totally off topic -- just a lot of random stuff Showing 651-700 of 1,139

[Thomas]

If you click on Giveaways then Giveaways that you entered, you will get a list, about 20 books per page. If you have 20 pages= 400 books.
Welcome Jen.

[Bill]

I hope you find this group welcoming and interesting, Jen.

[Faith]

Don't you hate it when you left your book in the care and now your in the middle of a blizzard and can't find your driveway, let alone your book?

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Faith wrote: "Don't you hate it when you left your book in the care and now your in the middle of a blizzard and can't find your driveway, let alone your book?"

Fortunately never been in that position, it doesn't sound good - keep safe

[Charlotte (Buried in Books)]

So, I'm feeling rather sad because Colin Dexter passed away. Morse was a wonderful creation. The books were such easy reads. The final book was very emotional to read. Such a great author.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "So, I'm feeling rather sad because Colin Dexter passed away. Morse was a wonderful creation. The books were such easy reads. The final book was very emotional to read. Such a great author."

Oh my goodness! He was such a fine writer. I feel honored to have read his novels.

[Jan C]

I hadn't heard. I just finished a read (possibly re-read) of Last Bus to Woodstock.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I've just posted something about this under "Favorite Books/Authors."

[Bill]

Thank you for letting us know, Charlotte. I hadn't heard either. I've enjoyed the TV series based on Morse and the spin offs. I've just begun to read the books. Thanks also for starting a thread, Nancy.

[T]

Detour. I received an order of books this week and out of the stack was one book I knew my brother (the faster reader) would not care to read. I put the others in his TBR pile and kind of remember putting the one aside for me to read. Somewhere. I've been looking for it for 3 days now, have gone around the house numerous times, attempting to retrace my steps (ha!) and it still has failed to show up.

Anyone else have book imps that move and hide things from you?
(And if you see my missing book, would you please let me know where I put it? Thanks!)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

T wrote: "Detour. I received an order of books this week and out of the stack was one book I knew my brother (the faster reader) would not care to read. I put the others in his TBR pile and kind of remember ..."

That happens to me all the time. Way too often, in fact, so you're not alone.

[Bill]

T wrote: "Detour. I received an order of books this week and out of the stack was one book I knew my brother (the faster reader) would not care to read. I put the others in his TBR pile and kind of remember ..."

That's hilarious. It only happens to me with socks... The dogs might have something to do with that. :)

[T]

Bill wrote: "T wrote: "Detour. I received an order of books this week and out of the stack was one book I knew my brother (the faster reader) would not care to read. I put the others in his TBR pile and kind of..."

No Bill, the washing machine is supposed to be the sock eater, not the dog.... :-)

[T]

Nancy wrote: "T wrote: "Detour. I received an order of books this week and out of the stack was one book I knew my brother (the faster reader) would not care to read. I put the others in his TBR pile and kind of..."

But, Nancy, just cuz we're all losing our books (and marbles, no doubt!), doesn't make us feel any better, now does it?!

Okay, how many of you have paid a little kid to find it for you..... :-)

[Susan]

I am interested in reading a mystery set in the Orkney Islands. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Bill]

Susan wrote: "I am interested in reading a mystery set in the Orkney Islands. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

Orkney Twilight. I haven't read unfortunately, so I can't say it's interesting or not...

[Susan]

Thank you, Bill.

[Kajehas]

Susan wrote: "I am interested in reading a mystery set in the Orkney Islands. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

The Orkney Scroll

Third in a series, but should be ok to read by itself.

[Susan]

Thanks for the tip. I ordered a copy.

[Bill]

Kajehas wrote: "Susan wrote: "I am interested in reading a mystery set in the Orkney Islands. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

The Orkney Scroll

Third in a series, but should be ok to read by its..."

How could I have forgotten that. Most enjoyable and an interesting series.

[JoanneM]

I've noticed a lot of crime books lately which are connected to child abuse. I find it disturbing. I think these books should have a warning on the back so that people know in advance and can choose not to read them. What do others think?

