Comments on: Tell me stuff (updated)

By: reiya

reiya — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 21:22:44 +0000

1. five points, essex, bubby’s (tribeca or brooklyn heights)
3. kushiel’s scion (haven’t read it yet, but i know it will be)
5. toho shoji (6th ave and 36th st) has tons of crafty stuff; or you can try any of the trimmings/accessories stores down 6th ave in that area
7. century 21 has designer dresses on the third floor at half-off

By: nalo

nalo — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 15:32:10 +0000

You might like Michael Gruber’s novel _Tropic of Night_ and its sequel, the name of which I don’t remember at the moment. I loved both books.

By: Cyril N. Alberga

Cyril N. Alberga — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:09:42 +0000

If you do go to @SQC (quite nice) remember that they have (or at least used to have) a “bottomless hot chocolete”. The waitress last time I was there had to check, they hadn’t told her about it, but you get re-fills. Wait for cold weather!

I don’t know the “golden Bridge”, but around the corner of the bowery and east broadway is the golden unicorn. Second floor, dim sum to die for, and if you’re lucky you’ll get a place at a big table with lots of locals.

Movies? It’s not new, but if you haven’t seen it, monsoon wedding.

Books — I’m currently re-reading. Tepper’s “True Game” books, & “Good Omens”.

I don’t “do” elvis, nor mysterys (nor spelling — orthographobia)

By: veejane

veejane — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 03:04:27 +0000

realizing that “you ain’t nothing but a hound dog” could be turned into jazz, with the melody dancing rings around the basic chord progression, was one of the big musical revelations of my life. Also, I am vaguely convinced that with a little effort you can turn the song into a polka.

What? You can do it to “danny boy” you can do it to any song.

By: parker

parker — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 02:34:50 +0000

10. not movie, but complete first series: love my way (set in sydney, starring claudia karvan)
great viewing – brilliant as a reward.

By: little willow

little willow — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 21:43:53 +0000

YAY! Finally, someone else who adores it. (Now if I could only find a copy of the short story it was based upon, Love-Lies-Bleeding!) I’m trying to recall if I’ve seen any Sturges other than The Lady Eve, which is fab. I adore Barbara Stanwyck’s films, especially Strange Love, Double Indemnity, and Ball of Fire.

By: Jenny Davidson

Jenny Davidson — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 13:36:52 +0000

“security grille” is another option for those doors, that’s what i’d say….

lurid pink icing is always good–they’ve got some very enticing- if somewhat flea-bitten-looking cube-shaped cakes like that at the hungarian pastry shop on amsterdam north of 110th st. in manhattan, check them out if you’re ever in the neighborhood…

By: tricia sullivan

tricia sullivan — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 12:52:51 +0000

do you like james lee burke? ‘in the electric mist with confederate dead’ is exceptional–but another planet from highsmith.

By: Garth Nix

Garth Nix — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:49:16 +0000

Only one answer, I’m rationing answers this month.
Favourite Elvis Song:
“Polk Salad Annie”, the live version he sung in Las Vegas, 1970. It’s actually not quite as good as the original Tony Joe White version, but I like it and Elvis sounds like he’s having fun, particularly with his long “Hut, Hut” intro. Hadn’t heard it for years, downloaded it from iTunes a few weeks ago. Now I play the Tony Joe White and Elvis versions back to back.

By: David Moles

David Moles — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 08:58:20 +0000

I like @SQC on Columbus at 72nd.

By: lili

lili — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 07:49:10 +0000

I have a question for you, oh knower of all things sydney.

vanilla slice.

pastry + custardy goodness + pastry + ?????

a) plain, pure virginal white icing
b) spotty ungodly passionfruit icing
c) hellish lurid pink icing

(i have a growing suspicion this is a sydney vs melbourne question, but i need to check with you first)

By: da

da — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 06:45:10 +0000

sopra, oh but thats in sydney.
should be zouzou, but evans will do. thought you didn’t like mcewan.
highsmith good.donna leon better food.
blue sude shoes, he stole it!
green and gold forever, but Aust southern cross better.
hatch is right, i think?

By: Charlotte May

Charlotte May — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 06:09:01 +0000

3. Markus Zusak’s The book thief – set in Nazi Germany and narrated by ‘death’.
Qiu Xiaolong’s Death of a red heroine- set in Shanghai in 1990 – great for the cultural and political ambience!

