Milwaukee Music
Power Ballads by Will Boast. I read this book and enjoyed it. Only one or two stories are actually set in Milwaukee. Short stories that revolve around a professional drummer in Chicago. The drummer loves jazz music but makes money by playing in various bands and playing on a big name tour. A neat look at working musicians.
Swedish Serbs
Easy Money by Jens Lapidus. One of the few members of the Nordic crime wave I have read. Well, listened to. I heard the audio version of this Stockholm crime drama and enjoyed it. A business student rises in the drug trade while ostensibly searching for his missing sister. A native Serbian is stuck in middle management of a Stockholm crime ring and does not mind the brutality. An Argentinian convicted for drug trafficking escapes prison with an eye for revenge.
South Dakota Sniper
Merciless by Lori Armstrong. Former Army sniper Mercy Gunderson is a newly hired FBI Special Agent assigned to Rapid City. Her job is boring and disappointing. I have not read this book but did enjoy talking with Lori Armstrong at Bouchercon in St. Louis.
Others
Burn Palace by Stephen Dobyns. Small town Rhode Island is newly haunted by supernatural or mysterious events. I read a good review. I think.
Shadow and the Crown by Patricia Bracewell. The cover image says Female protagonist in swords and knights romance. The flyleaf says Yeah, that guess is about right.
Robert's Rules of Order: newly revised: 11th edition by Henry M. Robert III. We needed a new one.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Wny Did I Order This?
Why Did I Order This?
Scaling Force: dynamic decision-making under threat of violence by Rory Miller and Lawrence A. Kane. Why did I order this? I'm sure I took someone's online recommendation but I cannot recall where. Maybe from that comic strip's (Unshelved) weekly recommendations. Let me see. Yeah, they did.
Anyway, the authors list six levels of force from presence to lethal. This looks pretty good.
Large Print
The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter. Bob Lee Swagger solves the assassination of President Kennedy.
Magnificence by Lydia Millet. The fly leaf says a widow inherits a mansion with stuffed animals and meets "uniquely damaged humans". Let's lay on some thick sarcasm and say, "Oh, what an original idea. A widow moves and meets wacky people and they all heal each other."
Fiction
Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas. One of our romance paperbacks written by Kleypas has gone out 42 times.
Scaling Force: dynamic decision-making under threat of violence by Rory Miller and Lawrence A. Kane. Why did I order this? I'm sure I took someone's online recommendation but I cannot recall where. Maybe from that comic strip's (Unshelved) weekly recommendations. Let me see. Yeah, they did.
Anyway, the authors list six levels of force from presence to lethal. This looks pretty good.
Large Print
The Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter. Bob Lee Swagger solves the assassination of President Kennedy.
Magnificence by Lydia Millet. The fly leaf says a widow inherits a mansion with stuffed animals and meets "uniquely damaged humans". Let's lay on some thick sarcasm and say, "Oh, what an original idea. A widow moves and meets wacky people and they all heal each other."
Fiction
Crystal Cove by Lisa Kleypas. One of our romance paperbacks written by Kleypas has gone out 42 times.
Monday, February 25, 2013
I've Actually Read Three of These Authors
Ones I've Read
Benediction by Kent Haruf. He writes tales of rural life, old rancher dudes, and families with generational gaps. This novel has a guy with terminal cancer, a new pastor in town, and other stuff. The book is probably worth your time.
A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks. I read Faulks's Birdsong and liked it. Birdsong was a World War One tale and well done. I have the movie version at home on DVD but that thing is three hours long and I'm not sure I want to tackle it.
Suspect by Robert Crais. Crais writes good thrillers and is best know for his series characters Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. This is the PTSD one with a PTSD Police Officer and a PTSD Army dog teaming up to fight PTSD and bad guys. I wonder if the dog dies in the end.
I've Never Read These People
Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb. Does Nora Roberts farm these out to ghost writers? Maybe she collaborates with ghost writers. I write this because she really cranks them out.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. Picoult has curly hair.
Bad Blood by Dana Stabenow. I have a theory that Stabenow's whole career exists as a way to write off her trips to Alaska and all the National Parks as business expenses.
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke. Ugh. Red velvet birthday cake. That's what I got every year at school. My mother would order one for me from through the Gustavus Adolphus cafeteria. Not that the cake was bad but it's not to my taste. Each year I'd eat some and put it in my dorm room mini-fridge where the cake would dry out. I'd cut off the dried bit and eat the inside and finally throw away the husk.
The Unofficial Guide: Disneyland 2013 by Bob Sehlinger, Seth Kubersky and Len Testa. Once again they neglected to hire Victor Gischler for this series.
Benediction by Kent Haruf. He writes tales of rural life, old rancher dudes, and families with generational gaps. This novel has a guy with terminal cancer, a new pastor in town, and other stuff. The book is probably worth your time.
A Possible Life by Sebastian Faulks. I read Faulks's Birdsong and liked it. Birdsong was a World War One tale and well done. I have the movie version at home on DVD but that thing is three hours long and I'm not sure I want to tackle it.
Suspect by Robert Crais. Crais writes good thrillers and is best know for his series characters Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. This is the PTSD one with a PTSD Police Officer and a PTSD Army dog teaming up to fight PTSD and bad guys. I wonder if the dog dies in the end.
I've Never Read These People
Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb. Does Nora Roberts farm these out to ghost writers? Maybe she collaborates with ghost writers. I write this because she really cranks them out.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. Picoult has curly hair.
Bad Blood by Dana Stabenow. I have a theory that Stabenow's whole career exists as a way to write off her trips to Alaska and all the National Parks as business expenses.
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke. Ugh. Red velvet birthday cake. That's what I got every year at school. My mother would order one for me from through the Gustavus Adolphus cafeteria. Not that the cake was bad but it's not to my taste. Each year I'd eat some and put it in my dorm room mini-fridge where the cake would dry out. I'd cut off the dried bit and eat the inside and finally throw away the husk.
The Unofficial Guide: Disneyland 2013 by Bob Sehlinger, Seth Kubersky and Len Testa. Once again they neglected to hire Victor Gischler for this series.
Be Saddened, Cheer Up, Go For A Walk
Be Saddened
Kill Anything That Moves: the real American war in Vietnam by Nick Turse. Policies set at the top of the chain of command resulted in widespread killings and murders of noncombatants on the ground. Including children.
Cheer Up
Monty Python's Flying Circus: all the bits: complete and annotated annotations by Luke Dempsey. Script of each television episode with annotations and screenshots. 880 pages of very heavy paper meaning this book will start to fall apart after 2-3 checkouts.
Go For A Walk
Ice Age Trail Atlas by the Ice Age Trail Alliance. "105 detailed color hiking maps". This is a reference copy. Do Not Steal The Maps! We have a photocopy machine you jackape.
Kill Anything That Moves: the real American war in Vietnam by Nick Turse. Policies set at the top of the chain of command resulted in widespread killings and murders of noncombatants on the ground. Including children.
Cheer Up
Monty Python's Flying Circus: all the bits: complete and annotated annotations by Luke Dempsey. Script of each television episode with annotations and screenshots. 880 pages of very heavy paper meaning this book will start to fall apart after 2-3 checkouts.
- "Accident Black Spot" is a regular sign on British roads.
- Richie Benaud, former Australian cricketer, was a longstanding Australian cricket commentator in the U.K. and around the cricketing world.
- The lawn mowers are both called "Betta-Cutta."
- Tooting is about 12 miles east of Hounslow.
- "My brain hurts" is a phrase still heard regularly in the U.K., and all because of this sketch.
- British people enjoy criticizing the French whenever possible, and one of the chief knocks is to question their personal hygiene.
- Yes. Yes. Yes. (a maniacal look in his eyes) Yes, yes Mr Phipps. I love seeing the customers when they come in to complain about some book being damaged, and ask to see the chief librarian and then...you should see their faces when the proud beast leaps from his tiny office, snatches the book from their hands and sinks his fangs into their soft er...(collects himself) Mr Phipps...Kong! You can be our next librarian - you're proud majestic and fierce enough...will you do it?
Go For A Walk
Ice Age Trail Atlas by the Ice Age Trail Alliance. "105 detailed color hiking maps". This is a reference copy. Do Not Steal The Maps! We have a photocopy machine you jackape.
Friday, February 22, 2013
First Poetry Postcards of the Ice Age Trail
Large Print
First Prophet by Kay Hooper. FBI psychics solve crime with psychic powers and predict what's on TV tonight.
Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong. A chocolatier knits the wool from her pet alpacas. Chocolatier reads mom's dead papers. Chocolatier meets English guy.
The Lawgiver by Herman Wouk. Something about Moses. The description on the back cover is confusing.
NonFiction
Ice Age Trail Companion Guide 2011 by Ice Age Trail Alliance. Guide to the 1,000 mile trail that winds around Wisconsin. We also bought a map binder that will go into reference.
Library's Least Popular YouTube Video
The least popular YouTube video the library has done with only 16 views. We have both of Kraushaar's poetry collections. I think poetry is often best when read aloud. But, a reader's interpretation, or misinterpretation, can vary so greatly from the author's intent. So, I asked Mark to share a reading with both of us reading the same poems.
First Prophet by Kay Hooper. FBI psychics solve crime with psychic powers and predict what's on TV tonight.
Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong. A chocolatier knits the wool from her pet alpacas. Chocolatier reads mom's dead papers. Chocolatier meets English guy.
The Lawgiver by Herman Wouk. Something about Moses. The description on the back cover is confusing.
NonFiction
Ice Age Trail Companion Guide 2011 by Ice Age Trail Alliance. Guide to the 1,000 mile trail that winds around Wisconsin. We also bought a map binder that will go into reference.
Library's Least Popular YouTube Video
The least popular YouTube video the library has done with only 16 views. We have both of Kraushaar's poetry collections. I think poetry is often best when read aloud. But, a reader's interpretation, or misinterpretation, can vary so greatly from the author's intent. So, I asked Mark to share a reading with both of us reading the same poems.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Lansdale Novella, Football, Spying On Hippies, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs
Fiction
Dead Aim by Joe R. Lansdale. Lansdale is a Facebook posting maniac. He recently commentd that Amazon sold out on this new novella featuring a young Hap and Leonard. Hap and Leonard agree to guard a woman going through a divorce. Things go badly because everything Hap and Leonard do goes badly. Except screwing up and having bad luck. Hap and Leonard are great at screwing up and having bad luck.
Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson Literary Industries Amalgamated. Huh, look a that. Patterson is listed as the sole author.
NonFiction
Subversive: the FBI's war on student radicals and Reagan's rise to power by Seth Rosenfeld. 250,000 of FBI documents showing "surveillance, illegal breakins, infiltration, planted news stories, poison-pen letters, and secret detention lists" aimed at groups in Berkeley, CA.
How the SEC Became Goliath: the making of college football's most dominant conference by Ray Glier. Short version: the SEC spends tons of dough on recruiting and coaching and facilities and other conferences are jealous. I'll withhold commentary seeing as how the Big 10 lets anyone with a pulse join. The Big 10 just hasn't been the same since the University of Chicago dropped out.
Gods of Mischief: my undercover vendetta to take down the Vagos outlaw motorcycle gang by George Row. Guy in California desert town goes undercover for three years. Guy then goes into witness protection.
Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel. Underwater photos of dogs jumping into water after tennis balls. No greyhounds.
Dead Aim by Joe R. Lansdale. Lansdale is a Facebook posting maniac. He recently commentd that Amazon sold out on this new novella featuring a young Hap and Leonard. Hap and Leonard agree to guard a woman going through a divorce. Things go badly because everything Hap and Leonard do goes badly. Except screwing up and having bad luck. Hap and Leonard are great at screwing up and having bad luck.
Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson Literary Industries Amalgamated. Huh, look a that. Patterson is listed as the sole author.
NonFiction
Subversive: the FBI's war on student radicals and Reagan's rise to power by Seth Rosenfeld. 250,000 of FBI documents showing "surveillance, illegal breakins, infiltration, planted news stories, poison-pen letters, and secret detention lists" aimed at groups in Berkeley, CA.
How the SEC Became Goliath: the making of college football's most dominant conference by Ray Glier. Short version: the SEC spends tons of dough on recruiting and coaching and facilities and other conferences are jealous. I'll withhold commentary seeing as how the Big 10 lets anyone with a pulse join. The Big 10 just hasn't been the same since the University of Chicago dropped out.
Gods of Mischief: my undercover vendetta to take down the Vagos outlaw motorcycle gang by George Row. Guy in California desert town goes undercover for three years. Guy then goes into witness protection.
Underwater Dogs by Seth Casteel. Underwater photos of dogs jumping into water after tennis balls. No greyhounds.
Monday, February 18, 2013
New Items by Old Authors
You've Heard of Them
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. A painting for the cover. Binchy died in July of 2012. No information in the book is she wrote all of this, part of this, or if her name is now a corporate moniker. I took three tries to type moniker without a keystroke error. Monkier is a good word though.
Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner. Gardener is not dead. She has a well done author photo. The photo looks to edited with everything around her lit face blacked out. An appropriately dramatic presentation for a thriler novel.
Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman. Kellerman has a beard in his author photo. His photo follows the same style as Gardner's with Kellerman wearing black and having a dark grey, mottled background behind him. Maybe this is the new style.
Deadly Stakes by J.A. Jance. One of those AZ desert based novels rather than a Northwest US based novels. Jance lives by Tucson. Forgotten Weapons posted a match video from north of Tucson.
Hit Me by Lawrence Block. Block's photo looks new also. His is bright and cheery though. I suppose that fits with this bright and cheery series of a paid killer. I'm not sure if I read the novel preceding this one or not. The Baker and Taylor slip of paper in this book says the whole shipment was processed with pride by Judith Trail.
You've Never Heard of Him
Bark River Chronicles: stories from a Wisconsin watershed by Milton J. Bates. the Bark River begins northwest of Milwaukee and empties into Lake Koshkonong by Fort Atkinson. Milton details his many canoeing trips along the river. Amy Lutzke at Dwight Foster PL in Fort is listed in the acknowledgments. Milton writes "this is not a guidebook."
Large Print
Vintage Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball. What the heck does that mean?
The Road to Cardinal Valley by Earlene Fowler. It means I am a robot.
Invisible Murder by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnette Friis. A Danish robot.
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy. A painting for the cover. Binchy died in July of 2012. No information in the book is she wrote all of this, part of this, or if her name is now a corporate moniker. I took three tries to type moniker without a keystroke error. Monkier is a good word though.
Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner. Gardener is not dead. She has a well done author photo. The photo looks to edited with everything around her lit face blacked out. An appropriately dramatic presentation for a thriler novel.
Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman. Kellerman has a beard in his author photo. His photo follows the same style as Gardner's with Kellerman wearing black and having a dark grey, mottled background behind him. Maybe this is the new style.
Deadly Stakes by J.A. Jance. One of those AZ desert based novels rather than a Northwest US based novels. Jance lives by Tucson. Forgotten Weapons posted a match video from north of Tucson.
Hit Me by Lawrence Block. Block's photo looks new also. His is bright and cheery though. I suppose that fits with this bright and cheery series of a paid killer. I'm not sure if I read the novel preceding this one or not. The Baker and Taylor slip of paper in this book says the whole shipment was processed with pride by Judith Trail.
You've Never Heard of Him
Bark River Chronicles: stories from a Wisconsin watershed by Milton J. Bates. the Bark River begins northwest of Milwaukee and empties into Lake Koshkonong by Fort Atkinson. Milton details his many canoeing trips along the river. Amy Lutzke at Dwight Foster PL in Fort is listed in the acknowledgments. Milton writes "this is not a guidebook."
Large Print
Vintage Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball. What the heck does that mean?
The Road to Cardinal Valley by Earlene Fowler. It means I am a robot.
Invisible Murder by Lene Kaaberbol and Agnette Friis. A Danish robot.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Photo Update
Renovation Update
This morning the concrete floor for the lower level's new toilet was cut for plumbing. I was not in the building this morning so I did not hear the noise or breath the dust.
Tomorrow I haul off the old shelving. I had to cancel this task last Friday because of the snow storm.
Photos
The layout had to change to allow access to the water meter (located by the dark vertical pipe in the center left of the photo).
The pipes in the upper right of this photo have to be rerouted up and over the new room's ceiling.
This morning the concrete floor for the lower level's new toilet was cut for plumbing. I was not in the building this morning so I did not hear the noise or breath the dust.
Tomorrow I haul off the old shelving. I had to cancel this task last Friday because of the snow storm.
Photos
The layout had to change to allow access to the water meter (located by the dark vertical pipe in the center left of the photo).
The pipes in the upper right of this photo have to be rerouted up and over the new room's ceiling.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Nothing New, Musical Interlude
Nothing New
We did get Joe R. Lansdale's most recent book in today's mail but it is not yet ready for your hands.
No Renovation News
The contractor starts tearing up concrete tomorrow. I will take photos.
Musical Interlude
Welshman Sweet Baboo pretends to be a cat. I do not know if his real name is Linus.
We did get Joe R. Lansdale's most recent book in today's mail but it is not yet ready for your hands.
No Renovation News
The contractor starts tearing up concrete tomorrow. I will take photos.
Musical Interlude
Welshman Sweet Baboo pretends to be a cat. I do not know if his real name is Linus.
Friday, February 08, 2013
More Photos
Photos
That kid looks familiar. Did he do work here before?
Temporary Layout
New Toilet Location in Lower Level
That kid looks familiar. Did he do work here before?
Temporary Layout
New Toilet Location in Lower Level
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Another Renovation Update
Update
Today's first moving day went extremely well. Almost everything is done. We'll still be closed Thursday to get everything squared away and cleaned up. We re-open on Friday and will continue with normal operating hours.
Photos
Relevant Musical Interlude
We will be recycling a lot of substandard metal shelving. (The thin gauge metal is not that heavy.)
Today's first moving day went extremely well. Almost everything is done. We'll still be closed Thursday to get everything squared away and cleaned up. We re-open on Friday and will continue with normal operating hours.
Photos
Relevant Musical Interlude
We will be recycling a lot of substandard metal shelving. (The thin gauge metal is not that heavy.)
Monday, February 04, 2013
Quarterly Danille Steel Release
Fiction
Until the End of the World by Danielle Steel. Lawyer lives Manhattan to be a minister in Wyoming.
Musical Interlude(s)
Tales From Turnpike House was released by Saint Etienne in 2006. I really enjoyed this when first listening a few years ago. A concept album - not that it matters - about residents in a London apartment building. The album contains lighter tunes like this one:
, dancey tunes like this:
, and a louder one like this:
Until the End of the World by Danielle Steel. Lawyer lives Manhattan to be a minister in Wyoming.
Musical Interlude(s)
Tales From Turnpike House was released by Saint Etienne in 2006. I really enjoyed this when first listening a few years ago. A concept album - not that it matters - about residents in a London apartment building. The album contains lighter tunes like this one:
, dancey tunes like this:
, and a louder one like this:
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Library Closed Feb 6 and 7 for Start of Renovation
Library Closed
Feb 6 and 7 we are closed. The renovation begins with moving out lots of books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, chairs, so on, so forth. To do this we have to close on February 6 and 7.
The front door will be blocked to the public during all of Phase One of the renovation project. Phase One will last about 6 weeks. East side door and back door will still be open for you, the public.
Volunteering
Yes, you can help move us in the move on Feb 6 and 7. Call me at 648-2166 (excluding Dunedin and that guy in St. Paul) to volunteer.
Other News
I have no other news of note
Musical Interlude
I just ran across the Jim White CD with this song. I have this from when I paid more attention to alternative and traditional country music.
Feb 6 and 7 we are closed. The renovation begins with moving out lots of books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, chairs, so on, so forth. To do this we have to close on February 6 and 7.
The front door will be blocked to the public during all of Phase One of the renovation project. Phase One will last about 6 weeks. East side door and back door will still be open for you, the public.
Volunteering
Yes, you can help move us in the move on Feb 6 and 7. Call me at 648-2166 (excluding Dunedin and that guy in St. Paul) to volunteer.
Other News
I have no other news of note
Musical Interlude
I just ran across the Jim White CD with this song. I have this from when I paid more attention to alternative and traditional country music.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Further Commentary
DVD
The Simpsons: the fourteenth season starring voices [not in your head]. I stopped watching a few years ago. I don't even watch reruns all the way through.
Fiction
Suspect by Robert Crais. New characters. PTSD patrolman and PTSD Army dog are partnered. Robert Crais's author photo does not include one of those ugly Hawaiian shirts.
Private Berlin by Patterson Literary Production, Amalgamated. Some novel about something that happens to someone in some place.
NonFiction
Naked Statistics: stripping the dead from the data by Charles Wheelan. No photos. A handful of charts. Author photo includes some dog chewing on a stick. The dog is intently looking off camera at whoever is trying to get him to stay still as the shutter opens.
I just looked this guy up to find more dog photos. No dog photos. Wheelan teaches at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. I got married in New Hampshire. Or, maybe Vermont. I'm not sure which is which. Residents of Vermont and New Hampshire like to pretend there is a difference between the two but they're wrong.
AC/DC: high voltage rock'n'roll: the ultimate history by Phil Sutcliffe.
Morrisey on Tour. I was thinking of attending one of his shows but don't know it I will or not. I need to decide soon. I thought about driving to Clear Lake, IA for that show but need to decide quick since it is February 5th.
Or, maybe not.
The Simpsons: the fourteenth season starring voices [not in your head]. I stopped watching a few years ago. I don't even watch reruns all the way through.
Fiction
Suspect by Robert Crais. New characters. PTSD patrolman and PTSD Army dog are partnered. Robert Crais's author photo does not include one of those ugly Hawaiian shirts.
Private Berlin by Patterson Literary Production, Amalgamated. Some novel about something that happens to someone in some place.
NonFiction
Naked Statistics: stripping the dead from the data by Charles Wheelan. No photos. A handful of charts. Author photo includes some dog chewing on a stick. The dog is intently looking off camera at whoever is trying to get him to stay still as the shutter opens.
I just looked this guy up to find more dog photos. No dog photos. Wheelan teaches at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. I got married in New Hampshire. Or, maybe Vermont. I'm not sure which is which. Residents of Vermont and New Hampshire like to pretend there is a difference between the two but they're wrong.
AC/DC: high voltage rock'n'roll: the ultimate history by Phil Sutcliffe.
Morrisey on Tour. I was thinking of attending one of his shows but don't know it I will or not. I need to decide soon. I thought about driving to Clear Lake, IA for that show but need to decide quick since it is February 5th.
Or, maybe not.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Multiple Choice Question
Multiple choice question.
Why is the Library Director happy?
A. Wearing a sweater negates ironing his shirt.
B. His hair is sticking up less than normal.
C. The City Council accepted the general contracting bid by Advanced Building Corporation for the library's interior renovation.
D. His sweater makes him look like Count Dracula vacationing on the Dalmatian Coast.
Answer: All of the above.
Why is the Library Director happy?
A. Wearing a sweater negates ironing his shirt.
B. His hair is sticking up less than normal.
C. The City Council accepted the general contracting bid by Advanced Building Corporation for the library's interior renovation.
D. His sweater makes him look like Count Dracula vacationing on the Dalmatian Coast.
Answer: All of the above.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
More. Less.
It's All the Same
NonFiction
Hell-Bent: obsession, pain, and the search for something like transcendence in competitive yoga by Benjamin Lorr.
Read My Lips: a complete guide to the vagina and vulva by Debby Herbenick and Vanessa Schick. I looked for an author interview and the only things I found were Herbenick talking about other stuff besides the book.
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini. Fictionalized bio. Why doesn't someone write a bio of me? I'm mostly fictional.
Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter.
AudioBook on CD
Shadow Woman by Linda Howard.8 CDs at 10 hours.
Two For Texas by James Lee Burke. 5 CDs at 5.5 hours.
DVD
Hit and Run starring Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Tom Arnold. Max Allan Collins says:
HIT AND RUN is a great crime comedy melodrama that stars Veronica Mars herself, Kristen Bell (wasted on Showtime’s unpleasant HOUSE OF LIES) opposite her significant other, Dax Shepard, who also wrote and co-directed. Shepard, besides being the lucky bastard who gets to live with Kristen Bell (I say this as the lucky bastard who gets to live with the former Barbie Mull), is mostly known for playing villains in film comedies like EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH as well as holding down one of the leads on the TV series, PARENTHOOD. This is the kind of movie I used to see all the time in the ‘70s – quirky, walking the line between comedy and drama, with sharp, natural dialogue, lots of interesting characters, plus plenty of action (it’s a car chase movie). I’m also reminded of Don Westlake’s ‘60s and ‘70s comedy novels. You want to know how good this movie is? Tom Arnold is hilarious in it. So, in a much different way, are Bradley Cooper and Beau Bridges. It is in times in wonderfully poor taste, but in a much smarter way than most bad taste movies – including gags involving prison rape and racial stereotyping. It’s also a tender love story. I haven’t checked Rotten Tomatoes, but I bet at least half the critics hate this. Don’t listen to them.
NonFiction
Hell-Bent: obsession, pain, and the search for something like transcendence in competitive yoga by Benjamin Lorr.
Read My Lips: a complete guide to the vagina and vulva by Debby Herbenick and Vanessa Schick. I looked for an author interview and the only things I found were Herbenick talking about other stuff besides the book.
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini. Fictionalized bio. Why doesn't someone write a bio of me? I'm mostly fictional.
Third Bullet by Stephen Hunter.
AudioBook on CD
Shadow Woman by Linda Howard.8 CDs at 10 hours.
Two For Texas by James Lee Burke. 5 CDs at 5.5 hours.
