Input: [Course #] QF 301 [Credit] 3 [Lab] 0 [Lecture] 3 [Study Hours] 6 [Course Name]

Output: Financial Time Series This course will cover the main topics of the analysis of time series to evaluate risk and return of the main products of capital markets (equity, fixed income, and derivatives). Students will work with historical databases, conduct their own analysis, and test trading strategies based on the techniques reviewed during the class.Syllabus

Courses | School of Business - Stevens Institute of Technology


Input: [Course #] QF 302 [Credit] 3 [Lab] 0 [Lecture] 3 [Study Hours] 6 [Course Name]

Output: Financial Market Microstructure This course will offer students an understanding of the main micro-structural features of financial markets, and the opportunity to test and practice different trading strategies. The course concentrates on the operations of exchanges, trading systems and broker/dealer intermediaries. Students will have a high level view of the trading decision process, market structure design, and market structure regulation. The course is based on computer simulations that recreate a trading environment and the typical challenges faced by professional traders.

Courses | School of Business - Stevens Institute of Technology


Input: [Course #] QF 365 [Credit] 4 [Lab] 2 [Lecture] 2 [Study Hours] 0 [Course Name]

Output: Data Structure and Algorithms with Financial Applications The course will introduce students to the C++ programming language, and the specification, design, implementation, use of the basic data types and review data structures and algorithms. The course takes a unique approach by following each lecture by a session of hands-on lab exercises; enabling students to learn by doing.

Courses | School of Business - Stevens Institute of Technology


Input: [Course #] QF 430 [Credit] 3 [Lab] 0 [Lecture] 3 [Study Hours] 6 [Course Name]

Output: Introduction to Derivatives This is a course on the fundamentals of financial derivatives, covering the basic properties and the pricing fundamentals of futures, options and swaps. It also explores trading and hedging strategies involving financial derivatives. Finally, time permitting special topics such as exotic options and credit derivatives are explored. The course provides the foundation of financial derivatives and lays the ground for a rigorous risk management course and other advanced quantitative courses, such as stochastic finance. It also provides students with some of the knowledge required for the CME competition and the CFA examination.

Courses | School of Business - Stevens Institute of Technology


Input: [Artist] Straw Into Gold [Title] Where is the moon? [Album]

Output: Love's Ripening

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Various [Title] The Imperial Officer On Horseback Galloping By [Album]

Output: New Chinese Bamboo Flute Music

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Avery Hill [Title] Gold [Album]

Output: Fare Thee Well

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Cry Cry Cry [Title] Kid [Album]

Output: Cry Cry Cry

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] The Subdudes [Title] Why Do You Hurt Me So [Album]

Output: Primitive Streak

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Lucinda Williams [Title] Can't Let Go [Album]

Output: Car Wheels On A Gravel Road

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Jesse Winchester [Title] I Turn To My Guitar [Album]

Output: Love Filling Station

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Lyle Lovett [Title] More Pretty Girls Than One [Album]

Output: Step Inside This House

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Sarah Jarosz [Title] Over The Edge [Album]

Output: Build Me Up From Bones

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Steve Goodman [Title] You Better Get It While You Can [Album]

Output: Anthology: No Big Surprise

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Doc Watson [Title] Summertime [Album]

Output: Elementary Doctor Watson

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Doc & Merle Watson [Title] Windy And Warm [Album]

Output: 1971-02-14 Reed College - Portland, OR

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Doc & Richard Watson [Title] Columbus Stockade Blues [Album]

Output: Third Generation Blues

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Annie Gallup [Title] 100 Miles From Music City [Album]

Output: Courage My Love

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Jesse Winchester [Title] Mississippi You're on my Mind [Album]

Output: Learn to Love It

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Eliza Gilkyson [Title] Unsustainable [Album]

Output: Beautiful World

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Mark Graham & Orville Johnson [Title] Their Brains Were Small [Album]

Output: Kings Of Mongrel Folk

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Polly Fiveash & Anand Nayak [Title] Granddaughter's Wedding Day [Album]

Output: The Road The Wheels & The Ride

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Anais Mitchell [Title] Before The Eyes Of Storytelling Girls [Album]

Output: Hymns For The Exiled

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Jim Page [Title] The Truth Will Get You Arrested [Album]

Output: Wheel Spins Upstream

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem [Title] Will Your House Be Blessed [Album]

Output: Some Bright Morning

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Artist] Tony Furtado [Title] Iowa [Album]

Output: The Bell

KBOO | Community Radio for Portland and beyond


Input: [Hint for first part] Thing you breathe [Hint for last part]

Output: An activity involving skill in making things by hand.


Input: [Hint for first part] Thing in Outer Space [Hint for last part]

Output: Examples: Guppy or Trout


Input: [Hint for first part] What you do with a car [Hint for last part]

Output: A method of doing something


Input: [Hint for first part] Where your spine is [Hint for last part]

Output: To fill a suitcase or a bag


Input: [Hint for first part] Opposite of under [Hint for last part]

Output: How much pounds you are


Input: [Hint for first part] Woman [Hint for last part]

Output: Bee or Fly


Input: [Hint for first part] Make a castle out of this at the beach [Hint for last part]

Output: Container or crate


Input: [Pin] DCD [Function] "Data carrier detect" [Type]

Output: In

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] RX [Function] Asynchronous serial data receive [Type]

Output: In

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] TX [Function] Asynchronous serial data transmit (idle high) [Type]

Output: Out

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] DTR [Function] "Data terminal ready" control output (often used with DSR) [Type]

Output: Out

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] GND [Function] Ground [Type]

Output: Power

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] DSR [Function] "Data set ready" control input (often used with DTR) [Type]

Output: In

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] RTS [Function] "Ready to send" control output (often used with CTS) [Type]

Output: Out

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] CTS [Function] "Clear to send" control input (often used with RTS) [Type]

Output: In

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] RI [Function] "Ring indicator" control input [Type]

Output: In

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] VCC [Function] Logic supply voltage (3 – 5.5 V, externally supplied) [Type]

Output: Power

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] INV [Function] Serial port detection pin, high if serial port connected [Type]

Output: Out

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [Pin] TX [Function] Asynchronous serial data transmit, inverted (idle low) [Type]

Output: Out

Pololu 23201a Serial Adapter Fully Assembled


Input: [0] TRUE [TRUE] TRUE [FALSE] FALSE [1] TRUE [-1] TRUE ["1"] TRUE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] TRUE [NULL] FALSE [array()] FALSE ["php"] TRUE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: FALSE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] FALSE [TRUE] FALSE [FALSE] TRUE [1] FALSE [-1] FALSE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] TRUE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] TRUE [array()] TRUE ["php"] FALSE [""] TRUE [0_4]

Output: TRUE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] 1 [TRUE] TRUE [FALSE] FALSE [1] TRUE [-1] FALSE ["1"] TRUE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] FALSE [array()] FALSE ["php"] FALSE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: FALSE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] 0 [TRUE] FALSE [FALSE] TRUE [1] FALSE [-1] FALSE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] TRUE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] TRUE [array()] FALSE ["php"] TRUE [""] TRUE [0_4]

Output: TRUE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] -1 [TRUE] TRUE [FALSE] FALSE [1] FALSE [-1] TRUE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] TRUE [NULL] FALSE [array()] FALSE ["php"] FALSE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: FALSE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] "1" [TRUE] TRUE [FALSE] FALSE [1] TRUE [-1] FALSE ["1"] TRUE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] FALSE [array()] FALSE ["php"] FALSE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: FALSE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] "0" [TRUE] FALSE [FALSE] TRUE [1] FALSE [-1] FALSE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] TRUE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] FALSE [array()] FALSE ["php"] FALSE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: TRUE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] "-1" [TRUE] TRUE [FALSE] FALSE [1] FALSE [-1] TRUE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] TRUE [NULL] FALSE [array()] FALSE ["php"] FALSE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: FALSE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] NULL [TRUE] FALSE [FALSE] TRUE [1] FALSE [-1] FALSE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] TRUE [array()] TRUE ["php"] FALSE [""] TRUE [0_4]

Output: TRUE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] array() [TRUE] FALSE [FALSE] TRUE [1] FALSE [-1] FALSE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] TRUE [array()] TRUE ["php"] FALSE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: FALSE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] "php" [TRUE] TRUE [FALSE] FALSE [1] FALSE [-1] FALSE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] FALSE [array()] FALSE ["php"] TRUE [""] FALSE [0_4]

Output: TRUE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] "" [TRUE] FALSE [FALSE] TRUE [1] FALSE [-1] FALSE ["1"] FALSE ["0"] FALSE ["-1"] FALSE [NULL] TRUE [array()] FALSE ["php"] FALSE [""] TRUE [0_4]

Output: TRUE

PHP: PHP Tür Karşılaştırma Tabloları - Manual

== ile gevşek karşılaştırmalar


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 10 [cover] cover [title] title Girl At War [author] author Nović, Sara * [isbn] isbn 1408706555 [isbn13] isbn13 9781408706558 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 336 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.01 [num ratings] num ratings 1,484 [date pub] date pub May 12, 2015 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition May 19, 2015 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 0 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Jun 2015 [date read] date read Jun 18, 2015 [date added] date added Nov 23, 2014 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view [review]

Output: review None

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 38 [cover] cover [title] title The Elegance of the Hedgehog [author] author Barbery, Muriel [isbn] isbn 1933372605 [isbn13] isbn13 9781933372600 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 325 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.71 [num ratings] num ratings 95,994 [date pub] date pub Jun 05, 2005 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Sep 02, 2008 [rating] Michael's rating 4 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 6 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Oct 29, 2014 [date read] date read Nov 2014 [date added] date added Oct 29, 2014 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Renée Michel is a concierge for an upscale apartment building that is inhabited by bourgeois families. Renée is an intelligent autodidact that hides h Renée Michel is a concierge for an upscale apartment building that is inhabited by bourgeois families. Renée is an intelligent autodidact that hides herself from the residents of this elegant apartment, trying to confirm every stereotype they might have towards a concierge. However a precocious girl named Paloma suspects there is something more about Renée. When a wealthy Japanese business man moves into the building, he sees right through the concierge’s façade and tries to befriend her for some intellectual conversations. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a highly successful novel by Muriel Barbery who obtained her agrégation in philosophy before becoming a professor for the Université de Bourgogne. The publication I read was a Europia edition that was translated by novelist and Literary translator Alison Anderson. L’Élégance du hérisson was translated into more than forty languages and has also been adapted into the 2009 movie The Hedgehog (Le hérisson) staring Josiane Balasko, Garance Le Guillermic and Togo Igawa. This novel is full of allusions towards works of literature, music, films, and paintings, which is one of the reasons I loved this book. While it might come across as pretentious and somewhat cynical The Elegance of the Hedgehog plays a lot with the ideas of stereotypes, class-consciousness and acceptance. A philosophical novel that explores ideas of how we present ourselves to the world and if we should pretend to be someone different, if that is what others expect from you. There are plenty of philosophical ideas running through this novel that presents different ideologies, Muriel Barbery has stated that literature is an effective way to explore philosophy. Having sat through plenty of long and boring philosophy classes she wanted a way to explore the ideas in a more effective and interesting way. I suspect people can get lost in the pretentious nature of this book but also the ending; however I think it was a fitting ending for the novel. I found The Elegance of the Hedgehog to be a beautiful, if not recherché little novel and I enjoyed every moment of it. I wanted to turn back to page one and start again; I think there is plenty within this book to offer its readers. If you pay close attention to the book you might also notice that most of the book was told in a first person, present day nature that makes for a fresh look at the story that I didn’t notice till near the end. I know I should have paid more attention but this is one of the main reasons I wanted to re-read the book. Lovers of philosophy and literature would love this book but also anyone interested in Marxism. I know I didn’t talk much about the class struggle within the book but that is because I have much to learn in this area. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is an intelligent novel, full of references to literature, witty and smart humour with a satirical nature. The way this French novel translates into an elegant English novel is a testimony to Alison Anderson’s ability but she had a great piece of literature to work with. I would highly recommend this novel to everyone but maybe that isn’t a good idea, I think you have to be in the right frame of mind or mood to truly enjoy this book. This review originally appeared on my blog: http://literary-exploration.com/2014/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 9 [cover] cover [title] title All That is Solid Melts into Air [author] author McKeon, Darragh * [isbn] isbn 0241003318 [isbn13] isbn13 9780241003312 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 391 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.89 [num ratings] num ratings 973 [date pub] date pub Mar 06, 2014 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Apr 11, 2014 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 1 [votes] votes 12 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Sep 17, 2014 [date read] date read Sep 24, 2014 [date added] date added Aug 16, 2014 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review All that is Solid Melts into Air tells the story of the Soviet Union in 1986. A nine year-old piano prodigy continuously falling victim to bullies, a All that is Solid Melts into Air tells the story of the Soviet Union in 1986. A nine year-old piano prodigy continuously falling victim to bullies, a surgeon throwing himself into his work to avoid the emotion pain of a failed marriage, a former dissident struggling to free herself from political constraints. Everyday Russians trying to make life work in this repressed state; that was until a disaster in Ukraine changes things. Most people who know me know that I am a fan of Russian literature and books set in Russia. The Cold War years are of particular interest to me, the social and political unrest makes for a haunting backdrop for great story telling. When I head that All that is Solid Melts into Air was this year’s answer to A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, it was all I needed to buy this book. While reading the book I found out the novel centred around the Chernobyl nuclear accident which just gave that extra element to turn this into a new favourite. I have never read a novel about the Chernobyl disaster before and I am struggling to think of other books that focus on this historical event. So I was pleased to have a new insight on a situation I hope to never experience. This was a beautiful and haunting tale of Russians living life and the connections they make along the way. However little gems like the controversial idea of implementing safety measure pre-disaster and the Soviet Union’s efforts to cover the accident up really helped make this novel great. The title is taken from a line in The Communist Manifesto, which is quoted before the novel kicks off. This is an interesting quote to add, not just to give a reference to the title but the implications of what to expect within the novel. As Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels theorise in their political manifesto, “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles”. “All that is solid melts into air, all that is holy is profaned, and man is at last compelled to face with sober senses, his real conditions of life, and his relations with his kind.” – Karl Marx (The Communist Manifesto) While this is a strong character driven novel, it is not the personal but political transgressions that stood out for me. All that is Solid Melts into Air is set in a time where the Iron Curtain is beginning to collapse; things are drastically changing and then the disaster involving the Chernobyl Power Plant throws the people into civil unrest. While the book focuses on a few characters the overall theme is one of class struggles. The Russian people struggling against the Soviet government; the fear and repression rules stronger than the radioactive atmosphere. An interesting concept considering the communist society that Marx wrote about was nothing like the political government at the time. I am a little sad to see this gem has remained under the radar; All that is Solid Melts into Air deserves so much more attention. Despite that horrific setting, this is a novel of great beauty with visceral portrayals of both people and places. The struggle the people go through is handled with tender care and empathy. It is hard to believe that Darragh McKeon is a debut author; much like Anthony Marra, I am eagerly awaiting his next novel. All that is Solid Melts into Air is a new favourite and you can expect it to be near the top of my ‘best of 2014’ list. This review originally appeared on my blog: http://literary-exploration.com/2014/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 12 [cover] cover [title] title Middlemarch [author] author Eliot, George [isbn] isbn 0141196890 [isbn13] isbn13 9780141196893 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 853 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.90 [num ratings] num ratings 83,371 [date pub] date pub 1872 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Jun 02, 2011 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 2 [votes] votes 7 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Jun 15, 2014 [date read] date read Dec 03, 2014 [date added] date added Mar 11, 2014 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Hardcover [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Middlemarch: A Study of Provincial Life was George Eliot’s seventh novel and was originally published in a serial from 1871-72. Set in a fictional tow Middlemarch: A Study of Provincial Life was George Eliot’s seventh novel and was originally published in a serial from 1871-72. Set in a fictional town, this novel follows a wide range of characters in interlocking narratives that really do allow the reader to study the provincial life of Middlemarch. As this is broken into eight “books” it would be difficult to summarise the plot and even write a review that could do this book justice. Instead I am going to write down some thoughts and observations I found while reading Middlemarch. First of all, I think it is beneficial to know a little about George Eliot; an understanding of her life helps put a lot of this novel into perspective. Most people know George Eliot is a pen name for Mary Ann Evans, she used the pseudonym to keep her private life from public scrutiny, as she was in a relationship with a married man, George Henry Lewes with whom she was living with. She picked a male nom de plume to escape the stereotypes placed on woman writers, this allowed her to offer a social critic without being judged on her gender. Raised as an Anglican, Mary Ann struggled with religious doubts and eventually became an atheist. As a young woman (before her relationship with George Henry Lewes), her father threatened to throw her out of the house due to her non-belief, but they seemed to come to a compromise. Mary Ann continued to attend church with her father until he passed away to keep him happy, even if