Carl > Recent Status Updates

Americans arrive . . . negligible effect at first. Pershing wants an American army. French & English want the Yanks integrated. A bit of a compromise is worked out.
All sides expecting war to continue into 1919, even 1920, but Germans in summer of 1918 are being driven back. American army making more and more impact
Hemingway injured; poet Joyce Kilmer killed

Remarkable . . . the son of his parents. Baker persists in his investigation of Stanford's president over falsified findings in Alzheimer's study that made prez famous and rich. 17 years old, and he's going to bring the great man down

His knowledge of proper procedure clearly comes from his parents; he's cautious yet persistent. I lost my Libby copy and will have to wait a bit before I can finish

Interesting facts about the nanny state that was/is Stanford. NO parties without prior approval, and approval required numerous detailed forms. Absolutely nothing spontaneous allowed. Unintended consequence: secret binge drinking and/or dangerous drinking off campus.

He now is investigating Stanford's president's research, suspecting cheating. A freshman! He's the son of Peter Baker and Susan Glasser,

Book starts with startling statistics regarding the concentration of wealth in Silicon Valley--far beyond what I would have guessed, and I would have guessed quite a large number. Stanford freshman . . . joins newspaper . . . first article is on imposter (and lack of response) who lived in dorms and was thrown out repeatedly. No warning from admin to students.

Interesting book. The rich (Wilcox), the arty (Schlegels), the poor (Bash). In the background is the dead Mrs. Wilcox who wanted Schlegel to have the house because she was a kindred spirit who could feel its worth--unlike her own crass children and her businessman husband. Very curious as to how it will play out

Creamer .. . weddings cancelled . . . pinching constable's helmet . . . Stinker Pinker . . . Gussy . . . Stiffy

Wodehouse at his best

More traditional (so far) than other Murakami I've read. No magical realism yet. Our narrator (male) is in love with Sumire, an aspiring novelist. She's in love with an older woman (Miu) for whom she works. Miu likes Sumire, but is not physically attracted to her. Miu and Sumire on a work trip end up on a small Greek island where Sumire, after an awkward attempt at sex with Miu, goes missing.

Grim.
Martin Gilbert is a great historian . . . work combines details of battles with insight into the human toll of war.

Charlie Cullen finally about to be caught. Amazing that he was able to kill at so many hospitals for so long. Truly shows the desperation of hospitals to get qualified nurses as he had numerous red flags. At this point in the story he's the major suspect, has just been fired, and still gets a job offer.

Our good nurse is a male from dysfunctional family who is willing to take on night shifts, weekends, etc. He's been elected president of his nursing class and lands his first job in burn ward. Grim. Girlfriend and then wife, but he is growing cool to her, aloof. Baby . . . is he drugging his child so he can go for walks when his wife is gone? Puppy disappears . . . killed?

Twelve-year-old Steven Lamb digs holes on Exmoor, hoping to find a body. Every day after school, while his classmates swap football stickers, Steven goes digging to lay to rest the ghost of the uncle he never knew, who disappeared aged eleven and is assumed to have fallen victim to the notorious serial killer Arnold Avery. Book jacket

Slow to get going. Lots of exposition on Noah and Flynn's childhood. Abusive step-father for Noah who kills his mother. Car crash kills Flynn's parents. Uninspired telling of the next 8 years, then Kaiya, Flynn's sister, goes missing in a fire and Flynn and Noah are thrown together. Hopefully the second half will be stronger. Have like McTiernan very much, but not this one so much. . . . yet

Prince Hal is now King Henry V and he's laid aside the foolish ways of childhood. Disavows Falstaff, orders the execution of another drinking crony who stole from a church, at war with France. Noble, merciful, brave--open to criticism.
Play/move by Branagh. Excellent so far

Gussie Fink-Nottle, newt lover, comes out of the country to woo Madeline Bassett. Normally Jeeves would sort this out, but Bertie is miffed with Jeeves, so he'll solve the problem of Fink's shyness. Bertie also takes on prize-giving at Market Snodsbury School, the broken engagement of his cousin Angela, and the resignation of Anatole, his aunt's genius chef. All without (so far) Jeeves!

WWI started almost accidentally but continues due to greed of various countries, all hoping to come out better in land if they choose the right side. In the midst of the bungling of the politicians, soldiers fight bravely and die. Very bleak.

Excellent recounting of TVA disaster mishandling of coal ash in the Tennessee Valley in 2008. Poorly managed site, clean-up even worse. Workers denied protective gear (masks!) so breathing in coal dust. Lung problems, cancers, etc. TVA and Jacobs (contractor) deny everything, so the book is a recounting of the court battles.

Superb. I read Gilbert's THE HOLOCAUST years ago, and it was great. His scholarship is impressive, but what distinguishes his books in my mind is that he never loses sight of the fact that real people are involved in these battles, not just troops. He includes letters written home, interviews with survivors, etc. I'm going to read this in sections, 20% at a time.

Industrial north v intellectual south. Margaret is forced into Milton (Manchester). She meets textile factory owner Thornton. Harsh man in a tough business. She's appalled, but attracted. EX. He beats a man who he catches smoking in his factory and fires him. She is outraged. He tells her of a fire caused by smoking in another factory that killed 30.

Son, whom father considers a bumpkin of sorts, is sent to Europe to become a man . . . and collect some of the great art of the period to bring back to Dad and NYC. Sign of his wealth and culture.

Subplot involves son's love of his plain cousin -- so out of the question as a marriage possibility that Dad doesn't even consider it, let alone forbid it.

Hardy on vacation from his dour outlook on life. Fancy Day,educated school teacher, returns to her father's village to look after him. She turns the head of the Pastor (also educated, so suited), the richest man in town who is also kind, and Dick Dewey, a carrier who is the most attractive but the least suited. Dad gets his foot caught in trap; DD rescues him; Dad tells Fancy it was the rich guy, hoping for marriage

Enjoying this very much. Don't think I ever read it. JE is neglected child who becomes governess of Rochester . . . R. has an abandoned child in his care, daughter of a French mistress. Strange noises in attic. R. depressed. Friend visits, gets bitten by someone . . . of course I know about the crazy woman in the attic; main interest is relationship of R. and J. She has no coyness about her, which attracts him.

Oliver back with Fagan, part of the gang. Bill Sykes nearly gets him killed in a robbery. Evil grandson, deceiving his grandfather, is out to kill OT while all the while pretending to be looking for him. Grandfather mistreated Agnes . . . regrets it, wants the girl and her child back.

Orphan "sold" to carpenter who makes coffins. Low man always, but plucky

Solid, if a little predictable. Anne Elliot followed the advice of her too proud father and her friend and turned down marriage possibility with Naval officer, proud, kind, talented, but poor. Years have passed. Anne remains unmarried; naval officer returns with all the same qualities and rich.She regrets being persuaded as he (seemingly) has no interest in her anymore since he regards a backbone as key.