Never have the idle rich appeared more useless, grotesque and parasitic: two generations of robber barons followed by enough wastrels to dissipate theNever have the idle rich appeared more useless, grotesque and parasitic: two generations of robber barons followed by enough wastrels to dissipate the vast fortune. This is a strange book, which eschews a continuous narrative and instead stops repeatedly to focus in great detail on society page events such as a drooling descriptions of grandiose parties, a breathless account of a sailboat race and Truman Capote's "shit served up on a gold dish." ...more
Although the resolution was predictable, I enjoyed the trio. I'll read another.Although the resolution was predictable, I enjoyed the trio. I'll read another....more
A classic cozy with two female amateur detectives, minimal violence, small English village, a merry-go-round of suspects and some danger near the end.A classic cozy with two female amateur detectives, minimal violence, small English village, a merry-go-round of suspects and some danger near the end. I think it would have been better if fifty or so pages were cut, since it moved a bit slowly. But I loved the spoof of the gay hair stylist and like the anagrams. ...more
Not a bad way to improve intermediate Spanish, but tediously repetitive. There are some interesting expressions, but also some basic vocabulary, like Not a bad way to improve intermediate Spanish, but tediously repetitive. There are some interesting expressions, but also some basic vocabulary, like edificio that really shouldn't need defining....more
I read this book because I wanted to cut back on my drinking which had grown to three glasses a night over the years -- not life destroying, but too mI read this book because I wanted to cut back on my drinking which had grown to three glasses a night over the years -- not life destroying, but too much. Most books about alcohol target alcoholism, so I was excited to finally find a book about controlling alcohol rather than abstinence. But that is not what this book is about.
The author argues that since alcohol is an addictive substance, it is not safe for anybody to drink -- eventually, we will all experience the vomiting and hangovers that resulted from her two plus bottles of wine. She states repeatedly that alcohol gives no pleasure and that we were blissfully free of anxiety before we started drinking. So, the only rational decision, as anyone can see, is abstinence. I accept that that was her experience, but not mine.
She never describes any particular program other than to realize how bad, bad, bad alcohol is. Her strident preaching reminded me of the "Just Say No" programs. ...more
These tales match Kitchen Confidential by shining a bright light on the seamy side of the front of the house with its bullying celebrities, substance These tales match Kitchen Confidential by shining a bright light on the seamy side of the front of the house with its bullying celebrities, substance abuse, bribed maitre d's, plastered servers and psychotic owners. Cecchi-Azzolina revels in the debaucheries of the 1980's and spews coarse language throughout. If Kitchen Confidential cured you of any desire to eat restaurant food, this will deter you from making a reservation or ordering food.
Fortunately, he is an excellent story teller and eventually covers the basics of running a gourmet restaurant, which is why I read (listened to) the book. ...more
Hillary Greene's cleverness shines again. Instead of focusing on the crime with the background of her conflicts with others cops and brass, this storyHillary Greene's cleverness shines again. Instead of focusing on the crime with the background of her conflicts with others cops and brass, this story focuses on the conflicts with the crime in the background. ...more
This seemed like a fun idea, but I had to listen to three hours of wining, grief and more wining before even getting to the bucket list. By then I hadThis seemed like a fun idea, but I had to listen to three hours of wining, grief and more wining before even getting to the bucket list. By then I had had more than enough fun. Life is too short....more
The plot move along well, but what sets this series apart is that all of the supporting characters have well developed needs and motivations. There isThe plot move along well, but what sets this series apart is that all of the supporting characters have well developed needs and motivations. There is always something moving strongly....more
Ugh. I was looking forward so much to reading this book. After over ten years of chasing rare birds and listing, I have been looking different ways toUgh. I was looking forward so much to reading this book. After over ten years of chasing rare birds and listing, I have been looking different ways to enjoy birds.
Most of this book relates the process and results of a handful of scientific studies of each of 20 or so common bird species. While I feel indebted to these arduous labors, even just reading the results wasn't exactly fun.
The end of each chapter lists four or five suggestions for how the nonscientist can pursue slow birding. But most of these seem like tedious homework assignments for undergraduate students. They certainly aren't the kind of projects that I would suggest to a birding buddy to whet his interest in slow birding. ...more
Well paced, with a good balance of pursuing the criminals and dealing with Hilary's many personal problems -- romantic, financial, and especially tempWell paced, with a good balance of pursuing the criminals and dealing with Hilary's many personal problems -- romantic, financial, and especially temptations....more
The plot isn't central to this mystery. The pleasures come from the witty descriptions of the bumbling protagonist, who is bullied and demeaned by eveThe plot isn't central to this mystery. The pleasures come from the witty descriptions of the bumbling protagonist, who is bullied and demeaned by everyone in his life, the women in particular. ...more
This is an excellent way for an American to practice Spanish and to review Lincoln's life. Since it was translated from the original English, I worry This is an excellent way for an American to practice Spanish and to review Lincoln's life. Since it was translated from the original English, I worry a little that this series may not reflect colloquial Spanish....more
I love how Moriarty's characters are compelled to act in idiosyncratic ways due to their personalities, their histories, and often the fears and desirI love how Moriarty's characters are compelled to act in idiosyncratic ways due to their personalities, their histories, and often the fears and desires burned into them by their parents. Many people are frustrated by the long digressions, but these are how Moriarty brings these defining features to life. We all live in our own peculiar world that causes us to respond to the experiences in highly personal ways. Somehow, this 500 page book didn't seem a page too long....more
The setting in post-war Paris among the family of Julia Child was such a great idea, but I was disappointed by the paint-by-numbers plot and gushing aThe setting in post-war Paris among the family of Julia Child was such a great idea, but I was disappointed by the paint-by-numbers plot and gushing amateur detective. ...more
Well written, with a clever plot. But the villain was obvious early on, and the protagonist gets beaten up too often. Still, I'll try another. It was Well written, with a clever plot. But the villain was obvious early on, and the protagonist gets beaten up too often. Still, I'll try another. It was fun following him through locked doors....more
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