Book Club. Only the quiet and well behaved allowed in.

[dirtylover]

Anybody read anything good recently?



Remember, please be quiet. I am the boss of Book Club, and my rules go.

If you don't like it, don't post. See if I care (I won't)

So (conversation starter), I've ben reading 'House of Decadence' by Lucia Cubbelli. It was okay, but there's better stuff here, especially by the loiterers and lurkers amongst these tomes of intellectual bustle.

Book Club Boss has spoken, now you, my servile little readership, may take some pleasure in entertaining Him.

Mwwahahaha *Cracks whip

(Think I identified with the dominant, arrogant fuck. There's not a sensitive bone in my body. Except when I get a boner)

Sorry, I'm stoned. I can just write to myself when I'm like this. And make myself laugh)

 

[dirtylover]

re

I still don't care that no-one has posted.

 

[Guest]

BC Boss: I am generally turned off by stoners, but I have found you endearing since your arrival on the scene, and serious enough about reading.

I've just finished The Confessions of Max Tivoli. It is a first person narration by a man who was born as a 70 year old adult and then grew young. His body and age only matched when he was 35. At 10 or so (in the body of a 60 year old or so), he falls in love with a young girl. He meets up with her twice more in his life, the last as an old man in the body of a boy when she is an old woman.

It's very well written, very poetic throughout. The author, a gay San Fr. man, Andrew Greer, seems to have a joy for language and writing that comes through in his prose. He's obviously philosophical too.

The actual ending of the book, the writing, was a bit disappointing but the novel is worth reading.

A reviewer (lost the site) wrote: “Max makes a credible stand-in for anybody who’e ever felt himself impatiently young, or suddenly old. He’s a freak, but who’s not?”

This is a nice excerpt: “Our parents watch us so carefully when we’re children, desperate not to miss a first scream, frist step, a first word, never taking their eyes off us. Yet we do not watch them. They near the end in solitude—even those who live beside us die in solitude—and rarely do we catch their own milestones: the last scream before the morphine settles in, last step before they cannot walk, last word before the throat seals.”

Perdita

 

[dirtylover]

Wow

Thats some powerful stuff. I've heard of the book, but not actually read it. Sounds good though. I do like things that make you see from a different angle.

Puts me in mind of Eliot's opening of Four Quartets:

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time feature contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of specualtion.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.
Footfalls echo in the memory
Down the passage we did not take
Towards the door we never opened
Into the rose-garden, My words echo
Thus in your mind.

etc

I've not actually read much farther than that, since I just get lost.

---Endearing stoner? I think you may have me in a nutshell.

I'm not just a nut though.

Thanks for posting btw, I've always thought you would make a good member of book club. Not like all those lurkers. I bet none of them post.

 

[Guest]

dl: Do you know of Jasper Fforde? Books: The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots.

They are very literary detective novels, more lit. than detecting. Thursday Next is the femme P.I. who lives in 80's England but not the 80s we knew. The Crimean War is still going on, Wales is the Welsh Socialist Republic, and Richard III is performed at midnight like Rocky Horror Pic. Show events (people dress in character, shout and recite with the actors).

In "Eyre", someone has kidnapped Jane Eyre from the text and holds her for ransom. Literature is everyone's (in this England) concern. In "Lost", Miss Havisham helps Thursday solve the crime.

"Well" is just out in hardback so I have to be patient (haha). These are truly fun books. Fforde has a fun site too.

Oh, and cloned Dodo birds are kept as illicit pets, and the most popular telly game show is "Name that Fruit".

Perdita (can I be the Club's Sgt. at Arms?)

 

[Guest]

I don't think I'm qualified to join, because I'm neither quiet, nor well behaved. But, if I promise to be on my best, most quietest behaviour, am I allowed to join in?

I'm not reading anything anywhere near high-brow, though. I like my pulp horror. I've read some flippin stuff good recently. Currently reading Vampyrrhic Rites, by Simon Clark. It's a deliciously dark book, based around Lazarus Deep - a massive glacial lake. The dead of many years have a call, like that of the sirens, pulling some of the long gone inhabitants of the local village back to the lake.

I highly rate Simon Clark. He's a British author, and is beginning to establish himself as a rival to the success of James Herbert. Most of his books are set in and around Doncaster, although his characters tend to travel all over the country.

The best book by him I've read is the critically acclaimed Blood Crazy. It's an end of the world book, and a must read for any horror fan. While reading that I had resonances of Richard Matheson's masterpiece, I Am Legend.

Please, DL, Mr. BC Boss, may I join?

Lou

 

[CharleyH]

Well, I'm not very quite sometimes, and not very well-behaved other times . . . but there are the times in between.

I haven't had time to read full-length fiction, but have read a number of short stories. The first by Collette, titled 'Nuits Blanches' was particularly beautiful, and revisting Huxley's, "Usually Destroyed."

The others are non-fiction. I keep trying to feed my brain. "Dark Eros," which is basically an exploration and critique of the works of Marquis de Sade so far.

"Pier Paolo Pasolini," A part biography, but mainly an exploration of the works of a fascinating film director.

