Random books from Ganeshaka's library
Heartbeast by Tanith Lee
Far North: A Novel by Marcel Theroux
Confessions of a Crap Artist by Philip K. Dick
The art of Easter Island by Thor Heyerdahl
Giacomo Joyce by James Joyce
REPRESENTATIVE MEN by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Miami And The Siege Of Chicago An Informal History Of The Republican And Democratic Conventions Of 1968 by Norman Mailer
Members with Ganeshaka's books
Member connections
friends: anniemktx, asgalbraith, Autodafe, BenjaminHahn, BookJunkie, CelesteM, ClayLord, copyedit52, DavidX, dchaikin, dcozy, ellengryphon, English99, EnriqueFreeque, eyescorp, floyd_dangle, francescocaligiuri, jcmcgowan, jmorian, kambrogi, kandinsky, keylawk, kjellika, KoobieKitten, kswolff, ladygata, lil_ghostcrab, LolaWalser, Macumbeira, Makifat, mccardey, mediavirus, merry10, Michael_P, ncgraham, nobooksnolife, nohrt4me, Pfanner, PghDragonMan, Porius, pueben, Pummzie, redpersephone, RSHabroptilus, saraslibrary, slickdpdx, thenaughtyhottie, theoldman, WillowOne, wunderkind
interesting libraries: alibrarian, antiquary, bfrank, DameMuriel, DavidX, francescocaligiuri, Hoagy27, LolaWalser, LordNigelKnickKnack, Makifat, miskatoniclibrary, Pfanner, Porius, scarletslippers, slickdpdx, tiffin
LibraryThing authors: David Ebershoff (Debershoff), John Kelly (JohnKelly), Adrienne Mayor (afmayor), Peter Weissman (copyedit52), David Liss (davidliss), John Reed (easyreeder), Ginnetta Correli (ginnetta1), Stephen R. Bown (stephenrbown)
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Member: Ganeshaka
CollectionsYour library (1,483), Currently reading (4), All collections (1,483)
Reviews86 reviews
Tagslittrature (58), american as coca cola (34), very french (21), old school (21), poetry (20), genuflect (16), scifi (16), fantasy (14), hippie daze (14), money (13) — see all tags
Cloudstag cloud, author cloud
Groups50 Book Challenge, Famous voluminous novels, Le Salon des Amateurs de la Langue, Le Salon Litteraire du Peuple pour le Peuple, The Chapel of the Abyss, The Hamsun Group, Virago Modern Classics
Favorite authorsDjuna Barnes, Charles Baudelaire, Barbara Comyns, Emily Dickinson, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Lawrence Durrell, Robert E. Howard, Jack Kerouac, D. H. Lawrence, Tanith Lee, H. P. Lovecraft, Douglas Preston, Jean Rhys, Alexander Theroux, Henry David Thoreau (Shared favorites)
Favorite bookstoresBooks Books Books, Books in Stock, Books On The Avenue, Bounce Back Books, Inquiring Mind, Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, Old Saratoga Books, Paradox Books, Title Wave Books - Midtown Store
Favorite librariesAnchorage Public Library - Z. J. Loussac Public Library, Ohio County Public Library
About me"I'm Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there's a pair of us?
Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!
How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one's name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!" - Emily Dickinson
And as a Nobody, I aspire to be a Nothing...
(anecdote from In Through The Labyrinth, by Peter Occhiogrosso)
"The highest rabbi of the city...comes to the synagogue on High Holy Days. When the Ark is opened he kneels down, prostrates himself, and says,'O, Lord,Thou art everything, I am nothing.' The local rabbi sees the big rabbi doing this, so he kneels down beside him and says, 'O, Lord, Thou art everything, I am nothing.'
The Cantor sees both of them, he kneels down and says, O Lord, Thou art everything, I am nothing.'
Then the little janitor - the shammash, the smallest officer in the entire establishment- sees what's going on. He kneels down and says 'O Lord, Thou art everything, I am nothing.'
So the cantor pokes the rabbi and says, 'Look who thinks he's a nothing!'"
Vital Stats:
Age - for many years 27, for the last ten years 50;
DNA: Bohemian-Hun and Viking, plus or minus the effect of gamma rays, moonbeams, and centuries of war and disease.
Marital Status - Yes! for the third and final time,and semi-wicked stepfather,and OMG-WTF papa.
Occupation: way way retired. Formerly a campaign disclosure compliance bureaucrat, freelance music reviewer, and punk rock promoter. And most proudly, inspector of snowstorms.
Apologia Pro VELVEETA® Sua: Verily, I am nothing if not a slacker. Very early, I knew that I'd never know what I wanted to "be" so I choose Plan B. Thoreau's Walden was my Old Testament and McCluhan's Understanding Media my Book of Revelations, with Horsemen of every bandwidth. I retired at the earliest possible age, 50. I have modest lifestyle and a wife who accepts that. My pastimes, such as walking, the arts, and computer gaming are inexpensive. And the occasional off-Blakean vision - of a valet Wilde, Piper Heidsieck and lamb chops - priceless.
