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#1
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Parker and Misc.
Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker?
I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over $1000 on eBay). It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and those priced over $1000. I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea. Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two. With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was terribly difficult to find in good condition. Regards, