Last night I finished reading 'Bringing Adam Home'. It is the story of the twenty-seven year search for the killer of six-year old Adam Walsh. NO, that is not a misprint. 27 years. Twenty-five years after Ottis Toole first confessed to the Hollywood, Florida police that he did it.
The book was very difficult for me to read. Several times I had to close it up and move on to something else. Joyce Carol Oates put it best on the back cover when she referred to 'police incompetence'. Utterly unbelievable. I wanted to go to Florida and slap Detective Hoffman up side the head, if he is still around.
Les Standiford, the author, makes the point that the wrong detective was assigned and there was lack of supervision. Not an excuse. I kept wondering how this guy got to be a detective or even on the police force.
It is this kind of individual (Hoffman) that makes people think public servants are over-paid and lazy. And his successors on the case were not much better, nor the FBI agent involved, or a succession of Police Chiefs.
Not until Det. Sgt. Matthews was asked by John and Reve Walsh to personally go over all of the materials to see if he could put an end to the search was it finally concluded that Toole was the killer.
What angered me most about reading this was that Reve Walsh, Adam's mother, was given not one, but two, polygraphs. Ottis Toole? Not a single one!!! And the guy confessed on multiple occasions, but good old Det. Hoffman just didn't think he did it.
If you like non-fiction, I suggest you pick up the book and give it a read. And when you do, remember that not all public servants are like the detective assigned to the Adam Walsh case. The great majority are good and hard-working public servants. Unfortunately, it only takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch, or at least the public perception of the bunch. It's too bad.
Showing posts with label books and movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books and movies. Show all posts
The Worst Movie
If you ask me which is the worst movie I have ever seen, all the way through, I would tell you 'The English Patient'. I saw the entire movie because I went with someone who was actually enjoying it. Had I gone by myself I would have walked out.
The movie is 162 minutes long. That was at least 152 minutes longer than I wanted to sit there. I disliked it from the very beginning. I just wanted it to end. It was pure torture for me.
I know you may think this sounds cruel, but if you saw the movie and saw the Seinfeld episode about it, think of me as Elaine.
I mention this because it has taken me two days to watch the movie 'The Next Three Days'. A friend raved about it. She must have been on pain medication and really doped up. This one was only 126 minutes. They could have done it in a one-hour TV show. I have never ever used the fast forward button so much. And it still took me two days. I don't think I could watch more than 15 minutes at a time.
What I want to know is this: How did this movie get rated so highly? What did I miss?
The movie is 162 minutes long. That was at least 152 minutes longer than I wanted to sit there. I disliked it from the very beginning. I just wanted it to end. It was pure torture for me.
I know you may think this sounds cruel, but if you saw the movie and saw the Seinfeld episode about it, think of me as Elaine.
I mention this because it has taken me two days to watch the movie 'The Next Three Days'. A friend raved about it. She must have been on pain medication and really doped up. This one was only 126 minutes. They could have done it in a one-hour TV show. I have never ever used the fast forward button so much. And it still took me two days. I don't think I could watch more than 15 minutes at a time.
What I want to know is this: How did this movie get rated so highly? What did I miss?
Maybe I am missing something?
I have been reading a biography of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott. It came across my radar when I read a review which gave it high marks. (For another opinion, read this review of American Rose in the NY Times, which points out the book's flaws. I should have read it instead of the book.)
Growing up in the 50's I had heard about the stripper who never bared it all (not true if you read between the lines in the book). I had seen her on talk shows and remember her as being rather 'bawdy'.
I have never seen the movie 'Gypsy', primarily because I do not like Rosalind Russell. Reading the book I can certainly see how she was chosen to play the obnoxious stage mother. One comment in the book about her is that 'her river did not run to the sea'. She was a force to be reckoned with and not above doing anything immoral or illegal, or so it seems.
Interesting also that they cast petite Natalie Wood to play the 5' 9 1/5 " Gypsy, also. Makes me think Hollywood wanted to make like Gypsy was America's sweetheart of the Depression?
So, I am reading this story and thinking 'What a whack job'. Her and her whole family. I can find nothing redeeming here about anyone. Her own sister, actress June Havoc, told the author that 'Gypsy had no shame'.
I discovered online that CBS did a tribute to her for what would have been her 100th birthday. They interviewed her son, Erik Preminger. I cannot print the comment from his father, Otto, as this is a G-rated blog.
But the thing that stands out in my mind reading this is that stage mothers in the 1910s and 20s exploited their children much like stage mothers do today. The only difference being that now we can see all of this happening in real time, Twitter about it, post it on YouTube, whatever. It is truly sad, IMHO.
Growing up in the 50's I had heard about the stripper who never bared it all (not true if you read between the lines in the book). I had seen her on talk shows and remember her as being rather 'bawdy'.
I have never seen the movie 'Gypsy', primarily because I do not like Rosalind Russell. Reading the book I can certainly see how she was chosen to play the obnoxious stage mother. One comment in the book about her is that 'her river did not run to the sea'. She was a force to be reckoned with and not above doing anything immoral or illegal, or so it seems.
Interesting also that they cast petite Natalie Wood to play the 5' 9 1/5 " Gypsy, also. Makes me think Hollywood wanted to make like Gypsy was America's sweetheart of the Depression?
So, I am reading this story and thinking 'What a whack job'. Her and her whole family. I can find nothing redeeming here about anyone. Her own sister, actress June Havoc, told the author that 'Gypsy had no shame'.
I discovered online that CBS did a tribute to her for what would have been her 100th birthday. They interviewed her son, Erik Preminger. I cannot print the comment from his father, Otto, as this is a G-rated blog.
But the thing that stands out in my mind reading this is that stage mothers in the 1910s and 20s exploited their children much like stage mothers do today. The only difference being that now we can see all of this happening in real time, Twitter about it, post it on YouTube, whatever. It is truly sad, IMHO.
Top-selling Reads
I've talked about many of the books I have read and am reading on this blog. In a recent email from the West Bloomfield Library, there was a link to a site where I could find out the best sellers in my birth year. I wondered if I had actually read any of the books, so I gave it a try.
The number one best seller was by Daphne DuMaurier. While I have read many of her novels, 'The King's General', does not ring a bell. Then again, I read many of these when I was in high school and college, and cannot remember as well as I used to.
Speaking of ringing bells, number four is 'The Miracle of the Bells' by Russell Janney, a book I do remember. It made quite an impression on me when I read it in the early 60's. While trying to find a link for the book (could not), I discovered that a movie existed. How did I miss that?
OTOH, I never read 'The Snake Pit' by Mary Jane Ward, but I did see the movie.
And my affinity for old movies was proven by my never realizing that the movie 'The Egg and I' was actually based on a best selling non-fiction work by 1930's egg farmer Betty MacDonald.
I think I'll keep the list and see if any of these are available at the library. Many are out of print, of course.
If you are interested in seeing what the best sellers were when you were born, just click the link.
The number one best seller was by Daphne DuMaurier. While I have read many of her novels, 'The King's General', does not ring a bell. Then again, I read many of these when I was in high school and college, and cannot remember as well as I used to.
Speaking of ringing bells, number four is 'The Miracle of the Bells' by Russell Janney, a book I do remember. It made quite an impression on me when I read it in the early 60's. While trying to find a link for the book (could not), I discovered that a movie existed. How did I miss that?
OTOH, I never read 'The Snake Pit' by Mary Jane Ward, but I did see the movie.
And my affinity for old movies was proven by my never realizing that the movie 'The Egg and I' was actually based on a best selling non-fiction work by 1930's egg farmer Betty MacDonald.
I think I'll keep the list and see if any of these are available at the library. Many are out of print, of course.
If you are interested in seeing what the best sellers were when you were born, just click the link.
The Ghost Breakers
No, that is not a typo. It is Ghost Breakers, not Ghostbusters. 'The Ghost Breakers' is a 1940 movie that stars Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard. I rented it after reading some of its one-liners in a book I was reading.
Anyway, Bob is on his way to a haunted castle in Cuba. He hears there is a zombie there and asks a Cuban what a zombie is. The reply is 'a zombie has no will of his own and you see them sometimes walking around blindly with dead eyes, following orders and not knowing what they do, not caring'. Hope replies, 'You mean like Democrats?'
OK. So not everyone in the movie audience probably thought it was funny. But unless the folks in Lansing do some serious discussing of these new tax proposals in the Governor's budget, the description might fit both parties.
Anyway, Bob is on his way to a haunted castle in Cuba. He hears there is a zombie there and asks a Cuban what a zombie is. The reply is 'a zombie has no will of his own and you see them sometimes walking around blindly with dead eyes, following orders and not knowing what they do, not caring'. Hope replies, 'You mean like Democrats?'
OK. So not everyone in the movie audience probably thought it was funny. But unless the folks in Lansing do some serious discussing of these new tax proposals in the Governor's budget, the description might fit both parties.
You've Got to be Kidding Me
Readers of this blog will notice that I have a link to the FRAZZ comic. It is one of my favorites. I read it everyday along with Dilbert.
I own one of the Frazz comic books, specifically 'Live at Bryson Elementary'. Imagine my surprise when I was on Amazon.com today to find that the book is available for $607.00.
OK. It is being sold by a dealer other than Amazon. But $607.00? Well, folks, make me an offer. I might just be willing to give mine up. Or not. Maybe the price will go higher.
I own one of the Frazz comic books, specifically 'Live at Bryson Elementary'. Imagine my surprise when I was on Amazon.com today to find that the book is available for $607.00.
