timschochet's thread- Mods, please move this thread to the Politics Subforum, thank you (2 Viewers)

[krista4]

I haven't read any of his books. The one you mentioned is on my list, but I haven't gotten to it. 

Do you agree with me that I Know This Much Is True is Wally Lamb's best novel? 

I do.  I've written here that I admire She's Come Undone greatly, in large part due to how beautifully he writes from a woman's POV, but I think this one is the more multi-layered and complete novel.  

 

[krista4]

By the way, I've bought at least two books based on your list and one on your specific recommendation to me, but I haven't read them yet.  I don't really know what I've been doing with my time.  Going to Alaska in a few weeks and will spend some more productive reading time then.

 

[timschochet]

I do.  I've written here that I admire She's Come Undone greatly, in large part due to how beautifully he writes from a woman's POV, but I think this one is the more complete novel.

Agreed. My only criticism is that while the immigrant part is an interesting story it bogs down a little and I was never really sure why it was so important to Dominick discovering himself. The best part of the book for me was the first half, especially the 60s flashbacks. 

 

[timschochet]

By the way, I've bought at least two books based on your list and one on your specific recommendation to me, but I haven't read them yet.  I don't really know what I've been doing with my time.  Going to Alaska in a few weeks and will spend some more productive reading time then.

That's awesome. I know we don't usually enjoy the same things in novels, but be sure to post your thoughts whenever you get a chance to read them. 

 

[krista4]

Agreed. My only criticism is that while the immigrant part is an interesting story it bogs down a little and I was never really sure why it was so important to Dominick discovering himself. The best part of the book for me was the first half, especially the 60s flashbacks. 

I agree regarding the first half.

Is there/will there be any Jonathan Franzen on your list?  I feel like that guy always writes about 2/3 of an amazing novel.  Not that I'm comparing the two authors directly, but your post did remind me of the extraneous parts of I Know This Much is True that bogged it down a little.  I should re-read it and see if I feel the same way at this point.  Of course, there's always something else new to read instead!

 

[timschochet]

No. I've tried Franzen and couldn't get into him. 

 

[timschochet]

39. The Client

John Grisham

1993, 498 pages

legal drama

There are three novels by John Grisham which I regard as his best works- all three are tremendously exciting works of suspense as good as any thrillers written in the last 25 years or so. The Client is one of these. The plot is rather simple: an 11 year old kid witnesses a lawyer trying to kill himself. Before the lawyer dies, he reveals that he knows where a mob hit has been buried. So now the kid knows, and the FBI is after him along with the mob. The kid hires an attorney and away we go. Page after page of surefire suspense. 

Unlike many of Grisham's other novels (including the 2 remaining to be mentioned on this list) there is no societal message here- no greater point that Grisham means to impart. it's just a well written, exciting story that keeps the reader turning the pages like very few books written these days. 

Up next: Stephen King has 6 superb novels that are at a level above the rest of his works. The oldest of these is this one...

 

[msommer]

Up next: Stephen King has 6 superb novels that are at a level above the rest of his works. The oldest of these is this one...

You have nine or ten Stephen Kings in your top 100? I forget if you had three of four already, I suspect four

I like Stephen King, have bought and still many of his books in hardcover for rereading (these days though I have migrated to a Kindle). But ten percent of a top 100?

 

[timschochet]

You have nine or ten Stephen Kings in your top 100? I forget if you had three of four already, I suspect four

I like Stephen King, have bought and still many of his books in hardcover for rereading (these days though I have migrated to a Kindle). But ten percent of a top 100?

Could be my favorite novelist. Though there are 3-4 others who might compete for that.

#87 Carrie

#64 Gerald's Game

#62 The Drawing of the Three

#58 Thinner

#54 The Running Man

#52 Christine

#51 Cujo

#50 Pet Sematary

And 6 more to come. So that's 14% of my top 100- and I removed 2 others, 11/22/63 and Under The Dome, from my original list. 

 

[msommer]

Could be my favorite novelist. Though there are 3-4 others who might compete for that.

#87 Carrie

#64 Gerald's Game

#62 The Drawing of the Three

#58 Thinner

#54 The Running Man

#52 Christine

#51 Cujo

#50 Pet Sematary

And 6 more to come. So that's 14% of my top 100- and I removed 2 others, 11/22/63 and Under The Dome, from my original list. 

He used to be my favorite novelist too, but then I got on a science fiction kick. Neal Stephenson generally blows my socks off when he publishes (Alistair Reynolds, Ken MacLeod, Neal Asher also). But obviously very plot driven (like King) - which according to my lit studying author wannabe nephew s not "a good thing".

Of the ones you have already listed I like Thinner and The Drawing of the Three a lot. But the rest I doubt I'd rate at all.

 

[timschochet]

I haven't read a Neal Stephenson novel. Which one is the most accessible for a newcomer? 

 

[facook]

I haven't read a Neal Stephenson novel. Which one is the most accessible for a newcomer? 

I love Stephenson as well. I think Cryptonomicon is probably his most "accessible" and is my favorite of his novels (and on of my favorites period).  Most Stephenson fans I know though prefer The Baroque Cycle (trilogy).  I liked it but parts of it bogged down for me.

I also really enjoyed Reamde and Snow Crash is excellent.  Haven't read Seveneves (his latest) yet.  Only book of his I did not like was Anathem. Bored me. 

 

[shader]

I haven't read a Neal Stephenson novel. Which one is the most accessible for a newcomer? 

Baroque Cycle is great although I personally didn't care much for the third novel.

I loved Seven Eves as well.

 

[timschochet]

38. The Shining

Stephen King

1977, 447 pages

Horror

Stephen King's third novel is considered by a lot of people to be his best, and though I have a few others I like just a little more, I'm certainly not going to argue it. With this work he finally becomes a master at the form that would make his career- the horror of the Overlook Hotel is secondary to the horror of the lives of the characters who dominate the novel. 

Jack Torrance may be King's most fleshed out, most memorable character, and apparently there's a great deal of autobiography for King in Jack, particularly his trials with alcoholism. Jack is also a modern character, and though this novel is nearly 40 years old, it doesn't feel dated mainly because of Jack. Now, Stephen King's great criticism of Stanley Kubrick's movie is that Kubrick misunderstood Jack- in the film Jack is driven crazy mostly due to his own demons, while in the novel Jack is a ultimately a weak vessel for the hotel to take over. But I always thought that Kubrick had it right in a way, because for me Jack's inner demons were always far more interesting than the hotel itself (I'm not sure, however, that this is a popular reaction.) 

The other great character in the novel, of course, is Danny. King is especially skilled at writing about young children, and children in their early teens (we'll discuss this more a little later up this list.) Danny's terror is our terror- the section of the book dealing with outside and inside room 217 may be the scariest thing King has ever written.

Someone mentioned earlier that Stephen King wrote this book while on drugs, which is interesting. It's certainly written at a white heat which I find in only the most suspenseful works of fiction, which is very very few. Horror is not really a genre I like very much. Because of my love of King I have tried to read almost all of the great horror novelists and I don't really like any of them. That made me realize that what I love about King has nothing to do with the supernatural aspects of so many of his works- it's his characters, stories, and great suspense. Given those elements, The Shining is a true masterpiece. 

Up next: Ken Follett's magnum opus about a house of God in the 12th century...

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

38. The Shining

Stephen King

1977, 447 pages

Horror

Stephen King's third novel is considered by a lot of people to be his best, and though I have a few others I like just a little more, I'm certainly not going to argue it. With this work he finally becomes a master at the form that would make his career- the horror of the Overlook Hotel is secondary to the horror of the lives of the characters who dominate the novel. 

Jack Torrance may be King's most fleshed out, most memorable character, and apparently there's a great deal of autobiography for King in Jack, particularly his trials with alcoholism. Jack is also a modern character, and though this novel is nearly 40 years old, it doesn't feel dated mainly because of Jack. Now, Stephen King's great criticism of Stanley Kubrick's movie is that Kubrick misunderstood Jack- in the film Jack is driven crazy mostly due to his own demons, while in the novel Jack is a ultimately a weak vessel for the hotel to take over. But I always thought that Kubrick had it right in a way, because for me Jack's inner demons were always far more interesting than the hotel itself (I'm not sure, however, that this is a popular reaction.) 

The other great character in the novel, of course, is Danny. King is especially skilled at writing about young children, and children in their early teens (we'll discuss this more a little later up this list.) Danny's terror is our terror- the section of the book dealing with outside and inside room 217 may be the scariest thing King has ever written.

