brodiew2's Silver Lining of 2016 - Earth #3

In keeping with my Golden Age theme and admitted love for comic books, I introduce to you The Justice Society of America. I figured I would give you a couple of different iterations (artistic styles) of the JSA. Enjoy.

Left to right in picture two they are: Sandman, Mr. Terrific, Spectre, The Flash (Jay Garrick) , Hawkman, Dr. Fate, GreenLantern (Alan Scott), and Hourman. The only one missing in picture 2 that is in picture 1 is Dr. Midnite.

June has passed and with it the first half of the reading year. Below are the books I've completed, audio, print, or otherwise (e-books!).

Fire of Heaven by Bill Myers
Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
Dead Wake by Erik Larsen
Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster
In Movement, There Is Peace by Elaine Orabona Foster
Music City Macbre by Bob Williams (e-book)
The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems
'Til Death by Jason Anspach
Open Season by CJ Box
You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD
So that Happened by Jon Cryer
Star Trek: Doctor's Orders by Diane Duane
The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare by Lilian Jackson Braun
Blood Flag by Steve Martini
Brighton: A Novel by Michael Harvey
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Third Quarter additions

Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn by Ace Atkins
Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark
Double Cross Spies by Ben Macintyre
The Gods of Gotham by Lindsay Faye
Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship by William Shatner
The Secret Knowledge by David Mamet
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
When the Astors Owned New York by Justin Kaplan
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Let the final quarter begin!

Happy new one, Brodie. Love the poem.

Happy new thread Brodie, I like the picture at the top, although I am not familiar with any of them.

>5 Ameise1: Thanks, Ameise1. Up Hill has been a long time favorite.

>6 FAMeulstee: Fantastic, FAMeulstee! I'm glad the pic registered. Lots of bright colors here for sure. Thank you for sopping in.

Happy new thread!

Happy New Thread, Brodie! Love the superhero toppers. Also enjoyed the Rossetti poem. I was not familiar with her work.

Glad you are having a good time with Hero of the Empire. I plan on kicking off November, reading it. I am DUE!

I am really enjoying Showa. I am learning so much, that I did not know before. Mizuki does a fantastic job mixing memoir with history.

Happy new thread, Brodie.

I guess I shall have to be The Sandman given that he is the only one afforded looser clothing.

Rosetti is unfairly neglected these days so nice to see you start with one of her poems.

Happy new thread, Brodie!

Congrats on the new thread, Brodie!

Love them old-style Justice League heroes! You got me smiling early today. Nice Rossetti poem, too. I'll look for Goblin Market.

>8 BBGirl55: Thanks, BBGirl5!

>9 msf59: Thanks, Mark. I'm glad you like the toppers. Rossetti is my favorite poet, if I have such a thing. I have a book of work that I've held onto since college. I'm about two-thirds through 'Hero of the Empire'. I think it will meet all of your expectations!

>10 PaulCranswick: Hello Paul. thank you for the well wishes on the new thread. Well, Sandman is an excellent choice. He happens to be my favorite JSA member. Great observation on the looser clothes. :-) Up Hill has a melancholy hope that has appealed to me over time.

>11 scaifea: Thanks, scaifea!

>12 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe. I'm glad you enjoy the Justice Society. These are some cool characters from the 1940s. Goblin Market is a wild one. Let me know what you think.

Wow, Goblin Market was longer than I expected, Brodie. Rosetti certainly can spin a tale in fine style poetically. I have to admit, I thought things would turn out differently for our Laura, and I was pleasantly surprised.

>14 jnwelch: You're not kidding. It is spooky, sensual, brutal, and courageous. Crazy story.

It could be that I'm tired. It could be that this hasn't been the best work day. It could be that I have listened to 6 books and read only 3 in the last 3 months. It could be that this literary ADD is worse than i thought.

Something Wicked This Way Comes has been pearl ruled. I'm disappointed. Not in Bradbury, but in myself. I was so enamored of the strange, murky waters of his voice in this book that I did not see Welcome to Night Vale happening to me all over again. What is good about Something Wicked is that Bradbury is clearly in control of the story. With other book, it seemed that one non sequitur ran into another. What happened with this novel is that the further I proceeded, the weirder it got and the less I cared. I so conflicted about this, at the moment, that I'm not sure whether I will pick up again or not. Neurotic reader, at your service!

Given that the favorite films list was such a hit in my last thread, I am throwing giving you a loose list of my favorite scripted TV series. As before, this exercise was inspired by BBGirl55 when she listed a number of things in a single post. Here goes nothing.

Law and Order (original)
Wiseguy
The Last Ship
M*A*S*H
Scrubs
24
LOST
Person of Interest
Psych
Spenser: For Hire
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Babylon 5
Big Bang Theory
Happy Days

The 1980s were my formative years and there are plenty of show from that era that could be listed here; some hold up, some don't. Where The Dukes of Hazard is still fun to watch, The A-Team is not. Where Simon & Simon and Riptide are still watchable, Remington Steele is not. As for comedies, that is a whole other ball of wax.

I'll give you a few, 3 of which are on your list

X Files
Babylon 5
LOST
ST: The Next Generation
The Prisoner
Defying Gravity
The Outer Limits
Sopranos
Firefly

eta: Honorable mention for Foyle's War

I should probably have Game of Thrones on here but I lost interest in it

eta2: I purposely left out miniseries which have been some of the highlights of my TV watching over the years. My favorite miniseries would be Band of Brothers, Lonesome Dove, Shogun, The Winds of War/War and Remembrance, Flame Trees of Thika, Rich Man Poor Man (the original, not the continuation), among others.

Finding it hard with the TV series but here goes:

Black Books
The Thick of It
Spaced
Blackadder
Fawlty Towers
Suits
Prisoners of War (חטופים) - Homeland is based on this
Battlestar Galactica & Caprica
Spiral (Engrenages) - French crime
The Bridge (Danish/Swedish series) - crime
Law & Order UK
Outrageous Fortune (NZ)

Honorable mention to: The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, The Young Ones, The New Statesman, West Wing, ER

Only watched a few episodes of The Sopranos but liked what I saw, loved Firefly but it's trumped by Battlestar Galactica. Scrubs, MASH, Friends, Taxi, Seinfeld all favourites as well.
Don't remember much from my childhood apart from Dr Who & Lost in Space

Currently watching Bluestone 42

Happy New Thread, Brodie! Gosh, TV shows. I find fewer and fewer are of interest as I get older.

Fawlty Towers
E.R.
Seinfeld
The Mentalist
24
The Big Bang Theory
Fraser
NYPD
Law and Order SUV - but I've lost interest in it years ago.

>19 avatiakh: Forgot to add a favourite childhood show- Lost in Space

Happy new one, Brodie - I am late to your newest thread. Sorry to hear that Something Wicked This Way Comes didn't work for you - bummer.

Let's see, tv series...

Firefly
Seinfeld
Castle
Bones
West Wing
Sherlock
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Justified
Longmire
Life on Mars

I also have a soft spot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the high school years)

>22 Crazymamie: My daughter and I were big fans of Life on Mars (UK) and the followup Ashes to Ashes. I even created a playlist from the shows on Spotify.

A followup?! I need to check that out! Thanks, Kerry! The playlist is an awesome idea!!

Hi, Brodie! Sweet Thursday. Sorry to hear about the DNF of Something Wicked This Way Comes. Hopefully you can return to that someday. It sure seems like your cuppa.

>17 brodiew2: LOVE seeing Wiseguy on there.

>24 Crazymamie: Yes, set in the 80s and starring Keeley Hawes, from Spooks (another great show) and Philip Glenister.

My TV Shows:

The Wire
The Sopranos
Deadwood
The Shield
Breaking Bad
Seinfeld
Veronica Mars
Battlestar Galactica
Justified

>26 avatiakh: I'm going to track that down, Kerry. Most exciting!

>27 msf59: Mark! I totally forgot about Veronica Mars - LOVE that one!!!

>21 avatiakh: Somehow I forgot about Lost in Space, and it certainly deserves a place as a childhood favorite. Of course then I'd have to add shows like Lassie, Leave it to Beaver and possibly The Waltons. These were all favorites when i was young.

I did remember another one though - this was more than a childhood favorite - "Combat!" I rewatched the series on DVD some years ago and really enjoyed it.

Happy new thread, Brodie!

I am not much for tv these days. In the past, I followed the Star Trek franchise, original through Voyager. I never really got into Enterprise.

Other all-time favs:
MASH
Barney Miller
Hill Street Blues

>29 RBeffa: Since adding these shows I've also thought of several others like Bewitched & The Beverley Hillbillies but Lost in Space was special. The Professionals is another UK tv show I loved, we called our cats Bodie and Doyle.

>28 Crazymamie: I'm probably going to do a rewatch of both series.

And how could I have forgotten Freaks and Geeks

If I did a full list of scripted tv I like (besides my top 5) the list would be very very long. But lets see if I can do a top 10 (or maybe top 15.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Doctor Who
Friends
Red Dwarf
The Big Bang Theory
Firefly
Sherlock
Dad's Army
Once Upon A Time
Ugly Betty
Angel
Life on Mars
Miss Marple (origanals)
Charmed
Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.LD

I like Joss Whedon. It is a problem! Even when his shows are bad they are still good or better then the other stuff on the other side.

