So we've reached June now – 2021 is already halfway behind us. For some, it's probably been quick, and for others, it must have been slow. At least we're moving into summer (although sweltering heat isn't necessarily preferable). I've been indulging in genre fiction recently, so I have some suitably speculative recommendations for you this month.

Reading: Starship Troopers (1959) by Robert A. Heinlein

The classic military sci-fi novel, this is one of the best-known titles by the legendary first Grand Master and perhaps his most controversial, as some critics are unsure of what is fiction and what is an espousal of Heinlein's genuine beliefs. Written in response to the U.S. suspending nuclear testing, the story is set in the far future – one in which public service is required to cast a vote and participate in the Terran Federation's government; the action centers around one such branch of service, that of the elite Mobile Infantry which defends Earth from enemy threats through body-enhancing powered armor. Juan "Johnny" Rico simply meant to get his franchise, but his grueling boot camp training is put to the test when an insect-like alien species from the planet Klendathu (derisively referred to as "Bugs" and "Arachnids") instigate an interstellar war. Originally meant as a juvenile, the novel marked a turning point in Heinlein's career as he moved to more adult-oriented fiction; the brisk, exciting pace is marked with ruminations on the value of service, the effectiveness of capital and corporal punishment, and other subjects, which has led some detractors to label Heinlein a fascist. It's a fun read that doesn't have to be agreed with completely to enjoy.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441783589/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0441014100/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Troopers-Robert-Heinlein-ebook/dp/B004EYTK2C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=



Viewing: Mad Max (George Miller, 1979)

This is the cult classic dystopian film that made Mel Gibson a star and launched the Australian New Wave film movement into international success. Gibson plays Max Rockatansky, a weary cop assigned to a future Australia's Main Force Patrol (MFP) which hunts down the highway's deadliest offenders; he plans to resign after increasing disillusionment, but a tragedy involving his family's death at the hands of a psychotic biker gang drives him over the edge, leading him to take a supercharged V8 Pursuit Special – a car specially made for high speeds – and exact a cold revenge on the gang members. Compared to the later entries, this is a rather tame, low-budget release lacking a lot of the extravagances associated with the franchise, but it's still a great film, its appeal coming from its midnight movie aesthetic and the charisma of its cast, anchored by a young Gibson as the near-unhinged Max and Hugh Keays-Byrne as the flamboyant gang leader Toecutter. It's worth a viewing, especially for those interested in the development of action movies of the later 1980s and their over-the-top anti-heroes.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Mel-Gibson/dp/B00CDDHI5W/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=mad+max+dvd&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Blu-ray-Mel-Gibson/dp/B08H5BRLRN/ref=tmm_blu_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5
4K: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-4KUHD-Blu-ray-Gibson/dp/B08H5DFV1P/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mad+max+4k&qid=1622510889&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Mad-Max-Mel-Gibson/dp/B000IZXR7U/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1622509845&sr=8-5


Hopefully, these will make your summer enjoyable. Get out there when you can and enjoy the weather, but remember to stay safe and respect the boundaries of those who are still trying to get through the pandemic.

It's been a long time since I've posted in this topic. Part of the reason for that is because, ever since I've started reading more than one book at a time, it's a gamble whether I can finish it or not in a reasonable amount of time. All the the books that I said I made considerable progress on in the last post have been set aside for quite some time now; I think I may have to restart a couple of them or at least read a synopsis or brush over what I've read before to refresh my memory. And there are others that I've read that I've run into the same problem with. The cynical part of me wonders whether tis topic is even worth continuing.

But it's not that I've found I don't like the books. It's just that my mood changes rather quickly and it's a toss-up just how long the peak is going to last. I have every intention of finishing everything I've started at some point.

If there's any good thing to come from this, it's that I've been able to branch out into other genres. I've acquired a taste for crime fiction some months ago, and just recently, for what I feel is the first time in my life, I've been significantly enraptured with science fiction. I think I'm going to make a post or two about those genres in a while, because I want to share my enthusiasm with everybody.

