Member: solla

Hi Solla,

Just ran across your review of "The China Lover" by Ian Buruma, which I finished reading this week, and noticed that you described him as a US academic and perhaps not trustworthy when it comes to the history he's writing about. I just wanted to note that Buruma lived and studied in Japan for many years and speaks fluent Japanese; he's known mostly for his non-fiction, with his first books being written about Japan and China. While he does teach in the US, he is Dutch/British by birth and his wife is Japanese. Nothing to do with whether or not you liked the book, of course! Just wanted to let you know.

best,
Suzanne

posted by Chatterbox at 5:36 am (EST) on Sep 13, 2011

Hi Solla,

I had to crawl through my old bank statements to find out what the subscription to Questia is. (I'm on automatic renewal.) My records show an annual subscription is $99.95. However, I believe they have a free trial and also monthly plans if you don't want to commit for an entire year. I have had my subscription for quite a few years now and I find it to be an incredibly rich resource. I wish they were more transparent about the cost to join. I just spent 15 minutes at the website trying to get the information and couldn't figure it out either. Not good PR, IMHO. Good luck!

Suzanne

posted by Poquette at 3:12 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2011

Very nice trio of reviews today Solla!

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 2:24 pm (EST) on Feb 26, 2011

Sounds good!

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:07 am (EST) on Jan 24, 2011

Glad you liked the review! Sure let's do lunch. I think any day but Wed. and Fri. work for me.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 9:17 pm (EST) on Jan 23, 2011

Did I tell you I finally finished Desert in French? I totally loved it, such beautiful writing. Thanks for encouraging me to read it and reading it along with me. How is it going? You have been sort of quiet on the lists lately. Any bites on your novel?

posted by anna_in_pdx at 7:25 pm (EST) on Oct 12, 2010

Hi Solla,

Thanks for responding to my request. We've been neighbors on LT for two years (I remember you explained "neoFreudian" to me last year), but somehow I always thought you're a guy, until I read your online bio today. Sorry about that. It just shows that we need to talk to each other more often. :)

I have some questions about your new novel, and I'm sure others in the Le Salon group do as well. If you could post the link to your short story on the "Get Groomed" thread, we'll discuss your book and have a sort of author chat / interview / Q & A.

What do you think?

posted by booksontrial at 11:18 pm (EST) on Aug 8, 2010

Cool! I should have a copy for you next week (I ordered a few and one needs to get mailed to Tani). I'll try to find you on the bus. :)

posted by anna_in_pdx at 10:54 am (EST) on Jul 21, 2010

Just a short note (and my only one, I promise) that I've launched my website at www.michellehoover.net. I've also created a page called Michelle Hoover's The Quickening on Facebook. If you're interested in further updates about the book, you can check out the site or join the page. You can also look at my Librarything author page for more info. In any case, I hope you're well and happy reading. And if you have similar news, let me know.

Cheers,
Michelle

posted by MichelleHoover at 11:48 am (EST) on Mar 16, 2010

Oh it's not too late for Miss Lonelyhearts. You can read it in one sitting easily, and in fact, I've "officially" extended it to the 15th (aren't I powerful?) ;-). So you may be late, but you won't be left out. And Paradise Lost has also been extended through February, because Anna, Medellia, & theaelizabet were not going to be able to get to it until then, so, damn, you're in some mighty fine company!

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 1:46 am (EST) on Jan 8, 2010

Thanks Solla!

I think I will use your idea eventually (or maybe right now) for a thread.

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 1:39 pm (EST) on Jan 3, 2010

Happy New Year Solla!

I'm excited to hear that you've been so focused on your novel as to have the self-restraint to not be on LT. Wow. I hope perhaps to get a peek at it at some future date? Please.

And I really appreciate your "review love". Coming from you that means a lot. I haven't read Laing, but I'd have to say I completely agree with the enlargening effect of intense psychic states of turmoil, breakdowns, etc. Would make a nice thread in the salon, actually. Can I "borrow" your idea and post it?

Here's a quote from Nathanael West on the very topic, from Miss Lonelyhearts:

"Tell them about art. Here, I'll dictate: 'Art Is a Way Out'

"Do not let life overwhelm you. When the old paths are choked with the debris of failure, look for newer and fresher paths. Art is just such a path. Art is distilled from suffering...."

