Thalay Sagar wrote:I am jumping back into Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell since an adaptaion is coming to BBC America.
We have seen both episodes and so far it's quite faithful to the book. Some people will miss the satire -- it's intended to be a send-up of the Victorian novels citing historical context of the 18th century. The scene on the beach with the horses is really well done, as is the rain ship blockade.
Eddie Marsan - who has been in a number of period series (Little Dorrit comes to mind first, but he's been in plenty others as well) does a fabulous job of Mr Norrell --- exactly as I picture him.
I noticed the price of the book on Kobobooks.com went up 42.50 Cdn the day after the series started in England.
I recently finished Monuments Men -- outstanding read. And am now trying a new author - Shirley McKay --- she writes the Hew Cullan series. More period English stuff. so far not bad at all. Shows real promise.
I decided I should take a break from reading Suite Francaise and work on something else for a while. Nothing against SF of course, but the reality she writes about (France at the time of the German occupation, based on her own experiences) is intensely sobering to say the least.
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
Just finished Hue & Cry by Shirley McKay. It was so-so for me .... not bad, but not great. In my opinion, there are better medieval mysteries out there ..... Brother Cadfael being one such series.
Firebreak by Donald Westlake (I love the Parker series)
and
The Readers' Advisory Guide to Mystery
Devil in White City Erik Larson
I've got several going at once. Some I'm skimming... (especially children's books) and I take notes. I'm a librarian so I familiarize myself with titles so I'm better able to provide readers' advisory services to our customers. There are some quick strategies that a lot of readers use but I do it with multiple new books that I see on our carts jot down notes and carry them in a notebook (or my iPhone). If someone comes looking for a book and we don't have what they want I try to make sure they leave with a book in hand. I feel good when customers like the books I pick out. One time a customer sent me a postcard from Egypt to say she was happy with the books I picked out. And I struggled to help her find something good. That just about made my month.
If you're looking for new books find out if your public library has the Novelist database. It's great and I use it from time to time. On one occasion I gave a 7 year old a quick demo and he just about freaked out and physically pushed me away from the computer so he could use it.
At one time I had full access to Books in Print. Now that was cool!
My daughter has Harper Lee's second book, and she loaned it to me in case I get in the mood to start reading it. To be honest I probably won't read it any time soon. I read to rest and escape, certainly not to punish myself for various global and historic depressing and painful societal realities. I'll probably wait and read a couple of paragraphs of someone else's review, if anything ----
PS: I never read her first book, something about a mockingbird. I did see most of the movie on TV about 25 years ago. What can I say --- (shrug).
Gary
SOTD 99%: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, soaps & creams, synthetic / badger brushes, Colonial General razor, Kai & Schick blades, straight razors any time, Superior 70 aftershave splash + menthol + 444
brothers wrote:My daughter has Harper Lee's second book, and she loaned it to me in case I get in the mood to start reading it. To be honest I probably won't read it any time soon. I read to rest and escape, certainly not to punish myself for various global and historic depressing and painful societal realities. I'll probably wait and read a couple of paragraphs of someone else's review, if anything ----
PS: I never read her first book, something about a mockingbird. I did see most of the movie on TV about 25 years ago. What can I say --- (shrug).
After having read some of the synopsis and reviews, I have decided to let the memory of Atticus rest contentedly in my mind --- rather ignorant in my bliss.
While deciding on my next read, I went back to the Arthur Trilogy I picked up about 10 years ago. Written by Kevin Crossley-Holland, it's a youth read, but quite enjoyable. Told in first-person, the life of the main character parallels that of the legend of King Arthur. Fun and very easy to read.
Stopped into a used book store on Saturday and ran across an intriguing volume, "Hemingway's Boat," about the author's life from age 35, when he bought his famed fishing boat "Pilar," until his death. I like the way the book is written so far. I like Hemingway, and I like boats, so I'm hoping it won't disappoint.
One day while I was at the library I picked up a CD audiobook copy of Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea." I popped it into my CD player and the guy introducing the audiobook company started talking.... and then he began narrating the book. Although his voice was fine it didn't do the book justice.
Then I found a copy narrated by Donald Sutherland... much better!
