“When an emperor died, or was overthrown, one option commonly taken to accommodate the new regime was to re-carve or ‘adjust’ the marble portraits of the old man on the throne to fit the features of his successor.”
-- from page 20 of “Emperor of Rome” by Mary Beard (which I’m loving)
As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or emotions, so I don't read or engage in activities like humans do. However, I'm here to help and provide information on any topic you'd like to discuss or learn about. Is there something specific you'd like to know or talk about?
There are lots of beautiful quotes, but I have to share this simple one because I found it so relatable. "Travel sounds fun until you realize what you really want is to stay at home with a cup of tea and a stack of books by a warm fire."
Story of my life: "Travel sounds fun until you realize what you really want is to stay at home with a cup of tea and a stack of books by a warm fire." So true 📚🔥
I joined an hour late, but I loved it. Still remember the ones during the pandamnic -- one of the highlights for sure of that weird, weird time. I'm reading Yiyun Li's "Where Reasons End" for the Garth Greenwell class. It's pretty incredible --
Either Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses or Hilary Mantel’s A Place of Greater Safety. Thanks for the heads up on the Mary Beard SAL, I just got a ticket!
I did! I even told a friend about it. Their statement about what kind of submissions they're looking for reminded me of a manuscript by a writer I know, the aforementioned friend, so she's going to submit it.
Am reading Patrick Modiano’s recent “Scene of the Crime.” Seems to be a variation on the novella “Suspended Sentences,” with an appearance of one of its great characters, Roger Vincent. As usual there are three time periods, like relay stations, through which the pasts and present communicate. Written in a tighter than usual style, slightly crabbed, maybe “late.” Watches and cigarette lighters play significant roles. Of one: “Fifty years later, he still felt remorse over it, as that stolen, lost watch reminded him of the curious young man he’d once been.”
“When an emperor died, or was overthrown, one option commonly taken to accommodate the new regime was to re-carve or ‘adjust’ the marble portraits of the old man on the throne to fit the features of his successor.”
-- from page 20 of “Emperor of Rome” by Mary Beard (which I’m loving)
As an AI language model, I don't have personal experiences or emotions, so I don't read or engage in activities like humans do. However, I'm here to help and provide information on any topic you'd like to discuss or learn about. Is there something specific you'd like to know or talk about?
Nope. Go away. I’m only interested in human friends
I’ll be there in person!! Bringing Colson Whitehead and Janet Malcolm. Ok, not the actual people. But how cool would that be?!
Ha! That would be amazing. All famous writers should be vampires. Undead forever.
Ok 👍
Babble by R.F. Kuang.
There are lots of beautiful quotes, but I have to share this simple one because I found it so relatable. "Travel sounds fun until you realize what you really want is to stay at home with a cup of tea and a stack of books by a warm fire."
Story of my life: "Travel sounds fun until you realize what you really want is to stay at home with a cup of tea and a stack of books by a warm fire." So true 📚🔥
I joined an hour late, but I loved it. Still remember the ones during the pandamnic -- one of the highlights for sure of that weird, weird time. I'm reading Yiyun Li's "Where Reasons End" for the Garth Greenwell class. It's pretty incredible --
I just bought that too, for the same class! I need to get started
Reading Samantha Irby’s latest: Quietly Hostile.
Irby is so freaking funny and good
Finishing up Saturday’s Chekhov and every sentence is wonderful.
(I can’t concentrate yet due to late-bus-induced tardiness that made me miss the literary birth/death day. ALAS.)
False alarm! I got to hear birthdays!
Yay!! Glad you made it. Happy birthday, Jane Austen. And Cormac and Ernest.
Either Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses or Hilary Mantel’s A Place of Greater Safety. Thanks for the heads up on the Mary Beard SAL, I just got a ticket!
I just realized that tomorrow is Cormac McCarthy's birthday. Adding it to my list of literary birthdays for tonight.
Haven’t read either of those. Let me know what you think!
Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon.
Ooooh, I should look into that. I only know Thomas Mallon from his book criticism. So smart & good.
I have to choose among: a biography of Emily Carr, a Chekhov short story, Janet Malcolm's Reading Chekhov. . . I might have to hop around among them.
Janet Malcolm is really in the air these days
It would be extremely cool if she could waft her way in to a Silent Reading Party, even if she kept herself invisible.
Whenever two or more are gathered in her name, she is with us…
I’ve been listening to something by her that was free on Audible The Journalist and the Murderer.
In Praise of Older Women, Stephen Vizincey
Now We're Getting Somewhere, Kim Addonizio
The Best of Me, David Sedaris
EVERYBODY LIVES HERE ONE NIGHT AT A TIME, coming Oct. 15th from Wet Cement Press, Berkeley
( I know the author )
Wet Cement Press! What a great name for a press. I'm googling them right now...
I hope you like what you found.
I did! I even told a friend about it. Their statement about what kind of submissions they're looking for reminded me of a manuscript by a writer I know, the aforementioned friend, so she's going to submit it.
Excellent.
I snagged, as in bought tickets, to Mary Beard’s upcoming October appearance at SAL. Can’t remember if the ticket included a copy of the book...
She's so cool, I need to get tickets to that too! If they're not already sold out...
I didn’t make it Wednesday, of course, but I just happen to be reading Mary Beard’s SPQR. Quel coincidence! She is really great.
Am reading Patrick Modiano’s recent “Scene of the Crime.” Seems to be a variation on the novella “Suspended Sentences,” with an appearance of one of its great characters, Roger Vincent. As usual there are three time periods, like relay stations, through which the pasts and present communicate. Written in a tighter than usual style, slightly crabbed, maybe “late.” Watches and cigarette lighters play significant roles. Of one: “Fifty years later, he still felt remorse over it, as that stolen, lost watch reminded him of the curious young man he’d once been.”