I live to laugh and laugh in order to love.
Life is but? a dream...
http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/hallucinatio...
About my library
My library is packed in dozens of 16.75 x 12.5 x 12.5 cardboard boxes. Maybe I'll unpack them someday. For now, the Ohio County Public Library will do.
Books which would be etched in my flesh, were I sent to Kafka's Penal Colony:
Walden
Zen Mind, Beginners Mind
Darwin Among the Machines
Understanding Media
Explaining Hitler
The Brothers Karamazov
The Devil Drives
Nightwood
Holy Blood,Holy Grail
Dark Dance
Darconville's Cat
And will the world end in cheese? ©Kraft and not kunst? Read this story, which has haunted me for almost half a century, and tell me, perhaps, where your library leads:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-storie...
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Also onTwitter
Membership
LibraryThing Early Reviewers/Member Giveaway
Real nameGregory
LocationDown by the River (but NOT in a van)
Emailgreg.granquist
gmail.com
Account typepublic, lifetime
Connection NewsConnection News
URLs
http://www.librarything.com/profile/Ganeshaka (profile)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Ganeshaka (library)
Common KnowledgeSeries (128), Awards (227), Characters (3300), Places (652)
Member sinceMar 20, 2008
Currently readingThe Abyss: A Novel by Marguerite Yourcenar
The Gnostics by Jacques Lacarriere
Montségur and the Mystery of the Cathars by Jean Markale
Through the Dark Labyrinth: A Biography of Lawrence Durrell by Gordon Bowker











Leave a comment
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I take pleasure in calling you my friend.
p
posted by Porius at 11:17 pm (EST) on Dec 24, 2009
posted by richardderus at 10:27 am (EST) on Dec 21, 2009
posted by tomcatMurr at 1:25 am (EST) on Dec 14, 2009
Your entry, and the amazon book description, made me laugh for a while.
posted by copyedit52 at 4:51 pm (EST) on Dec 9, 2009
posted by tomcatMurr at 8:51 pm (EST) on Dec 7, 2009
posted by tomcatMurr at 3:35 am (EST) on Dec 7, 2009
Sorry to pester you so soon but Markale will be great help on your Quest for Durrell. I've read most of his books and while I can't claim that I have the knowledge to solve all the mysteries you bring up in your review I know that Markale will be of invaluable assistance. He and Lionel Fanthorpe are the best around who deal with these knotty issues. They are sober scholars, and as you know a lot of nuts surface when things like the Templars and other Damned Things surface.
Immensely satisfying review, BTW.
posted by Porius at 7:09 pm (EST) on Dec 5, 2009
In the NYRB article, Bloom approaches Crumb with a knowledge of how others have written about and interpreted Genesis. Good stuff, I thought. A confession: what with editing manuscripts and working on my own writing, when I want to unwind, it's usually not books I turn to but pieces in such as the NYRB, the New Yorker, even the Daily Freeman(!) No, I'm kidding about that last.
Yes, the thread is going well. I enjoy explaining myself, and when no one comes around to ask questions, finding excerpts that will stand alone and hopefully intrigue prospective readers. What you said to me about communes--the charismatic types who take over, and (in your comment), about people dropping in--why not drop by the thread and say something about communes? It would be interesting, and give me a break from listening to myself pontificate.
posted by copyedit52 at 7:36 am (EST) on Dec 5, 2009
If you would take HBHG to Kafka's Penal Place I think you would like anything by JJ Markale. He writes sensible stuff about those eldritch matters. He's a scholar with a deep understanding of Myth and related matters and something of a poet, too.
I'm sure you and yours will have a fine holidays.
Best wishes
p
posted by Porius at 1:23 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2009
posted by mjai at 12:20 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2009
You might have come across this yourself: that Enrique (what an interesting, dynamic character!) has set up a strand for underappreciated writers on the Salon, featuring me in December:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/77721
posted by copyedit52 at 8:48 am (EST) on Nov 25, 2009
posted by tomcatMurr at 7:31 pm (EST) on Nov 23, 2009
I just wanted to pop over and congratulate you for your HOT REVIEW on "Monsieur". It sounds very interesting and a little different.
Anyway, congrats,
belva
posted by nannybebette at 5:00 pm (EST) on Nov 23, 2009
posted by kandinsky at 4:14 am (EST) on Nov 23, 2009
posted by keylawk at 8:09 pm (EST) on Nov 22, 2009
posted by tomcatMurr at 8:05 pm (EST) on Nov 22, 2009
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 12:01 pm (EST) on Nov 21, 2009
posted by copyedit52 at 9:51 am (EST) on Nov 11, 2009
Oh, lucky you. Finding green spines in the good old U.S. of A. Whoo Hoo!~! I never can find them and so must get all of mine online and the shipping kills my credit card. Tee Hee!~!
