Hiya Beedlesquoink!!! Thanks for the recommendation... I like one-of-a-kind things, and I love Scotland.
I'm reading Choices in Vichy France by John Sweets because I am interested in history and I need to know about war and times when shades of grey may have been more important than black and white.
Merry Andrew -- The Beef and Ale -- was that a place out on the Great Road in Acton?
Hi dlowan..... I listened to the audio book of "Middlesex" and loved it....
Currently listening to the audio book of "The Life of Pi" and loving it, too...
Currently re-reading "The Return Of The King" (before seeing the movie).
Currently reading "The Magus of Java: Teachings of an Authentic Taoist Immortal".
Currently reading "The Wicked Flea", in the 'dog-lovers mystery series'.
Recent reading"
The Hills of Tuscany by Ferenc Mate - fine for a pan-italy reader like me. Apt to bore people who don't want to hear one more word about house hunting in Tuscany.
The Dancer Upstairs by Nicholas Shakespeare - fictional tale of a search for guerilla leader in Peru. I could hardly put it down, read it in a day and a half.
The Crooked Man by Philip Davison - tautly written semimorality tale featuring a MI 5 type investigator in England and Ireland. When I look for mystery or crime fiction and find a used or new book with the Penguin stamp, I invariably like it; true with this one too.
Today I am about 1/4 the way into My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk, an art mystery by a writer who lives in Istanbul, translated from the Turkish. This one is hard to describe. A multiple of Rashomon, Pamuk unfolds ways of thinking that are new to me. Every few pages I do a double take, reread a bit. Described on back cover as part fantasy, part philosophical puzzle...I am liking it for the pictorial imagery, sense of place - sixteenth century Istanbul, sense of consciousness in all beings.. and the apparent stringing together of beads of a story that I don't know yet.
plainoldme wrote:Merry Andrew -- The Beef and Ale -- was that a place out on the Great Road in Acton?
Do I know you? Wasn't it Ye Old Steak and Ale? I grew up up the street from that little place. I had never been into the place until I was in my late teens. Even then I don't think I ate there.
i'm reading "in full view" by lily brett. clever and entertaining writing with some sharp observations. must be, cause i can't help feeling continuously vaguely annoyed about the woman, but i'm still reading, too.
(note to self to add something to that "fury" thread sozobe pointed me to, now that i (finally) finished the book)
Little k -- there were two Beff&Ales, one in Acton, as you say, the other just up the road in Groton. (And it was Beef & Ale, not Steak & Ale). The one in Acton wasn't much more than a lunch counter. The Groton one, though, right at the intersion of Rte. 225 and 119, was a full-service restaurant with a fine bar. It was right dpwn the street from Seal Poet's house. It was Seal who informed me that it's closed now. I hadn't heard the sad news. Haven't been down that way in a couple of years, but used to drive that road regularly when I had a summer home in Rindge, NH. INcidentally, the two establishments -- in Acton and Groton -- had no connection to each other. Totally different owners, just a coincidence in names.
....finshed listening to "The Life of Pi".... probably one of the best books I've found. I'm going to buy the book when it comes out in paperback....
When I was returning "The Life of Pi" to the library, I found "The Secret Life of Bees" on the 'new' shelf. It looks good, although I haven't really heard any reviews of this book. Just started listening to it.....
Pamuk is one of my favorites, Osso! When you get a chance, work your way backward through his earlier books.
EVERYTHING'S EVENTUAL: Five Dark Tales - Stephen King
I just finished "Behindlings" by Nicola Barker. Liked it so much, I was tempted to pick it up and start all over again!
I just finished AJP Taylor's superb biography of Bismarck. It is short and elegantly written. Now I am reading Dickens' THE PICKWICK PAPERS for the first time, but I am not yet far enough into it to know whether I like it or not yet.
I love most anything by Dickens
I'm starting "Political Fictions" by Joan Didion. It is a gift from a very dear friend. I'm also still reading Down the Highway The Life of Bob Dylan by Howard Sounes and finishing up on the Jonathan Lear book.........if I didn't read so many books at once, I would finish each one sooner, I'm sure.
Reminds me, I need to finish my National Geographics newest Universe/Space book - only lack one section!
Lola, Political Fictions is OK but it is not the very best Didion book of essays. Try Slouching Towards Bethlehem if you want to see her at her peak.
Thanks, Larry. I'll try it.
And BillW, flattery will win you some big points with me. And I agree the evening last night was lovely.
I am thrilled to report that I am now deep into THE PICKWICK PAPERS and I am loving it. I'd recommend it to anyone with a sense of humor--the jokes are really wonderful and the storytelling is genius. Amazing that Dickens was only 24 when he wrote it. What a prodigy he was!
