Richardderus thread 3 for 2012

My very favorite book of 2012 so far

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
From A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
How I *wish* humanity worked this way...but we don't...hatred is, it seems, eternal and unstoppable.

My 2012 NEW books ticker:




My 2012 ORPHANED books ticker:




Books are reviewed in post:

2. The Night Circus...#97.

3. The God Engines...#243.

yeah, I am first!!!

*smooch*

Oh, nice picture! Hello and glad I got outa that other place, the police were casing that thread Im telling ya!

Good afternoon!

starred!
*smooch*

The hype for this book is impressive!

Great book, great title page!

>3 FAMeulstee: You are indeed first, Anita! congratulatory *smooch*

>4 calm: all-purpose *smooch* for dear calm

>5 LovingLit: That's why I legged it, Megan...that little cop car is faster than you think it could be!

>6 katelisim: Hiya Katie!

>7 curlysue: *smooch* for Kara-kins!

>8 trandism: It deserves every single bit of the hype, Nick. Honestly. It's just...remarkable.

yay for review! Loverly!
It's what Stephen King does brilliantly: Tells you a story of human nature, irrefutably making points that need making about Mankind and its flaws, while wringing your withers with fear, excitement, and sadness.

Well said!

I've had a basic aversion to Stephen King, sort of on principle, and because I don't like spooky horror things - but if ever I'm in the mood for a 1000+ page turner, I'll bench-press this one. Great review. And I think you could publish a book of selected reviews - at least an ebook, for your 10,000 friends.

I've lost you during last year Richard so I have no idea if you revealed any info about that writing project of yours

>12 ChelleBearss: Thank you kindly, Chelle!

>13 ffortsa: An ebook...chortle...like anyone'd pay even 99 cents for my silly maunderings!

Sweet of you to say, though.

>14 trandism: I'm writing a gay-themed caper called "My True Adventures in the Porn Trade" about a pair of New York literary types who, after being wiped out in the 2008 crash, turn to blackmail and Internet porn to keep their standard of living. A publisher friend is, oddly enough, interested in it. Go figure.

>16 richardderus: Really? That sounds awesome!

I suspect part of his interest has to do with the fact that the bad guys are a right-wing governor and his evil aide-de-camp (!) who have been sharing the attentions of one of the porn boys.

Loved the review. I don't think I've ever read any King (Stephen) - if I did, it was long ago and deeply buried.

And I love your MLK quote. Re your comment on it, hatred is indeed all too often unstoppable - but if there is any hope of stopping it is surely not by more of the same. But easier said than done...

Wow, Thread 3 is off and running! You go boy!

fine... wait till my back is turned and then make a new thread...

I haven't read any Stephen King in years - I loyally read everything up to It, which I gave up on because I was getting too creeped out. Your review is delightful.

January 16 and you're on your third thread. Impressive. :-)

me, too, EBT1002

too creepy for me

“I'm not sure that pasteurized thinking is rich enough in intellectual vitamins”
― Keith Laumer, Retief!

>19 gennyt: I am more or less Manichean...I don't believe hatred can be stopped, no matter what.

>20 msf59: I seem to attract chatty people to my threads, don't I? Makes the party more fun!

>21 mckait: A!HEM!! Of the two of us, which one has posted gif upon gif hinting none too subtly that my previous thread was unwieldy? Hmmm? That's right, NOT me. Uh huh.

>22 EBT1002: This one isn't supernatural, but it *is* creepy, in that humans are portrayed in all their vile glory as the murdering swine we are.

>23 maggie1944: Wimp.

I've only read King's The Stand but Madeline's recent read of Under the Dome had me adding it to the tbr list, now it's moving up.

only one gif was meant to say it was unwieldy...
the other two meant I missed you

>26 avatiakh: Oh boy, I sense a convert in the making....

>27 mckait: Oh! I didn't know that. (Clearly.) And, all jesting aside, how fabulous is this continuing thread thing?! Will you go over to the scary-mean-people forum and tell them how much it is loved here in megathreadland? (Does this feature come in handy in any other group on LT? I can't think of one.)

oh! Kath's feelings are hurt. *pat pat pat* there, there, now, honey, I'm sure that Richard didn't mean anything by it, nothing at all, bless his heart!

p.s. yes, I'm a wimp, and proud of it, too.

Believe it or not.. there are complaints in scary people land..
certain .. ahem.. person(s) having concerns that it is not really continuing a thread that is going on..
yep . srsly.

sniff.. thanks Karen..

>29 maggie1944: Save your sympathy, Karen44. She is EVIL! I have one word of condemnation and conviction: PINTEREST.

>30 mckait: Satan!

>32 mckait: Admission of guilt! AHA!

what, that photo of you?

*wonders where rdear has gone *

mckait, where do you find all the great images?

Ellen, I swear she creates them herself. She has to...they're perfect for her purposes!

Holy crap there's a bunch of posts here already. *Waves feebly* Hi Richard! I loved your review of Under the Dome, although I'm curious about how potato chip sex works.

>37 Ape: Reach for the bag that's next to you.



What I want my next house to have for stairs.

Decent set of stairs RD congrats on third thread already and on being the first to have 500 posts on your threads this year!

yes, I, too, want that very set of stairs! Even if it would use 25% of my house's footprint.

Hi Buddy

Just stopping by to say that within the hour I'm meeting our friend Terri who will be staying in Easton, PA. Will and I are taking Terri and son to dinner at a pub....lots of laughs and wine.
I cannot wait, but also cannot help but think how lovely it would be for you and the rest of the crew to join us.

Hello ! Must read your review, bye

32: Weeeeesssssssst! (Oh, Flapjack!)

>39 PaulCranswick: 500 POSTS?! Surely you jest! Really? Huh.

