Richardderus thread 13 of 2014

“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.”
― John Locke

I have a category called Orphans, which will still catch all the other reading I do.

My ORPHANED books ticker:




I want to treat the Short Story collection challenge as a ticker-to-itself thread, thinking 48 reviews as my goal. I'll keep the thread over in the Short Stories forum.

My SHORT STORY collections ticker:




I'm keeping a mystery-genre thread over in Crime, Thriller, and Mystery forum. Way way way too many of my reviews have been, in all forums, mysteries and thrillers, and while I love them, I don't want to get too rut-ified and read only those books while keeping up my self-made review writing census.

My MYSTERY & THRILLER books ticker:




THIS THREAD is the 75 challenge for 2014, which will be non-fiction and non-genre-fiction books published in 2013 and 2014, plus recommendations from other 75ers.

My last thread of 2012.
My last reviews of 2013 in this thread.

My 2014 NEW books ticker:




Books 1 & 2...thread 5.
Books 3 & 4...thread 10.
Books 5-7...thread 12.

Books are reviewed in post:

8. The New Astrology...#31.

9. Hounded...#231.

Hope you are having a good day Richard. Great looking book porn:)

Hi Richard! Happy Tuesday and Happy New Thread!

>3 calm: Hiya calm! You're in First Place! Here's you a commemorative book mark.

>4 EBT1002: Good morning, Ellen, happy Tuesday back and a big *smooch*

By the way, I ordered Barchester Towers with my Amazon Prime. :-)
Thanks for the encouragement on your prior thread.

*smooches* for Stella

Oh, and *smooches* for you, too. :-)

Happy Tuesday, Richard!

Well, I love your reading area/library pics (the concept of book porn makes me laugh). However, this current one is too neat. Yes, admittedly I'm a slob, and too much order makes me nervous. I like the ones you've posted with the falling-down plaster ceilings.

Nice new thread, Richard!

>7 EBT1002:, 8 Thanks for the smoochings, and very pleased to hear that Trollope wingeth his way to you! I sure hope you'll derive some of the pleasure that I have from the world of Barsetshire.

>9 labwriter: Hi Becky! Thanks for stopping in!

>10 kidzdoc: HA!! I love that GIF, Darryl. Have a lovely flight to London tonight, and enjoy your time there. Haunt the book-stalls and sniff deeply for me.

>11 richardderus: Thanks, Richard!

Dang, you didn't like the octopuss. How about this one?

>12 kidzdoc: Oh good, the seething stew of jealous loathing didn't come through the computer! *whew*

>13 Morphidae: HA!! I love that one. And it's even my favorite color!

xoxo to you and Stella!

>14 richardderus: Oh. So that's why this goop is on my keyboard.

>1 richardderus: Love the reading lamp. Always admire a well-placed reading lamp.

Just staking my claim on the new thread :) Hope today is going well.

>15 luvamystery65: Thanks, sweetiedarling! *smooch*

>16 kidzdoc: That stuff is brilliant at cleaning the keyboard, don't complain.

>17 michigantrumpet: Hi Marianne! I so agree. A properly placed, properly sized reading lamp is a glory.

>18 BekkaJo: Hi Bekka, sending smooches Jersey-ward.

>14 richardderus: *splutters* But that's a TEAPOT!

Oh, Richard, I think that was Coffee. What do you know?

>20 Morphidae: Full of coffee.

>21 maggie1944: *smooch*

Hi Rdear, congrats on your new thread. I hope you feel good and not like this kind of octopuss


No, that can't be YOU, this is rather ME today.

>23 Ameise1: Ha! Cute. Happy to see you, Barbara.

Newly Tarted Up Review! I...well...honestly, I have no idea what word to use to describe how I feel about MATTERHORN by Karl Marlantes. It's a superlative book, no adjectives need apply. I gave it five stars because that's the scale...but it deserves six.

It's at my blog, if y'all're curious.

Rdear, that's a fantastic review. I've read Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead and couldn't put it away. It looks like I'll have to give this one a try, too.

BTW: The title gave me a completely other first thought. One of our emblem in Switzerland is the Matterhorn but it looks like this

>25 Ameise1: Beautiful and serene, isn't it. I strongly recommend the book!

Happy New Thread and Happy Tuesday while I'm at it.

>27 SuziQoregon: Thanks for both wishes, Juli! It's a pretty day here, which improves my mood a lot.

*waves*

*smooches*

Review: 8 of seventy-five

Title: THE NEW ASTROLOGY

Author: SUZANNE WHITE

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Though the practice of astrology is many centuries old, it is only perhaps once in a generation that a thoroughly new, totally original way of looking at the zodiac is discovered. The New Astrology is such a system.

For those convinced that there is nothing new under the sun--or the stars--Suzanne White offers a startling and provocative thesis: There are not 12 but 144 signs of the zodiac, each distinct, each unique, each vital to everyone's quest for self-understanding.

By combining the astrological systems of the traditional Chinese (terrestrial) with that of the Occident (celestial), Suzanne White demonstrates that each of us is governed by two signs. Hence, a Capricorn Tiger is likely to be quite different from a Capricorn Cat, as is a Leo Dog from a Leo Dragon, and so on. This unique blend of Western and Chinese Astrology gives detailed analyses of each of the 144 signs, including individualized sections of love, sex and romance, business, money, careers, home life and compatibility (or lack of it) with other signs.

Already a best-seller in France, The New Astrology is a massive undertaking and the result of more than a decade of research and study of the two systems. It offers insights into not only our own lives, but also those of all who are close to us. Suzanne White's prose is lucid, candid, and suffused with a sense of fun, but The New Astrology is above all a serious tool for self-awareness and understand the rich variety of human nature all around us.

My Review: No, I don't believe in astrology's powers of prediction; no, I don't subscribe to the practice of astrology for any purpose other than entertainment.

So why review the book at all? Because, writer friends, if it's not on your shelf today, get it on there via Prime in two days. Like, order now, I'll wait.

You see, Ms. White has thoughtfully made 144 character sketches in some detail for you! And she has helpfully diagrammed the best matches and the worst nightmares of each character!! MC needs to be brave? Pick a Leo sign...Leo/Dragon works. MC needs a bad first marriage? Pisces/Cat (her term for what traditionally is called Rabbit). Then a HUGE chunk of your work is done for you. It is AWESOME.

Oh, and real people? Well, they all have birthdays. Go look 'em up! Don't know which Chinese zodiac year 1677 is? There's a chart in the back of the book!

So what with this, and with Michael Moorcock's truly, absolutely never-fail method of fast execution (for which link one is grateful to one's minion Dantastic Book Reviews' own Dan), you are so good to go it's not funny.

My own tip to add to the pile: Always, always, always have poetry anthologies, Bartlett's Quotations, and the Bible nearby. You will need a title, at the very least; an epigraph is handy, too; and goodness knows a quick cheat-sheet of sonorous sentences can be a fabulously useful thing, too.


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

>24 richardderus: I read your review which clearly explains all the reasons I will probably never pluck up enough courage to read Matterhorn. My dad was in Vietnam in the Navy Special Forces. He was wounded three times and received two Purple Hearts. He was only able to ask for help with his PTSD about ten years ago. It breaks my heart what he and all the others who served in Vietnam went through, and what we as a country continue to ask our service people to do. And I say this as the wife of an Army veteran. But I do appreciate how important this book is and I very much appreciate your review of it!

