Books moral and immoral

[PrincessLeppard]

It's been a long time since I've thought about the murder of JonBenet, but I did read a book about it (also a long time ago). I think the main evidence against the parents was the ransom note was in Patsy's handwriting (or they were nearly certain it was) and where JonBenet was found in the house could only be accessed by someone who knew the house well.

I always thought it was the brother, personally. But I have no evidence upon which to base that.

[Jenny]

For those interested in the JonBenet Ramsey case, this is a very comprehensive resource that breaks down every clue, every bit of testimony, timelines, floorplans, every theory, you name it.

http://jonbenetramsey.pbworks.com/w/...f%20Chronology

[Evilynn]

I finished Sharp Objects last night, and I have to say I saw both twists coming a mile away, so that was a little disappointing. The writing was also a little sloppy and disjointed in places, so not as good as Gone Girl.

I've moved on to Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (finally ) and I'm reading Towers of Midnight on the subway, because Oranges is a borrowed book.

[Artemis@BC]

I've moved on to Jeanette Winterson's Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (finally ) ...

Don't beat yourself up: I still haven't read that one, and I've been meaning to ever since I saw the movie 20 years ago.

[Spinner]

Anyone ever read any Annie Dillard? I have a fellow booknerd who raves about her.

[Prancer]

Anyone ever read any Annie Dillard? I have a fellow booknerd who raves about her.

I've read quite a bit of Annie Dillard because her work is often included in writing textbooks, usually as examples of fine essay writing (or as advice for essay writing). She won a Pultizer in the 1970s. I've never read her poetry or fiction, just her nonfiction essays. She writes in a conversational, easy style that is very student-friendly (although some of them complain that she--gasp!--curses in her writing) but is also insightful.

[Artemis@BC]

Anyone ever read any Annie Dillard? I have a fellow booknerd who raves about her.

Nothing about Dillard ... I just wanted to at your used of "booknerd" as a closed compound.

[Artemis@BC]

Aww, sad news: just heard that Bryce Courtenay died, of stomach cancer. He was 79.

I haven't read everything he wrote, but what I have read I enjoyed very much.

RIP, Bryce.

[IceAlisa]

For those interested in the JonBenet Ramsey case, this is a very comprehensive resource that breaks down every clue, every bit of testimony, timelines, floorplans, every theory, you name it.

http://jonbenetramsey.pbworks.com/w/...f%20Chronology

Thanks, I was never really interested in this particular child murder more than others until this book. Will check it out.

[IceAlisa]

I read it--I know nothing about police protocol but am not sure if this was proper not to secure the whole house vs. just the JonBenet's bedroom. I also think it's unusual to find the body in the house with the time of death being estimated to be so much earlier. And the ransom note--it was determined that it wasn't John Ramsey who wrote it and that his wife Patsy was a candidate but was not definitively ruled in. I've also read something about a pubic hair found on JonBenet's blanket that didn't belong to a family member. And then there are those stun gun marks which may not be stun gun marks. And the DNA on the panties is that of a male not belonging to the family but then it could be just someone who packaged the panties at the manufacturing site (were the panties brand new straight out of packaging or did they go through several washing/drying cycles, in which case would that DNA sample survive?) Still not sure what happened. What would the Ramsey's motive be? Was there evidence of prior abuse, physical or sexual?

[rjblue]

I'm reading Towers of Midnight on the subway, because Oranges is a borrowed book.

The final Wheel of Time book comes out January 8th. I'm taking the day off to read it cover to cover in one sitting. Towers of Midnight wasn't quite as satifying as The Gathering Storm, but it left me really anticipating the final battle.

I just gave in and crossed Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold off of my Christmas list and bought it myself. I want to read some well written escapist literature, and I've enjoyed every book in the Vorkosigan Saga.

[michiruwater]

The police were heavily criticized for the handling of that case - justifiably so, IMO.

[Spinner]

I've read quite a bit of Annie Dillard because her work is often included in writing textbooks, usually as examples of fine essay writing (or as advice for essay writing). She won a Pultizer in the 1970s. I've never read her poetry or fiction, just her nonfiction essays. She writes in a conversational, easy style that is very student-friendly (although some of them complain that she--gasp!--curses in her writing) but is also insightful.

Good info, thanks!

[Jenny]

What would the Ramsey's motive be? Was there evidence of prior abuse, physical or sexual?

One theory is that her death was accidental, at the hands of someone in the immediately family or a very close friend of the family, and that the parents tried to make it look like an intruder/sexual offender to protect that person.

[made_in_canada]

I found a For Better or For Worse collection at a book sale the other night and am thoroughly enjoying it I found out that Lynn Johnston used to baby-sit my mom when she was really little too. It's a small world.

[IceAlisa]

One theory is that her death was accidental, at the hands of someone in the immediately family or a very close friend of the family, and that the parents tried to make it look like an intruder/sexual offender to protect that person.

Yes, that theory is explored as well. Not sure how much actual evidence it received. It's hard to figure out what happened but JCO makes it absolutely definitive. This is the worst book of hers I've read to date, by far. Who talks of skaters wearing stockings, pancake makeup and little girls named Mildred in the late 1990's? There are a number of other anachronisms straight out of the 50's that got past the editor. I suppose when you are JCO at this point of your writing career, you can do whatever you want.

[Lara]

I found a For Better or For Worse collection at a book sale the other night and am thoroughly enjoying it I found out that Lynn Johnston used to baby-sit my mom when she was really little too. It's a small world.

Every so often I'll go to fbofw.com and relive the comic strip again. It was such a constant growing up. Pretty cool about your Mom!

[Spinner]

Every so often I'll go to fbofw.com and relive the comic strip again. It was such a constant growing up. Pretty cool about your Mom!

When Farley died...

[made_in_canada]

When Farley died...

Oh I know Kills me every time. Apparently, Charles Schultz threatened to kill off Snoopy if Farley died

[Evilynn]

Don't beat yourself up: I still haven't read that one, and I've been meaning to ever since I saw the movie 20 years ago.

I'm 1/3 through it now and it is a lot funnier than I expected (and surprisingly easy to read). That'll teach me to put off the recommendations of my friend.

The final Wheel of Time book comes out January 8th. I'm taking the day off to read it cover to cover in one sitting. Towers of Midnight wasn't quite as satifying as The Gathering Storm, but it left me really anticipating the final battle.

I just gave in and crossed Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold off of my Christmas list and bought it myself. I want to read some well written escapist literature, and I've enjoyed every book in the Vorkosigan Saga.

I can't quite decide whether to try to hold off for the e-book of AMOL or not. I'm guessing I won't be able to wait until April, so I guess I'll end up buying the hardcover anyway. I can't quite believe I've spent over 20 years reading WOT!

I've been meaning to read a Bujold as well (another recommendation I haven't gotten around to. ), although I might start with Curse of Chalion since that's an upcoming read in one of the groups I'm in on Goodreads.