>40 maggie1944: I want a house so big that these are the servants' stairs, myownself.

>41 Whisper1: Hi Linda! Y'all will have good fun, I know. I wish I could meet up, but I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday that I've been waiting for forever.

>42 cindysprocket: Hi Cindy Bye Cindy

>43 katelisim: ...
...
o.0

Sigh.

Hello, Dearie.

44. The pic is from a cartoon called The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, where Flapjack is continually in search of Candy Island (made literally of candy). Here's the clip where the drifting pirate man says west.

>45 Matke: *smooch*

>46 katelisim:
...
...
o.0

...weeeiiirrrd...

*shrug*
The West is a dangerous place ;P

Yikes! This thread is less than 8 hours old and it already has nearly 50 messages??? Slow down, Mister Speedy!



ETA: I've substituted a less dizzying image for the previous one.

*urp*

That gif is makin' me queasy.

All's I do is set 'em up, then the peanut hounds come in search of the cocktail party.

Yeeesh.. and here I thought I was all caught up yesterday when I got back to the hotel. Log in today and I'm already behind! Bleeah!

having said that.. I love that staircase, Richard ... i want one too...but I'd need a much bigger house first ...and one that's termite-free

Hi Caro! Say, did you read my review in the last thread, #249? Under the Dome. Good stuff.

Save me some wallaby.

Blue words..... there are blue words I need to avoid ...

I did read your review in the last thread and the wallaby said that I need to avoid all your blue words.

>53 cameling: LOL

Okay then. I wouldn't encourage you to buy it anyway, it's too danged fat! Maybe a Kindle download, though, for the Melbourne-to-Boston flight....*evil Muttley laugh*

I had my first nastygram of 2012 over that review. So puzzling to me...if you don't like something, don't seek it out. Don't like my reviews? Don't read 'em! Don't like me? Avoid my threads! In public, well, "block this member" works a treat.

But to take one's own time and energy to offer unasked-for advice couched in the snottiest possible terms, ending with a snappy little "and you'll never hear from me again!" (I never did before and I felt no lack thereby, thanks)...? Bewildering. And stupid. People!

>54 richardderus: lucky you and me's perfect Richard, ay.
PS you WILL be hearing from me again :)

#Actually RD you are at 580 posts (oops now 581) spread over your three threads. Stephen is following not so closely behind with 515.

#54 you got a nastygram over a review? For serious? That's kinda lame eh

What Chelle said...

I can understand not agreeing with a review.. but to each his own opinion for pity sake.
People baffle me more and more each day. I thought it was a great review, for a book that
sounds vaguely interesting to me. If I get through 11/22/63 without melting down.. I might seek it
out. Oh well.. consider the source I always say...

Imagine what will happen if we get a thumbs down on reviews like certain
LTers are requesting ( and have been ). What is the point of that I say? Some
people like to be judgmental and nasty to make themselves feel better. I see a lot
of review policing and review policing comments at Amazon and the Vine forum.
Crazy

Lots of free floating anger in this world, must of it misdirected. Sad.

Just stopping by to say good morning! I'm looking out my big bay window at lots of lovely snow falling down and I don't have to go anywhere today. *contented sigh*

Wishing you a good day, free from those with anger to spare and no place to put it...

*smooch*

I listened to Under the Dome in August of 2010 and thought it was a fantastic book then. Reading you review makes me remember the pleasure I took in listening to it going to and returning from work. (It took about a month. It was one of those audiobooks that make you sad that you've reached your destination.)

I only started reading Stephen King 3 years ago and have loved every book I've read or listened to. I have 40 books by him that I've collected in recent years and have read 9 of them. Lots of good reading ahead. I did try to listen to the first Dark Tower book but couldn't stand it. I have the Dark Tower series on my shelves - perhaps they'll appeal to me at some surprising time in the future.

My most recent read was 11/22/63. Being of an age to remember where I was when the news of Kennedy's assassination came out (Peter S. Burnett Elementary School, 5th grade, room 13, Mrs. Greenblatt's classroom after recess), it had a lot of personal meaning to me, but I think it stands on its own for those born later. Great book.

I of course, have very vivid memories of that day, too.
I am anxious to read that one..

63 posts here already and I still haven't figured out potato chip sex from the last thread.

...then the peanut hounds come in search of the cocktail party.
Yes, and what's amazing is that the food and drink and wonderful conversation never seem to lag! Now, where did I set down my glass of wine?.....

I was three on the date in question and it's one of my very first memories. I had no idea what was going on -- what I remember is my mother wailing in anguish. I knew something terrible had happened.

>65 EBT1002: That's exactly what I remember! My mother running into the TV room, hollering and crying...I'd never seen her so much as sniffle before that day. It was terrifying.

I get, on average, three or four nastygrams like that in a year, taking me to task for something or other that the poster doesn't like. It's always a puzzlement to me, though I don't take the ones that don't call me names seriously. I don't post my reviews on Amazon anymore because I dislike so very extremely the snide comments about my character and ability as a reviewer from those who feel competent to judge such matters. Why they should feel this is a mystery to me.

Others feel perfectly entitled to post critical messages in my various threads, some quite snarky. We've all seen those. They bother me a lot less than the name-calling posts, because I have no kick with someone disagreeing with me or simply disliking something I say...have the courage to say it out loud, though, here in public. That way everyone knows every side of the question and makes their decisions for themselves as to what to do.

I figure I'm doing something right, since so many wonderful people have left messages here, and so many clearly like the cocktail party chatter that flows so amusingly and effortlessly around this here place.

There will always be nay-sayers. Just say it out loud. Otherwise it's just sniping, and that quit frankly is juvenile, and cowardly, and wrong. And yes, that is a judgement on the character of the sniper. I make it publically, and stand behind it.

oh well, sometimes people suck.
the rest of us ♥ you!

>67 ChelleBearss: *smooch*

I've started a meme. It's called "Congratulations! You've won the Lottery! Now..."
...which book, of all the books you've read, are you going to make, or re-make, into a movie, a TV movie, a miniseries, or a TV series? Why? Who's your dream cast, in as much detail as you care to give?

We've all seen crummy adaptations of books into movies or TV shows. Some of us have even seen good ones. But who hasn't thought "Wow! THIS book would be a great film!" only then never to see it come on screen (large or small). Who hasn't thought "Oh dear GAWD that book was waaay better than this bilge, someone should do it right!"

Okay. You're up. Tell us how you'd like to see it done! I put a thread for it up over here.

Your links are just flipping back and forth between your old thread and this one. I'd make a movie of The Night Circus.

>69 tiffin: AAARRRGH! I made a stupid HTML grammar error. I fixed it, so the link works now, Tui. Thanks for pointing it out!

I added mine over on the new meme. I picked Garden Spells. I didn't come up with a dream cast. I'll have to think about that part.

*Hugs* I agree with Chelle, people suck. Oh wait, she said "sometimes?" Well, either way, it's difficult to imagine anyone not liking your reviews. I'm assuming they are extremely insecure and defensive by nature, and have taken to viewing you as a sort of Evil Empire with all your irrefutably great reviews. I, being of such a humble demeanor, am perfectly capable of accepting how wonderful they are and I can gracefully accept my utter inferiority.

*Bows*

>71 jnwelch: I posted a question over in the meme, Joe.

>72 Ape: You're very sweet to say such nice things to me, Stephen. *smooch*

Oh wait! No! You're a straight boy! *backslap plus noogie*

Well I like the way you write your reviews. *smooch*

>74 calm: Thank you, dear calm. Not everyone does, of course, but why make a point of talking about it?

Of course I was looking forward to what you had to say about The Night Circus ... but I guess that will have to be an unfulfilled wish:)

AH.............now I get it. It's not a book thread, it's a cocktail party! SMOOCH SMOOCH then.....off to find the celery sticks.

Hugging works for me, Richard. :)

>76 calm: Sometimes, some books just don't lend themselves to a review. I will have to review the book, but I'm reluctant to do it because the experience of reading the book was like smelling a magnolia blossom...perfect, sweet, rich, satisfying a need I didn't know I had until it was met...but handle it, even gently, and somehow that magical smooth gorgeously textured vessel of chastely erotic pleasure begins, inexorably and inevitably, to brown and curl and die.

I'm not ready for real life yet.

>77 tututhefirst: Celery sticks?! Madam! Where do you imagine yourself to be, some pub or bar?! Would you like to try the sherried cheese puffs? Perhaps a bit of the chicken satay, or some of the asparagus terrine?

>78 Ape: *hugs* his buddy Stephen

*Blushes and runs away screaming*

79> great desription. As William Hurt once said "sometimes you just have to let art flow over you." Touché.

Stephen STOP IT, I laughed so loudly then Lenny looked like he was about to cry!
*sigh* Ill be chuckling over that all day now :)

There's chicken satay? I'll be right there. And Richard my darling, I have never heard nor read a better description/review of Night Circus:
the experience of reading the book was like smelling a magnolia blossom...perfect, sweet, rich, satisfying a need I didn't know I had until it was met...but handle it, even gently, and somehow that magical smooth gorgeously textured vessel of chastely erotic pleasure begins, inexorably and inevitably, to brown and curl and die.

What a silver-tongued devil you are!

I enjoy your reviews!
Kath needs to work on that anti-gravity thing for those that have escaped the zoo
Would love some asparagus terrine, if there is any left!

*Takes out white board and wishes Sheldon and Leonard were real.....*

*Heard a rumour there was chicken saté going here*

Great food, sparkling conversation, amazing host...I love it here!

Sorry all, the satay and asparagus terrine were a tidge low, so I had to run off to procure supplies.

I brought back an amazing 2006 Black Chicken Zinfandel for the winos. So so delicious. Anyone?

Consider yourselves smooched. I must make some belated rounds to see who-all's gettin' up to what.

Gladly accepts a glass of the Zinfandel and smooches Richard back.

I've got 9" of snow in the backyard with the evening news broadcasting that the big storm is arriving tomorrow! This is in the rainy western side of Washington State where we usually worry about too much rain.

But I'm warm by the pellet stove, hunkering down for a DNBR day while I let it snow, and I ignore it.

Except for pulling snow dingle berries off the dogs when they come in from outside. I may have to shovel them a potty spot.

Bird feeders are full! Ah winter, don't you just love it?

>90 maggie1944: I do, I do.

Stolen from Berly's thread because it made me laugh out loud three times:

PARAPROSDOKIANS (Winston Churchill loved them) are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous.

"Where there's a will, I want to be in it," is a paraprosdokian.

1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.>

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left..

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8. They begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

9. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

10. Buses stop in bus stations. Trains stop in train stations. On my desk is a work station.

11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.

12. In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.'

13. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

17. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

18. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

19. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.

20. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

21. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

22. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

23. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

24. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

25. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

26. Where there's a will, there are relatives.

Thanks, Berly! Say, did you remember to bring the peanut oil for the satay?

One thing is for sure, Richard! It's never boring over here! And yes, people can really suck sometimes...and not in the good way!

Rushes in slightly breathless and flattered to be copied. Here is the peanut oil!

>92 msf59: Boring? Never! Too many interesting people up in heah.

>93 Berly: I put it on GoodReads, too, and am feeding it to Facebook. Hilarious!