By: shelly rae

shelly rae — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 05:59:47 +0000

Justine–by the numbers….
1. I don’t know about the best but I love brunch at the cafe at the Morgan Library. http://www.themorgan.org/visit/dining.asp The food is good, you can do brunch in the old family dining room and you get to eat in a place chock full of old books.
2. Hmm, nope not this year but I still think Stuart O’Grady or maybe Robbie McEwan? Although I’d be happy if Floyd Landis won this year I’m hoping that Oscar Pereiro from Spain wins this year–he’s a great rider.
3. Lately? I’ve been re-reading Jane Austen so Pride and Prejudice not what you’re looking for? I also really liked Molly Gloss’s Wild Life, it feels like a woman’s journal from the early 1900s of wild Washington State but also has a that twist. I’m also admiring the world building and plot juggling skills of George R.R. Martin’s Clash of Kings but I’m afraid to read more because he’s already killed off characters that I liked!
4. I haven’t read a crime novel since the day that James Ellroy told me that “I looked just like the girl who got away.”
5. Surely there are amazing magical button shops in NYC–I’d head to a fabric shop myself–or the garment district?
6. no
7. The day someone asks me for clothing advice is the day hell freezes over. But I think it’s very exciting that you need a fancy dress.
8. Love me Tender–because it’s also one of my favorite folk songs, Aura Lee.
9. The Australian flag has more stars! But both seem to say more about being former colonies than cool countries. Time for new flags!
10. The last thing I bought was Firefly–I like movies, just don’t buy many.
Bonus–I think they are just called “cellar doors” but in some cases it might be called a hatch.
Anon

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 05:30:34 +0000

3. Ana Castillo, so far from god. Hilarious with lots of sympathetic characters dying.
4. You care for Charles Willeford? Makes Jim Thompson look like saroyan.
1, 5, 7. If you ever came to philadelphia, I could make great recs vis-a-vis where to find brunch, clothing, etc.

By: alison

alison — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 03:46:49 +0000

Justine, the best book I’ve discovered recently was Eva Sallis’ Fire Fire – favourite Elvis… any one where he’s just looking right out at you, singing for you alone…

By: Jenny Davidson

Jenny Davidson — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 03:41:08 +0000

oh, and justine, another dark thriller-y writer to try if you haven’t read him already is kevin wignall, i think you would find his books very compelling.

By: Ted Lemon

Ted Lemon — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 02:20:24 +0000

I’m afraid I missed Allen Moore’s rant. I don’t know why, but for a long time now it’s been the case that I feel like movie reviews just aren’t helpful in determining whether or not I will like a movie. I used to think I could just apply a fudge factor to a review, but so many movies I’ve really liked in the past couple of years have been panned by the critics. But anyway, I’m glad to hear that Andrea and I weren’t the only ones who were pleasantly surprised by V. :’)

By: Jenny Davidson

Jenny Davidson — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 01:35:43 +0000

i love “brat farrar” too! that, “the franchise affair” and “miss pym disposes” are all quite extraordinarily good, and not really at all dated barring the occasional strange racial reference (oh, i wish we could magically get rid of these from our favorite earlier twentieth-century authors, but that would be orwellian and evil….) i completely second caaf’s peter temple recommendation, he is an absolute genius & you can’t go wrong with any of his books. thanks for the tip on scott’s h.l.-inspired book, i will totally go & get it soon…. (and i liked firethorn also, it’s very dark and extremely well-written.)

By: E. Lockhart

E. Lockhart — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:56:15 +0000

brunch: I recommend, if brunch for you is 10 am (as it is for me) dim sum at Golden Bridge on the bowery. It gets too crowded later.

clothes: have you been to the Otter at 361 Bleecker St? I used to like it there
but you also might try Anthropologie
despite their CRIMES against footwear they often have nice formal stuff –party dresses

re: crime novel: Brat Farrar by Jospehine Tey

I’ve been to Schiller’s (see Diana, above) and loved it, but go at off hours as it is trendy so can be zoo

buttons: for fancy ones, like for a jacket, Common Ground on 15th st, I think it is — Native American art gallery and crafts/jewelry etc.