>18 RBeffa: Excellent list, RBeffa. I love that you had B5 on your list as well. It was such a well plotted show and had some standout acting as well.
I also was a fan of the old school miniseries. You hit the nail on the head with Shogun, The Winds of War/War and Remembrance, Lonesome Dove, and BoB. I must admit that I have not see some of the others, but I have heard of them.

>19 avatiakh: Cool list avatiakh. I don't know many of these, but Suits rings a bell as does Black Adder. Atkinson is hilarious.

>20 vancouverdeb: Thanks for stopping in, Deb. I followed The Mentalist for the first couple of seasons and really enjoyed it. after that, I had to make some choices and it fell to the way side. If that NDPD is Blue, then you have a fellow fan here. I loved David Caruso in the beginning as well as the other cast member, but near the end, Rich Schroeder gave a stellar performance as a detective haunted by his childhood trauma.

>21 avatiakh: I have never watched more than a couple of episodes of Lost in Space. I missed it by a few years.

>22 Crazymamie: Mamie! I knew Firefly would be on this list. It is a good show that never got a fair shake. I also love Sherlock. Cumberbatch is a thrilling to watch. I also loved to watch reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show. I enjoy him to this day. As for Longmire, I am slow but sure. Still back in season 2.

Go Buffy! Go Sherlock! Go Miss Marple (you original)!

>23 avatiakh: I remember the short lived American Life on Mars. I watch a couple, but it didn't click. I never got see the UK one.

>25 msf59: Hey Mark! We'll see about Something Wicked. I got over stimulated, if that makes sense. It happens.

WISEGUY for sure. My brother and I LOVED this show. Ken Wahl, Jonathan Banks, and Jim Byrnes were fantastic. Even now, my brother and will quote the S1 exchange between Vinnie and Frank.

"But, I'm a cop. I'm after a killer!"
"No! You are a wiseguy!"

>27 msf59: Heavy list there, Mark. I've seen at least one or two episodes of each, but most are cable shows that I have not had access to. On of these days I will watch The Wire. It's predecessor, Homicide: Life on the Street was a favorite of mine I forgot to add. I watched BSG for the first season and a half, but dropped off after that. Justified is something I may have to look into watching on Netflix or from the library, but it will be after I catch up on Longmire.

>28 Crazymamie: for some reason I never connected with Veronica Mars. No one else I knew was watching it.

>29 RBeffa: My childhood had a lot of Little House on the Prairie. there was a dash of The Waltons, but not as much. I have heard of Combat and will have at least check it out. there are so many good WWII films out there, this show got lost in my WWII film study.

>30 tymfos: Hello Tymfos! I'm a big Stark Trek fan as well. I walked with my head up even thoguh most of Voyager and Enterprise because it was Trek not necessarily because it was good.
Sadly, I was a little young to watch Hill Street Blues. But, my mom was a huge fan. I picked up NYPD Blue a few years down the road.

>31 avatiakh: I watched my fair share of The Beverly Hillbillies. It was a hoot. Again, my mom was a huge fan of Beqwitched.

>32 BBGirl55: BBGirl55! thanks for stopping in. What a list! I have enjoyed most of these programs over time, but I have to admit, I never got into the Whedonverse. I know it is akin to blasphemy, but I was not an original browncoat either, thought Firefly did not make your list.

I am so thankful that you brought in The Doctor and Red Dwarf. I love red Dwarf and like Doctor Who. Lister, Rimmer, Kryten, and the Cat are a hoot!

>34 jnwelch: Hi Joe! Sherlock is something else to be sure. I'm glad they are coming back for at least one more series. My brother and I watched Miss Marple with my mom. My brother and think that the PBS Marple looked like my Nanny (mom's mom).

Happy Friday, Brodie! I remember Jerry Lewis making a star turn on Wiseguy too. I can't stomach him anymore but he did a good job there.

And yes, Homicide: Life on the Street, was excellent. Also written by David Simon, who created The Wire. I should have also included that one. Great cast.

>37 msf59: Ron Silver was also part of that Wiseguy storyline. He played Lewis' son. Excellent actor.

Yes, it was NYPD Blue. I forget the entire title of the tv show. Agreed, it kind off fell of in the end. I love the Mentalist . If you remember, the bad guy in the Mentalist used to leave a bloody smiley face when he did his murders. I found that quite scary and so my husband STILL teases me by making a smiley face in every package of new margarine that he opens. He found the show very silly and implausible. :)

>38 brodiew2: I forgot about Ron Silver. You are right, he was very good.

Tough call on the TV Series, Brodie. Most of my formative years were, of course, most influenced by British TV and especially comedies:

Possibly my top ten British Comedies

Fawlty Towers
Some Mother's Do 'Ave Em
The Good Life
Rising Damp
The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin
Black Adder
Man About the House
Dad's Army
Steptoe and Son
Only Fools and Horses

Other Series
The Forsyte Saga
Brothers
Blake's Seven
Auf Wiedersen, Pet
When the Boat Comes in
Doctor Who (of course)
The Onedin Line
Budgie
The Sweeney
Minder

American Shows
St. Elsewhere
Seinfeld
Murphy Brown
Soap
Frasier
Cheers
Everybody Loves Raymond
The High Chapparal
Special Victims Unit
Alias Smith and Jones

Have a great weekend.

>37 msf59: Homicide was so good. I want to say that Clarke Johnson, who was one of the detective on Homicide went behind the camera for The Wire.

>39 vancouverdeb: Sometime silly and implausible is just what the doctor ordered. *cough* Monk, Castle, Psych *cough*

>40 msf59: Silver was also fantastic as Alan Dershowitz in the film 'Reversal of Fortune' about the Van Bulow murder case.

>41 PaulCranswick: Hello Paul. Sadly, I've only heard of a a few of these British shows. Doctor Who, Fawlty Towers, Black Adder, and Blakes Seven. Nice group of American shows as well. Frasier would be the stand out for me in that group. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

>42 brodiew2: Most of them can be seen on You Tube I think, Brodie. Some of the comedies are definitely worth looking up.

Morning, Brodie! I watch Veronica Mars with my girls, and we all love it. SO many good shows here - you are bringing back loads of memories. My Dad and I used to watch Barney Miller together, and he would laugh the entire way through.

>32 BBGirl55: Bryony, I share the Joss Whedon love!

#35 Brodie I am currently re watching Red Dwarf at the moment. Love it just love ut.

#41 Being a Brit I have seen or heard of all those shows.

#44 So happy that I am not the only one.

Brodie. Who are these guys? It feels like Wilson's injury is hurting us. He just can't move. Can't fault our defense! (Early in the fourth quarter, still 3-0).

>43 PaulCranswick: Will do, Paul. Is there one you would recommend above the rest?

>44 Crazymamie: Hi Mamie! I'm not sure why I never clicked with Veronica Mars. I have enjoyed the actor who played her dad quite a bit.

>45 BBGirl55: Hello BBGirl55! red Dwarf is a favorite. Lister is unique character in TV history. The dynamic between the four characters is hilarious. I acknowledge Whedon's talent and have liked that he has done in the Marvel cinematic universe. I just never got into Buffy or Angel. My brother loved them both.

>46 EBT1002: That game was painful to watch, but it is hard to deny that the LOB (Legion of Boom!) was present in full force. The offense, however, was dismal.

It's Monday, Brodie, but try to enjoy it anyway. And we LOVE Buffy here at the Pecan Paradisio - the high school years anyway, not so crazy about the ones after that. They lost some of the dynamic when they lost some of the original characters, I thought. We also enjoyed Dollhouse.

Hi Brodie and and Happy New(ish) Thread! I don't watch as much TV as I did, finding good shows seems harder these days. A lot of my TV viewing is now done through Netflicks. Some of my top shows have been:

Monty Python
Seinfeld
The Sophranos
Dexter
ER
Justified
Gilmore Girls
Walking Dead
Longmire

I can think of no greater way to start this review that to say I am now a Candice Millard devotee. That means I have some work to do as I did not take the opportunity to listen to her first book River of Doubt. This was a huge oversight as Teddy Roosevelt is a favorite historical figure of mine. I was blinded by lack of interest in his golden years and, truth be told did not want to read about an Amazon River debacle. Again, a terrible mistake. But this review is not about that.

Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard chronicles the early career of Winston Churchill in the Boer War at the turn of the century. This war, a fight picked by the British, in South Africa, did not go well. The British expected a quick victory, but met unexpected carnage from the Boers, who had perfected guerrilla warfare. This is right where Churchill wanted to be. He was already supremely confident and knew that there was a destiny ahead of him. He already had a name, he was the son of a well know member of parliament. But what he needed to start his own career was a name propped up by wartime heroics, acts of bravery and courage. He would get that chance soon enough. The book focuses, most specifically, on an armored train ambush, Churchills' captivity, and his subsequent escape.

