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Tuesday Night Open Thread

I finally decided to get an Amazon Kindle which arrived today. I think I'm going to like it (so far I've read the manual.) One thing that is very cool is if you buy it through your Amazon account, it comes pre-registered with your account information and not only don't you don't have to register it, the free wireless is already on it so you can immediately scroll the store for books and download them.

It has more bells and whistles than I'll probably use, but it's quite legible and fast. Also, you can read the first chapter of any book for free before you buy.

If you'd like to check out the Kindle, here's the link:

Since I'll most likely be looking for a good fiction book to download tonight, here's an open thread for you, all topics welcome.

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  • Display: Sort:
    In case you are looking for a recommendation (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Democratic Cat on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:15:45 PM EST
    Netherland, by Joseph O'Neill.  Fabulous book.

    I am definitely looking for recommendations (none / 0) (#11)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:50:44 PM EST
    but only fiction. I read enough non-fiction at work and blogging! I like page-turners that you can't put down. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out. Feel free to add more.

    Parent
    Alan Furst (none / 0) (#18)
    by MKS on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:58:19 PM EST
    Spy novels set in WW II occupied Europe.  Very well written; convey a wonderful sense of being in Paris, Prague, etc.   A commenter said like discovering the film Casablanca in print.

    Like Le Carre only shorter, more focused, more intense (at least when compared to later Le Carre.)

    Parent

    ++++++++ on Furst (none / 0) (#22)
    by andgarden on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:00:47 PM EST
    He evokes the period masterfully.

    Parent
    Try the Inspector Javier Falcon books (none / 0) (#26)
    by caseyOR on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:14:35 PM EST
    by Robert Wilson. These four books are set in Seville, Spain, and take place over the last 8 years. The Javier Falcon character is a police inspector. I just finished the fourth and final book in the series, and if you like books that you can't put down these are for you.

    The four, in order, are:

    - The Blind Man of Seville
    -The Vanished Hands

    • The Hidden Assassins
    • The Ignorance of Blood

    It helps to follow developments if you read them in order.

    Also, I'll add my voice to the Alan Furst recommendation. Fascinating and so evocative of WW

    Parent

    Meant WW II (n/t) (none / 0) (#27)
    by caseyOR on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:15:11 PM EST
    Andgarden, being born in the late eighties, (none / 0) (#65)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 06:34:06 AM EST
    you are of course an expert on well an author evokes the WWII era.

    ;)

    Parent

    mid 80s, RP (5.00 / 1) (#68)
    by andgarden on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 08:16:01 AM EST
    And it's fine that you say that, but under your standard nobody knows nothin' about the time before their birth.

    Parent
    Not to mention (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by CST on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 08:50:16 AM EST
    I'd say there are very few people here who know what WWII was really like, and then they only see it through the lens of their own experience, or the stories they have heard/read.  It was a long time ago even for the folks who lived it.

    Parent
    I wasn't offering a standard ... (none / 0) (#73)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 09:37:01 AM EST
    I was "teasing the kid."

    Parent
    Harlan Coben - (none / 0) (#31)
    by Anne on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:25:06 PM EST
    newest book is Long Lost, the latest in the Myron Bolitar series.

    Other books of his that were hard to put down:

    All of them!

    Another book - completely different genre:

    A Sandhills Ballad - really enjoyed this book.

    Parent

    then i suggest, (none / 0) (#49)
    by cpinva on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:15:29 PM EST
    I am definitely looking for recommendations

    for a brief interlude of (totally) unintended comic relief, gov. palin's op-ed in today's washington post. as sen. john kerry pointed out, on the huffington post (far more nicely than i would have): if you can't even get basic facts right, you should really just shut up.

    perhaps, alaska got off lightly, by gov. palin resigning with a year and a half yet to run in her term, consider the possible damage to the state she won't have an opportunity to perpetrate now.

    Parent

    My favorite non fiction book (none / 0) (#54)
    by lilburro on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:41:45 PM EST
    right now, and very interesting:  Wild, An Elemental Journey by Jay Griffiths.  You can pick it up any time.  It's about one woman who lives with people on virtually every continent.  Just extremely fresh perspectives on Western concepts of wilderness and how they conflict with the POVs of those who know the land best.  Absolutely do I recommend this book!  She puts the lie to many of our misconceptions with imaginative, receptive, beautiful prose.  