Elvis: hunka hunka burning love
I don’t think I need to say why

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:49:28 +0000

Erm, I can answer a few of those:

3. The last book I read was Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. It’s one of the best YA vampire books I’ve ever read, and it’s been called “the vampire book for people who don’t like vampire books,” so even if that’s not up your alley, it might be worth looking into. Although, that was actually a reread. Last really good book I read for the first time was Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson, which I think you’ve already read.

8. You Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog, because I loved it as a kid.

10. Normally I’m not into romantic comedies, but Failure to Launch was really good.

Bonus: Uh, cellar doors? Manholes? Maybe it’s one of those crazy New Yorkian things.

By: Diana

Diana — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:33:02 +0000

1. When I was recently in NY I was completely blown away by Schiller’s Liquor Bar in LES.

3. I really really loved Something Borrowed. I didn’t think I would, but it was so compellingly written.

8. This may be blasphemy, but I’ve been listening to “A Little Less Conversation” remix recently. It’s just such a fun summery song. But under usual circumstances, it ‘s a toss up between “In the Ghetto” and “Just Can’t Help Believing”

9. I love any flag with the Southern cross, so I think I vote Australia? Or do I have them confuzzled?

10. Hmmm… good question. I myself have just rented Tristram Shandy, which I’ve heard is rather amusing, and has Gillian Anderson in it to boot. I’ll tell you how it goes.

By: CW

CW — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:30:55 +0000

3. The Broken Shore, Peter Temple.
4. I like P.Highsmith for psychologicy, too.
8. Hound Dog. Or Jailhouse Rock.

By: Justine

Justine — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:11:41 +0000

Wow, thanks everyone this is so very helpful and entertaining. Quick responses:

Jenny: Thanks for the recs. I look forward to more. Another crime book I loved was The Cutting Room and the first of Jake Arnott’s books.

I do, indeed, know Heather Lewis. Scott’s a huge fan. One of the first books he gave me to read was House Rules. Have you read his book Fine Prey? House Rules inspired it.

Seth: I’ve tried Ruth Rendell and while I thought her books were good, they don’t quite hit the spot the way Out did. Or Highsmith and Thompson do.

Thanks for being such a good sport about the strike out!

Dylan: Thanks! I can’t wait to finish the third book!

Little Willow: I love that movie! I may treat myself to a copy of it. I’ve watched all my Preston Sturges so many times they’ll fall apart soon.

Christopher: As you know I have high hopes for both Cadel and Michael Rogers. But I suspect you may be right that the first will be someone we haven’t heard of yet.

Orangedragonfly: I bet you’ve been sappy. I can’t imagine how hard that must be. Have a wonderful reunion! (That’s one of my faves, too. And I have no excuses . . . )

Caaf: Ohh! You are right! There are some very lovely clothes in there. And she shows her stuff at the market in Nolita which Scott and me stumbled across once last year and could never find again. Now thanks to you, dear Caaf, we have found it!

Rachel: Thanks! Will track it down.

Mely: Thanks for narrowing my search. Shall get hold of All she was worth de repente. I have indeed read all Sarah’s books. They’re fabulous. What’s The Earthquake Bird?

Molly: Excellent that’s quite close by, too. Shall check it out. If the name of the dress shop re-emerges let me know.

Hello back atcha!

Milly: Very silly. You’re not Niki, are you? And I exercised my blog goddess status to change the time stamp on Naomi’s comment so you’d get your Mely/Molly/Milly wish. Hope you’re happy!

Naomi: Thanks so much. When the deadline is nuked I shall finally get those buttons so I can finally wear my two favourite shirts!

This must mean your back from the grand trip. See you soon!

Ted Lemon: Right definitely checking out Old Devil Moon. Great name for a restaurant! V for Vendetta was a pleasant surprise wasn’t it? Especially after Allen Moore’s rant against it.

Elizabeth Scott: I’m hoping and praying Cadel makes the podium this year. In my dreams he and Micheal Rogers are up there and Robbie McEwan’s in green.

I heard Sarah Micklem read from it awhile ago and was dead impressed. I must finally read it! Thanks for the reminder.

By: elizabeth scott

elizabeth scott — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:11:26 +0000

2. Cadel Evans — I don’t think he’ll win this year, but given the overall wackiness that has been the Tour so far, who knows?

Michael Rogers is also looking pretty good.

3. Firethorn by Sarah Micklem