OK. It is being sold by a dealer other than Amazon. But $607.00? Well, folks, make me an offer. I might just be willing to give mine up. Or not. Maybe the price will go higher.
Extending the Rule
Anyone who has rad this blog from the beginning may remember me talking bout my '50 page rule'. That is the one where if I am not into a book by page 50, I stop reading it.
Well, I am returning my latest endeavor to the library. "Fall of Giants". Having made it to page 386 out of more than 1,000, I am done. Why so long? Well, it is not that it isn't interesting, it is just that it is not compelling enough to continue.
World War I has started. Finally. I already know how that turns out. As for the characters, I have only found one that catches my interest and she has little of a role in the story at this point.
If I wanted to know all about the political and war strategies, I would read a good non-fiction book on the subject. If I want to read about the Russians, I'll read Tolstoy.
The next book in the series is supposed to deal with World War II. With the same characters, I can probably pick it up and not miss a thing.
While the novel has received fairly good reviews, I will set it aside and move on. It's already way past my rule.
Well, I am returning my latest endeavor to the library. "Fall of Giants". Having made it to page 386 out of more than 1,000, I am done. Why so long? Well, it is not that it isn't interesting, it is just that it is not compelling enough to continue.
World War I has started. Finally. I already know how that turns out. As for the characters, I have only found one that catches my interest and she has little of a role in the story at this point.
If I wanted to know all about the political and war strategies, I would read a good non-fiction book on the subject. If I want to read about the Russians, I'll read Tolstoy.
The next book in the series is supposed to deal with World War II. With the same characters, I can probably pick it up and not miss a thing.
While the novel has received fairly good reviews, I will set it aside and move on. It's already way past my rule.
Talk about some heavy reading
When I use the term 'heavy reading', I usually am referring to non-fiction books about theories on some financial or economic matter. But in this instance I am talking about the latest book I am reading, 'Fall of Giants'. The book is over 1,000 pages and weighs over three pounds. It is the first book in the century trilogy by Ken Follett. Now, I certainly hope that it does not take the author another 20 years to finish this trilogy.
Mr. Follett, who is one of my favorite authors, wrote 'Pillars of the Earth' in 1989. The sequel, 'World Without End' was published in 2007. My friends and I were asking each other what we remembered. Heck, at our ages, it's remarkable that we even remembered the title.
So, I am a little over 10% of the way through this first book. Heaven help me if I drop it on my foot.
Mr. Follett, who is one of my favorite authors, wrote 'Pillars of the Earth' in 1989. The sequel, 'World Without End' was published in 2007. My friends and I were asking each other what we remembered. Heck, at our ages, it's remarkable that we even remembered the title.
So, I am a little over 10% of the way through this first book. Heaven help me if I drop it on my foot.
Live Long and Prosper
I am doing a NYT crossword yesterday and the first clue is 'Sci-fi role started in 1966'. Well, I hate TV and pop music trivia because I don't store much of that knowledge upstairs. But, the down clue for the first letter was year in which Michelangelo began work on 'David'. Aha. Must be 'MD something'. (MDI)
So. A character strating with 'M'. Wheels start spinning. I was in college in '66, so not watching much TV. But 'Mr. Spock' jumped into my head. I have seen all the 'Star Trek' movies and have seen enough of the series over the years to make an imprint in the old noggin.
And then I thought, WOW. Not only did Leonard Nimoy start playing Spock in 1966, he played Spock Prime in the latest movie in 2009. (In that same period of time, actually 1963-2008, we've had six different actors protray James Bond.)
Is there any other TV and movie role that has gone on for so long with the same actor? I couldn't think of any, but if you know of one, let me know.
So. A character strating with 'M'. Wheels start spinning. I was in college in '66, so not watching much TV. But 'Mr. Spock' jumped into my head. I have seen all the 'Star Trek' movies and have seen enough of the series over the years to make an imprint in the old noggin.
And then I thought, WOW. Not only did Leonard Nimoy start playing Spock in 1966, he played Spock Prime in the latest movie in 2009. (In that same period of time, actually 1963-2008, we've had six different actors protray James Bond.)
Is there any other TV and movie role that has gone on for so long with the same actor? I couldn't think of any, but if you know of one, let me know.
Library of Congress
Last January I visited the Library of Congress in Washington, DC for the very first time. Well, there are so many places to visit, and it is 'just a library', right? Wrong. It is an incredibly beautiful building.
Anyway, when I got home I signed up for their emails. Currently, they are conducting a 'Vote for your Favorite Author'. If you read a lot, as I do, you may wish to go to the site and cast your ballot.
Now, some of you who have been following this blog for some time, may remember that on the 'Books I am reading' I had the latest Diana Gabaldon listed and said I was stuck on page 206. I am still stuck on that page and the book is safely stowed in the bookcase for the day when I have absolutely nothing else to read.