DVD
Hit and Run starring Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, Tom Arnold. Max Allan Collins says:
HIT AND RUN is a great crime comedy melodrama that stars Veronica Mars herself, Kristen Bell (wasted on Showtime’s unpleasant HOUSE OF LIES) opposite her significant other, Dax Shepard, who also wrote and co-directed. Shepard, besides being the lucky bastard who gets to live with Kristen Bell (I say this as the lucky bastard who gets to live with the former Barbie Mull), is mostly known for playing villains in film comedies like EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH as well as holding down one of the leads on the TV series, PARENTHOOD. This is the kind of movie I used to see all the time in the ‘70s – quirky, walking the line between comedy and drama, with sharp, natural dialogue, lots of interesting characters, plus plenty of action (it’s a car chase movie). I’m also reminded of Don Westlake’s ‘60s and ‘70s comedy novels. You want to know how good this movie is? Tom Arnold is hilarious in it. So, in a much different way, are Bradley Cooper and Beau Bridges. It is in times in wonderfully poor taste, but in a much smarter way than most bad taste movies – including gags involving prison rape and racial stereotyping. It’s also a tender love story. I haven’t checked Rotten Tomatoes, but I bet at least half the critics hate this. Don’t listen to them.
"Where does all this large print come from?"
"No one knows. No one."
Threat Vector by Tom Clancy. International intrigue and violence.
Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz. Same as the regular print but with larger letters.
Incognito by Gregory Murphy. I just bent over the corner of my calendar and now it will not lie flat.
Collateral Damage by Stuart Woods. I've been reading Sunset and Sawdust by Joe R. Lansdale. I stayed up too late reading the book.
Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton. The Lansdale book is from about eight years ago and dedicated to his daughter.
Shadow Woman by Linda Howard. His daughter has her own career and work but helps her dad out. Lansdale found some copies of his novels and was posting them for sale on Facebook. I bought a couple for Christmas presents and his daughter handles those orders.
Nano by Robin Cook. The books have not arrived yet. But, Lansdale's daughter sent an email yesterday asking if the books were delivered and she seems to be on it. I have this image of Lansdale finding some dusty box full of Devil Red in his garage and thinking, "Where did these come from?"
Facebook by Speaking Of. Lansdale posts a lot on Facebook. His topics are writing related but when does he actually write? Let alone kung the fu?
Threat Vector by Tom Clancy. International intrigue and violence.
Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz. Same as the regular print but with larger letters.
Incognito by Gregory Murphy. I just bent over the corner of my calendar and now it will not lie flat.
Collateral Damage by Stuart Woods. I've been reading Sunset and Sawdust by Joe R. Lansdale. I stayed up too late reading the book.
Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton. The Lansdale book is from about eight years ago and dedicated to his daughter.
Shadow Woman by Linda Howard. His daughter has her own career and work but helps her dad out. Lansdale found some copies of his novels and was posting them for sale on Facebook. I bought a couple for Christmas presents and his daughter handles those orders.
Nano by Robin Cook. The books have not arrived yet. But, Lansdale's daughter sent an email yesterday asking if the books were delivered and she seems to be on it. I have this image of Lansdale finding some dusty box full of Devil Red in his garage and thinking, "Where did these come from?"
Facebook by Speaking Of. Lansdale posts a lot on Facebook. His topics are writing related but when does he actually write? Let alone kung the fu?
Monday, January 14, 2013
Computers, Combat, Ken, Crazies, Kennedy
Computers
Windows 8 for the Older and Wiser by Adrian Arnold and Richard Millett. Computers.
Windows 8 Bible: the comprehensive tutorial resource by Jim Boyce and Rob Tidrow. Are.
Quickbooks 2013 by Thomas Barich. Stupid.
Combat
The Generals: American military command from World War II to today by Thomas E. Ricks. Changes in command and responsibility over the past 70 years. From common firings in WWII to command whitewashing of Vietnam to command of today. Command.
Pacific Time on Target: memoirs of a Marine artillery officer, 1943-1945 by Christopher S. Donner. This is what happens when the Library Director reads catalogs from Kent State University Press.
Viper Pilot: a memoir of air combat by Dan Hampton. A review said that flying descriptions were gripping. I just noticed that the author is a Texas A&M graduate. I congratulate Hampton on exceeding his Aggie peers and learning how to read. (giggle).
- What's the best selling underarm deodorant in College Station? Raid.
- There was an Aggie who wore the same pair of socks every day. His mother finally told him to put on a new pair of socks on every day. A few days later, he couldn't put his shoes on.
- My cousin Andrew said his dorm was infested with roaches. He told me he sprayed bug killer into his clock radio and took the cover off to find a dozen or so roaches in there. That grossed out the middle-school-aged me.
Ken
Because I Said So!: the truth behind the myths, tales & warnings every generation passes down to its kids by Ken Jennings. Don't chew you ice, it's bad for your teeth. If you touch that baby bird, it's mommy will abandon it. Never run the microwave empty.
Crazies
Brooklyn Zoo: the education of a psychotherapist by Darcy Lockman. I read a promo, thenI read a review, then ordered it. Psychologist in training at a understaffed and overfilled public institution.
Kennedy
The Patriarch: the remarkable life and turbulent times of Joseph P. Kennedy by David Nasaw. BookTV coverage.
The Rest
Prescription for Herbal Healing, 2nd Edition by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. You know what the library does not have? An acronym dictionary. I much prefer that over using the stupid internet.
Tap dancing to Work: Warren Buffett on practically everything, 1966-2012 by Warren Buffett.
Windows 8 for the Older and Wiser by Adrian Arnold and Richard Millett. Computers.
Windows 8 Bible: the comprehensive tutorial resource by Jim Boyce and Rob Tidrow. Are.
Quickbooks 2013 by Thomas Barich. Stupid.
Combat
The Generals: American military command from World War II to today by Thomas E. Ricks. Changes in command and responsibility over the past 70 years. From common firings in WWII to command whitewashing of Vietnam to command of today. Command.
Pacific Time on Target: memoirs of a Marine artillery officer, 1943-1945 by Christopher S. Donner. This is what happens when the Library Director reads catalogs from Kent State University Press.
Viper Pilot: a memoir of air combat by Dan Hampton. A review said that flying descriptions were gripping. I just noticed that the author is a Texas A&M graduate. I congratulate Hampton on exceeding his Aggie peers and learning how to read. (giggle).
- What's the best selling underarm deodorant in College Station? Raid.
- There was an Aggie who wore the same pair of socks every day. His mother finally told him to put on a new pair of socks on every day. A few days later, he couldn't put his shoes on.
- My cousin Andrew said his dorm was infested with roaches. He told me he sprayed bug killer into his clock radio and took the cover off to find a dozen or so roaches in there. That grossed out the middle-school-aged me.
Ken
Because I Said So!: the truth behind the myths, tales & warnings every generation passes down to its kids by Ken Jennings. Don't chew you ice, it's bad for your teeth. If you touch that baby bird, it's mommy will abandon it. Never run the microwave empty.
Crazies
Brooklyn Zoo: the education of a psychotherapist by Darcy Lockman. I read a promo, thenI read a review, then ordered it. Psychologist in training at a understaffed and overfilled public institution.
Kennedy
The Patriarch: the remarkable life and turbulent times of Joseph P. Kennedy by David Nasaw. BookTV coverage.
The Rest
Prescription for Herbal Healing, 2nd Edition by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. You know what the library does not have? An acronym dictionary. I much prefer that over using the stupid internet.
Tap dancing to Work: Warren Buffett on practically everything, 1966-2012 by Warren Buffett.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Why Yes, I Do Agree That Robin Zander Is A Vocal Genius
Zander
Downed
Fiction
Collateral Damage by Stuart Woods. New Mexico lawyer Stone Barrington rights wrongs and circ's mightily.
The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier. The cover reminds me of Rikki Tikki Tavi.
Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton. Short stories of a private detective with a VW.
1356 by Bernard Cornwell. Cornwell continues creating corpses of killed continental creeps. [Dead French.]
Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz. Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick should use different author photos.
Downed
Fiction
Collateral Damage by Stuart Woods. New Mexico lawyer Stone Barrington rights wrongs and circ's mightily.
The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier. The cover reminds me of Rikki Tikki Tavi.
Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton. Short stories of a private detective with a VW.
1356 by Bernard Cornwell. Cornwell continues creating corpses of killed continental creeps. [Dead French.]
Dream Eyes by Jayne Ann Krentz. Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick should use different author photos.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Picture Books for Adults and Lots of Exercises
Picture Books
Bottoms Up: a toast to Wisconsin's historic bars and breweries by Jim Draeger and Mark Speltz with photographs by Mark Fay. Beer and brandy.
I heard this story by a guy who toured the winery that distills either Christian Brothers or E&J brandy. The guy telling me the story told a winery worker he was from Wisconsin. The winery worker pointed to the three loading bays serving the brandy warehouse and said, "Those are three bays serve the United States. Everything from that one (as he pointed to one of the three) ships only to Wisconsin."
Prom by Mary Ellen Mark. I read review. The review said this photography book of prom photos was interesting. It is.
Star War the Old Republic Encyclopedia: the definitive guide to the epic conflict by Ian Ryan. My house is filled with so many Star Wars LEGO sets.
Home Herbal: cook, brew and blend your own herbs edited by Susannah Steel. "Strawberry and macadamie smoothie...acts as a male reproductive tonic."
The Holmes Inspection: the essential guide for every homeowner, buyer and seller by Mike Holmes. "Everything about this little basement bathroom is wrong."
DVD
Jillian Michael's Killer Buns and Thighs with Jillian Michaels. Jillian Michaels can kill you with her thighs I guess.
Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 with Jillian Michaels. If you take 30 minutes to rip something you should just use a knife.
Jilliam Michaels Killer Abs by Jillian Michaels. Jillian Michaels's abs are on death row in Louisiana.
Ultimate Kettlebell for Beginners by Paul Katami.
Killer Joe starring Matthew McConaughey, Gina Gershon. Texas police detective is also a hired killer. He takes partial payment for a murder in the form of his client's sister.
Bottoms Up: a toast to Wisconsin's historic bars and breweries by Jim Draeger and Mark Speltz with photographs by Mark Fay. Beer and brandy.
I heard this story by a guy who toured the winery that distills either Christian Brothers or E&J brandy. The guy telling me the story told a winery worker he was from Wisconsin. The winery worker pointed to the three loading bays serving the brandy warehouse and said, "Those are three bays serve the United States. Everything from that one (as he pointed to one of the three) ships only to Wisconsin."
Prom by Mary Ellen Mark. I read review. The review said this photography book of prom photos was interesting. It is.
Star War the Old Republic Encyclopedia: the definitive guide to the epic conflict by Ian Ryan. My house is filled with so many Star Wars LEGO sets.
Home Herbal: cook, brew and blend your own herbs edited by Susannah Steel. "Strawberry and macadamie smoothie...acts as a male reproductive tonic."
The Holmes Inspection: the essential guide for every homeowner, buyer and seller by Mike Holmes. "Everything about this little basement bathroom is wrong."
DVD
Jillian Michael's Killer Buns and Thighs with Jillian Michaels. Jillian Michaels can kill you with her thighs I guess.
Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 with Jillian Michaels. If you take 30 minutes to rip something you should just use a knife.
Jilliam Michaels Killer Abs by Jillian Michaels. Jillian Michaels's abs are on death row in Louisiana.
Ultimate Kettlebell for Beginners by Paul Katami.
Killer Joe starring Matthew McConaughey, Gina Gershon. Texas police detective is also a hired killer. He takes partial payment for a murder in the form of his client's sister.
Large Print Avalanche is Imminent
Large Print
The Child's Child by Barbara Vine. AKA grandchild.
Goldberg Variations by Susan Issaacs. Glenn Gould content unknown.
After the Rain by Karen White. Your shoes may get muddy.
A Wish and a Prayer by Beverly Jenkins. AKA No planning.
Don't Say A Word by Beverly Barton. A Word.
The Rancher by Diana Palmer. And the farmer can be friends.
The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg. Vacation in Lebanon, KS.
Fox Tracks by Rita Mae Brown. From all the running.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. Lassie? Pete the Pup? Hooch?
The People of Forever Are Not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu. Of smarmy blog entries.
The Child's Child by Barbara Vine. AKA grandchild.
Goldberg Variations by Susan Issaacs. Glenn Gould content unknown.
After the Rain by Karen White. Your shoes may get muddy.
A Wish and a Prayer by Beverly Jenkins. AKA No planning.
Don't Say A Word by Beverly Barton. A Word.
The Rancher by Diana Palmer. And the farmer can be friends.
The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg. Vacation in Lebanon, KS.
Fox Tracks by Rita Mae Brown. From all the running.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. Lassie? Pete the Pup? Hooch?
The People of Forever Are Not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu. Of smarmy blog entries.
Do You Enjoy Books? How About Music?
Books You May Enjoy
Bughouse Affair by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini. Quick name some husband-wife writing teams. Muller- Pronzini! Max Allan Collins-Barbara Collins! Those are the only two I can think of.
Husband List by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly. Looks like a romance. Set in 1894. I hear Halen Van was popular that year.
