Recent content by Bone2pick

Suggesting a blog again. ✍️:cool: I felt compelled to because an idea for a blog post seized me this morning.

That’s the one. :) My copy sat unread on my bookshelf for several years — at least three. I probably kept putting off reading it because it’s nearly 800 pages (large hardback, no less) and it looks especially stuffy/serious. I’m about 200 pages into it now, and I’m digging it. Manchester is...

Yesterday I started Marathon Man by William Goldman, the author of The Princess Bride. It hasn’t hooked me yet, but I’m optimistic. I’m also chipping away at a biography (a real, imposing chunker) of Douglas MacArthur by William Manchester. My daughter and I are nearly through with a Great...

I’m reading The Legend of Deathwalker by David Gemmell. Heroic fantasy, larger than life action, romantic — my cup of tea. I’m also reading a nonfiction title: Common Ground: A Turbulent Decade in the Lives of Three American Families by J. Anthony Lukas. My daughter and I recently finished...

A considerable amount of people dislike setting goals for their hobbies. For them, the goals realign their relaxing pastimes into stressful, quasi-competitive undertakings. This is easily understandable — different strokes for different folks. Others, like me, take pleasure and profit from...

I haven’t. I was eyeing Canada as the next work of his to move on to, though maybe I should give The Sportswriter a go before that? It probably doesn’t matter.

I’m reading Rock Springs, a short story collection by Richard Ford. I appreciate his verse and tone, which infuses his small town reprobate characters with spirit and gravitas. Impressive storytelling from top to bottom. I’m also working my way through The Germans by Gordon A. Craig...

I spotted this question making rounds across a popular social media platform, and it intrigued me. This, regrettably, is sufficient evidence to mark me as someone who is (too) easily intrigued. Be that as it may, there is still the matter of the question… After careful consideration, my...

Nation of Language - Tournament

I DNF’d The Stand. I was a little bummed (more so than usual) to give up on it, as it’s one of those novels that I’d practically heard about my entire life — often from friends — and consequently wanted to read. But after getting through 100+ pages of it, I realized I didn’t appreciate...

Recently started The Stand by Stephen King. I’m planning on just taking small bites out of it everyday, so I might not finish it before the end of the year. But, you know, slow and steady… I’m also reading a new biography of Teddy Roosevelt, which I’m sure I’ll breeze through. I’ve already...

Yesterday I finished Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Treasure Island — enjoyed it. Long John Silver is an especially compelling character with a delightful arc. I also recently finished Peter Ackroyd’s Foundation, and I’m now underway with Dan Jones’ Henry V. I ordered the second book —...

The Legendary House Cats - Out of Reach

This morning, while reading about early Scotch-Irish Americans, I learned that many of them dwelt in partially joined cabins with covered porch-like areas between them called "dogtrots." You can search "dogtrot cabins" to see examples. I’m a fan. I’ve always appreciated rustic charm. And...

I’m almost finished with Louis L’Amour’s The Quick and the Dead. It’s classic western genre fun — probably a 4 star rating. I’m also working my way through Peter Ackroyd’s Foundation. I say "working my way through," but it’s not a slog; it’s lively written. And this evening my daughter and...