After you vote, check out the results at Vote . I am not saying that someone rigged the voting, but, really, that many? I enjoy her books immensely and have read all of them. (Well, 206 pages is significant.) But if I thought someone would have that many votes, I would have suspected James Patterson, who has a new book every month, maybe more. Just saying.
So, go vote for your favorite. Give someone else a fighting chance here.
Anyway, when I got home I signed up for their emails. Currently, they are conducting a 'Vote for your Favorite Author'. If you read a lot, as I do, you may wish to go to the site and cast your ballot.
Now, some of you who have been following this blog for some time, may remember that on the 'Books I am reading' I had the latest Diana Gabaldon listed and said I was stuck on page 206. I am still stuck on that page and the book is safely stowed in the bookcase for the day when I have absolutely nothing else to read.
After you vote, check out the results at Vote . I am not saying that someone rigged the voting, but, really, that many? I enjoy her books immensely and have read all of them. (Well, 206 pages is significant.) But if I thought someone would have that many votes, I would have suspected James Patterson, who has a new book every month, maybe more. Just saying.
So, go vote for your favorite. Give someone else a fighting chance here.
A Look Back and a New Perspective
I do not know how many times it has rained on the Fourth of July in Detroit, but it seems that it has been a fair amount. I do remember a few really steamy 4ths, including 1977 when I was two days away from delivering my first son and we were in the midst of a heat wave. Despite my indoor/outdoor weather station saying that we are going to get rain, there was none in sight yesterday, unless you count the humidity in the air. I stayed inside most of the day.
My oldest is coming home this week for a visit and we will celebrate next weekend with family. So, yesterday, I holed up in my home with the A/C running and watched an old movie.
I originally saw 'West Side Story' at the United Artists Theatre in downtown Detroit when it opened in 1961. A girlfriend and I rode the bus downtown (I rode the Detroit buses exclusively for transportation right through 1969) and spent the afternoon listening to what would become very familiar tunes. I loved the music so much I bought the LP (monaural). I wore it out on an old portable player and have no idea where it ended up after several moves.
But I never, ever, watched the movie again. It was long. Two and one-half hours. And when I first saw it, it was the music, specifically the singing (I had studied voice right through 1961), that I enjoyed. The dancing and the symphonic music was not so appealing. And the story was, to me at the time, JUST a re-hash of Romeo and Juliet.
This past season the DSO performed Leonard Bernstein's 'Symphonic Dances from West Side Story'. I went early and listened to the background discussion of the events that brought the musical to the stage. I was re-awakened to the pure symphonic charm of the music itself.
A few weeks later I saw a collector's edition DVD with the screenplay included and a documentary on the making of the movie. I purchased it and left it in the video cabinet.
So, yesterday, in deciding how to spend my 'cloistered' afternoon, I opened the video and popped it in. Amazing how 49 years can change one's perspective about something as simple as a movie. Of course, the opening music struck me first. And those aerial views of New York City were ingenious. As a teen, I am sure I missed that completely.
But as an adult, not only did that catch my eye, but I was able to appreciate the choreography of the dances, which, being a non-dancer as a teen, just looked like a bunch of jumping around. It was those long dance sequences that really got to me the first time. My friend and I were like 'Enough already'. And the angle of the shots - at street level looking up at the dancers - genius.
And, last but not least, the timeless story. Even almost 50 years later, the hatred and bigotry displayed, and the consequences, could be taken out of today's headlines. And that is the saddest part of all.
If you have not watched the movie in some time or have never seen it, give it a try. (The movie differs from the original stage play which will be back in Detroit in the fall.)
My oldest is coming home this week for a visit and we will celebrate next weekend with family. So, yesterday, I holed up in my home with the A/C running and watched an old movie.
I originally saw 'West Side Story' at the United Artists Theatre in downtown Detroit when it opened in 1961. A girlfriend and I rode the bus downtown (I rode the Detroit buses exclusively for transportation right through 1969) and spent the afternoon listening to what would become very familiar tunes. I loved the music so much I bought the LP (monaural). I wore it out on an old portable player and have no idea where it ended up after several moves.
But I never, ever, watched the movie again. It was long. Two and one-half hours. And when I first saw it, it was the music, specifically the singing (I had studied voice right through 1961), that I enjoyed. The dancing and the symphonic music was not so appealing. And the story was, to me at the time, JUST a re-hash of Romeo and Juliet.
This past season the DSO performed Leonard Bernstein's 'Symphonic Dances from West Side Story'. I went early and listened to the background discussion of the events that brought the musical to the stage. I was re-awakened to the pure symphonic charm of the music itself.
A few weeks later I saw a collector's edition DVD with the screenplay included and a documentary on the making of the movie. I purchased it and left it in the video cabinet.
