THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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Archives - Member Introductions
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PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR FELLOW JAMES MASON MEMBERS!
Kate wrote: "Hi all! Thanx Rick for the invite. Jeez everyone seems to be a author 'ere so I'm gonna get on the band-wagon too. There's a poetry anthology coming out in the New Yr & I'm in it: 'Whispers in the ..."So there, indeed Kate, LOL. Welcome to the group, I already like your sense of humor!
Serena
I've been commenting on this site for a few days now, and didn't notice the intro here!
Thank you all for inviting me. I was surprised, as most folks don't think of me as being classy enough to enjoy British Literature - but I do!
I Love all things British. I am half British (the Da came from England) so I have his British tenacity, his British humor, his British approach to life, and, unfortunately, his British teeth. (you all know what I mean)
I also sport a fondness for BBC telly programmes, tea, British new-wave (I'm dating myself)and feel right at home in grey, foggy, rainy days.
When I was growing up, I read so many British novels, my spelling shows for it! (much to the chagrin of my editors.)
I love the classics, (though Shakespear can grow on my nerves from time to time.) Some of my all time favorite books are Wind in the Willows, Secret Garden, stories by George Eliot, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Tolkien, Rudyard Kipling, Mary Shelley, H G Wells, any thing by James Herriott and all Sherlock Holmes stories.
Even now, I find my tastes go towards current M/M romance British authors - my favorite being Charlie Cochran, as well as Alex Beecroft, Lee Rowan, Estrates, Stevie Woods...
With that said, it is my greatest wish to travel to England, see Stonehedge, London and all sorts of lovely spots.
I adore history. With the US being such a young country, the people here don't really have that 'apprechiation' of history like the British do.
Perhaps I shall get lost there, never to return to the US. Hmmm. Wouldn't bother me at all.
Ta-Ta for now!
Thank you all for inviting me. I was surprised, as most folks don't think of me as being classy enough to enjoy British Literature - but I do!
I Love all things British. I am half British (the Da came from England) so I have his British tenacity, his British humor, his British approach to life, and, unfortunately, his British teeth. (you all know what I mean)
I also sport a fondness for BBC telly programmes, tea, British new-wave (I'm dating myself)and feel right at home in grey, foggy, rainy days.
When I was growing up, I read so many British novels, my spelling shows for it! (much to the chagrin of my editors.)
I love the classics, (though Shakespear can grow on my nerves from time to time.) Some of my all time favorite books are Wind in the Willows, Secret Garden, stories by George Eliot, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Tolkien, Rudyard Kipling, Mary Shelley, H G Wells, any thing by James Herriott and all Sherlock Holmes stories.
Even now, I find my tastes go towards current M/M romance British authors - my favorite being Charlie Cochran, as well as Alex Beecroft, Lee Rowan, Estrates, Stevie Woods...
With that said, it is my greatest wish to travel to England, see Stonehedge, London and all sorts of lovely spots.
I adore history. With the US being such a young country, the people here don't really have that 'apprechiation' of history like the British do.
Perhaps I shall get lost there, never to return to the US. Hmmm. Wouldn't bother me at all.
Ta-Ta for now!
George wrote: "I've been commenting on this site for a few days now, and didn't notice the intro here!Thank you all for inviting me. I was surprised, as most folks don't think of me as being classy enough to en..."
Good to see you here, George!
Mod
I think in a way- all readers are writers- even just in their own mind- I am not an author- but when I read a book- I often find myself - editing and mentally re-writing lines and especially casting the characters after know actors/actresses.
I read a great thriller by Joe Finder- KillerInstinct- and wrote to him that a main character reminded me so much of warren oates- he wrote back that he had another actor (one still living!) in mind- but "When you are the reader- you become the casting director"
Mod
Thank you all for inviting me. I was surprised, as most folks don't think of me as being cl..."
as George is a writer and fan of M/M Romance- perhaps you can recommend some titles for him Serena!
not in my realm of knowledge - but that what Ilove about our group- its very diversity!