Ah, good. Satay will be back out in a minute. Meantime, everyone chow down on the fries...I get 'em from Joe's, right near here. That's why they're hot and delicious.

So late here, dahling...but the social obligations must be met....

I liked your review of Under the Dome...which has been squatting on a shelf for too long

I just read a book that had a DOME in the story...I'm wondering if they both serve the same purpose..story-wise...

Take care of yourself, Sweetie..and best wishes on all ventures

J

Thanks, Berly! and rdear.....LOLOL funny!

The fries are yum!

Review: 2 of seventy-five

Title: THE NIGHT CIRCUS

Author: ERIN MORGENSTERN

Rating: 5* of five

Sometimes, some books just don't lend themselves to an analytical, opinionated review. I'm reluctant to do that kind of review here and now because the experience of reading The Night Circus was like smelling a magnolia blossom...perfect, sweet, rich, satisfying a need I didn't know I had until it was met...but to examine it, to handle it, even gently, risks that somehow the magical smooth gorgeously textured vessel of chastely erotic pleasure that this book is will let it begin, inexorably and inevitably, to brown and curl and die, and become...just a wonderful book.

I'm not ready for real life yet. I want the magic to linger just a little longer.

The physical book itself was a Christmas gift to me from a GoodReads friend, and to him I offer humble thanks on bended knee. This was in the top five reading experiences of my life, and will most likely remain there for the rest of it. I am changed and exalted. And it is thanks to his generosity that it's so.

I decided that Tina's approving statement was enough for me...I've put up my review of The Night Circus as I described it before. It really does encapsulate all that I feel about this magical reading experience.

works for me. I approve. And agree.

*Dropping off supplies of cream*.

Sorry, no asparagus - my veg box delivery only gives me what's in season.

*Sees another 5 star review of The Night Circus*
Torn between NOT wanting to read this, perversely, because so many people are, and WANTING to read it because everyone seems to be enjoying it!

Genny--I totally understand your ambivalence!! What if it doesn't measure up? I swear it will though. : )

Richard--Love the review.

#97 =

Loved your review of The Night Circus....and read my comments on Good Reads, okay??

Thanks for the cream, Genny! Asparagus terrine resupply comin' up!

I loved the book. (Jude, go look at my response on GR.) I loved reading it, I love looking at it, I think there are few cases where hype is supported by substance and this is one. Other opinions will differ, but I can truthfully say that I, me myownself, this old man sittin' over here, was changed and exalted by the experience of reading The Night Circus.

Eat the fries before they get cold! Joe's Book Cafe makes 'em the best!

Stealing the paraprosdokians for fb!
That made my night, thanks Richard and Beryl :)

Great reviews, Richard - as always!
I'm sorry I can't keep up over here
fun thread - great snacks!
hugs

>105 curlysue: Ain't they grand?

>106 -Cee-: Claudia! Welcome, and who cares how often you're here so long as you have fun while you are?

*smooch*

Look at my response to you response on GR

I never say "never"

;-)

>108 jdthloue: ...oookaaayyy...but you been warned....

Oh, God, I was completely out of Zinfandel and am making do with a decent Chardonnay--thank you! And I can so completely empathize with your Night Circus review--very nice! I'll have some of the asparagus terrine and satay as well--more peanut sauce please! Ah, you are a marvelous host, Richard Dear.

>110 ronincats: Sauce right here...now, this bottle's just for you, and don't you DARE take it out of your bag or someone will see it and requisition it for refills!

xo

Lovely review of TNC, I'm in full agreement. Love the list of paraprosdokians, I'm going to steal it too.

Nothing to eat for me, I'll open a bottle of Malbec though.

Malbec...lessee...over on the right side of the wrought iron wine rack. Red wine glasses over on that little...yeah, that one.

I treasure the read of TNC. So glad you agree, Kerry.

As I am an uncivilized child (when it comes to my liquor consumption), I am completely lost in all this wine chatter, but will try some of this fancy Zinfandel that keeps getting mentions.

>109 richardderus:

You, and what army????

***smooch***

>114 katelisim: Excellent! The bottles are over there, the glasses here, sip slowly and breathe while sipping the first few times. It's wonderful stuff!

>115 jdthloue: *smooch*

No fair, no fair .... how can there be 63 posts from the time I checked in yesterday?!!

On to the wine chatter though.. it's lovely being here in Australia because they've got some incredibly wonderful wine here for a fraction of the price back home.

The Aussies grow them some outasite Shirazes. Slurp some down for me!

Yes, our supermarkets are overstocked with cheap Aussie wine and our own good stuff.

Richard, thread#3 and January isn't even over yet!

Sweetheart, I just can't keep up, so I'm just coming by to say hi!

>119 avatiakh: ...there are Kiwi wines...? Really? For true?

>120 cyderry: *smooch* to the speedy Cheli

Glad to see you, dear!

Ooh.. richard, some of the Kiwi wines are really delish! Cloudy Bay is nice and very reasonably priced too.

90: This is in the rainy western side of Washington State My sister canceled her planned visit to our lovely area because of the *predicted* snowstorm. I'm looking out my window. Not a flake. It better dump some serious snow on me. (yes, I'm grumpy).

Richard, dear, I can't wait until The Night Circus comes available at our library! I think I'm now 900-something in the queue...... :-)

122: I agree that Cloudy Bay is worth drinking. Or Dog Point Sauv Blanc. Yum.

I must admit to never having the pleasure of trying a Kiwi wine!

>121 richardderus:/124 hell yeah, there are some amazing kiwi wines. Shingle Peak, Mudhouse, Cloudy Bay, Villa Maria, Waipara Hills, Two Paddocks, Nobilo, Nevis Bluff. oh la la, my mouth is watering

add me to list stealing the paraprosdokians, soon to be posted on FB/Google+ - abs Love them!