So, yesterday, in deciding how to spend my 'cloistered' afternoon, I opened the video and popped it in. Amazing how 49 years can change one's perspective about something as simple as a movie. Of course, the opening music struck me first. And those aerial views of New York City were ingenious. As a teen, I am sure I missed that completely.
But as an adult, not only did that catch my eye, but I was able to appreciate the choreography of the dances, which, being a non-dancer as a teen, just looked like a bunch of jumping around. It was those long dance sequences that really got to me the first time. My friend and I were like 'Enough already'. And the angle of the shots - at street level looking up at the dancers - genius.
And, last but not least, the timeless story. Even almost 50 years later, the hatred and bigotry displayed, and the consequences, could be taken out of today's headlines. And that is the saddest part of all.
If you have not watched the movie in some time or have never seen it, give it a try. (The movie differs from the original stage play which will be back in Detroit in the fall.)
Old Books are Good Books
When I filled out my profile for this blog, I was asked to name my favorite book. That was a no-brainer for me. I listed 'Atlas Shrugged' by Ayn Rand, published in 1957, as my first choice. Despite being over 1,000 pages long, I've plowed through it twice. The first time I read it I was in the 1970's. It was then on my 'to do' list when I finished grad school in the early '90's.
What brought it to mind today is an article by George Will in the Washington Post. He reports that between 2000 and 2008, sales of the book averaged 166,000 a year. Since that time, more than 600,000 copies have sold, with 520,000 selling in 2009, an all-time high. This is amazing considering that the first year of publication saw only 70,000 sales. (See here for some interesting links about the book.)
While there are some current authors whose works I always enjoy, David Baldacci and Nelson deMille come to mind, I cannot see that many of them will have the impact of an Ayn Rand or J R R Tolkien in the future. I am not saying that great novelists don't exist anymore, but that more popular novels today are written for the masses. One day's Costco purchase is the next week's Library used book donation. And I don't believe that many of our bestsellers will stand the tests of time.
That being said, 'Atlas Shrugged' received mostly negative reviews upon publication. Obviously over the last 50 years, readers have found something enticing about this very long novel. If you haven't read it, pick it up. Or if you have read it, re-read it. I am sure your view of it now that you are older will likely be different than the first go-round.
And whomever I lent my first two copies of this novel to, I hope you enjoyed the reading.
What brought it to mind today is an article by George Will in the Washington Post. He reports that between 2000 and 2008, sales of the book averaged 166,000 a year. Since that time, more than 600,000 copies have sold, with 520,000 selling in 2009, an all-time high. This is amazing considering that the first year of publication saw only 70,000 sales. (See here for some interesting links about the book.)
While there are some current authors whose works I always enjoy, David Baldacci and Nelson deMille come to mind, I cannot see that many of them will have the impact of an Ayn Rand or J R R Tolkien in the future. I am not saying that great novelists don't exist anymore, but that more popular novels today are written for the masses. One day's Costco purchase is the next week's Library used book donation. And I don't believe that many of our bestsellers will stand the tests of time.
That being said, 'Atlas Shrugged' received mostly negative reviews upon publication. Obviously over the last 50 years, readers have found something enticing about this very long novel. If you haven't read it, pick it up. Or if you have read it, re-read it. I am sure your view of it now that you are older will likely be different than the first go-round.
And whomever I lent my first two copies of this novel to, I hope you enjoyed the reading.
Meet the Author at the WB Library
I was so impressed with the book 'Annie's Ghosts' that I sent a little note to the author, Steve Luxenburg. He had mentioned Detroit Receiving (General) Hospital in his book, where I worked from 1967-1977, and had that Detroit connection.
Last night I received a very nice response to my note. Steve informed me that he will be speaking in West Bloomfield in a few weeks -- May 13 at the West Bloomfield Library, 7 p.m.
How cool is that? The library's website has so much information that I never even found the notice.
If you have never visited the site, I suggest you do so. One of the features that I really enjoy is the 'Bestseller's Club'. You must have your library card available so you can log in. Pick your favorite authors and when new books by them are published, the library will place a hold on it for you and notify you when it is available. (Unless you like to purchase all your books at Costco.) It was the library list of new books that first alerted me to 'Annie's Ghosts'.
There is a wealth of information on the site. While there, consider joining the Friends of the Library. They are a great organization. They run the Friendshop in the Main Library where you can buy used books. If you visit there tonight after 5, stop by and say 'Hi'. I'll be doing my once a month duty at the shop.
Last night I received a very nice response to my note. Steve informed me that he will be speaking in West Bloomfield in a few weeks -- May 13 at the West Bloomfield Library, 7 p.m.
How cool is that? The library's website has so much information that I never even found the notice.
If you have never visited the site, I suggest you do so. One of the features that I really enjoy is the 'Bestseller's Club'. You must have your library card available so you can log in. Pick your favorite authors and when new books by them are published, the library will place a hold on it for you and notify you when it is available. (Unless you like to purchase all your books at Costco.) It was the library list of new books that first alerted me to 'Annie's Ghosts'.
