Did my library run today -- had four books to return plus a couple which were on hold for me to pick up and of course plucked a few more off the New Books shelves......
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Yes, I am planning a library visit tomorrow, and then, the farmers' market on Saturday.
Sometimes, I can do both, but not with so many books to return (and then, pick up, the four on hold), not when I shall also pay a visit to the farmers' market and to the French bakery.
It really fits Warhammer though. They have all been pretty brutal... No complaints yet, granted I am on book five of 50+ lol.
Since the library is less than half a mile from the grocery store I often combine both errands into one, which I did today since the weekend coming up is the federal three-day Labor Day holiday and I decided to beat the Friday crowd at the grocery store by stopping in there today.
If my trip to the library was confined to the return of two or three books (rather than five, some of which are nice, fat, heavy, hard-back books) and did not involve picking up around four (some of which are also fat, heavy, inviting hard-backs), I would have considered postponing my trip until Saturday, and combining both.
However, my shopping bags, basket and rucksack won't hold both market products and several large books.
So, the library - and some other errands - beckon tomorrow, followed by a visit to the farmers' market on Saturday.
As a huge fan (don't come at me!) and collector of his work since "Carrie," I am eagerly awaiting Stephen Kings new book, "Holly", to be released September 5. I don't know much about it except the blurb Amazon has, which reads: "Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King’s most compelling and ingeniously resourceful characters, returns in this thrilling novel to solve the gruesome truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town."
The years and number of times I've reread some of his novels tells me there is little chance I will NOT enjoy it.
The years and number of times I've reread some of his novels tells me there is little chance I will NOT enjoy it.
Well, today is a (surprisingly) sunny Saturday, one that started out ominously overcast - the mist last night was astonishing (heralding autumn, that "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness").
Somewhat to my own surprise, I visited the farmers' market (where some meat I had ordered awaited me), and, I also visited the library.
And now I am back home, about to prepare some coffee and enjoy some fresh French bread.
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I paid a visit to the library today; five fat books were returned, while I picked up four inviting sturdy tomes that were awaiting collection.
Books and beer (or wine) await me tonight.
Books and beer (or wine) await me tonight.
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Spent almost all of today reading "Spider Woman - A Life" by Lady Hale (Brenda Hale).
An absolutely fascinating and rivetting read.
The title is a reference to the spectacular spider brooch Lady Hale wore, when, in 2019, as head of the Supreme Court in the UK, she delivered a judgment stating that then Prime Minister Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliament was "void and of no effect".
An absolutely fascinating and rivetting read.
The title is a reference to the spectacular spider brooch Lady Hale wore, when, in 2019, as head of the Supreme Court in the UK, she delivered a judgment stating that then Prime Minister Boris Johnson's prorogation of parliament was "void and of no effect".
As I understand, before the Supreme Court the highest court in the UK had been the Law Lords. I've read there was dissatisfaction with having the highest justices also members of the House of Lords, I guess due to political conflict of interest as members of Parliament?
Yes, exactly.
Not so much that, (well, partly that), as wishing to emphasise the concept of the 'separation of powers', (that the senior judiciary are separate from, and independent of, the Houses of Parliament), - can one be simultaneously a member of the House of Lords and a senior judge? - plus, the practical argument that facilities at Westminster (in the House of Lords) were crowded - shared and squashed offices, for example - and lack of space also meant inadequate (or insufficient) support staff (research resources etc, that a senior member of the judiciary could expect to be able to call upon).
Lady Hale wrote about how, as a Law Lord while a member of the House of Lords, she did have an office of her own, (which embarrassed her somewhat, as others were squashed into shared, ancient accommodation), but, to gain entry (or exit the office), an office where four members of the House of Lords shared space had be traversed, (and others had to cross her office to get to theirs).
Now, the Law Lords by then had developed a tradition whereby, when in the Lords, they didn't sit with the political parties (irrespective of who - which government - had appointed them, they would have been "cross-benchers" - i.e. politically impartial, or independent) - and, moreover, they had also developed a practice whereby they abstained from votes that were in any way considered "political", confining themselves to votes on issues that were clearly specifically legal matters.
Leading aside issues of comfort, and practical stuff such as where to house and equip necessary support staff, there are also issues of security - you are looking at confidential legal files while composing or crafting judgments, judgments that matter - and you don't have privacy in your office, as other Lords - who are not Law Lords - need to pass though your common space in order to be able to attend the actual chamber to speak on a motion or cast a vote. Obviously, this state of affairs was less than ideal.
