Random Comments/Stream of Consciousness Thread

[carlosdetweiller]

Slob by Rex Miller

I've read that too. I guess I wasn't clear. I wasn't asking so much for recommendations as to what to read next. I have plenty of those. I was asking for any thoughts or comments on the ones I have recently read. A PM or e-mail would do so that this thread doesn't get hijacked.

The "Currently Reading" thread is also a great place for this type of discussion.

Yes. I understand. But the vibe on "Dutch Hill" sort of creeps me out. Not sure why but it does.

[Theli]

Bob, I have yet to read Grapes of Wrath, but I have just begun discovering Steinbeck recently (or re-discovering to an extent, I had read Of Mice and Men in high school as well as saw the play). I read Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday as well a few of his shorts. His style is something unique; easy to read and understand, fast paced, but with a certain depth and natural feel that is not prevalent in many authors. His characters and themes are quite varied and yet believable too. The aforementioned novels (or novellas) had a perfect mix of humour and seriousness while remaining surprisingly insightful. I'm not sure when I'll get to his work next, but it may well be the Grapes of Wrath.

[Patrick]

Slob by Rex Miller

I've read that too. I guess I wasn't clear. I wasn't asking so much for recommendations as to what to read next. I have plenty of those. I was asking for any thoughts or comments on the ones I have recently read. A PM or e-mail would do so that this thread doesn't get hijacked.

The "Currently Reading" thread is also a great place for this type of discussion.

Yes. I understand. But the vibe on "Dutch Hill" sort of creeps me out. Not sure why but it does.

Even with the Other Authors sub-forum own located there?

[carlosdetweiller]

Slob by Rex Miller

I've read that too. I guess I wasn't clear. I wasn't asking so much for recommendations as to what to read next. I have plenty of those. I was asking for any thoughts or comments on the ones I have recently read. A PM or e-mail would do so that this thread doesn't get hijacked.

The "Currently Reading" thread is also a great place for this type of discussion.

Yes. I understand. But the vibe on "Dutch Hill" sort of creeps me out. Not sure why but it does.

Even with the Other Authors sub-forum own located there?

I don't check on it very often anymore.

[carlosdetweiller]

Bob, I have yet to read Grapes of Wrath, but I have just begun discovering Steinbeck recently (or re-discovering to an extent, I had read Of Mice and Men in high school as well as saw the play). I read Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday as well a few of his shorts. His style is something unique; easy to read and understand, fast paced, but with a certain depth and natural feel that is not prevalent in many authors. His characters and themes are quite varied and yet believable too. The aforementioned novels (or novellas) had a perfect mix of humour and seriousness while remaining surprisingly insightful. I'm not sure when I'll get to his work next, but it may well be the Grapes of Wrath.

Cannery Row is one I will definitely get around too. I was about a third of the way through Grapes when it dawned on me "Wow! This guy can really write!" No wonder it is a classic. I can't believe it took me so long to "discover" it.

[Patrick]

Bob, I have yet to read Grapes of Wrath, but I have just begun discovering Steinbeck recently (or re-discovering to an extent, I had read Of Mice and Men in high school as well as saw the play). I read Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday as well a few of his shorts. His style is something unique; easy to read and understand, fast paced, but with a certain depth and natural feel that is not prevalent in many authors. His characters and themes are quite varied and yet believable too. The aforementioned novels (or novellas) had a perfect mix of humour and seriousness while remaining surprisingly insightful. I'm not sure when I'll get to his work next, but it may well be the Grapes of Wrath.

Cannery Row is one I will definitely get around too. I was about a third of the way through Grapes when it dawned on me "Wow! This guy can really write!" No wonder it is a classic. I can't believe it took me so long to "discover" it.

I live about a mile from Cannery Row. The 8th grade students here do a project each year learning about John Steinbeck and related local history, including a tour of local historical places - many of which I pass by regularly having no idea of their significance. It's a pretty interesting project, although I probably got more out of it than my son did.

[Theli]

^Very cool! To be honest I hadn't even realized it was a real place, I kind of considered it just a microcosm of the depression in the south west.