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

JoanneM wrote: "I've noticed a lot of crime books lately which are connected to child abuse. I find it disturbing. I think these books should have a warning on the back so that people know in advance and can choos..."

I think anyone reading a synopsis before they choose to read the book should be able to tell without having to give a novel a warning label. If you put a warning label on this kind of book, then we'll start seeing warning labels on everything else. I don't think that's right.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Do what I do -- avoid.

[Wendy]

Some book plots would be ruined with such a label. However, I do not read John Kellerman specifically because he writes dark disturbing stuff about children. I have been known to shut a book down when things got upsetting, disturbing or upsetting. Know thy genre and author? I am sorry you had a bad book experience.

[Susan]

I do not read Jonathon Kellerman because I met him at a book event and he was very unpleasant to the people attending. Who needs to support an author that doesn't treat his readers with a little respect?

[David]

Nancy wrote: "Do what I do -- avoid."

That's what I do 99% of the time when I read the words 'serial killer' in a book blurb. The exceptions are authors I hold in high regard - Michael Connelly and Robert B. Parker to name two.

Why do I avoid them? Because they are boring.

[Wendy]

Susan wrote: "I do not read Jonathon Kellerman because I met him at a book event and he was very unpleasant to the people attending. Who needs to support an author that doesn't treat his readers with a little re..."

I had that happen to me with a scifi author Barry B. Longyear back in the 80s. Enemy Mine was an incredible book with a God awful movie and teleplay. Longyear only wrote the book and had nothing to do with the others. So when I went up to get my books signed, they were 1. paperback and 2. socially awkward teen me mentioned the bad writing and movie. He was brusque and kinda belittled me for bringing used paperbacks. I never read anything of his again. I DO recommend Enemy Mine though...
I am sad John Kellerman was rude because I have LONNNGED and pined to meet his wife Faye Kellerman. I was told somewhere (this site?) that Faye does very very little touring and even less on the west Coast. (US)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Quillracer wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Do what I do -- avoid."

That's what I do 99% of the time when I read the words 'serial killer' in a book blurb. The exceptions are authors I hold in high regard - Michael Connelly an..."

What I've discovered over the last few years is that a lot of basic serial killer stories have been reshuffled and so you end up with a lot of same old same old novels told by different authors. Adding gratuitous, graphic violence and torture seems to be the only thing that's left these days. Originality seems to be lacking across a number of genres.

[David]

They all seem (to me at least) to be focused on the goriest killings possible instead of telling a good story.

The other thing that bugs me about them is the ending. Either the killer (who throughout the first 80 - 90% of the novel displays an Einsteinian IQ or the attention to detail of a surgeon) makes the dumbest mistake possible - one so blatant even a blind man could see it. Or the detective (who over the same time span can't see the clues staring him in the face) suddenly puts it all together and knows who the killer is.

[Susan]

Wendy wrote: "Susan wrote: "I do not read Jonathon Kellerman because I met him at a book event and he was very unpleasant to the people attending. Who needs to support an author that doesn't treat his readers wi..."

Wendy, this was at a Tony Hillerman conference in Albuquerque, NM, about 10 years ago. Faye was there and was very sweet and kind and just how you imagine she would be. She was a delight which made her husband's boorish behavior even worse. Also, a delight was Tony Hillerman who gave my 80 year old mother his secret pumpkin soup recipe.

I was so sad to hear about your experience as a young person. He should have been glad people were reading his book and in spite of your recommendation, I will not read it now. Who discourages young people from showing up to an event with whatever copy they can afford? Inexcusable.

[Alan]

I was a "struggling" actor for many years in LA. I met many "famous" people--some were kind, some were not. I learn to dislike the person and not what he/she accomplished. People can be jerks, but it doesn't mean that they can't create something of great beauty and worth.

[JoanneM]

Wow, I always liked Jonathan Kellersman. To hear that he was boorish is so disappointing. Maybe he had a bad day. Did anyone else have a similar experience with him?