First, I have to praise Millard for making history so accessible. In some ways, this book read very much like a novel. Millard's narrative voice can get you lost in the story so well that you forget that these are actual events.

Secondly, I was enamored of the Winston depicted here. He is supremely confident without being arrogant. Millard continues to remind us that Churchill knows he has a destiny to be prime minister and that his brave, sometimes reckless behavior in battle was all in the service of this future. Like George Washington and Teddy Roosevelt, the young man would place himself in the middle of the fiercest fighting and miraculously emerge unscathed. This is not to say he was not injured, but he would escape intact when many others did not.

I highly recommend this hard-charging ride through the Boer war and challenge you not to come away wanting Winston to win.

5 of 5 stars

Nice review, Brodie! Thumb from me if you posted that.

>48 Crazymamie: He's a creative guy, no doubt. Did you get a change to see his Much Ado About Nothing? amazing film. Loved it!

>49 DeltaQueen50: Nice list, DeltaQueen50. Another nod to Justified. Now I have to check it out. I watched the first couple of episodes and had choices to make. Justified lost that round.

Gilmore girls was a show I binged on for five seasons before catching up to real time. I am willing to give the revival a shot, but I wonder if the thrill is gone.

>51 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! I really need to start posting my reviews. I have not been doing it with any regularity.

Ack! I forgot my Thingaversary! October 8, 2009. Now, I have to go to Half Price books and buy a short stack to share with you all. I may not be able to afford that, at the moment, so I will go to the library and give you a list.

The last five years, 2010-2015 has been dead air. I'm so glad I came back. Thank you all for welcoming me into the 75ers. I am enjoying myself greatly.

Happy Belated Thingaversary, Brodie! Your anniversary is the same as Birdy's birthday, so I am guaranteed not to forget it. It's been lovely to have you here this year - I am thankful for your presence in the Great 75.

>52 brodiew2: I have not seen that - I will have to track it down.

Great review of Hero of the Empire! Thumb! I am really looking forward to this one and plan on starting it soon.

Happy Thingaversary, Brodie! You have been around awhile.

Happy Thingaversary from me too.

I enjoyed that review of Hero of the Empire, too, Brodie. I gave it another thumb. I've got it on the WL, and I'll bump it up now.

Happy Thingaversary! Glad you joined the 75ers!

>54 Crazymamie: Thank you, Mamie. HotE was quite good. The one thing I forgot to add which was that Simon Vance, the narrator, played a huge role in my enjoyment of the book. He was fantastic!

I appreciate your kind comments. I have enjoyed being part of the 75ers this year.

>55 msf59: Thanks, Mark. You are in for a treat! I can't wait to hear your impressions.

>56 avatiakh: Thank you, avatiakh!

>57 jnwelch: I'm glad you enjoyed my review, Joe. I look forward to your thoughts on it as well. It has been a good time with the 75ers this year! May the good times continue to roll.

Nice review! Glad we helped make another Millard fan. :)

>59 drneutron: She grabbed with Destiny of the Republic and held me with Hero of the Empire. Now, I will be looking forward to River of Doubt.

Good morning, All! Just a brief status update.

I am happy to be reading again. I went into the garage in desperation, where I have a paperback bookcase. I ended up picking out a weathered paperback of J.A. Jance's first JP Beaumont mystery, Until Proven Guilty. It even has yellow dye on the edges of the pages. The good news is I'm really enjoying this book. I'm about 4 chapters in and it is good stuff. She is a local author so many of the locations she references are familiar to me.

I also started listening to John Lee narrate the unabridged The Count of Monte Cristo. For a 37 disc tome, I have quite enjoyed the first three discs. I believe I am in for long haul.

I hope you have a good one!

Belated happy Thingaversary!

She is a local author so many of the locations she references are familiar to me.

I love reading books that have nearby locations, or even places I've visited.

>62 brodiew2: Good for you on the John Lee's 37 disc epic.

>63 tymfos: Thank you, tymfos! I am really enjoying this book, though it was written 20 years ago must of the references are still relevant.

>64 avatiakh: I am having so much fun, avatiakh! Lee and Dumas together is audio bliss.

Hi Brodie! Sweet Thursday! Sadly, I have never read The Count of Monte Cristo. I own it in print but listening to it, sure has it's appeal.

I'll be watching for your thoughts.

>66 msf59: Mark, I have a feeling you would really enjoy this. If you have not had John Lee narrate a book for you, you are missing out. He is very good. I always refer to The Confessor as once of my favorite audio books. He is excellent in that one.

Good afternoon, all. I gave added a third book into my mix and, miraculously, I am firing all three cylinders. I am enjoying Until Proven Guilty in print, The Count of Monte Cristo on audio, and Six Gun Snow White through Overdrive ebook on my phone. This also goes to show that separate mediums may enable more volume(s) at a time. This doesn't happen often which makes it all the more notable.

Have a great weekend!

,

I planned to watch a couple classic Westerns this weekend, but none the ones I wanted were at the library. So, I ended up in a different direction. Both of the above films have a Christian message of redemption and love. However, they come at it form totally different directions.

'Risen' follows a Roman prefect, Clavius, from the Cross of Jesus' crucifixion to his Ascension in Galilee. Clavius is ordered by pilot to find Jesus' body and round up the disciples who were charged with stealing it. This leads him on a journey that had a very satisfactory conclusion, in my eyes. Though he had a small role in the film, Cliff Curtis was terrific as Yeshua (Jesus) and exhibited the grace and love I would expect of the Son of God to give. Excellent film.

'Beyond the Mask' is a conspiracy tale that follows a former agent of the East India Company as he foils the plans of his former masters in colonial America. William Reynolds is a former assassin who is double crossed and barely escapes an attempt on his life. As he escapes he assumes the name and life of a man killed in the attempt. Soon is a parson of a local church and falls in love with a local lady. The lady makes him want to be a better man even has he continues to hide his secret. Soon, Reynolds dons a mask and foils loyalist (The British Crown) attacks on supporters of independence. These acts are Reynolds attempt to earn his redemption, to cover over the misdeeds of his former life. I will leave it there. This film is not as well acted but the production value is good. It is a good adventure story that features a supporting role for Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.

I hope you will give these films a shot. I enjoyed them both.

Brodie, I'm glad to see the dreaded book drought might be over for you. I've had periods where I can't read as much as usual (like last week when family was here) but never a full-blown "Literary ADD". Love that term.

Candice Millard is wonderful. I look forward to reading her latest book. Thanks for that excellent review.

I also settled on listening to The Count of Monte Cristo narrated by Jim Lee. I'm enjoying it very much. I am almost halfway through the 46 hours on Hoopla. I had to check it out again for another 3 weeks lastnight and was glad my place was kept. I own the print version and had planned to go back and forth to keep things fresh, but have liked JL so much that it has been all audio for me.

Happy reading...and listening!

Hi, Brodie. Glad to hear you and Donna are enjoying the Lee narration. I have heard him, a couple of times, but drawing a blank at the moment.

I have one more book to knock out and then I will start the Millard.

>70 Donna828: Hello Donna. It is good to see you. Yes, the drought is over, for now. I'm reading two in print and listening. Both of the books I'm reading in print are pretty good.

I am so glad to hear that you are listening to The Count as well. I am a third if the way through and Dantes has just saved Monsieur Morrelle. This book is so good. It is clear to me, now, why it is such a classic.

>71 msf59: Good morning, Mark! You have to locate a book narrated by John Lee. You will not be disappointed. Of those I've listened to there is: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris, The Confessor by Daniel Silva, Double Cross Spies by Ben McIntyre, and now The Count.

I checked him out on BOT (Books on Tape) and he has done Dickens, Homer, and many more.

In honor of the Chicago Cubs and all their loyal fans here at LT, yes you msf59, I give you today's Photo and Flash Fiction Friday!



Spencer Toland exited his bank shaking his hands in the air and screaming like a banshee. On any other day, this may have been cause to call the white coats. But, today, it was odd if you saw your fellows holding their peace.

The Chicago Cubs had won The World Series!

Spencer bustled down the sidewalk to the spot where he had seen kids playing stick ball almost every day of his professional life. As he approached, he heard the sounds that drew him back 50 years to the time when baseball was just begun and the past time was but a new thing.

"No batta, no batta," yelled a sandy haired boy at short stop.

"Keep it quiet, Shorty!" boomed the catcher, another fresh faced kid, like the lot of them.

Spencer did not stop as he encountered the edge of their playing field. He marched up to the batter and kindly asked:

"May I have that bat, young man?"

"Hey, What's the big idea?" barked the fist baseman.

"Ah, shut it," said the catcher, again coralling the players. He turned the batter and shrugged his shoulders.

The batter, a boy names Miles Costa, yielded the plate and handed the bat to Spencer.

He stepped into 'the batter's box' and took a few practice swings. It felt good; he felt young again.

"The Cubs won," he said to the catcher, beaming.

"You bet they did," the kid replied, matching his grin. "And, they'll do it again!"

"You bet they will," Spenser replied, pointing to the pitcher. "Ready!"

