Rubicat
The Seattle Public Library
Rubicat's Completed Shelf
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The Mysterious Affair at StylesThe Mysterious Affair at Styles, Audiobook CDA Hercule Poirot Mystery
by Christie, AgathaAudiobook CD - 2002Audiobook CD, 2002
Added Jan 17, 2019
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jan 17, 2019
Rubicat's rating:
Added Nov 29, 2017
Comment:
Amusing, quick read. I must have missed her previous books because this one covered more recent events in Betty's life. This was not a satisfying read - not nearly enough info. I'll need to go back to read her older stuff to get a full picture of Betty, her life, her career and her loves.Amusing, quick read. I must have missed her previous books because this one covered more recent events in Betty's life. This was not a satisfying read - not nearly enough info. I'll need to go back to read her older stuff to get a full picture of…
Added Nov 29, 2017
Rubicat's rating:
Added Nov 11, 2017
Comment:
Pretty good story - I'm slowly working my way through the series and am enjoying all the books very much.
Rubicat's rating:
Added Sep 17, 2017
Comment:
I found there to be way too many Britishisms that I could not figure out from context - also, many Page 6 names that meant nothing to me so the comparisons (or whatever the reference was) made no sense to me. Also, for some reason, I thought the humor was too raw, smarmy, something off-putting. I am by no means a prude, but it seems that Brits are really really into toilet humor - and in underclothes. I found most of these essays to be too long and they became boring. I could not stay involved in descriptions of 'knickers', names for genitalia, adolescent sexual questions and fantasies that dragged on and on. I recognize that I am in the minority of readers, but this review is primarily for the aid to my memory when I try to recall if I read this book and what I thought of it. I left it after reading half of it and skimming the remaining chapters.I found there to be way too many Britishisms that I could not figure out from context - also, many Page 6 names that meant nothing to me so the comparisons (or whatever the reference was) made no sense to me. Also, for some reason, I thought the…
Inventing Late NightInventing Late Night, BookSteve Allen and the Original Tonight Show
by Alba, BenBook - 2005Book, 2005
Added Sep 07, 2017
Added Aug 06, 2017
Comment:
This was entertaining but a bit longer that I thought it needed to be. Also, quite dark and depressing - life is hard enough without reading about depressed, broke and heartbroken detectives who live in squalor. I think I was not in the best frame of mind for this book. I hope Rowling's next C. Strike book.This was entertaining but a bit longer that I thought it needed to be. Also, quite dark and depressing - life is hard enough without reading about depressed, broke and heartbroken detectives who live in squalor. I think I was not in the best frame…
Added Aug 06, 2017
Comment:
This was enjoyable but I'm looking forward to seeing Mr. Nesbo's improvement as a writer.
Added Aug 06, 2017
Comment:
I didn't finish this - I was not intrigued enough to make time for this before I had to return it. I only made it through the first 50 pages.
My Brilliant FriendMy Brilliant Friend, BookChildhood, Adolescence
by Ferrante, ElenaBook - 2012Book, 2012
Rubicat's rating:
Added Aug 06, 2017
Comment:
It was tough going but I finished it. I enjoyed it but I found it difficult to keep track of all the characters and at times I found it awfully slow moving. I very much doubt that I will finish the series.
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 15, 2017
Comment:
I have been an admirer of Mr. Benchley's humor since I began reading about the Algonquin round table group. Such a collection of wit and humor all at one place must have been intimidating to anyone not in the group. This book shows its age - some of the pieces are very very out of date, others are simply too verbose. while I understand that some of Mr. Benchley's humor was done on the radio and must have been more easily appreciated in that way, I found it hard to slog through a couple of his stories. Most of these bits were really enjoyable - nobody does deadpan as well as Benchley. I truly wish he was still around so we could all have the benefit of his intellect and humor.I have been an admirer of Mr. Benchley's humor since I began reading about the Algonquin round table group. Such a collection of wit and humor all at one place must have been intimidating to anyone not in the group. This book shows its age - some of…
The BedwetterThe Bedwetter, BookStories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee
by Silverman, SarahBook - 2010Book, 2010
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 15, 2017
Comment:
Thoroughly enjoyable book. I sometimes find Ms. Silverman just a tiny bit too raw for my taste, I mostly just laugh my tail off and admire her wit. Her book does not disappoint. There is sadness and humor, sarcasm and memories. I really hope that Ms. Silverman continues to write so we can enjoy her insights and observations.Thoroughly enjoyable book. I sometimes find Ms. Silverman just a tiny bit too raw for my taste, I mostly just laugh my tail off and admire her wit. Her book does not disappoint. There is sadness and humor, sarcasm and memories. I really hope that…
Killers of the Flower MoonKillers of the Flower Moon, BookThe Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
by Grann, DavidBook - 2017Book, 2017
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 15, 2017
Comment:
Mr. Grann's research is nothing short of phenomenal. So much detail, so many very personal stories. Once more, I am angry and saddened by the treatment of Native Americans by the white majority. I always try to put myself in everyone's shoes to figure out how one can behave as these folks to and try as I might, I cannot understand how someone can knowingly reduce another person or family to poverty and desperation. And of course, in hindsight it's easy to question the naivete of the Native Americans who allowed strangers, and white ones at that, to manage their entire monetary future - were they partially to blame for this horror of theft and cheating on a large scale. Who knows, but I have been very affected by this book.Mr. Grann's research is nothing short of phenomenal. So much detail, so many very personal stories. Once more, I am angry and saddened by the treatment of Native Americans by the white majority. I always try to put myself in everyone's shoes to…