The Night Circus sounds like it will be on my wish list very soon ...... thanks - I think

Hi Richard, I'm very slowly catching up on 126 posts on this new thread.

You make me want to read Stephen King again. It must be 15 years since I read any. In my teens and early twens I read all his classics, but somehow he lost me with that fantasy series of which I don't know the English titles. Just a few weeks ago I considered rereading It and The Shining, if I can ever find my copies again. Under the Dome sounds like good old King to me.

What is a nastygram? An unfriendly PN?

Thanks for teaching me a new word: "Paraprosdokians", now I have to learn to pronounce it. What a great list!

And there's another wonderful review. Should I give The Night Circus a second try? I feel I am the only person on LT who wasn't completely convinced by the first chapter. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for magic. Okay, I'll open a bottle of wine tonight (Lagrein, a wonderful autochtonous Northern Italian variety) and reread my Kindle test chapter.

rise and shine rd... big day....!

RD- Wonderful review of The Night Circus! You should bring another legion of fans to this magical book. Good job, sir!

Oh no! Another Night Circus groupee! Uuuughh! *runnnnn*

Sorry Lynda.. loved that book as well.. I had to order my own copy after
reading a library copy.. it is a must have for my shelves.
:)

Sigh. I love the smell of magnolia blossoms. Okay, I'll look for The Night Circus (magnolia scented version).

Drive by hello. Nice review, Richard. Boo to nastygrams. LOL at the paraprosdokians.

Have a great day!

oh, a test chapter on Kindle for The Night Circus ... since the snow storm is keeping us all in our houses all day I think I'll read all day long, well, as long as there is electricity running into my house. Really bad storms have a habit of dropping trees on power lines. I hope that will not be happening. In the meantime, I'm reading Life by Keith Richards, that bad boy!

My the party really has taken off. I'll take some of those sherried cheese puffs if there are any left:) Maybe try one of those NZ wines - any recommendations for a nice crisp dry white?

I love how you expressed your thoughts for The Night Circus - magical:)

Good morning, RD!

Drat you. I would have to read your minimalist review of The Night Circus. Another book on my tbr pile. AND, to add insult to injury, I had to get immediate gratification and ordered it from Amazon. It will arrive at my house on the 20th.

Glad the chicken satay and asparagus terrine got here in time, Richard. Woo! I'm catching my breath.

Your non-review of The Night Circus has pushed me over the edge on this book that's receiving so much LT love. Onto the tbr it goes.

Ha. Just checked and I'm number 274 in the queue for 127 copies of The Night Circus. I should get it pretty quickly with that ratio.

Am I too late?
The party is over..??..??

Sometime is sucks to be in an other time zone :-(

but anyway, love you Richard dear!

139: This party never ends. Richard just occasionally goes to bed and hopes we don't completely trash his digs or drink all his Scotch. We're always still here when he gets up again. ☀

I just about fell over yesterday when I popped in to the little independent bookstore across the street from the office here in Melbourne ... a copy of NC was going for A$48 ... say what?!! I'm so glad I'd already bought it in the US and finished reading it. I wish I had brought it with me, so I could leave it with someone at the office here who wants to read it but hates reading e-versions.

Hi ever'body...a tired, irritable smooch for all my favorite peanut hounds...got back from the doc and have been immersed in budgeting for my web project.

I hate making budgets. How much padding do I need up front to make sure some damned accounting clerk can cut it and still not ruin the point of the exercise? How much disaster money do I need to hide in seemingly reasonable places by inflating costs?

Just gimme the g-d money and leave me alone. I'll tell you when you can come and look. Now I know how Michelangelo felt about Pope Julius (was he orange, I wonder, and is that how we got Orange Julius fast food?).

I need to be rich again. Asking people for the old spondulix sucks.

As manager of a budget under someone else's control, I completely feel your pain, Richard. I swear I think I'm just the soul to win the lottery. I've got it all figured out: establish my foundation and give *small* grants to great start-ups, "great" being defined by moi. I know, I know, it's far more complicated (and probably less fun) than that, but it sounds good.

>143 EBT1002: Perzackly corrected...that's the ticket.

gentle ((((hug)))) for tired Rd

*smooch* for my dear Dutch treat Anita. Have some cheese puffs.

And milkbones for her beautiful dogs?

Sympathy from Chi-town, Richard. Doing a budget is awful, and asking for money is awfuller.

On a brighter note, so glad you loved The Night Circus. It was such a great treat!

I love the stairs up thread, Richard. Can I live with you if you get a house with them in it?

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx

>147 jadebird: Good idea, Ren! I'll have a jar of dog treats for our companions out in the morning.

>148 jnwelch: UGH on it all...but I want the money to do this idea more than any of the others...can't wait to tell y'all all about it.

>149 Copperskye: Wasn't it? *sigh*

>150 alcottacre: When I find *that* house, I think we can all live there! *smooch* I'm so glad to see you around despite the demanding schedule.

Smooch goodnight. : )

budgets, never have been able to get the hang of them. Hope your going great guns on yours.
Am currently reading The Night Circus....like your review of it more than it so far....
*uh oh, did I really say that out loud?*

Good morning!!

Hope you slept well..

Mmmmm, orange julius.... I haven't had one of those in years.

Someone is making Orange Julius this morning? I want one!

We are having freezing rain this morning; coat of ice on everything. The airport is shut due to all runways covered with sheet ice. Has not happened in over 10 years. I'm so glad I like to read.

Good morning, RD!