Blood Money by James Grippando. Florida attorney takes murder case with massive media exposure. The accused (Casey Anthony stand-in )is assaulted upon acquittal and the same attorney is asked to look into things.
Music on CD You May Enjoy
Master Works for Strings by Douglas Lilburn. String musicians play string music. I enjoy another CD of Lilburn's work. I don't recall how I ran across the CD but here is a piece from there with photos of Middle-earth.
Bughouse Affair by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini. Quick name some husband-wife writing teams. Muller- Pronzini! Max Allan Collins-Barbara Collins! Those are the only two I can think of.
Husband List by Janet Evanovich and Dorien Kelly. Looks like a romance. Set in 1894. I hear Halen Van was popular that year.
Blood Money by James Grippando. Florida attorney takes murder case with massive media exposure. The accused (Casey Anthony stand-in )is assaulted upon acquittal and the same attorney is asked to look into things.
Music on CD You May Enjoy
Master Works for Strings by Douglas Lilburn. String musicians play string music. I enjoy another CD of Lilburn's work. I don't recall how I ran across the CD but here is a piece from there with photos of Middle-earth.
Monday, January 07, 2013
Music and Video
Melodic Noise Is Digitized and Distributed in Physical Form
The Aftermath: ascension by Coheed and Cambria. Heavy metal by heavy metal singers singing heavy metal songs. The other CD the library owns, Year of the Black Rainbow, has checked out very well. Find one of their songs by yourself.
DVD
Lawless starring Shia LeBouf, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain. How do Australians pronounce "Guy"? Bootleggers get in gunfights and talk tough.
Katy Perry: part of me by Katy Perry and [many support musicians and staff].
Company starring Stephen Colbert and [lesser lights]. Stage production of Stephen Sondheim musical.
Liberal Arts starring [actors I won't bother listing]. Plot? Watch the trailer.
Come Home to Mama by Martha Wainwright. Note to listeners: do not become pals with Martha Wainwright and anger her. Link to review. (Embedded song by Wainwright includes standard Wainwright vocabulary, so do not play where a singer singing profanity is frowned upon. I have headphones on.)
Warrior by Kei$ha. Approved by Megan Abbott. I think Abbott likes the aggressive persona. That is a guess because I do not actually know Abbott.
Yes, the actual spelling is Ke$sha. But AllMusic.com has some impressive comments: Taste never enters into Ke$ha's equation: she's gleefully vulgar embracing the magic in a dude's pants, copping a rapper's growl, tossing out profanity, encouraging the shock and awe of any listener with a lick of sense. Ke$ha may play dumb but she isn't stupid: she knows a good hook, whether it's in the rhythm, chorus, lyric, or melody, she knows how far to take it to the edge, knows how to be tacky without being gross. Here is a profane song singing duet with Iggy.
Good Kid, M.A.AD. City: a short film by Kendrick Lamar. I have no idea what this is, I ordered off a catalog listing of bestsellers. Here, lets check the YouTube...seems to be rapping. Continuing the cursing theme is a rapper singing a rap song.
Yes, the actual spelling is Ke$sha. But AllMusic.com has some impressive comments: Taste never enters into Ke$ha's equation: she's gleefully vulgar embracing the magic in a dude's pants, copping a rapper's growl, tossing out profanity, encouraging the shock and awe of any listener with a lick of sense. Ke$ha may play dumb but she isn't stupid: she knows a good hook, whether it's in the rhythm, chorus, lyric, or melody, she knows how far to take it to the edge, knows how to be tacky without being gross. Here is a profane song singing duet with Iggy.
Good Kid, M.A.AD. City: a short film by Kendrick Lamar. I have no idea what this is, I ordered off a catalog listing of bestsellers. Here, lets check the YouTube...seems to be rapping. Continuing the cursing theme is a rapper singing a rap song.
The Aftermath: ascension by Coheed and Cambria. Heavy metal by heavy metal singers singing heavy metal songs. The other CD the library owns, Year of the Black Rainbow, has checked out very well. Find one of their songs by yourself.
DVD
Lawless starring Shia LeBouf, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain. How do Australians pronounce "Guy"? Bootleggers get in gunfights and talk tough.
Katy Perry: part of me by Katy Perry and [many support musicians and staff].
Company starring Stephen Colbert and [lesser lights]. Stage production of Stephen Sondheim musical.
Liberal Arts starring [actors I won't bother listing]. Plot? Watch the trailer.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
Huh, I Was Sure That Trailer Was Correct
DVD (infected by musical interludes)
Magic Mike starring Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey. Male stripper meets girl. I think.
Core Fusion Cardio: pure intensity with [fit people in tights]. "Get sweaty and svelte as you lose weight."
Family Guy: volume ten starring [voices]. Animated comedy series.
Magic Mike starring Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey. Male stripper meets girl. I think.
Core Fusion Cardio: pure intensity with [fit people in tights]. "Get sweaty and svelte as you lose weight."
Family Guy: volume ten starring [voices]. Animated comedy series.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Zappa's Double Yoga Vaccine
DVD
Yoga Meltdown with Jillian Michaels. Exercises.
Dark Knight Rises starring Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard. Knight fight French invaders.
Darling Companion starring Sam Shepard, Diane Keaton, Ayelet Zurer. Woman becomes overly attached to a new dog and makes everyone hunt for it.
Double Hour starring [Italians]. "Do you order all these movies?" "Yes. I buy in-demand things and also order flicks you might not find elsewhere."
Melodic Noise is Digitized and Stored for Retrieval
Come of Age by The Vaccines. The Vaccines will be playing in Milwaukee in January or February and singing songs of peppy pop.
Lumpy Gravy by Frank Zappa. 1967 has returned to sing songs of weirdness.
Music By That Other Gustavus Guy
1619 Broadway by Kurt Elling. Jazz singer sings songs from the Brill Building.
Gustavus Guy
Gustavus Guy is Peter Krause.
Yoga Meltdown with Jillian Michaels. Exercises.
Dark Knight Rises starring Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard. Knight fight French invaders.
Darling Companion starring Sam Shepard, Diane Keaton, Ayelet Zurer. Woman becomes overly attached to a new dog and makes everyone hunt for it.
Double Hour starring [Italians]. "Do you order all these movies?" "Yes. I buy in-demand things and also order flicks you might not find elsewhere."
Melodic Noise is Digitized and Stored for Retrieval
Come of Age by The Vaccines. The Vaccines will be playing in Milwaukee in January or February and singing songs of peppy pop.
Lumpy Gravy by Frank Zappa. 1967 has returned to sing songs of weirdness.
Music By That Other Gustavus Guy
1619 Broadway by Kurt Elling. Jazz singer sings songs from the Brill Building.
Gustavus Guy
Gustavus Guy is Peter Krause.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
One Boyle Pitbull Goes Celebration Red
Music and Voices Upon A Playable Device
Take Me Home by One Direction. Diminutive English kids sing songs for girls.
Standing Ovation: the greatest songs from the stage by Susan Boyle. English lady sings old songs.
Global Warming by Pitbull. Guy with weird stage name sings dancey songs.
Album Title Goes Here by Deadmau5. Canadian plays songs of techno.
Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin. Wrinkled Englishmen reminisce while singing songs.
Red by Taylor Swift. American singer sings songs on Target Store commercials.
Take Me Home by One Direction. Diminutive English kids sing songs for girls.
Standing Ovation: the greatest songs from the stage by Susan Boyle. English lady sings old songs.
Global Warming by Pitbull. Guy with weird stage name sings dancey songs.
Album Title Goes Here by Deadmau5. Canadian plays songs of techno.
Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin. Wrinkled Englishmen reminisce while singing songs.
Red by Taylor Swift. American singer sings songs on Target Store commercials.
Futurimpromethe-ama
DVD
Prometheus starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbbender, Guy Pearce, Charlize Theron, CGI. Prequel to Alien CGIs a big people-eating CGI bug to scare your CGI off and sing peppy pop tunes.
Futurama: Volume 6 starring [voices of people]. Idiot falls into cryogenic chamber and wakes up in the future.
Futurama: Volume 7 starring [voices of the same people including that actress from Married with Children and Sons of Anarchy. But, I have never watched Sons of Anarchy even though that big dude, Ron Perlman, is fun to watch. Did you see Perlman in that short Punisher video that Thomas Jane produced?]
The Simpsons: the fifteenth season starring [an animated slob, an animated brat, and an animated greyhound. As if any greyhound is "animated"].
Prometheus starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbbender, Guy Pearce, Charlize Theron, CGI. Prequel to Alien CGIs a big people-eating CGI bug to scare your CGI off and sing peppy pop tunes.
Futurama: Volume 6 starring [voices of people]. Idiot falls into cryogenic chamber and wakes up in the future.
Futurama: Volume 7 starring [voices of the same people including that actress from Married with Children and Sons of Anarchy. But, I have never watched Sons of Anarchy even though that big dude, Ron Perlman, is fun to watch. Did you see Perlman in that short Punisher video that Thomas Jane produced?]
The Simpsons: the fifteenth season starring [an animated slob, an animated brat, and an animated greyhound. As if any greyhound is "animated"].
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Snow and Retirement Reception
Snow
From yesterday, December 19th.
Retirement
Public reception for Vicki York.
From yesterday, December 19th.
Retirement
Public reception for Vicki York.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Parker J. Palmer Attacks En Masse
NonFiction
In Support of the Upcoming January 22nd Book Discussion Sponsored by the Arts Alliance of Greater Lake Mills
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy one.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy two.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy three.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy four.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy five.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy six.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy seven.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy eight.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy nine.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy ten.
Parker attended Carleton College. He is now suspect. Everyone sing! Gusties will shine tonight, Gusties will shine!
Musical Notes Inlaid onto a Thin Metal Service That Can Be Scratched and Ruined
Babel by Mumford and Sons. Singers sing songs of folkeyness.
Fiction
Edgewood by Karen McQuestion. Self published sci-fi. But, McQuestion is an honest to goodness writer and had titles published by a subset of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt named Mariner.
I once read a book of Norwegian sea stories and liked it. I think this was the book.
In Support of the Upcoming January 22nd Book Discussion Sponsored by the Arts Alliance of Greater Lake Mills
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy one.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy two.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy three.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy four.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy five.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy six.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy seven.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy eight.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy nine.
Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker J. Palmer. Copy ten.
Parker attended Carleton College. He is now suspect. Everyone sing! Gusties will shine tonight, Gusties will shine!
Musical Notes Inlaid onto a Thin Metal Service That Can Be Scratched and Ruined
Babel by Mumford and Sons. Singers sing songs of folkeyness.
Fiction
Edgewood by Karen McQuestion. Self published sci-fi. But, McQuestion is an honest to goodness writer and had titles published by a subset of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt named Mariner.
I once read a book of Norwegian sea stories and liked it. I think this was the book.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
One Sound, 18 Video
Music on Flat, Circular Piece of Plastic
The Dreamer by Rhett Miller. Singer sings songs with his gold tooth mouth.
DVD
Little Rascals: the complete collection starring [kids who never got residuals]. The guy who played Spanky spoke at my college in "90 or '91. I was only able to attend his talk for about an hour and then had to leave to wash dishes in the cafeteria. I was telling everyone about hearing Spanky and my classmates and dorm mates did not know what I was talking about.
The Champaign Public Library used to loan out 8mm films and projectors. My parents would get the Our Gang features for birthday parties.
Detention starring Josh Hutcherson. High school horror comedy.
ParaNorman starring [animated people and monsters]. Boy who sees dead people has to save his town from a curse.
Expendables 2 starring [guys with muscles]. Guys with veiny muscles - Bruce Willis excluded - shoot things. I have no idea what the plot is.
Eastbound and Down: complete third season starring [chubby guy with mullet]. Baseball pitcher joins minor league team in Myrtle Beach. I went to Myrtle Beach in 1999. I did some go-kart driving and enjoyed it greatly.
Dragons: riders of the Berk starring [voices]. The case says "4 explosive episodes" so I guess this is not a feature film.
Citizen Gangster starring Scott Speedman, Brian Cox. Canadian war veteran robs banks. Hoser guy wears a toque and robs a bunch of Loonies from a Toronto bank then goes home to sit on his chesterfield.
Shape: 400 calorie fat-blast with [fit blond ladies]. Three 15-minute workouts.
Shape: make over your butt, hips and thighs with [fit blond lady and background models]. The box photos imply lots of lunges.
The Dreamer by Rhett Miller. Singer sings songs with his gold tooth mouth.
DVD
Little Rascals: the complete collection starring [kids who never got residuals]. The guy who played Spanky spoke at my college in "90 or '91. I was only able to attend his talk for about an hour and then had to leave to wash dishes in the cafeteria. I was telling everyone about hearing Spanky and my classmates and dorm mates did not know what I was talking about.
The Champaign Public Library used to loan out 8mm films and projectors. My parents would get the Our Gang features for birthday parties.
Detention starring Josh Hutcherson. High school horror comedy.
ParaNorman starring [animated people and monsters]. Boy who sees dead people has to save his town from a curse.