Intro section: I'm 43 and have read 1723 books since 1994. An expatriate Yorkshireman (like James Mason himself, I suppose), I came to Malaysia in 1994 (the record keeping dates from there) to work on Malaysia's first privatised Power Plants. Fell in love, married and formed my own consulting practice here. Favourite writers and genres is never a static process but my bias comes from my background as well as a nostalgia and yearning for the old country from time to time. That said alongside Greene, Maugham, Dickens, Ambler, Bagley, Innes, Robinson, Harvey, etc I do enjoy "series" type procedurals, especially those set in "interesting locales". I am a big fan of the Inspector Wallander series by Henning Mankell (Ystad, Sweden), Inspector Sejer by Karin Fossum (Norway), Arnuldur Indriadson's Icelandic procedurals, Hakan Nesser's Van Veteren (also Sweden) and the John Sandford Lucas Davenport novels set in Minneapolis. Needless to say I have compulsions or disorders in that all series' must be read in sequence which means that I have sometimes an anxious wait to try to find out of print books to carry on a sequence! I have over 2000 books at home all of which are kept in alphabetical & chronological sequence (author's surname of course), similarly my 3000 music CD's are stored and I only collect original releases with very minimal 'greatest hits" types.Apart from work, books and music I like to travel, cycle and walk. I have three kids, a Volvo MPV and a cat called Cinders.
I'm a newbie, too -- a Brit living in Australia. Thanks Rick for the invitation.I'm a writer,two books out and another on the way.
Whilst looking back on your previous discussions I became enthralled with the 'favourite detective' subject. (Oct) I was delighted to see Gail quote Wycliffe as one of hers. He was an old favourite of mine, too. His Cornish setting had me glued to the TV. I set my first crime novel FERRYMAN in Cornwall. Well, I did know the area, having lived there for 20 years and raised my family there before we all migratted to the warmer climes of Australia.
Another fave of mine is Michael Kitchen in Foyles War -- so British! Does anyone remember that one? Loved it. Currently reading RD Wingfield series on DI Jack Frost. I have one husband, 3 kids, 6 grandkids and 2 dogs. (Mine is the German shepherd called Tamar -- after the river in Cornwall.)
Mod
Paul- welcome to group! facinating post- I also have over 2000 books- I only wish they were as organized as yours! Reading in sequence is quite important to me also- expecially with The Scarlet Pimpernel books as they often assume readers are familiar with events from previous books.
Mod
I'm a writer,two books out and another on the way.
Whilst looking back on your previous discussions I became enthr..."
Welcome Carole,
never heard of Foyle's War- so I looked it up!
Foyle's War is a British detective drama created by screenwriter and author Anthony Horowitz, and commissioned by ITV after the long-running series Inspector Morse came to an end in 2000. It has aired on ITV from 2001 and was originally axed in 2007 by director of television Simon Shaps, but thanks to a number of complaints and a large public demand, ITV decided to revive the series after its sixth series proved to be a ratings success in 2008.[1:][2:] Series 7 commenced filming in February 2009, with all regular cast members returning.[3:] [4:]
The programme is set during the Second World War in Hastings, England, where Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle (Michael Kitchen) attempts to catch criminals who are taking advantage of the confusion the war has created. He is assisted by his driver Samantha "Sam" Stewart (Honeysuckle Weeks) and Detective Sergeant Paul Milner (Anthony Howell).
Foyle, a widower, is quiet, methodical, and very observant and is frequently underestimated by his foes. Many of his cases concern profiteering, the black market, and murder. Foyle often comes up against high-ranking officials in the British military or intelligence services who would prefer that he mind his own business, but he is tenacious in seeking justice.
The stories are largely self-contained. There are some running strands, mainly involving the career of Foyle's son Andrew (played by Julian Ovenden), a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force, or Foyle's continuing relationships with cameo characters.
Each episode runs for about 95 to 100 minutes, filling a two-hour slot on ITV when commercials are included. In order to fit PBS's 90 minute time-slot in the United States, episodes, particularly in series 1 to 3, were edited by several minutes each.
In a newspaper article and in his interview that accompanies the first season DVD set Anthony Horowitz was asked why he named the main character Christopher Foyle. He explained that he was seeking a name that evoked the early 1940s and thought of Foyles Bookshop in London's Charing Cross Road, once known for its archaic practices and its owner Christina Foyle. Christopher was the nearest male name to Christina, but from 1999 following the death of Christina Foyle, control passed to her nephew Christopher Foyle who was given a small walk-on cameo part in the episode "Bad Blood".