I never liked Orange Julius.... I suspect I'm an exception to a rule. It's like Ovaltine when I was a kid. I'd ask Mom to get a jar, try it, never drink it again. Mom would throw the jar out, I'd ask for more about a year later..... I finally realized that I just didn't like Ovaltine. Now Nesquik was another mtter altogether. Loved it.

Hope you have a fun and productive day.

Hugs and smooches from your own Horrible.

>152 Berly: Thanks Berl!

>153 LovingLit: No need to worry, Megan, it's not like every single book must be loved equally by all. Some books just don't "fit" a particular reader. Kath loves that stupid droning Hummingbird thing that set me afire with loathing; Tom reads *shudder* Dickens, voluntarily!; I don't know what Stephen reads because I can't visit his thread for fear of stepping in moose poop and/or zombie effluvium, but I bet I'd hate at least a few; yet all of these are people I can't do without. Room for everyone's taste, in other words.

Tasteless heathen,

>154 mckait: I slept the sleep of the just, and awoke cold and grumpy. Stella still hasn't asked to go out yet. ...?...

>155 scaifea: I wonder if there are any left? I admit I don't seek them out, but I haven't run across one since who-whipped-the-cat.

>156 maggie1944: We'll have to seek some out, Karen44, since I ain't seen none...and boo hiss on ICE! Satan's work, ice. Hate it hate it. Stay inside and enjoy the reading!

>157 karenmarie: I wasn't a big milk drinker. Nesquik had a banana flavor that turned me right off powders dropped in my beverages. I kept trying to like oatmeal because it supposedly is healthy, but unfortunately I'd already learned about haggis when I was trying and therefore kept tasting sheep entrails every time I so much as saw the stuff.

I like oatmeal cookies, but really, I have to force haggis from my mind as i chew.

*smooch* to my Philistine non-Julius Horrible

Moose poop and zombie effluvium: there are very few places on earth where you will find those two substances in one sentence.

>160 tiffin: Another unique value proposition of coming to the cocktail party!

Goddesses...I'm speaking Pitch-language in my own thread.

Help! Someone talk about a book, quick!

147 & 151: thanks Ren & Richard
Ari loved the milkbone, Chimay is not here, away for a week with Frank, so she has to wait until she is back.

#158, 159 Orange Julius is owned by Dairy Queen nowadays. And as noted over in the kitchen, they ain't what they used to be since they no longer carry the threat of death by bacterium.

>162 FAMeulstee: *smooch*

>163 laytonwoman3rd: Garshk...fast food that won't kill you. Booooorrrrrrriiiiinnnnnngggggg

Help! Someone talk about a book, quick!

Um, okay. I've finally decided that my next read will be The Tiger's Wife even though Wolf Hall was a close second. So, that will be my next book. But I don't have anything to actually say about either of them since I've not yet read a word.

It's been freezing rain all day here. Treacherous. Now it's snowing. Again. As much as I LOVE the snow, I'm kind of done with this particular storm...... It would be great for reading except I have to watch the snow, be sure the birds can get to their seeds, watch the news, look at the snow again......

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx for today just in case I cannot come by again later. Blasted research paper.

I'm sorry in advance............

Message 165: Exactly. I added in a nap on the living room sofa. News: snow, power outages, falling tree limbs, snow, schools closed, trees falling, all terrain vehicles flying up and down the street, snow, a lotta snow. I confess I like being made stay home.

>165 EBT1002: It snew about 10 flakes this afternoon while I was taking my compadre to the train. So far, that's been it this year. *quiet cheer*

>166 alcottacre: *smooch*

>167 mckait: You're forgiven in advance.

>168 maggie1944: Bah the news...such a grisly parade of non-events.

Yup, you are right.

169 & 170 --> therefore, I go back to my book. I finally did get OUT of the house while it was only snowing. A lovely walk, actually. I needed it.

I don't know what Stephen reads because I can't visit his thread for fear of stepping in moose poop and/or zombie effluvium

That is completely unfair! The moose poop is Micky's fault, and I have no control over the zombies. I mean, when was the last time you saw me read a zombie book? I can't imagine where people have gotten this notion, it's simply absurd!

Help! Someone talk about a book, quick!

I just finished one! It was...aw crap, a zombie novel! Nevermind, forget everything I said above.

Stephano--so close and yet so far. And sprinkling glitter on everything does not make it smell any better!

Glittery zombie effluvium. EW.

Did you do anything special for the cool links between threads?

The glitter isn't my fault either, so that means I'm only responsible for 1/3 of the horrible things that happen on my thread. :)

#173 : But the glitter does at least hide the funky look though, Kim.

Thanks.. but I was apologizing to poor Ellen for being about to embark on that book.. *shudder*

WooHoo!! I just checked, and there's an Orange Julius in Madison! Only about an hour away! I say again, WooHoo!

Orange Julius! Jeez, I haven't been to one of those since I was a wee lad. It used to be the place to hang out when I was in 7th grade. Hmm, Madison isn't far . . .

It "snew" here too, RD! And no new ice except on the bird feeders... 'course I haven't been out yet. Maybe the ice is lurking :P

I don't know how you are getting any sleep over here with all the partying.

#160 LOL that was one of your best imho, RD

Have a good day! Win Lottery - Find the money tree - hit oil!

*smooch* from Horrible.

Okay... someone help me. What is an orange julius?

Oh and an extra Richard-hug on the pile, of course. :)

orange juice made richer and foamier and creamier by the addition of ingredients such as sugar, ice, vanilla, maybe a raw egg. Cold and yummy.

*shudder* Seriously? A whole world of yuk...

I know I could have googled, but it's more fun to ask you guys - I get better answers!

A whole world yuk - great phrase.

I half think I might have stolen it from Buffy. Nope - pretty sure I stole it from Buffy.

