January 2012
31 posts
3 tags
Jan 1st
4 notes
December 2011
16 posts
1 tag
Dec 31st
14 notes
3 tags
“Though Mr. Jubber presented, to all appearance, the most scoundrelly aspect that...”
– Wilkie Collins, in Hide and Seek (1854). Hooray for Wilkie Collins villains! The phrase “climax of blackguard perfection” is my new favorite. A few paragraphs hence Mr. Jubber says accusingly, “What do you mean by enticing away my Mysterious Foundling?” I love it.
Dec 26th
1 tag
Victorian Cribbage Lingo
From Hide and Seek by Wilkie Collins (1854): Zack took Mrs. Blyth’s advice, and sat down by her, with his back towards the cribbage players. “Well, the question is, What present am I to give her?” he went on. “I’ve been twisting and turning it over in my mind, and the long and the short of it is—” (“Fifteen two, fifteen four, and a pair’s...
Dec 26th
4 notes
Dec 23rd
12 notes
4 tags
Dec 20th
5 notes
1 tag
Dec 20th
52 notes
1 tag
Dec 14th
12 notes
2 tags
Dec 14th
3 tags
Dec 10th
3 notes
1 tag
RIP Dick Adler, you were the best →
Very sad to discover that Dick Adler, the king of mystery book critics, passed away last month. I have so many fond memories of curling up with the Chicago Tribune book section on Sunday, anxious to read his latest. 
Dec 10th
1 tag
Dec 10th
43 notes
2 tags
Dec 9th
318 notes
3 tags
Dec 8th
6 notes
2 tags
Dec 3rd
15 notes
1 tag
world AIDS day
maybe should have expected it, but felt deep dark sad all day.  however, it felt wrong not to post a “get tested!” bit to mark the day.  seriously: get tested.  unless you are celibate, you really can’t know for certain that you are HIV negative today without getting tested.  and if you are positive, it’s important to start getting treatment as soon as possible. please do...
Dec 2nd