What I read December 2011

[Lesley]

Alias, I just found nothing remarkable in House of Sand and Fog. I don't know San Francisco so that didn't help me.

Hard to explain but if I am familiar with the city/town/area of the setting (of fiction and non-fiction alike) I enjoy it so much more.

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

Alias, I also thought that House of Sand and Fog was outstanding, if depressing. I give it a 6 out of 5!!! His next book, The Garden of Last Days, was horrendous IMO. I give it zero stars.

[JoAnn/QuAppelle]

Mikela wrote: "
........if you think the NY Times, NPR and the BBC aren't left leaning and very biased. Bias is okay, even on networks if they admit their bias so viewers at least know about it...."

One of the reasons NPR's public funding has been threatened is because of its bias. And the NY Times is notoriously biased.

It makes me worry that because we have worked hard, saved, and gotten ahead in life, my husband and I might be perceived as elite or ruling. And if we are not, then there are more classes than just the "elite and the rest of us".

[Alias Reader]

Lesley wrote: I liked the succintness (is that a a word?!)
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If it isn't, it should be. :)

[madrano]

Lesley wrote: "Alias, I really wondered what the point was early on with As I Lay Dying, but then went on to enjoy. I guess I found it like a comedy of errors in some way...."

Well stated, Lesley. It wasn't what i thought it would be, so i couldn't figure it out. Ultimately, i just "went with it". A favorite? Nope, and i've read it twice! However, when someone mentions it (usually in reference to a later book by someone else), i am familiar with the unusual idea, at least.

deb

[Connie]

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "We used to watch Brian Williams too, until one night we actually saw him roll his eyes. That was the end for us.

Do you think they teach/encourage eye-rolling in J-school?"

Several years ago when Ray Suarez was leaving NPR to go to PBS, they had a sort of farewell program for him on the radio. I've always remembered hearing one of his fellow journalists tell him that he wouldn't be able to roll his eyes on TV the way that he'd been able to roll them on the radio.That just cracked me up!

[madrano]

LOL--i can see why. I like the way Bob Schieffer just keeps looking down when one thinks he might want to roll his eyes. Then he looks up & continues. I wonder if he figures we can guess what he means.

deb