she didn’t believe in a God anymore. This is a very tiny glimpse at Mary Ann Evans but I wanted to share that information about her as it ties into common themes found throughout Middlemarch. The themes I am talking about here are gossip, marriage, femininity and religion. Living in Victorian England may not be too different to now (people like to gossip), Mary Ann would have been the subject of plenty of gossip and in a small town like Middlemarch it feels like the primary source of information. Throughout this novel, information is continuously being conveyed from an indirect party. George Eliot satirises the idea of gossip by continuously having other characters speak on someone else’s behalf to avoid direct communication. While others will avoid conversations believing that any relevant information will eventually make its way to them. These ideas of gossip feel like Eliot is poking fun at how gossip is used, however as a social commentary it is spot on. I love what George Eliot has to say on the ideas of courtship and marriage and this is one of the most important parts of the novel. In Middlemarch marriage is never an end result, the happily ever after ending literary trope. While some people do end up being happy, there are plenty of unhappy marriages within the novel. Mary Ann’s lover George Henry Lewes was trapped in an unhappy marriage which he couldn’t get out of and this seems to be the basis of relationships within Middlemarch. There is this exploration of the idea of courtship, and it begs the reader to question these ideas. There are a lot of thoughts on how well we can really know someone before marriage; playing with ideas on being an outsider, deception and even intimacy. Each marriage within Middlemarch is different and it allows the reader to explore these unions as part of a social construct. While there was a huge focus on marriage within Middlemarch there still were a few unwed woman within the novel. There are well educated women with the book that sometimes appear to be happier than the woman trapped in marriage. Eliot wanted to depict woman as strong individuals who have something to offer the world other than just being wives and mothers. The women in the book are often great and complex personalities but then Eliot plays with the ideas of suppressing themselves for men and the role they play in society. There is some social conditioning within the book but ultimately I kept seeing this idea of women having the ability to make social change. Finally I want to talk about religion and spirituality; this is an interesting theme that steams from Mary Ann’s own life. I suspect sitting in a church listening to someone talk about a God she didn’t believe in made her think a lot about spirituality and organised religion. I haven’t used any examples but in this case I want to compare Dorothea with Mr Bulstrode. Dorothea has this internal and private spiritual life, the depiction of this is somewhat vague in the novel. This is because as an outsider she doesn’t come across as a spiritual person but internally it is an intimate part of her life. While Mr Bulstrode is portrayed as someone who is more public about his religious beliefs. While not always hypocritical he has a warped opinion; he believes his previous transgressions are part of the providential plan but will openly condemn others for their past misdeeds. Throughout Middlemarch, religion and spirituality is explored in different way and it is interesting to compare it with the ideas of morality within the novel. There are so many different themes I can talk about, including money, education, vocations, social classes and even self-delusion but that would drag this on too much. I read Middlemarch with the aid of a reading guide called Eliot’s Middlemarch by Josie Billington and I did this because there is so much to offer within this novel I wanted to get as much as I could from the book. This is a smart and intelligent social commentary and I got the sense that there was no wasted moments within the book despite the fact it was 880 pages long. I dipped in and out of this novel for six months and I am glad I choose to read it in this way; it allowed me to ponder what I read before moving on. It is the type of book you need to spend a lot of time with and written in a way that allows you to dip in and out. I haven’t even talked about the writing or style of Middlemarch and that is probably the most important part. There is a slight detachment within the style, this is probably because the novel is a form of social criticism; a study of provincial life. Having said that, I found Middlemarch very funny; the satirical irony and wit played a big part for me, but you could also say this is a morbid book. The style of the book is psychological, erudite and extremely elegant; I often felt myself being swept away with the writing but still fascinated by the insightfulness. It is hard to explain how much I loved this book; this a realistic depiction of Victorian life and George Eliot displays a real mastery on human nature. However, even though it sounds like it is nothing but a psychological look at society, Eliot is able to make you feel like you are a part of the story. I am sure you can read this book as just a beautiful Victorian classic but I picked up this book for the social criticism. If you do want to get more out of this book then I recommend Josie Billington’s reading guide Eliot’s Middlemarch. This is the type of book I will need to frequently return to throughout my life and see what I get out of it with a re-read. This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2014/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 30 [cover] cover [title] title If on a Winter's Night a Traveler [author] author Calvino, Italo [isbn] isbn 0679420258 [isbn13] isbn13 9780679420255 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 254 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.09 [num ratings] num ratings 40,234 [date pub] date pub 1979 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Jun 01, 1993 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender Violet [comments] comments 8 [votes] votes 9 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Sep 25, 2013 [date read] date read Oct 07, 2013 [date added] date added Sep 25, 2013 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Hardcover [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler is an experimental classic that follows two protagonists, the Reader and the Other Reader. The Reader buys a fashion If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler is an experimental classic that follows two protagonists, the Reader and the Other Reader. The Reader buys a fashionable new book that opens with those famous lines “You are about to begin reading Italo Calvino’s new novel, If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought.” Thirty pages or so into the book he realises his copy is corrupt and consists of the same thing over and over again. Returning to the book store he discovers that what he thought was Calvino was a book by a Polish writer Bazakbal. Given the choice between the two he goes for the Polish book, as does the Other Reader, but his book turns out to be yet another novel by a different writer, as does the next, and the next. Trying to write a synopsis for this book is tricky, there is no way I can do the novel justice in a paragraph. This Italian surrealist novel (1979) was translated in 1981 to critical acclaim. The novel is best known for its structure. The odd number chapters are written in second person, but you have to ask yourself is it possible to have a novel in second person. As you read along eventually the narrator “you” does something that will take the reader out of the equation and turning them into a character called You. For instance, in this novel You is male, this will rule out about 50% of the readers in one hit. This doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of this novel but is something I was deeply aware of throughout this book. There were times where I felt like the novel was in first and third person as well, so you end up with characters called You, I and He/She. This whole book is subjective, I’m sure some people get different things out of If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler than I did but that is just what makes for a great novel. I want to talk a little about post-structuralism as I believe this novel is a great example of this literary theory. Firstly you need to understand structuralism, which is a theory that states that in order to understand a piece of literature you need to understand its relationship with the bigger picture, the overarching system or structure. You need to look into its influences, the genre, narrative and any other elements that might be relevant. The problem with this is you going further and further back eventually you might lose sight of the original text. Basically this is a set of specific rules that govern literature. Post-structuralism is basically taking those rules (they often study and analyse the rules) then setting out to critique the premises. It isn’t really throwing out the rules, more demonstrating how the rules don’t always apply. Italo Calvino doesn’t stop at narrative modes and post-structuralism, the novel explores many more literary themes; the most obvious is the use of metafiction; a book within a book. You won’t find Outside the Town of Malbork by Tazio Bazakbal on Goodreads, I’ve checked. Then you have intertextuality, pastiche, post-modernism and so on. If you are interested in exploring literary theories this novel might be a good way to experience a whole range of different concepts in one hit. I don’t know much about literary theory so I hope my understanding on these concepts have come across as accurate and I haven’t missed it completely. I would love to attend a series of lectures where this book is deconstructed and looked at in real detail; I think that would be incredibly interesting. Don’t worry, this isn’t a dense or hard-to-read book and I’m aware that talking about literary theory might turn people off this novel but please reconsider. This book is not only devilishly clever but it is beautifully executed. I took my time with this novel because I wanted to re-read sections, write done quotes and just talk about the book to anyone that would listen. If I didn’t borrow this from the library I would have highlighted the entire books (seriously, every line is just that great). I have brought my own copy now (yes, I broke my book buying ban) and I hope to be able to re-read this again. I’m not sure if reading this with others will help but the whole experience of reading this novel is worth sharing. I’ve heard Italo Calvino is heavily influenced by Vladimir Nabokov which makes a lot of sense to me, the writing style does feel similar, even the humour and wit. A literary labyrinth that is so masterfully executed that the novel needs to be read again and again. I won’t go into any more details as there are a few things you just need to experience. I’m jealous of anyone that gets to read this novel for the first time as that is an experience I will never have again. I have to wonder why the Vintage classics cover of the word “Traveller” written correctly but throughout the book it is written in the American (wrong) spelling. I have to wonder if there is anything in that. I wonder if there is a reading companion to If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler that you can read alongside this book (similar to Infinite Jest) to discover the brilliance of this novel. I really enjoy Post-Modern literature but there is so much that I’m probably missing. All book lovers should experience If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler, there is nothing like that feeling of pure joy when you read