Your trip sounds lovely. I am sure that the foliage along the rivers must have been gorgeous. I would love to do that one day. Perhaps when the hubby retires we can.
I know there is major Hemingway bashing going on all over L.T. right now, but I have always enjoyed his works and his "The Old Man and the Sea" is an all time favorite of mine from my childhood days and I can't seem to go more than a couple of years without reading it. I noticed that you added "Green Hills of Africa" to your library. I read that one several years ago (pre my L.T. days) and enjoyed it. Can't help it; I'm a "papa" fan.
Enjoy your day and your Viragos. Elizabeth von Arnim is the "Author of the Month" on L.T. so I am reading some green spines myself this month.
You take care,
belva
posted by nannybebette at 2:55 pm (EST) on Nov 8, 2009
"In progress" is pretty accurate, really. I've added around half my books to LibraryThing, the ones easily accessible from my computer chair. One of these days I'll get around to entering the titles in other parts of the house.
posted by lucienspringer at 4:03 pm (EST) on Nov 5, 2009
posted by Porius at 3:36 pm (EST) on Nov 5, 2009
I'll check out your recommendations!
Anne
posted by anniemktx at 11:09 pm (EST) on Nov 3, 2009
I have been kidnapped by Nabokov, who is torturing me with bad translations of Pushkin.
posted by tomcatMurr at 5:57 am (EST) on Nov 3, 2009
Thanks!
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 1:10 am (EST) on Nov 3, 2009
posted by tomcatMurr at 11:27 am (EST) on Nov 2, 2009
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 11:22 am (EST) on Nov 1, 2009
posted by laytonwoman3rd at 10:13 am (EST) on Oct 16, 2009
posted by anniemktx at 8:46 pm (EST) on Oct 11, 2009
Best,
David
posted by dcozy at 4:26 am (EST) on Sep 29, 2009
I came across this yesterday in my rounds:
http://www.librarything.com/work/32770/b...
It won the pulitzer in '43. Had no clue it was anything significant when I bought it. The publisher says it does for Columbus what Boswell did for Dr. Johnson. We'll see!
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 7:29 pm (EST) on Sep 27, 2009
Keep your reviews comming !
posted by Macumbeira at 4:10 pm (EST) on Sep 26, 2009
Just ordered redburn from amazon !
posted by Macumbeira at 11:55 am (EST) on Sep 26, 2009
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 10:56 am (EST) on Sep 26, 2009
posted by ncgraham at 8:22 pm (EST) on Sep 21, 2009
Thanks--a lot--for the five stars and the review. And I like that you read the book as quickly as you did; in one sitting, it seems. That always warms my heart.
--Peter
posted by copyedit52 at 8:54 am (EST) on Aug 27, 2009
That's awful! Triple bypass. Man I hate it (as I'm sure you do even worse right now) when real life interferes with LibraryThing. I'm very very glad to hear your surgery went well and you're home from the hospital. Damn. Horrible. But you made it through. You get'cher rest now ya hear! And listen, we're practically related now, as I've got me one of those nasty sternum scars myself from when I had open heart surg. at the ripe old age of 30, a decade ago, to fix a congenital heart defect: "aortic insufficiency," that had they not caught it, would've knocked me flat on my face like it did Pistol Pete Maravich. You take your walks like a good Grampa and do your breathing exercises like you're told now ya hear! Did they make you wear those weird socks for circulation after? Aaaahhhh, morphine. Good times.
You do take care, G, you've definitely been missed around here.
Brent
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 3:45 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2009
Awful quiet over here in these parts. Hope all's okey dokey. I just happened upon a copy of Harold Frederic's, The Damnation of Theron Ware, dirt cheap, then finally got around to entering it, and there's a review there by none other than Ganeshaka sitting in obscurity that I somehow missed previously. Can't wait to read this book, especially after reading your review.
Best,
Brent
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 10:23 pm (EST) on Aug 5, 2009
One star for DROOD. I thought it suuffered from longueurs and a touch of flatulence here and there, but one star? Would you care to let me in on your reasons?
Have you read Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm? Am reading now and enjoying it very much. Beerbohm can write some fine English. Wodehouse comes to mind but not really.
Having a good summer, I hope.
pgt
posted by Porius at 12:01 am (EST) on Jul 15, 2009
I really enjoy reading your reviews.