The pitch came hard and fast, right down the pipe. The elder banker swung the bat and connected. The ball scooted past the pitcher and he ran toward first. The second baseman fielded it perfectly and tossed it to first well ahead of the banker. Spencer finished his trot to first and patted the player on the shoulder as he left the field with a wave to them all. He would pay for that swing in the morning, but he didn't care. The Cubs had won The World Series.

^ "Like" That's a charmer, Brodie.

Completely agree with Joe - totally charming, Brodie! Thanks for that.

>73 brodiew2: Good job, Brodie! Thumbs up! You nailed the spirit. No doubt about it.

I read The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt in print. One of the best bios I have ever read. I hope to revisit it, at some point, on audio.

>74 jnwelch: Thank you, Joe. I like this one too. It's one of my favorites so far.

>75 Crazymamie: You are most welcome, Mamie! I'm glad it hit the spot!

>76 msf59: I am so glad you enjoyed this, Mark. It was for you and all the true blue Cubs fans.

I think that will love The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt on audio. It is something special.

Happy Saturday, Brodie. Just a couple more days, reading my current print book and then onto the Millard.

It is nice having the pressure of the post-season behind me. I can focus on my books. Football holds little interest for me, at least until the playoffs.

Hi Brodie. I too am a fan of the poetry of Christian Rosetti. And, what a cad her brother Daniel Gabrielle was! I love the artistry of Victorian painting, and the Pre-Raphaelites in particular. I have many books filled with lush paintings.

Here is a photo of but one of the stacks of Pre-Raphaelite books I've collected throughout the years. Waterhouse remains my favorite painter.



You have inspired me to take it easy this morning and open one of the books to soak in the lush images.

Thanks for your inspiration.

>73 brodiew2: What a great way to mark the occasion.

Going right back to >47 brodiew2: which I see I neglected to respond to: I would recommend most strongly Fawlty Towers and Some Mother's Do 'Ave 'Em.

Have a wonderful weekend, Brodie.

>78 msf59: Good morning, Mark. I'm glad the Millard is ever closer. I'm sure it is good to be able to read without baseball stress entering in. Enjoy!

>79 Whisper1: Very cool, Whisper1! I have one book of Rossetti's poems, but you have truly entered into the era. I remember studying the Pre-Raphaelites in college. The facial and hair styles are compelling. That is quite a stack... an there are more? That is true commitment. :-)

>80 PaulCranswick: Thanks Paul. I'm glad you stopped in. I am familiar with Fawlty Towers, but it has been years since I've seen any. And the other, I am not familiar.

As for British comedy, I have had some experience. As Time Goes By, Vicar of Dibly, Red Dwarf, Father Tom, Are you Being Served, and there is one long running one about the nosy neighbor. I can't remember the title. Was it Keeping Up Appearances?

I'm going to jump in this discussion of British comedy, for which I am so thankful (in Thanksgiving mode here). Love Vicar of Dibley, Red Dwarf. Doc Martin! Clatterford (I'm currently doing a rewatch of the small series, which I feel a need to watch every year or so). Blackadder! I will have to check out the other shows you've listed. Sorry for taking over your thread here, but I really enjoy stopping by to see what's going on with you. Take care!

Karen O.

No worries at all, Karen. there is so much to love in British comedy. II'll have to look into Clatterford, I'm not familiar with that one.

Hello, Brodie! Hoping your week is off to a good start.

Thanks, Mamie! It's been a busy Monday morning. I'm looking forward to my lunch break in a few minutes.

Started the Millard. She pulls you in pretty quickly, doesn't she?

Amen, Brother! I hope you enjoy! I look forward to discuss my favorite sections when you are done.

Whew. That game about killed me.

Hi Brodie!

Sure enough., Ellen. So weird. The Sherman non call and all the kicking drama thst followed. It was nice to see some offense though. Jimmy Graham was phenominal!

>73 brodiew2: Like!

>90 RBeffa: I am sorry am I late to respond, Ron. Thanks much. I have fun writing these.

I would like to take moment to express my gratitude for being a part of LT and the 75ers, specifically. Elections can be a hard time to have a different opinion that the majority of those you interact with daily. I am not ashamed that I voted for Donald Trump. I realize his election to the presidency is a scary thing for many of you. However, I am proud to be part of this community and proud that we are of an ilk that can speak to each other with civility even through our differences.

Jesus said: Love one another. It is a declaration, but one, for many reasons, we have trouble accepting and, most of all, doing. We don't have to always agree in order to be kind an loving to each other.

Have a great day,

Brodie

>92 brodiew2: I admire your bravery, Brodie and I am glad you "came out" ;-)
I am no citizen of the US, so did not vote, I did hope for HRC...

Although I am an atheïst, I believe love is the greatest power of all!

Brodie, I very much hoped that Clinton would get in, but you are brave to admit to that you voted for Trump. I think you are a voice of reason and I respect you. I am Christian too, but for me, Trump does not represent what I think Jesus would do. But that's okay, buddy, and you give me hope for Trump.

I'm Canadian - hugs Brodie! :)

Hi Brodie, I love your Photo and Flash Fiction in >73 brodiew2:

"We don't have to always agree in order to be kind an loving to each other." Amen, my friend! You were not alone in voting for Trump. He definitely sparked a movement. I just hope we can pull it together to make some of those positive goals of his happen.

Nearing the halfway point in Hero of the Empire. This is really good. Churchill was just captured. I also find the Boers a fascinating group.

Good for you, Brodie. I've been watching from afar and while not a supporter of Trump, I can understand why the vote went his way.

I saw your comments on The Count somewhere else, isn't it a compelling story, riveting right up to the last page. I've been listening to Stone's Fall by Iain Pears which is holding my interest but very different from my usual scifi audio.

Hi Brodie. Thanks for your kind comments. It's true, I am scared. You're probably not surprised to hear/read that, were it just ideological differences, I would be disappointed but not in the shocked, scared, and sad state that I'm in. I value our democracy and I value our system. And I absolutely value the fact that we get to have and express different opinions! That is the basis of our freedom. As a politically liberal person, I was of course disappointed when Reagan and the Bushes won, etc. But I also held some trust in their respect for the system. This time it feels fundamentally different to me; I honestly don't trust Trump not to dismantle the checks and balances that ensure the stability of our democracy, even as different parties occupy the positions of power. So yes, I'm scared. Our democracy is not indestructible; it survives only because we insist that it does. I fear that we take it for granted.

And some of it is that I work on a college campus. I see the things our young people say to one another, especially in social media spaces. These things are not politically conservative. They are downright mean and hateful. Perhaps that is just the self-absorption of youth (indeed, I'm sure it's partly that) but it's also painful and even devastating for some.

Still, I get that there is a message in this and that there are many people in our country who feel disenfranchised and unrepresented. We have to figure out how to amplify all the voices and find common ground. I have great faith in humanity and I will continue to be my glass-half-full self. I truly appreciate your honesty and integrity. And when I saw your comment that you know many of us are scared (not just disappointed), I had to try to share a bit of why I'm fearful. So I hope it's okay that I took up this much space on your thread.

Thanks for being a member of our community, Brodie. I love that LT is a place where we can differ - in our book choices, our sports teams, and our political ideologies - and our mutual respect for the diversity of human experience trumps all. :-)

Have a great weekend.

I said over on another thread a couple of days ago that I'm so happy to have LT where civility rules the day. Facebook has become a cesspool. No matter how the election came out relative to one's political leanings, we're all in this together and that sort of thing helps no one.

Hi, Brodie. I can't say it better than Ellen and Jim did in >98 EBT1002: and >99 drneutron:. I'm glad you're with us to give a different perspective. Being kind and loving toward each other will overcome a lot. I'm scared, too - we've got Jews and a Mexican-Columbian in our family, among other things - but I'm hoping all of us in favor of kindness and lovingness can help us weather the worst of what our free country has to offer.

>93 FAMeulstee: I appreciate you stopping in, FAMeulstee. It is hard see such lack of civility in other corners of the country and the internet. there are ways to express disappointment, even outrage, without being destructive in word and action. Love is, indeed, the answer.

>94 vancouverdeb: Thank you, Deb. I appreciate your comments.

>95 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, DeltaQueen50! I'm not sure if we'll have one today or not, but they are fun to write.

>96 msf59: Good to see you, Mark. That is what it is about. Be kind in spite of differences. Let's see what happens.

>97 avatiakh: Thank you, Kerry. I appreciate it.

The Count is going strong. I took a break over the last 2-3 days, but was back to listening this morning.

>98 EBT1002: Hi Ellen. It is good to see you here. Thank you for sharing your heart with me. There is no doubt that he is a strong personality and one that said things that have made people fearful. Even though he has a majority in congress and a coming Supreme court nomination, I don't see the RNC allowing him to dismantle checks and balances. Our country has presidents with strong personalities on both sides of political thought. The system is stronger than one man. Can the president exert personal authority? Yes. We saw this with President Obama. However, I do not see the possibility of destroying the entire system.

As for being on a college campus, I imagine emotions are running high all over the place. I get that. Thank you, again, for sharing your thoughts. I, too, am glad that this is a place in which can do so.

Go Hawks!