After six series the show was originally cancelled because it was becoming too expensive.[citation needed:] In April 2008, the presumed final episode, "All Clear", was aired. However, on 9 April 2008, ITV announced that it was in talks with Horowitz and Greenlit Productions to revive the series, continuing Foyle's adventures into peacetime,[1:] and some media observers saw high viewing figures for the penultimate episode (28% audience share) on April 13 that year as strengthening the case for a continuation.[5:] At the time the audience figures for the final episode were released (28% and an average of 7.3 million), ITV confirmed that it had entered and was continuing "early discussions" with Horowitz and Greenlit.[2:] These negotiations eventually led to the series being recommissioned for further episodes.[6:] Anthony Horowitz also said on the ITV3 documentary series 'Drama Trails', that he is still not sure about the title of the new series.[citation needed:] In the mean time, Acorn Media UK own the rights to distribute the programme on DVD.
Hey, everyone - I've been lurking around in the background and idly watching for a while without introducing myself, but that ends here and now.
Rick, thanks for putting together such a fun and lively group. This is great.
As for me, I write strange/twisted/surreal mystery/thrillers - "Twin Peaks meets the Da Vinci Code," according to Kirkus...if that tells you anything at all. There's more about my work on my Goodreads page or at my web site, www.evankilgore.com .
I grew up on a variety of British authors whose names I'm blanking on right now, save for Agatha Christie, Ruth Rendell, and PD James (and Michael Dibdin, whom I feel sort of counts). I now read anything and everything. Voraciously.
I have also worked at a variety of talent agencies and production companies out here in LA, I volunteer with the fantastic Young Storytellers Foundation for 4th and 5th graders, and I've lived previous lives as a Seattle-area drummer and Portugal-based tech consultant.
I'm happy to have landed here, and I look forward to getting to know you all better.
Cheers,
Evan
I'm a little tardy with my introductions, but I'm A.F. Stewart, I'm delighted to be here and I thank Rick for the invitation. I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada, I'm a fantasy writer and I have a slight obsession with all things British.
Hi, I'm Randy from New Orleans. I'm a lawyer by trade, which, come to think of it, has nothing whatsoever to do with my reading habits.I tend to arrange my reading by topic or author. Recently I've read a series of books about the great financial panic of 2008. A couple of those books are brilliant; others seem pedestrian and rushed into print. I think I'll try and work through the unread books on my kindle before I buy anything new.
The last fiction I read from the British Isles is Joseph O'Connor's "Redemption Falls," which has an Irish author and an American setting. The prose is lyrical, though the storyline peters out by the end of the novel. Around the same time I read that book, I read LSE professor John Gray's "Black Mass: The Rise of Apocalypic Religion and the Death of Utopia," which is a brilliantly imaginative accout of the rise of neoliberal economics and neoconservative politics viewed through the prism of apocalyptic theology.
My favorite fiction author is Cormac McCarthy, whose "All The Pretty Horses" is one of my favorite books. My favorite work of fiction is John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces," which is set here in New Orleans. If you want to understand the collective unconsciousness of my craxy town, read that book.
I'll try to be a good boy and read some more British fiction. I'm a fan of British poetry. William Blake's wild mysticism and Dylan Thomas's gorgeous language and wordplay are wonderful to behold.
Mod
I've been lurking around in the background and idly watching for a while without introducing myself, but that ends here and now.
Rick, thanks for putting together such a fun and ..."
Evan- so happy you introduced yourself- look forward to your participation!!!
Mod
I tend to arrange my reading by topic or author. Recentl..."
great fan of Dylan Thomas too! love his recordings too
"do not go gently into the ....."
Welcome Randy!
Mod
I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada, I'm a fantasy writer and I have a slig..."
Glad to have you here A.F.
I am most certainly a bit of an Anglophile myself!
welcome!!!!
Hi! I thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself. Rick invited me to come participate and it looks like a fun group to be a part of. I'm an American author, but I have read a lot of Brit Lit. I'm a fan of unconventional writing and it seems the British can be pretty good at that sometimes. I wrote Inked which was recently released about a woman's struggle with a psychological disorder she doesn't even know she has, her mother and her life. Can't wait to get to know some of you better!
Renda
Mod
Hi Renda
So happy you are a member- I am sure you are going to be a great asset here!!!