a beautifully clever novel. You never want it to end, that ecstasy is like a drug and you immediately want to read it again only to find that feeling is just not the same. This is a masterpiece, I know I didn’t talk much about the plot but this was so I don’t give anything away. Go read it. This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 7 [cover] cover [title] title The Machine [author] author Smythe, James * [isbn] isbn 000742860X [isbn13] isbn13 9780007428601 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 328 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.67 [num ratings] num ratings 354 [date pub] date pub Apr 01, 2013 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Apr 11, 2013 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 2 [votes] votes 8 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Aug 14, 2013 [date read] date read Aug 22, 2013 [date added] date added Aug 01, 2013 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Hardcover [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Beth lives in a remote village by the sea, a desolate place where she can rebuild her life following the return of her husband after the war. Vic is h Beth lives in a remote village by the sea, a desolate place where she can rebuild her life following the return of her husband after the war. Vic is haunted by his memories and turns to a machine to take his nightmares away, but it takes everything away; now Beth is determined to rebuild him. Dubbed as Frankenstein for the 21st century, The Machine is a wonderfully dark and complex novel that really deserves more attention. I normally get annoyed when novels are compared to Frankenstein; how can any novel truly compare? The Machine was a different story; I wasn’t expecting it to compare to Frankenstein, I was more interested with the dark and complex nature of this book. The novel reminds me more of the British TV show Black Mirror; there are two episodes in particular, the episode where all memories are recorded for instant playback (1×3) and the one where a woman loses her husband and turns to a service that continues his online life (2×1). The show is considered “a hybrid of The Twilight Zone and Tales of the Unexpected which taps into our contemporary unease about our modern world” and is designed to be thought provoking. In fact The Machine feels right at home with the style of that show. Imagine if you can record all your memories and then wipe the ones that cause pain? Would removing some memories change a person completely? What if that machine wipes every memory and leaves the person catatonic? What are the moral implications of playing with someone’s memories? How should the government regulate scientific advances like this? If you could, would you try to rebuild a loved one? There are just so many questions to answer and The Machine does a great job of creating more. Don’t expect answers, this book is all about giving you questions. I love a novel that gets you questioning life and philosophy. James Smythe masterfully does what so many try to do, it’s so refreshing to read something like this but it makes me sad that this book isn’t getting more attention. I feel the need to read every James Smythe book I can get my hands on in the desire to experience this feeling again. Science Fiction is a genre that really can explore humanity and morality and Smythe reminds the readers that it’s possible. In the 60s and 70s it felt like all Sci-Fi novels had a message and we have exchanged that for entertainment. Not that there is anything wrong with entertaining the reader but you can do that while exploring philosophical ideas. There is so much I want to say about this book and the majority of it is positive but I won’t, I think everyone should read this book and experience it for themselves. The plot is compelling and James Smythe writes like a master of his craft. The Machine has already secured a place in my “best books of 2013” list and I want to read more of his books, just to have this experience again. Go out now and get your copy of The Machine. This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 8 [cover] cover [title] title A Constellation of Vital Phenomena [author] author Marra, Anthony * [isbn] isbn 1781090068 [isbn13] isbn13 9781781090060 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 416 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.12 [num ratings] num ratings 21,554 [date pub] date pub 2013 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition May 16, 2013 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 3 [votes] votes 6 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Jul 02, 2013 [date read] date read Jul 08, 2013 [date added] date added Jun 27, 2013 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review In a small village in Chechnya, an eight year old Havaa watches as her father is abducted by Russian soldiers. Their neighbour, Akhmed was also watch In a small village in Chechnya, an eight year old Havaa watches as her father is abducted by Russian soldiers. Their neighbour, Akhmed was also watch and takes Havaa as he knows he will be the only person that might be able to help her. They seek shelter at a bombed-out hospital, where they meet Sonja, a tough and strong minded doctor who has no desire to risk it. All three people’s worlds are turned upside down in such a short period of time. Slowly intricate patterns are revealed that bind these three companions together and ultimately seals their fate. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena takes place mainly in 1994; not too long after the dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991) and the Chechen-Ingush ASSR split (1992). Now The Chechen Republic was fighting for their independence. In the First Chechen War the Russian Federation tried to seize control only to be fought off by the locals. It wasn’t till 1996 did Boris Yeltsin’s government declare a ceasefire and eventually a peace treaty was signed. During this war it was estimated that 5,500 Russian soldiers died, between 3,500 and 7,500 Chechen militants, but the real loss was on the civilians, with between 30,000 and 100,000 deaths, around 200,000 injured and 500,000 displaced by the conflict. I wish I could tell you that we are the end of conflict with Chechnya but in 1999 the Second Chechen War was launched and the Russian Federation eventually seized control in 2009. Now that we have an idea of what was happening in the country at the time, we get an idea of the danger that faces the three main characters. This isn’t necessarily a book about war, or the politics behind it (which basically comes down to oil) but rather the connections that link Havaa, Akhmed and Sonja together. The hardships each of them face only serves to build this beautiful story and flush out the character development. A glimpse of three different people struggling to survive this war torn land and debut author Anthony Marra managed to make this novel both compelling and emotional. All three characters are so different you get so many perspectives within A Constellation of Vital Phenomena that will leave you pondering the novel well after you put it down. For me, I thought of Akhmed as a traditional Chechen Muslim, caught up with the past and tradition. While Sonja is the strong minded woman trying to smash through the glass ceiling, then you have Havaa an intelligent young girl that knows nothing else apart from war. You also have other characters that look at other ways the war effects the people, from abduction, smuggling, sex trafficking, amputation, punishment, torture and the list goes one. For a novel so focused on the character development and relationship of three characters, it’s impressive how it manages to deal with so many other issues. I’ve always had a keen interest on Russian literature, plus my fascination with the motherland; so I knew I had to read this book. The collapse of The Union of Soviet Socialist Republic is an interesting topic and the instability that ensued afterwards makes for a great backdrop. I will admit I didn’t know much about Chechen history so I had to bone up a little, unable to break a bad habit I was on the Wikipedia page for Chechnya just to get more information. I feel stupid for this but I didn’t realise the majority of Chechnya were Muslims; for some reason I thought they would have been Russian Orthodox. With the help of understanding the geographical location (which helped make more sense of their Islamic influences) as well as history, I really connected with this novel. It wasn’t just understanding Chechnya or the character development I loved about A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, it was also exquisitely written. I was sucked in by the imagery and the beauty of the prose; I was surprised this was Anthony Marra’s first novel. I would have thought he had been doing this so well , the writing was wonderful and the whole novel was masterfully executed. I hope he writes a new novel soon because I know I’m eagerly waiting to see what he does next. A Constellation of Vital Phenomena is sure to be one of those books that make my ‘Best of 2013’ list, I was very impressed with everything about it. For an American writer, his grasp on Chechnya seems authentic. I don’t know much about his life so I can’t judge, he might have spent some time in the country or has friends or family from there; I do know he wrote a prize winning short story called Chechnya, but that looks like the basis of this novel (based around Sonja, the hospital and her sister). Go out and pick up a copy of this novel, it is well worth reading. This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2013/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 11 [cover] cover [title] title The Dark Path: A Memoir [author] author Schickler, David [isbn] isbn 159448645X [isbn13] isbn13 9781594486456 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 336 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.89 [num ratings] num ratings 208 [date pub] date pub Sep 12, 2013 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Sep 12, 2013 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 1 [votes] votes 9 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Feb 17, 2014 [date read] date read Feb 23, 2014 [date added] date added Jun 25, 2013 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Hardcover [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review If I was Catholic, I would want to be a Jesuit; they seem to be the most pretentious of all the Catholic congregations. Not that I would want to be a If I was Catholic, I would want to be a Jesuit; they seem to be the most pretentious of all the Catholic congregations. Not that I would want to be a priest as I’m married but for David Schickler the desire to be a priest was a driving force in his life. The Dark Path is a memoir of Schickler’s struggle between a call to priesthood and his attraction to women. A memoir that explores his faith, sex and the internal conflict, The Dark Path is a funny and boldly honest look at his struggle. I grew up in a strict religious home, though not Catholic, but I really connected with The Dark Path. Growing up, my parents were ministers and I often felt the pressure to join the ministry. Though it isn’t as daunting as becoming a priest, it made this book relatable. I’m often drawn to books with an internal struggle and when I first heard about this book, I knew it was something I had to read. The whole idea of choosing a life in service to God or giving into your sexual urges is an interesting topic and Schickler tackled it in a way that remained respectful to both choices. While this is a book about religion and Catholicism in general, I think of this book as a struggle to decide what path to take. In our high school and college years we all face choices