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two classics- the film with Bette Davis and Leslie Howard was excellant

Ivan wrote: "I'm still reading "Howard's End is on the Landing" by Susan Hill - it's a wonderful read, a book about books and reading."

Any reason for the use of the EM Forster novel's title in that book Ivan?
also - are you a fan of Denholm Elliot?

Rick, to answer your question in Message 492, I have seen Denholm Eliot, back in the late 60s in a TV movie adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. (It was an absolutely lousy adaptation; they totally butchered the book.) His unusual name made me remember him; I think he played the part of the lawyer (Utterson, in the book, but the screenwriters might have changed it for the movie; I don't recall.)

yes- mostpeople know him as the Butler in Trading Places- but he has a wide range of work=- Oscar Nominated for A room With a View, Played Smiley in the BBC Movie.

Rick wrote: "Ivan wrote: "I'm still reading "Howard's End is on the Landing" by Susan Hill - it's a wonderful read, a book about books and reading."

Any reason for the use of the EM Forster novel's title in ..."

I really don't know why she chose that particular title. The premise of her book is "A Year of Reading from Home." She went searching for an unnamed volume and came across one, than another, soon a dozen volumes she's been meaning to read or re-read. So she decided to only read books she already owns.

Rick wrote: "yes- mostpeople know him as the Butler in Trading Places- but he has a wide range of work=- Oscar Nominated for A room With a View, Played Smiley in the BBC Movie."

I remember Elliott in "Alfie" with Michael Caine and my darling Shelley Winters; and "The Night They Raided Minsky's." "Trading Places" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" were fun, but my favorite of his performances was "A Private Function" with Maggie Smith - he was the villain in the piece, a snob and pompous ass. He won the British Academy Award.

Oh, and did you know he died of AIDS related complications. He was married twice (his second wife 40 years his junior) but a confirmed bisexual. Interesting.

YES- sadly I knew he died from AIDS at 70, last film was Noises Off- a major loss

Ivan wrote: "Maybe it was Beatrix Potter. I recall a film about her a few years back which intimated that a short story with pictures collected in a single volume was a revolutionary idea - one that was doomed to fail according to her publishers; alas, she enjoyed the last laugh."

That was a good movie, but it made up most of it's history about Beatrix Potter's life and career. She did not have trouble finding a publisher for her first story because such stories didn't exist, they did (usually they were moralistic stories intending to teach a lesson or retellings of well known tales, but they definitely existed). The problem was that at first she didn't have any color illustrations and she was very picky about how the book would be published. She did eventually give in and provide color illustrations for the story (and for all of her stories), but she remained firm on her other demands, which most publishers refused to let the author dictate. She wanted to be able to determine the trim size of the books, the paper quality and and to check all of the color samples from the printer to make sure they were correct. This was basically unheard of - publishers took care of those details, not authors. ESPECIALLY not lady authors. But she did. She first had to self publish "Peter Rabbit" and it was partially because the color printing plates were already made that she found a publisher at all. The other reason they accepted such an audacious author was that such picture books were very popular and they saw money to be made in it. So picture books predate Beatrix Potter, although she did have a fascinating history.

Katie wrote: "Ivan wrote: "Maybe it was Beatrix Potter. I recall a film about her a few years back which intimated that a short story with pictures collected in a single volume was a revolutionary idea - one tha..."

Thanks for the information. That film represents what I know of her - which turns out isn't all that much (I should have known better than to trust Hollywood to get the facts straight).

I'm reading a Kathy Reichs novel, "Death du Jour," that I filched from my wife's kindle collection. I just finished a series of books about the financial panic of '08 and the '08 election, and I figured it was time for something light and fun. Next up, a series of books about Roman history--Adrian Goldsworthy's "Caesar: Life of a Colossus" and "How Rome Fell," and Anthony Everitt's "Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor." I got a B&N gift card for Christmas and saw a couple of very positive reviews of "How Rome Fell" in the TLS and the London Review of Books, so I decided to read up on a historical period about which I don't know nearly enough.

p.s. I've read "The Da Vinci Code" and all of Dan Brown's other books except for the most recent one. IMHO, "Angels and Demons" and "Deception Point" were his best novels. My wife is a big Dan Brown fan and even she hasn't been able to read all the way through "The Lost Symbol."