>32 Cobscook: I completely understand your feelings on the matter, Heidi. It's a trigger topic for many military families to this good day. It's a wonderful piece of writing, but assuredly not for everyone will it be a good read.

I'm not going to read 150 posts! I just delurk and say Hi!

>34 connie53: Hi!

>24 richardderus: I have seen this book (Matterhorn) multiple times in the store and thought that I should read this, but never have pulled the trigger (no pun intended). But after reading your review, I definitely won't pass this book by again.

Hi, richardmydear! I hope you are feeling better, but I was a bit overwhelmed with the amount of posts you get! Have you put a spell on all the LT members?

Hi ... from my own quiet butler's pantry. Sweet, sweet quiet and rest.

I love the chair in your topper. I don't know if I could tolerate such tall book cases. I'd rather the books were ALL at some kind of eye level. I love looking along the shelves.

Reminds me: I need to try to get a photo of my library, and we can post it in the book porn places (kidding!)

Nice new thread Richard and the photo is lush.

> interesting! off to thumb

>36 mahsdad: Oh good! I hope it's a successful read for you, Jeff.

>37 connie53: Me? In my tiny, ignored, neglected little cobwebby corner of the site, pining away for lack of company? Pshaw!

:-)

>38 AuntieClio: Sweet, sweet quiet! Yay for being done, and brava for being there at all.

>39 maggie1944: Why don't you send your library photos to one of those sites? They'd love it, and us'ns here at the ranch'd like to claim we know someone meme-worthy!

>40 johnsimpson: I so agree, John, it's drool-making.

>41 mckait: Thanks, sweetness!

Two straggling arrivals by post:

Empty Mansions
Include Me Out

Biblioholism. It is the BEST.

>31 richardderus:: lost me there: who is MC?

>31 richardderus: My own tip to add to the pile: Always, always, always have poetry anthologies, Bartlett's Quotations, and the Bible nearby.
Huh? That is all sounding very un-RD to me.

I will have to go read about Matterhorn, seeing as I own it and seeing as I made my dad and his partner read it and seeing as I have it on my list to read. And now seeing as you gave it 6 out of 5. :)

>44 tiffin: Sorry Tui, I wrote that for my writer buddies on BookLikes and didn't think to explain. "MC" is the Main Character of one's novel.

>45 LovingLit: I know, right?! My computer shut down as I was typing this and made me log back on with my password. I don't think it believed me, either.

Read Matterhorn now? While school is new and fresh? I don't advise it. Too dense, too intense, and too likely not to mesh with your school cogitations at this point.

I hope your joints are resting more comfortable now, Richard Dear. Books arriving is always a good thing. I got Raising Steam at 9 pdt last night, and then the third in the Collegia Magica series today, as I'm reading the second and finding it good. March Madness has begun, so my reading time is down but my crochet time is up.

>47 ronincats: It's dank, Roni, so I'm aching...but this too shall pass. It will be almost 50° tomorrow, but cloudy and showery. Eccchhh.

Good gravy, isn't Pratchett dead? I thought he was on his way out a couple years ago. Spry for a dead fella, to quote Jayne.

Crocheting during March Madness...wow...that's skill.

Morning RD! Hope this will ease the aches. Cloudy and showery, here too! Hey, better than cold & snow.

I got nuthin'

Hope today is good in many ways, and as pain free as possible. Interesting choices of books here... what are you working on?

A little late to the party, but happy new thread! Hope your week has had a pleasant beginning.

Good morning, Dollink! I'm sorry the weather isn't cooperating for your joints and assorted aches. It's cloudy and drab here, but is supposed to warm up considerably today. One can but hope.

Oh, I love the thread topper! I see you've thoughtfully included some chintz for this old-fashioned oddball.

>49 msf59: Works for me. Every time.

>49 msf59:. OK, so I know NO ONE who is famous and I never get to name-drop. So indulge me, if you will. John Hamm is a St. Louis native, and my one claim to name-dropping is that he taught the eighth-grade acting class at my son's school (which was a 6-year, 7-12th-grade school)--my son who is now 33, so it was quite some time ago. It's possible that all of the eighth graders took that class; at least I know my son did, and he wasn't exactly thrilled about it, being rather shy about the acting thing. He came home one day and told us that Mr. Hamm had made him YELL onstage to get over his stage-anxiety. It evidently worked. "Mr. Hamm" was very nice and liked by all (especially all of the 8th-grade mothers--haha).

I remember the enthusiasm the ever reliable Rebecca had for Matterhorn and bought the book in a hurry. Got distracted by something else I had bought (I do buy the occasional book or two) and still haven't read it. Your review is an eloquent reminder to me to prioritise it.

Congratulations on your latest thread dear fellow. You have more posts already this year than you had in mid May last year. Way to go.

>49 msf59: Why hello there you gorgeous hunk of man-flesh you!

Oh, and hi Mark, thanks. :-P

>50 mckait: A cantata and fugue in B minor. *smooch*

>51 Thebookdiva: Abby dear! Twice in one week! *smooch*

>52 Matke: Chintz is an effective counterpoint to sleekness. It's so, so clunkychunky looking that the elegant smoothness of other things is highlighted.

>53 labwriter: ...and now I hate with a jealous, white-hot loathing the son of a person I've never actually seen in the flesh.

Who says the Internet isn't as "real" as 3D life?

>54 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! Read the darn book NOW!

Isn't this year amazing? So very much busier than last year, or any previous year. I guess that's the hallmark of success.

An astrology book as creative writing tool? Brilliant! So much better than a baby name book (which can still be useful...).

Beautiful room up top there, Richard.

I didn't realize you were such a John Hamm appreciator. Does he read lots of books? I assume that must be it.

>56 London_StJ: It can indeed, though the Interwebz do that one better. Enter the country, the year of birth, and the gender of the character into the Majgicqk Google Machine, and *poof* the top ten names from that year in that country appear in milliseconds.

>57 jnwelch: Joe. Dear. I am a man. A gay man, it's true, but a man. I don't care if someone as good-looking as Jon Hamm speaks in complete sentences as long as he looks good naked.

*keels over from shock*

I know, it's a real pearl-clutcher, ain't it?

And bonus for Hamm, he's intelligent and articulate!

Not that we care about the bonus part. As long as he keeps working out.

>61 jnwelch: +1

:-)

>58 richardderus:
I am SHOCKED, shocked I say. Shocked to the very vapors!

(This from a woman who once had a friend say she didn't care how tall the men were standing up, it was what they did in bed that was more important.)

^ But what they do in bed is still a wee bit different from how they look heading toward it, isn't it?

*shakes head, unbelieving that she waded into this conversation at all*

BTW, I'm in the same boat as Megan. Well, I didn't make any parents read Matterhorn but the novel has been sitting on my TBR shelf for the longest dang time. Maybe this summer Megan and I can read it (I guess that would be winter for her), assuming she gets a break from school.

>65 EBT1002:
hah! I know. For this woman, they had to be good looking and fit too, but she didn't care how tall they were.

And I'm just ... I want to know what his mind is like first.

>67 AuntieClio: LOL And oh yeah, me too. I hear ya. I really want to know what their mind is like.

I do believe that I will leave this entire conversation alone.

Y'all're talking about friends, and I'm lookin' at a hook-up. Friends is friends, everybody else is either gamefish or bycatch.