>99 drneutron: Whoa. I missed a couple from this morning. I think you and Joe snuck in while I was writing my responses. :-) Amen to your comments, drneutron. I am thankful that this is a community of understanding. fb is a nightmare. watching my brother post his discontent in such a negative way is hard. That is why we don't talk about such things. The relationship is good otherwise.

>100 jnwelch: Joe! I appreciate your position and look forward to your worst fears being allayed. Thank you for be a friend to be me here at LT.

Good evening all. I am so closed to finished with my two current reads and still a couple of discs shy of halfway trough The Count. I have not made much progress this weekend, but tonight I will finish the Jance.

I have books that I have bought on my Kindle, at awesome prices, but some of them are languishing. It's time to put my mouth (so to speak) where my money has already gone. A few I will consider for 2017 are:

The Last Lecture

Girl Waits With Gun

Gray Matter

The Way, My Way

Unqualified

And, many more on audio and in print.

Reading Until Proven Guilty has been a long time coming. My mother has been a long time fan and acquaintance of the other. She has been encouraging me to read Jance's J.P. Beaumont series for years. I have finally done so and with good result.

J.P. Beaumont is a veteran detective in the Seattle Police department. His long time partner has passed away and he is breaking in a new partner. When the body of a five year old girl is discovered, the investigation leads to a cult which is presided over by dominant pastor, who subscribes to some questionable disciplinary practices. The victim's funeral then reveals a strange visitor, and one that will change Beaumont's life forever.

I enjoyed reading this book. Though the Beaumont character is a staple of the genre, the story was interesting enough. I have a feeling that this series would be more story oriented than character focused. But I could be wrong. Jance's writing style has a gloomy tinge which is perfect for the Seattle setting.

The only detraction I can think of is that the primary mystery, who killed the young girl, gets lost as a the plot grows in a different, but related direction. Make no mistake, you will get that resolution, but it feels like a an add on at the end.

3.5 of 4 stars

Hi there , Brodie! I just loved Plainsong by Kent Haruf and I am sure you will too. Such a loss of Kent Haruf. Have you read his other books? I read on Mark's thread that someone is planning to create a movie of Plainsong. I'm not sure how Kent Haruf work would translate to screen , but I'll be interested. I'll have to look into Until Prove Guilty might be the sort of thing my husband might enjoy. He's a big mystery reader. Great review!

My vote goes with Girl Waits With Gun! I loved that one. I also have the follow-up on my Kindle. It has been languishing awhile...

>106 vancouverdeb: Hi Deb. Thanks for stopping in. Iook forward to Plainsong. I hope to do it early in 2017 so I'll have more to say about its movie prospects after reading it.

The Jance mystery is short and interesting. I suggest you your husband give it a try.

>107 msf59: Thanks for the rec, Mark. We'll see. It looks like fun.

Morning, Brodie!

Good morning, Brodie. Hope Plainsong works well for you when you get to it. Like Mark, I enjoyed Girl with a Gun, and its real world origins added to that.

>109 Crazymamie: Mamie! It's good to see you. I hope you're back for a while.

>110 jnwelch: Joe, I'll keep posted on Plainsong for sure. Girl With Gun is one I'm temped to listen to on audio even though I spent the $2-3 for it on my Kindle. It looks like fun.

Six-Gun Snow White is quite an enigma. To say I liked it would not be accurate. To say I didn't like it is also not exactly true. This short novel is a re-imagining of the tradition Snow White fairy tale, now set in the old west. As I began the reading, I was immediately captivated by the voice the author uses. It is a detached, hard voice of resignation. This voice is soon explained as we learn that Snow is a mixed race, White and Crow Indian who endures much at the hands of her father and step mother. The author takes great care in describing the setting and experience of Snow's childhood. Her father is a rich mining prospector and her step mother a cruel woman who resents Snow's Crow heritage. Hard themes of emotional neglect, racism, physical and emotional abuse are present in the first half of the story. Sadly, it is the most well written and cohesive part of the novel. Once Snow leaves home, the story meanders, loses direction, and leaves me dissatisfied in the end.

2 of 4 stars

Hi Brodie! Sorry, Six-Gun Snow White didn't quite pull the trigger. Interesting premise...

Girl Waits With Gun was terrific on audio. Just sayin'...

>113 msf59: Thank for making a comment, Mark. Nice play on words as well. I'm glad to be done with it.

I have started a more adventurous title called The Atlantis Gene and will accompany it with a book I've been mentioning of late, Song Yet Sung. It is also a story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. I am presently rebelling (not really) against The Underground Railroad in order to read this one.

I have also crossed the halfway point on The Count and will warble your ear off until you decide to relent and listen yourself. No doubt, it is a commitment, but so very worth it.

I'm curious about The Atlantis Gene. Sounds like fun! how is it?

Good morning, drneutron. The Atlantis Gene hits the ground running and I am enjoying it so far. It's the kind of popcorn I need at the moment. Black clad security teams, killings and kidnappings, and genetic experiments all in the first few pages.

Morning, Brodie! Popcorn sounds good.

Mamie! I've neglectful these last two weeks in providing you with a Photo and Flash Fiction Friday. I'll see what I can do. ;-)

Hi Brode, I am happyto hear that you are enjoying your read of The Count of Monte Cristo, I read it a couple of years ago and loved it.

Thanks, DeltaQueen50! It is a revelation.

Just saying hi.

Hi Kerry! *waves*

Prosise just ran 72 yards for a Seahawks touchdown!! Hooray!!!!!!

On a book note, I'll be interested in whether you recommend Song Yet Sung. It looks interesting.

And, I totally get the rebellion against a book that is currently getting hyped all over the place (I feel that way frequently, and sometimes I enjoy a book less than I think I otherwise would have simply because it doesn't, and probably couldn't live up to all the hype) BUT I do recommend The Underground Railroad. Cora is a wonderful character.

Jimmy Graham

Hi Ellen! The Seahawks are looking good I'm ready for a strong second-half.

I will be reading Song Yet Sung, but I may have to sideline it till a little after the first of the year. I'll explain more soon.

Good morning, all. there has been a lot of election talk in the 75ers lately and a lot fear and apprehension about what Donald Trump will do as President. This is not impetus of what I am going to do, but it a compelling factor. I have a close family friend who is married to a black man and they have children. I have three children, two of whom are African American. My friend has been challenging me about the state of race relations in the US. She says that race relations are worse now than they have been in the recent past. What she has challenged me to see is that 'Black Lives Matter' and incidents of police action violence against people of color are not isolated incidents, but a real issue in the police departments around the nation. My friend came over for coffee on Saturday an she, my wife, and I talked for over two hours on this subject. At the beginning my defenses were up, wanting to challenge the label of white privilege and state my lack of guilt about it. As the conversation continued, I opened up, because I couldn't deny that I have advantages because I am white. I still don't feel guilt about it. I don't think guilt would be productive. However, I do want to understand present race relations in the US. I do also want to do what I can to make the situation better. This is not going to be easy. There a lot of preconceived notions I will need to adjust, most specifically, regarding the police. I was raised to respect the police, that the police are heroes because of the very difficult job they do. I still believe this and teach this to my children. However, police officers are human too. They are fallible and they are also a product of their environment. There is also a lacking in how officers are trained to handle mental illness cases.

As a start, my friend gave me a book to read entitled Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I am going to table Song Yet Sung until 2017, but I am also going to include MacBride's The Color of Water into 2017. My goal to become more aware and educated of what is happening in our country. I mentioned in a post on another page that there are times when examining a part of our belief system can shake us, make us doubt who we are. It is not true. It's called growth. I still retain my conservative beliefs, but I am now willing to recognize that there is a larger picture than one to which I previously subscribed.

>127 brodiew2: I do want to understand present race relations in the US. I do also want to do what I can to make the situation better. This all sounds positive to me, Brodie. I liked The Color of Water way back when. A lot of folks, including me, recently have found Between the World and Me eye-opening.

>127 brodiew2: However, police officers are human too. They are fallible and they are also a product of their environment. There is also a lacking in how officers are trained to handle mental illness cases.

I think that is very true, and police officers with mental problems (PTSS and alike) don't get proper treatment either....

>127 brodiew2: Thanks for sharing that, Brodie!

I did not realize Song Yet Sung was James McBride. I am seriously considering adding him to the AAC for next year. The Color of Water is on my list too.

Also on my list, (what isn't??) is Just Mercy. I have it saved on audio too.

>128 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. I have to be careful in 2017 to space these books out. I read less than others, on the whole, so I will have to choose three or so for the year. This beginning is going to be one of my ongoing goals in 2017.

>129 FAMeulstee: Thank you for stopping in, FAMeulstee. I agree.

>130 msf59: I appreciate your comments, Mark. I read MacBride's Miracle at St. Anna years ago and loved it. I have been meaning to read Song Yet Sung since then, but never made the commitment.

Is AAC the American Author Challenge?

>127 brodiew2: Thanks for sharing that, Brodie. I do think police should be held to the same standard as an ordinary person and even higher. Here in Canada, we have a lot of independent bodies that investigate the police. In my province it is called the https://www.opcc.bc.ca/index.html. Anytime there is a use of violence, by police, the OPCC is called as a civilian body to investigate the actions of the police. I am very glad of that. Of course the vast majority of Canadian citizens are not carrying a gun. That makes a big difference for our police too.