And some stuff about the art and eroticism of Japanese bondage -

I'm a bit of a multi-tasker with no time . . . I'll give better explanations when I eventually get to the end of something aside from a short story.

 

[Guest]

Loulou and Charlie: you two are why I want to be the sgt. at arms .

dl: I can handle them, really.

Lou: the books I mentioned are not highbrow, just well written and pleasurable to read.

If I get hb I'll warn everyone.

Perdita

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I'm currently reading Rose Madder by Stephen King. It's about Rosie McClendon, who is married to an abusive man. He beats her up daily, tortures her with a sharp pencil, and even rapes her anally with the handle of a tennis racket. After 14 years of abuse, Rosie finally wakes up and realizes that he's going to kill her if she doesn't run away. So she steals his credit card, and walks out of the house.
Her husband, however, doesn't want to accept this rebellious behavior. He goes after her. And he knows how to track people down. He's a cop...

Even though this book doesn't contain as much of his usual ghost stories and supernatural elements, Stephen King manages to build up tension and make you shudder from the creepiness of the story.

 

[Guest]

Loulou and Charlie: you two are why I want to be the sgt. at arms .

dl: I can handle them, really.

Lou: the books I mentioned are not highbrow, just well written and pleasurable to read.

If I get hb I'll warn everyone.

Perdita

Good, we need to be kept in check.

Yeah, I get you, the stuff I read is always well written; it's just genre fiction, which is often (unfairly) looked down upon. I don't know why (and this is the case with most fans of horror/erotic horror), but we always find ourselves getting defensive when talking about it. Maybe it's because a lot of it is gratuitously violent crap, but there are some real gems out there - like most fiction, I guess.

I just love to be chilled, thrilled, aroused and scared witless, although the latter rarely happens - not that I'm "hard" or anything, but there is very little out there which is actually "scary".

Anyway, I'm waffling now.

Lou

 

[Guest]

I'm currently reading Rose Madder by Stephen King. It's about Rosie McClendon, who is married to an abusive man. He beats her up daily, tortures her with a sharp pencil, and even rapes her anally with the handle of a tennis racket. After 14 years of abuse, Rosie finally wakes up and realizes that he's going to kill her if she doesn't run away. So she steals his credit card, and walks out of the house.
Her husband, however, doesn't want to accept this rebellious behavior. He goes after her. And he knows how to track people down. He's a cop...

Even though this book doesn't contain as much of his usual ghost stories and supernatural elements, Stephen King manages to build up tension and make you shudder from the creepiness of the story.

Svenska, that is an awesome book. As for supernatural elements in it, I'll say nothing, for now. I know how infuriating spoilers can be.

I'll be interested to know what you think of it, as the story pans out, and reaches its ending. Be sure to check back.

Lou

 

[CharleyH]

Loulou and Charlie: you two are why I want to be the sgt. at arms .

dl: I can handle them, really.

Lou: the books I mentioned are not highbrow, just well written and pleasurable to read.

If I get hb I'll warn everyone.

Perdita

As a multi-tasking reader, I have a really bad habit of reading directions on a post, but not whole posts when I got the point already. Be rest assured, had I heard the term servile, or felt any kind of whip cracking on MY ass - (it must have been a really lame attempt) I'd have been a hell of a lot more viscious.

Also - I mainly read AH posts . . . and Perdita, you under rank yourself. I'll take the Admiral position anytime

 

[CharleyH]

SHIT - It's impossible to be quiet and well-beahved - I'm pretty sure Lou will feel the same way . . . once she gets her ass back here. LOL

 

[dirtylover]

re

Ah ha! Hello my lovelies, please take a seat. I have tea and biscuits. Does anybody else have anything to share at Book Club's first official get together?

Okay, let's begin.

Peridati: Haven't heard of Jasper Fforde, but I like the sound of it. I would be the first to get an illicit Dodo. I'd get ten in fact. Name that Fruit? I have heard of that!

Let's try...?

On second thoughts.


Lou: You are loud and misbehaved and you would like to join Bk?
Well, I guess we can see how it goes. However, if you disrupt the meeting too much you may be subjected to disciplinary action. Actions that go beyond your worst nightmare.

Have to say, I haven't read much horror. However, I have just bought a couple of Kafka's novels. I've heard they really creep you out, maybe in a different way though.

Btw, I'm far from highbrow. I have to tiptoe to reach doorbells.

Charley: Wow, quite an eclectic taste. I like it! My favourite author is Aldous Huxley, but haven't heard of Usually Destroyed (are we talking of the same guy?) I really like 'Time must have a stop', which I read recently.

Marquis de Sade- Who was he again? Related to BDSM?

Like your AV, it looks as if though it may be influenced by erotic Japanese bondage. Or maybe that's just my imagination, running away with me.
---------------------

Okay, any comments?

Could you pass me a biscuit Lou?

Any other mystery lurkers fancy a biscuit? Or some tea?

 

[Guest]

SHIT - It's impossible to be quiet and well-beahved - I'm pretty sure Lou will feel the same way . . . once she gets her ass back here. LOL

Hey hey! My ass is present(ed).