Thanks again!
posted by KoobieKitten at 2:36 am (EST) on Jun 19, 2009
posted by laytonwoman3rd at 11:44 am (EST) on Jun 17, 2009
Tui
posted by tiffin at 9:51 am (EST) on Jun 8, 2009
Tui
posted by tiffin at 12:50 am (EST) on Jun 8, 2009
posted by ncgraham at 6:58 pm (EST) on Jun 4, 2009
posted by ncgraham at 3:11 pm (EST) on Jun 3, 2009
posted by Porius at 2:09 pm (EST) on Jun 2, 2009
Here's L.S.:
I define a nose as follows,-----interesting only beforehand, and beseeching my readers, both male and female, of what age, complexion,and condition soever, for the love of God and their own souls, to guard against the temptations and suggestions of the devil, and suffer him by no art or wiles to put any other ideas into their minds than what I put into my definition.------For by the word NOSE, throughout all this long chapter of noses, and in every other part of my work where the word NOSE occurs,------I declare, by that word I mean a Nose, and nothing more, or less.
pgt
posted by Porius at 1:16 pm (EST) on May 26, 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQBHM__30...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlXB4fgj_...
Pgt
posted by Porius at 12:32 am (EST) on May 16, 2009
A little humor for the ride. Have finished Dan Simmons DROOD, if you get some time it's very good. Exhausting, but very good.
posted by Porius at 12:16 am (EST) on May 9, 2009
Anyway, I ran it home last night with a couple of stiff, straight glasses of rum (no whiskey in the house!), and flashed through the review somewhat under the influence. I'm glad it's not too embarrassing. There were things I wanted to mention, but I'd probably have to get shnonkered again before attempting a revision. It will have to do as it stands, paling next to my illustrious fore-reviewers.
Regards,
Maki
posted by Makifat at 2:58 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2009
posted by copyedit52 at 11:09 am (EST) on Apr 25, 2009
I am waiting for a response.
YOU have a great day.
belva
posted by nannybebette at 2:51 pm (EST) on Apr 19, 2009
Wonderful review on "Devoted Ladies". I don't even know what drew me to that page, but I am glad it did. "Virago Modern Classics"; I didn't even know there was such a group/thing. Interesting. Anyway, never having heard of either the titled book nor the author, I have this now on my "to buy/check out" list. You have made it sound to be some very good reading. Thank you.
Also beautiful photo shots. Lucky you to live in such a lovely spot in the world.
Well, back to "Crime and Punishment.
Belva
posted by nannybebette at 1:40 pm (EST) on Apr 19, 2009
The film class is going well, but we hadn't changed over to the new titles until just this week. I picked One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Fahrenheit 451, and Goodbye to Berlin (Caberet). They delayed the start so actually tomorrow is my first lecture. Course development axed Goodbye to Berlin at the last minute, so now I only have the two titles, but we'll see how it goes.
I likes the thematic arc of individuals struggling to maintain their autonomy during challenging times/circumstances of social control and oppression.
I'll fill you in as we go forward-
posted by English99 at 10:29 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2009
yes, it's prob'ly at this point every 16th account, got lotsa work to do to get it up to every 6th! Though I'm trying.
and I never saw that PBS flick, but it sounds awesome, I'm going to try and hunt it down on YouTube, that is if I can stop laughing....
posted by EnriqueResurrected at 8:19 pm (EST) on Apr 7, 2009
"There is another world, but it is in this one."
I suspected as much!!!
***off on a quest***
posted by LolaWalser at 3:17 pm (EST) on Apr 4, 2009
splendidious review of the Peake novels. your imaginative powers take a backseat to no one. i too love old Peake's works. i don't recall whether or not i've mentioned the work of the Welsh novelist Gwyn Thomas, but i think you might like THE WORLD CANNOT HEAR YOU, and VENUS AND THE VOTERS, or just about anything by this wonderful wordsmith.
happy trails
pgt
posted by Porius at 8:10 pm (EST) on Apr 3, 2009
posted by EnriqueFreeque at 7:23 pm (EST) on Apr 3, 2009
Now back to my Henry James and Edward Gorey.
posted by kswolff at 2:58 pm (EST) on Apr 3, 2009
I noticed you have Le Petit Prince in your library - I'm learning French so have been translating this into English as an exercise which is proving fun... but taking longer than I thought! A beautiful book though. I have never read the English version so it may be a while before I find out how it ends!
posted by bluenettle at 3:02 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2009
posted by copyedit52 at 10:14 am (EST) on Mar 31, 2009
Titus makes me groan with pleasure!
posted by spacegod at 5:38 pm (EST) on Mar 27, 2009
P.S. Anne Hathaway would make a perfect Rachaela. I always loved Ruth, though (Rachaela's li'l spawn). She was just so evil. :)
posted by saraslibrary at 1:16 pm (EST) on Mar 25, 2009
posted by saraslibrary at 1:07 am (EST) on Mar 25, 2009