8114Lafcadio
Multnomah County Library
8114Lafcadio's Completed Shelf
The Last of the MohicansThe Last of the Mohicans, Book
by Cooper, James FenimoreBook - 2001 | 1st edBook, 2001. 1st ed
All copies in useView location availabilityView location availability for The Last of the Mohicans, Book, All copies in use
Holds: 2 on 6 copies
Holds: 2 on 6 copies
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
The Introvert AdvantageThe Introvert Advantage, BookHow to Thrive in An Extrovert World
by Laney, Marti OlsenBook - 2002Book, 2002
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment:
This won't let me save my review... perhaps it is too long.
You can see it here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/293469399
Day by Day ArmageddonDay by Day Armageddon, Unknown
by Bourne, J. L.Unknown - 2009 | 1st Pocket books trade pbk. edUnknown, 2009. 1st Pocket books trade pbk. ed
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment:
This was, in general, a fairly good zombie tale, with plenty of suspense.
One thing I found distracting was the editing. In particular, the error that kept popping up was this:
Zombies should be wandering around. In this book, the zombies wondered around. It's a spelling error that changes the meaning of the word. Every time the author meant to use the word wander, he used wonder instead. This is not the fault of J.L. Bourne. I do not expect authors to be good spellers. The responsibility of the author is to craft a good story. Bourne does this just fine. My beef is with Bourne's editor. The responsibility of the editor is to CATCH THE SPELLING ERRORS!
This was not the only editing error, but it was certainly the most distracting. Any error in any book causes me to stop reading, lose the flow of the story, and fixate on the fact that an error exists in a professionally edited book. Most books have zero errors. Some books have one tiny one (like a misplaced apostrophe). Any more than the one tiny one and I start to get irrationally frustrated with a book.
This is unfortunate; I read this book a few years ago, and the part I remember most about it is the image I have in my head of zombies, shambling around, deep in thought...This was, in general, a fairly good zombie tale, with plenty of suspense.
One thing I found distracting was the editing. In particular, the error that kept popping up was this:
Zombies should be wandering around. In this book, the zombies…
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Book
by Adams, DouglasBook - 1979Book, 1979
All copies in useView location availabilityView location availability for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Book, All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 12 copies
Holds: 0 on 12 copies
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment:
There was a time in my life during which I think I would have found this book the funniest thing I had ever read. I would have sought peers with whom to discuss its nuances and reveled in the glory that somebody out there had a delightfully twisted sense of humor. Indeed, during this selfsame time, when others discovered that I had not yet read this tome, they would exclaim, "You haven't read it? Wow... I would have thought that would be just your type of book..."
Sometimes I feel as though the more often somebody tells me I need to read something, the less I want to read it. So I didn't read it. For years.
I waited too long. Sure it's still funny, but if I were in 7th grade, it would be the funniest thing I had ever read. Then they made a movie. Same thing... the 7th grade me would have loved it.
*sigh*There was a time in my life during which I think I would have found this book the funniest thing I had ever read. I would have sought peers with whom to discuss its nuances and reveled in the glory that somebody out there had a delightfully twisted…
Secret Portland, OregonSecret Portland, Oregon, UnknownThe Unique Guidebook to Portland's Hidden Sites, Sounds, & Tastes
by Burgess, Ann CarrollUnknown - 2010 | 2010 edUnknown, 2010. 2010 ed
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment:
A little disappointed, I must admit. The "secrets" are not that secret. In fact, each category of secrets reveals what is most likely to pop up when you google it. Not much of a secret there.
Also, the "voice" in which this little volume is written bugs me quite a bit, and could use some editing:
"The unique design of the Steel Bridge has never been duplicated. It features two decks, one for trains, and one for automobiles, the lower of which can move independently of the other. Not only does this bridge accommodate wheeled vehicles, it also obliges river traffic. The lower deck can be raised 45 feet in only 10 seconds; the upper deck 90 feet in 90 seconds. Talk about zero to 60!"
You can find that segment not under "bridges" (there is no section with that title in this book); you can find it instead under "crossings."
Also, the find-everything store, Fred Meyer is consistently referred to as "Fred Meyers."
So, if this book were edited better can contained some actual secrets (there were maybe two surprises), it might be worthwhile.A little disappointed, I must admit. The "secrets" are not that secret. In fact, each category of secrets reveals what is most likely to pop up when you google it. Not much of a secret there.
Also, the "voice" in which this little volume is…
The Diversity of LifeThe Diversity of Life, Unknown
by Wilson, Edward O.Unknown - 1999 | New edUnknown, 1999. New ed
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment:
I heard about this book and this author/scientist at roughly the same time (probably scientist first, then book, then author), but it was not my first E. O. Wilson book to read. Sometimes, when I hear too much about a book, it makes me want to read it less.
So, when I found myself amongst the impossibly tall stacks in the evolutionary biology section of Powells Books for the first time, E. O. Wilson's name immediately jumped out at me as familiar, as did the title The Diversity of Life, but I was not yet ready to read it. I chose instead Consilience, and found myself immediately enamored with Wilson's eloquence, and his ability to make science accessible without for a moment dumbing it down.