    Parent
    I recommend "Ghost Radio" ... (none / 0) (#66)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 06:43:23 AM EST
    by Leopoldo Gout.

    "Ghost Radio reminded me of early Stephen King -- Carrie and Pet Sematary and The Dead Zone. The story sticks with you long after you've finished the final page."

    - James Patterson

    "A first novel that moves with deserved confidence into Stephen King territory ... Palpable, almost visible cross-cultural creepiness that never lets up: very smart thrills."

    - Kirkus Reviews

    "A deliciously creepy yarn ... Gout's fusion of radio-show culture and paranormal occurrences produces a winning compound."

    -  Booklist

    Parent

    Bastille Day! (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Radiowalla on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:22:08 PM EST
    Let's not forget to celebrate!

    Vive la République, vive la France!  Vivre le vin!

    Oh, thank you! Merci! (none / 0) (#78)
    by Radiowalla on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 06:41:39 PM EST
    I LOVE this scene.  One of cinema's finest.

    Parent
    Personally (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by Steve M on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:51:44 PM EST
    I just use the Kindle app for my iPhone.  Not sure how many features I'm missing out on, but the two devices cost roughly the same amount!

    Did you ever get it working with your email? (none / 0) (#15)
    by andgarden on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:53:36 PM EST
    Yes (none / 0) (#20)
    by Steve M on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:59:51 PM EST
    works great, although I miss the benefit of the office spam filter on my phone.  They say hardcore emailers should prefer the physical keyboard of the Blackberry, but I'm liking it fine so far.

    Parent
    Sounds good (none / 0) (#24)
    by andgarden on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:06:25 PM EST
    If you have the latest software, you can use the horizontal keyboard in mail, which I find to be a significant improvement.

    Parent
    Horizontal (none / 0) (#29)
    by Coral on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:23:55 PM EST
    I downloaded the upgrade app onto my iTouch and it is great.

    Parent
    Head Injuries (5.00 / 2) (#51)
    by nycstray on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:25:47 PM EST
    If you hit your head (aka a good head smack and/or a brain rattler) please, get yourself to an emergency room right away, no matter what. My friend lost her mother today. She fell on the outside stairs and whacked the back of her head. Was fine for a bit . . . . and then the headache started.

    Also, if you are on/or have parents that are on blood thinners, be extra cautious. I spoke to my mom, and she is careful about my dad's meds because he does fall (Parkinson's). My friend's mom was on blood thinners, so the chances of her getting through the injury were lowered.

    This was (is) pretty shocking as her father was having some serious health probs that he was rebounding from. Her mom was in good health and just fell on the steps.

    A simple fall really can kill you. Don't write it off . . .

    I only have (none / 0) (#57)
    by Fabian on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:46:59 PM EST
    at least three or four head injury reports each year for my son with cerebral palsy.  No serious incidents yet.  I told him if he keeps it up, he's going to be wearing a helmet on the playground.

    He didn't like that idea.  One of his classmates has a seizure disorder and wears his helmet 24/7.  Head injuries are no joke.

    Parent

    Sorry to hear about your friend's mom (none / 0) (#62)
    by Jeralyn on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 12:05:32 AM EST
    I was thinking too of Natasha Richardson as I was reading it. One of my favorite clients was driving a taxi in Aspen after getting out of jail (only job he could get) and he tripped on the steps walking up to a passenger's home (he was going to ring the doorbell to tell the fare he was there.) He hit his head and died within hours. He was 50. Really sad.

    Parent
    Speedy recovery wishes (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 08:21:29 AM EST
    to Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida who injured her ankle while attempting to slide into second base last night at a softball game featuring femlae members of Congress vs. the women of political committees (RNC/DNC/NRCC/DCCC).

    But kudos to Sen. Gillibrand, who hit a double and was as cute as a bug with her little ponytail and pink "uniform" shirt.  She eventually scored and was so excited!