Hmmm. Permaybehaps this is a topic best left to die....

>49 msf59:- Glad you liked the Hamm, RD! Anything to take the mind a way for a moment. The 7th and final season of Mad Men is coming up. I disliked season 6, so I do not think I'll tune in but I still consider it one of the great shows.

>53 labwriter:- Becky, that is a great story, even if it is your only claim to fame. LOL.

NOTHING to add to this topic. ;)

Swinging by for a smooch...

>70 richardderus:
Yeah, well ... them's not my thing anywho

>31 richardderus: Brilliant! I've wishlisted it and bookmarked the Moorcock piece. I once used a Tarot reading for three of my characters ~ it was NaNo, I had to get the word count in ~ but though I did it mostly for that, I thought the insights to the characters motivations, etc. might actually be helpful, should I ever decide to finish the book.

May I be the first to wish you a Happy First Day of Spring!

Are you sure its Spring up there ??? still feels very much like Summer down here not Autumn at all ... sadly as i do wish it was my favourite time of year

That whole Spring thing is just a rumor, I am pretty sure.

G'day rdear

I'll join into the Happy Spring conversation, pretending I did not feel tempted by the previous happy conversation, and note that there are people still skiing in the mountains near here. Imagine! Spring skiing.

It is also Cherry Blossom time and I need to find time to go visit the University of Washington campus. The trees are so beautiful. When I was there as a student in the 1960s the trees were young-ish; now, they are mature and gorgeous! Ah, spring. We've been waiting for you.

Oh dear women and men on the way to bed casting admiring or commiserating glances as they go. Turn off the lights and let the imagination honed from the world's finest fiction do its best. Sex is fairly easy and natural (all ways I guess) so long as you aren't just thinking of yourself during its process.

Book porn! What could be better...a bed AND books?

>79 richardderus:, that's my kind of room Richard, what more could you want.

I can't read Matterhorn. It would break my heart.

I thumbed your The New Astrology review and sent you a PM.

*smooches*

ETA: >79 richardderus: And that looks like a VERY comfy bed.

>79 richardderus: Yes! Somebody knows what's important in life.

Camp NaNoWriMo starts 1 April! Anyone who has never done the impossible and written an entire 50,000-word novel in 30 days should, just this once, give it a shot. Believe me, it doesn't need to be good. It just needs to be done.

In the run-up, I'm blogging about books and websites that offer help, guidance, tips, instructions, and general support.

http://tinyurl.com/phkomjt

Lester Dent died in 1959. He used a manual typewriter, he wrote longhand, he (in other words) WORKED for every word he wrote. And he wrote a gracious plenty of them. Ever heard of the Doc Savage novels? He wrote a boatload of 'em. His writing formula was reblogged on Moorcock's Miscellany nine years ago. It still works. Read all about it!

EDITED TO ADD: Formula writing works. It sells. It STILL sells. From Wikipedia: "Of the 181 Doc Savage novels published by Street and Smith, 179 were credited to Kenneth Robeson; and all but twenty were written by Dent."

He started in the writing business because he wanted a job.

>71 msf59: It might be worth a Netflixing one day, but only after it's off the box. I don't like watching TV anymore (not that I was ever a big fan) because, well, why bother when I can watch it commercial-free whenever I want?

>72 TinaV95: *smooch*

>73 AuntieClio: *smooch*

>74 Storeetllr: It's a life-saver, Mary! And spring's a gladsome thing this year, eh what? I'll give a tarot review a bit later in the cycle. *smooch*

>75 roundballnz: Hi Alex! No, not sure at all. Today's good and blustery, but not cold. That says spring to me. But then in a few days back down below freezing, and even colder at night! Yuck.

>76 mckait: *smooch*

>77 maggie1944: I *adore* Sakura! The ephemeral and transitory glory of cherry blossoms on bare branches...it's just heart-stopping.

>78 PaulCranswick: I have no formula to offer people on matters of sex. I like what I like and suspect that I'm no different from anyone else, except that I'm not like anyone else, just like everyone else.

Too damn complicated. I say reduce the whole megilla to questions: Want to have sex with me? (Yes) Okay, here's what I want to do, is that okay? (Yes) Cool, your place or mine?

Anywhere in the chain the answer is no, the response is "have a nice day" and you go away.

>80 johnsimpson: Ain't that a beaut, John? Other that room service for coffee, nothing!

>81 Morphidae: Hiya sweets, sent ya a PM.

>82 jnwelch: Agreed!

#79 Mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine mine...

mine mine mine mine mine...

Happy First Day of Spring, Richard!

Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers some years ago, and since then has been very active politically in Britain campaigning for research in the area, and continuing to put out books, albeit with some structural supports as I understand it. Definitely not dead.

As a Californian, I can admire but not covet that bedroom. The image of all those books cascading down over me during an earthquake is too, too vivid.

>87 BekkaJo:, no Bekka it is mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, OK. Lol

>87 BekkaJo: Heh. I relate!

>88 ronincats: OIC

Well, that's a horror story. Losing what faculties one has would be, for a writer, a horrible way to go. Poor man! Sounds like he's using it the proper way, though.

As for California, yet another reason I don't want to live there ever ever ever. (Born in Palo Alto, lived in SFO and Los Gatos, so I've lived in the prettiest parts already...and HATED IT.)

>89 johnsimpson: Not to get territorial or anything, but MINEMINEMINEMINEMINE!!!!!

>90 richardderus:, you posted it Richard so I will defer to your greater authority.

>91 johnsimpson: You are a most sagacious person.

Yup. Pretty room but.... I do not want books hitting me in the head, while I'm sleeping, and by the way, those lamps would not light my book sufficiently for me to read comfortably.

I am all about comfort + good lighting + books easily at hand. If there is beautiful architecture then that is frosting on the cake! Lovely windows are nice.

I'll take the books and the duvet covers

>93 maggie1944: Next issue?

>94 connie53: Over my dead body!! :-P

Just the duvet covers?

>96 connie53: Done.

>97 richardderus: Pfffiew!! thanks!

>43 richardderus: Interested in seeing what you think of Empty Mansions. Got that as an ER ARC. IMHO Huguette's parents were far more interesting than she. However, the way she was milked as a cash cow for as long as she was is completely reprehensible.

>98 connie53: :-)

>99 michigantrumpet: It's actually that area I'm most interested in. What did she get out of that way of life? I'm hoping that reading the book will shed some light on that question.

>86 richardderus: You are a rock star. PM returned.

Still mine....

>101 Morphidae: *smooch*

>102 BekkaJo:


A word to the wise.

>55 richardderus:. ...and now I hate with a jealous, white-hot loathing the son of a person I've never actually seen in the flesh.

Richard, you crack me up.

hum de dum de dum

“Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

>106 richardderus:
Too right! *smooch*

>106 richardderus: Create Your Personal Sacred Text by Bobbi Parish tells you how to do just that and gives ideas for sources. Good book.

>106 richardderus:: I remember the first time I read the word "defenestration" for the act of throwing someone out of a window. I swear time stopped for a heartbeat or two. But there are simple small words too. What a good idea, Ralph! Oh, and I'm with Maggie1944 about not wanting to sleep under a wall of books. I'd end up with librarian's lung or somesuch.