I just finished "The Suffocating Night" by Andrew Taylor (UK) and have now traveled across the channel to France for Fred Vargas' "Seeking Whom He May Devour."

Randy wrote: "I'm reading a Kathy Reichs novel, "Death du Jour," that I filched from my wife's kindle collection. I just finished a series of books about the financial panic of '08 and the '08 election, and I f..."
Randy, really interested in your reviews of the Ancient Rome books- once you read them- I love history- and am currently on a "Tudor" and 16th Century England kick- Allison Weir has written some excellant books on this period- I have purchased 4 of them - I will start with The War Of The Roses next up will be The Princes in the Tower- about the alleged murder of the young Royals by Richard III

LJ wrote: "I just finished "The Suffocating Night" by Andrew Taylor (UK) and have now traveled across the channel to France for Fred Vargas' "Seeking Whom He May Devour.""

LJ- I read review for Seeking Whom He May Devour - seems very original- love to hear how you liked (or did not like) it!

Rick wrote: "Randy wrote: "I'm reading a Kathy Reichs novel, "Death du Jour," that I filched from my wife's kindle collection. I just finished a series of books about the financial panic of '08 and the '08 ele..."

Rick, I reviewed Goldsworthy's biography of Caesar last fall. I found it very readable. For the end of the War of the Roses/Princes in the Tower, I can recommend Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendor.

Very much appreciated!!!!! LeAbnn- Thanks- new undertaking for me- so I am unsure of the "right order to read the books"
Rick

I read history rather haphazardly until I started studying it in a more classic, time-line manner. Just now finishing up a general survey of the Middle Ages along with The Name of the Rose by Eco. I notice you read The Name of the Rose. I did, too, years ago, and I know that my current history studies have enabled me to appreciate the book better. I find that good historical fiction along with a survey of good historical non-fiction helps it to all stick better for me.

LeAnn wrote: "I read history rather haphazardly until I started studying it in a more classic, time-line manner. Just now finishing up a general survey of the Middle Ages along with The Name of the Rose by Eco. ..."
LeAnn......I would recommend "A Distant Mirror" by Barbara Tuchman for an in-depth understanding of 14th century Europe and then follow it up with "The Great Mortality" which deals with the catastrophic Black Death. Both are insightful and informative for the history buff.

Jill, I think I read that title back in high school or college (see, not much stuck!). I'm pretty sure I have a copy of her "Bible and Sword" unread on my shelves. Thanks for the recommendations; I'll keep them in mind when I explore the time period in more depth.

I'm now reading Morris Bishop's "Middle Ages," which is an entertaining, well-written survey. I previously read Isaac Asimov's history books (yes, that Asimov), but he only gets to the end of the Dark Ages. Also, his books are out-of-print and very expensive to get used, so I haven't been able to buy his book on England or the Near East.

After Bishop, I'll read "From Dawn to Decadence" by Jacques Barzun. It covers the period from 1500 to the present and was a National Book Award Finalist.

Jill, I think I read that title back in high school or college (see, not much stuck!). I'm pretty sure I have a copy of her "Bible and Sword" unread on my shelves. Thanks for the recommendations; I'll keep them in mind when I explore the time period in more depth.

I'm now reading Morris Bishop's "Middle Ages," which is an entertaining, well-written survey. I previously read Isaac Asimov's history books (yes, that Asimov), but he only gets to the end of the Dark Ages. Also, his books are out-of-print and very expensive to get used, so I haven't been able to buy his book on England or the Near East.

After Bishop, I'll read "From Dawn to Decadence" by Jacques Barzun. It covers the period from 1500 to the present and was a National Book Award Finalist.

I've just started "Morning with Mailer" based on the great review my friend Foster posted on Amazon. I've only read the first 15 pages, but it's very well written and has my full attention.

Just started Michael Moorcock's Kane of Old Mars, his tribute to Edgar Rice Burroughs and his John Carter stories.

Mike wrote: "Just started Michael Moorcock's Kane of Old Mars, his tribute to Edgar Rice Burroughs and his John Carter stories."

love the John Carter series!!!

Found them when I was 15 I believe....that would have been 1967. I got them from the Science Fiction Book Club, the books were a $1 each back then...if only.

Mike wrote: "Found them when I was 15 I believe....that would have been 1967. I got them from the Science Fiction Book Club, the books were a $1 each back then...if only."