[Susan]

I agree with you, Alan, that people can be jerks and create great beauty. Luckily there are enough good authors out there and a limited amount of time so I can spend time with people I enjoy. I will never forgive how rude he was to my 80 year old mother and he could have been having an off day or he could simply be an a-hole. I hope for his sake that it was just an off day.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Quillracer wrote: "They all seem (to me at least) to be focused on the goriest killings possible instead of telling a good story.

The other thing that bugs me about them is the ending. Either the killer (who through..."

That's very true. It just gets old after a while.

[Billy]

Is there anyone in the group that could answer a couple of questions about DNA? I understand that DNA can survive from a month to a million years, depending on the conditions of the material.
I'm looking for DNA for dummies responses. I've checked Google. Most of the information whizzed over my head so fast my ears flapped.
DNA doesn't like water or some types of clay. That's it. The sum of my understanding.
Much appreciated.

[Alan]

Susan wrote: "I agree with you, Alan, that people can be jerks and create great beauty. Luckily there are enough good authors out there and a limited amount of time so I can spend time with people I enjoy. I wil..."

Hope your next encounter is more happy!

[David]

Helston wrote: "Is there anyone in the group that could answer a couple of questions about DNA? I understand that DNA can survive from a month to a million years, depending on the conditions of the material.
I'm l..."

There are several books that cover DNA in very basic language. Lee Lofland's Police Procedure and Investigation and Dr. D. P. Lyle's Forensics, both in Writers Digest Howdunit series, would be good starting points. And there is a Forensics For Dummies book.

Hope this help.

[Thomas]

Liz and I are in Iceland, doing a land tour. Today we went inside a glacier. One room is called the chapel, because of the acoustics,deep in the glacier. The guide had us stand outside while she went in and sang an Icelandic song. She came out and pointed to Liz and said "You sing next." Liz said Noooo, but then went in and sang "Ave Maria." Everyone applauded. No one else sang.

[T]

Thomas wrote: "Liz and I are in Iceland, doing a land tour. Today we went inside a glacier. One room is called the chapel, because of the acoustics,deep in the glacier. The guide had us stand outside while she we..."

How cool is that!

[Jan C]

Thomas wrote: "Liz and I are in Iceland, doing a land tour. Today we went inside a glacier. One room is called the chapel, because of the acoustics,deep in the glacier. The guide had us stand outside while she we..."

That does sound cool.

[Susan]

Thomas wrote: "Liz and I are in Iceland, doing a land tour. Today we went inside a glacier. One room is called the chapel, because of the acoustics,deep in the glacier. The guide had us stand outside while she we..."

How dare you go to Iceland without telling me? I know Declan went there and loved it. Be sure to post details in GRI so I can keep up. Have a wonderful time.

[Thomas]

Susan, time for a restorative dance. I posted another reply on GRI

[Wendy]

I wish I could afford such trips. Although, I DID feed a rhino and 2 giraffes this summer!

[Susan]

That sounds simply wonderful, Wendy.

[Michael]

"Wives with Knives" aye? Sounds like my wife LOL

[[deleted user]]

Nancy wrote: "Quillracer wrote: "They all seem (to me at least) to be focused on the goriest killings possible instead of telling a good story.

The other thing that bugs me about them is the ending. Either the ..."
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This does not have anything to do with the above comment but...
Nancy-I keep looking at your new avatar picture and wondering why it is so familiar. I think it's a character from Dick Tracy. Am I right?

[Thomas]

Wendy wrote: "I wish I could afford such trips. Although, I DID feed a rhino and 2 giraffes this summer!"

I have never fed a rhino or a giraffe. Our next trip is a Sea of Cortes(Gulf of California) cruise.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

MsG wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Quillracer wrote: "They all seem (to me at least) to be focused on the goriest killings possible instead of telling a good story.

The other thing that bugs me about them is the endin..."

No - it's the front of a T-shirt I have that's from the old Nancy and Sluggo cartoons.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_(...

[Wendy]

Thomas, I went to San Diego Safari Park. The Deluxe tour was well worth it.