Someone mentioned earlier that Stephen King wrote this book while on drugs, which is interesting. It's certainly written at a white heat which I find in only the most suspenseful works of fiction, which is very very few. Horror is not really a genre I like very much. Because of my love of King I have tried to read almost all of the great horror novelists and I don't really like any of them. That made me realize that what I love about King has nothing to do with the supernatural aspects of so many of his works- it's his characters, stories, and great suspense. Given those elements, The Shining is a true masterpiece. 

Up next: Ken Follett's magnum opus about a house of God in the 12th century...

I'm curious what your reference is for King's perspective on the movie?

I saw King talk here in NO and he said that his problem with Kubrick was that he treated the hauntings or visions as madness, sort of temporary or fleeting, but King's point was this was hell and hell was very real, like tangibly, physically real, and Kubrick rejected that. 

 

[timschochet]

I'm curious what your reference is for King's perspective on the movie?

I saw King talk here in NO and he said that his problem with Kubrick was that he treated the hauntings or visions as madness, sort of temporary or fleeting, but King's point was this was hell and hell was very real, like tangibly, physically real, and Kubrick rejected that. 

It was an old Playboy interview. But I read it a wrong time ago- perhaps I'm not remembering right. 

He was upset for a lot of reasons, but it seems like the main reason was that Kubrick didn't get the cause of Jack's madness right. 

FWIW, I like that movie but I don't compare it to the novel. Completely different animal. 

 

[msommer]

I haven't read a Neal Stephenson novel. Which one is the most accessible for a newcomer? 

Probably Cryptonomicon, Reamde or Cobwebs. Cryptonomicon will lead you to The Baroque Cycle which is frigging awesome -  but at 2000+ pages (three books originally, I think it has been re-released as six). IMHO Anathem is his best so far, but Reamde is much more accessible and very anjoyable. My first love was Snow Crash, but it, like much of his earlier work, is a bit dated and lacks that edge.

ETA: I can see that Anathem got a little shade cast on it before I answered. As I explained it to my lit studying nephew recently, Anathem starts real slow, you are shown the life of a math monastery, and have to learn it's language and customs  

Spoiler

 - in reality though, through this novel you are introduced to quantum physics in a very subtle way (If I am correct the many worlds part), and gradually you are exposed to the real meaning of that, in a plot driven novel. I'm actually impressed that it could be done this accessibly

 

[msommer]

38. The Shining

Stephen King

1977, 447 pages

Horror

Stephen King's third novel is considered by a lot of people to be his best, and though I have a few others I like just a little more, I'm certainly not going to argue it. With this work he finally becomes a master at the form that would make his career- the horror of the Overlook Hotel is secondary to the horror of the lives of the characters who dominate the novel. 

Jack Torrance may be King's most fleshed out, most memorable character, and apparently there's a great deal of autobiography for King in Jack, particularly his trials with alcoholism. Jack is also a modern character, and though this novel is nearly 40 years old, it doesn't feel dated mainly because of Jack. Now, Stephen King's great criticism of Stanley Kubrick's movie is that Kubrick misunderstood Jack- in the film Jack is driven crazy mostly due to his own demons, while in the novel Jack is a ultimately a weak vessel for the hotel to take over. But I always thought that Kubrick had it right in a way, because for me Jack's inner demons were always far more interesting than the hotel itself (I'm not sure, however, that this is a popular reaction.) 

The other great character in the novel, of course, is Danny. King is especially skilled at writing about young children, and children in their early teens (we'll discuss this more a little later up this list.) Danny's terror is our terror- the section of the book dealing with outside and inside room 217 may be the scariest thing King has ever written.

Someone mentioned earlier that Stephen King wrote this book while on drugs, which is interesting. It's certainly written at a white heat which I find in only the most suspenseful works of fiction, which is very very few. Horror is not really a genre I like very much. Because of my love of King I have tried to read almost all of the great horror novelists and I don't really like any of them. That made me realize that what I love about King has nothing to do with the supernatural aspects of so many of his works- it's his characters, stories, and great suspense. Given those elements, The Shining is a true masterpiece. 

Up next: Ken Follett's magnum opus about a house of God in the 12th century...

This is a very good book. Unfortunately I prefer Stanley Kubricks visualization.

Pillars of the Earth is one of my all time favorites

 

[msommer]

I'm curious what your reference is for King's perspective on the movie?