I believe they were recently re- released by Barnes & Noble- as a low priced hardcover- I read them on my Kindle

I've got most in some omnibus editions that came out a few years back. They don't read like they did when I was a kid (difference in me not the books of course), but there's a lot of nostalgia value.

Mike wrote: "I've got most in some omnibus editions that came out a few years back. They don't read like they did when I was a kid (difference in me not the books of course), but there's a lot of nostalgia value. " Gee guys, I haven't thought about the John Carter series for years. I just pulled from my bookshelves my father's copy of Burroughs' "The Gods of Mars" Unfortunately, the frontispiece is missing so I don't have a date of publication. The names bring back great memories....the land of Barsoom, Princess Dejah Thoris and Tars Tarkis. For the same reasons stated by Mike, I probably won't read it again but will just revel in how much our family enjoyed it way back when.

Jill wrote: "Mike wrote: "I've got most in some omnibus editions that came out a few years back. They don't read like they did when I was a kid (difference in me not the books of course), but there's a lot of n..."

BOOKS CAN BE WONDERFUL - JUST TO HOLD- KNOW YOU HAVE THEM - GREAT POST JILL!!

Also...I'm still hoping for grand-kids, and then The "grand" nephews and nieces, etc. To introduce another generation to the books we read as I did my kids (grown now). "We" are the only "thing" (ones?) that will keep a lot of these wonderful books from falling into forgetfulness.

Mike wrote: "Also...I'm still hoping for grand-kids, and then The "grand" nephews and nieces, etc. To introduce another generation to the books we read as I did my kids (grown now). "We" are the only "thing" (o..."
Mike......how right you are. We need to share with others the joy of reading the books that we love from our early reading experience. I am in heaven in a used book store or a flea market where there are long forgotten books. I picked up "The Mask of Fu Manchu" by Sax Rohmer and read it last year. I was surprised that it held up pretty well after 70+ years. I still treasure my childhood books...."A Child's Garden of Verses", the Nancy Drew series, and my very first book that my father gave me on my first birthday "The Broom Closet Family". I have a special bookshelf for them. We were a reading family and I am thankful for that. Books are like old friends, they never let you down.

I have a book I rescued from rot and ruin called "Trail and Tree Top". It was published in 1920, my grandmother had it for my dad. She then read it to me when I was small. She later developed senile dementia and lived with my dad (her son) for a while and finally went to an assisted care home. The house where she'd lived was left mostly to deteriorate. The furniture etc. had been pulled out, but a few books (there weren't many there, country people back in the early twentieth century didn't spend a lot of money on books) were left. I made it a point to save this one and a few others. While it's badly worn it's all there and readable for my kids and can be passed on. i remembered loving it when I was very young and didn't want it to vanish. I find it's almost forgotten now (when I set out to put it on my shelf here. It didn't have an ISBN number and the sight couldn't grasp that there might once have been books before there were ISBN numbers). I put it in the system manually, I couldn't find any mention of it anywhere else, but there's at least this one copy. If I can I may look into having it "rebound" but the pages are fairly brittle also. Sometimes I marvel at all we've lost and forgotten.

Mike wrote: "I have a book I rescued from rot and ruin called "Trail and Tree Top". It was published in 1920, my grandmother had it for my dad. She then read it to me when I was small. She later developed senil..."

Mike.....just for the heck of it I searched for your book on a couple of sites that I know that have some pretty obscure books. No luck......so I guess you may have one of the few existing copies.

Jill: I reviewed it here but there weren't and haven't been any others who have listed it, so...

Just finished Nightwalkers by PT Deuterman- a good thriller- bit confusing - but 2 1/2* out of 5*

also just finishing Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Braddon- written in1860's- VERY GREAT READ- she is a female Wilkie Collins- Just a wonderful Victorian "sensation" novel- 5* out of 5*

next up- Nana- by Emile Zola and conspiracy.com by RJ Piniero

I'm new to the group so I hope I'm posting this ok. I am currently reading Mr. Slaughter by Robert McCammon. Why, because I read all McCammon books, he's a great writer with very in-depth characters and complex plotlines. This is book 3 in a series. First being Speaks the Nightbird, Queen of Bedlam and Mr. Slaughter.

rOSE - DIDNT Robert McCammon WRITE A BOOK IN THE 1980'S CALLED "BOYS LIFE" OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT?

Yes. My favorite is Swan Song. Excellent end of world story.