We have a big problem here that about 1/3 of police encounters in Vancouver are with those who are mentally ill. Fortunately the police have a dedicated mental health car 24/7 , but that is not really enough. Police here are taught about mental illness and how to de-escalete any situation possible, rather than use force.

Hello Deb. Thank you for stopping in. I see what you mean. It makes me wonder, like with our servicemen and women, why we do not have adequate mental health care for out police officers. Mental health care is only part of the problem. I look forward to learning more.

Hi, Brodie! Yes, the AAC is the American Author Challenge and it is one I host. I should be finalizing my picks for 2017 soon. You should stop by.

On the subject of attitudes toward the police in this country, I think Jon Stewart has said it best, as usual:

"You can truly grieve for every officer who's been lost in the line of duty in this country, and still be troubled by cases of police overreach, those two ideas are not mutually exclusive. You can have great regard for law enforcement and still want them to be held to high standards."

>134 msf59: Will do, Mark. I think I'll trying to take part in a couple of challenges next year; especially if you include MacBride.

>135 scaifea: Excellent quote, scaifea. It is definitely one I can get behind.

I am thankful you have found your way into the group, Brodie.

I appreciate it, Paul. I'm glad I found my way here,too.

I am grateful for you and the rest of my LT friends.

Hello all. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend!

We had a good Turkey Day even though my youngest son came down with a headache and fever. He has since recovered, but was yucky there for a couple of days.

My Seahawks did poorly today, but the will persevere.

I have crossed into the final stage of The Count. Disc 27 of 37! Still so gooooood.

Hi Brody, I haven't seen you around much on the threads this week, I hope you are simply busy with The Count and haven't picked up your son's bug!

Hello, DeltaQueen50! Thanks for checking on me. I am not sick, though all three kids went through headaches and fever. I was down a day earlier in the week with dizziness, but recovered quickly. I have been off work for three days which can take me out of the LT action sometimes. I hope all is well with you.

I should be active tomorrow if there's anyone around to talk to. ☺

Happy Friday, Brodie! Hope you are feeling better today. Glad you may join us next year, for the AAC.

Hi Brodie. I hope today is a good one for you. I hope you feel better.

Feel better, buddy.

Hope you're having a better day! I somehow lost your thread - in got unstarred. So I'm way behind. I'll go catch up now.

>142 msf59: Thanks, Mark! I look forward to the AAC. It will give me the perfect reason to read Song Yet Sung.

>143 Whisper1: I appreciate it, Whisper1. You have a great one as well.

>144 jnwelch: Joe! That soup looks so good, sick or not.

>145 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel! Glad to have you back. Let me know if anything has caught your interest!

Well, I did a lot of skimming because it was a long thread, but I see you're listening to Count of Monte Cristo. That's a great book! But it sooooo long. Isn't it almost 50 hours? I'm listening to The Stand which is also almost 50 hours, so I feel your pain. I don't think I'll finish it for a very long time because it's having trouble holding my attention. King is so darned wordy. And there's too many characters with too much character development. I remember there being slow parts in The Count, as well. But overall, it was fantastic.

The Stand is, indeed, a door stopper like The Count. There have only been a couple of times where I wished Dumas was a little less verbose, but it is no matter. The story is magnificent and John Lee is brilliant in his narration. This morning I put in disc 30 of 37. The home stretch has arrived and The Count's enemies are beginning to get their due.

I dated a guy who at first was trying to impress me and so he read Les Miserables, my favorite classic. He raved about how wonderful it was. Then he read The Count of Monte Cristo and he also raved about it...but it was funny listening to him because he clearly didn't understand what was going on. He missed some really important points, like the identity of the Count. How could he enjoy it without that basic understanding?

True that. It's funny you mention that because it has been some time since the character's real name has been mentioned. I almost forgot it (Dantes, Edmund Dantes). But you would think that his true identity would play huge in the book's finale.

Duplicate post?

You would think. Clearly he didn't impress me.

Happy Friday, Brodie! Sorry to hear that you have not been feeling well. Hoping that your weekend will be full of everyone feeling much better.

>152 The_Hibernator: That is a glaring hole in his resume for sure. :-)

>153 Crazymamie: Mamie! The kids were more sick than I was, but it was nice to have three days off. Weekend is looking up! Hopefully, this rain will clear out.

Happy Friday, Brodie! I hope you are feeling, at least a little better. It looks like I NEED to slot in the audio, of The Count of Monte Cristo sometime next year.

Hi Mark! I'm not sure I could warble louder other than to start plaster various movie images from the book across your thread. (I would never do that...or would I?)

>149 The_Hibernator: I agree Rachel, it is impossible dating someone who has little appreciation of the important things in life. Hani, my nearest and very much my dearest, used to swot up going on our dates as she would be alarmed at me asking her questions about the Kings and Queens of England and the World's capital cities. Even today she is familiar with Tirana as the capital of Albania and that she should remember DIVORCED - BEHEADED - DIED - DIVORCED - BEHEADED - SURVIVED to remember the names and order of a certain Tudor king's wives. I really do wonder on occasions what the hell she saw in me!

Have a great weekend, Brodie.

Hilarious, Paul! My wife never cared about literature for the most part and that is ok.

'The Count'-down has begun. The endgame is in play. The Magnificence is multiplied. As the Count is referred to a 'singular being', so is this piece of literature is itself unique.

Brodie, I envy you being in the final stretch with The Count. The whole thing was a truly memorable experience for me. If I was having a rough day, I always had my time with The Count to keep me going. I will definitely look for more books narrated by Jim Lee.

>158 brodiew2: What Donna said, Brodie. I may have to find the audio for a re-re-read (I've already re-read The Count in print). Love that book.

>160 Donna828: Thank you, Donna. It, truly, is a memorable experience. I have a feeling that the films from the movie will have to combine characters and even fabricate events. No matter, I look forward to the finale of The Count as well as exploring 2-3 different film versions including the ones starring Richard Chamberlain, Robert Donat, and Jim Cavizel.

I fear that a character I have grown to love , who is a pivotal role in the book, will be marginalized in any film. He is Albert de Morcerf. I look forward to learning his 'fate' on film.

>161 jnwelch: Joe, if you have not had the pleasure of this John Lee narration, and if you want to revisit the material for a third time, I recommend it.

Hi, Brodie! Great to hear all the warbling, about The Count. It sounds wonderful. I will have to find a place for it, in '17,

>163 msf59: I'm glad the warbling is not hurting your ears, Mark. I have not felt so passionately about a book since The Killer Angels and To Serve Them All My Days.

>157 PaulCranswick: DIVORCED - BEHEADED - DIED - DIVORCED - BEHEADED - SURVIVED
I never learned that! Here I am, 56 years old, and finally learning the mnemonic for this part of English history. Would that I would have learned it four decades ago....
But. Better late than never!

Your thread is making me want to read (listen to?) The Count of Monte Christo, Brodie. I'm not saying I'll do it, but it is tempting....

>164 brodiew2: Your warbling can never be loud enough, Brodie. I am finding it inspirational.

Ooh, The Killer Angels...

Morning, Brodie!

>165 EBT1002: Hello Ellen! I can only say what I have said regarding The Count of Monte Cristo. My review will be the last of the warbling for now. I have just started Disc 36 or 37. The end is nigh.

>166 msf59: Thanks for stopping in, Mark. I am glad to hear that the warbling is having a positive effect. I am almost finished. And, yes, The killer Angels. :-)

>167 Crazymamie: Mamie! I hope you are getting your Holiday Inn in this season. :-)

Thought I would share something- I started the audio of Spy Among Friends on my way home from work and it is narrated by...guess who? John Lee. How perfect is that?

Oh yeah- I love Macintyre too.

Excellent, Mark! Lee seems to be the go to guy for Ben Macintyre's books. I look forward to the new one about The OSS.

Good morning, all! It's snowing in greater Seattle and it is wonderful to see. It did not dump, but we were given a good 2-3 inches. It's peaceful to see the blanket of white around the region. It's not a real snow unless it is sticking on the road. It stuck on the road. ;-)

Announcement: I have completed The Count of Monte Cristo. Disc 37 of 37 in now behind me. I felt a pang of sadness at its ending because I have thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. My review is to come, but I think you all know how much praise I have heaped on this novel. Adieu, Dear Count.

I am not resting on my laurels, however. This morning, I started In Such Good Company by Carol Burnett. It is a nice change of pace and narrated by Burnett herself. It looks to be a fun jaunt down memory lane.

Way to go, Brodie! The Count of Monte Cristo isn't a shortie, but it's such a good one, isn't it. I'm very happy you enjoyed it so much.

Such Good Company sounds like a nice change of pace all right; I've seen positive reviews of that one.

Do you usually not get snow in Seattle?