Ahem, sorry, I was being sensible. Naughty Lou!

I wonder how long that will last...?

Lou

 

[destinie21]

I've read some good books lately I'm not quiet and well behaved is a matter of preception...

Anyway just for I happened to pick up

Discourse on Metaphysics by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz,
and Theodicy: Essays on the Goodness of God the Freedom of Man and the Origin of Evil

because I was feeling philosophical or whatever...

The Idiot
by Fydor Dostoyevsky,
One of my favorite quotes comes from this book: "Compassion is the essential, and perhaps it is the only law in the life of all humankind." The novel seems to say that a saintly man, making his way in a society that is concerned with materialism and cutthroat avarice, will be considered a childish idiot for valuing honesty, kindness, and the simple things in life. the ending is a shocker and sends a plaintive message, that in a crazy world, a sanatorium is the only place for a saint


Only Begotten Daughter, by James Morrow
the celibate keeper of an abandoned lighthouse near Atlantic City, has been blessed with a daughter conceived of his own seed and a holy ovum. Julie is bewildered by her role in the divine scheme of things, and tempted by the Devil and challenged by neo- Christian zealots(c'mon who doesn't love zealots?) the book takes the reader through Hell and New Jersey. (which may be one in the same if you've ever been to Jersey)


and for fun Summerland by Michael Chabon

which was a weird bit of fantasy flavored heavily with americana and certin myths It's a childrens book supposedly

 

[Guest]

One rich tea biscuit coming up. Or, would you prefer a bourbon? Garibaldi?

Anyways, back to the books...

Yes, Kafka is big on the slight, atmospheric stuff. It's not really my cup of tea (sorry, no pun intended), but it is very well written. I prefer the thrilling variety of chilling, although when mixed well, both can be good.

Lou - tea lady.

 

[destinie21]

ha someone who wasn't me derailed this thread

 

[dirtylover]

Hmmmm!

This thread has got out of control while I was writing my last post!
I am not pleased in the slightest. I'm so annoyed in fact, I'm going to use my angry face...












Okay. Peridia - I think you're getting above your station a little too quickly. Perhaps you can hand out the complimentary bookmarks at the next meeting.

As for you two; yes, I'm talking to you, Charlie and Lou; well, I've never seen such bad behaviour! Admiral Charlie? Pah! That tea you made wasn't even warm!

And Lou, presenting your ass!! Well, actually that might be quite nice.

Hiya Flicka. I overheard you talking about the Ikea Catalogue, now the most read book ever. Right on Sweden! Or is it Switzerland? Anyway, sorry, I'm just being offensive now. Please, have some tea.

 

[CharleyH]

Re: re

Okay, let's begin.

Charley: Wow, quite an eclectic taste. I like it! My favourite author is Aldous Huxley, but haven't heard of Usually Destroyed (are we talking of the same guy?) I really like 'Time must have a stop', which I read recently.

Marquis de Sade- Who was he again? Related to BDSM?

Like your AV, it looks as if though it may be influenced by erotic Japanese bondage. Or maybe that's just my imagination, running away with me.

TEA AND BISCUITS? LOL - you obviously have't read the drunk thread - I think everyone has posted there. Yes, Aldous Huxley 1956.

KAFKA is my favorite, but been there done that. I was a wee too cool to be cool person in high school.

Sadaism - lol - guess I'm whipping your ass now?

AV - hm - thanks for noticing - I art directed this shot very rpoud of it - and uh huh - pornographied her too As for japanese bondage in this photo - must look at Perdita's favorite erotic word, 'semiotics' - elaborate ropes, knots and other goodies are indeed missing. She says Grrr.

I knew Lous ASS would come around sometime!

And Svenska - tennis racquet up where?

 

[Guest]

Sorry. *hangs head in shame*

I tried to bring it back to books again, I thought I made a pretty good save, well-ish.

Ooh ooh! You have a new member to sign in... quick, before Dest runs away!

Lou - trying diversionary tactics.

 

[Guest]

Re: re

Btw, I'm far from highbrow. I have to tiptoe to reach doorbells.

See, that is what makes you endearing.

I like very strong tea (Yorkshire blend at present) with milk (not cream) and one sugar. Don't know much about English biscuits (diff from biscuits here), but I do like scones.

I don't want to be an officer anymore.

Perdu

 

[dirtylover]

Hello

k, it's getting better,

welcome Destine,

and now I'm beginning to feel a little intimidated. My little fantasy of being the dominant one seems a little far fetched, considering the females present at this first meeting.

I think a cat fight may be in order to find out my second in command. She can then keep the others in check, and no-one will usurp me.


PS - Dostovesky is high on my reading list. Love the quote Destine, reminds me of the way my mum is.

 

[Guest]

Re: Hello

I think a cat fight may be in order to find out my second in command.

No, we don't need any cat fights, however much it might turn you on, dl.

Let's just keep drinking tea (or euphemistic tea), talkin' books and teasing you.

P.

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Hello

No, we don't need any cat fights, however much it might turn you on, dl.

Let's just keep drinking tea (or euphemistic tea), talkin' books and teasing you.

P.

Seconded.

Lou