So what’s been keeping me busy this weekend (well, aside from bookbinding?), lots of books.
I’m almost done with The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett and it’s a good thing as I have a book group meeting on Tuesday. I’ve been really surprised by this book not so much with the threat of violence that seems to be always there but with some of the descriptive passages. Take this one for example – I mean, you really get a feeling for what Sam Spade is like don’t you?
“Samuel Spade’s jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v. His yellow-gray eyes were horizontal. Thee v motif was picked up again by thickish brows rising outward from twin creases above a hooked nose, and his pale brown hair grew down – from high flat temples – in a point on his forehead. He looked rather pleasantly like a blond satan.”
The other book I’ll probably finish tonight is The Glimmer Palace by Beatrice Colin. It’s been a fascinating glimpse into Germany’s film history. Another thing I’ve really enjoyed about this book is that while it seems most books I’ve read with a German setting take place sometime around WWII this one opened at the turn of the century.
My other read is Who by Fire by Diana Spelcher. This is the story of a family broken up by the kidnapping of one of the children. There are three main characters and I love reading about two of them, but one is making me want to shake her because of her crazy actions. I promise I’ll explain more later when I do my review. It is a good read though and in case you want to know more about the book, make sure to tune in to Book Club Girl’s upcoming interview with the author – Nov. 20th.
And, since I’m almost done with two of my current reads you know what that means, I want to start some new books. We’ll see what I find in the stacks tonight.
Oh but before I forget, you guys have heard about the Second Annual Book Blogger Swap right? You’ve still got a bit of time left so check out the post and sign up!
Hope everyone had a great weekend and I’m off to do some reading.
🙂
I actually read someone say the samething about one of the characters in Who by fire! Very similar thoughts 🙂
The Glimmer Palace sounds awesome!
I will go chk out the book swap ok?! have a good weekend!
ahh i m still trying to finish the new book by Orhan Pamuk…Masumiyet Müzesi (Museum of Innocense)….it is 586 pages and due to my busy schedule i still have 40 pages to go…probably i wll be done with it tonight…
it seems office is taking my whole time….!
‘a blond satan’ ? 🙂 The Maltese Falcon is one of those books I’ve heard about but know absolutely nothing about it!
I’ve never heard of Who By Fire – thanks for the heads-up. I put it on my TBR list. 🙂
Thank you for spreading the words about the swap, Iliana!
Veens – Really? Oh good I’m not alone 🙂 The Glimmer Palace is really good. I hope to get a full review of it later this week so stay tuned 🙂
iselldreams – I have not had very good luck with Pamuk’s books. I’ve tried two and just couldn’t get through them. I hadn’t even heard of this one but I like the title!
Michelle – Isn’t that a great description? I mean, you wouldn’t expect that at all. I had no idea what this book was about either. It’s been interesting and I can see how it was probably such a departure from the regular mystery books at the time.
Joy – I just got to the part where they explain the title – so good!
Nymeth – I just sent you an email signing up 🙂
I’ll sign up for the swap since I’m gonna be around for Christmas this year.
I’ve got Who By Fire on my pile, too–really looking forward to what you have to say!
I think it is great that you’re reading Maltese Falcon. I have yet to read D.H. though I am certainly a fan of the Thin Man series, loosely based on the characters in that novel. I bought Thin Man earlier this year but have not gotten to it and I promised myself I wouldn’t buy Maltese until after I had read Thin Man.
Matt – I’ve signed up this time too! I’m still not sure about my Christmas plans but I didn’t want to miss out 🙂
Gentle Reader – Right now I’d say it’s a book I’d definitely recommend although I have a few quibbles with it but still a good read!
Stefanie – Thank you! 🙂
Carl V. – I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to finally read one of the masters of the hard-boiled detective stories. I’m glad I did and I’d definitely read another. I hope you enjoy The Thin Man and keep us posted on how that goes!
Do you think that v-shaped chin is present in Humphrey Bogart’s portrayal of Spade? Somehow, I think he’d be a bit skinnier than Bogart. You should check out the movie after you finish the book!
– joseph
This one has just been published, may be thts why u havent heard it yet, as it is still not translated into English. I read it in Turkish. I found it quite flowing…
I am glad you are enjoying The Maltese Falcon, Iliana. 🙂 I am looking forward to reading The Glimmer Palace. That’s one that’s been sitting in my TBR collection for a short while now. Who By Fire sounds like a good one. It’s on my calendar for early next year (As if I’m really that organized!).
I really would like to read The Glimmer Palace, but now I think I’ll just wait until it comes out in paper. You’re right–it seems lots of books set in Germany always seem to be set during or touching in some way on the war.
Joseph – I haven’t seen the film so I can’t compare the two but from the image I have of Bogart (from other posters & stuff) he just doesn’t seem to fit my idea of what Sam is like. I guess I will need to see the movie. I’ve heard it’s a very good adaptation!
iselldreams – Ah, maybe that’s why. One of these days I will try my luck with Pamuk again.
Literary Feline – I did finish it and liked it a lot! The Glimmer Palace in my mind is one of those books that really should have gotten a lot more notice. Interesting characters, time frame,… just very readable.
Danielle – I can understand why so many books are set in that timeframe but sometimes it makes you feel as if this country just existed within this bubble. I mean, what happened before and what has happened since. There must be a wealth of stuff to explore there and maybe there is but we just don’t seem to get much of that in translation.