The Diversity of Life follows this pattern of eloquence, and I steamrolled my way through it far faster than I had expected. Toward the end, I felt a little as I did about Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, in the sense that Wilson wasn't telling me anything he hadn't already beaten to death over the first three quarters of the book. Despite the repetitive subject matter, Wilson's writing is still fascinating to read, and I look forward to my next Wilson book.I heard about this book and this author/scientist at roughly the same time (probably scientist first, then book, then author), but it was not my first E. O. Wilson book to read. Sometimes, when I hear too much about a book, it makes me want to read…
Starship TroopersStarship Troopers, Book
by Heinlein, Robert A. (Robert Anson)Book - 2006 | Ace trade paperback editionBook, 2006. Ace trade paperback edition
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment:
Done. This seems to be an extensive discourse on military philosophy and rationale for chain of command. The main character is likeable enough to follow him as he works his way through the ranks, figuring out why things are done a certain way as he goes, but that is the extent of the story. I've read and liked a lot of Heinlein, and this one currently sits at the bottom of the barrel.
2011 edit - I'm giving it another chance.
I'm about halfway through, and it's better than I would have been led to believe by my first few attempts. Good writing is keeping me interested, but the story is still kind of bland. Big things happen, but they happen too quickly to be too invested in the people they happen to, so I find myself not caring nearly as much as the narrator seems to. I'll add more when I finish.
Original review - Choke... sputter... I am admittedly a huge Heinlein fan. I can't get enough of the stuff. You'd think I would like them all. I can't for the life of me finish this one. I've tried several times. I even thought I should watch the movie and then I might be more into the book. Too bad the movie was absolute shit. I mean c'mon... of all the truly incredible masterworks of this brilliant man, you had to go and make a movie of the worst one I can think of, and on top of that, you had to make a TERRIBLE movie of it. Of all the murfin'... furfin'...Done. This seems to be an extensive discourse on military philosophy and rationale for chain of command. The main character is likeable enough to follow him as he works his way through the ranks, figuring out why things are done a certain way as he…
John, Paul, George & BenJohn, Paul, George & Ben, Book
by Smith, LaneBook - 2006 | First editionBook, 2006. First edition
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment:
The details are what make this book amazing.
When John Hancock writes his name on the blackboard, all the other signatures of his classmates (Sam, Hooper, Pinn, Oliver, Josiah, etc.) are not only names you would find on the declaration of independence, but each name is written in the correct handwriting for that name. Same goes for Thomas Jefferson's classmates' artwork - "Adam" is signed in the D.O.I. handwriting of John Adams, "Sherm" is Roger Sherman.
Thomas Jefferson ignores instructions to make birdhouses in favor of loftier architectural aspirations, and the picture shows him building Monticello in the background. Young Tom's "Declaration of Independence from Idiotic Classwork" is, of course, the actual Declaration of Independence, if you look closely.
As the title suggests, there are just a couple of oblique Beatles references.
The book concludes with each event detailed as either fact or fiction, lest one attempt to learn actual history from the tome. Paul Revere was really a member of a bell-ringing club at the Old North Church. Who knew?
And, just when you thought you'd found it all, on the very last page with all the fine print publication information and whatnot, at the very bottom, are these nuggets:
"I cannot live without books"
- Thomas Jefferson, principal founder of the Library of Congress
and
"If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing."
- Benjamin Franklin, founder of America's first lending libraryThe details are what make this book amazing.
When John Hancock writes his name on the blackboard, all the other signatures of his classmates (Sam, Hooper, Pinn, Oliver, Josiah, etc.) are not only names you would find on the declaration of…
Knuffle Bunny TooKnuffle Bunny Too, BookA Case of Mistaken Identity
by Willems, MoBook - 2007 | First editionBook, 2007. First edition
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
The Graphic AlphabetThe Graphic Alphabet, Book
by Pelletier, David (David E.)Book - 1996 | A school book club special editionBook, 1996. A school book club special edition
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
The Grey Lady and the Strawberry SnatcherThe Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher, Unknown
by Bang, MollyUnknown - 1980Unknown, 1980
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Prayer for A ChildPrayer for A Child, Book
by Field, RachelBook - 2004 | Diamond anniversary edBook, 2004. Diamond anniversary ed
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Freight TrainFreight Train, Book
by Crews, DonaldBook - 1978 | First editionBook, 1978. First edition
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
A Chair for My MotherA Chair for My Mother, Book
by Williams, Vera B.Book - 1982 | 1st edBook, 1982. 1st ed
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
MarshmallowMarshmallow, Unknown
by Newberry, Clare TurlayUnknown - 2008 | Rev. edUnknown, 2008. Rev. ed
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
The Rooster CrowsThe Rooster Crows, BookA Book of American Rhymes and Jingles
by Petersham, MaudBook - 1973Book, 1973
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
McElligot's PoolMcElligot's Pool, Book
by Seuss, DrBook - 1974Book, 1974
All copies in useView location availabilityView location availability for McElligot's Pool, Book, All copies in use
Holds: 0 on 9 copies
Holds: 0 on 9 copies
8114Lafcadio's rating:
Added Dec 19, 2012
Comment: