Friday Mishmash

I've not been feeling terribly inspired lately.  I feel like I'm not really accomplishing much, though I've been reading lots.  It's my own fault for reading so many books at once.  I never quite know what to post about, since I've got such a variety of things floating around in my head.  I don't like to talk too much about a book (a novel at least) until I finish it, but I'm not finishing anything at all these days.  Perhaps a day or afternoon off soon is what's needed (so I can just sit and read).  And I need to choose one book to concentrate on this weekend.  Why does finishing a good book feel so satisfying?  Not that the reading process isn't just as satisfying.  I guess it's nice to work through an entire story and know how things turn out, though. 

Since my thoughts have been wandering lately, today is just going to be a bit of a mishmash of things.  I'm finally seriously looking at computers now.  I've decided to buy a Dell.  I've heard good things about them, and they are also what my university buys.  And a determining factor--since I am a university employee I can get a discount.  Always a good thing to save money.  My HP Pavilion is dying a slow and agonizing death.  I don't think I can watch it suffer much longer.  It's slow, and my internet connection keeps failing.  It has all sort of bugs.  It's really not a pretty picture.  I'm just trying to figure out what model I want and what configuration I need.  I'm only dreading the switchover.  So much software is going to need to be reloaded and all my files transferred.  It'll be worth it, though.  I can't even watch a news video or movie trailer on my computer, it's so old.  I hate to think it has become such a necessity, but I've really become quite dependent on it.

I've been very bad about buying books lately.  Ordering books to be precise.  I've decided I want to fill out my collection of Elizabeth Taylor's works.  Some are readily available through Virago Press, but many are out of print.  It's probably silly, but I think some older Virago titles are getting rather scarce, and I want to get them while I can still find inexpensive copies.  I don't want to pay an outrageous amount of money for older paperbacks.  So, I've ordered five of her novels, but I can't find two short story collections.  Virago has just published one of her older, out-of-print novels, which I'm planning on buying eventually.  And then it will be time for an Elizabeth Taylor reading fest!  Do you know, as much as I love Virago, I never look at any of their new books (only those lovely bottle green cover editions).  I guess I see so many of their books are by authors like Margaret Atwood and Willa Cather and Edith Wharton--books I can already get so easily here--that I've been pretty dismissive of current authors.  I was looking at some of their unknown-to-me authors, and many of them look really interesting...This could be dangerous. 

My recent new book purchases:

The Dead Secret - Because you really can never own enough books by Wilkie Collins.  I've already decided that when I finish Lady Audley's Secret, I'm going to read one of his novels.  He's another author whose novels that are still in print I am trying to collect.

A Sicilian Romance, Ann Radcliffe - "This early novel explores the cavernous landscapes and labyrinthine
passages of Sicily's castles and convents to reveal the shameful secrets of its all-powerful aristocracy."

A Foreign Affair, Caro Peacock - A Victorian setting, a heroine called Liberty Lane, a little mystery...what's not to like.  Thanks to Tara for the heads up on this one!  It sounds like something I'd enjoy.

Chez Moi, Agnes Desarthe - A contemporary French novel translated into English!  "At forty-three, Myriam has been a wife, mother, and lover—but never a restaurateur. When she opens Chez Moi in a quiet neighborhood in Paris, she has no idea how to run a business, but armed only with her love of cooking, she is determined to try. Barely able to pay the rent, Myriam secretly sleeps in the dining room and bathes in the kitchen sink, while struggling to come to terms with the painful memories of her past. But soon enough her delectable cuisine brings her many neighbors to Chez Moi, and Myriam finds that she may get a second chance at life and love. Redolent with the sights, smells, and tastes of Paris."  I could use a little Paris right now.

I should mention a couple of books I just picked up from the library, too:

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective, Kate Summerscale - This sounds good!  "The Victorians made a romance of detection. In a newly uncertain world, a detective seemed to offer science, conviction, stories that could organise chaos. He turned brutal crimes—the vestiges of the beast in man—into intellectual puzzles. He was a secular substitute for a prophet or a priest. Yet the Victorians also made a fetish of privacy, and many felt that the investigation at Road Hill amounted to a violation of the middle-class home. Mr Whicher exposed the corruptions within the household: sexual transgression, emotional cruelty, scheming servants, wayward children, insanity, jealousy, loneliness and loathing. The scene he uncovered aroused fear (and excitement) at the thought of what might be hiding behind the closed doors of other respectable houses. His conclusions helped to create an era of voyeurism and suspicion, in which the detective was a shadowy figure, a demon as well as a demigod."  Apparently this case inspired Wilkie Collins to write The Moonstone.  I've already cleared away my pile of nonfiction reads temporarily as I know I want to read this.  There's a line of 16 people waiting for the book, so no renewals!

The Gentle Art of Domesticity, Jane Brocket - I read about this book last Fall when it came out in the UK.  I had no idea that my library had copies of it, but I happened upon it and requested it.  It's being published here later in the year.  It's a lovely book--in the vein of Martha Stewart's books, but more laid back and homey (perhaps not quite so perfect).  She even features books published by Persephone Books and Virago Press.  Paging through it makes me want to bake and knit and quilt, and be generally domestic.  Well, maybe just read about it anyway.

Comments

[Kitty]

Oh, no, no, no, no, don't buy a Dell! They have a higher failure rate out of the box than other computers, and having watched my writing partner go through a year of hell with their "customer service" department, I wouldn't wish that on anybody. I actually say snarky things out loud while walking by the Dell kiosk at the mall. Heh.

Just sayin'.

Also just read "Mr. Whicher." I enjoyed it, but I didn't realize it was about the Constance Kent case. I'm already pretty familiar with that case, so wasn't quite as intrigued by it as I know others have been! Looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

[Dorothy W.]

Which Taylor short story collections are you missing? I've got a copy of The Blush which I'd be happy to send along to you once I've read it (I'm not sure when that will be, but still ...)

[Danielle]

Kitty--That's not a good story! I've not yet bought a computer, so I'll see how it goes. I'd actually heard good things about Dell from a couple of friends,which made me consider them in the first place. I'll have to check out Consumer Reports! I've not heard anything about this famous case discussed in the Whicher book, so it'll all me new to me. I've read some positive reviews, so I hope it's as good as it sounds!
Dorothy--Thanks so much for the kind offer. I actually found a used copy of Blush. I'm looking for Devastating Boys and Hester Lilly. I think I can get a fairly cheap copy of the second title, the first one may prove harder to find (cheap that is). I didn't even realize she had so many other books. I thought Virago was currently publishing everything.

[Andi]

Hmmm, my university used to buy Dells, but I hear they've gone downhill a bit in the last few years. Definitely check out reviews...CNET is a good place. I've tried HP, Toshiba, and Sony, and so far Toshiba is far superior to anything else I've tried. My HP desktop died the slow death you mentioned, and my Sony's motherboard died inexplicably after 2 years of perfect operations. Oy!

Good luck to you in whatever you decide!

[Danielle]

Andi--Thanks for the suggestions. It's always helpful to hear other people's experiences with something like this. I sometimes think it's just luck--getting a good appliance or what not, but if a brand continuously has problems it's good to know that as well. I will read up on reviews.

[BooksPlease]

We have a Dell and my husband is full of praise for Dell - no probelms at all and great service. I hope you get sorted.

[BooksPlease]

Oops - fingers ran away with the letters and I didn't preview the comment - I meant no problems!

[Victoria]

I hate the pressure of buying a new computer, especially because I don't really know what is good and what isn't. Good luck in choosing! My current laptop is a HP and I can recommend them. I've had no problems with it and at 5 years old - eek! - it's still going strong. :-)

I love that feeling of finishing a book too. The reading is wonderful, but there is something extra special about the rush of the last 50 pages of a book I'm enjoying. Good luck with finishing something this weekend.

[Kitty]

Toshibas are good. I have a Gateway desktop (my second) which has been great, but for my laptop I bought a MacBook, which I ADORE. It's fab. And I've been able to switch documents, etc, back and forth between the Mac and the PC with no problems whatsoever.

[Litlove]

I have had two Dells now and both have been great, if that helps (or not!). I feel exactly the same way you do when I have too many books on the go. I love it in one way, and then I also really enjoy committing to one book and reading right through to the end. It's difficult to get the balance right, though. I'm interested in the Desarthe - I have a couple of her novels in French, I do believe, but have yet to read one. Do let me know how it goes!

[Danielle]

BooksPlease--I will be very happy when the computer problem gets sorted! :) And I'm very glad to hear you've had a good experience with Dell!
Victoria--I wish I could have someone more knowledgeable than me come and help me pick something out! I have talked to the techies at work just to find out how much memory and such I should get, so I know the basics at least. My desk top is an HP, too. It's about 7-8 years old and I think I've gotten my money's worth! It is having ageing pains, though, so I need to make a decision soon. And I am working on finishing The Enchanted April--a lovely book to read!
Kitty--I've heard that MacBooks are really good. I think if I was getting a laptop I might try one. Maybe someday! It's been a long time since I've used an Apple, though. The only bad thing I wouldn't be able to download free audio books from my library using an Apple.
Litlove--Yes, it always helps to hear others experiences with tecnical purchases! I'm glad I asked when I got my MP3 player especially!! I love reading different books, but lately I've been feeling I need to just concentrate on one. I'm at or beyond the halfway mark in probably five books now, so I can never seem to make a decision!! I thought the Desarthe book sounded really good. I didn't even realize that it had been translated at first. I wish publishers were more obvious about it. I see it as a selling point personally.

[Jaimie]

I've been hearing a lot lately about The Gentle Art of Domesticity and want to pick it up as well.
We have a Gateway computer and I'm pretty happy with it. My son had a Dell but it was only the student kind so it didn't have enough stuff on it. Still it was a good computer while it lasted. There are so many good ones, the important thing is to get the features you need.

[Danielle]

Jaimie--It's a lovely book and I plan on ordering it when it comes out in the Fall. I think when it comes to computers, every brand has its lemons, so hopefully I'll luck out. I'm trying to make sure I do get enough memory and such that I can do the things I need to withouth too much problem.

[tara]

My computer is also going bad fast. It takes forever for the screens to change. We have a HP and I think my husband is just going to order the computer and keep the monitor we have now. I keep begging him to order it soon! It's amazing how we've become so reliant on these in such a short time.

I hope you enjoy A Foreign Affair - I'll be looking forward to your thoughts. I'm eagerly awaiting the US release of Jane Brocket's book - it looks so lovely.

[Danielle]

Tara--I need to make a decision about the computer, too, now that I have the money. I keep putting it off. Foreign Affair looks good--have you read it? I'm going to get the Brocket book, too!

[tara]

I haven't read Foreign Affair - may request it from the library. I did just finish Dark Lantern, though!