[tippy4]

Bob, I have yet to read Grapes of Wrath, but I have just begun discovering Steinbeck recently (or re-discovering to an extent, I had read Of Mice and Men in high school as well as saw the play). I read Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday as well a few of his shorts. His style is something unique; easy to read and understand, fast paced, but with a certain depth and natural feel that is not prevalent in many authors. His characters and themes are quite varied and yet believable too. The aforementioned novels (or novellas) had a perfect mix of humour and seriousness while remaining surprisingly insightful. I'm not sure when I'll get to his work next, but it may well be the Grapes of Wrath.

After you read TGOW...make sure you see the movie....a great film.

[needfulthings]

[RC65]

[herbertwest]

Why is Audible (who is owned by Amazon) so awfully painful and cheap feeling???

[Randall Flagg]

Why is Audible (who is owned by Amazon) so awfully painful and cheap feeling???

Your question provided you with the answer.

Spoiler:

...owned by Amazon

[Br!an]

I won't even use it.

[Patrick]

I've been a member of audible.com for about a dozen years (prior to Amazon's ownership). I like it just fine.

[herbertwest]

@Jerome : yes, but it doesnt make sense to me. Amazon is a leader global ecommerce website, they definitely could get funding to rejuvenate it (it looks like it's from 2005). I guess that they dont want to update something that works, despite how aweful and painful it is.
It's just weird because Audible has a huge catalog, including exclusives (hence why I want to use it, and well... french exclusives you can't find them online otherwise)... therefore could spend some pennies to look more like a modern technology company

@Patrick : admit it > the softwares are exactly the same since those past 12 years!

[zelig]

The same happened with AbeBooks.com. It remained a badly designed site for years after Amazon bought it. It recently went through a redesign but I feel it could still be better. Could be when Amazon buys an established internet property like this, updating the site is not a priority for them.

[Randall Flagg]

Thanks to Bev Vincent for sending me the program from the recent Necon 36. It has a cool appreciation of Joe Hill written by Stephen King, a nice article by Joe Hill, some enjoyable fiction, and near the end, a one or two line funny blurb about the attendees.

[herbertwest]

The same happened with AbeBooks.com. It remained a badly designed site for years after Amazon bought it. It recently went through a redesign but I feel it could still be better. Could be when Amazon buys an established internet property like this, updating the site is not a priority for them.

Yes, Abebooks feels a bit more modern since a year or, thanks to a very subtle redesign.
Abebooks is however a different case IMO. It's sort of a complementary competitor althought it's a different approach.

Amazon sell Audible audiobooks, which you can later listen through the apps. But if you want to use the desktop version.............

[zelig]

Thanks to Bev Vincent for sending me the program from the recent Necon 36. It has a cool appreciation of Joe Hill written by Stephen King, a nice article by Joe Hill, some enjoyable fiction, and near the end, a one or two line funny blurb about the attendees.

Yes, thanks Bev. Also just received it the other day. It's a nice item to have.

[herbertwest]

The same happened with AbeBooks.com. It remained a badly designed site for years after Amazon bought it. It recently went through a redesign but I feel it could still be better. Could be when Amazon buys an established internet property like this, updating the site is not a priority for them.

Yes, Abebooks feels a bit more modern since a year or, thanks to a very subtle redesign.
Abebooks is however a different case IMO. It's sort of a complementary competitor althought it's a different approach.

Amazon sell Audible audiobooks, which you can later listen through the apps. But if you want to use the desktop version.............

Checked the "about" part of the AudibleManager software : it says copyright 1997-2010. And it doenst look like it's more recent than 2000. C
Anyhow.

[Patrick]

...
@Patrick : admit it > the softwares are exactly the same since those past 12 years!

You're right. But I am so tired of every program/app changing every other week for no reason other to keep a design team employed - that audible is just fine as it is. Or maybe this just means I'm getting old.

My only gripe is that they got rid of the queue that automatically purchased the next book on your list when the monthly credits renew.

By the way, I don't log in with my Amazon account. I log in with an old grandfathered username audible account from the pre-Amazon days. There's a tiny link in the corner of the screen where most people log in.

[wolfehr]

I thought this was pretty cool... You Must Solve a Puzzle to Turn Every Page in This Beautiful Wooden Book

[Fsmdr]

Wow! What a cool item!

[Patrick]

Wow! What a cool item!

Agreed! I'd like to see one in person.

[shaq]

Had to buy this, made me smile. Tasted horrible!