I saw King talk here in NO and he said that his problem with Kubrick was that he treated the hauntings or visions as madness, sort of temporary or fleeting, but King's point was this was hell and hell was very real, like tangibly, physically real, and Kubrick rejected that. 

I didn't get that feeling from the movie (and I have watched it many times) - to me, the hauntings were not fleeting, but bound to the earth, the earth that was violated by building the hotel. I thought the bartender brought that out very clearly

And I didn't realize until just now that the bartender also played Tyrell, of the Tyrell corporation, in "Blade Runner"

 

[timschochet]

Probably Cryptonomicon, Reamde or Cobwebs. Cryptonomicon will lead you to The Baroque Cycle which is frigging awesome -  but at 2000+ pages (three books originally, I think it has been re-released as six). IMHO Anathem is his best so far, but Reamde is much more accessible and very anjoyable. My first love was Snow Crash, but it, like much of his earlier work, is a bit dated and lacks that edge.

Well as this list demonstrates I'm not averse to long novels. OK thanks I will try it. 

 

[msommer]

Well as this list demonstrates I'm not averse to long novels. OK thanks I will try it. 

Check out my edit of that post

 

[facook]

Probably Cryptonomicon, Reamde or Cobwebs. Cryptonomicon will lead you to The Baroque Cycle which is frigging awesome -  but at 2000+ pages (three books originally, I think it has been re-released as six). IMHO Anathem is his best so far, but Reamde is much more accessible and very anjoyable. My first love was Snow Crash, but it, like much of his earlier work, is a bit dated and lacks that edge.

ETA: I can see that Anathem got a little shade cast on it before I answered. As I explained it to my lit studying nephew recently, Anathem starts real slow, you are shown the life of a math monastery, and have to learn it's language and customs  

Spoiler

 - in reality though, through this novel you are introduced to quantum physics in a very subtle way (If I am correct the many worlds part), and gradually you are exposed to the real meaning of that, in a plot driven novel. I'm actually impressed that it could be done this accessibly

@msommer , thanks for your thoughts on Anathem.  Can you give me an idea of when Anathem picks up?  I've tried starting it twice and both times gave up @ 100 pages.  Part of it - ok MOST of it was having to keep flipping to the glossary to figure out what the heck such and such word meant.  But I respect your opinion on novels, so if you can give me an idea of how long to stick with it I'll do it.  I REALLY like Stephenson a lot so "finding" another novel of his I like would be a joy for me.

 

[facook]

@timschochet I'd really advise you start with Cryptonomicon or Reamde for Neal Stephenson.  If you like either of those, you'll like at least most of his work.  Just enough speculative fiction/sci-fi/academics in those two to give you a decent gauge of his work.

Also, one of my 10 favorite novels I've ever read is Shantaram.  Have you read that one?  I'd think that would be right up your alley.  Sprawling, multi-faceted story, philosophy, adventure, culture.  Just a great novel.

Also, also...If you like King, I'd recommend Peter Straub (particularly The Throat trilogy), Robert McCammon, and Dan Simmons.  Apologies if these seem too obvious but I get excited about authors I really like.

 

[msommer]

@msommer , thanks for your thoughts on Anathem.  Can you give me an idea of when Anathem picks up?  I've tried starting it twice and both times gave up @ 100 pages.  Part of it - ok MOST of it was having to keep flipping to the glossary to figure out what the heck such and such word meant.  But I respect your opinion on novels, so if you can give me an idea of how long to stick with it I'll do it.  I REALLY like Stephenson a lot so "finding" another novel of his I like would be a joy for me.

I don't have the book with me right now, so I can't give you a page number or other reference. But at a certain point

Spoiler

Erasmus and his friends find out what it actually was that Fraa Orolo was looking for at the Starhenge, very quickly thereafter they leave the monastery to travel across the world for a convocation of maths

. From there on things start moving, but 

Spoiler

the quantum physics gets increasingly complex 

 

[facook]

I don't have the book with me right now, so I can't give you a page number or other reference. But at a certain point

Spoiler

Erasmus and his friends find out what it actually was that Fraa Orolo was looking for at the Starhenge, very quickly thereafter they leave the monastery to travel across the world for a convocation of maths

. From there on things start moving, but 

Spoiler

the quantum physics gets increasingly complex 

Thanks.  I just need to give it another shot.  It's literally the only Stephenson I couldn't finish.  I gotta nut up and do it.