>172 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! I appreciate those sentiments from someone who has shared the journey. ;-)

>173 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel! No, we don't get snow that often. It's a Puget Sound thing. :-)

Happy Saturday, everyone! I watched the 2002 Caviezel Count of Monte Cristo last night. It is a good film, with excellent performances, but far too brief coming off an unabridged listening of the novel. The Count is barely introduced before his plan is revealed and he is dealing out his vengeance. I look forward to the other film versions.

>171 brodiew2: Two or three inches of snow sounds nice, Brodie. To the north of you we got a lot more and it is now a big slushy mess. We don't do snow often either.

Happy Sunday, Brodie! Good luck with the snow. We are having our second sizable snowfall this weekend, just in time for the arctic freeze coming, mid-week. The joys of winter in the Midwest.

>176 Familyhistorian: That slushy mess is here as well, familyhistorian, if to a lesser degree. The cold is supposed to come back soon.

>177 msf59: Clearly, you win the snow battle, Mark. But, I'm sure you're used it in Chi-town, like we're used to the rain. :-)

Happy Sunday, Brodie! Congrats on finishing up The Count!!

Same Happy Sunday to you, Mamie! Thanks for the encouragement.

I am moving slowly but surely through Just Mercy. I have completed Chapter 5 and am shocked at how politicians and law enforcement officials are willing to double down on such a shady conviction.

Shorty after meeting with new Monroe county D.A. Stevenson had a new witness to offer new evidence in the conviction of Walter MacMillan. The new witness was arrested and indicted for perjury and released on bond simply for talking to Stevenson and offering his testimony.

"From what I could see, there was simply no commitment to the rule of law, no accountability, and little shame."

We're lucky to get to enjoy snow on the rare occasion that it falls. I know you and the kids(!) enjoyed having the day off last Friday.

>181 brodiew2: It continues to sound interesting.

Have a great Tuesday, Brodie!

Hello Ellen! Thanks for stopping in. Indeed we did have fun Friday evening sledding in the dark.

>181 brodiew2: It is interesting and astonishing and eye opening.

Hello All! My review of The Count is coming, I promise. I hope it will live up to my love of the story. That said, I think it would be fun to cast a new epic mini-series based the book. I would limit your castings to the top 7 or 8 characters, but go wild if you want to.

Edmund Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo
Mercedes
Abbe Farrreia
Morrell
Danglar
De Villfort
Fernand/Compte de Morcef
Albert De Morcef
Maximilian Morrell

I'll be back with my choices tomorrow. Feel free to jump in with as many or as few as you like.

Joe, I'm looking at you. :-)

Wow, casting The Count that's a tricky one. I'll be interested in who you see in those parts. I don't believe any of the films I have seen of The Count have lived up to the book, mostly because they do tend to cut up the story due to the time factor.

>184 brodiew2: I gave it a go for Edmund, Mercedes and Fernand over on my thread, Brodie.

Hi, Brodie! So glad to see The Count love continuing. Since, I haven't read it, I would be no help with the casting.

I do highly recommend, The Spy Among Friends. Just sayin'...

>186 jnwelch: I saw that, Joe. Excellent choices. I'm really struggling.

>187 msf59: Hi Mark! Indeed, we love The Count.

I will likely to that one at some point, but the OSS one is first!

"This Count de Monte-Cristo is a singular man," said Emmanuel.
"Yes," answered Maxmilian; "but I feel sure he has an excellent heart, and that he likes us."

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexndre Dumas is a singular novel. I can think of no higher praise than to say it now ranks as one of my top five favorite books ever. It is the story of a young sailor named Edmund Dantes who returns from voyage intending to marry his love Mercedes. On his return, he is praised by the ship owner (who trusts him and loves him like a son), and in wake of the captain's death, promotes Edmund to Captain. This does not sit well with Danglar, the ship owner's representative on the ship. It does not take Danglar long to conspire with Fernand, a soldier and friend of Mercedes who also loves her. The conspirators accuse Dantes of being a traitor and he sent before the magistrate the night before he is to be married. The Magistrate, Monsieur de Villfort, is ready to release Dantes, when evidence is provided that he must personally protect. For this reason, he ships Dantes to prison where he stays for 14 years. When he emerges from prison, he is a changed man. He is led to a treasure of unimaginable size which he plans to use to avenge himself against his enemies.

This review will be unconventional as I have shared my thoughts with you along the way. Please forgive my rambling stream of consciousness praising this magnificent novel.

Dumas is a master of character. This is present in Edmund Dantes/The Count himself. We begin with a simple man who is good and loves his simple life. After prison, his education by the Abbe, and his immense fortune, we have a magnanimous man on the surface, but a cold, seething man underneath. The mask of The Count reminds me very much of Batman and how Bruce Wayne is the mask. Dantes is a man who has everything the world says is success: knowledge, power, fame, riches. But in all of this he is driven by revenge. Thankfully, ultimately, he is not consumed by it. In fact, he takes just as many pains to bless those he loves as he does to cause the downfall of the those who wronged him.

Dumas is a master of character. There are many characters in this book, major and minor. What amazes me is that Dumas gives every minor character a moment in the spotlight. An example of this is a scene in which Albert de Morcef, Fernand's son, challenges his good friend Beachamp to a duel over an item which appeared in one of his newspapers. This scene could have been short as Beachamp could simply have accepted the challenge. Albert is insistent that his father's honor has been impugned. Beauchamp takes extra care to try and deter his friend as the item got into the paper without his knowledge and that he cannot confirm or deny its truth. Beachamp skillfully, and lovingly, delays the duel long enough to resolve the issue. This scene, and others like it, show the love that permeates the novel. Whether is it romantic love, filial love, the love of a friend, or the love of a mentor, Dumas make this love inescapable.

I'll wrap up by saying I loved that every bit of this book is central to the plot. There is little if any fat here. Every tangent that Dumas leads us on rounds back to the central story and bares on The Count's machinations. And, his machinations are great. This is the long con. The Count knows all. The Counts see all. At least, we are lead to believe this into the final pages of the book.

I cannot leave without sharing that John Lee performed this book as a master of his craft. He uses multiple accents, of Italian, French, Arabian, and British. They are seamless. He builds dramatic tension so well and expressed anguish in such a way that I cannot help but get a lump in my throat. I would also say that this is my favorite audiobook ever. Lee's performance is so well rounded and so rich that I say it should be held up as a definitive example of the craft.

A couple of comments from above:

>158 brodiew2: As the Count is referred to a 'singular being', so is this piece of literature is itself unique.

>171 brodiew2: I have completed The Count of Monte Cristo. Disc 37 of 37 in now behind me. I felt a pang of sadness at its ending because I have thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. My review is to come, but I think you all know how much praise I have heaped on this novel. Adieu, Dear Count.

4 of 4 Stars

In Good Company by Carol Burnett was a fun walk down memory lane for both she and me. As a kid my mom would have us watching The Carol Burnett Show whenever it was on. It was funny and it was good time with my mom and brother. I, originally, got the print edition from the library, but put it down because I wanted to hear Burnett do the narration. I have had such fun listening to celebrities narrate their owner memoirs.

In listening to the audiobook, I gave up plenty of pictures that Burnett included in the book. However, I was blessed with cuts from interviews with Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and costume designer Bob Mackie. It was an even trade.

Burnett narrates well, and relates some pretty good anecdotes, but the audiobook suffers in her play-by-play descriptions of some of the longer sketches or movie parodies. Over all, I enjoyed it. It was a good history of the 11 year run of the show.

3 of 4 stars

I picked up the 1934 Robert Donat film The Count of Monte Cristo from the library last night. I look forward to watching it this weekend.

Morning, Brodie! Nice reviews! If you posted the count one, I will add my thumb. And it's nice to hear that you enjoyed the Carol Burnett audio - I grew up watching her, and we always sing her end of show song together and tug our left ear when we break up family moments at the Pecan Paradisio. She is great as a narrator, isn't she? I listened to and really enjoyed her narrating This Time Together, which I am guessing you would also like - it's another memoir, and talks about how she got started and her show came to be. Charming and funny, it's a lovely listen.

>189 brodiew2: I loved that book too. Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much.

>192 Crazymamie: Hallo Mamie! :-) I'm glad you enjoyed The Count review. I wasn't sure if my thoughts were ordered enough. And, it is good to know there are others out there that love Carol Burnett. She tell tells the story of how the ear tug came about. She did it, originally, to signal her grandmother who was watching the show at home. I'll have to check out This Time Together.

>193 Oberon: Welcome Oberon! Thanks for stopping in. The Count is a wonderful.

Nice review of The Count of Monte Cristo, Brodie. Great to see your enthusiasm, which as you know I share. If you post the review on the book page, I'll join Mamie in giving it a thumb.

>195 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe. I'll post it later this afternoon. I am definitely enthusiastic.

>189 brodiew2: Great review of a great book, also one of my all-time favourites. And I remember watching The Carol Burnett Show when I was young, she was hilarious.

>197 avatiakh: Thank you, Kerry. I was fun sharing it with you over the last few weeks. Carol, Harvey, Tim, Vicki, and Lyle are/were special people in television history.

>190 brodiew2: Happy Friday, Brodie! Good review of the Burnett memoir. I would like to listen to that one, at some point.