>79 richardderus: LOVE!!! Won't lay any claim as it looks like there may be a fighting match for it already. :)

Bekka...I think RD is for to fear!! Lol

The UW quad this week (okay, not this week but another week like this one!):

>111 EBT1002: (Again) Nice!

Richard, I don't think Huguette was unhappy. She may have had shyness and other personality characteristics which made her way of life perfect for her. I do think at the end of her life the people around her did benefit from her riches, but the unusual part is that these folks were not family. There are many very very wealthy family where the family members benefit (?) from riches; why not the folks who cared for her as she aged.

I'll be interested in what you think of the book.

Goooood morning rdear.. I am popping in between bit sof getting things done.. but don't want to miss wishing you a fabulous friday.. or at least a pretty good one :)

>79 richardderus: Yes, please! All caught up here, BigDaddy, and hoping to stay that way. Life has been crazy busy, but I am hoping it will slow down at least for the weekend. Thanks so much for helping to keep my thread warm. Maybe hot is a better word. LOL! Completely delighted with all of you for the pool party. Hoping that your Friday is full of fabulous!

>107 AuntieClio: *smooch*

>108 Morphidae: There is no topic under the sun that hasn't had a book written about it, is there? Sounds like an interesting read.

>109 tiffin: "Librarian's Lung" bwaaaaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaaa "librarian's lung"

>110 TinaV95: Yup. Thass me. I am the one to fear. Mmm hmmm.

>111 EBT1002: OOoooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooOOOOOOOOoooooo!!

So beautiful.

>112 kidzdoc: Ain't it though!

>111 EBT1002: Wow! We sure could use some color like that here in the white/gray midwest. Wonderful.

>113 maggie1944: I'm curious to know what the storyteller thinks. The more I think about it, the more I wonder what put the authors on to the story in the first place.

>114 mckait: Good morning sweetness! *smooch* It's beautiful here, 44° and sunny. Hard to be in a bad mood in these conditions.

>115 Crazymamie: Mmmaaaaaammmmmiiiiiieeeee? There was, once upon a time, someone of that name who roamed these forest glades, but she vanished and was replaced with some computer-phobic Golem who never bothered with the likes of us.

*smooch*

>118 jnwelch: No, sorry, y'all're gettin' another snowstorm next week, no color for the Midwest.

>120 richardderus:

Heh. Cheer up! I've ordered an Early Summer Kit for the Midwest. 90°-plus and 90% humidity from 15 April to 30 September.

All Texas, all the time.

Actually, Ricardo dear, librarian's lung is an actual thing. I think mould spores are usually the problem but dust factors in too. Did you know there is a "farmer's lung" too?

NO!!!

Geddouddahere!!

Its official name appears to be extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The Type IV kind is what my allergy to cats does to me. Interesting!

My office is becoming a greenhouse; I'm so desperate for spring that I've started collecting plants.

That's desperate indeed. There there, pat pat.

But take heart! Stella is shedding, which means it's really spring this time.

ZMOOOOOOOOCH. gotcha! :-)

xoxo to you and Stella!

>127 mirrordrum: ELLIE!!!! *smoochysmoochsmooch* So glad to see you! How are you feeling?

>128 luvamystery65: Thanks, Roberta, we're doing fine...many ear-tousles to the Devilles and a smooch to you!

I'm getting all my ducks in a row for this April's Camp NaNoWriMo. Today it's another post about structure and plotting for mystery writers...though mystery readers should enjoy reading it, too.

http://tinyurl.com/ns3t8an

I've never met a writing tip I wasn't willing to listen to, and in some cases employ.

“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle

>130 richardderus: I'm getting all my ducks in a row . . . Do you mean something like that?
or more like that? or that

Heh!

What a wonderful concept to give one simple word to.

>132 richardderus: ?

If you mix the book porn in >79 richardderus: with all the sex talk above it, someone's going to end up with a concussion....just sayin'!

*Smooch*

hullo, dearest ducksina row. my 2014 thread has finally started up

>134 Ameise1: I don't understand, Barbara. I liked the cutiepoopsies in your post. So I said "heh," or the verbal equivalent of ":-)"

>135 Cobscook: But a happy happy smile with it! *smooch*

>136 mirrordrum: "Ducksina" oh my...I like it. I'll come visit!

>137 richardderus: Sorry Rdear, sometimes my understanding line has some seriously knots

I'm glad you like those ducks :-D

They are so adorable I want to pinch them!

:-D *smooch*

Hi Richardmydear, as always your thread is busy enough, but I've finished reading everything!!

Have a nice weekend!

>140 Ameise1: :-)

>141 connie53: Hi Connie! It does stay busy around these parts, doesn't it?

Well. I, ummm, I sorta kinda had a binge. I mean, well, sales and new titles and what's a boy to do in a world with one-click? So, yeah.

Crossline -- all Jeff's fault.
Notes from the Internet Apocalypse -- see above.
Pillar to the Sky -- ^^look up.

A Maze of Death -- a brand-new copy of a PKD book for a penny. Please! I am not made of stone.
The Wolfhound Century -- alternative history. I am powerless.
Dead Water -- volume 5 of the Shetlands Quartet, which I adored.
Savage Harvest -- a Rockefeller eaten by cannibals?! Go fight that for narrative hooks guaranteed to make me smile! Only way it could be better is if someone else got eaten by a velociraptor that materialized on a plane.

The Hired Man -- all Joe's fault.
Dead Famous -- I don't remember who Satanically Book Warbled me into this one, so we'll assign blame to Joe.

The King's Hounds -- squarely on Suzanne's shoulders.

Nice one-click! ;-))

>143 connie53: Tell my bank balance that...waaaaaaaah

It's of balance here too, RmD. So what's new! ;-))

Nothing is new about overspending on books. Not one thing.

Can you ever class buying books as over spending?

Hmmmm...I'm likin' the sound of this rationalization...

Glad to have been helpful.

So much catching up to do, but wanted to say hello! Love your book splurge. I have yet to confess to my own most recent Kindle splurge...

>149 johnsimpson: :-)

>150 katiekrug: Ooo! Remember my child, confession is good for the soul. Now, spill it!

Hello Richard, I am finally caught up with TWO threads -- how do you do it? All the book porn around here is making me ... well, you know:)

And the octopus -- is that a new thing? Love them! Our family has a thing for the lovely cephalopod, too. And they're delicious grilled! My girls are planning to gorge themselves this summer.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hey there, Porny Anne! *smooch* for going back two entire threads. Can't believe that. I too adore the grilled preparation of Tentacled Americans. But no, my appreciate for the cephalopodia is long-standing. I'm especially partial to cuttlefish because I've met a few in person. They remind of dogs. Only water-breathing. And tentacled. And with W-shaped irises.

*waving* "hi" Hope your weekend is totally wonderful. Reading, and relaxing, and reflecting on your writing....in prep for that crazy month where some of our favorite Readers wander off somewhere and become Writers!

I had a moment of book buying recently: on Kindle, I have Dragnet nation: A Quest for Privacy, Security, and Freedom in a World of Relentless Surveillance written by a journalist, Julia Angwin, searching for ways to protect sources and methods. Heard an interview on public radio in the middle of the night, and I woke up because she was so interesting.

I also bought Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by Lady Fiona Carnarvon. Their "house" is Highclere Castle which is the Downton Abbey shown on TV. A little reading of notes leads me to believe that many of the real family's stories are in fact used in the TV series. I have all the discs now, and I expect I'll be having some marathon TV watching coming up.

