Belated happy birthday to Jason Connery
Jan. 13th, 2016 08:35 pm
It was Jason's birthday on Monday 11 January. I didn't forget, but forgot to post in time.
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I've been re-reading Diana Wynne Jones' books for the umpteenth time. Howl's Moving Castle is my favourite still. I was lucky to find her last book, The Islands of Chaldea in a bookshop. It was finished by her sister, Ursula Jones. It's set in a world something like that of the Dalemark Quartet, but not as dark. I enjoyed it.
I also bought the last Discworld book by Terry Pratchett, The Shepherd's Crown. It's a Tiffany Aching book, with the Nac Mac Feegles and Elves. Terry Pratchett's Elves are terrible creatures. It's a good book, up to Pratchett's high standards. It has sadness in it as well being sad in itself because it is the last Discworld book and the last book by Terry Pratchett. I like his new character, Geoffrey, who wants to be a witch and is a vegetarian and humanitarian. The cat You is also featured. Well worth buying.
I snatched up a book on sale as well, found I already had it, but I read it again with enjoyment. It's a book written for teenagers, but is also great for older adults who like inventive and original fantasy. It's Gideon the Cutpurse by Linda Buckley-Archer and it's followed by The Tarman, which I bought first. I haven't found the third and last book yet. The novels are set partly in modern times and partly in 18th century England, with some fascinating characters.
I also bought the last Discworld book by Terry Pratchett, The Shepherd's Crown. It's a Tiffany Aching book, with the Nac Mac Feegles and Elves. Terry Pratchett's Elves are terrible creatures. It's a good book, up to Pratchett's high standards. It has sadness in it as well being sad in itself because it is the last Discworld book and the last book by Terry Pratchett. I like his new character, Geoffrey, who wants to be a witch and is a vegetarian and humanitarian. The cat You is also featured. Well worth buying.
I snatched up a book on sale as well, found I already had it, but I read it again with enjoyment. It's a book written for teenagers, but is also great for older adults who like inventive and original fantasy. It's Gideon the Cutpurse by Linda Buckley-Archer and it's followed by The Tarman, which I bought first. I haven't found the third and last book yet. The novels are set partly in modern times and partly in 18th century England, with some fascinating characters.
Films watched lately
Sep. 30th, 2015 07:06 pmI've watched a few good things lately - Cinderella with Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden and Lily James was heart-warming, Song One with Anne Hathaway had some lovely urban folk music, Testament of Youth was heartbreaking, Flight of the Doves was seventies vintage with Jack Wild, Lake House with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reaves was intriguing, plus the recent Lady Chatterley's Lover with Holliday Grainger and Richard Madden, which was good and tastefully done.
Here are two recipes I've been making a lot lately. You folks in the northern hemisphere might like to try them now. For the banana ice cream I like to mix in about half to two thirds again frozen berries. It takes quite a while to mix, but is delicious. The chocolate strawberry ice cream is even more delicious, especially with the small amount of red wine.
One ingredient ice cream
Strawberry cocoa ice cream
One ingredient ice cream
Strawberry cocoa ice cream
Legitimate fanfic
Dec. 16th, 2014 06:06 pmIt seems to be fine to use the characters in books by dead authors to write novels, publish them as original works and make money out of them. The latest are Sebastian Faulkes writing a Jeeves story and Anthony Horowitz writing a Moriarty story. In these cases the writers have the permission of the late authors' estates, but what about Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte? to name just a couple of authors whose works have had sequels written by modern authors. I tend to avoid these novels because they are usually not as good as the originals and I think authors should not make money using other writers' original characters. Anyway, when published authors write what amounts to authorised fanfic, can writers blame fans for writing fanfic for pleasure and to share without profit?