If you would like to try another terrific celebrity audio, narrated by the star, try My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business. Dick does a great job and what a story!

Thanks, Mark. I will definitely check out the Dick Van Dyke memoir.

>189 brodiew2: I am surprised to note that I don't have The Count of Monte Cristo on the shelves at home in KL although I am pretty sure I do have a version of it at my mums. I reckon it is on my Kindle though. I may cheat with my culled list and sneak a peak at the kindle increasingly in 2017!!

It is pretty high praise indeed to place in your top five and I will try to get to it reasonably soon so long as I can stop picturing Richard Chamberlain in the role of the Count.

Have a great weekend, Brodie.

Agreed, excellent review of The Count of Monte Cristo, Brodie! Please place it on the main page and I'll be delighted to thumb your review. Happy Weekend to you!

>201 PaulCranswick: Hello Paul! I'm honored that you would fast track The Count of Monte Cristo because of my warbling. Picked up the Donat film as I mentioned and plan on watching Chamberlain last. I don't think you will have trouble scrubbing him once you start the book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

>202 vancouverdeb: Thank you, deb. I appreciate it. I thought I posted it, but it must not have taken.

Great review of The Count of Monte Cristo!

>204 The_Hibernator: Thank you, Rachel!

I was able to watch the 1934 Count of Monte Cristo last night. I was impressed. Are some great visuals in the film including The Abbey Farreira's cell decorated with all manner of science, math, and Christian iconography. There is another moment in the film that has a giant Globe larger than the count himself. It is a very clever illustration of how the world is in the Count's hand.

I also enjoyed this film because it more closely resembles the characters and situations laid out in the book.

The acting is like much of the era, very much on the surface, but I was impressed with Donat's stoic potrayal of The Count. What I think Donat's performance lacked was a true distinction between Edmund Dantes and The Count. A small separation is given, but not enough for my taste.

What I have yet to see, and may not, are scenes of the Count revealing that he is Dantes, that are as good as Dumas performed by John Lee. Caviezel did this the best so far, but The Count's wrath, bottled up for years, should be frightening on it release, even if tempered by faith.

On to Richard Chamberlain and the 1970s.

I see The Count love continues...and once you get around to A Gentleman in Moscow, you will get to enjoy a whole different Count!

Hope you had a good weekend, Brodie! Look forward to your thoughts on Darktown. Not familiar with the narrator but I hope he is worthy.

Thanks for stopping in, Mark. I am still moving slowly in both Just Mercy and The Atlantis Gene. I have no qualms with either book, but the season being what it is, and my choice to watch a couple of movies rather read, it has been slow going.

Are you watching all the Count movies? Wow

>208 The_Hibernator: Not all of them, Rachel. I chose three to start with and may pursue more if the mood strikes. I will say this, it is already worth it. The 1934 and the 2002 are share different plot elements and supporting character interpretations.

Also, I have finally gotten my Count of Monte Cristo review up on the proper edition. For those that wished the thumb, thumb on!

I also have wonderful memories of watching The Carol Burnett Show with my mom. :-)

Hi Ellen. It was a magnificent show. I loved it because I felt like I was in on the joke and part of their family.

>209 brodiew2: thumbed. I'll really have to watch some of these movies. Currently my daughter and I are watching Cold Case, she's watching more than me. We're also indulging in season 1 of Sailor Moon for fun and nostalgia.

Hi Kerry. I think you'll enjoy the experience. I haven't gotten the Richard Chamberlain film yet.

I remember watching Cold Case every once in awhile. I never followed the show faithfully. I liked what I saw.

Happy Friday, Brodie. All ready for the holiday?

We might try to see Rogue One on Monday. Fingers crossed.

Happy Friday to you, too, Mark! I think we are ready for Christmas and New Years! Thanks for asking. How about you?

I hope you get a chance to see it. I absolutely loved it. I look forward to your thoughts.

Stopping by to leave this wish for the season, Brodie.

Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

Excellent sentiments, Paul. Thanks for sharing.

Merry Christmas, Brodie!

Merry Christmas to you, too, Mamie! I love The Bishop's Wife.

Me, too! And thank you!

Happy Holidays to you and your family, Brodie!

Thank you, DeltaQueen50! Merry Chistmas to you! 🎁

Merry Christmas, Brodie. Have a great day today with the Family! You should post a pic of the kids.

Merry Christmas to you as well, Mark. I hope you had a great day!

I'll be starting Darktown this week. It will likely be my first completion of 2017!

Complete List of books for 2016



Fire of Heaven by Bill Myers
Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
Dead Wake by Erik Larsen
Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster
In Movement, There Is Peace by Elaine Orabona Foster
Music City Macbre by Bob Williams (e-book)
The Story of Diva and Flea by Mo Willems
Til Death by Jason Anspach
Open Season by CJ Box
You're Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD
So that Happened by Jon Cryer
Star Trek: Doctor's Orders by Diane Duane
The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare by Lilian Jackson Braun
Blood Flag by Steve Martini
Brighton: A Novel by Michael Harvey
Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson
Robert B. Parker's Slow Burn by Ace Atkins
Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark
Double Cross Spies by Ben Macintyre
The Gods of Gotham by Lindsay Faye
Leonard: My Fifty-Year Friendship by William Shatner
The Secret Knowledge by David Mamet
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
When the Astors Owned New York by Justin Kaplan
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard
Until Proven Guilty by J.A. Jance
Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Constantine Codex by Paul L. Maier

In Process at the end of 2016



Just Mercy Bryan Stevenson
The Atlantis Gene A.G. Riddle
Darktown by Thomas Mullen

Favorite reads/listens of 2016



The Cat Who Knew Shakespeare by Lilian Jackson Braun
Brighton: A Novel by Michael Harvey
Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark
The Secret Knowledge by David Mamet
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

I think you missed me up there at >216 EBT1002:. Just sayin'..... ;-)

>216 EBT1002: Thank you so much for the holiday wish, Ellen! I think Peace is something for which we can all hope.

:-)

And, that the Seahawks get their heads screwed on straight for their game this week against one of the worst teams in the league. I should not be stressed going into this game, but...

Oh, I am totally with you, Brodie. My Tennessee cousin is a HUGE 49ers fan; she texted me yesterday, reminding me that our teams play one another this week, and I texted back "they both just might lose." But it's the Cardinals who have wreaked havoc on the Seahawks' season this year.

Indeed. The inconsistent play and the injuries have been a morale killer.

The Constantine Codex is a novel that follows Harvard Professor and Biblical scholar John Weber as he and his wife, archaeologist Shannon Weber navigate the discovery of one of Roman Emperor Constantine's 50 copies of the Bible. What makes this discovery especially unique is that the codex include the original ending to the Gospel of Mark and a completely new book, Second Acts of the Apostles.

A subplot involves a debate between Weber and his Muslim counterpart in religious academia. The debate introduces, respectfully, the main tenets of each faith as well as the problems that each faith has with the other. I found this interesting.

Overall, the novel started out like a promising Christian thriller. Though not compelling, it was serviceable. Sadly, the final quarter lost me by getting bogged down in ecumenical councils and canonical concerns of the new discoveries. The thrill was gone.

3 of 5 stars

I have started Darktown and am already enjoying it. The narrator is doing a great job.

Happy Holidays, Brodie!

I just finished Darktown, and thought it was really good. Glad to hear you have an effective narrator.

Hey, Brodie! I finally got around to checking out your thread as promised, and am digging the variety. I hope to like Hero of the Empire half as much as you did, and to like Dark Matter at least as much.

Hope your New Year is an excellent one, and I'll star your thread in 2017!

Hope you're enjoying Just Mercy. I loved that book. Not sure how it didn't make my top 5 this year! But I can only fit in 5.

>235 jnwelch: Thanks for stopping in, Joe. It is going well indeed.

>236 swynn: Hello Swynn and welcome! Hero of the Empire is fantastic. I hope you enjoy them both!

>237 The_Hibernator: Hi Rachel! I am finding it very informative and compelling at time. I just finished Chapter 9.

Good morning, all. Just two more days of 2016. I'm eager to start the new year, but a little sad to leave this thread behind. It was my first thread her at LT and the first time I have ever officially tracked my reading in given year. I appreciate all of you whom made me feel welcome and fostered me along in this journey. Special thanks to Joe, Mark, Mamie, and Paul.

I also want to say that this is first time that I've been able, on the net, to create a place that is mine. I image it how I want to, I talk about what I want to, and I get to write reviews!

>239 brodiew2: Blushing to have gotten a mention, Brodie, thank you for being part of the group.

Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Brodie

Happy New Year, Brodie! You have been a fine addition around here. I have enjoyed following your reading life and your other worldly observations.

Have a great holiday weekend with the family and I hope you continue to enjoy Darktown.

Morning, Brodie! That's a lovely post in >239 brodiew2:. Should be fun to see what we get up to in 2017!

Happy New Year, Brodie!

Thank you for those good thoughts in >239 brodiew2:. Looking forward to more LT fun with you in the new year, buddy.

Happy New Year, Brodie! I've enjoyed reading your reviews and views! Looking forward to a new year!