Regarding those genres, as of this post, I've subsequently gotten halfway through Dashiell Hammett's Red Harvest and, I believe, about a third or so of the way through Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me, as well as a quarter - 64 pages, at least - into Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous with Rama (and yet I made that a monthly recommendation). Finally, I just put the first complete third of Frank Herbert's Dune behind me (and absolutely loved it); I've been juggling that book for years, and yet now it looks like I might be able to finish it at last.

So that's where I'm at. Is anyone else doing any reading, or are things a bit too busy right now to be occupied with leisure?

Happy May, everyone! NOW it seems that we've finally escaped winter. Of course, we're still going to get rain, but I'd prefer that right now.

I've been reading science fiction lately, having acquired a deep taste for it, but I've already recommended the specific books I'm working on. However, I have something that I've been sitting on for a while, so I'm not totally unarmed. It's a classic in both print and film that I hope you all enjoy.

Reading: The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1970) by George V. Higgins

A landmark of crime fiction, this novel - the debut by former attorney Higgins - is an unglamorous portrayal of the Boston Irish mob, its central character being an aging small-time gun-runner who faces a prison sentence and subsequently weighs whether to turn snitch on his "friends" - a small group of crooks who have been pulling off a string of robberies at the local banks. The man draw of the novel is its dialogue, presented in a realistic style for which Higgins became well known for; the grittiness and unsentimental nature has been noted to contrast with more glamorous works such as the contemporary bestseller The Godfather. Its a quick yet rewarding read that I recommend to both crime fans and readers who appreciate style and cadence even with little action.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Novel/dp/031242969X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1619894994&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Novel-ebook/dp/B003H4I54E/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1619894994&sr=8-1



Viewing: The Friends of Eddie Coyle (Peter Yates, 1973)

Three years after the release of the book, it was adapted into an acclaimed film by Peter Yates, director of the Steve McQueen classic Bulitt, and starring the venerable "tough guy" leading man Robert Mitchum (The Night of the Hunter, Out of the Past) as the weary Eddie Coyle. Released between the popular Godfather films, the movie is an underrated 70's masterpiece, told with all the grittiness of its source material mixed with a wonderful cast and a brisk pace that forgoes action for character studies. It definitely comes recommended for anyone who loves the changing New Hollywood landscape of the decade.

Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Blu-ray/dp/B00SC8KU4S/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1619894994&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Friends-Eddie-Coyle-Robert-Mitchum/dp/B000IBUP6A/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+friends+of+eddie+coyle&qid=1619894994&sr=8-2

That's it for the May recommendations. I apologize in advance if anyone was hoping for more speculative works. Hopefully I'll have something along those lines next time. Until then, enjoy the spring!

April is here, and it appears that the last vestiges of winter are disappearing (though we're not quite there yet). Despite the pandemic going around, I welcome the change in weather emotionally at the very least – it's nice to step outside the house at last for extended periods of time. At this point in time, I have two great classics of science fiction for us to dive into, and I can only hope it's to everyone's tastes. So here we go!

Reading: Rendezvous with Rama (1973) by Arthur C. Clarke

Winner of some of sci-fi's most prestigious awards upon publication, this late novel in the career of one of the genre's most revered practitioners became a new cornerstone, gathering praise (and some criticism) across the board. Set in the year 2131, it tells the story of a mysterious giant cylindrical object from deep space – labeled as "Rama" by astronomers – which is on a trajectory to pass by Earth; the spaceship Endeavour is sent to investigate, taking its crew to a fantastic encounter with the remnants of an alien world. While short on characterization and somewhat dated, the novel manages to stir a passionate sense of wonder and discovery that keeps the narrative moving forward, serving as a wonderful introduction to Clarke if one has not already done so.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-C-Clarke/dp/0358380227/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34DP4C4QOE8G0&dchild=1&keywords=rendezvous+with+rama&qid=1617243880&sprefix=rendezvous%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Rama-Arthur-C-Clarke-ebook/dp/B07XD75HGV/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1617243880&sr=8-1



Viewing: 2001: A Space Odyssey (Stanley Kubrick, 1968)