I remember it as tasty yuk, but I don't know what I'd think at my more advanced age. I wonder whether they deliver?

I should have thought Buffy - I've watched the entire series 3 times and have a bunch of great quotes from them plus a book called Bite Me: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There are lots of things worth stealing from Buffy.

>175 suslyn: Just use the auto-link-maker Tim & Co. have installed at the bottom of each page, and remember to retitle the thread. Thass all. It is my very very favorite new feature ever in all of life. Well, LT life anyway.

>176 Ape: *rummages in Stephen's purse* Aha! Your pot of glitter for those wild nights clubbing in the old Wal-Mart!

>177 cameling: bleeeaaarrrgh the funky look blech ick ptoo ptoo

>178 mckait: *smooch* Beautiful day here, a little cold but lovely.

>179 scaifea: *checks for flights to Madison*

#184 And don't forget it's whirled in a blender with lots of ice, so it's almost solid at first.

>180 jnwelch: Last time I saw an Orange Julius was in high school, visiting my dad in Los Gatos. I loved 'em, so we went there, but dad and my stepmother **loathed** them.

Looking back, that was probably 60% of the appeal.

>181 -Cee-: I'm workin' on it, Claudia, I promise. I really want not to have to worry for some large chunk of my remaining life.

>182 karenmarie: *smooch* back

>183 BekkaJo: *huggles* across the Atlantic!

Pshaw! I'm offended, Richard. To think you would question my masculinity by saying I carry a purse. I would never! Unless I finally found one that matched my favorite eye shadow.

Orange Julius discussion: OOO OOO OOO I loved the smooth whipped slurpiness of them, and the egg white added that ineffable lightness. Oh yum! And they had a pineapple add-in that I adored.

>193 Ape: *hands back Stephen's zombie-skin reticule* Okay, it's not a purse. Just as you like.

Thank you, there are very important things in this, y'know. What would I do in an emergency situation when I desperately needed my 'male hygiene products.' I don't even want to think about it. *Pulls out pine tree air freshener and drops it into the front of his underwear*

"Masculine hygiene products" bwaaahaaahaaa how many women wish like hell there was such a thing already! You got a gold mine there!

we have orange julius with dairy queen at the mall near our house. Nate gets a some strawberry concoction that is so thick he can barely suck it through the straw. It's actually interesting to watch ;)

>194 richardderus: And they had a pineapple add-in that I adored.

yup! Me, too. Loved it.

Whatever happened to orange-pineapple ice cream??? I loved that. My uncle used to have it in the store -- 16 cents for a douple dip.

*** Waves.. Wow I was backed up on the other thread and had to catch up here.. Yikes.. I just can't keep up with your threads.. LOL..*** A little late but I love the staircase too:)

Hi everyone! Happy to see so many of y'all up and about after hangin' here at the cocktail party.

I reviewed our latest Book Circle read, The Gods Will Have Blood, over in my 2012 Homeless Reviews thread.

This Tray of Goodies is for Tina, aka Tutu, and Tina ONLY:

-curried cheddar toast
-gingered Jamaican spread on crisp toast topped with roasted pepper and prosciutto
-bruschetta
-celery sticks (shudder) with cilantro ranch
-fresh dilled salmon salad on crackers

Back off, y'all, it RESERVED.

Mean, that's what you are. Just mean. *snatches a salmon cracker, defiantly*

Fine, I won't eat from the tray, that would be the respectful thing to do. *Eats through Richard's entire pantry and refrigerator*

Banana and Coconut Shave Ice on Macadamia Nut Ice Cream

(just seein' what happens)

Stephen, pass me a beer from that 'fridge, will ya?

*lifts tray and passes it around to all who are here*

The alcohol and onions are all I left. It's all yours!

Oh geez, thanks for leaving the onions. You are all heart.

No worries Ellen..
I filled the empty spots with cheese, bacon, fruit and shrimp..
oh and a few corn dogs and cans of crackers and spray cheese.

Leaves before she can get talked into doing the dishes.

Beer and onions...good thing I brought the bratwurst...was there any mustard in the fridge, Stephen? I think the caraway seeds are in the pantry.

Someone go get Kimmers, SOMEbody gotta do these dishes.

Sourdough rolls! Egads! Quick, someone go to Joe's Book Cafe and get a few dozen!

Stephen is going to do the dishes... we all voted

...but...but that's *women's* work! Poor Stephen.

'scuse me.." women's work"?

Those dishes are going to pile up something fierce if you're waiting around for us women to clean up after you. Hmph.

kath, the shrimp are delicious!

Well, yeah...y'know, work that men aren't suited for because it's boring, hard, or dirty. Women's work.

*tosses a corn dog with spray cheese at Richard*

lovingly and with humor, of course

* approves of Ellen's actions*

I love corn dogs! I used to make my own, with jalapeno corn bread and dipped into melted Velveeta sauce. *So* yummy!

#217 Work that men aren't suited for because they don't SEE dirt, crumbs and unsightly residue.

I have never actually eaten one.. a corn dog that is..
I have seen them eaten but..........

If I were ever going to eat one, it would be one that Richard made. But I still couldn't do the Velveeta part.

Nothing wrong with quality meat encased in rich corn bread, but frozen corn dogs are repulsive.

As for the dishes, fine, I'll do them. It gets me out of socializing with everyone... :)

If anyone else does them Stephen will never learn responsibility

Need help Stephen??

Well, I have changed my mind. If Stephen is going to be back there doing the dishes I think we should all crowd in the kitchen and keep him company. Now where is the soap?

Palmolive under the sink.

Watching some silly Dutch musical called "Yes Nurse! No Nurse!" that's making me giggle uncontrollably, waiting for my pizza.