Now cuttlefish I can do without -- they are beautiful to behold, but their flavor is far too strong for me, though my husband loves them. More delicacies we (he) will be sure to enjoy this summer:)

And yes, I did go back two threads -- wondering all the while how I fell so far behind.

*smooch* back atcha!

>106 richardderus: "...“Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson"

Trumpets! Yay, trumpets!

Happy weekend m'dear. That's quite a book haul. Don't see why you have go getting guilty on us about bringing in a mess of books, and blaming people and all. I think you should just glory in it like Scrooge McDuck, rolling around in all his wealth. A wealth of words ... What a treasure!

Good morning Rdear,

Hope you'll have a great weekend, Richard! xx

> 57 oh! poor puppy! Hope that is photoshopped!

Saturday, rdear... I know it isn't your favorite day of the week, but it will be okay. I am sending a smooth and soft weekend whammy to you :)

What? It's true. Stop laughing.

>154 maggie1944: I'll settle for "not so irritating that I contemplate committing mortal sins" as far as weekends go. Lady Carnarvon's book sounds interesting.

But the journo's book on privacy is likely to be the most important thing you read this year. Everyone should be deeply concerned with issues of privacy. We have none, and never will again. That's the way it is. What we need to do is look BACK while They look at us: What data are you collecting? to what purpose? used how? And no use saying "we need to keep it a secret" because that means only one thing is on their minds: Controlling you.

>155 AMQS: They taste very strong indeed...but I just like 'em as animals, they're frisky and energetic, where octopuses are languid and Southern-Belle-ish.

>156 michigantrumpet: Thanks for the well-wishes, Marianne! But you know, I am a Murrikin. Nothing is my fault. Everything, literally everything, Happens To Me and is Someone's Fault. Heavens, you're a lawyer, you know the mindset.

>157 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Awww cute li'l sprinklenose!

>158 wilkiec: Thank you, Diana! Sending hugs.

>159 mckait: Good morning, sweetness, I'm hoping your whammy does the trick. Thanks *smooch*

Just thinking what to say here! Hmmm. Nothing comes to mind, except Hi!

>163 connie53: Hi Connie! *smooch* thanks for coming by!

Good Saturday Morning, BigDaddy! Nice book splurge!

***GASP***

It...it's...no it can't be...Mamie?! *swoon* Mamie! Here! In my quiet little backwater of a thread!

Take me now, Lord, I can go in peace at last.

*smooch*

I know, right?! I WILL be better. Thank goodness you have a fainting couch! Here's a treat to help you recover:



Pecan Pie Bars

BEYOND yummylicious! I adore all things pecan, you know the chinks in my armor.

Ya know...there's a walnut liqueur (Nocello)...why isn't there a pecan liqueur?

That's a very good question. We need that! I also adore all things pecan - especially the trees they grow on!!

>169 Crazymamie: It seems I spoke too soon...see #170...but how is it I've never even heard of this before now? Hmmm.

>170 jnwelch: ...must...have...Praline...yummmmmmmm

>171 michigantrumpet: Isn't that wonderful news, Marianne? Of course, the judge stayed his own decision until Michigan's asshole GOP governator decides whether or not to appeal.

Did you read the deicision? The judge quite clearly has no time at all for discriminatory laws. Heh.

>160 richardderus: Fine. I won't laugh. I'll just sit here over the corner and snicker.

Oh dear, the book binge is even bigger than I remembered. Another box came today.

Catholics -- a mooted merger of the Catholic Church with Buddhist sects drives a conflict over doubt and faith. Can't wait!

Carte Blanche -- first of an Italian noir trilogy. Yeah, like I could resist that.

Dead Americans and Other Stories -- another one that's all Jeff's fault.

It Came! -- a graphique novelle. Don't ask me, I have no idea.

>173 Morphidae: Hmph.

>171 michigantrumpet: >172 richardderus: No stays -- my friends are standing in line to get married at the courthouse right now. I put a lovely quote from the Judge over on my thread.

NO STAYS?!? The reports were false, or the Michigan AG made it known there was no appeal? Ooo! Must investigate!

I think the state is still appealing, but the Judge didn't stay his decision while they decide. Several County courthouses said they would open specially for those who want to get married. My friends, having accomplished the task, are raising a glass of champagne as we speak.

Michigan's in the Sixth Circuit. They're not likely to side with the State, knowing they'll be overturned (again). Texas, now...Fifth Circuit's just to the right of Genghis Khan, these yahoos see Hitler as a wild-eyed liberal.

Hi, Richard! Seems so long since I've been here! I'm all caught up, though, and happy to be back.

whizzing through, looking at porn, saying hi and bye....more snow. UGH.

>180 scaifea: Hiya Amber, happy to see you, bye

>181 tututhefirst: *cranes neck* I believe...yes...I think it was...the Down East Silver-Crested Satanic Book Warbler!

>185 Storeetllr: Hmph? All I get is a hmph? Not even a harrumph?

>183 Morphidae: Hmph.

>184 richardderus: Um...

>179 richardderus: Sadly: "Update, Saturday, March 22, 2014, 5:05pm ET: A federal appeals court has issued a temporary stay of Judge Friedman's ruling until the 26th. That means that the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Michigan is suspended until at least Wednesday." http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/03/map-gay-marriage-now-legal-17-states

>186 Storeetllr: Yeah. I completely expected that. They can't afford to let the marriages proceed since the asshole religious Repukes are going to appeal and appeal and appeal to prove to their hater base that they ain't lettin' them faggots and lezbos git nuthin'.

Frankly I'm surprised the judge didn't issue a stay on his own decision since it's clear the gummint (such as it is) of Michigan isn't planning to let this go. Hell, even Kentucky the Land of Deliverance dwellers let it go! Of course, that's also a practical matter, since the Sixth Circuit has the worst record of appeals upheld that I can imagine. Both Kentucky and Michigan are in that Circuit.

^ Van Gogh- "Still Life with French Novels and a Rose," 1887

Just checking in with my pal! Hope you are having a fine day.

I've never seen that van Gogh before, Mark! I love it, thanks. And it's been a perfectly bland day, for which I am deeply grateful and pleased.

Is a mug too large to use for the praline whatsis stuff? Please?

We'll start you out easy, how 'bout: Praline, Jameson's, and half-and-half:

Sounds just right...

Does, doesn't it. I could murder one of those.

or 2

You's guys is gunna drive this tea-totalling woman to drink with them good lookin' lickers

makin' my mouth water

yup, it did

I'm reading about the upstairs/downstairs lives of the folks in the "real" Downton Abbey, and just at the turn of the century they thought they were quite perfect. Change is in the air.

>174 richardderus: I'll take ownership when it appropriate, but Dead Americans is all on you buddy. You shared the linik to SFSignals, Its in my second thread post #215. I already get enough grief for the the books that I post. I'm not going to take the blame for yours ;)

When you get to it though, let me know how it is. Hope your weekend is going swimmingly

I was here earlier but ran away from that very hairy back! Now I think it is safe?????

Praline likker! Yoicks!

>170 jnwelch: & >191 richardderus: Yowser! When do we head on fown to a certain house in Georgia. Jameson would go great with it I am sure. Looks like it would be potent enough to put hairs on your back a la >184 richardderus:.