    I was at the game last night, played at a local park, and it was so cool to be that up close to people you see on TV all the time.  I could have literally reached out and touched Steny Hoyer and Nancy Pelosi several times last night, as they were spectating.  Dana Bash was calling the game and John King showed up later in the game and was standing literally 10 feet from me.

    (Sorry, but I love name dropping) :)

    All Star game about to start. Pres. Obama (none / 0) (#3)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:24:10 PM EST
    and then George W. Bush and then Bill Clinton then Bush I and then Jimmy Carter!  WTF.  

    That was the All-Stars Among Us segment. (none / 0) (#4)
    by indy in sc on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:30:59 PM EST
    I thought it was nicely done.  I would have liked to hear more of their stories--or at least be directed somewhere where we can learn more.

    Obama's first pitch is coming up...I hope he's been practicing.  The crowd and the replays will be merciless if the pitch is awful.

    Parent

    But didn't St. Louis Co. heavily favor (none / 0) (#5)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:36:25 PM EST
    Obama in the GE?  The Cardinals fans are certainly out in huge numbers.  

    Parent
    Whew, (none / 0) (#7)
    by indy in sc on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:42:24 PM EST
    he got it to the plate and had a nice crowd reception.  Now, if he can only get healthcare reform done!  

    Parent
    Ha Ha (none / 0) (#8)
    by CoralGables on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:43:00 PM EST
    you can't call him a suckup. He came out in St Louis wearing a White Sox jacket. Only a true fan of their own home team would do that.

    Parent
    True. Gutsy. No equivocation. (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:47:17 PM EST
    But not a very secure situation for President of the U.S.  Thrilling to see Stan the Man.

    Parent
    I still have (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by CoralGables on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:55:19 PM EST
    the Stan The Man vinyl disk called "Stan the Man's Hit Record To Help You Be A Big League Batter". Listening to that album was the only time I was ever permitted to swing a bat in the house. (my mom was from St Louis)

    Parent
    was the video doctored (none / 0) (#59)
    by Inspector Gadget on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 11:28:27 PM EST
    to add the booing?

    One can never be too sure these days...so, I'm asking those who watched the live broadcast if this video had the boos added in after the fact.

    Parent

    The only booing (none / 0) (#63)
    by CoralGables on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 12:14:07 AM EST
    I heard was what showed up when they realized Obama was wearing a White Sox Jacket. It went to cheers after he delivered the pitch.

    Politicians will usually wear the jacket of the home team/stadium. (tonight a Cards, National League, or an All Star jacket would have been the generic norm) In this particular case, a pol wasn't a pol. Obama has claimed to be a South Side White Sox fan and he stuck by his guns tonight.

    The reaction reminded me of the time I wore my Marlins cap to Yankee Stadium for Game Two of the 2003 World Series. After some initial razzing, everyone was really nice. Other than Philly, baseball fans have a genteel nature after they initially put you in your place for pulling for the opposition. Obama got basic baseball fan treatment for wearing a jacket that wasn't from the home team.

    Parent

    Padres fans who went to Yankee Stadium (none / 0) (#64)
    by oculus on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 12:24:41 AM EST
    for 1998 World Series were wearing Padres gear and, according to San Diego media, they were so harrassed they went into the restrooms and turned their shirts inside out!

    Parent
    Pres. shrugged off bipartisanship (none / 0) (#45)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:36:03 PM EST
    for one night.

    Parent
    What the heck... (none / 0) (#14)
    by Tony on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:53:01 PM EST
    was with the camera work on Obama's first pitch?  That was horrible, you could barely see where it went.  Thanks a lot, Fox.

    Parent
    I hope they show more camera angles (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:55:42 PM EST
    later.  I wouldn't expect Fox to cover for the Pres.  

    Parent
    The replays (none / 0) (#25)
    by indy in sc on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:09:38 PM EST
    on ESPN News so far have been the same terrible angle.  I'm glad it all went well though.

    Parent
    He fired (none / 0) (#32)
    by CoralGables on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:30:11 PM EST
    in a change up, or an Eephus depending on your perspective...a little low but no bounce after an assist from Pujols.

    Parent
    While Pres. was in the AL dugout he was (5.00 / 1) (#33)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:33:25 PM EST
    asked if he had a curve ball.  He sd., if I did, I wouldn't need to be President.  Good line.  Pres. was in the broadcast booth later enjoying himself immensely.