Expendables 2 starring [guys with muscles]. Guys with veiny muscles - Bruce Willis excluded - shoot things. I have no idea what the plot is.
Eastbound and Down: complete third season starring [chubby guy with mullet]. Baseball pitcher joins minor league team in Myrtle Beach. I went to Myrtle Beach in 1999. I did some go-kart driving and enjoyed it greatly.
Dragons: riders of the Berk starring [voices]. The case says "4 explosive episodes" so I guess this is not a feature film.
Citizen Gangster starring Scott Speedman, Brian Cox. Canadian war veteran robs banks. Hoser guy wears a toque and robs a bunch of Loonies from a Toronto bank then goes home to sit on his chesterfield.
Shape: 400 calorie fat-blast with [fit blond ladies]. Three 15-minute workouts.
Shape: make over your butt, hips and thighs with [fit blond lady and background models]. The box photos imply lots of lunges.
Monday, December 17, 2012
DVD Bonanza!
DVD Bonanza (with limited number of embedded trailers)
Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner, David Strthairn, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach, Joan Allen. Secret agent's life is threatened by the government and, according to the tv commercials, he jumps from a roof into a narrow alley.
Savages starring Blake LIvely, Salma Hayek, Benicio del Toro. Great novel. So-so movie.
Safety Not Guaranteed starring [people you don't know except for] Kristen Bell. Guy says he knows how to time travel and is looking for people to go with him.
Angry Boys starring [Australian acting different parts].
Breaking Bad: First Season starring Meth. Cancer stricken high school teacher brews meth to earn money for his family.
Breaking Bad: Second Season starring Meth and Guns. High school teacher is making much meth money and his drug business causes other trouble.
Men in Black 3 starring Josh Brolin, Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones. More franchise.
Ted starring Mila Kunis, Mark Wahlberg. Teddy bear that came to life with boyhood wish is still around and causing trouble when owner an adult.
World Without End starring Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson. 389 minutes of Ken Follett.
Girls starring Peter Scolari and Lena Dunham. Single women, just out of college, and in New York City.
Bourne Legacy starring Jeremy Renner, David Strthairn, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach, Joan Allen. Secret agent's life is threatened by the government and, according to the tv commercials, he jumps from a roof into a narrow alley.
Savages starring Blake LIvely, Salma Hayek, Benicio del Toro. Great novel. So-so movie.
Safety Not Guaranteed starring [people you don't know except for] Kristen Bell. Guy says he knows how to time travel and is looking for people to go with him.
Angry Boys starring [Australian acting different parts].
Breaking Bad: First Season starring Meth. Cancer stricken high school teacher brews meth to earn money for his family.
Breaking Bad: Second Season starring Meth and Guns. High school teacher is making much meth money and his drug business causes other trouble.
Men in Black 3 starring Josh Brolin, Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones. More franchise.
Ted starring Mila Kunis, Mark Wahlberg. Teddy bear that came to life with boyhood wish is still around and causing trouble when owner an adult.
World Without End starring Cynthia Nixon, Miranda Richardson. 389 minutes of Ken Follett.
Girls starring Peter Scolari and Lena Dunham. Single women, just out of college, and in New York City.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Snow Engagement of Ages with Musical Interlude
DVD
Rock of Ages starring Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Paul Giamatti. Musical with '80s rock music. I heard someone this past weekend pan the movie but rave about the stage production. Judge the flick for yourself.
Five-Year Engagement starring [that schlubby guy] and Emily Blunt. What's the deal with Emily Blunt? Was she in some big name TV show or movie? I see her name around but have no idea why. Comedy movie that, I presume, deals with a couple taking forever to get married.
Snow White and the Huntsman starring CGI Software, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth. Queen wants to CGI Snow White and sends the Huntsman to CGI his way into the CGI woods to CGI Kristen Stewart who was CGI'd into showing CGI emotions.
Musical Interlude
Joan Armatrading. I listened to a BBC Radio documentary about producer George Martin who praised Armatrading for her skill and talent.
Rock of Ages starring Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Paul Giamatti. Musical with '80s rock music. I heard someone this past weekend pan the movie but rave about the stage production. Judge the flick for yourself.
Five-Year Engagement starring [that schlubby guy] and Emily Blunt. What's the deal with Emily Blunt? Was she in some big name TV show or movie? I see her name around but have no idea why. Comedy movie that, I presume, deals with a couple taking forever to get married.
Snow White and the Huntsman starring CGI Software, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth. Queen wants to CGI Snow White and sends the Huntsman to CGI his way into the CGI woods to CGI Kristen Stewart who was CGI'd into showing CGI emotions.
Musical Interlude
Joan Armatrading. I listened to a BBC Radio documentary about producer George Martin who praised Armatrading for her skill and talent.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Ruckatham
Fiction
Alpha by Greg Rucka. Comic writing novelist Rucka pens another action novel. Delta Force dude sent to fictionalized Disney World in anticipation of 9/11 style terrorist plot. Disney World? Action scenes? Sounds like Victor Gischler's forthcoming Go-go Girls of the Apocalypse sequel.
Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham. Robotham writes good thrillers. Bio says he lives in Sydney, Australia. Australia is on the other side of the world. You know the place, right? They have all the kangaroos and crocodiles and The Lord Humongous?
Alpha by Greg Rucka. Comic writing novelist Rucka pens another action novel. Delta Force dude sent to fictionalized Disney World in anticipation of 9/11 style terrorist plot. Disney World? Action scenes? Sounds like Victor Gischler's forthcoming Go-go Girls of the Apocalypse sequel.
Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham. Robotham writes good thrillers. Bio says he lives in Sydney, Australia. Australia is on the other side of the world. You know the place, right? They have all the kangaroos and crocodiles and The Lord Humongous?
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Whole Lot of Fiction
Fiction
City of the Lost by Stephen Blackmoore. "Urban fantasy" Dead guy deals with dead things. I used to read Blackmoore's blog about crime in Los Angeles. I stopped reading most blogs because it was taking too much time. Blackmoore likes Hi-Powers.
Gun Church by Reed Farrel Coleman. Kip is a former big-time author and now a low rent teacher. He saves his class from bloodshed and is courted by a cult focused on handguns. A gun cult? Sounds like some internet websites I regularly read.
Crow's Landing by Brad Smith. I read Smith's previous novel Red Means Run and it was pretty decent. Virgil Cain is fishing in the Hudson River when his anchor pulls up a steel cylinder. A crooked cop seizes the cylinder and Virgil's boat. Virgil wants his boat back and gets into drug dealing trouble when investigating.
Dangerous Inheritance: a novel of Tudor rivals and the secret of the Tower by Alison Weir. Weir? Didn't she write something popular? Maybe I'm thinking of a different Weir because I don't recognize anything off her title list.
Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams. Some angel novel with angel named Bobby worrying about the end of the world when souls start disappearing. I was just getting this confused with Johnny Angel. I didn't know Shelley Fabares sang that.
Large Print
Shiver by Karen Robards. Repo woman finds beaten guy in trunk of BMW. Guy takes woman hostage.
Poseidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler. Another Cusssler cover covered in planes and flames.
City of the Lost by Stephen Blackmoore. "Urban fantasy" Dead guy deals with dead things. I used to read Blackmoore's blog about crime in Los Angeles. I stopped reading most blogs because it was taking too much time. Blackmoore likes Hi-Powers.
Gun Church by Reed Farrel Coleman. Kip is a former big-time author and now a low rent teacher. He saves his class from bloodshed and is courted by a cult focused on handguns. A gun cult? Sounds like some internet websites I regularly read.
Crow's Landing by Brad Smith. I read Smith's previous novel Red Means Run and it was pretty decent. Virgil Cain is fishing in the Hudson River when his anchor pulls up a steel cylinder. A crooked cop seizes the cylinder and Virgil's boat. Virgil wants his boat back and gets into drug dealing trouble when investigating.
Dangerous Inheritance: a novel of Tudor rivals and the secret of the Tower by Alison Weir. Weir? Didn't she write something popular? Maybe I'm thinking of a different Weir because I don't recognize anything off her title list.
Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams. Some angel novel with angel named Bobby worrying about the end of the world when souls start disappearing. I was just getting this confused with Johnny Angel. I didn't know Shelley Fabares sang that.
Large Print
Shiver by Karen Robards. Repo woman finds beaten guy in trunk of BMW. Guy takes woman hostage.
Poseidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler. Another Cusssler cover covered in planes and flames.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Large Print? We ain't got no Large Print. We don't need no stinking Large Print!
Large Print With Badges
You Are the Love of My Life by Susan Richards Shreve. Hola, Senor.
The Last Man by Vince Flynn. We are the Federales.
Gone by Randy Wayne White. You know?
The 100-year-old-man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. The mounted police.
Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James. If you're the police where are your badges?
An Outlaw's Christmas by Linda Lael Miller. Badges? We ain't got no badges.
An Amish Gift by Cynthia Keller. We don't need no badges.
Christmas in Cornwall by Marcia Willett. I don't have to show you any stinking badges!
A Season of Angels by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. Better not come any closer!
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. We didn't try to do you any harm.Why don't you try to be a little more polite?
You Are the Love of My Life by Susan Richards Shreve. Hola, Senor.
The Last Man by Vince Flynn. We are the Federales.
Gone by Randy Wayne White. You know?
The 100-year-old-man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. The mounted police.
Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James. If you're the police where are your badges?
An Outlaw's Christmas by Linda Lael Miller. Badges? We ain't got no badges.
An Amish Gift by Cynthia Keller. We don't need no badges.
Christmas in Cornwall by Marcia Willett. I don't have to show you any stinking badges!
A Season of Angels by Thomas Kinkade and Katherine Spencer. Better not come any closer!
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. We didn't try to do you any harm.Why don't you try to be a little more polite?
Friday, December 07, 2012
Spider-Man's Guide to Parenting
DVD
The Amazing Spider-Man starring GuyPretendingtoBeTeenager and Denis Leary. Peter meets his missing father's former partner and things happen.
NonFiction
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: how to stop yelling and start connecting by Dr. Laura Markham. "When you and your child ate stuck in negativity" Yep, that happens sometimes.
The Amazing Spider-Man starring GuyPretendingtoBeTeenager and Denis Leary. Peter meets his missing father's former partner and things happen.
NonFiction
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: how to stop yelling and start connecting by Dr. Laura Markham. "When you and your child ate stuck in negativity" Yep, that happens sometimes.
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Another Anthropomorphic Fox
Fiction
[Book with anthropomorphic fox on cover] by Rita Mae Brown.
The Forgotten by David Baldacci. Dalbacci took his author photo at 11:26. I was thinking Baldacci was the guy who spoke at the Fort Atkinson library last year. It was James Grippando who spoke, I looked it up. The story I heard is that Grippando showed up because his sister lives in Fort and forced him to speak since he was in town for his niece's graduation.
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. I do not know what time it was when Evanovich took her photo because he watch is turned to the side. Evanovich and another author dude, Lee Goldberg, have been collaborated on a novel. Goldberg does good stuff but I've only read one Evanovich novel.
Audiobook on CD
The Black Box by Michael Connelly. I watched a DVD extra for The Lincoln Lawyer where a cameraman drove around Los Angeles and Connelly pointed out different locations and his own favorite spots. Connelly lived in the apartment where Philip Marlowe lived in The High Window.
[Book with anthropomorphic fox on cover] by Rita Mae Brown.
The Forgotten by David Baldacci. Dalbacci took his author photo at 11:26. I was thinking Baldacci was the guy who spoke at the Fort Atkinson library last year. It was James Grippando who spoke, I looked it up. The story I heard is that Grippando showed up because his sister lives in Fort and forced him to speak since he was in town for his niece's graduation.
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. I do not know what time it was when Evanovich took her photo because he watch is turned to the side. Evanovich and another author dude, Lee Goldberg, have been collaborated on a novel. Goldberg does good stuff but I've only read one Evanovich novel.
Audiobook on CD
The Black Box by Michael Connelly. I watched a DVD extra for The Lincoln Lawyer where a cameraman drove around Los Angeles and Connelly pointed out different locations and his own favorite spots. Connelly lived in the apartment where Philip Marlowe lived in The High Window.
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
1731 Minutes of Sex, Violence, Horses, CIA Agents, and Laughs
Audiobooks
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. 5 CD at 6' 04". Stephanie Plum does something new and my wife is sure to read it.
Last Man by Vince Flynn. 10 CDs at 11'00". Super good guy Mitch Rapp does derring do.
Running Wild by Linda Howard and Linda Jones. 10 CDs at 11'47". A cowboy stands around with his hand son his belt buckle, his unbuttoned shirt wide open and falling from his shoulders, and his face hidden beneath his hat brim.
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich. 5 CD at 6' 04". Stephanie Plum does something new and my wife is sure to read it.
Last Man by Vince Flynn. 10 CDs at 11'00". Super good guy Mitch Rapp does derring do.
Running Wild by Linda Howard and Linda Jones. 10 CDs at 11'47". A cowboy stands around with his hand son his belt buckle, his unbuttoned shirt wide open and falling from his shoulders, and his face hidden beneath his hat brim.