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 7:00 pm (EST) on Jan 1, 2010

...we appreciate Hugo for the ways in which he was able to see beyond his time, not for the ways he was limited by it.

I could not agree more. Lovely review!

posted by wisewoman at 9:55 am (EST) on Dec 24, 2009

Love your review! I am still at the convent. For some reason I am not exactly tearing through Les Mis like I normally do with books! Hope you have a wonderful Xmas/New Years.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 1:56 pm (EST) on Dec 23, 2009

Solla - serendipitous that you reviewed The Great Hedge of India today. I've had it on my shelf for at least a year, with Moxham's book on tea, and just picked up the former this weekend. The first thing I did was look for a picture of the hedge!

Cheers -

Stringcat3

posted by stringcat3 at 12:04 am (EST) on Dec 8, 2009

THANK YOU.

posted by polutropos at 7:00 am (EST) on Nov 30, 2009

If it's absolutely terrific weather we can go outside somewhere, but assuming it will be wet and/or cold, let's plan on the food court again. See you Thurs!

posted by anna_in_pdx at 2:59 pm (EST) on Nov 14, 2009

How about Thursday noon to 1?

posted by anna_in_pdx at 12:11 pm (EST) on Nov 13, 2009

Sounds like we need to have lunch some time again soon and get caught up.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:08 am (EST) on Nov 12, 2009

Solla! You!

Asking me why in le salon? Why why why, I don't know.

I do know I thumbed up your Exiting Nirvana & Lispector reviews. Gotta get my hands on that Exiting Nirvana.

Yesterday I picked up a 1st ed. hc of P.D. James, The Children of Men, and noticed that...my goodness...you have 19!!! of her books. She must be really good, eh?

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 2:16 pm (EST) on Nov 7, 2009

Solla, are you going to read the Lispector book? I have put it on hold. It looks pretty short. I am between books right now and thinking, maybe there's time for us to do Le Desert before we get into Les Miz in December.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 4:34 pm (EST) on Oct 27, 2009

Hi Solla, love to do lunch. Maybe Thursday? How about the food court at Pioneer Place if it is very cold, and Pioneer Square if it is sunny?

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:36 am (EST) on Oct 12, 2009

Hi Solla, I posted a response to yours on the salon. This note is in case it gets buried amidst all the other posts. I will also follow up on my Quest thread and on my blog, but not immediately. Love your contributions. Cheers! Wilf

posted by WilfGehlen at 12:16 pm (EST) on Sep 29, 2009

Oh Solla, I'm sorry, I didn't really mean to be so devastating toward you. I do like ketchup! And spaghetti sauce!

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 12:09 pm (EST) on Sep 3, 2009

I wish I could Solla. One for you, one to read, one to write, and one to work (if I must). I'll pass on those tomatoes, though - yuck! How 'bout some avocadoes so I can make up some spicy guacamole?

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 3:16 pm (EST) on Sep 2, 2009

Wonderful poem Solla. You really captured that which is pretty darn difficult to capture: no matter the lack of communicative ability in those w/autism, you can still make a connection. Quite touching. Thank you! My wife is a fan of yours too.

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 9:31 pm (EST) on Aug 30, 2009

Thanks Solla!

Richard's recent review inspired me to aim for something more personal (brief as it was). I have not read the Clara Parks book, but have just wishlisted it, and another one of hers that looked quite interesting too - Exiting Nirvana. I'm curious about your familiarity with the book and the subject. Have you worked w/the autistic? When I was kid in the late 70s, and autistic was a word one was hearing more and more of, I actually thought people were saying "artistic" and I wondered what's the big deal, so that kid is "artistic," so what? Lots of people are artistic! Just like I used to think at that time that Pink Floyd was the name of a singer and not a group!

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 2:49 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2009

Solla, I have been a real flake - first vacation and then not much time for reading mean that I really have not gotten into Le Desert yet. How are you doing with it? I still intend to read it but with M&M coming up so soon and an early reviewer book I am not finished with yet, I don't think it will happen before we get into the M&M read...

posted by anna_in_pdx at 7:43 pm (EST) on Aug 26, 2009

Thanks! I thumbed your review of The Seducer recently and had a chuckle. Isn't it a drag when a book doesn't work out for you and you've spent ALL that time and energy? When you said "p. 596" I nearly spit out my tea! :)

posted by Medellia at 4:49 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2009

why you sly sneak you! I most certainly did not resort to my author cloud. I'm Enrique! and I never do anything sneaky!