    Parent
    I'm starting to think Obama ran (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Anne on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:48:00 PM EST
    for president because of all the cool sports things he could participate in and go to - I read he's planning to go to the World Cup in Africa, too.

    Parent
    Rank has its privileges they say. W went (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:49:37 PM EST
    to Beijing and Clinton used to play golf with the greats.  Got to be something good, not just unbelievable stress.

    Parent
    My former state Senator, Vince Fumo, (none / 0) (#6)
    by andgarden on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:38:15 PM EST
    got a fairly light sentence today (as I understand it).

    Honestly, I'm OK with that. I always rather liked Fumo.

    confederacy of dunces (none / 0) (#9)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:47:09 PM EST
    if you haven't read it, give it a shot.  very funny and a marvelous read.  i don't do much fiction but it still high on my list after anything by roth....

    Possibly my favorite book ever! (none / 0) (#13)
    by Steve M on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:51:57 PM EST
    Now that's a recommendation. (none / 0) (#19)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 07:59:42 PM EST
    (But--written by a Southerner!)

    Parent
    a hilarious book (none / 0) (#28)
    by Dr Molly on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:21:08 PM EST
    and so evocative, being a new orleans lucky dog lover here.

    Parent
    Great book (none / 0) (#30)
    by Zorba on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:24:00 PM EST
    One of my all-time favorites.  The author, John Kennedy Toole, was a rather tragic figure himself.  The book was not published until years after his suicide.

    Parent
    were it not for his persistent (none / 0) (#39)
    by Jlvngstn on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:59:37 PM EST
    mother.........

    Parent
    Absolutely. Excellent rec (none / 0) (#38)
    by Cream City on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:52:00 PM EST
    and so sad that we never saw another book from the author.  But then, if he had been emotionally healthy, he couldn't have written such a wonderful story.

    Parent
    i hope you got paid for that. (none / 0) (#23)
    by coigue on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:04:28 PM EST


    No pay (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:54:13 PM EST
    but if someone buys a kindle through my link I'll get $1.00 or so. I really think the Kindle is a fun thing and I like that you don't have to keep the books in hardcover, and you can test drive them.

    Parent
    still. (none / 0) (#77)
    by coigue on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 04:02:31 PM EST
    I think it would be great if you could get paid. It was a ringing endorsement.

    Parent
    It's a shame that Amazon didn't build into Kindle software to make it accessible to people with disabilities.  Although Kindle can convert speech to text, it offers sight impaired users none of the advanced functionality that sighted users have.  Amazon could easily have designed accessibility into Kindle.  Instead, it is inaccessible, and schools that have adopted it have been sued for disability discrimination.  http://www.teleread.org/2009/06/26/national-federation-of-the-blind-sues-to-prevent-kindle-deploymen t/comment-page-1/

    Oops (none / 0) (#43)
    by Michael Masinter on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:25:23 PM EST
    That should have read "...convert text to speech...."

    Parent
    I'm wondering why public schools are (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:32:10 PM EST
    spending scarce resources on Kindles to begin with.

    Parent
    Hear, hear! (none / 0) (#50)
    by Fabian on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:18:20 PM EST
    About the only thing kindle would be superior for is the ever-changing always-too-expensive, college text books and class notes.  


    Parent
    Schools must provide accessible texts (none / 0) (#52)
    by Michael Masinter on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:28:16 PM EST
    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act obliges schools that receive federal $$ to provide students with disabilities instructional materials in an accessible format.  For sight impaired students, that often means print material converted to speech (often by RFBD).  Kindle has the potential to make print material accessible to sight impaired students, but lacks the software to make it fully accessible, leaving blind students who use it as second class citizens.

    Parent
    Maybe (none / 0) (#67)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 08:13:47 AM EST
    Because buying textbooks is a horrific waste of money (especially things like science and social science books, when things change every year). It would make more sense to give kds binders with removable sheets, or, in this case, Kindles, where you can download the latest information.