There is a wealth of information on the site. While there, consider joining the Friends of the Library. They are a great organization. They run the Friendshop in the Main Library where you can buy used books. If you visit there tonight after 5, stop by and say 'Hi'. I'll be doing my once a month duty at the shop.
A Double Dose of Detroit
If you have HBO service, you may have already viewed the movie 'You Don't Know Jack'. I have been too busy, but will probably catch it on On Demand. Since I know a few of those portrayed in the movie, I am curious to see HBO's version of events. I am also looking forward to seeing if I can recognize Detroit area locations.
The reason I have been too busy to watch TV, is because I have been thoroughly wrapped up in reading 'Annie's Ghosts' by Steve Luxenberg. This book also takes place in Detroit.
Imagine that your mother dies and you find out that she had a sister you never knew about. How could you suspect, when your mother told everyone she was an only child. That is what happens to the Luxenberg family in 1999. Once he finds out about Annie, Steve, who now lives in Baltimore, comes back to the Detroit area to find out the story of events.
For a non-fiction book, it reads like a good detective novel. I guess it helps that the author is a journalist and the winner of two Pulitzer prizes.
If you are looking for a good read, one where you might even say, 'Hey, I remember that', then this is your book. They have it at the West Bloomfield Library (I'll return my copy tomorrow).
The reason I have been too busy to watch TV, is because I have been thoroughly wrapped up in reading 'Annie's Ghosts' by Steve Luxenberg. This book also takes place in Detroit.
Imagine that your mother dies and you find out that she had a sister you never knew about. How could you suspect, when your mother told everyone she was an only child. That is what happens to the Luxenberg family in 1999. Once he finds out about Annie, Steve, who now lives in Baltimore, comes back to the Detroit area to find out the story of events.
For a non-fiction book, it reads like a good detective novel. I guess it helps that the author is a journalist and the winner of two Pulitzer prizes.
If you are looking for a good read, one where you might even say, 'Hey, I remember that', then this is your book. They have it at the West Bloomfield Library (I'll return my copy tomorrow).
You Can't Believe Everything You Read
I have learned from experience that you can't believe everything you read in the newspapers, magazines, or see on TV. I have always believed that if I read a non-fiction book, I should be able to trust the information.
Since I had mentioned 'The Last Train from Hiroshima' in one of the blogs, I decided to try to find a link for readers. Boy, did I get a surprise when I did.
Seems like all publication of the book is being dropped. The publisher has some unanswered questions about one of the sources who provided information, among other issues.
Henry Holt said it will not pull the book off shelves but is ending its relationship with the author and it will not print or ship any more copies. "The author of any work of non-fiction must stand behind its content," the publisher said in a statement.
There certainly seemed like more than enough information was available to him for the book. I can't understand why he felt the need to embelish the story. Another online article I read said that he interviewed someone who said they were on the Enola Gay, but in fact was not. Seems like that is definitely something someone could verify before putting it in print.
I guess it is just 'reader beware'.
Since I had mentioned 'The Last Train from Hiroshima' in one of the blogs, I decided to try to find a link for readers. Boy, did I get a surprise when I did.
Seems like all publication of the book is being dropped. The publisher has some unanswered questions about one of the sources who provided information, among other issues.
Henry Holt said it will not pull the book off shelves but is ending its relationship with the author and it will not print or ship any more copies. "The author of any work of non-fiction must stand behind its content," the publisher said in a statement.
There certainly seemed like more than enough information was available to him for the book. I can't understand why he felt the need to embelish the story. Another online article I read said that he interviewed someone who said they were on the Enola Gay, but in fact was not. Seems like that is definitely something someone could verify before putting it in print.
I guess it is just 'reader beware'.
Me and the Prez
One of the books I was reading recently was 'The Last Train from Hiroshima'. It is an excellent book, but very difficult to read. The author is quite graphic about injuries. I would read a chapter and then set it aside. I had the same feeling about the horrors described when I read 'One Man's Castle' by Phyllis Vine, which also took me awhile to finish.
I did not finish 'Last Train' and will take it out of the library in the future to do so. I returned it to the library after the due date and had to pay a fine, a whopping ninety cents. I handed the person one dollar and told her to 'keep the change.' (generous, of me, I know)
While reading the newspaper this morning, I read that a former President of the United States owes a hefty fine to the New York City Library. (Memories of the Seinfeld episode regarding the library cop, Mr. Bookman, and Jerry's overdue book ran through my mind.) Turns out that ole George Washington borrowed two books that were due November 2, 1789 and have yet to be returned. That's a fine of easily over $4,000.
