Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Long awaited book arrived!
Love the L.A. library system, but ever now & then there is a glitch. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell finally showed up at the library after 2--3 month wait only to be sent back before my 10 day wait was done. Fortunately the reference librarian was a champ & put my name back on top of the list. Book arrived today (made sure to pick it up the first day possible), so i'll have a good and long awaited book to read between presents & dinner on Xmas day.
Will be curious if the description "Harry Potter for grown-ups" holds to be true. Obviously a good pedigree if Neil Gaiman was an early supporter. Crooked Timber gave it a good review a few months ago, so that's another plus for it.
So far the first few pages definitely put it in the 'page turner' category. Some folks have that ability, so will be curious how well it holds my interest, but happy the timing worked out so perfectly. TANGENT: 3 Christmases ago, i tried reading Tournament of Shadows: The Great Game and the Race for Empire in Central Asia, but it didn't hold my interest. Too much "this character did this. this character did that" but without much narrative to hold my interest. Skipped to the end - the authour is back in England asking folks in some government office if all the shenanigans was worthwhile (seemed like he got alot of blank stares). If the efforts only piffled away Britain's strength for little gain, then what's the point?
Back to the LA system. Overall wonderful. Can log on & put a book on hold to be delivered at any library branch i wanted. At one time, i had the goal of visiting all 69 branches, but think after i hit the 15-20 most convenient, my ardor for that task died. Top notch selection of Books-on-Tape & Books-on-CD. Listening to Huck Finn now as an adult. Will give review next week since i'm through 2 of 7 tapes (shorter than i remembered) & should be done by the year is out.
Well time to get back to Clarke's tome.
Will be curious if the description "Harry Potter for grown-ups" holds to be true. Obviously a good pedigree if Neil Gaiman was an early supporter. Crooked Timber gave it a good review a few months ago, so that's another plus for it.
So far the first few pages definitely put it in the 'page turner' category. Some folks have that ability, so will be curious how well it holds my interest, but happy the timing worked out so perfectly. TANGENT: 3 Christmases ago, i tried reading Tournament of Shadows: The Great Game and the Race for Empire in Central Asia, but it didn't hold my interest. Too much "this character did this. this character did that" but without much narrative to hold my interest. Skipped to the end - the authour is back in England asking folks in some government office if all the shenanigans was worthwhile (seemed like he got alot of blank stares). If the efforts only piffled away Britain's strength for little gain, then what's the point?
Back to the LA system. Overall wonderful. Can log on & put a book on hold to be delivered at any library branch i wanted. At one time, i had the goal of visiting all 69 branches, but think after i hit the 15-20 most convenient, my ardor for that task died. Top notch selection of Books-on-Tape & Books-on-CD. Listening to Huck Finn now as an adult. Will give review next week since i'm through 2 of 7 tapes (shorter than i remembered) & should be done by the year is out.
Well time to get back to Clarke's tome.