    Parent
    Best detective writer. (none / 0) (#35)
    by Swmbo on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 08:47:39 PM EST
    Try Bill Pronzini's book "Shackles" from the
    Nameless Detective series...Bill Pronzini is the
    best detective series writer...and I noticed it is only $3.99 at Amazon.

    Oh, sigh, former PadreTrevor (none / 0) (#40)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:16:17 PM EST
    Hoffman is pitching top of the 7th.

    P.S.  Why isn't this game on the radio?

    It should be on (none / 0) (#41)
    by CoralGables on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:21:13 PM EST
    XSPN-AM in San Diego. That would be 800 on your radio dial

    Parent
    Thanks. (none / 0) (#42)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:22:41 PM EST
    Having flaked on yoga this am, I need to get in a walk.  

    Parent
    Doesn't anyone read (none / 0) (#47)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 09:55:39 PM EST
    thrillers, fiction books about the opium/cocaine/cartel wars, the mob, multi-generational sagas, chicklit?

    If AbFab were a book...n/t (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by lilburro on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:42:17 PM EST
    I noticed a new book by the author (none / 0) (#48)
    by oculus on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:07:13 PM EST
    of the Sisterhood of the Ya Yas, Rebecca Wells:  The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder: A Novel .

    Parent
    Nope. (none / 0) (#53)
    by Fabian on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:37:47 PM EST
    Got a good one about a girl and boy marooned on an island together.

    It's not AT ALL like every other book with that oft used premise.  Nation by Terry Pratchett.

    I got the audio book from the library and listened to it twice.   Warning: There is a "trial" in the book.  (And some science and some history...)

    Parent

    See my comment above, with (none / 0) (#58)
    by Anne on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 10:54:59 PM EST
    links to Harlan Coben's books.  I think you would find his books hard to put down...

    Parent
    Agree (none / 0) (#60)
    by MO Blue on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 11:34:45 PM EST
    I'm a great fan of Harlan Coben's books.

    Parent
    I'll check it out, thanks! (none / 0) (#61)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 11:59:18 PM EST
    jondee recommended... (none / 0) (#72)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 09:29:20 AM EST
    "You Can't Win" by Jack Black to me and I loved it...I think you would dig it too J, unless of course you've read it already.  

    For something more recent, I just finished "The Lazarus Project" by Aleksander Hemon, I couldn't put it down.

    Parent

    For andgarden (none / 0) (#70)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 08:24:06 AM EST
    Thought of you when I read this.

    If you read the link at the bottom titled "Abolish the U.S. Senate" it is actually a pdf of how to abolish our whole system of government and revamp it.  It's interesting and thought-provoking.  Some of it I don't see as workable, but some of his suggestions might be an improvement.

    Blast from the Gramm past (none / 0) (#74)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 11:54:20 AM EST
    "You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession..."

    "We may have a recession; we haven't had one yet."

    "We have sort of become a nation of whiners," he said. "You just hear this constant whining, complaining about a loss of competitiveness, America in decline" despite a major export boom that is the primary reason that growth continues in the economy, he said.


    Oldest woman to give birth . (none / 0) (#75)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 12:02:25 PM EST
    has died; she is survived by her 2-year old twins.

    Jul 15th, 2009 | MADRID -- A Spanish woman who deceived a U.S. fertility clinic about her age and become the oldest woman to give birth has died at 69, leaving behind 2-year-old twins, newspapers reported Wednesday.

    Maria del Carmen Bousada gave birth in December 2006 after telling a clinic in Los Angeles that she was 55, the facility's maximum age for single women receiving in-vitro fertilization. Guinness World Records said the 66-year-old was the oldest on record to give birth and the case ignited fierce debate over how much responsibility fertility clinics have over their patients.

    According to Wikipedia, a 70-yr old Indian woman gave birth to twins in 2008; she and her husband wanted a male heir.

    To each her own, I guess, but it wouldn't be something I'd do.

    Which is (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by jbindc on Wed Jul 15, 2009 at 12:30:56 PM EST
    something one should consider when trying to artifically conceive at age 67.

    I feel for those poor babies who will now grow up without their mother.

    Maybe there's a reason our bodies were created so that things like pregnancy didn't occur after a certain age?  Chalk one up to nature, a Creator, a Master Plan, or whatever.

    Parent