that will affect the rest of our lives and The Dark Path is essentially about those decisions. As I’ve had a strong religious upbringing there was just so much in the book that I could relate to and enjoy, this does make my review very biased but I can’t help it. I also married a Catholic so I had the opportunity to learn more about Catholicism while also having someone to answer all my questions I had in the book. David Schickler has written one novel which is mentioned in this memoir called Kissing in Manhattan and also co-created the TV show Banshee, which I haven’t had an opportunity to watch. I have to wonder if both the novel and show portray a similar element of struggle in the characters as well as maybe a hint of religious politics because I think he captured this really well in this book. I get a sense that his writing style is dark, gritty and transgressive. You can see hints of this in his writing but he still managed to make this memoir hilarious and heart-warming. There is so much I want to say about this book but I don’t want to give too much of the book away. The Dark Path is the first book to receive a 5 star rating for 2014 and I hope to find many people to talk to about this memoir. If you have a religious background and want to read about a struggle of faith then I highly recommend The Dark Path. I plan to go read Kissing in Manhattan soon and maybe even try and get a hold of Banshee. This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2014/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 4 [cover] cover [title] title The Marriage Plot [author] author Eugenides, Jeffrey [isbn] isbn 0007441282 [isbn13] isbn13 9780007441280 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 406 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.41 [num ratings] num ratings 84,971 [date pub] date pub Jan 01, 2011 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Oct 11, 2011 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 11 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Oct 31, 2012 [date read] date read Nov 12, 2012 [date added] date added Oct 31, 2012 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review The Marriage Plot is a coming of age novel that explores the pains that comes with life experience. The novel follows three Brown University friends b The Marriage Plot is a coming of age novel that explores the pains that comes with life experience. The novel follows three Brown University friends beginning their senior year and then life after graduation. Madeleine Hanna is an English major with an interest in the Victorian novel and the importance of the marriage plot within all the greatest English novels. Leonard Morten a biologist, who is charismatic and intelligent, but constantly dealing with either unlimited energy or sinking moods. Mitchell Grammaticus studied religion and, while acts strange, has a fascination with Christian mysticism and the idea of Madeleine. The Marriage Plot finally shows just how a love triangle plot should work. The book shifts between the three protagonists to show the inner thoughts and desires. This is a modern romance; but not in the way you expect. The Marriage Plot asks the reader the question; are the great love stories dead? Did they die off in the nineteenth century? Or does the new world of feminism and sexual freedom offer something completely different. Jeffrey Eugenides explores the ideas of contemporary relationships with such love and care that you feel like you truly know these characters. As the love triangle between Madeleine, Leonard and Mitchell slowly unfolds, I find myself thinking that maybe Mitchell is the better choice but her attraction to Leonard just seems to get stronger. Mitchell is stuck in the friend’s zone but on reflection he never really pursued Madeleine the way she wanted and lost his chance when he had it. When she discovers Leonard’s mental illness I felt that really cemented their relationship. Sure it was going to be hard, but I think Madeleine’s guilt and the feeling of being needed really shaped their relationship. The whole novel played around with a whole lot of different literary devices, mixing that with all the themes throughout this book really made this book stand out for me. The ideas of love were really explored well here, helping the characters to discover the difference between their fantasies and reality as well as the need for physical, intellectual and emotional satisfaction. Even Mitchell facing the discernment between the seminary and the possibility of romance has an aspect of love that often isn’t explored; do you give up your passion for a chance at romance? The characters are so real and I feel like I know them so well; this is what made this book at time frustrating but then it was what made this book so great. While there are a lot of ideas of love throughout the book, the one that really worked for me was Jeffrey Eugenides and Madeleine’s love of literature. I finished this book and wanted to go and read A Lover’s Discourse by Roland Barthes just because Madeleine speaks so fondly of it, the kind of fondness that must truly come from the author. This really feels like a labour of love by the author, I felt such a connection with the characters and the ideas within this book. Even the effort Eugenides put into bring out the beauty of the situations really was awe inspiring. Eugenides writes beautiful prose; well he did in this book, I’m not sure if it is the love he has for the book, or if he has that for all his novels but I’m keen to dive into Middlesex or The Virgin Suicides sometime soon. Let’s face it, it is rare to find a book that affects you and you feel so passionately about, so finding The Marriage Plot has really made my reading journey feel worth it. I do have a few books that I hold in such high regard; Frankenstein, Crime and Punishment and I would like to welcome The Marriage Plot to join them. It just feels different with this novel, I feel like I’ve discovered my softer side. I would love to know if people know of other books similar to this that I might enjoy and I also want to hear about the books that effect you in a deep and wonderful way. This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2012/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 3 [cover] cover [title] title Swimming Home [author] author Levy, Deborah [isbn] isbn 0571299601 [isbn13] isbn13 9780571299607 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 157 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.21 [num ratings] num ratings 5,169 [date pub] date pub Oct 06, 2011 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Sep 10, 2012 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 3 [votes] votes 16 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started not set [date read] date read Oct 17, 2012 [date added] date added Oct 12, 2012 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review A group of tourists holidaying in the French Riviera arrive at their summer villa only to find something floating in the swimming pool. One of them th A group of tourists holidaying in the French Riviera arrive at their summer villa only to find something floating in the swimming pool. One of them thinks it’s a bear, but it turns out to be a very naked stranger. The woman Kitty, having nowhere else to go, joins the group and ends up being a big disruption to the group in this deeply psychology dark novel. Ok, I’ll admit that the main reason I decided to read this book was because it was short listed for the Man Booker award but let’s face it, after reading what the book was about, I thought it was my type of book. These characters are rich and the addition of a very explosive character made for a fascinating read. At times during the book I felt reminded of that 90’s psychological thriller Wild Things; there was so many unanswered questions that really helped drive this story along. Sure, it is not as twisted as that movie but the psychological aspects are there; at times there are even shades of noir coming through. Deborah Levy does so much with such a small book; the joy of reading the book is seeing what she doesn’t say. In this aspect I think I would compare her to someone like Kafka, where what she says has so much depth and meaning that it’s really what makes this book so great. Womanising and depression maybe the catalyst but my joy came from the dark and witty elements found throughout this writing. I’ve not read any of the other books shortlisted for this year Man Booker but I’m hoping this book wins; it has so much in it and I think winning this award would give it the exposure that this book deserves. I’m sure there are many elements of this book I might have missed but I enjoyed the book so much that I’ve already started reading through it again. A literary highlight for my reading journey this year; Swimming Home is well worth picking up. This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2012/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 2 [cover] cover [title] title Crime and Punishment [author] author Dostoyevsky, Fyodor [isbn] isbn 0140449132 [isbn13] isbn13 9780140449136 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 656 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.15 [num ratings] num ratings 340,196 [date pub] date pub 1866 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Jan 30, 2003 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 20 [votes] votes 49 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started May 10, 2012 [date read] date read May 22, 2012 [date added] date added May 10, 2012 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review While I often find it hard to review a classic novel because we already know it’s stood the test of time, it is even harder to review one that has bee While I often find it hard to review a classic novel because we already know it’s stood the test of time, it is even harder to review one that has been translated into English as well. Some of the beauty in the writing could have been lost in the translation and because there is so many different translations out there, how do you choose which one to read. This version of Crime and Punishment was translated by David McDuff and I must admit I didn’t really notice anything wrong with the translation at all. It was only upon reflecting that I realised that something could have been lost in the translation. I have to admit I really love Russian literature and Crime and Punishment will be the front runner for my favourite Russian piece of literature. Raskolnikov is a conflicted character; he is showing a lot of interest in the classes and thinking he is of a higher class than others believes he has the right to commit murder. Contrary to the title, this novel doesn’t really focus on the crime or the punishment but rather the inner turmoil of Raskolnikov as well as the impact on his intellect and emotions. It is not until the very end that the sense of guilt overwhelms him and he confesses and ends his alienation. Despite the rest of the characters in this book, the bulk of this novel plays out in the mind of Raskolnikov. Fyodor Dostoyevsky must have been a very skilled writer to be able to get into the mindset of such a deranged mind. While the murder of two people is definitely a crime, I think the moral that comes across in this book is that the biggest crime was that Raskolnikov placed himself above his fellow man. I wonder if Dostoyevsky was trying to also show the reader the dangers of rationalism and maybe utilitarianism. I’m really surprised how fast I got through this book and the fact that I really enjoyed this book even though I was warned time and time again that this was a very difficult book and not to expect to enjoy it. I’m a huge fan of a book that deals with the inner turmoil of a person especially in a macabre