Monday, December 03, 2012
Seven Books with Twelve Total Title Words
Fiction
Cold Days by Jim Butcher. I got my feet underneath me, seized a computer chair by its back, and lifted it.
Private London by James Patterson Manufacturing Industries and Mark Pearson. "You turning philosophical on me?"
Black Box by Michael Connelly. "I told you all to get!" Briscoe called from behind her security gate.
Shiver by Karen Robards. She glared at him.
Shadow Creek by Joy Fielding. Shit, Jennifer thought, hearing Brianne and James return to their tent and thinking she should probably go out there and apologize to James again.
Nano by Robin Cook. "Hey, Eric, they're on the move."
Threat Vector by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney. Chavez and Biery left through the garage door without another word.
Cold Days by Jim Butcher. I got my feet underneath me, seized a computer chair by its back, and lifted it.
Private London by James Patterson Manufacturing Industries and Mark Pearson. "You turning philosophical on me?"
Black Box by Michael Connelly. "I told you all to get!" Briscoe called from behind her security gate.
Shiver by Karen Robards. She glared at him.
Shadow Creek by Joy Fielding. Shit, Jennifer thought, hearing Brianne and James return to their tent and thinking she should probably go out there and apologize to James again.
Nano by Robin Cook. "Hey, Eric, they're on the move."
Threat Vector by Tom Clancy with Mark Greaney. Chavez and Biery left through the garage door without another word.
Monday, November 26, 2012
One Thing
Fiction
Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton. The queen of vampire sex novels publishes this short story collection. Random paragraph: Gannon the Sorcerer was tall, as tall as Sidra. His hair was yellow, his eyes the fresh blue of spring skies. But his face was set in cynical lines, as if he had seen too much of the world, and it all disappointed him. Today his eyes held anger and sorrow.
EDIT: Dang! This books is not new, it is from 2006! The spine label was replaced and I thought the book was new.
Extra Bonus Content!
Batman!
Strange Candy by Laurell K. Hamilton. The queen of vampire sex novels publishes this short story collection. Random paragraph: Gannon the Sorcerer was tall, as tall as Sidra. His hair was yellow, his eyes the fresh blue of spring skies. But his face was set in cynical lines, as if he had seen too much of the world, and it all disappointed him. Today his eyes held anger and sorrow.
EDIT: Dang! This books is not new, it is from 2006! The spine label was replaced and I thought the book was new.
Extra Bonus Content!
Batman!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Driven Generals Pushed Too Far Navigating Driven Hope
Fiction
Pushed Too Far by Ann Voss Peterson. Police Chief Valerie Ryker solved a vicious murder case with the body burned to ash. The killer sits in prison. Now the original victim's body is found frozen in a lake and the killer is about to be freed.
The Colt revolver on the cover is a mirror image. The cylinder release is shown on the right hand side of the frame.
Large Print
Perfect Hope by Nore Roberts. "Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out."
Audiobooks on CD
Driven by James Sallis. 3 CDs at 3.5 hours. Driver escaped the mob in Drive and is living peacefully in Phoenix with his wife. Driver's wife is killed in a street attack and Driver knows the same people are still after him.
The Generals: American military command from World War II to today by Thomas E. Ricks. 14 CDs at 16 hours. I read a commentary piece this morning that ripped on Petraeus. Not because Petraeus had an affair but because he was a publicist's success and not a military success.
Super Brain: unleashing the explosive power of your mind to maximize health, happiness, and spiritual well being 9 CDs at 11.5 hours by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi. Long Titles: how to expand and exaggerate your claims with an overlong subtitle that never seems to end.
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. 4 CDs at 4 hours. Mitch Albom just bought an island somewhere.
NonFiction
Navigating Autism: the essential how-to by parents for parents by Melissa Martinez Areffi and Andrew Areffi. What kind of name is "Areffi"? Seriously, what is the etymology because I have no idea. I'm thinking something Southeastern Europe. Or Arabic. Persian? Basque? I'm clueless on this one.
Pushed Too Far by Ann Voss Peterson. Police Chief Valerie Ryker solved a vicious murder case with the body burned to ash. The killer sits in prison. Now the original victim's body is found frozen in a lake and the killer is about to be freed.
The Colt revolver on the cover is a mirror image. The cylinder release is shown on the right hand side of the frame.
Large Print
Perfect Hope by Nore Roberts. "Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out."
Audiobooks on CD
Driven by James Sallis. 3 CDs at 3.5 hours. Driver escaped the mob in Drive and is living peacefully in Phoenix with his wife. Driver's wife is killed in a street attack and Driver knows the same people are still after him.
The Generals: American military command from World War II to today by Thomas E. Ricks. 14 CDs at 16 hours. I read a commentary piece this morning that ripped on Petraeus. Not because Petraeus had an affair but because he was a publicist's success and not a military success.
Super Brain: unleashing the explosive power of your mind to maximize health, happiness, and spiritual well being 9 CDs at 11.5 hours by Deepak Chopra and Rudolph E. Tanzi. Long Titles: how to expand and exaggerate your claims with an overlong subtitle that never seems to end.
The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom. 4 CDs at 4 hours. Mitch Albom just bought an island somewhere.
NonFiction
Navigating Autism: the essential how-to by parents for parents by Melissa Martinez Areffi and Andrew Areffi. What kind of name is "Areffi"? Seriously, what is the etymology because I have no idea. I'm thinking something Southeastern Europe. Or Arabic. Persian? Basque? I'm clueless on this one.
Special Goldberg Edition, courtesy of Bill Crider
Fiction
The Dead Man: Volume One: Face of Evil [Goldberg and Rabkin]: Ring of Knives [James Daniels] : Hell in Heaven [Goldberg and Rabkin] by Lee Goldberg, et al. Goldberg and William Rabkin started this series of adventures novellas as eBooks. Amazon is printing the the eBooks with three stories per volume. A fun series with action, suspense, humor, so forth, so on.
Goldberg and Rabkin have been hiring new writers for each entry in the series. There have been some very fine ones chosen including James Reasoner, Bill Crider, Anthony Neil Smith, and Christa Faust. A fun series.
Lumberjack Matthew Cahill was buried in an avalanche. Cahill was dug up in spring, thawed back in the morgue, and came back to life. Cahill is hunting down a spirit/ghost/demon/something he calls Mr. Dark. Mr. Dark infects people with evil and only Cahill can see the rotting flesh of the infected.
The Dead Man: Volume 2: The Dead Woman [David McAfee] : The Blood Mesa [James Reasoner] : Kill Them All [Harry Shannon] by Lee Goldberg, et al. Cahill continues to travel the U.S. searching for Mr. Dark and fighting evil.
The Dead Man: Volume 3: The Beast Within [ James Daniels] : Fire and Ice [Jude Hardin]: Carnival of Death [Bill Crider] by Lee Goldberg, et al. Cahill kills evil people. Cahill meets chicks. Crider writes about gators. I liked Fire and Ice but I have not yet looked for more Hardin books.
NonFiction
Active Senior Living: a fictionalized memoir by Jan Curran [Goldberg's mother]. Humorous tales of living in an assisted living facility. Curran was a newspaperwoman in Southern California.
The Dead Man: Volume One: Face of Evil [Goldberg and Rabkin]: Ring of Knives [James Daniels] : Hell in Heaven [Goldberg and Rabkin] by Lee Goldberg, et al. Goldberg and William Rabkin started this series of adventures novellas as eBooks. Amazon is printing the the eBooks with three stories per volume. A fun series with action, suspense, humor, so forth, so on.
Goldberg and Rabkin have been hiring new writers for each entry in the series. There have been some very fine ones chosen including James Reasoner, Bill Crider, Anthony Neil Smith, and Christa Faust. A fun series.
Lumberjack Matthew Cahill was buried in an avalanche. Cahill was dug up in spring, thawed back in the morgue, and came back to life. Cahill is hunting down a spirit/ghost/demon/something he calls Mr. Dark. Mr. Dark infects people with evil and only Cahill can see the rotting flesh of the infected.
The Dead Man: Volume 2: The Dead Woman [David McAfee] : The Blood Mesa [James Reasoner] : Kill Them All [Harry Shannon] by Lee Goldberg, et al. Cahill continues to travel the U.S. searching for Mr. Dark and fighting evil.
The Dead Man: Volume 3: The Beast Within [ James Daniels] : Fire and Ice [Jude Hardin]: Carnival of Death [Bill Crider] by Lee Goldberg, et al. Cahill kills evil people. Cahill meets chicks. Crider writes about gators. I liked Fire and Ice but I have not yet looked for more Hardin books.
NonFiction
Active Senior Living: a fictionalized memoir by Jan Curran [Goldberg's mother]. Humorous tales of living in an assisted living facility. Curran was a newspaperwoman in Southern California.
Friday, November 16, 2012
That British Show That Was on MTV A Couple Times
DVD
The Comic Strip Presents starring [Limeys]. Several episodes of this funny show played on MTV in later '80s (or so). For years after I would check TV listings for Comic Strip. Whenever Comic Strip was listed I'd tune in and, sure enough, it was some stupid show with stand-up comics.
Each episode was a half-hour parody and, hopefully, they hold up after 30 years. This one is very 1980s. Lemmy of Motorhead appears at 1:01.
Cabin in the Woods starring [people I never heard of, again]. Summer campout turns deadly.
The Comic Strip Presents starring [Limeys]. Several episodes of this funny show played on MTV in later '80s (or so). For years after I would check TV listings for Comic Strip. Whenever Comic Strip was listed I'd tune in and, sure enough, it was some stupid show with stand-up comics.
Each episode was a half-hour parody and, hopefully, they hold up after 30 years. This one is very 1980s. Lemmy of Motorhead appears at 1:01.
Cabin in the Woods starring [people I never heard of, again]. Summer campout turns deadly.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Large Print Monster Will Crush You To Death
Large Print
Killing Kennedy: the end of Camelot by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. The Large Print Monster teeters above you.
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. The stacks of books seem to reach into space.
A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans. A sudden gust of wind sways the stack sideways.
Last Man by Vince Flynn. At first, just a few copies at the top curl downward.
Sleep No More by Iris Johansen. Suddenly the whole stack starts to peel off as in a simile I cannot think of.
The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury. You fall to your knees, vainly covering your head from the tons of paper cascading down.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett. "No! No! Why did you let this happen?!" you scream to the Library Director.
Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell. "Stop exaggerating," says the Library Director, "I'm weeding the old stuff and we can do a better shift after the renovation."
EDIT: I just noticed two of the titles listed above are regular print. Oh, well. My observation stands.
Killing Kennedy: the end of Camelot by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. The Large Print Monster teeters above you.
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. The stacks of books seem to reach into space.
A Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans. A sudden gust of wind sways the stack sideways.
Last Man by Vince Flynn. At first, just a few copies at the top curl downward.
Sleep No More by Iris Johansen. Suddenly the whole stack starts to peel off as in a simile I cannot think of.
The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury. You fall to your knees, vainly covering your head from the tons of paper cascading down.
Dodger by Terry Pratchett. "No! No! Why did you let this happen?!" you scream to the Library Director.
Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell. "Stop exaggerating," says the Library Director, "I'm weeding the old stuff and we can do a better shift after the renovation."
EDIT: I just noticed two of the titles listed above are regular print. Oh, well. My observation stands.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Select Quotes
Fiction
Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson. Damon stood...beating a hooker...with a partner. ... "Court is now in session!" ..."Nobody better have touched those eggs!"
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan. I was naked ... and ... been typing for forty minutes. ...One hundred and thirty-six pages...had...a...talking-ape.
NonFiction
The Chronicle of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellows, et al. His uniform...excited...the Electric Hotpoint Toaster. There were some perks to this role...as a happy-go-lucky...horse.
Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson. Damon stood...beating a hooker...with a partner. ... "Court is now in session!" ..."Nobody better have touched those eggs!"
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan. I was naked ... and ... been typing for forty minutes. ...One hundred and thirty-six pages...had...a...talking-ape.
NonFiction
The Chronicle of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellows, et al. His uniform...excited...the Electric Hotpoint Toaster. There were some perks to this role...as a happy-go-lucky...horse.
Friday, November 09, 2012
No More Room in Large Print
Large Print
Finding Casey by Jo-Ann Mapson.
Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio.
Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.
Hostage by Elie Wiesel.
Mad River by John Sandford.
How I Came to Sparkle Again by Kaya McLaren. What?
Something Old, Something New by Beverly Jenkins.
Into the Kingdom of Men by Kim Barnes.
Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen.
You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson. Then I won't read it to find out.
NonFiction
My Bad Parent by Troy Osinoff. Snapshot photographs of kids with humorous commentary. [I think very few comments were funny.]
Finding Casey by Jo-Ann Mapson.
Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio.
Secret Keeper by Kate Morton.
Hostage by Elie Wiesel.
Mad River by John Sandford.
How I Came to Sparkle Again by Kaya McLaren. What?
Something Old, Something New by Beverly Jenkins.
Into the Kingdom of Men by Kim Barnes.
Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen.
You Don't Want to Know by Lisa Jackson. Then I won't read it to find out.
NonFiction
My Bad Parent by Troy Osinoff. Snapshot photographs of kids with humorous commentary. [I think very few comments were funny.]
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Looking for Arrow Sacks
Fiction
Looking for Yesterday by Marcia Muller. Caro Warrick was acquitted of murder but still slandered by the trial. She hires Sharon McCone to investigate and find the real killer.
Poseidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler. A flying plane. Explosions. Lots of flame. A burning yacht. Machine guns on the flying plane.
NonFiction
Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks. Flyleaf says: Hallucinations don't belong wholly wholly to the insane. Much more commonly, they are linked to sensory deprivation, intoxication, illness, or injury. People with migraines may see shimmering arcs of light or tiny, Lilliputian figures of animals and people. People with failing eyesight, paradoxically, may become immersed in a hallucinatory visual world.
Looking for Yesterday by Marcia Muller. Caro Warrick was acquitted of murder but still slandered by the trial. She hires Sharon McCone to investigate and find the real killer.
Poseidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler. A flying plane. Explosions. Lots of flame. A burning yacht. Machine guns on the flying plane.
NonFiction
Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks. Flyleaf says: Hallucinations don't belong wholly wholly to the insane. Much more commonly, they are linked to sensory deprivation, intoxication, illness, or injury. People with migraines may see shimmering arcs of light or tiny, Lilliputian figures of animals and people. People with failing eyesight, paradoxically, may become immersed in a hallucinatory visual world.
Monday, November 05, 2012
New Books, Interior Renovation Notes, Hives
Fiction
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves. Measure out space at circ' desk for phase one - bins and holds.
Vacations From Hell by Libba Bray, et al. Mark closed dates on online calendar and SIRSI calendar and newspaper announcement.
NonFiction
Photograph Your Kids Like a Pro by Heather Mosher. Mark magazines as storage or mask in catalog.
New Dimension in Bead and Wire Jewelry by Margot Potter. Furniture to dispose has to be gone by January 14th.
Audiobooks on CD
Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. Remove end of circ desk (last week of December?).
The Hives
"Dr. Matt Destruction seems a little down."
"Yeah. Hey, I know! Let's give him a bass solo."
Floor planning for Phase Two.
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves. Measure out space at circ' desk for phase one - bins and holds.
Vacations From Hell by Libba Bray, et al. Mark closed dates on online calendar and SIRSI calendar and newspaper announcement.
NonFiction
Photograph Your Kids Like a Pro by Heather Mosher. Mark magazines as storage or mask in catalog.
New Dimension in Bead and Wire Jewelry by Margot Potter. Furniture to dispose has to be gone by January 14th.
Audiobooks on CD
Killing Kennedy by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. Remove end of circ desk (last week of December?).
The Hives
"Dr. Matt Destruction seems a little down."
"Yeah. Hey, I know! Let's give him a bass solo."
Floor planning for Phase Two.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Things
Fiction Things
Old Gray Wolf by James D. Ross. Trouble and violence.
Sins of the Mother by Danielle Steel. Trouble and family.
Sanctuary by Ted Dekker. Trouble and prison.
Astray by Emma Donoghue. Trouble and an elephant.
Giving Quit by Jennifer Chiaverini. Trouble and stitching.
Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans. Trouble and Christmas.
Christmas Garland by Anne Perry. Trouble and "exotic India".
Audiobooks on CD Things
Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. Trouble and 18 hours.
The Twelve by Justin Cronin. Trouble and 26.5 hours.
The Racketeer by John Grisham. Trouble and 12.75 hours.
NonFiction Thing
Heavy Hitter Sales Linguistics by Steve W. Martin. Trouble and "recognizing the customer placebo" trouble.
Old Gray Wolf by James D. Ross. Trouble and violence.
Sins of the Mother by Danielle Steel. Trouble and family.
Sanctuary by Ted Dekker. Trouble and prison.
Astray by Emma Donoghue. Trouble and an elephant.
Giving Quit by Jennifer Chiaverini. Trouble and stitching.
Winter Dream by Richard Paul Evans. Trouble and Christmas.
Christmas Garland by Anne Perry. Trouble and "exotic India".
Audiobooks on CD Things
Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. Trouble and 18 hours.
The Twelve by Justin Cronin. Trouble and 26.5 hours.
The Racketeer by John Grisham. Trouble and 12.75 hours.
NonFiction Thing
Heavy Hitter Sales Linguistics by Steve W. Martin. Trouble and "recognizing the customer placebo" trouble.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Canadians, Crows, and Cooder
Musical notes and singing digitized and phyiscally embedded onto a shiny surface for playback.
Carry Me Back by Old Crow Medicine Show. Allmusic.com reviewer says: It isn't easy straddling two different centuries with one's sound and style, but Old Crow Medicine Show pull it off once again on their fourth studio album, the Ted Hutt-produced Carry Me Back, a ragged, breakneck romp that crackles with more energy than a thrash band on Red Bull.
Antennas to Hell by Slipknot. I thought "attennas" had an extra "e" in it. Metal guys play metal music. Booklet has blood and guts imagery.
Spark Seeker by Matisyahu. Reggae rapper from New York.
Election Special by Ry Cooder. Cooder complains on politics.
Audiobook on CD
Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny. 11 CDs at 13.5 hours. Quebec cop Inspector Gamache investigate a murdered monk.
DVD
Headshot starring [Thais and guns]. Policeman is blackmailed and "becomes disillusioned by the state of human nature", starts killing people for pay, shaves his head, sees things upside-down.
Le Havre starring [French]. Shoe shiner in Le Havre takes in a stowaway boy who stranded in the port town.
Moonrise Kingdom starring Bill Murray. Two 12-year-olds run away for the summer. Adults look.
Walking Dead: the complete second season starring [actors]. Zombies walk around and eat people. Non-zombies try to escape.
Carry Me Back by Old Crow Medicine Show. Allmusic.com reviewer says: It isn't easy straddling two different centuries with one's sound and style, but Old Crow Medicine Show pull it off once again on their fourth studio album, the Ted Hutt-produced Carry Me Back, a ragged, breakneck romp that crackles with more energy than a thrash band on Red Bull.
Antennas to Hell by Slipknot. I thought "attennas" had an extra "e" in it. Metal guys play metal music. Booklet has blood and guts imagery.
Spark Seeker by Matisyahu. Reggae rapper from New York.
Election Special by Ry Cooder. Cooder complains on politics.
Audiobook on CD
Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny. 11 CDs at 13.5 hours. Quebec cop Inspector Gamache investigate a murdered monk.
DVD
Headshot starring [Thais and guns]. Policeman is blackmailed and "becomes disillusioned by the state of human nature", starts killing people for pay, shaves his head, sees things upside-down.
Le Havre starring [French]. Shoe shiner in Le Havre takes in a stowaway boy who stranded in the port town.
Moonrise Kingdom starring Bill Murray. Two 12-year-olds run away for the summer. Adults look.
Walking Dead: the complete second season starring [actors]. Zombies walk around and eat people. Non-zombies try to escape.
Big News and Small News
Big News
Fundraising goal achieved. We will soon request bids for general contracting.
Small News
I got rid of my cardboard coffee cup sleeves.
Fundraising goal achieved. We will soon request bids for general contracting.
Small News
I got rid of my cardboard coffee cup sleeves.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Witches Night Out 2012
Witches Night Out 2012
Why was this one week before Halloween? I have no idea.
Why was this one week before Halloween? I have no idea.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Onion Book of Blood
NonFiction
Onion Book of Knowledge: 183rd Imperial Edition edited by Joe Randazzo. Shipped without a paper cover and embossed in gold colored ink to make it look fancy. Hard Hat, protective metal or plastic helmet worn by construction workers and the pussy architects who sometimes stop by for a peek.
Fiction
Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber. I'm thinking this is a Christmas themed novel. No trees on the cover but lots of shiny lights and red color.
The Racketeer by John Grisham. What do you care about the plot? You'll read it anyway.
Uncommon Appeal of Clouds by Alexander McCall Smith. Mma Ramotswe visits England to speak with Isabel Dalhousie about why Library Director, Gerard Saylor, has never read any of these Smith books.
Back to Blood by Tom Wolfe. Yes, Tom Wolfe is still alive. Yes, Tom Wolfe is still writing books. Yes, Tom Wolfe is still dressing like a frippery ponce.
Onion Book of Knowledge: 183rd Imperial Edition edited by Joe Randazzo. Shipped without a paper cover and embossed in gold colored ink to make it look fancy. Hard Hat, protective metal or plastic helmet worn by construction workers and the pussy architects who sometimes stop by for a peek.
Fiction
Angels at the Table by Debbie Macomber. I'm thinking this is a Christmas themed novel. No trees on the cover but lots of shiny lights and red color.
The Racketeer by John Grisham. What do you care about the plot? You'll read it anyway.
Uncommon Appeal of Clouds by Alexander McCall Smith. Mma Ramotswe visits England to speak with Isabel Dalhousie about why Library Director, Gerard Saylor, has never read any of these Smith books.
Back to Blood by Tom Wolfe. Yes, Tom Wolfe is still alive. Yes, Tom Wolfe is still writing books. Yes, Tom Wolfe is still dressing like a frippery ponce.
Friday, October 19, 2012
More
More AudioBooks
Winter of the World by Ken Follett. 25 CDs at 31.75 hours. Interview with Follett from BookTV.
Hexed by Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James, Jeanne C. Stein. "Four all new stories of magic and mayhem" by four authors with oddly spelled first names.
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin. 12 CDs at 14.5 hours. Old bachelor helps out pregnant teen girls.
Into the Woods by Kim Harrison. 16 CDs at 20 hours. Scary stories.
Bailout: an inside account of how Washington abandoned Main Street while rescuing Wall Street by Neil Barofsky. 8 CDs at 9.5 hours. More scary stories.
More Books
Double Vision by F.T. Bradley. Troublemaker kid Linc is a ringer for a kid super agent. Linc gets hired. Book bio says Bradley is from the Netherlands. That means she wears wooden shoes, hates Germans, and panics when hearing water leaks.
The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell. Bones. Dead people. Bad guys.
Winter of the World by Ken Follett. 25 CDs at 31.75 hours. Interview with Follett from BookTV.
Hexed by Ilona Andrews, Yasmine Galenorn, Allyson James, Jeanne C. Stein. "Four all new stories of magic and mayhem" by four authors with oddly spelled first names.
The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin. 12 CDs at 14.5 hours. Old bachelor helps out pregnant teen girls.
Into the Woods by Kim Harrison. 16 CDs at 20 hours. Scary stories.
Bailout: an inside account of how Washington abandoned Main Street while rescuing Wall Street by Neil Barofsky. 8 CDs at 9.5 hours. More scary stories.
More Books
Double Vision by F.T. Bradley. Troublemaker kid Linc is a ringer for a kid super agent. Linc gets hired. Book bio says Bradley is from the Netherlands. That means she wears wooden shoes, hates Germans, and panics when hearing water leaks.
The Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell. Bones. Dead people. Bad guys.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
3 Print 3 Plastic
Print
Into the Woods by Kim Harrison. Short story collection of fantasy tales set in the woods. Harrison has long red hair.
The Twelve by Justin Cronin. Apocalyptic zombies. Cronin taught at Rice. That means he is a nerd. We were going to go by Rice during our family trip to Houston but since my father, the only Rice alumnus in the group, was not there we skipped it. I was happy to go and visit the cheap bar there.
Sleep No More by Iris Johansen. Series character Eve Duncan experiences thrills and chills. Johansen was born in 1938. Her son has an Edgar nomination. The Edgar Award is a big deal.
Plastic
Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell. 10 CDs at 13 hours. Scarpetta researches missing paleontologist.
Tales From the Fire Zone by Jonathan Maberry. 3 CDs at 3 hours. Zombie tales from zombie man.
Fatal Dive: solving the World War II mystery of the USS Grunion by Peter F. Stevens. 6 CDs at 7 hours. Submarine Grunion sunk in 1942 with 70 crew aboard. Found in 2006. What caused the sinking?
Into the Woods by Kim Harrison. Short story collection of fantasy tales set in the woods. Harrison has long red hair.
The Twelve by Justin Cronin. Apocalyptic zombies. Cronin taught at Rice. That means he is a nerd. We were going to go by Rice during our family trip to Houston but since my father, the only Rice alumnus in the group, was not there we skipped it. I was happy to go and visit the cheap bar there.
Sleep No More by Iris Johansen. Series character Eve Duncan experiences thrills and chills. Johansen was born in 1938. Her son has an Edgar nomination. The Edgar Award is a big deal.
Plastic
Bone Bed by Patricia Cornwell. 10 CDs at 13 hours. Scarpetta researches missing paleontologist.
Tales From the Fire Zone by Jonathan Maberry. 3 CDs at 3 hours. Zombie tales from zombie man.