Have a great Sunday, dear fellow

>191 richardderus:. Richard, having myself indulged perhaps once too often from the tea trolley yesterday, I quickly had to scroll past your praline-thingy post. Ye gods, it's one of those, "I will never do that again" kind of mornings. Here's wishing you a very nice day!

>197 sibylline: I had the same inclination seeing that back! Yikes! I hope I don't offend anyone too much.

Have a nice sunday, Richardmydear.

Dear Mr. Derus,
Please excuse the absence of Danvers from LT. She has been lazy and uncooperative.
Sincerely,
The Animals

>85 richardderus: Now there's a perfect way to handle a touchy subject.

>106 richardderus: These words from Emerson are at the beginning of my commonplace book.

>142 richardderus: Oh, I loved the Shetland series and jumped on the new one like a duck on a Junebug.

Please have at least an acceptable Sunday.

>194 mckait: Here you go, my dear.


>195 maggie1944: Smugness is an invitation to gawd: "lookee here gawd, people you can afflict and torment and make wretchedly unhappy!" and she takes 'em up on it every damn time.

>196 mahsdad: Yuh huh you did so did so!!

>200 connie53: Hmph.

>201 Matke: Hiya Danvers! Glad to see you, but please be sure to stand at least six feet away so as not to pollute my direct space with cat-dander. A trip to the ER sounds horrible.

AHEM

On behalf of the Union of Hairy-Backed Men, I wish to remind all of you ewww-ickers that humans are PRIMATES and primates are hairy. And before any one of you smug little dumplings says something about primitivity, that was disproved by genetic analysis.

So. There. NYAH.

I repeat, "Um...."

Mary dear, I'm GAY which means I'm used to MEN's legs and a shaved-legged man has yet to win admittance to my personal winner's circle. Blech.

Next?

Someone just gave me a bottle of this:

How indebted am I to them?

Sorry, when you said "humans are PRIMATES," I thought you meant to include both sexes. :)

I could use a shot of that please, no ice.

>206 michigantrumpet: About $45. It's a good small-batch aged bourbon. I'm not partial to it because bourbon in general is too sweet for me, but this has a lovely rye-ish edge of sharpness that has some appeal.

>207 Storeetllr: Wait...wait...women are humans?! I've been told all my life that women are goddesses, altogether a better and finer sort than men are, by all those matriarchy-pushing academics, sisters, movies (the legit kind, not the one-handed viewing ones) and my mother!

No. Are you *sure*?

;-P

Nice! I'll have to hang onto it then. I tend to get in a rut, drinking favorite standbys. I've been stuck on the Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon for a while. Recent house guests must have thought it was time for me to switch things up a bit.

Care for a wee drop before bedtime?

>79 richardderus:, Heaven! Pure Heaven!

>203 richardderus:
humans are PRIMATES and primates are hairy
Check and check ... *snicker*

>209 michigantrumpet: Me? Say no to whiskey? It is to laugh, madam! Two cubes, please.

>210 Whisper1: I agree, Linda! *smooch*

>211 AuntieClio: :-)

*clink. clink. Glug-Glug-Glug.* Here you go. Hope that's not too much! ;-P

Glad to share. Chin-Chin!

*smooches*

I am emerging from the fog of NCAA Men's tourney games after four days to rejoin humanity and the literate world. But it's a great venue to observe -er--primates!

Yo Richard. Happy Monday.

>213 michigantrumpet: Oh thank GAWD I needed that. This cold is a bugger and a half. Thanks!

>214 ronincats: Hi Roni! *smooch*

>215 EBT1002: The bright spot in my week, is Monday.
^^not ironic

passing thru nothing to add ........ Summer is still here & Winter is still there

In fact, Alex, we're going to have SNOW here on Monday night! It's a week until April, and SNOW!

Weird winter, this one.

Oh my eyes!
All those hairy people are freaking me out.

But, I did like the pink blossom further up. And the Burns in >122 richardderus:, that guy is classic.

Morning, Richard!

Just stopping by, to say happy Monday to you. I have nothing much else to say, nothing going on.. life goes on.. blah blah. It does look like a party, here, as is often the case :)

They're talkng a Nor'easter here Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning. Wha ...?

Morning, Dearie. Nothing much here, either. Just trying to take advantage of the always-ephemeral upbeat mood.

Winter should be dead, but refuses to roll over.

That hairy back. That ghastly sweet praline liquor. Richard, standards, dear, standards!

It's Monday morning, Richard. I should be home in bed. Or at least not working. *wanders away grumbling*

HA!!

I am fighting the Plague Cold. So far I'm winning, courtesy of zinc and vitamin C doses all day long, and a diet of nothing except yogurt (shudder). Oh, and coffee. It's not giving up easily, but it hasn't been able to get past the heavy eyes/aching chest stage, either.

>219 LovingLit: How do, Maudie, glad to see you around these parts.

>220 scaifea: Amber! *smooch*

>221 mckait: Life has a way of dragging its sorry carcass ever onward, doesn't it. There are days I wonder why it bothers.

>222 michigantrumpet: Ick. The Maritimes will get a huge bitch-slap from said nor'easter. Really, don't you think enough is enough? Shouldn't we start an Internet petition or pass a law or something?

>223 Matke: How do, dearest Danvers. Pleased that lightness, no matter how evanescent, has come. I think it's the cold talking, but jeebus gawddlemitey damn, enough of this!! Spring!! SPRING!!

>224 tiffin: I refer you to post >203 richardderus:. *tosses long, luxuriant shoulder locks*

>225 jnwelch: There is a point at which retirement sounds very good, isn't there? Long about age 25....

>228 richardderus:: evolution, Jeeves, evolution.

But truly sorry you have Le Crud.

"As reality got bigger, it got harder to imagine a single being creating it. But still, reality was manageable with just a billion stars. Then Edwin Hubble came along and showed us reality is composed of billions of galaxies. How can any theology handle a reality that big?"

Auxiliary Memory is a favorite blog on my Feedly. This post is my very favorite so far.

Review: 9 of seventy-five

Title: HOUNDED

Author: KEVIN HEARNE

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old--when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer.

Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries. Now the determined deity has tracked him down, and Atticus will need all his power--plus the help of a seductive goddess of death, his vampire and werewolf team of attorneys, a sexy bartender possessed by a Hindu witch, and some good old-fashioned luck of the Irish--to kick some Celtic arse and deliver himself from evil.

My Review: Let me start with this:

There are many perks to living for twenty-one centuries, and foremost among them is bearing witness to the rare birth of genius. It invariably goes like this: Someone shrugs off the weight of his cultural traditions, ignores the baleful stares of authority, and does something his countrymen think to be completely batshit insane. Of those, Galileo was my personal favorite. Van Gogh comes in second, but he really was batshit insane.

Now, I ask you. Can a normally-constructed reader of any but the grimmest and least amusant of books fail to see the humor in that?

I am on record as being no fan of phauntaisee nawvelles with their styoopid Misspelynnges and Random capitaLizations to indicate magjickq is in Use. So I approach each recommended genre book with, well, trepidation. (I'm stretching for polite words that mean "strenuous desire to insult author, publisher, and recommender.") So these couple of ladies here on LT tag-teamed me, beat my head into the mat, kicked my nose through the back of my head, and started breaking bones I can't operate without until I got this book and read it.

