“He wanted to be where no one would know who he was. He wanted to escape from himself.” #fugitive #quotsymay19 @TK-421

As you read Book 3, #hugonuts, here‘s an image of the façade and here is a link to a swallow‘s eye view of medieval Paris: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NbETq6owNmc. It‘s not totally accurate of course, but it‘s fun. Happy reading!

(Reusing the photo because the cat has me pinned down again.) Nine stories, the first three, connected, were my favorites. One features characters from The Robber Bride, the rest are stand alone. All are well written, slightly creepy/sinister but in a “what lengths will humans go to” way rather than a slasher in the basement way. I like that many of the protagonists are older - there‘s a lot of exploration of what does & doesn‘t change as we age.

I‘ve got a bug that‘s keeping me home from church this morning, so Balthazar and I are getting some quality time in with Ms. Atwood. #currentlyreading #littenkitten #catsoflitsy

I finally finished these stories. (I‘m not driving as much anymore.) They are uneven, but none of them are bad - it‘s a pick. I would definitely read more by her.

This is what my Gutenberg “covers” look like @tournevis Since I read a lot of “old books” I get lots from Gutenberg. If I ever retire I think I might volunteer with them to scan and edit books.

#HugoNuts Show us your cover(s)! I love all the different covers on older books that have many editions. On the left are my English editions (Krailsheimer and Hapgood translations) and on the upper right my eBook French, lower right hardback (in two volumes, but as small as a paperback.)

I don‘t know how this would hold up for the average Millennial, but for this baby boomer it was a nostalgic treat. I miss her sharp observations and wit that is razor sharp but never mean-spirited. We lost her too soon and journalism is a poorer place for it. RIP Molly.

Change a few names and this column, written in 1987, would work today. 🙄

And continuing the good versus evil conversation: What about Frollo? Does he deserve Quasimodo‘s devotion? #hugonuts

A different artist‘s vision of Gringoire being brought before Clopin at the Court of Miracles. What do you think Hugo is saying (through Clopin and Esmeralda) about good and evil? Does this section remind you of Charles Dickens‘ work? #hugonuts

I loved Ivins‘ column when it was syndicated in the 80‘s, but I wasn‘t sure if the humor would hold up. It does. I‘m enjoying this nostalgically. You don‘t have to be from Texas, but a bit of knowledge about the Reagan Bush 1 years is helpful. #currentread

I can‘t remember which volume this is from, but Billy Collins is my all-time favorite poet. #silence #poetrymatters @TheSpineView @LazyDays

I‘m all caught up on my buddy reads, which are all rereads right now, so I‘m going to start this. I can‘t believe I‘ve waited this long to read it. #currentlyreading

Oberon and Titania and their verbal battles! Arguing over a little boy. What‘s the emoji for shaking my head?#shakespearereadalong @merelybookish

How is everyone liking Book 2? I think Hugo is even funnier in this section. Poor Gringoire. #hugonuts

#violet #poetrymatters @TheSpineView @LazyDays

Reading the middle chapters of Part 1 sent me to YouTube to listen to Orpheus and Eurydice. #catherbuddyread @Graywacke

#sweet #quotsymay19 @TK-421

#fire #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

More strong intelligent women. #catherbuddyread

I think I would have liked this book better if 1) I were a man; 2) I had read it a few decades ago; and, 3) if I hadn‘t read the hype. Being told that something is the “finest, and funniest, comic novel of the twentieth century” makes one expect more. There were certainly amusing moments, but there was so much sophomoric humor, and deep cynicism, mixed with a dose of misogyny, that I could only give it 3 stars. OK, but not genius.

“to say of him now that he looked like an artist of some sort would have been true without being too offensive.” 🤣
This is supposed to be a really funny book. I‘m not finding it that funny most of the time, but this is a great comedic line.

#experience #quotsymay19 @TK-421

#mother #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

Of course I listened to a few more stories as I did the grocery shopping this morning. Emma Gregory‘s narration is very good. She almost sounds like she‘s whispering, drawing you in. Like an excellent bedtime story, but not soporific, if that makes sense.

#child #Poetrymatters @TheSpineView

Sometimes I buy books for their beautiful bindings, but only if I intend to read them. Diving in to this one tonight.

Two new Billys in our library! #challengeAccepted

I started this on the drive to Chapel Hill this morning. The first story is excellent.

The name Quasimodo came from the Latin text of the traditional Introit for the day after Easter, which begins "Quasi modo geniti infantes..." from 1 Peter 2:2,[1] roughly translated as "As newborn babes [desire the rational milk without guile]...".Literally, quasi modo means "as if in [this] manner".
We‘ve met Quasimodo - how did he compare to your expectations of him?
#hugonuts

We haven‘t “met” the cathedral yet, but what do you think of Hugo‘s focus on architecture? Map is medieval and modern Île-de-la-cité, with the Palais de Justice at one end and Nôtre Dame at the other. #hugonuts
(I‘m at class without my list, so I‘ll tag people after lunch.)

The premise sounds like it could be either sappy or depressing. It is neither. Though there is no character that I would want to invite to dinner (except maybe Maggie) they were complex, interesting people dealing with complicated relationships.

I doubt this is the right book, but it‘s the right author/composer. I love how he turns the image at the end. 🦢 #swan #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

#shift #quotsymay19 @TK-421

#beauty #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

“Anything that was not about a girl‘s love for her horse.” 😂

“You have her father‘s love, Demetrius; let me have Hermia‘s: do you marry him.”
The first quote that made me laugh out loud. #shakespearereadalong @merelybookish

I‘m in class all this week, so this will serve two prompts. #spirit #breath(e) #poetrymatters #quotsymay19 @TheSpineView @TK-421

For those who know a little French, and know that “poetry” doesn‘t translate. 😆 #hugonuts

Starting this today. I hope the rabbit‘s face isn‘t indicative of things to come. 😁🐇

My current #audiobook. Anyone else read this? I think it‘s a #blameitonlitsy, but I can‘t remember who posted it.

#glow #poetrymatters @TheSpineView

“It occurs to me that there are some happenings for which the proper response is not comprehension at all, but amazement and acceptance.” I love Shields‘ writing! This book did not disappoint.

This rings so true for me! (But not for the same reasons as in the book.)

On the “putting our house back together” front, we hung pictures today! Not as exciting as going to the library sale, which I really need to skip this year in favor of reading some of the books I already own, but fun nonetheless. 😀

#star #quotsymay19 @TK-421

“I gave him my heart, and he took and pinched it to death; and flung it back to me. People feel with their hearts, Ellen, and since he has destroyed mine, I have not power to feel for him.” #rejection #quotsymay19 @TK-421

My next read. #carolshields

This book is amazing. My only regret is that I waited this long to read it. Epic in scope, but eminently readable. If you haven‘t read it yet, don‘t wait! (Gratuitous and 30-some year old photo of my nephew.)