watch them you might enjoy. Of course I love Campion so I could be biased.

Hope this helps.

posted by carolcarter at 9:10 pm (EST) on Aug 14, 2007

Julia,

Wow I have read Sayers several times and I never noticed that. Now I have to look at it again.

The Allingham does ring a bell but I don't remember offhand. I will take a look at the books when I have a chance, maybe this evening. I hate that though when books have more than one title. A lot of the P.G. Wodehouse books are like that and I ended up duplicating a few because I didn't know the alternate title.

I am still stunned about Sayers.

I will get back to you soon.

Candy

posted by carolcarter at 2:31 pm (EST) on Aug 14, 2007

Sorry about Kaffe. I used to have a couple of his knitting books. I have not been getting in much knitting of late. Us quilters are quite delighted with him. He has a new book coming out next month.

posted by carolcarter at 6:01 pm (EST) on Aug 6, 2007

Well P. D. James and Elizabeth George are very different writers from the others on my list except for Rendell. I consider those three to be more psychological writers. Amanda Cross' detective is a college professor and her books center around academia. Dorothy Sayers is somewhat similar but her mysteries are probably the best written and most intellectually satisfying. Allingham is sort of similar to Christie. For a first Sayers book, I would recommend 'Murder Must Advertise'. It was the first one I read and I became an instant fan. As for the others, I have not read them in so long I can't remember the individual books. I usually like to start with the first one. If you have access to several I would start with the earliest publication date, keeping in mind that some authors improve a bit with practice. Have fun.

posted by carolcarter at 5:59 pm (EST) on Aug 6, 2007

Julia have fun in Spain. Wow England and Spain. I do book reviews on my blog, among other things. I will be slowly copying them over here. I should mention that a lot of those books have yet to be read. I should stop buying them. I have had great difficulty finding nonfiction when I didn't buy it early so I just get it now and hope I have time to read it. Before Amazon I could pretty much say that I had read most of the books on my shelves. Now it has reversed.

posted by carolcarter at 6:06 pm (EST) on Aug 2, 2007

Julia, thanks for flagging my library. I think we could have some very interesting conversations. We have a lot of interests in common. Do you have a blog? Sometimes it is a way to communicate. Have a great time in London. I just got on here and when I figure everything out I will be sure to put you on my list.

posted by carolcarter at 8:46 pm (EST) on Aug 1, 2007

Hello, I just saw a post of yours in the What are You Reading Now? thread. Three years ago I returned from an American expat assignment in England (although not in London). It was a wonderful experience. I hope you enjoy it!

posted by lindsacl at 12:08 pm (EST) on Jul 24, 2007