Member: nbsp

You're talking about Rainy Day Books, of course, perhaps my favorite indie bookstore around. We lived in Kansas City for 8 years (moved away in 2006). I still go back to visit (family in the area) and I always stop by Rainy Day Books. Definitely worth a visit. It's just down from the Plaza. If you're down there this holiday season to see the lights, I recommend stopping by.

posted by invisiblelizard at 10:30 pm (EST) on Nov 12, 2012

Hi, nbsp. Very cool handle, by the way. I don't know too may {age withheld but since you mentioned it in your comment to me, it's on my mind}-year-olds who know what nbsp means. The part I was talking about is on page 409 (of the paperback, anyway). The section reads:

"I am intensely aware, by the way, that this story does not show me in a particularly flattering light. I am aware that, within an impressively short time of meeting me, Rosalind had me coming to heel like a well-trained dog: running up and down stairs to bring her coffee, nodding along while she bitched about my partner, imagining like some starstruck teenager that she was a kindred soul. But before you {there's that fourth wall breaking} decide to despise me too thoroughly, consider this: she fooled you, too."

What bothered me about that was (a) I was not fooled. Perhaps I've seen too many American crime TV shows, read too many formulaic mysteries, but Rosalind stuck out like a sore thumb early on. I pretty much figured out the plot twist by the half-way mark. No doubt others figured it out as well. Yet others, I'm sure, didn't. Regardless, (b) breaking that fourth wall and addressing your reader in the 2nd person like that is very distracting. A useful literary technique, certainly, but you'd better be very careful how you use it. It's not like she littered this text with references to the reader (as if we were reading a confession written by the protagonist). This was the only time she did it. And it felt a little too much to me like the author pausing to point out how clever she was. Which is in itself not being clever. It might have been tolerable if I had been thinking, at the same time, "Wow, she's pretty clever." But I was actually thinking the opposite.

Anyway, just my thoughts.

posted by invisiblelizard at 1:48 pm (EST) on Nov 12, 2012

Thank you for your kind comment!

posted by MrsLee at 4:47 am (EST) on Oct 19, 2012

Yes, everything in my LT library, excluding a few wishlisted, I have read! I just like it that way. Actually, I've been seriously neglecting my Civil War & President books, due to LT, continuously interfering. BTW- I have "So Brave,Young" on the shelves, hopefully I can squeeze it in somewhere. I loved "Peace Like a River"!

Mark

posted by msf59 at 8:00 pm (EST) on Oct 18, 2010

Hi Nbsb- I saw your review of "Never Let Me Go",(very good BTW)and some other comments, so I thought I would check you out and lo and behold we share a mountain of books, which is very cool. I recently picked up a copy of "Room" and plan on starting it soon. Have you read "Sharp Objects"? I just finished it and it was dark but terrific! See you around!

Mark

posted by msf59 at 7:30 pm (EST) on Oct 18, 2010

Hi - thanks for adding my library. We share quite a few books, so I will also peruse your library with interest. Have you read The Elegance of the Hedgehog? It is the best book I've read this summer. I'm about to start reading The Postmistress, which sounds interesting. I am watching The Cookbook Collector to see how it's received. Bookmarks magazine featured it this month, but the premise doesn't appeal to me. The problem is never finding books to read, just time to read them. Hope you stay in touch,
Pat

posted by pdebolt at 9:47 am (EST) on Aug 28, 2010

Yes, I guess I'm in the same boat...trying to catalogue all of my books, as well. thing is, I keep acquiring more of them..also, one of the Perks of LT....stick around. Join a group or two...there are plenty of book junkies here..and we love to talk!

Have a good day
Jude

posted by jdthloue at 8:32 am (EST) on Jul 23, 2010

You have a gazillion books in your Library...but no Groups,,no Friends

ah..but you are in Library Thing/Early Reviewers.....yep, those free books are certainly Perks!

so, WHO, ARE YOU? (shades of CSI)

J

posted by jdthloue at 3:21 pm (EST) on Jul 22, 2010