 

[timschochet]

@timschochet I'd really advise you start with Cryptonomicon or Reamde for Neal Stephenson.  If you like either of those, you'll like at least most of his work.  Just enough speculative fiction/sci-fi/academics in those two to give you a decent gauge of his work.

Also, one of my 10 favorite novels I've ever read is Shantaram.  Have you read that one?  I'd think that would be right up your alley.  Sprawling, multi-faceted story, philosophy, adventure, culture.  Just a great novel.

Also, also...If you like King, I'd recommend Peter Straub (particularly The Throat trilogy), Robert McCammon, and Dan Simmons.  Apologies if these seem too obvious but I get excited about authors I really like.

Shantaram is on my list but I have not read it yet. 

I have tried Straub (Ghost Story) and found it too dry. I thought The Talisman was also too dry. But that was a long time ago; maybe I'll try it again. 

I have started three McCammon books- Stinger, Boy's Life, and Swan Song, but only finished Swan Song. Honestly I thought it was overrated. Great premise but he doesn't flesh out his characters enough for me. 

The only Simmons I have tackled is The Terror- I really really wanted to like that book, I have tried to start it several times but I always get bored. I am very easily bored; that's my fault and not the author. 

 

[msommer]

I liked Shantaram also. But oddly enough, although I really liked it when I read it, I have never returned to it as I otherwise am wont to do.

 

[facook]

Shantaram is on my list but I have not read it yet. 

I have tried Straub (Ghost Story) and found it too dry. I thought The Talisman was also too dry. But that was a long time ago; maybe I'll try it again. 

I have started three McCammon books- Stinger, Boy's Life, and Swan Song, but only finished Swan Song. Honestly I thought it was overrated. Great premise but he doesn't flesh out his characters enough for me. 

The only Simmons I have tackled is The Terror- I really really wanted to like that book, I have tried to start it several times but I always get bored. I am very easily bored; that's my fault and not the author. 

Wow...I thought Talisman and it's sequel Black House were excellent.  Give those another shot.  Also, as I said The Throat trilogy is very good imo.

McCammon...If you didn't love Swan Song and didn't finish Boy's Life I guess I'm all wrong on your taste.  I'd think if you love Pat Conroy and Stephen King you'd love these. 

I LOOOOVED The Terror.  Again, maybe I'm wrong about your tastes.  Check out Carrion Comfort by Simmons.  I'll offer you a money back guarantee you'll like it (if you don't like it, Hillary Clinton will refund your money), especially considering your heritage.  

 

[facook]

I liked Shantaram also. But oddly enough, although I really liked it when I read it, I have never returned to it as I otherwise am wont to do.

I own it in paperback, and I've been purposefully waiting for the sequel to be released since I originally read it.  When the sequel comes out in paperback, I will reread Shantaram and then immediately read the the sequel.

 

[timschochet]

Wow...I thought Talisman and it's sequel Black House were excellent.  Give those another shot.  Also, as I said The Throat trilogy is very good imo.

McCammon...If you didn't love Swan Song and didn't finish Boy's Life I guess I'm all wrong on your taste.  I'd think if you love Pat Conroy and Stephen King you'd love these. 

I LOOOOVED The Terror.  Again, maybe I'm wrong about your tastes.  Check out Carrion Comfort by Simmons.  I'll offer you a money back guarantee you'll like it (if you don't like it, Hillary Clinton will refund your money), especially considering your heritage.  

Well I do love Conroy and King. Both are in my top 4-5 novelists. 

I'll try this stuff again. I already own Carrion Comfort btw, just haven't started it. 

 

[Thorn]

Another vote for Shantaram.  Probably about 200 pages too long IMO, but just a great book.

 

[timschochet]

37. The Pillars of the Earth

Ken Follett

1989, 816 pages

Historical epic

Prior to this novel,British novelist Ken Follett was known as a writer of romantic, 20th century historical thrillers, best exemplified by his breakthrough best seller The Eye of the Needle. Then out of the blue appeared this sprawling, epic book about a Cathedral that gets built in the 12th century, and suddenly Follett was attempting to place himself in the category of such historical epic novelists as James Michener and James Clavell (two authors that I have not mentioned here yet, but whom I will be getting to shortly.) The Pillars of the Earth, IMO, is not quite as great a novel as the best of the works of Michener or Clavell; it lacks the character development and narrative skills necessary for that. But it comes pretty damn close. 