Question: Did they just discover this? I got an email that I owed the fine within a week, which I already knew. Story says they found it in a ledger. I'll bet most young people know as much about ledgers as they do about 'Funk and Wagnalls'. And who has the time to browse old ledgers? The article didn't say.
So, if you are going to be a library deadbeat, be in good company, but return the book.
I did not finish 'Last Train' and will take it out of the library in the future to do so. I returned it to the library after the due date and had to pay a fine, a whopping ninety cents. I handed the person one dollar and told her to 'keep the change.' (generous, of me, I know)
While reading the newspaper this morning, I read that a former President of the United States owes a hefty fine to the New York City Library. (Memories of the Seinfeld episode regarding the library cop, Mr. Bookman, and Jerry's overdue book ran through my mind.) Turns out that ole George Washington borrowed two books that were due November 2, 1789 and have yet to be returned. That's a fine of easily over $4,000.
Question: Did they just discover this? I got an email that I owed the fine within a week, which I already knew. Story says they found it in a ledger. I'll bet most young people know as much about ledgers as they do about 'Funk and Wagnalls'. And who has the time to browse old ledgers? The article didn't say.
So, if you are going to be a library deadbeat, be in good company, but return the book.
From one Diana to Another
As you may have noticed, I am now reading a biography of Diana Ross. While I am not a fan, the bio is interesting. Diana and I both worked at the old J. L. Hudson Company downtown in the mid-60's. I worked in the Bridal Salon at the time and she was in the cafeteria. I never had the pleasure of seeing her on the floor. I would hear stories about her coming up to the 7th floor (where bridal was) and looking at the gowns in the Oval Room and saying that someday she would be wearing these clothes. It wasn't long before the Supremes had their first big hit record.
As for the other Diana, Gabaldon that is, I am still on the same page of her book. And now the Library has let me know that they have another one of my requested books available. I had to return the 'Last Train from Hiroshima' before I finished it, so it has to go back on my request list.
Spring and summer have too much going on for pleasure reading. At the rate I am going, it will take me three years to finish the Gabaldon book. The good news is that if it takes me that long and she releases her next book soon after, I will at least remember what happened in this book.
As for the other Diana, Gabaldon that is, I am still on the same page of her book. And now the Library has let me know that they have another one of my requested books available. I had to return the 'Last Train from Hiroshima' before I finished it, so it has to go back on my request list.
Spring and summer have too much going on for pleasure reading. At the rate I am going, it will take me three years to finish the Gabaldon book. The good news is that if it takes me that long and she releases her next book soon after, I will at least remember what happened in this book.
The Page 50 Rule Follow-up
Just received an email from my car dealership with an interesting article about great books. Click here to access the link. Good Reading!
The Page 50 Rule
I have established and decided to follow 'the page 50 rule'. That rule says that if you aren't really into a book by page 50, kick it to the curb (or, the library usually) and move on.
Yes, I am still reading 'An Echo in the Bone' and slowly making progress. Hey, it took the author three years to write it and I figure I can spend a few months, or several, reading it. So, I have exceptions.
In the interim I just returned a book to the libray titled 'Remarkable Creatures'. The book was not remarkable unless you are into fossils, which I am not. It is by the author of 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring' which I enjoyed. Not so this time. Page 50 and done.
I started this rule after slogging my way through 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle' in 2008. I had read a review about how wonderful this story was. It was a fairly long book. Took me three weeks to read it. I hated it. When I got to the last page I was angry that I had wasted my time. A year later they reviewed this book at my local library. The audience was split between loving and hating it. One woman who hated it said she quit at page 50 and wanted to know why anyone considered it to be so great, which is why she and I both showed up.
AHA! The birth of the page 50 rule. No longer would I feel compelled to read something because someone said it was great literature. I had to endure that kind of crap in school. I want to read for pure pleasure of reading.
I have since ditched Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' (boring) and James Patterson's 'Alex Cross's Trial' (preachy) and 'Swimsuit' (do I really need to read that much violent literature?). I should have passed on the recent 'Piano Teacher' but I kept thinking something good was going to come of it. NOT.
There are too many good books to read and too many good movies to watch to waste my time on drivel. This morning I returned a foreign movie to Netflix after trying for ten minutes to read subtitles that did not match up with the actors talking and I couldn't figure out who was saying what.
Try the page 50 rule. You'll be glad you did.
Yes, I am still reading 'An Echo in the Bone' and slowly making progress. Hey, it took the author three years to write it and I figure I can spend a few months, or several, reading it. So, I have exceptions.
In the interim I just returned a book to the libray titled 'Remarkable Creatures'. The book was not remarkable unless you are into fossils, which I am not. It is by the author of 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring' which I enjoyed. Not so this time. Page 50 and done.