When you're in the middle of a killing field and the fucking Chooser of the Slain tells you to do something, you do it.
― Kevin Hearne, Hounded

Yeah. That.

The more observant of my readers will have noted the four-star rating above. This was not in the least a foregone conclusion, even with the chuckles and the muffled hoots the book provided. I am not any kind of a fan of straight-people sex, having memories of same that range from boredom on the high end all the way down to horror. Three stars is the most I'll give anything with more than a token window-dressing of girl-sex. Yes, I know lots of people do it, but it's icky and I don't want to hear about it. That fourth star?

Monty Python is like catnip for nerds. Once you get them started quoting it, they are constitutionally incapable of feeling depressed.

Okay, Hearne. I'm gaffed through the gills. Yes, my mouth still fills with nausea-water at the sex, but you've hit The Nerve. Wry and funny? Yes please. Handsome, tattooed, and Irish? TRIFECTA! Twenty-one hundred years old and talks like a lamebrained kid? Well...

I have been around long enough to discount most superstitions for what they are: I was around when many of them began to take root, after all. But one superstition to which I happen to subscribe is that bad juju comes in threes. The saying in my time was, "Storm clouds are thrice cursed," but I can't talk like that and expect people to believe I'm a twenty-one year-old American. I have to say things like, "Shit happens, man.”

And now we're on a different plane of storytelling.

In the voice of the character, the author explains why anachronism is alive and well, and does so with a level of character development that shows something I don't get very often in any book: Respect for the reader. "I'm telling you a story about an immortal magical being who lives in the armpit of creation, USA, voluntarily, and needs to blend in as much as possible. Here is how it's done, why it's done, and what you can expect from the character."

Not only is the fourth star secured to the sleeve with tiny, tough stitches, but the sale is made for book two and book three. Of seven (I think), mind you, but still that's more than I'd even *dream* of doing absent this surprising development.

As Atticus himself said, “Winning ugly is still winning.”


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

>231 richardderus:
Oh damn it Richard!!!! I don't want to start a new series!

***KINDLE SPECIAL THROUGH 27 MARCH 2014! 99¢ with two bonus short stories!***

>232 AuntieClio: Face it, resistance is futile.

Ignoring you. Don't have a Kindle anyway.

I went to thumb your review, BigDaddy, but it's not on the book page. I have only read the first two books in that series, but I have the third one waiting patiently for me. Loved that review - you hit it. The books are witty, and entertaining, but also the writer gives the reader credit for having a brain. Good Monday to you, dear - and thanks for helping to make mine better.

>234 AuntieClio: You have a computer, and it can have a free Kindle app any time.

Succumb. Succumb. The water is fresh and gloriously sparkling.

>235 Crazymamie: That's weird. Here it is.

Nice review! But I have no need of new books, apart from the 5 that I am going to buy asap on account of it being my LT-aversary!
Thanks for reminding me of that, btw. I cannot believe how rarely I remember it.

>231 richardderus:: after I read about five books of the series, I sent a few of them on to one of my lads. Got a note from him saying he'd read to 4 in the morning and was absolutely chuffed about Hounded. Of course he had his big dog on the bed beside him too.

>236 richardderus:
*fingers in ears* I'm not listening

Thanks for that - I have applied my thumb!

Somehow you fixed it, RD. I raced over to thumb your review and found it . . . nowhere. Then I got to your "Here it is" in >236 richardderus:, and found it there waiting for the royal bethumbment. Fun review that matches my experience with the book. Although I don't know how you managed to avoid mentioning Oberon.

>184 richardderus: What the hell is that in his hand?

>231 richardderus: Whoo hoo! Another Hearne convert! And it's our Phauntaisee Nawvelle hating RD!

Waves from good old Europe

Hi Richardmydear. Before you decide to start another thread I had to come by and wave!

*Waves Atticus flag and pins up Oberon banner*

Next one, next one! Go on go on go on!

>237 LovingLit: Heh, I live to serve. The New Zealand bookselling community needs support!

*smooch*

>238 tiffin: Goody good good! I love knowing that books I enjoy are out in the world making conquests!

>239 AuntieClio: BUY THE BOOK STEPHANIE BUY THE BOOK AND READ IT ON YOUR LAPTOP BECAUSE IT'S A BUCK STEPHANIE SO BUY THE BOOK!

>240 Crazymamie: Of course, my dear. And thanks for the thumbs-up!

>241 jnwelch: Oh goody! I wonder why it's not...why do I ask, what's the diff. As for Oberon, must leave *some* surprises for the reader!

>242 Morphidae: ...I'll tell you what it is...but you won't like it...

I know, right?! Amazing.

>243 Ameise1: Hi Barbara! Sending hugs via transAtlantic dolphins!

>244 connie53: Hey there, Connie, good to see you!

>245 BekkaJo: I've read the next one, just haven't reviewed it. Like so MANY other books. *smooch*

Good afternoon Richard, how are you this fine Monday.

*smooches* :-D

>249 johnsimpson: Hi there, John! It was a fine Monday. Sunshine and gentle breeze, but here it was on the cold side: 1C. Better than 0C or *shudder* -1C!

>250 Ameise1: :-)

Oh me, oh my. I got the *nicest* surprise package from a friend today! TWO BOXES OF THIN MINTS!!!

Also two books:

Any God Will Do -- A bitter and satirical look at religion (she knows me well) by Richard Condon, whose bio I put up 2 weeks ago in WAYRN?

Period Piece: A Cambridge Childhood -- the Gwen Raverat title I ordered but which hasn't come yet, yay!

>247 richardderus: Tell me, tell me, tell me.

>253 Morphidae: Oookaaayyy but no "ewwewweww"ing or "yuckickptui"ing:

It's a flexible, battery-powered self-shaver for men's backs.

>231 richardderus: So these couple of ladies here on LT tag-teamed me, beat my head into the mat, kicked my nose through the back of my head, and started breaking bones I can't operate without until I got this book and read it.

When you're in the middle of a killing field and the fucking Chooser of the Slain tells you to do something, you do it.
― Kevin Hearne, Hounded

Aw you called me a lady! Thanks sweetness as you know by now I will not recommend a book to you because of its genre but because the book has something to offer beyond the genre. Dept Q is another example of that. To me it has little to do with Scandi Crime and everything to do with a decent story and wonderful characters.

You described perfectly why I like Iron Druid. Even my 73 year old mom keeps asking me when book 7 is coming out. There will be 9 total by the way. Why? According to Kevin Hearne it is Nine, because nine is a magic number in Irish mythology. And I want magic in my life. :) Don't we all.

>254 richardderus: Nah, more of a eye-rolling, "Whatever." I don't mind hairy guys. For which MrMorphy is grateful. Whoever heard of a hairy red-head? He even has hair on his toes! Not as hirsute as that fellow though.

>255 luvamystery65: Heh, now I know why we're besties, your eyes went straight to being called a lady! The rest, well, yeah. *smooch*

I have a friend on another site who complains about the modern mind-set of Atticus, that's why I found that quote. It's so well-done that even some sophisticated readers don't notice it. Or so I'm choosing to believe.

Next book is in June. His FB page is teasing us with promises to reveal a little at a time....

>256 Morphidae: Yeah, he's a MAJOR furball, alrighty all right. Hairy redheads unite!