Richard - I couldn't possibly eat everything on that plate, so please do invite our darling friends to join in sharing the yummies - - - with polite manners of course!!

You are such a dear to save stuff for me. Yum yum yum....and SMOOOOCH.

> 228: Ahhh it has reached the English speaking community!
Originally it was a TV show here in the sixties. I still play the music sometimes, to sing along!

>229 tututhefirst: Okay ever'body free for all on Tina's goodie plate! First come first served!

*smooch* back, my dear.

>230 FAMeulstee: Gerrit and Jet are so cute together! And there's a song about grandfathers that pleased me enormously. Nurse Klivia is a stitch! Lucky Holland, to have such TV shows.

Stephen, you have got some of us so wrapped around your little finger. Incredible. xo

*leaves party to go google "Yes Nurse! No Nurse!"*

*smooch*
thank you :)

Sweetiedarling...if anyone needs smooches right now, it's you!

226/227: Eeeek! Richard, I can't do the dishes with girls in here. *Shakes uncontrollably* Can I do the laundry instead? I'm hoping you have a super tiny cramped laundry room that no one else can fit in...

232: Ohhhh! Good point. Obviously that was my brilliant genius mastermind self tricking everyone else to do the dishes. Muahaha. That was definitely the plan all along. *Gulp* No question about it.

dishes. Then laundry.

Sadly for you, no. It also houses the furnace, the linen press, several cabinets, and is still big enough for me to have small, intime dances in it.

Oh giiiirrrrllls! Stephen's over here!

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx - and I am stealing from Tina's tray on the sly. . . but no celery sticks for me, I cannot stand them

mmmmm love celery

Not my favorites by any means, either. But Tina seemed to expect them. *shudder* All that chewing, and for what?

Celery sticks serve as vessels to convey various yumyums to one's gums...such as hummus, salsa, dips, fondues, nut butters, chutneys, etc. The fact that they are edible makes them even more to be coveted since they save the host/ess from the problem of cleaning utensils.

Same does for mashed potatoes...in and of themselves they're ok, but their main service to humanity is to serve as a receptacle for gravy.

I had a student once who very aptly described celery as "crunchy water".

Review: 3 of seventy-five

Title: THE GOD ENGINES

Author: JOHN SCALZI

Rating: 4.5 horrified, terrified, vindicated stars of five

The Book Report: The Power of God...the Power of Faith...these are concrete, actual things, not powerless mouthings, in John Scalzi's 136-page gut-punch and goolie-kick of a novella. Captain Ean Tephe, commanding the Righteous, is fresh from a stinging defeat (in his mind) that, in the view of his superiors, is a victory so signal that he's summoned to HQ and given the most astonishing order: Go to a planet of those who have not heard of Our Lord, convert them, and offer the nourishment of their worship to Our Lord in this difficult war we're waging against the gods whose brother-gods are enslaved as the star drives of the Faithful.

He does. The scene that follows is so revolting, so truly disturbing, and so exactly what I believe to be the case regarding religion, that I wasn't at all sure which of my equally strong emotional responses to give pride of place to.

The last words on p136 are: "Pray," he said.

Excellent advice. Won't help, but it's still excellent advice.

My Review: It took about three hours for this book to enthrall, fascinate, frighten, and disgust me. I'm left, here at the end of the experience, wondering what is to become of me now. How will I find a story that will help me feel clean and whole in my bruised and abused mind again? What balm can be applied to a beaten psyche? I was never the most chirpily sanguine of men, I truly always believed that humanity was made up of scum, pond scum, and scum-sucking pond scum, then below that conservatives.

And now that seems the most giddily upbeat and Pollyanna-ish codswallop. Scalzi has stared unflinchingly into the black heart of reality, the place that Lovecraft was scared to go, and brought back this eyewitness account.

Lift your snouts from the trough, humans! This is exactly where you're headed if you don't side-step now!

How lonely John Scalzi must be, having that one eye in this kingdom of the blind.

I like celery *in* things like stuffing and soup. Celery as the thing? Oh nay nay nay, I say unto thee thrice more, nay nay nay!

Great review ........

btw celery is another one of those foods that is just 'wrong' ... enough said

Thumbs up for the review and a million thumbs down for celery.

Darn it - I missed the party again. Hugs.

Good review...

#243: I like Scalzi's books Old Man's War and The Ghost Brigades. Unfortunately, my local library does not have The God Engines.

((Hugs)) and xx smooches xx

chopped celery in tuna salad is delish!

Great review, richard ..... but I don't think this one is up my alley at the moment.

Wow... The God Engines sounds horrifically fascinating. I'm going to see if I can track it down. I haven't read anything of Scalzi's before, but I've heard many good things about his work.

>245 roundballnz: Hi Alex, glad to see you! Thanks, I really liked the book.

>246 Ape: Thank you, Stephen! (on both counts)

>247 BekkaJo: Wherever you are, the party is. Besides, there's a lot of stuff lying around...he'p yo-own-self!

>248 mckait: Why, thank you, my dear. I suspect this book would interest you. The main character goes through such a tremendous journey.

>249 alcottacre: Drat! Blast! Use your powers and MAKE them buy it!

>250 cameling: It could be a grow-on-you book, Caro.

Sadly, tuna and other fishes are off my list. I had some very nasty trouble with tuna recently, and then with shrimp, so...boohoohoooooo...I need to give them wide berth.

>251 dk_phoenix: You know, Faith, I think you'd like this book. Like I said to Kath, the main character goes on such an amazing and intense journey that it's dizzying, and the ending is just flat withers-wringing.

Thumb from me, Richard. I've read other Scalzis, but not that one. I may wait a bit - I'm feeling pretty chirpily sanguine today.