Follett is great at suspense, and he is terrific at having lots of characters both good and evil. In particular its great how the reader is drawn to sympathize with both heroes and villains. For fans of Game of Thrones, this novel has some similar elements- it's simply lacking the fantasy. Follett's knowledge of the era, his explanation of how the Cathedral is built and the politics that surrounded England at the time of the death of Thomas Becket is expert. But of course, it's his storytelling that makes it all worth it. This is not my favorite Follett novel- once he left the thrillers behind he wrote more historical sagas and there are two others that I love even more than this one. But The Pillars of the Earth is an awesome read.

In Follett's introduction to the book, written some 20 years later, he notes that he himself is an atheist and that he finds it amazing how many Christians around the world wrote letters to him praising his portrayal of Prior Philip as one of the great Christian characters in popular fiction. That's the skill of a great writer. 

Up next: Nelson De Mille's court martial drama about Vietnam...

 

[timschochet]

36. Word of Honor

Nelson De Mille

1985, 516 pages

legal thriller

Nelson De Mille served as a lieutenant in the army in Vietnam, and was at the battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive. Those experiences allowed him to write this masterful novel, IMO the best ever on that terrible war because it is viewed in the retrospect of years after the event- (and in truth, the perception of Vietnam in the mid 80s is not too different from the perspective that we hold now, 30 years later. 

Ben Tyson, De Mille's hero and alter ego, is a business executive in 1985, a family man, when a book is published on the battle of Hue which states that Tyson and his men shot up a hospital, killing both Europeans and Vietnamese. The US Government slowly responds to the accusation by ordering Tyson back in uniform with the intent of a court martial. (They want to make up for the My Lai debacle some years earlier.) As the court martial gets underway we learn more and more about what happened and finally the truth emerges. 

Beyond the very suspenseful questions of whether or not Tyson was a murderer (made more so by the great court martial scenes, second only in fiction that I've read to the court martial scenes in The Caine Mutiny- to be reviewed later on) De Mille uses the novel to ask philosophical questions about the war, why we fought it, and what guilt America has in general. He doesn't provide clear answers to these questions, but that's not as important as asking them. This is a tremendous, memorable novel. 

Up next: Tom Wolfe's examination of modern day America...

 

[Joe T]

How was the time out? 

Did you do anything productive with your time away?

 

[facook]

36. Word of Honor

Nelson De Mille

1985, 516 pages

legal thriller

Nelson De Mille served as a lieutenant in the army in Vietnam, and was at the battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive. Those experiences allowed him to write this masterful novel, IMO the best ever on that terrible war because it is viewed in the retrospect of years after the event- (and in truth, the perception of Vietnam in the mid 80s is not too different from the perspective that we hold now, 30 years later. 

Ben Tyson, De Mille's hero and alter ego, is a business executive in 1985, a family man, when a book is published on the battle of Hue which states that Tyson and his men shot up a hospital, killing both Europeans and Vietnamese. The US Government slowly responds to the accusation by ordering Tyson back in uniform with the intent of a court martial. (They want to make up for the My Lai debacle some years earlier.) As the court martial gets underway we learn more and more about what happened and finally the truth emerges. 

Beyond the very suspenseful questions of whether or not Tyson was a murderer (made more so by the great court martial scenes, second only in fiction that I've read to the court martial scenes in The Caine Mutiny- to be reviewed later on) De Mille uses the novel to ask philosophical questions about the war, why we fought it, and what guilt America has in general. He doesn't provide clear answers to these questions, but that's not as important as asking them. This is a tremendous, memorable novel. 

Up next: Tom Wolfe's examination of modern day America...

Great call Tim. My favorite DeMille novel.

 

[timschochet]

Great call Tim. My favorite DeMille novel.

It's one of my 4 favorites, along with The Charm School and two others I absolutely love, coming up on this list. 

It's interesting to me: De Mille's breakthrough novel was The General's Daughter, written in the early 90's. He's been a bestselling author ever since, most famous for his John Corey novels. And don't get me wrong, those are all excellent reads, great suspense. But his very best work, IMO, is his earlier novels. 

 

[facook]

It's one of my 4 favorites, along with The Charm School and two others I absolutely love, coming up on this list. 

It's interesting to me: De Mille's breakthrough novel was The General's Daughter, written in the early 90's. He's been a bestselling author ever since, most famous for his John Corey novels. And don't get me wrong, those are all excellent reads, great suspense. But his very best work, IMO, is his earlier novels. 

Absolutely. In fact I'd say his last few are actually pretty poor. But early DeMille was a fantastic author.

 

[timschochet]

I guess I should start to pay attention to the fact that I'm about to have posted 100,000 times in this forum. 

That really is an absurd amount. I have no idea how it got to be this much. I don't feel especially proud about it. 

 

[ScottNorwood]

That feeling you're having right now is called shame.

 

[McGarnicle]

That feeling you're having right now is called shame.

 holy ####

 

[timschochet]

That feeling you're having right now is called shame.

Well, I don't feel that either. 

 

[fantasycurse42]

If you could hold off and make that 100k post on 5/25 it would be much appreciated. I'd like to tip my cap and nail the exact date from almost two years ago, it'll be big for both of us. All you have to do is post less than 64 times in the next 25 hours.

TIA

 

[squistion]

I guess I should start to pay attention to the fact that I'm about to have posted 100,000 times in this forum. 

That really is an absurd amount. I have no idea how it got to be this much. I don't feel especially proud about it. 

Meh. Why should you do anything different? And why should anyone even care? It is not like they give a prize or a penalty to anyone who reaches that milestone. Maybe they should, but I digress...

Seriously, if anyone really has an issue about someone having posted 100,000 times here, I would question what kind of life they have that they would be concerned about it.

Just keep doing what you always do. A week after you pass the mark everyone will have forgotten about it and moved on to something new or will continue the same old same old. Saints will still be cut-and-pasting 30 articles a day. Mr. Ham will be ranting and raving about Hillary being indicted. And the two or three resident trolls will continue to stalk you and post emojis and insults because they seemingly have nothing else to do with their time.

In other words: Life will go on as usual and we all can start the countdown to 200,000.

 

[AAABatteries]

If you could hold off and make that 100k post on 5/25 it would be much appreciated. I'd like to tip my cap and nail the exact date from almost two years ago, it'll be big for both of us. All you have to do is post less than 64 times in the next 25 hours.

TIA

Your only hope is a 24-hour timeout.

 

[TheAristocrat]

If you could hold off and make that 100k post on 5/25 it would be much appreciated. I'd like to tip my cap and nail the exact date from almost two years ago, it'll be big for both of us. All you have to do is post less than 64 times in the next 25 hours.

TIA

**** move, bud.

Hey Tim, if you could hold off and make that 100k post on 5/26 it would be much appreciated.  I'd like to tip my cap and nail the exact date from almost two years ago WITHOUT GOING PRICE IS RIGHT RULES ON A FELLOW FFAer, it'll be big for both of us.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Are you kidding? 

It's a huge waste of life, man. Don't encourage him. The fact that he's such a huge outlier compared to everyone else here is a dead giveaway. 

That's not so true.  An old friend of mine from college is like Tim.  He was that guy that didn't drink or anything else except on rare occasion (maybe three times) freshman year of college, went on the 6 hours awake 2 hours sleep routine, and read through 500 books outside of the curriculum.  Continued reading most everything I can think of to this day and can draw on the knowledge with great specificity.  Absurdly intelligent and can speak intelligently on a great many things.  I love listening to him talk on end about LOTS of things for hours.  Just not all the time and not about any and everything.  He's kind of a bust in life due to how well and deeply he thinks about things but how he also tries to put a wall of words up on absolutely absurd reasoning without batting an eye.  I accept the both and have to to be his friend.

Not saying we all need a Tim in our life but there's a ton of other Tims that we do like out there and those Tims represent how different we in this short time on Earth attempt to communicate with others.

He's our Tim.

 

[timschochet]

I'm a pretty successful guy Walking Boot. I don't brag about it, but let's just say I do all right. 

 

[fantasycurse42]

Alright, only 13 posts in the last 7 hours, good pace. 

Under 53 for the day Tim, I've got a free version of Draft Dominator 2.0 coming way. 

 

[squistion]

Are you kidding? 

It's a huge waste of life, man. Don't encourage him. The fact that he's such a huge outlier compared to everyone else here is a dead giveaway. 

Yeah, like taking passages out of his book for months and quoting them back to him.

 

[Green and Gold]

You could mess with everyone and have your 99,999th post be your farewell to the forum.  I personally wouldn't like it, though, your chess threads are a lot of fun.