I'm Jim in Columbus, OhioI'm an Anglophile even though the Brits burned down DC in 1812
I love English literature, history, culture and all the accomplishments of Britain's scientists, musicians, and eccentrics
Also enjoy the British sense of humor whichever way the word is spelled (looking forward to reading RUMPOLE AT CHRISTMAS soon)
enjoy the word an English person says "schedule"
looking forward to being a member of this group
I just hope everyone lives up to what Rick said about all of You
Jim wrote: "I'm Jim in Columbus, OhioI'm an Anglophile even though the Brits burned down DC in 1812
I love English literature, history, culture and all the accomplishments of Britain's scientists, musicians..."
Hey Jim,
your introduction made me chuckle. I was thinking if we should start using British spelling for club correspondence to make it feel more 'real'... but maybe that would be taking it a step too far, LOL.
As for eccentrics: personally, I think that's one of Britain's greatest contributions to human history!
Good to have you here,
Serena
Hi, I am Eileen Thornton. I have written several short stories for magazines here in the UK. My first novel, The Trojan Project, an action thriller, was published in 2008. I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Cheers!
Mod
great to have you as a member, Beth!!!
welcome!
Rick
John Domini here, & it's a pleasure. About me, the information's both here on GR & over at www.johndomini.com. About British mysteries or adventure stories, I have many favorites, but I guess I'll but in a word for the splendid, sonorous, worldly potboilers of that Englishman-by choice, Joseph Conrad.
Hi everyone! I'm M.K. Hobson, and thanks to an invitation from Rick, I'm the newest member of this group. I'm the author of two historical fantasy romance novels, THE NATIVE STAR and THE DESIRED POISON, coming out from Bantam Spectra late next year. My favorite authors include P.G. Wodehouse, Gore Vidal, E.L. Doctorow, and Sinclair Lewis.
You can learn more (and read my blog) at my Website, demimonde.com
P.S. I have the BIGGEST crush on James Mason!
Mod
Welcome to both M.K. and John!
love PG Wodehouse as well as Joseph Conrad!!!
I am currently working hard to become an author, my 4th career. I have written 3 books focused on elementary school age children and one on middle school age kids. They are all listed on my author page. My website is http://www.bentrim.info/bill-index.htm
My blogs:
Pick of the Literate
http://bookrevues.blogspot.com/
Money Saving Tech Tips and Philosophic Musings
http://money-saving-tech-tips.blogspo...
I read more than write and babysit with great frequency. I'm a mediocre golfer, slightly better bridge player and passionate about both.
I owned and operated a computer networking company for 25 years and am still a self professed computer geek. I was a school teacher and counselor with 10 years of experience in the public schools. I owned and operated a convenience store for 10 years. I am a proud husband, father and grandfather. I am someone who cares about the people around me, who wants to improve the society we all live in, who hopes on a daily basis to leave the planet a little better than it was the previous day and who is cognizant that the impact I have on the world is minimal. Tilting at windmills is a part of my character as is a deep love for all those who need to be loved. In my own mind I am a complex, multi-layered, unique character in the kaleidoscoping drama of life.
Thank you Rick for your invitation.
Bill
Mod
great to have you as a member Bill!
My name is Kobina Fynn from Ghana, resident in East Timor. I am author of "Gatekeepers - The Quest for Clues to an Age-Old Riddle". I am happy to be part of this group.
Mod
As am I Kobina!!! welcome!!
Hi my name is trina and i want to thank rick for recamend me to this book club. Now i dont just have one fav gen, i read mostly everything but it was the old school books ie:Austen and dickens. and Judy bloom who got me to love reading.
Mod
I recall Judy Bloom's SuperFudge as one of the first books that I truly loved!!
Rick wrote: "Trina wrote: "Hi my name is trina and i want to thank rick for recamend me to this book club. Now i dont just have one fav gen, i read mostly everything but it was the old school books ie:Austen an..."Yes i do love the fudge series, but sence i am a girl i just love Hello God its me Margrat. but latley i have been getting into ebooks has anyone got on that band wagon yet? Do you see it as the death to the paper back books?