I started this rule after slogging my way through 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle' in 2008. I had read a review about how wonderful this story was. It was a fairly long book. Took me three weeks to read it. I hated it. When I got to the last page I was angry that I had wasted my time. A year later they reviewed this book at my local library. The audience was split between loving and hating it. One woman who hated it said she quit at page 50 and wanted to know why anyone considered it to be so great, which is why she and I both showed up.
AHA! The birth of the page 50 rule. No longer would I feel compelled to read something because someone said it was great literature. I had to endure that kind of crap in school. I want to read for pure pleasure of reading.
I have since ditched Dan Brown's 'The Lost Symbol' (boring) and James Patterson's 'Alex Cross's Trial' (preachy) and 'Swimsuit' (do I really need to read that much violent literature?). I should have passed on the recent 'Piano Teacher' but I kept thinking something good was going to come of it. NOT.
There are too many good books to read and too many good movies to watch to waste my time on drivel. This morning I returned a foreign movie to Netflix after trying for ten minutes to read subtitles that did not match up with the actors talking and I couldn't figure out who was saying what.
Try the page 50 rule. You'll be glad you did.
"Laugh it up, Fuzzball"
We have come to the end of '31 Days of Oscar' on TCM. Tonight they will be awarding the Oscars for 2009. I've enjoyed watching past winners and nominees during this month, but the highlight was watching 'Tootsie', not once, but twice.
I sat down to eat my dinner tonight and checked to see what was available 'on demand'. When 'Tootsie' was on before, I was busy and missed several scenes. Mind you, I have probably seen this a dozen times, so I really didn't 'miss' anything. So, I plopped into my favorite chair and sat. I yukked it up for two hours. This movie is so funny. Sydney Pollack, as 'Tootsie's' agent, has some of the funniest lines.
The movie got me thinking about others that I have seen over and over again and that I still laugh at all the same jokes. My all time favorite is 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'. The best scene is when Ethel Merman falls head first into the garbage can. What a riot!
Then there is 'The Pink Panther'. I have the original soundtrack recording and I laugh just reading the album notes by Peter Sellers. The next year they came out with 'Cat Ballou' and Lee Marvin won the Oscar for Best Actor. I crack up every time he walks in the room, sees the candles next to the coffin, and starts singing 'Happy Birthday'. Sick, I know. I remember sitting in the theatre watching it and I wasn't the only one laughing.
I saw "The Odd Couple" at the Fisher Theatre. I remember George Gobel playing the character Felix Unger. He leaves a note for Oscar: 'We are out of corn flakes. FU' I thought I would fall out of my balcony seat. And I laughed so hard when I saw 'The Producers' on Broadway that I think I missed half the lines.
We all have a different sense of what is funny. My father used to watch 'The Three Stooges' and double over in laughter. I'd be sitting in the same room and wonder what was so funny. I feel the same way about the Marx Brothers. I love Woody Allen movies, but know folks who fall asleep watching them.
So, first chance you get, think about what movie you think is the funniest you ever saw, rent it, make some popcorn, and yuck it up. Laughter is healthy.
As for the quote up top, it is from a decidedly 'not funny' movie, but one of the best science fiction films ever, 'The Empire Strikes Back'.
I sat down to eat my dinner tonight and checked to see what was available 'on demand'. When 'Tootsie' was on before, I was busy and missed several scenes. Mind you, I have probably seen this a dozen times, so I really didn't 'miss' anything. So, I plopped into my favorite chair and sat. I yukked it up for two hours. This movie is so funny. Sydney Pollack, as 'Tootsie's' agent, has some of the funniest lines.
The movie got me thinking about others that I have seen over and over again and that I still laugh at all the same jokes. My all time favorite is 'It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'. The best scene is when Ethel Merman falls head first into the garbage can. What a riot!
Then there is 'The Pink Panther'. I have the original soundtrack recording and I laugh just reading the album notes by Peter Sellers. The next year they came out with 'Cat Ballou' and Lee Marvin won the Oscar for Best Actor. I crack up every time he walks in the room, sees the candles next to the coffin, and starts singing 'Happy Birthday'. Sick, I know. I remember sitting in the theatre watching it and I wasn't the only one laughing.
I saw "The Odd Couple" at the Fisher Theatre. I remember George Gobel playing the character Felix Unger. He leaves a note for Oscar: 'We are out of corn flakes. FU' I thought I would fall out of my balcony seat. And I laughed so hard when I saw 'The Producers' on Broadway that I think I missed half the lines.
We all have a different sense of what is funny. My father used to watch 'The Three Stooges' and double over in laughter. I'd be sitting in the same room and wonder what was so funny. I feel the same way about the Marx Brothers. I love Woody Allen movies, but know folks who fall asleep watching them.
So, first chance you get, think about what movie you think is the funniest you ever saw, rent it, make some popcorn, and yuck it up. Laughter is healthy.
As for the quote up top, it is from a decidedly 'not funny' movie, but one of the best science fiction films ever, 'The Empire Strikes Back'.
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