Rose wrote: "Yes. My favorite is Swan Song. Excellent end of world story."
Rose.....I had forgotten about "Swan Song".....I read it sometime in the late 80s. I remember at the time that I liked it. I think I still have it somewhere and may re-visit it. Thanks for jogging my memory. I have not read any of his other books. Are they in the same vein, post-apocalyptic?

Jill,
He was forced by publishers to stay within the horror genre, but his first love was fiction, preferably historical. Some bad situations led to a sort of breakdown and he quit writing to be with his family. Many years later, he picked up the pen again and wrote these historical-fiction murder mysteries which are wonderful. He will not pander to marketing either so it's literally word of mouth. The other two horror novels he wrote that are high on my list is The Wolf's Hour about a spy during WWII who happens to be a werewolf and Usher's Passing which is a tribute to Poe on the continuation of the Usher family and their madness. Excellent books. No other post-apocalyptic that I can recall.

In late to this discussion but, I sort of stumbled over Boy's Life and began recommending it around. I find the people who grew up in the late fifties, the sixties and early part of the seventies will find a special place in their hearts for that book, they (we) identify with it so closely. I have a couple more of McCammon's books in my waiting to read books, but that one is always with my "special favorites".

A Boys Life is a beloved favorite of his fans.

Rick wrote: "I always read two books at the same time! Usually a current thriller or mystery and a classic- Right now I am just finishing up- The Elusive Pimpernel- the sequel to The Scarlet Pimpernel- so my mi..."

I'm reading an ARC of Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco. I met Miguel at an author event in Ottawa. Keep an eye on this author, he's going places

Interesting that you read two at once Rick, I tend to have more than one book going on a regular basis. I think it's because with kids, daycare and my own writing, what I read depends on where my mind is and how much focus I have. Usually it's one that doesn't require a lot of focus, possibly because when I've got kids here it's impossible to really sink into the story. I also have something a little heavier, for when I have the time to focus. Those books tend to take a while for me to read.

Right now I'm reading Under the Dome by Stephen King. Why? I'm a huge King fan and this giant of a book looked like a great challenge to read. I love it, although because there are so many subplots, characters and action going on at once I can't read it in large chunks. If only I could, I'd never put it down. Another I'm starting is Flesh Statue. It's by a friend here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ UL Harper and I can't really give an opinion on it yet, I've only read a couple of pages.

I've also been working on a Diana Gibaldon book for a loooonnng time. I know everyone gives rave reviews of her work, but I'm having a terrible time getting through it. I picked it up after receiving several glowing reviews and recommendations from friends, but I'm just not into it. The writing is excellent, but my imagination just won't go with the story. Perhaps I'll pick it up another time and feel differently. That's happened before too.

I'm currently on Thing Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.. Clearly it is not british, but I've commited to reading only African authors, or African American Socialogical Studies in the name of Black History Month (which is February for those of us in the US) I wanted to get through atleast three books but I took a solid week without reading on mistake :X So it seems I'll only get through This and Jazz by Toni Morrison which I already completed.

Rick,
I love the Scarlett Pimpernal I had no idea there was a sequel. I shall need to look that one up.

I've just started How Far to Bethlehem, a book by 20th-century British historical novelist Norah Lofts --a quintessential British writer, and today a far too little-known one, though she was deservedly popular in her own lifetime. I'd promised a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend, over on the Norah Lofts fan group, that I'd read Lofts' nonfiction book, Women of the Old Testament; but I thought that reading this book first would give me a useful window into what the author's own beliefs were.

I'm still reading Under the Banner of Heaven, but I had 3 show up from inter-library loan a few days ago and those always go to the top of the list so i can get them back (and I just got an Email another will be in Sat.). I'm just now beginning Charles Williams Descent into Hell. I really enjoy Williams and had to send out of town for this one.

Rose wrote: "Rick,
I love the Scarlett Pimpernal I had no idea there was a sequel. I shall need to look that one up."

rOSE
THERE ARE ABOUT 5 OTHER BOOKS THE BARONESS ORCZY WROTE WITH THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL

I am still on The Screwtape Letters. I am now reading Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I am listening to The Count of Monte Cristo. I am more of an auditory person than a visual one. I may "read" a lot more of the books by audiotape, when I can find them. I am getting more out of this one than if I read it.

Ahh...I remember reading The Count of Monte Cristo. Love that book!