All posts by Carl V. Anderson

Book Reviews

Thursday Thirteen: A non-baker’s dozen of reviews

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As I’m sure is the case with many of you, I read more books that I usually review. The reason I don’t get around to doing a full review of them generally isn’t because of disappointment in the book, but more due to a lack of time or the desire to post about something else. Time then passes and the book remains unreviewed. And yet the desire to share my thoughts about said book lurk under the surface. So, in order to let some of these thoughts out, I decided to do a group of mini book reviews, hoping some of these may spark your interest if you are looking for something else to read. (He says jokingly).

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Home

Back from a Dark Place

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Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated…but they sure seemed true for a time, didn’t they? As Sam says so poignantly at the end of The Return of the King, “Well, I’m back”.

Let me say first and foremost, I’ve missed all of you. I really have. Really, really.

A computer crash coupled with ongoing work issues, a ton of projects, and a really strong bout of malaise has really kept me away from the computer, other than for Fantasy Football issues, for a little over a week. I am sorry. Sorry that I have been an absentee host for a little over a week of the R.I.P. II Challenge and sorry that I’ve not been visiting your sites as well.

But, that is over for now! I’ve already begun catching up with some of you and will no doubt get with the rest of you before long. Tomorrow I will make up for my abscence with a Thursday Thirteen that will help me catch up on some of my past due reviews, and Friday….

Friday is gonna be a whopper. R.I.P. II contests and giveaways galore! I cannot wait to share it all with you. All I can say is get your pens and your cameras ready, there is going to be some really wonderful opportunities coming your way.

Again, I’ve missed you all terribly. I’m glad to be back!

Home, Short Stories

Short Stories and the Winning Worm

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In a wonderful moment of unexpected serendipity, the weather here in the Kansas City area became positively autumnal on the opening Sunday of the NFL season. It was beautiful. Despite their being games played on Monday night, my Fantasy Football team, the Conqueror Worms, handed Jimmy’s Grind House their first loss of the season, relying on the stellar performance of tight end Antonio Gates to propel them to victory. Look out, the Worms are on the move!

While planted firmly in front of the television screen all weekend, reveling in football glory, I had plenty of time to get some reading done. So, on to Short Story Sunday:

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Film

Shoot ‘Em Up

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With obvious nods to several video games, films of unrepentant violence both old and new, and a staunch pro-vegetable stance, Shoot ‘Em Up is a guilty pleasure with a capital “G”. Friday night was date night. If it surprises you that I would, after weeks of not having a chance to go out on a date, drag my darling wife off to see a visceral ballet of bullets and blood like Shoot ‘Em Up, then you severely underestimate how much I like Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, and Monica Bellucci.

In fact, it was on the strength of this cast that I was willing to forego many other theatrical offerings to make sure I saw this film opening night. And, wonderful husband that I am, I chose to share this singular honor with my wife. She’s a lucky woman. 😉

And so, after the last bullet is fired and the last shell casing has hit the ground with an ear-tickling ring, what advice can I give the contemplative film goer wondering if Shoot ‘Em Up is worth their $9?

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Book Reviews

From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming

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Forgive the break from R.I.P. reviews if you will, but the mood for Bond, James Bond settled upon me the other day and I decided to finish a book I had started some time ago, From Russia With Love.

You may recall that Casino Royale, the film, was my inspiration for reading a set of books that I had never had a desire to read previously, the original 007 tales of Ian Fleming. You may also recall just how surprised I have been with the originality, depth, and quality of writing of Flemings’ work. Gone are the crazed gadgets and the tongue-in-cheek humor. These are brooding, gritty, suspenseful tales of adventure whose Cold War setting evokes a nostalgic remembrance of my own childhood, when the Cold War and the threat of attack from Russia were very real concerns.

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