Another of Clarke's contributions, made in conjunction with the meticulous and mercurial director Kubrick, this slow-moving film is widely considered one of the greatest science fiction films ever made and rewards the patient viewer who surrenders to the narrative on its own terms. The evolution of humanity is traced throughout, marked by the appearance of strange black monoliths placed by unknown forces; what they are and the nature of their creators drives the human characters, leading to an expedition sent towards a signal directed at Jupiter, aboard a ship where the computer in charge becomes a deadly threat. It may be short on characterization again (a common drawback of Clarke), but as a visual and auditory experience, anchored by its special effects and particular soundtrack, it's a landmark of cinema worth watching at least once in your lifetime to say that you did so.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/2001-Space-Odyssey-Stanley-Kubrick/dp/B004L9GMBC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/2001-Space-Odyssey-Re-Mastered-Blu-ray/dp/B07KHKWNPW/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-3
4K: https://www.amazon.com/2001-SPACE-ODYSSEY-UHDBD-Blu-ray/dp/B07KH8W76F/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&dchild=1&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-3
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/2001-Space-Odyssey-Douglas-Rain/dp/B002WS54G8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3DPHSA79R8ADW&dchild=1&keywords=2001+a+space+odyssey&qid=1617243919&sprefix=2001%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1


So go out there now and enjoy the spring! (But remember to keep socially distanced for safety.)

This is a little late, but I felt everyone should know about it if they don't already.

https://www.tor.com/2021/03/09/the-phantom-tollbooth-author-norton-juster-has-died-at-the-age-of-91/

It's a rather ripe old age, but it's still sad to see him go, because, if you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing it yet, The Phantom Tollbooth is one of the most imaginative children's books ever written, and I highly recommend that you read it at least once in your life.

Thanks, Mr. Juster, for such a truly wild ride.

It's March, and spring is in the air. Not to be a downer, but that could be subject to change - you never know nowadays. Still, after having some pretty big snowfalls, it's nice to have much milder weather, as it's uplifting to the spirit. This month's recommendations are nestled in the notorious genre of crime fiction, which I've recently taken a liking to; while it can be pretty dark, I believe that a window into the darkness of the human psyche, while disturbing and depressing, is necessary for being truthful. So enjoy these classics!

Reading: Red Harvest (1929) by Dashiell Hammett

Called to the city of Personville (known colloquially as "Poisonville") for a meeting with the mayor's son, an unnamed operative from the Continental Detective Agency - referred to as "the Continental Op" - uncovers a festering hive of citywide corruption and buried secrets; having experienced some of the most unsavory bits, the Op takes it upon himself to cleanse the city, even if it means pitting the underworld and the town police against each other in a gang war. The first novel from the acclaimed pulp fiction writer Hammett, who would later pen The Maltese Falcon, this novel is one of the earliest examples of "hardboiled" detective fiction characterized by cynical antiheroes, punchy dialog and subtle social analysis. It's a great ride from beginning to end, well worth the price.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Harvest-Dashiell-Hammett/dp/0679722610/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614638752&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Harvest-Continental-Op-Book-ebook/dp/B004G8P2M8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1614638752&sr=8-1



Viewing: Chinatown (Roman Polanski, 1974)

Frequently regarded as one of the greatest films ever made with one of the most celebrated screenplays ever written, this neo-noir follows private detective J. J. "Jake" Gittes investigating a murder linked to the disputes over Los Angeles water rights, of which sultry heiress Evelyn Mulwray and her tycoon father, Noah Cross, are important players; sordid corruption and buried family secrets are unearthed, but ultimately, the question of whether justice can really be done is left lingering. It's definitely one of the finest films of the 70's, though somewhat burdened by the fallout of director Polanski's private life; every performance is exemplary, Jerry Goldsmith's score fits perfectly, and the recreation of 1937 Los Angeles is top notch. It's a low-key film driven by lots of dialog, but it's absolutely fantastic if you're in the right mood.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B073MDN9NF/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=chinatown+dvd&qid=1614638863&sr=8-1
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Chinatown-Blu-ray-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B06XNQS16Z/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=chinatown+blu+ray&qid=1614638846&sr=8-1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Chinatown-Jack-Nicholson/dp/B07FZR4YNY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TLJR4LAGL6F4&dchild=1&keywords=chinatown+prime+video&qid=1614638877&sprefix=chinatown+prim%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1


So that's it for March. Enjoy the spring!

Sorry for the lateness. I actually completely forgot about the forum this month, plus it took me a bit to find some recommendations.

Anyway, here we are in February now. For me, it feels much the same, but for some of you, it may be different. There's not much to say right now, it seems, other than it being a comparatively mild winter (I wonder if that's a bad thing for the climate, though). So while everyone is cooped up in their homes, here are some adventures to take you outside the confines of your mind.


Reading: Kidnapped (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson

One of Stevenson's best known and most highly regarded works, this story follows 17-year-old David Balfour, who has come to his uncle's estate to seek his fortune. However, the greedy man arranges for David to be abducted and sold into slavery, but, while a prisoner on a ship, David escapes with the assistance of the spirited Scottish Highlander Alan Breck Stewart. Eventually, circumstances lead the two to flee across Scotland from charges of murder, and the question remains whether justice will ever be served for the two comrades. Highly popular in its day, the novel escaped a spell of posthumous criticism to be regarded in the mid-20th century as one of the most esteemed examples of historical romance and continues to entice scholars and readers to this day. NOTE: I would highly recommend picking up the Modern Library trade variant listed below, as it is a reprint of a corrected version of the text with an extensive introduction and a Scots glossary for translating some of the words that may escape casual readers.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451531434?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375757252?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002U2DQ6Q?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Werner Herzog, 1972)

Set in 1560 during the conquest of the Incas, this film follows a branch of an expedition of Spanish conquistadors in search of the riches of El Dorado, sent into the depths of the jungle to scout ahead and report back within a week's time. As things become difficult, they attempt to turn back, but the megalomaniacal Don Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski) seizes control, first by proxy then directly, pushed on by mad vision of fortune and glory, dragging his accomplices into insanity and death. A slow-moving film, this German production helmed by famed auteur Werner Herzog - the first of five collaborations with the legendary temperamental actor Kinski - was first acclaimed with cult status and has continued to grow in reputation through the years, being seen as an influence on such later films as Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now; while not action-packed, it's a fascinating experience that may reward multiple viewings.

Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Aguirre-Wrath-Blu-ray-Klaus-Kinski/dp/B00QJN344G/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1612654243&sr=8-3
Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Aguirre-Wrath-God-Klaus-Kinski/dp/B07V6TH8TB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=aguirre+the+wrath+of+god&qid=1612654317&sr=8-1


So that's all I have for now. I hope things stay well for all of you, all things considering.

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm sure that most people are glad to be done with 2020, and I hope that 2021 has a brighter future in store. Hopefully, we can make the most of it. So to kick out the new year, here are a couple classic sci-fi recommendations (which, upon further inspection, are kind of grim, but that's what I've read/seen and what's available).

Reading: Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) by Kurt Vonnegut

One of the most memorable anti-war novels ever written and a masterpiece of black comedy, the plot concerns an ordinary American man named Billy Pilgrim who inexplicably finds himself "unstuck in time" - he constantly jumps to different points in his life at random, from his capture by the Germans during WWII to surviving the firebombing of Dresden to his normal post-war civilian life to his abduction by the absurd Tralfamadorians to be displayed in their alien zoo. Vonnegut's deceptively simple prose masks a deeply introspective mind mixed with pain and humor, and it should be a very brisk read as it really not a very difficult text.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Slaughterhouse-Five-Novel-Modern-Library-Novels/dp/0385333846/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KZKMBTGU3KV6&dchild=1&keywords=slaughterhouse+five&qid=1609524784&sprefix=slaughterhouse%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Slaughterhouse-Five-Novel-Modern-Library-Novels-ebook/dp/B000SEGHT6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524784&sr=8-1



Viewing: Westworld (Michael Crichton, 1973)

This was the directorial debut of sci-fi writer Michael Crichton, who would later pen Jurassic Park, and while this film covers similar ground, it stands on its own in many respects. In the year 1983 (let's say it's an alternate 1983 now), the amusement park Delos offers its guests the excitement of living out their own personal fantasies in one of three scenarios - Western World, Medieval World, and Roman World - all populated by android performers which cater to the human visitors' desires. But what begins as a routine adventure turns deadly when the park's technicians find a computer virus spreading through the androids which causes them to malfunction and begin killing visitors, particularly a stoic gunslinger (Yul Brynner) designed to instigate fights who becomes a relentless stalking killing machine. While it may be better known simply as the basis for a successful modern HBO series, the original film manages to hold up pretty well, despite its "70's-ness", combining action and satire in a crowd-pleasing way. If you're a fan of Jurassic Park, I highly suggest that you check out where it began.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Westworld-Paul-N-Lazarus-Jr/dp/B0045HCJKS/ref=tmm_dvd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524727&sr=8-7
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Westworld-BD-Blu-ray-Yul-Brynner/dp/B00AATFJK2/ref=tmm_mfc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524727&sr=8-7
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Westworld-Yul-Brynner/dp/B000LJ9ZWO/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1609524727&sr=8-7


And that's all for now. Let's see what 2021 has in store for us!

It's the third year anniversary of when I started making monthly recommendations. It seems longer, though. Anyway, as the year winds down, I'm sure man of us are actively ready for it. Here's hoping that 2021 has at least some redeeming value to it. As the last recommendations of the year, I'm turning to the works of the great American author Herman Melville for a couple of sea adventures. Perhaps some of you have experienced these before, but whether you have or not, maybe it would be worthwhile to pick them up now for the first or second time.

Reading: Moby-Dick (1851) by Herman Melville

A particular favorite of mine, the classic story of the ship Pequod, captained by the unbalanced Ahab, and the chase for the mysterious white whale Moby-Dick originally sank with little trace until critical reevaluation in the early 20th century, after which it has gone on to be considered a serious contender for the distinction of "Great American Novel." It's a strange work - one that seems to shift format from time to time and often falls into digressions which frequently interrupt the narrative - and casual readers may find it frustrating, especially in comparison to contemporary books, but the for the one who sticks with it and follows the trail wherever it goes, it can be a uniquely rewarding experience of the novel as a serious art form. I recommend at least one reading in your life.

Mass Market: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451532287?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/067978327X?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Trade (Deluxe): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0143105957?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QCS8VA?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: Billy Budd (Peter Ustinov, 1962)

During the Napoleonic Wars, the HMS Avenger conscripts a young sailor names Billy Budd - a sincerely innocent man with a debilitating stammer in times of stress - and the crew gradually takes a close liking to him - all except the brutal master-at-arms, who seeks to destroy the man who represents everything that he loathes in the world. Based on Melville's final posthumously published work, unfinished at the time of the author's death, this film, directed and starred by veteran Academy Award winning actor Peter Ustinov, may not be the most well known film out there, but it's a generally well-put-together effort that has the dubious distinction of being the film debut of classic actor Terence Stamp in the title role. A fine sea tale that serves as a morality play on innocence and evil, I feel it manages to capture the essence of Melville's style and encourage curious casual viewers to give it a shot.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Budd-DVD-R-Robert-Ryan/dp/B00QLWR45U/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=billy+budd+1962&qid=1606978859&sr=8-3
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Budd-Blu-ray-Terence-Stamp/dp/B07F1FRRRB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Budd-Terence-Stamp/dp/B085LVCFZ3/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=billy+budd+1962&qid=1606978859&sr=8-1


And so 2020 comes to a close. It's been a very taxing year, to say the least. May better days be ahead of us.

November is upon us. Now we approach the Thanksgiving season and another presidential election. These are troubling times indeed. I would imaging that there's a lot of anxiety going around, so here's some lighter fare to get you through the coming weeks.

Reading: King Solomon's Mines (1885) by H. Rider Haggard

Often considered to be the first "lost world" novel, Haggard's breakthrough was one of the most popular novels of its time, rivaling Treasure Island and influencing later writers such as Edgar Rice Burroughs and Arthur Conan Doyle as well as films and comic books in the 20th century; it continues to be highly regarded to this day, despite some racial tastes of the age. The story follows aged big game hunter Allan Quatermain, who is approached by a wealthy aristocrat and his friend to search for his missing brother, who disappeared into the depths of Africa in search of a lost treasure trove of diamonds reported to belong to King Solomon himself; what they will find is a lost African kingdom ruled by a ruthless tyrant and his wizened hag advisor, who fear the return of the lost rightful prince of the land. A precursor to the Indiana Jones stories, it's an exciting, glamorous ride into exotic places with constant danger, a piece of history not to be forgotten.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812966295?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012E3J4C?tag=randohouseinc7986-20



Viewing: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (Steven Spielberg, 1984)

The second Indiana Jones feature - set chronologically before the first - finds the adventurer escaping from a Chinese gangster in Shanghai with a lounge singer and a child sidekick in tow to the midst of India, where he stumbles upon a village where the children have been abducted. His attempt to rescue the children takes him to a lavish palace that serves as a front for the Kali-worshipping Thuggee cult, which uses the captives as slave labor to search for the sacred Sankara Stones which they believe will give them absolute power. A much darker film than its predecessor (one which inadvertently let to the creation of the PG-13 rating by the MPAA), this entry is nevertheless a rousing and wonderful addition to the canon, taking advantage of the recent THX special effects technology to deliver a polished, fascinating experience. Despite initial mixed reception, it has overcome it in recent years and remains a must-see.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Temple-Doom-Special/dp/B0014Z4ON4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=25EK020N5S9IB&dchild=1&keywords=indiana+jones+and+the+temple+of+doom&qid=1604264809&sprefix=indiana+jones+and+t%2Caps%2C511&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Temple-Doom-Blu-ray/dp/B00FZIIYSW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=25EK020N5S9IB&keywords=indiana+jones+and+the+temple+of+doom&qid=1604264809&sprefix=indiana+jones+and+t%2Caps%2C511&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Indiana-Jones-Temple-Doom-Harrison/dp/B00GIXNAKU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25EK020N5S9IB&dchild=1&keywords=indiana+jones+and+the+temple+of+doom&qid=1604264809&sprefix=indiana+jones+and+t%2Caps%2C511&sr=8-1



So that's all for November. I hope that better days lie in store for all of us.

You're welcome! Let me know what you think of Pratchett when you get to him.

On the subject of books, referring to the theme of the thread, when you get the chance, I would still seriously recommend Jackson's Hill House. It's an extraordinarily written book, far more than I had anticipated. I had read her short story "The Lottery" beforehand, so I knew what she was like somewhat. I'm definitely going to pick up more of her, especially her final work, the gothic mystery We Have Always Lived in the Castle, which was made into a Netflix movie - a pretty good one - rather recently.

That's really interesting! I've never read Anne Rice's works - Mom wouldn't let me years ago for various reasons (the movie really disturbed her - she's always had a real uneasiness about vampires) - but I can't deny that I'm interested, as I believe that, while there were some preceding titles, Interview with the Vampire marked a turning point in the perception of vampires in popular culture. I've got most of what's in print saved on my colossal Amazon Wish List, so I'll get to it eventually.

Coincidentally, as I write this, I've added to my book juggling by rereading Dracula for the second time. I got to say, while I liked it the first time, I'm enjoying it tremendously all the more on the reread. I guess that comes of having read quite a bit more of a variety in the years since I first picked it up. I just love Victorian/Edwardian fiction!

Normally, I would say that I've been setting aside what I've mentioned in the last post and juggled a few more books...but while that's technically true, I have to admit that it's been taken to new extremes. I've spent the past few months picking up and starting SO MANY books that I've had to make a list for it, to the point that it's pretty much a moot point to say what I'm currently reading at this moment. It's probably more than any normal person would take on.

While I partially regret that, on the other hand, I've been sampling some pretty good works, and when I'm not surfing the Internet, I'm loving diving into my books. My mood is particularly mercurial right now, but I actually HAVE been able to stick with and complete a few of them, and I've enjoyed every one so far. Still, it bugs me that I've still got what I've mentioned before on hold. It's not that I don't like them, far from it, but when the mood strikes, I have this urge to pick up another book.