>257 richardderus: Yes, June 17th! I've pre-ordered and Mom gets first dibs. *smooch* right back at ya!

*sigh* See? 9 books ... this is why I can't commit to another series. The wait would no doubt cause me high anxiety.

*weeps softly* Besides I am broke.

:-P

*smoochies*

>259 AuntieClio: I read the first 5 books from Overdrive on my Kindle. :)

>260 luvamystery65:
Oh for ....

>261 AuntieClio: When you're in the middle of a killing field and the fucking Chooser of the Slain tells you to do something, you do it.
― Kevin Hearne, Hounded

You were warned about me weren't you Stephanie?

>262 luvamystery65:
Yes, yes, I was :-)

This kind of writing is what I like so much about Richard Kadrey and his Sandman Slim series.

No doubt The Iron Druid is right up my alley ...

but .... things

>226 richardderus:- I LOVE it!

I hear you guys have some more bad weather on the way? WTF? It was cold here but we are only getting a dusting or so of snow. If we got ten inches of snow dumped on us, I would......weep, which is not a pretty sight.

>263 AuntieClio: Must go investigate Sandman Slim.

>263 AuntieClio: Stephanie, PM me your Amazon email addy and I'll give you the Kindle book for a buck. Just put the free app on the laptop. When you're ready for more, I'll have written the reviews and can send them to you. Can't have a potential user fan go without!

>264 msf59: Poor, poor Mark the Weeping Angel...11" by Tuesday noon. Wet, heavy snow.

We're just getting clipped! A dusting! *evil Muttley laugh*

>265 luvamystery65: Ruh roh Raggy....

Well, it's about TIME you got that review up, after mercilessly hounding everyone for the last month to read it!

I think I need to go get the fifth book onto my Kindle.

Stephanie, I've got the first Sandman Slim in my tbr pile--I can only hope it's as good as the Iron Druid books.

>252 richardderus: was recently introduced to a unique type of Mint Julep: Frozen THIN MINTS dipped in bourbon. It was dangerously (and disturbingly) delicious!

>267 ronincats: Heh. The race goes not to the swift....

>268 michigantrumpet: Oh dear. That sounds awfully tempting. Luckily I'm bourbonless at the mo!

>265 luvamystery65:
*giggle* I guess turnabout is fair play and all that. ;-)

>266 richardderus:
Richard, you are sweet. I'll put the app on my iPad, in anticipation. Thank you.

The generosity of this group never ceases to take my breath away.

>267 ronincats:
Oh Roni, I hope you like Sandman Slim as much as I do. Apparently, I will be reading Iron Druid soonish. ;-)

Check your email, snoogums.

Holy hairy folks!!!

So your review of Hounded is so much more eloquent than I could have ever said it! You nailed it right on the head and it is perfect! Off to thumb it now!! I'm thrilled to be categorized as a 'lady' as well! :)

You could have chosen other, less nice ways to describe our encouragement for you to read it! ;)

I mooted several ideas before self-preservation kicked in and I chose "ladies." I felt it wiser than saying "tattooed Druidic horde" or "wild-eyed press gang of Celtophiles."

Thanks for the thumb!

>274 TinaV95: & >275 richardderus: "wild-eyed press gang of Celtophiles." I think this describes the three of us quite well!

>273 richardderus:
It's there, and I agree to your terms. I'm just waiting for things to finish updating on my iPad and I will download the Kindle app then.

Thank you *smooches*

>276 luvamystery65: Heh. Me too!

>277 AuntieClio: Done and dusted. *smooch*

Oh FINE!!! I've read the first chapter of Hounded and I'm in. You Satanic Book Warblers, you. Hearne's writing reminds me of Richard Kadrey and, to some extent, Kim Harrison, both of whom I adore.

Woohoo, another convert! You go, Stephanie!

ETA and I did add Trapped to my Kindle this evening.

>231 richardderus: Yay! The Official Disdainer of All Nawvelles of Phauntaisee and Magjickq has turned into a Satanic Book Warbler for The Iron Druid!!!

Your review of Hounded is spot on!

>280 ronincats: I think that touchstones to the wrong book, Roni.

>280 ronincats: & >281 Storeetllr:
*grump*

I held out for almost four months!

>283 AuntieClio: You know what they say, around here, resistance is futile!

Good morning, RD! I hope you quickly win your battle over the cold. I think I'll resist the lure of the Iron Druid for now unless I find any of the books at the Friends of the Library Sale on April 3rd. I'm seriously enjoying the Peter Diamond series by Peter Lovesey and devouring them at a prodigious rate.

We may get SNOW here in the afternoon. End of March. Officially spring. Sheesh.

Morning, Richard! Hounded is already wishlisted for me...

^Someone didn't get the memo!!

Morning RD- May the Force Be with You!

Good Tuesday Morning, BigDaddy! I got nothing, but I wanted to share it with you! *smooch*

I found this on BookLikes today. It made me laugh so hard I tinkled a little.

Spoiler Alert! This photo will spoil the rest of your drab, quotidian day with severe library envy.

>279 AuntieClio:, 283 *traaaleeeelaaaaaaaa duuuummmdeeeeduuuummmm*

>280 ronincats: He needs to get on the stick, Mr. Hearne does, to finish up numbers 8 and 9! I don't hold out a lot of hope for his continued survival if they're not done by this time next year.

>281 Storeetllr:, 282 Thank you, Mary! I really enjoyed the book. It made me laugh out loud several times, and even the icky sex bits weren't all that long.

The touchstones are making me into a crazy person. Why, if there is an EXACT MATCH FOR THE TITLE I'VE ENTERED, should I have to see Twilight or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone first?!? And since I enter and discuss a lot of weird older books, why don't I get the EXACT MATCH FOR THE TITLE I'VE ENTERED even when there are skatey-eight more popular books that DON'T EXACTLY MATCH THE TITLE I'VE ENTERED?!?

I don't go into the Official Groups because someone always says something I find insulting or dismissive, or I'm completely ignored, so I have to vent here.

>285 karenmarie: *smooch* It's snowing here now. Not sticking, just snowing. Human activity has destabilized the climate and the old norms are going to need to shift.

The Diamond books are working well! Very happy for it. But seriously, 99¢ for the Kindle edition? You can resist that? Huh. I am made of whipped cream compared to your steely resolve.

>286 scaifea: Amber. 99¢. Spend the buck! *smooch*

>287 msf59: ...wait until tomorrow...*evil Muttley laugh*

>288 Crazymamie: *smooch* for the clean-toothed Mamie!

>289 richardderus:: *SNORK!!!* Love. LOVE.

#290 Love that. But it seriously needs to be a child free zone!

xo

>231 richardderus: I love your review but you and your satanic book warbler pals had already convinced me to purchase Hounded which I did dutifully do, several days ago. So nyah! And I did get it for $.99 which is even more awesomesauce!

I am going to have to be medicated for the coming storm...... :P

>293 scaifea: Heh! I know, right?! It's so beautifully descriptive....

>294 BekkaJo: I would imagine it is a child-free zone, unless the said child is sedated and/or unconscious. It would be if it was up to me!

>295 mckait: *smooch*

>296 Cobscook: Drink heavily and call in dead tomorrow.

*smooch* for joining the Iron Legion

New thread time!

>289 richardderus:: I roared with laughter. Scared the dog.

>298 tiffin: I know, right?! I still cackle loudly when I see it.