The Supreme Court is now housed in a modern, centrally located, extremely well equipped and furnished, separate premises, close to, but distinct and separate from, the Houses of Parliament.
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The Scarlet Papers by Matthew Richardson:
"VIENNA, 1946: A brilliant German scientist snatched from the ruins of Nazi Europe.
MOSCOW, 1964: A US diplomat caught in a clandestine love affair as the Cold War rages.
RIGA, 1992: A Russian archivist selling secrets that will change the twentieth century forever.
LONDON, THE PRESENT DAY: A British academic on the run with the chance to solve one of history's greatest mysteries.
Their stories, their lives, and the fate of the world are bound by a single manuscript. A document feared and whispered about in capitals across the globe. In its pages, history will be rewritten. It is only ever known as . . .
THE SCARLET PAPERS
The devastating secrets contained within teased by a brief invitation:
Tomorrow 11AM. Take a cab and pay in cash. Tell no one."
Really enjoying it so far. I remember years ago (80's maybe?) reading Peter Wright's memoir and being enthralled by the subject. This is proving to be a great spy novel. Reminds me a little of Le Carre.
"VIENNA, 1946: A brilliant German scientist snatched from the ruins of Nazi Europe.
MOSCOW, 1964: A US diplomat caught in a clandestine love affair as the Cold War rages.
RIGA, 1992: A Russian archivist selling secrets that will change the twentieth century forever.
LONDON, THE PRESENT DAY: A British academic on the run with the chance to solve one of history's greatest mysteries.
Their stories, their lives, and the fate of the world are bound by a single manuscript. A document feared and whispered about in capitals across the globe. In its pages, history will be rewritten. It is only ever known as . . .
THE SCARLET PAPERS
The devastating secrets contained within teased by a brief invitation:
Tomorrow 11AM. Take a cab and pay in cash. Tell no one."
Really enjoying it so far. I remember years ago (80's maybe?) reading Peter Wright's memoir and being enthralled by the subject. This is proving to be a great spy novel. Reminds me a little of Le Carre.
Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It is the latest and 3rd (last ?) volume of the Children of Time series. Hard core science fiction. Each volume has less linear narrative than the previous. While good the previous volumes of the series were much better.
Hilary Mantel - one of my favourite authors - is almost a year dead; her Thomas Cromwell trilogy is superb; what historical research, what sharp insight, what wit, what elegant and precise prose.
I can hardly believe - and really regret - that I will not ever again see anything new from her exquisite pen.
I can hardly believe - and really regret - that I will not ever again see anything new from her exquisite pen.
rhett7660: Is your signature taken from some Seether lyrics by chance?
Absolutely!!!! One of my favorite bands and that happens to be one of my favorite songs and lyric line!
👍
This actual version.
I've avoided this book all my life. Then I read somewhere how much Edgar Allen Poe liked this novel... so...
HA! I do too!
Lot's of the "N" word but still a pretty solid read.
This actual version.
I've avoided this book all my life. Then I read somewhere how much Edgar Allen Poe liked this novel... so...
HA! I do too!
Lot's of the "N" word but still a pretty solid read.
Another very controversial Mark Twain book is “Letter from the Earth”. It is very very funny. It makes fun of religion. And as a result it is another Twain book that has been banned from schools and libraries
Letters from the Earth consists of a series of essays and short stories. That express disdain for Christianity, both as a theological position and a lifestyle. The title story consists of eleven letters written by the archangel Satan from earth to the archangels in heaven , about his observations on the curious proceedings of earthly life and the nature of Man's religions
I wonder what those schools would make of "The Screwtape Letters"...
After I read it, I tried to get as many people as I could to read it. It was freaking fantastic but wayyyyyy to short. We know that one will never see the light of day in FL. and some other states, lol. Damn shame!!!!!
His daughter waited a bit after his death to make it public and the eh "religious" climate of some then is similar to today.
Just started The Book Thief a novel by Markus Zusak. The novel follows the adventures of a young girl, Liesel Meminger. Narrated by Death, the novel presents the lives and viewpoints of the many victims of the ongoing war. Themes throughout the story include death, literature, and love. The story follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl living with foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, in Nazi Germany during World War II. While adapting to her new home, she is exposed to the horrors of the war and politics.
Just started it (60 pages in) so far it seems pretty good and very engaging.
Just started it (60 pages in) so far it seems pretty good and very engaging.