I've been on a horror kick recently, among other things. So far, I've completed:

-The Incredible Shrinking Man (1956) by Richard Matheson
-Rosemary's Baby (1967) by Ira Levin
-Slaughterhouse-Five (1969) by Kurt Vonnegut
-A Stir of Echoes (1958) by Richard Matheson

If you really want to know, I've started and made considerable progress on:

-Blood Sport (1974) by Robert F. Jones
-The Exorcist (1971) by William Peter Blatty
-The Foundation Trilogy (1951-1953) by Isaac Asimov
-Ghost Story (1979) by Peter Straub
-The Puppet Masters (1951) by Robert A. Heinlein

There are several others that I've picked up, but I've only put a few pages behind on them. What I've listed already is what I've gotten the most into at this moment. I'll tell you what the others are in the future when I've read more of them.

And so fall has come. Not much seems to have changed, and I'm sure that many of us are feeling a little anxious about things in the political sphere, but if you need to pass the time and take your mind off of things, then I have some seasonal recommendations for the witching season. I hope you like them.

Reading: The Haunting of Hill House (1959) by Shirley Jackson

Widely considered to be the best haunted house novel of the genre, as well as one of the cornerstones of 20th century horror literature, this novel forgoes visceral violence and much of the literal definition of "horror" for slow-building, psychological terror in the vein of Henry James in addition to thoughtful character studies. The premise is that a scientist, wishing to find physical evidence of the supernatural, assembles a small group of individuals with a history of otherworldly encounters in an ancient hillside mansion rather infamous for its sordid history; over time, unnatural happenings begin to occur as it seems that the house is trying to bring one of the team members under its influence. Written by one of the most respected authors in American literature today, this literary chiller is a significant leap beyond the genre's tawdry clichés and should be read at least once by anyone who loves a well-constructed story.

Trade: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143039989/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+haunting+of+hill+house&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2
Trade [Deluxe]: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143129376/ref=tmm_pap_title_2?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2
Hardcover: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Horror/dp/0143122355/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Hill-House-Penguin-Classics-ebook/dp/B004SS1MJI/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1601570050&sr=8-2



Viewing: The Haunting (Robert Wise, 1963)

For such a good book, we got an equally good film adaptation. Despite a few character and plot changes, the film mostly follows the novel closely enough, making it one of the most acclaimed horror films ever made. Helmed by the renowned director of such genre classics as The Day the Earth Stood Still, the film is strengthened by both its excellent cast and its claustrophobic set design; the result is a set-piece of subtle macabre overtones and slow-building terror as the mystery of the house is explored. It's definitely a must-see and, in my opinion, infinitely superior to both the panned 1999 remake and the well-received but significantly different 2018 Netflix miniseries.

DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Julie-Harris/dp/B0045HCJJE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2K0EA3LO7R2CO&keywords=the+haunting+blu+ray&qid=1601570211&sprefix=the+haunting+blu%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-2
Blu-Ray: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Blu-ray-Nelson-Gidding/dp/B00DBNLBAQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2K0EA3LO7R2CO&dchild=1&keywords=the+haunting+blu+ray&qid=1601570211&sprefix=the+haunting+blu%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-2
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Julie-Harris/dp/B004WNTGYM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+haunting+1963&qid=1601570243&sr=8-1


And that's all for now. Enjoy the Halloween season!

I just found this on Facebook through editor/author Ellen Kushner. It's just one more step in the legitimization and mainstream acceptance of fantasy literature, and I thought you all might like to know about it. Personally, if I had the money and travel expenses, I probably would consider studying there myself. Oh well.

https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/university-of-glasgow-centre-fantasy-literature-dungeons-and-dragons-game-of-thrones-644860?fbclid=IwAR1NIdrl1FZE0bLs_APlJZUGdHJqEsdGyTNZWWY7Yb9oRS6OOVEnDSNj7to

So what do think about it?