Fatal Dive: solving the World War II mystery of the USS Grunion by Peter F. Stevens. 6 CDs at 7 hours. Submarine Grunion sunk in 1942 with 70 crew aboard. Found in 2006. What caused the sinking?
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Romans and a Comic with Mixed Reviews
NonFiction
The Guy Under the Sheets: the unauthorized biography by Chris Elliott. Since no one else was writing an unauthorized biography of Chris Elliott he did so himself. Mixed reviews but second one is entertaining.
Booklist's David Pitt wrote: This hugely entertaining pack of lies reads like a Woody Allen essay from the New Yorker, but, buried among the silliness, there is a nugget or two of legitimate autobiography. Wildly weird and hugely entertaining.
Library Journal's Barry X. Miller wrote: a clunker...readers...will come away disappointed...ridiculous parody, jokes that go over like a lead balloon, and hyperbole of migrain-inducing dimensions. There is no narrative through-line, and everything, including all semblance of a coherent story or point of interest, is sacrificed on the altar of cheap laughs. VERDICT: Not funny! Recommended only for the hardest of the hardcore Chris Elliott fanboys.
Fiction
Centurion by Simon Scarrow. Adventure novel of the Roman Legions. A fun series featuring centurions Macro and Cato. Similar read to Bernard Cornwell.
The Guy Under the Sheets: the unauthorized biography by Chris Elliott. Since no one else was writing an unauthorized biography of Chris Elliott he did so himself. Mixed reviews but second one is entertaining.
Booklist's David Pitt wrote: This hugely entertaining pack of lies reads like a Woody Allen essay from the New Yorker, but, buried among the silliness, there is a nugget or two of legitimate autobiography. Wildly weird and hugely entertaining.
Library Journal's Barry X. Miller wrote: a clunker...readers...will come away disappointed...ridiculous parody, jokes that go over like a lead balloon, and hyperbole of migrain-inducing dimensions. There is no narrative through-line, and everything, including all semblance of a coherent story or point of interest, is sacrificed on the altar of cheap laughs. VERDICT: Not funny! Recommended only for the hardest of the hardcore Chris Elliott fanboys.
Fiction
Centurion by Simon Scarrow. Adventure novel of the Roman Legions. A fun series featuring centurions Macro and Cato. Similar read to Bernard Cornwell.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Bloodline Delusion From The Shoe Hive
NonFiction
The Shoe: best foot forward by Tamsin Blanchard. Because women like shoes. Hopefully they will like this book even though the plastic cover has a bunch of dang air bubbles in it.
A Family's Guide to Tourette Syndrome edited by John T. Walkup, MD, et al. This has air bubbles all over it, too.
Comic Book Novel
The Hive by Charles Burns. Not covered in air bubbles. Not to be confused with The Hives.
Large Print
Dick Francis's Bloodline by Felix Francis. Horses. Murder. Thrills
Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb. Does Nora Roberts use a ghost writer or does she write really fast? I watched part of an interview with Ken Follett and he works six days a week from about 7 AM to 4 PM. Sometimes he works seven days a week. You can watch the interview here: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/308209-1.
DVD
30 Rock: season 6 starring Alec Baldwin. "She's like a little human tumbler of scotch." You can check out the DVD (for free) to watch the full episode. Or, pay two bucks for every 22 minutes of show.
The Shoe: best foot forward by Tamsin Blanchard. Because women like shoes. Hopefully they will like this book even though the plastic cover has a bunch of dang air bubbles in it.
A Family's Guide to Tourette Syndrome edited by John T. Walkup, MD, et al. This has air bubbles all over it, too.
Comic Book Novel
The Hive by Charles Burns. Not covered in air bubbles. Not to be confused with The Hives.
Large Print
Dick Francis's Bloodline by Felix Francis. Horses. Murder. Thrills
Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb. Does Nora Roberts use a ghost writer or does she write really fast? I watched part of an interview with Ken Follett and he works six days a week from about 7 AM to 4 PM. Sometimes he works seven days a week. You can watch the interview here: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/308209-1.
DVD
30 Rock: season 6 starring Alec Baldwin. "She's like a little human tumbler of scotch." You can check out the DVD (for free) to watch the full episode. Or, pay two bucks for every 22 minutes of show.
Friday, October 12, 2012
95 hours
Music on Shiny Flat Disc With Centered Hole
Love at the Bottom of the Sea by The Magnetic Fields. I heard Andrew In Drag on BBC6. I then heard other songs. I then decided other people might be interested.
Audiobooks on CD
Dearie: the remarkable life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz. 20 CDs at 25'29". "It's rare for someone to emerge in America who can change our attitudes, our beliefs, and our very culture. It's even rarer when that someone is a middle-aged, six-foot-three-inch woman whose first exposure to an unsuspecting public is cooking an omelet on a hot plate on a local TV station."
Phantom by Jo Nesbo. 13 CDs at 16'18". Harry Hole leaves Hong Kong to return to Oslo and help his former stepson who is accused of murder.
Into the Fire by Dakota Meyer and Bing West. 5 CDs at 5'51". Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor for action in Afghanistan.
No Easy Day: the firsthand account of the mission that killed Osama Bin Laden by Mark Owen with Kevin Maurer. 6 CDs at 7'00". Doesn't the subtitle explain everything?
Joseph Anton by Salman Rushdie. 22 CDs at 26'30". Rushdie writes novel. Rushdie has Iranians trying to kill him. Rushdie uses the name Joseph Anton. Rushdie hides out for nine years. Rushdie dates good looking women.
Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams. 11 CDs at 13'03". Thriller with a killer.
Far From the Farm: stories and poems by Eunice Wagner. 1 CD at 0' 43". Humorous tales by local lady.
Love at the Bottom of the Sea by The Magnetic Fields. I heard Andrew In Drag on BBC6. I then heard other songs. I then decided other people might be interested.
Audiobooks on CD
Dearie: the remarkable life of Julia Child by Bob Spitz. 20 CDs at 25'29". "It's rare for someone to emerge in America who can change our attitudes, our beliefs, and our very culture. It's even rarer when that someone is a middle-aged, six-foot-three-inch woman whose first exposure to an unsuspecting public is cooking an omelet on a hot plate on a local TV station."
Phantom by Jo Nesbo. 13 CDs at 16'18". Harry Hole leaves Hong Kong to return to Oslo and help his former stepson who is accused of murder.
Into the Fire by Dakota Meyer and Bing West. 5 CDs at 5'51". Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor for action in Afghanistan.
No Easy Day: the firsthand account of the mission that killed Osama Bin Laden by Mark Owen with Kevin Maurer. 6 CDs at 7'00". Doesn't the subtitle explain everything?
Joseph Anton by Salman Rushdie. 22 CDs at 26'30". Rushdie writes novel. Rushdie has Iranians trying to kill him. Rushdie uses the name Joseph Anton. Rushdie hides out for nine years. Rushdie dates good looking women.
Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams. 11 CDs at 13'03". Thriller with a killer.
Far From the Farm: stories and poems by Eunice Wagner. 1 CD at 0' 43". Humorous tales by local lady.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Parenting Advice
Books on CD
You Can't Make Me [but I can be persuaded]: strategies for bringing out the best in your strong-willed child by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. 3.5 hours on 3 CDs. "Difficult to discipline and seemingly impossible to motivate, these children present unique, exhausting, and often-frustrating challenges to those who love them." Was the hyphen between often and frustrating really necessary?
You Can't Make Me [but I can be persuaded]: strategies for bringing out the best in your strong-willed child by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias. 3.5 hours on 3 CDs. "Difficult to discipline and seemingly impossible to motivate, these children present unique, exhausting, and often-frustrating challenges to those who love them." Was the hyphen between often and frustrating really necessary?
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Android Owls Unmoored by Night
Fiction
Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Goodrich Hummer. Yes, I ordered this book and I have no memory of it. I'll check the back...let' see...nope, still do not remember. Something to do with a girl named Apron.
Live By Night by Dennis Lehane. Crook joins the mob in 1920s Boston and rises through the ranks of prohibition crime.
NonFiction
Owls of the World: a photographic guide by Heimo Mikkola. Really nice photos. #114 is the Rock Eagle Owl from India. The Rock Eagle has big honking eyebrows sticking straight up.
Droid 4 for Dummies by Dan Gookin. Learn how to use that fancy-schmancy phone, Mr. Big Shot. If that phone is so fancy-schmancy why do you need a book to learn it? Huh? Shouldn't that phone be teaching you? What do you say to that Mr. Texty Bluejaw?
Girl Unmoored by Jennifer Goodrich Hummer. Yes, I ordered this book and I have no memory of it. I'll check the back...let' see...nope, still do not remember. Something to do with a girl named Apron.
Live By Night by Dennis Lehane. Crook joins the mob in 1920s Boston and rises through the ranks of prohibition crime.
NonFiction
Owls of the World: a photographic guide by Heimo Mikkola. Really nice photos. #114 is the Rock Eagle Owl from India. The Rock Eagle has big honking eyebrows sticking straight up.
Droid 4 for Dummies by Dan Gookin. Learn how to use that fancy-schmancy phone, Mr. Big Shot. If that phone is so fancy-schmancy why do you need a book to learn it? Huh? Shouldn't that phone be teaching you? What do you say to that Mr. Texty Bluejaw?
Monday, October 08, 2012
Canadian Chair Cover?
Fiction
Trinity Game by Sean Chercover. Dabiel Byrne works for the Vatican "debunking false miracle claims." Byrne is sent to the U.S. where Byrne's estranged uncle has turned televangelist and is predicting the future. Chercover's previous private eye novels were well done.
Round House by Louise Erdrich. Woman living on South Dakota Indian reservation is attacked and the traumatized withdraws into depression. Her 13-year-old son sets out to find out what happened.
Mad River by John Sandford. Thriller featuring Sandford's Virgil Flower's character trying to catch criminals tearing through rural Minnesota.
NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp. Cranking'em out.
NonFiction
Launch Pad: inside Y Combinator, Silicon Valley's most exclusive school for startups by Randall Stross. Big-time Y Combinator funds startups and provides guidance.
More Large Print Than I Know What to Do With. Seriously, We Are Running Out of Room
Last Man by P.T. Deutermann. Thriller.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain.
Meryl Street Movie Club by Mia March.
St. Zita Society by Ruth Rendell.
A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree by Janet Dailey.
These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen. Pekkanen? Is that Finnish?
First Warm Evening of the Year by Jamie M. Saul.
Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs.
A Place in the Country by Elizabeth Adler.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter.
Trinity Game by Sean Chercover. Dabiel Byrne works for the Vatican "debunking false miracle claims." Byrne is sent to the U.S. where Byrne's estranged uncle has turned televangelist and is predicting the future. Chercover's previous private eye novels were well done.
Round House by Louise Erdrich. Woman living on South Dakota Indian reservation is attacked and the traumatized withdraws into depression. Her 13-year-old son sets out to find out what happened.
Mad River by John Sandford. Thriller featuring Sandford's Virgil Flower's character trying to catch criminals tearing through rural Minnesota.
NYPD Red by James Patterson and Marshall Karp. Cranking'em out.
NonFiction
Launch Pad: inside Y Combinator, Silicon Valley's most exclusive school for startups by Randall Stross. Big-time Y Combinator funds startups and provides guidance.
More Large Print Than I Know What to Do With. Seriously, We Are Running Out of Room
Last Man by P.T. Deutermann. Thriller.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain.
Meryl Street Movie Club by Mia March.
St. Zita Society by Ruth Rendell.
A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree by Janet Dailey.
These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen. Pekkanen? Is that Finnish?
First Warm Evening of the Year by Jamie M. Saul.
Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs.
A Place in the Country by Elizabeth Adler.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter.
56 Discs
12 discs
A Wanted Man by Lee Child. 14.5 hours. Reacher ends up hitchhiking his way into trouble. I heard the song before.
24 discs
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. 30.5 hours. Another long historical novel by Follett and his hair. Read by the great John Lee.
12 discs
A Wanted Man by Lee Child. 14.5 hours. "Wait a moment. Is this the same book as above?" Yes, it is. One of these was ordered early and bought the second one by mistake. However, since Child's books are popular I figured to keep both copies.
4 discs
Homeland: the complete first season starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. Lewis is English?
2 discs
Project X starring [bunch of kids and a dwarf]. Teen party gets out of control.
2 discs
The Lucky One starring Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling. Infantryman looks for woman whose photo was his good luck charm.
A Wanted Man by Lee Child. 14.5 hours. Reacher ends up hitchhiking his way into trouble. I heard the song before.
24 discs
Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. 30.5 hours. Another long historical novel by Follett and his hair. Read by the great John Lee.
12 discs
A Wanted Man by Lee Child. 14.5 hours. "Wait a moment. Is this the same book as above?" Yes, it is. One of these was ordered early and bought the second one by mistake. However, since Child's books are popular I figured to keep both copies.
4 discs
Homeland: the complete first season starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis. Lewis is English?
2 discs
Project X starring [bunch of kids and a dwarf]. Teen party gets out of control.
2 discs
The Lucky One starring Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling. Infantryman looks for woman whose photo was his good luck charm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