way. It reminded me so much of Markheim by Robert Louis Stevenson and makes me wonder if books like the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsey were influenced by this classic novel. I have a feeling that I will be thinking about this book for a long time and might have to reread it one day. Reveiw taken from my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2012/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 23 [cover] cover [title] title Into the Darkest Corner [author] author Haynes, Elizabeth * [isbn] isbn 0956251579 [isbn13] isbn13 9780956251572 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 403 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.09 [num ratings] num ratings 29,167 [date pub] date pub Jan 01, 2011 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Feb 14, 2011 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 7 [votes] votes 39 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Apr 04, 2012 [date read] date read Apr 11, 2012 [date added] date added Mar 29, 2012 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Cathy’s relationship with Lee seems good to begin with, but as his true self starts to emerge, the more she is pushed into the darkest corner. This is Cathy’s relationship with Lee seems good to begin with, but as his true self starts to emerge, the more she is pushed into the darkest corner. This is a story of a very abusive relationship and the chilling effects it has on Catherine. Lee is controlling, abusive and thinks he is smart enough to get away with it; but can he? Written in two parts, Into the Darkest Corner slowly unfolds the destructive relationship between Cathy and Lee. It also includes the story four years after, showing the damage done to Cathy which has left her isolated, suffering from OCD and post traumatic stress. The two different time periods are written in a slightly different format showing the chilling tale of a woman slowly slipping into her darkest corner, then showing her trying to recover from all the damage. The two different writing styles are what makes this book so haunting; it’s like watching a car crash, you can see Cathy’s happy and party-like attitude slowly dissolving. I really enjoyed this book. It’s dark, chilling and very disturbing; it was sickening at times but still an exciting novel to read. I had real pleasure reading something so dark; not often do you find a book so disturbing and yet so enjoyable to read. While I think this book was really good, I couldn’t recommend it to anyone that might freak out or identify with Cathy too closely. This is not a light book and definitely not for overly emotional or the faint of heart. I was really impressed with Elizabeth Haynes’ debut novel Into the Darkest Corner and I can’t wait to read her next book. Original review appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2012/... ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 17 [cover] cover [title] title Ready Player One [author] author Cline, Ernest * [isbn] isbn 1846059372 [isbn13] isbn13 9781846059377 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 374 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.31 [num ratings] num ratings 189,329 [date pub] date pub Aug 16, 2011 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Aug 18, 2011 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 3 [votes] votes 7 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Nov 20, 2011 [date read] date read Nov 27, 2011 [date added] date added Nov 17, 2011 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Parzival (Wade Watts) is on a hunt to find the Easter egg James Halliday left within his game The Oasis. This egg will entitle the winner to entire fo Parzival (Wade Watts) is on a hunt to find the Easter egg James Halliday left within his game The Oasis. This egg will entitle the winner to entire fortune of Halliday’s and control over the game. The game is huge and the egg only have three keys needed to unlock it; each key leading to the next but you need to skill and knowledge to find them with the clues provided. Though this book is set in 2044, the book does nothing but reference the 1980’s; Bladerunner, Atari, DeLoreans, Pac Man, Monty Python, Wargames, Star Wars, Star Trek, etc this book is full of nostalgia and for any nerd growing up in the 80’s, will bring back so many memories. The hunt is exciting, the characters are great and it’s just a complete nerdfest. For any gamer, or fan of 80’s pop culture, this is the book for you. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 24 [cover] cover [title] title The Sense of an Ending [author] author Barnes, Julian [isbn] isbn 0224094157 [isbn13] isbn13 9780224094153 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 150 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.68 [num ratings] num ratings 88,408 [date pub] date pub 2011 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Aug 04, 2011 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 14 [votes] votes 14 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Oct 22, 2011 [date read] date read Oct 24, 2011 [date added] date added Oct 21, 2011 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Hardcover [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review When I see a book that is only 150 pages, I automatically think the book won’t have much to offer, but then I remember some great novellas like, Georg When I see a book that is only 150 pages, I automatically think the book won’t have much to offer, but then I remember some great novellas like, George Orwell's Animal Farm, Anthony Burgess's A Clockwork Orange, Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and now Julian Barnes’s A Sense of an Ending. Winner of this year’s Man Booker prize A Sense of an Ending is the story I always wanted an angsty book about the teenage years to be like. I think back to Catcher in the Rye and think The Sense of an Ending is everything that classic should have been, all Catcher left me with was the need to slap Holden repeatedly. The book follows the story of Tony Webster forty years later who receives an unexpected letter which leads him to remember his life forty years ago. The obsession with girls he had, his very first relationship and the memories of talking about philosophy, classical music and literature with his friends. This book is beautifully written, it was a real pleasure to read; it was intelligent, witty and I’d highly recommend it to everyone. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 29 [cover] cover [title] title The Night Circus [author] author Morgenstern, Erin [isbn] isbn [isbn13] isbn13 [asin] asin B004J4WKTW [num pages] num pages 401 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.01 [num ratings] num ratings 334,153 [date pub] date pub Sep 13, 2011 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Sep 13, 2011 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender ♥Xeni♥ [comments] comments 12 [votes] votes 22 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Nov 05, 2011 [date read] date read Nov 11, 2011 [date added] date added Oct 05, 2011 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Kindle Edition [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review The atmosphere and imagery for this dream like novel is spectacular. The Night Circus reminds me of that TV show Carnivàle; full of unimaginable wonde The atmosphere and imagery for this dream like novel is spectacular. The Night Circus reminds me of that TV show Carnivàle; full of unimaginable wonder, mystery and a circus of wonder. At times this book also reminds me of a Neil Gaiman book playful with some dramatic surrealism thrown in for good measure. While everything from the illusions, circus exhibitions and even the clocks seem so unreal and unimaginable, Erin Morgenstern skilfully describes everything so well that you can picture it; even if you can’t make sense of it. The Night Circus is a fairy tale of a circus in Victorian London that is full of magic when the sun sets till the sun rises in the morning. It has magic, romance, mystery and constant excitement. Morgenstern times the scene changes so well that while you want to know more, you are eager to find out what will happen next. It’s a skilful tactic that makes this book simply brilliant in every aspect. Even though this is a book the imagery makes this story amazingly visual you almost want to use the word ‘cinematography’ while writing a review of it. I’m not going to talk about the story line; you just have to find out that for yourself. There are a few flaws they are so easily forgotten in this book that is so close to perfection. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 6 [cover] cover [title] title Super Sad True Love Story [author] author Shteyngart, Gary * [isbn] isbn 1847081037 [isbn13] isbn13 9781847081032 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 331 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.44 [num ratings] num ratings 28,438 [date pub] date pub 2010 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Sep 02, 2010 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 13 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Apr 11, 2011 [date read] date read Apr 19, 2011 [date added] date added Apr 05, 2011 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Super Sad True Love Story is a novel set in a very near future—oh, let’s say next Tuesday—where the world is dominated by Media and Retail. The story Super Sad True Love Story is a novel set in a very near future—oh, let’s say next Tuesday—where the world is dominated by Media and Retail. The story is centred on a thirty nine year Russian immigrant, Lenny, and what could likely be the world’s last diary. As well as the object of his affection; Eunice, who has her side of the story to by a collection of e-mail correspondences on her "GlobalTeens" account. While this may be a story of a modern relationship; there is so much more in the novel worth exploring. This Dystopian American back drop mixed with some very interesting concepts; including the fact everyone is ranked based on their Finances, Personality, Attractiveness and Fuckablilty, makes this a fresh and different style of novel. Gary Shteyngart offers a witty and very humorous novel but this book goes much deeper than this; I found many interesting concepts in this book, which were well thought out and made for an opportunity to make in-depth conversations based on this book. By reading this review you are denying the existences of this review. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 22 [cover] cover [title] title The Shadow of the Wind [author] author Zafón, Carlos Ruiz [isbn] isbn 1920885854 [isbn13] isbn13 9781920885854 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 528 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.22 [num ratings] num ratings 241,725 [date pub] date pub 2001 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Jun 03, 2006 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 2 [votes] votes 15 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Mar 14, 2011 [date read] date read Mar 19, 2011 [date added] date added Mar 13, 2011 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Barcelona, 1945; Spain is still dealing with the aftermaths of the Spanish Civil War. An antiquarian book dealer’s son, Daniel, who is mourning the re Barcelona, 1945; Spain is still dealing with the aftermaths of the Spanish Civil War. An antiquarian book dealer’s son, Daniel, who is mourning the recent loss of his mother, finds comfort in a book called The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. When he decides to hunt down more books by this mysterious author, he is shocked to find someone is on a mission to destroy every copy of Carax’s books. It is possible that Daniel may in fact have the very last copy of a Julián Carax book. I think I‘m in love…with The Shadow of the Wind. This book has everything you really want in a story; it’s epic, mysterious, and full of adventure, as well as being haunting and beautifully written. The story is set in post–Spanish Civil War Barcelona, and follows the story of a teenage boy, who adopts a book, from the secret library known as the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. The boy becomes obsessed with this book and tries to track down the obscure author of this book. This is an epic story of murder, madness, doomed love and secrets; while this book may seem over the top, Carlos Ruiz Zafón shows extraordinary control over the plot and language. The atmosphere in the book is beautifully created; it makes me want to go back to Barcelona. But while there is this beauty in the scenery, there is this underlining gothic feel to the whole book that just works really well for a reader like me. Though the synopsis doesn’t really give you an exciting representation of this book, I can say this book is addictive and a joy to read. I think I became obsessed with this book. It’s like a cult following, where not just the protagonist that is obsessed but the reader becomes obsessed too. I want to adopt a book now. This book just has something in it for everyone; it’s a rare find to find a book that can cater to such a wide range of people and I think The Shadow of the Wind did just that. If you enjoy this book check out the rest of the series, I thought the prequel; The Angel’s Game was wonderful and really need to get onto The Prisoner of Heaven in the future. It’s been a long time since I’ve read this book (this is an old review) but when the series completes, I plan to read them all again. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 26 [cover] cover [title] title The City & the City [author] author Miéville, China * [isbn] isbn 0330493108 [isbn13] isbn13 9780330493109 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 373 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.90 [num ratings] num ratings 27,374 [date pub] date pub 2009 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Jan 01, 2010 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender Kim [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 7 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Sep 13, 2011 [date read] date read Sep 17, 2011 [date added] date added Jan 15, 2011 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review If Raymond Chandler and Philip K Dick wrote a book together it would be very similar to The City & the City (if you throw a little George Orwell i If Raymond Chandler and Philip K Dick wrote a book together it would be very similar to The City & the City (if you throw a little George Orwell into the mix). China Miéville calls his novels fantasy/weird fiction and this is no different, though I think I would consider it more Science Fiction. There is a complex plot full of twists and turns in an even more complex couple of cities. These cities are confusing and very hard to navigate, you feel like a complete alien in them and China doesn’t help you along with this part of the journey; in this aspect it can be a very hard book to read. But stick to it! The City & The City has a lot to offer; a complex mystery in a homage to Chandler, a foreign country with strike rules (Orwell) and the science fiction style that leaves you pondering about life and our world (Philip K Dick). This book is brilliant and I would recommend it to anyone that is a fan of mysteries or fantasy or sci-fi. You won’t be disappointed; if you can make it past the first few chapters, which is the hardest part of the book to read. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 39 [cover] cover [title] title Fatherland [author] author Harris, Robert [isbn] isbn 0061006629 [isbn13] isbn13 9780061006623 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 380 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.92 [num ratings] num ratings 16,410 [date pub] date pub 1992 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Apr 01, 1993 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 4 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Dec 08, 2010 [date read] date read Dec 17, 2010 [date added] date added Nov 23, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review When I think of great alternate history stories of the Germans winning World War II, I normally think of The Man in the High Castle or Indiana Jones ( When I think of great alternate history stories of the Germans winning World War II, I normally think of The Man in the High Castle or Indiana Jones (though not the same, the feeling of a Nazi Superpower is the same). Fatherland is a brilliant blend of a murder mystery mixed with known elements of the Nazi history in the war. The story follows a Kriminalpolizei detective Xavier March who is investigating a murder which leads him deeper into discovering the true and suppressed elements of the Nazi party and their war crimes. Well worth the read if you enjoy Alternate history or if you just love a good mystery. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 27 [cover] cover [title] title When Gravity Fails (Marîd Audran #1) [author] author Effinger, George Alec [isbn] isbn 0765313588 [isbn13] isbn13 9780765313584 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 288 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.96 [num ratings] num ratings 4,067 [date pub] date pub 1987 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Nov 01, 2005 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender Kim [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 8 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Feb 2012 [date read] date read Feb 06, 2012 [date added] date added Nov 21, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review It’s been awhile since I’ve been so amerced into a science fiction world like this; I think the last time was with China Mieville’s The City and The C It’s been awhile since I’ve been so amerced into a science fiction world like this; I think the last time was with China Mieville’s The City and The City. The city of Budayeen something I’ve not experienced before, the blend of Middle Eastern culture and religion really bring this to life in a unique way. Marîd Audrian makes for a great protagonist; he is hard boiled, reminds me a lot of the private detectives in the pulp genres. When Gravity Fails is a brilliant example of Tech Noir (so Science Fiction Noir) it has a twisted case for Marîd to investigate, which leads him on a fantastic adventure. It kind of reminds me a little of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher in the sense that it takes the best elements of the pulp genre and mixes it with a hard hitting protagonist in a will build speculative fiction world. The world is gritty and the story is full of sex, drugs and murder, it offers a lot the think about in regards to the modifications and technology on offer in Budayeen; if you can chance every aspect of your body, mind and personality, would you do it and what are the side effects? I can’t wait to dive further into this world and see what Marîd gets up to in the next book. Recommended for fans of Science Fiction and pulp novels or even just fans of The Dresden Files; actually I would probably recommend it to anyone that wants to read a captivating book. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 15 [cover] cover [title] title The Long Good-bye (Philip Marlowe, #6) [author] author Chandler, Raymond [isbn] isbn 0140108955 [isbn13] isbn13 9780140108958 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 448 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.23 [num ratings] num ratings 19,094 [date pub] date pub 1953 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition 1959 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 8 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Jul 04, 2011 [date read] date read Aug 24, 2011 [date added] date added Aug 27, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye is different to all his other Philip Marlowe books; it’s twice as long, semi autobiographical and it’s a platform Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye is different to all his other Philip Marlowe books; it’s twice as long, semi autobiographical and it’s a platform for social criticism. While people say this book was never on the same level as The Big Sleep or Farewell, My Lovely, Chandler (and other critics) considers it his best work even though he was going through a lot of agony writing it with his wife was terminally ill and the alcoholism he was suffering. In the book Marlowe forges an unhealthy friendship with a drunk, which lands him in a situation he could have avoided, if he wasn’t loyalty to his friends. Which leads him into a whole lot of situations that could have been avoided; but this does make for an interesting and unique story. The dialog and the situation make this book possibly the best Marlowe book written (in my opinion). It’s tight and well planned, the story is a lot less complexity, but more socially relevant. I love this character and I’m sad to be almost at the end of all the Marlowe books, but this one will stand out more than the others for the depth and biographical nature. Don’t expect this book to be the same as all the other Hard-Boiled novels Raymond Chandler wrote, this is definitely unique. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 28 [cover] cover [title] title The Postman Always Rings Twice [author] author Cain, James M. [isbn] isbn 0752861743 [isbn13] isbn13 9780752861746 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 116 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.81 [num ratings] num ratings 18,038 [date pub] date pub 1934 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Sep 09, 2010 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender Crime [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 8 [read count] # times read 2 [date started] date started Dec 03, 2011 [date read] date read Dec 05, 2011 [date added] date added Aug 25, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Hardcover [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review This is the perfect example of what James M. Cain is capable of, gritty, minimalistic and fast paced. I’ve read this book before and it was nice to re This is the perfect example of what James M. Cain is capable of, gritty, minimalistic and fast paced. I’ve read this book before and it was nice to reread. The Postman Always Rings Twice is liked watching a car wreck about to happen; you know that things will get bad, but you may not know what exactly happens. I’m a big fan of Cain; he really is the master of the Noir genre. I remember the movie and it worked really well as a movie; even if there are a few differences the feel of the book translated perfectly. Cain is considered the father of writing some great books like Mildred Pierce and Double Indemnity; but The Postman Always Rings Twice is the best example of what his work. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 36 [cover] cover [title] title The Big Sleep (Philip Marlowe, #1) [author] author Chandler, Raymond [isbn] isbn [isbn13] isbn13 9780241960950 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 251 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.05 [num ratings] num ratings 65,658 [date pub] date pub 1939 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Jul 07, 2005 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender Crime [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 0 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Apr 26, 2011 [date read] date read Apr 30, 2011 [date added] date added Aug 25, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view [review]