Kaylin here. Let's see...my life in a nutshell. I write contemporary fiction and action/adventure romance stories, but read everything from Jane Austen to James Patterson. My home is in the great Northwest - on a river in Oregon to be exact, and I'm fortunate in having my three grown daughters and two grandsons close by. I'm crazy about anything Asian (maybe a past life experience?) and, in fact, married a wonderful and "very" patient Japanese entrepreneur 36 years ago. I have two cute dogs, Toby (9 yr old, 6 lb Yorkie) and Oreo (9 month old, 12 lb Maltipoo) and a large collection of colorful Koi in an outdoor pond. My parents immigrated from Ireland, which kept life interesting. I love gourmet dining, fine wines, international travel, gardening, interior design, classical music and reading a good book. I think that just about covers it... :PKaylin McFarren
2008 Golden Heart Finalist
FLAHERTY'S CROSSING
Champagne Books, February 2010
http://www.kaylinmcfarren.com
Hi, everyone. First of all, thanks to Rick for the invitation. I'm Sharon E. Cathcart, a Goodreads author and a voracious reader. Please check out my profile if you are interested in my work.I am fond of books in all genres, with many favorites by English, Scottish or Irish authors. I love Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, Robert Louis Stevenson and Anya Seton -- just to name a few. :-)
I look forward to reading your posts.
Nice to see you here, Sharon and thanks for the newsletter request!Kaylin :D
Mod
I..."
wonderful Sharon!
Have you ever read Maria Edgeworth?
Mod
that is a discussion we have had quite a bit in this group, Trina- and it is an excellant question. I truly hope it does not mean the end to traditional books - but I must admit that I was given a Kindle as a gift- and have over 400 books on it so far- yet- I have not read one yet! still reading the old fashioned books!
Mod
great intro Kaylin! MAJOR dog lover here- I have a schnauzer - who with his bushy eyebrows, mustache and beard has a very strong resemblence to Gabby Hayes!
Too fun, Rick! Wish we could share dog photos here. :DKaylin
Rick wrote: "Have you ever read Maria Edgeworth? "I haven't. I'll have to look her up. :-)
Mod
I haven't. I'll have to look her up. :-)"
She was an Irish writer in the late 1800's - I strongly recommend The Absentee- the story of wealthy Irish families who leave their Irish estates and try to fit into London Society.
I'm a retired graphic artist in the desert of Arizona. Its winter right now so I actually have to wear a long sleeve T-shirt.I mostly read fantasy although I do get serious now and then with books on Zen or poetry by favorites like Mary Oliver. I also watch Dr. Who (for years), Torchwood, Hex, Being Human, and all the Python stuff. I even prefer BBC Amer. News as its has less need to please their sponsors while Amer. broadcast seems to be nothing but drug company sponsored.
Hey all.I'm an author from California, U.S., whose first favorite book was Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. My current favorite humorous Brit artist is Brian Pike.
My literary novel, The Wind Thief, just received a 5-star rating from the Midwest Book Review. If possible, please list the story as "to read." For all you authors out there, let me know about your books and I'll be happy to do the same for you.
(If I'm not already your GR friend, feel free to add me!)
Mod
Never heard of Brian Pike- so I looked him up
Brian Pike is a British artist.
In 1988 he was awarded a PhD in Philosophy by Cambridge University. Shortly thereafter he moved to Richmond, North Yorkshire, where he set up as a professional artist. His first solo show was in 1995 at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal, Cumbria.
He is best known for his mixed media paintings, which combine simple forms and bright colours.
is this the same Brian Pike?
Thanks!And as for Brian, yes, I believe we're talking about one and the same: http://www.intuition.demon.co.uk/
Hi All - As for British authors, I am a Charles Dickens junkie, and enjoy Thomas Hardy and Anthony Trollope as well. Earlier writers I enjoy include Chaucer, Shakespeare, Swift and Smollet. Moving to the 20th Century, Jerome K Jerome, Evelyn Waugh, P G Wodehouse, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Laurie Lee and Anthony Powell stand out. For lighter reading, Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. Childhood reading - Richmal Crompton, Kenneth Grahame and many others
Love classic lit, especially the English cause hey... that's what I speak. Always a plus. Dickens is tops, Jane is fun, but my personal discovery is George Elliot. Cause any woman named George ROCKS.
Hi all I am Stuart. I am biased to sci fi, fantasy and darker fiction. So it's the likes of J.G. Ballard, Pullman and Kate Atkinson for me, among others.
Stuart wrote: "Hi all I am Stuart. I am biased to sci fi, fantasy and darker fiction. So it's the likes of J.G. Ballard, Pullman and Kate Atkinson for me, among others."Ballard and Pullman are outstanding On the SF/Fantasy front I also enjoy Mervyn Peake, Tolkien, C S Lewis, H G Wells and John Wyndham.
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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All the best
Kate X