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 15, 2017
Comment:
I really like the Kate Shugak mysteries and this one is no disappointment. Kate goes undercover to find out who is dealing drugs on a pipeline construction crew. Although she does little but asking a few questions, she ends up getting trapped by the dealers. There is only one plot line here and that is unusual for Ms. Stabenow - there are usually 2 or 3 mysteries happening at the same time. Nevertheless, this was very enjoyable. Ms. Stabenow continues to improve with every book.I really like the Kate Shugak mysteries and this one is no disappointment. Kate goes undercover to find out who is dealing drugs on a pipeline construction crew. Although she does little but asking a few questions, she ends up getting trapped by…
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 15, 2017
Comment:
I am a big fan of Stabenow's Kate Shugak novels. This one didn't hit all the high notes with me. I found it hard to empathize with the candidate but that's my prejudice against politics and its players. The plot was okay, not one of her best, in my opinion but Shugak is always entertaining.I am a big fan of Stabenow's Kate Shugak novels. This one didn't hit all the high notes with me. I found it hard to empathize with the candidate but that's my prejudice against politics and its players. The plot was okay, not one of her best, in my…
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 15, 2017
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 15, 2017
Comment:
It seems to me that there are an overwhelming number of these noir, police procedural novels with an irascible detective who has no friends on the force and is disliked by the bosses who would like to be rid of him;/her. I always find it hard to be patient with these intentionally unlikable characters. They act against their own best interests and they alienate everyone they come into contact with. In this case. the protagonist slowly comes to realize the immigrant who is assigned to be essentially a janitor for his newly formed department (designed to get rid of him) is a very talented researcher with an intuitive grasp of what might be important info. This story built to unbearable tension; in fact, it was so tense that I finally skipped ahead a few time to bypass the scary tension. Good plot line but I am getting tired of the characterization.It seems to me that there are an overwhelming number of these noir, police procedural novels with an irascible detective who has no friends on the force and is disliked by the bosses who would like to be rid of him;/her. I always find it hard to be…
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 12, 2017
Comment:
This was a slow build to a devastating story. I ended up being very sad for these characters. The painting always made me feel sad & lonely and apparently this is a fairly universal feeling. I felt those things that Christina felt and although I found her hard to like at times, I could certainly understand her sadness, loneliness and bitterness. It was hard for me not to want to shake her and insist that she stop being her own worst enemy. An emotional read and really beautiful.This was a slow build to a devastating story. I ended up being very sad for these characters. The painting always made me feel sad & lonely and apparently this is a fairly universal feeling. I felt those things that Christina felt and although I…
Rubicat's rating:
Added Jul 12, 2017
Comment:
I am not sure if Carrie wrote this book before she wrote & performed her stage performance, but I had seen the performance long before I read the book and they are the same. I am happy that Ms. Fisher was able to obtain a level of peace with her complex and chaotic life, I didn't find it particularly entertaining. I felt like a voyeur or someone who listened at keyholes. this had none of the wit and sparkle of her novels and I would not recommend this book to readers looking for Ms. Fisher's usual brand of comic talent.I am not sure if Carrie wrote this book before she wrote & performed her stage performance, but I had seen the performance long before I read the book and they are the same. I am happy that Ms. Fisher was able to obtain a level of peace with her…
Disappearance at Devil's RockDisappearance at Devil's Rock, BookA Novel
by Tremblay, PaulBook - 2016Book, 2016
Added Jun 24, 2017
Comment:
Although this story built slowly, it was ultimately creepy and frightening if you're a parent or can imagine being one. It's so typical of kids that they seem to be incapable of telling the whole, truthful story. It has to be drawn from them slowly and painfully over a long time. I guess being a kid make you automatically secretive and a bit stupid. But, if kids were completely open & honest about their lives and thoughts, all parents would be insane.Although this story built slowly, it was ultimately creepy and frightening if you're a parent or can imagine being one. It's so typical of kids that they seem to be incapable of telling the whole, truthful story. It has to be drawn from them slowly…
I Was Told There'd Be CakeI Was Told There'd Be Cake, BookEssays
by Crosley, SloaneBook - 2008Book, 2008
Added Jun 24, 2017
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Added Jun 09, 2017
Comment:
Another feel good, happy ending, charming story by Alexander McCall Smith - A lovely little story about love lost, love attempted, love found. With a couple of helpings of absurdities added for spice. Really cute and a VERY quick read.
Rubicat's rating:
Added May 27, 2017
Comment:
Disliked this entry in the Sonchai Jitpleecheep mysteries - it devolved into a morass of philosophical & religious gobbledygook about transhumans and what makes each of us human. I found it boring and awful. I could not finish it quickly enough.
Cover Her FaceCover Her Face, DVD
DVD - 2001DVD, 2001
Added May 21, 2017
Comment:
I was trying to recall why in hell I had received a movie version of "Cover Her Face" - I returned it without opening the box. I wanted to READ the book not watch or listen and apparently SPL doesn't have a copy. Too bad. I am not successful as sitting long enough to listen to a book, nor am I a fan of watching one on TV so I guess I'll have to buy this from a used book store.I was trying to recall why in hell I had received a movie version of "Cover Her Face" - I returned it without opening the box. I wanted to READ the book not watch or listen and apparently SPL doesn't have a copy. Too bad. I am not successful as…
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