tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.comments2013-06-07T06:40:40.244-07:00jottings of an omnivorous readerAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02789081487095805637noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-69343804584257797492013-06-07T06:40:40.244-07:002013-06-07T06:40:40.244-07:00I just checked and the Mysterious Bookshop is now ...I just checked and the Mysterious Bookshop is now located in Tribeca in downtown Manhattan.<br /><br />Here is the link if you wish to visit the website and perhaps sign up for their weekly newsletter<br /><br />http://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/pages/newsletter<br /><br />MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-28790151345983817652013-06-07T06:00:57.852-07:002013-06-07T06:00:57.852-07:00Very good point about Phryne tackling social issue...Very good point about Phryne tackling social issues. The quotations were intriguing and I think you are correct that<br />they likely have a deeper meaning. If you are available and have a microphone in your computer (or connected to your computer), you would be most welcome to join the book group discussion of<br />"Cocaine Blues" on Sunday, June 23 at 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time, 4:00 p.m. central time, 3:00 p.m. mountain time and 2:00 p.m. pacific time in the Book Nook Room at www.accessibleworld.org. If this is your first time, you need to download the software before signing into the room. It takes only a few minutes. Hope you can attend.<br />Best, MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-91036959798421627862013-06-06T17:38:03.721-07:002013-06-06T17:38:03.721-07:00I found and read Cocaine Blues, and what a treat i...I found and read Cocaine Blues, and what a treat it was! Sure, Phryne doesn't suffer fools gladly, and there are stereotypical characters, and not just rich ones, either ...and yes, the resolution had a good bit of humor, but Phryne is young, and I recognized her tendency to jump to judgment all too well, and these books tend toward light and humorous, reminding me a bit of Dorothy Sayers and even some of Agatha Christie ..but the author tackles real social problems (like abortion and drug abuse) in some extremely modern ways. For me, these books are extremely enjoyable light reading, though someday, when I have nothing to do (I'll hold my breath, LOL) I may well track down and investigate the quotations at the beginnings of the chapters just to see if there was a deeper message intended by the author. Hmmm ...now, if I were still in college, I bet I could work this idea into at least a term paper, LOL!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02789081487095805637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-87724458925101345032013-06-06T17:28:33.693-07:002013-06-06T17:28:33.693-07:00OK, I am officially jealous!!!!! But how grand! ...OK, I am officially jealous!!!!! But how grand! Did they really have those glorious Christmas parties? Did you get to meet Otto? Was there a book shop cat? It sounds like the kind of place I could spend most of my time in, even more so if they had sold recorded cassette books (which I don't think they did.) Still ...I'm *sure* I could find a corner somewhere ...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02789081487095805637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-19971077009649401232013-06-05T15:11:07.668-07:002013-06-05T15:11:07.668-07:00I used to work directly across the street from the...I used to work directly across the street from the Mysterious Bookshop when they were located on West 55th Street in New York City. I believe the shop is now located much further downtown. It was a lovely shop filled with all genres of mystery books and many rare books as well. I spent quite a few hours browsing their shelves when I could still read traditional print books. I'm glad you enjoyed this collection.<br /><br />MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-874117203133794832013-06-05T07:36:23.575-07:002013-06-05T07:36:23.575-07:00I've only read the first in the series so my i...I've only read the first in the series so my impression of Phyrne Fisher is solely based on that one book. I agree completely with your assessment of her character except that I personally found her a tad snobbish or judgmental of certain types of people. Although Phryne seems to be quite wealthy, the fact that her family had once been poor is often remarked of in the book and Phryne seems a bit judgmental of a certain type of wealthy person. Not that she is necessarily wrong in her assessment, but I think that she perhaps divides people into categories a bit too hastily. But I'll see as I read along in the series. The plot in "Cocaine Blues" was a bit silly at times. The way that she "caught" the killer at the conclusion of "Cocaine Blues" was almost comical. But it's a fun read and in a way, reminds me of the screwball comedies of the 1930's. So glad you are writing this blog and I'm definitely a fan.<br /><br />MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-56371095823302262602013-06-04T11:22:10.165-07:002013-06-04T11:22:10.165-07:00First, thanks for the book title! I’ll be hunting...First, thanks for the book title! I’ll be hunting *that* up! Yes, what a coincidence! Once you’ve read it, I’d be interested in your “take” on Phryne’s character. If you haven’t read any of the Daisy Dalrymple books (which are very nice in their own right) I suggest you read at least 1 or 2, because the 2 main characters contrast and complement one another so well. There are differences but there are also similarities, and the 2 series just seem to sort of go form a “matched set” in my mind, although I’m sure that was entirely unintended!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02789081487095805637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-72069520493434555222013-05-31T12:20:50.456-07:002013-05-31T12:20:50.456-07:00So funny. We are reading the first Phryne Fisher ...So funny. We are reading the first Phryne Fisher book, "Cocaine Blue" for the June Mystery Book group discussion. I also found an interesting website all about that series, including a glossary of Australian terms used in those books. Here is the link: http://www.phrynefisher.com/books.html<br /><br />MichelleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-26249979639379637912013-05-30T13:28:33.614-07:002013-05-30T13:28:33.614-07:00Hi, Michele! I certainly recognize you from one o...Hi, Michele! I certainly recognize you from one of my email lists, and I'm delighted to see you here! As to your apartment ... I think you'll findmost of what she does a bit ...extreme ...for an apartment, and if you have to replace dry wall or rehang light fixtures, may I suggest you call maintenance!? At any rate, like I said, I'm delighted that you are here, and even more delighted that you enjoy what I'm doing!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02789081487095805637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-70830761281246641662013-05-28T13:38:08.449-07:002013-05-28T13:38:08.449-07:00What a great blog you have. I'm enjoying read...What a great blog you have. I'm enjoying reading your thoughts about the books you read and the genres you enjoy. I'm also getting some good book suggestions such as the Alan Jaconson series and the Sarah Graves mysteries.<br />Since my apartment usually needs some repair, it couldn't hurt to learn a little while enjoying a good book. Like you, I download books from BARD. Looking forward to more posts.<br /><br />Best, Michelle BernsteinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5863074341315200700.post-8515722857349811262013-04-29T10:30:10.596-07:002013-04-29T10:30:10.596-07:00I recommend the circle of magic (by tamora pierce)...I recommend the circle of magic (by tamora pierce) audio books by Full Cast Audio. Their very good and the author herself plays a role in it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com