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 10:17 pm (EST) on Aug 19, 2009

Hi Solla,

Well, I've been using LT very little for a while. Very much to do at work lately, and just now I'm having my summer holidays (quite late this year), doing other things than writing messages here.
I also had to skip my 2009 challenges at '50 books challenge', but I'm planning to make a new obtainable one for 2010, and I hope I'll get more time to write and post messages and comment on/review books I'm reading.
Yes, I still DO read books, both 'new' ones and books from my old tbr pile. Just now I'm reading and rereading books by and about Knut Hamsun.
I was in Hamarøy when the new "Hamsun Center" was opened at Hamsun's 150 years birthday August 4th 2009. My profile picture is one of my photoes from that experience.
Thank you for showing consideration.

Kjell :)

posted by kjellika at 2:11 am (EST) on Aug 16, 2009

Of course Solla! Shall I make an official pronouncement of your achievement? Why yes, I believe I will . . .

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 9:54 pm (EST) on Aug 9, 2009

Thanks Solla!

And congrats, I just noticed, on your recent 1,000th book. Woohoo!

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 1:41 am (EST) on Aug 9, 2009

Hi Solla,
I have not cracked Desert yet. I am plowing through JS and Dr N, which I am really enjoying, and also reading one of the Patrick O'Brian seafaring novels, which both have an Austenian tone to them.

The heat seems to have broken, at least the type of heat we were having last week. I didn't mind it so much but I wish we could turn off our AC at home. Kids are rebelling on that - not yet, still much too hot!

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:09 am (EST) on Aug 3, 2009

Oh, enjoy your vacation! I am currently working on Jonathan Strange and Dr. Norrell, which is kind of long. I would love to try to read Le Desert after it though. Not sure if I can finish it before we start M&M but we can try! I tend to read more than one book at a time anyhow.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:08 am (EST) on Jul 24, 2009

Oh I am howling at PtheC's poetry attempt this a.m. I tried to use your cat picture book application this weekend but needed more time for messing around with it. It's really fun.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:29 am (EST) on Jul 13, 2009

Hi Solla
I definitely do not own all 906! I am far too optimistic in what I want to read, and love reading reviews - the Books to read in 2009 is a running list which I really try to make sure I use as my guide when going to the library or book shop. However, I also own far too many books which I have not read, which take up whole of my spare room including any daylight that might have got in had I not blocked the window in with books. As you might have gathered, this list is similar to your new growing list - and many on LT including Alcottacre's to be read 'continent'. I found your reviews via Club Read 2009 - I always like reading Avaland's reviews and happened to stumble across your list.
Happy reading,
Ceri

posted by cerievans1 at 6:22 pm (EST) on Jul 4, 2009

Excellent review!

posted by tomcatMurr at 1:15 am (EST) on Jun 19, 2009

I'm intrigued--check out a stuffed bird, and so much better a penguin. I've got to get a poem out of that somehow.

Thanks for the group tip. I enjoy lists so of course the 10 books thread was a must see.

posted by bridgitshearth at 1:53 pm (EST) on Jun 17, 2009

Loved your daughter's poem! Hope you post your own there as well!

I am now in my new job with the PDX Housing Bureau way downtown (6th & Stark) and the 10 no longer goes very near to it so I started taking the 17. But why can't we get together for lunch one of these days. Maybe just go to the square or the waterfront and bring sandwiches. I am so glad you're loving the Murr book and glad you're in the Salon Littéraire group.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 8:14 pm (EST) on Jun 16, 2009

Hi!

It's the penguin in your picture I like! Well, actually I like the entire drawing.... And what's this about cats?

posted by bridgitshearth at 3:33 pm (EST) on Jun 15, 2009

You have such an understanding of cats. Of course I will deign to be your friend.

posted by PekoeTheCat at 4:20 pm (EST) on Jun 13, 2009

I see we share two books in common. Isn't that Tomcat Murr something, and the lynx, do you love the linx?

posted by PekoeTheCat at 11:44 am (EST) on Jun 13, 2009

do you love children books?

posted by OliviaBrooks123 at 2:12 am (EST) on Jun 13, 2009

hello, how r u? =)

posted by OliviaBrooks123 at 10:22 pm (EST) on Jun 7, 2009

Thanks for joining, Solla! Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Brent

posted by EnriqueFreeque at 2:30 pm (EST) on May 16, 2009

I meant that it was bizarre that it wasn't in English, I just assumed that was the version my son's therapist had read. Anyhow I am sorry you got the wrong language.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:56 pm (EST) on May 7, 2009

