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Post by Patcat on Oct 12, 2010 9:18:21 GMT -5
A couple of recommendations for books I think LOCI fans might find of particular interest: THE MURDER ROOM: THE HEIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES GATHER TO SOLVE THE WORLD'S MOST PERPLEXING COLD CASES, by Mike Capuzzo. This is a history of the Vidocq Society, a gathering of forensic scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists, law enforcement people, who meet periodically to deal with cases. The book's style is a bit disjointed, and the author may overstate the group's successes, but their work is fascinating and the members, especially its three central and founding members, even more so. Some of them will remind you of Bobby Goren. Some of them will remind you of Alex Eames.
PRICELESS: HOW I WENT UNDERCOVER TO RESCUE THE WORLD'S STOLEN TREASTURE, by Robert Wittman. The memoir of the FBI's first head of its Art Rescue Division. Mr. Wittman is a good man, and a good cop. His description of undercover work is fascinating, and, again, he may remind you of Bobby Goren. It also appears the FBI may be in as much bureaucratic trouble as is depicted in the LAW AND ORDER universe.
Patcat
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Post by Patcat on Nov 4, 2010 9:02:05 GMT -5
More recommendations:
STALLING FOR TIME by Gary Noesner. A memoir of a FBI negogiator. He was present at Waco, and offers a clear explanation of how the FBI's entrenched ideas helped create that disaster. It's not just about that case, though, and is a fascinating read.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN. Garry Wills' too short memoir offers surprising and funny reflections on his life and encounters with people from William F. Buckly to the Clintons (a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of Hillary Clinton).
JUST LIKE SOMEONE WITHOUT MENTAL ILLNESS ONLY MORE SO by Mark Vonnegut. An unusual, moving, intelligent book. Yes, he is the son of Kurt Vonnegut, and the book is partly an account of what that was like. It's also a memoir of what it's like to be bipolar. And it's an effective complaint about how insurance companies and their regulation handcuff doctors (Mr. Vonnegut is a pediatrician). I'm not sure what this book is, actually, but it's wonderful.
Patcat
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Post by jeffan on Nov 12, 2010 7:21:35 GMT -5
Thank you again for recommendations. Trisha, I’m a big fan of audio books especially when travelling. My recommendation is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. Don’t be shocked as it was recommended to me by an Austen purist! Remarkably, it’s an engrossing read and really funny in places without loosing Austen’s original core text. There is a whole genre of these books, which I’ve recently discovered, and if this publication is anything to go by, I’ll work my way through them all.
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Post by Patcat on Nov 17, 2010 9:04:14 GMT -5
I just read ON WRITING by Stephen King. Part memoir, part reflections on books and movies he likes, part instruction manual, part love letter to his wife. I haven't read a lot of Stephen King, but not because I don't like his writing. I do--a lot--but I'm not a huge horror fan. I find there are enough real life horrors to keep me awake at night. But I do like Mr. King's writing. This book is funny, moving, and full of great practical advice. Mr. King hates the passive voice and adverbs, but loves writing and reading. The book also contains a harrowing account of the accident (a van hit Mr. King while he took his daily walk) that almost killed him. It's also funny and touching. Mr. King notes that he was nearly killed by a character out of one of his books. This book makes me want to be a better writer, reader, and person.
Patcat
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Post by maherjunkie on Nov 17, 2010 16:44:31 GMT -5
Does he say anything about his eye problems?
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Post by Patcat on Nov 17, 2010 17:22:26 GMT -5
not that I recall.
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Post by Patcat on Nov 22, 2010 9:44:25 GMT -5
Another recommendation--RUNNING THE BOOKS, by Avi Eisner. A memoir of a Harvard graduate/former Yeshiva student who became a libraian at a Boston prison. A remarkable visit to a world most of us won't experience in the company of a fine writer who's trying to find himself. Terrific book.
Patcat
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Post by trisha on Nov 22, 2010 22:41:02 GMT -5
Jeffan, I've been meaning to pick up a copy of P&P&Z for a while now, but something else always bumps it back a few books. I have to say that the cover art kills me everytime I see it ;D
My last read was The Giver by Lois Lowry. It won a Newberry a few years back, and I think it probably deserved it. I loved it all the way up until the end, which I won't comment on to not spoil anything for anyone. Anyways, it's a short little dystopic tale, and if you're into those, you'll probably like this one.
I've also recently read Graceling by Kristin Cashore, which is another YA novel. This one is more action/fantasy and made it to my list only because I just joined a new bookclub and this is the November book. If you like YA action/fantasy, it's a good story, but could have used a better editor.
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Post by skittles4me on Dec 29, 2010 13:25:52 GMT -5
When I thought LOCI was over (well it was over for me when G/E left) I decided to watch all the VDO and KE movies I could find. If a movie is based on a book I try to read the book first because it will fill in any gaps that the movie might have. I found a copy of Anne Tyler's Breathing Lessons- a Pulitzer Prize winner BTW- in a used book store and the video tape of the movie a few weeks later in a thrift shop! (I'm a treasure hunter ;D) I enjoyed the book very much. It was easy to read and funny, sad and real all at the same time. The main character was ditsy, but her husband was down to earth enough to keep it believable. The movie was very true to the novel (just a little sweeter in the end). The story isn't one that ends in a tidy package with a crisp bow on top. I had to think about it and arrived at the conclusion that it was all about how a long-married couple stays in love and weathers changes within their lives...as well as the things that stay the same. More here: www.imdb.com/title/tt0109335/Kathryn Erbe is cast as Fiona, ex-daughter-in-law of Maggie (Joanne Woodward) and Ira (James Garner). The ex-husband Jesse is played by Tim Guinee who guest starred on LOCI as the dad in "Bright Boy". (He recently starred in a short film with Kathryn Erbe called "Mother's House" which I think is going to be released in various film festivals next year.) "Breathing Lessons" isn't a fast moving action packed kind of movie, but it is sweet with some funny and sad moments and a great cast! Of course I thought KE was wonderful and looked great. Just finished another novel by Anne Tyler- Back When We Were Grown-ups. This story is also about a mother that holds her very real family together. I liked it even more than Breathing Lessons! Right now I am reading Household Saints....will get back....
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angua
Detective
Posts: 281
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Post by angua on Dec 30, 2010 19:00:31 GMT -5
I was just commenting on another website that I don't have enough people to tell about my favorite book, "The Book Thief," when I remembered this forum! I've never mentioned it to anyone here but Hiekimikey! Read it read it read it! It's wonderful, you'll laugh but you'll probably cry buckets. Seriously, this book's amazing.
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Post by jeffan on Jan 13, 2011 6:15:05 GMT -5
Jeffan, I've been meaning to pick up a copy of P&P&Z for a while now, but something else always bumps it back a few books. I have to say that the cover art kills me everytime I see it ;D and me Trish and that's why I posted it!
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Post by Patcat on Jan 13, 2011 9:30:32 GMT -5
SWIMMING IN A SEA OF DEATH by David Rieff, is an angry, moving, beautifully written memoir of Mr. Rieff's attempts to deal with the death of his mother, the noted scholar and writer Susan Sontag, from myldeoplastica, a condition that leads to a lethal form of leukemia. As its title indicates, it's not the happiest book, but it's very moving and honest. I wish I could've read it when I was dealing with my mother's last illness. I think it would've helped.
Patcat
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