Output: review None

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 35 [cover] cover [title] title The Tell Tale Heart [author] author Poe, Edgar Allan [isbn] isbn 1885418035 [isbn13] isbn13 9781885418036 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 64 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.22 [num ratings] num ratings 27,592 [date pub] date pub 1843 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Nov 1997 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 7 [votes] votes 24 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Aug 11, 2010 [date read] date read Aug 11, 2010 [date added] date added Aug 11, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review The Tell-Tale Heart is a story about an unnamed person who insists on their sanity after murdering an old man with an evil eye. The murder was cold, c The Tell-Tale Heart is a story about an unnamed person who insists on their sanity after murdering an old man with an evil eye. The murder was cold, calculated and well executed, the body disposed; but the guilt slowly eats away at the person. The story uses an unreliable narrator very effectively; driving the story without giving too much away, to keep it tense. The narrator is genderless though most people assume he’s a man, it could just as easily been a woman. The way the story is written, you can see the narrator slowly self-destructing; starting by insisting that they are innocent and sane. I noticed Edgar Allan Poe seems to italicise words throughout the story – though some versions of the story put the words in uppercase. I gather it is done to add emphasis on the words but there is another reason why Poe used to do this. Poe used to italicise words that were foreign or words he thought he had made up or found another way to use the word. The Tell-Tale Heart is a classic chiller and well executed to keep the reader feeling on edge. I’m glad I read it and it has given me some ideas on my current WIP. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 37 [cover] cover [title] title The Black Dahlia [author] author Ellroy, James [isbn] isbn 0099498537 [isbn13] isbn13 9780099498537 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 397 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.72 [num ratings] num ratings 51,806 [date pub] date pub 1987 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Jan 2007 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 12 [votes] votes 5 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Aug 12, 2010 [date read] date read Aug 25, 2010 [date added] date added Aug 08, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review The Black Dahlia is everything I want in a noir style novel; it’s got the slang and lingo right, it has the corruption in the police force and it has The Black Dahlia is everything I want in a noir style novel; it’s got the slang and lingo right, it has the corruption in the police force and it has the dark characters and themes. It’s just an enjoyable hardboiled/noir novel similar to what you would expect in the 30’s and 40’s. As far as the movie adaptation of The Black Dahlia, I really enjoy the film, but after reading the book, I did sit down and rewatched it with disappointing results. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 5 [cover] cover [title] title Rebecca [author] author Maurier, Daphne du [isbn] isbn 1844080382 [isbn13] isbn13 9781844080380 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 441 pp [avg rating] avg rating 4.18 [num ratings] num ratings 253,085 [date pub] date pub Jan 01, 1938 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Dec 01, 2007 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 3 [votes] votes 14 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Jan 02, 2011 [date read] date read Jan 06, 2011 [date added] date added Aug 05, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review "I dreamt I went to Manderley again." Rebecca tells the story of woman who marries and becomes the next Mrs de Winter. This woman has to live in the sh "I dreamt I went to Manderley again." Rebecca tells the story of woman who marries and becomes the next Mrs de Winter. This woman has to live in the shadows of the first Mrs de Winter; the late Rebecca. As the story twists and turns you sinister story of Rebecca and the home of Manderley begins to unfold. The evil Mrs. Danvers always lurking about, making Mrs de Winter’s life hell and constantly reminder her how great Rebecca was. Rebecca is a wonderful story, full of mystery and gothic themes. I highly recommend it. I’m interested now to see how Hitchcock handled this story when he adapted it into a film. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 33 [cover] cover [title] title Sophie's World [author] author Gaarder, Jostein [isbn] isbn 1857992911 [isbn13] isbn13 9781857992915 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 436 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.84 [num ratings] num ratings 109,140 [date pub] date pub 1991 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition 1995 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender Mary [comments] comments 2 [votes] votes 4 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Aug 12, 2010 [date read] date read Aug 19, 2010 [date added] date added Jul 24, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review Sophie’s World is written as a novel but really dives into the history of Philosophy. The book is about a teenage girl, Sophie who keeps getting lette Sophie’s World is written as a novel but really dives into the history of Philosophy. The book is about a teenage girl, Sophie who keeps getting letters on philosophy in the mail. These letters spark Sophie’s curiosity and provide questions and answers to questions on life. Jostein Gaarder intended the book to be both a novel and a basic guide to philosophy, which made the book very easy to read. Sophie started her studies with the natural philosophers, before moving onto the popular Greeks (Socrates, Plato and Aristotle) all the way up to Darwin, Freud, and Sartre. Though covering most of the major philosophers Gaarder didn’t shy away from the lesser known or even the controversial ones (Marx). He did a good job of showing the positive and negative points of each philosopher, while trying not to tell the reader which ones are better than others. The novel aspect of this book is bizarre and intriguing, with little examples of philosophical theories along the way. It did a great job of breaking up the history lesson to bring the reader back to the feeling of reading a novel. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading it again. Next time I plan to read it slower and spend time exploring these philosophers in greater detail. Well worth the read and a good introductory point into the world of philosophy. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)


Input: [0] checkbox [#] position 18 [cover] cover [title] title Catch-22 [author] author Heller, Joseph [isbn] isbn 0684833395 [isbn13] isbn13 9780684833392 [asin] asin [num pages] num pages 453 pp [avg rating] avg rating 3.97 [num ratings] num ratings 449,842 [date pub] date pub 1961 [date pub (ed.)] date pub edition Sep 04, 2004 [rating] Michael's rating 5 of 5 stars [my rating] my rating 1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars add to shelves [notes] notes Notes are private! [recommender] recommender none [comments] comments 0 [votes] votes 4 [read count] # times read 1 [date started] date started Jan 26, 2011 [date read] date read Feb 14, 2011 [date added] date added Jul 20, 2010 [date purchased] date purchased [owned] owned [purchase location] purchase location [condition] condition [format] format Paperback [29] actions view (with text) [review]

Output: review I really loved this book; tacking the mental issues suffered during war time would be really difficult, but Joseph Heller’s satirical take and amazing I really loved this book; tacking the mental issues suffered during war time would be really difficult, but Joseph Heller’s satirical take and amazing writing made it easier to both understand and read. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this; it was humorous, it was very enjoyable. ...more

Michael's bookshelf: favourites, science-fiction (showing 1-30 of 39) (sorted by: date added)