That (Desert in French) is so bizarre. I got it as a recommendation from my son's therapist and I assumed she read it in English. Sorry! If you are following the thread you'll see we also have a new plan - some of us will read the Adventures of Tomcat Murr together starting Memorial Day. Powell's has some copies but they are not cheap, and I had to order one from the warehouse. ($16.95) Apparently it's out of print and Multnomah Co. doesn't have it either. Sigh.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 11:28 am (EST) on May 7, 2009

Oh no, no break at all - they want me to start on May 11. It's with the bureau of Housing, not at the PDX building but farther downtown on 6th & Washington.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 1:57 pm (EST) on May 2, 2009

if you're following the Ulysses thread, you know that a) they decided on the Master and Margarita and b) they aren't starting it until September. So I am doing the Desert by myself at some earlier point. Let me know when you get it on hold and we can read it together!

posted by anna_in_pdx at 6:32 pm (EST) on Apr 30, 2009

Hi Solla! Boy am I glad I finished Ulysses. Glad you found the review funny. Of course I was only trying to annoy Brent with it, or at least make him laugh. I am finding the Ulysses reading group really entertaining.

posted by anna_in_pdx at 12:38 pm (EST) on Apr 29, 2009

Thanks for 'interesting' me! I'm enjoying your journal very much. :)

posted by Fullmoonblue at 1:23 pm (EST) on Apr 26, 2009

Wow, you've been busy :)
I loved reading your reviews. Some of the books are going on my "gotta get this at some point and read it" list. I'm still making my way through Ulysses and reading other books is starting to seem like a mirage-like dream...

posted by anna_in_pdx at 12:14 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2009

Noticed that you liked The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, and I was wondering if you'd be interested in reviewing my new novel and posting your comments here (as well as on a few other book-related sites). I thought you might like my novel since it's been compared to that novel by a number of reviewers. I could e-mail you the novel in an e-book format if you'd like. 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 12:02 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2009

Thanks for the tip about Lewis Grassic Gibbon. I've been watching Monarch of the Glen and tracing my Scottish ancestry lately! My family was from the central highlands, specifically Glen Noe, but we were only renters: foresters and carpenters, not landowners. I've never been to Scotland, but want to go someday....

posted by PsibrReadHead at 10:14 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2009

Hi,

If you're going to read some Norwegian (or Scandinavian) literature I'll of course recommend most of the novels by Knut Hamsun, e.g. "Mysteries", "Hunger", "Wayfarers", "Growth of the Soil", etc. If you take a look at my 'author cloud' you'll see who is my all time favorite author(s).
Other favorites: "To kill a mockingbird" and "A raisin in the sun" (Among many others: Dostoyevsky, Shakespeare, Henrik Ibsen, Marcel Proust). I assume I belong to the "Literary Snobs". Like you?

Spring is just around the corner. A sunny day, but the trees aren't green yet. They'll soon be, I know.

Ha en fin dag (I wish you a nice day)!
Kjell :)

posted by kjellika at 5:27 am (EST) on Apr 15, 2009

Hi Solla,

I just added you to my interesting libraries, as I see you like Dostoyevsky and that you've rated "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson with five stars.
By the way: I read the first play of "The Oresteia" some weeks ago, and I'm going to read the next two later this year (Challenge: Reading 50 plays in 2009), and it looks like we share 47 books, many classics, I assume.

Greetings from Bodø, Northern Norway
Kjell :)

posted by kjellika at 3:02 am (EST) on Apr 13, 2009

I've been reading the comments you make next to each book entry and the one next to Sherman Alexie's "Toughest Indian...." caught my eye: "As if, part of our class definitions that we don't talk about in this country, are that working class people are less valuable, and so their thoughts are less valuable."

I went through Joyce Carol Oates' entire ouvre when I was a teenager precisely because she was giving voice to the working class. Now, because of your comments, I want to read Sherman Alexie and James Baldwin.

posted by PsibrReadHead at 1:39 pm (EST) on Apr 12, 2009

How great you are here! Welcome to LibraryThing. Anna :)

posted by anna_in_pdx at 2:57 pm (EST) on Mar 26, 2009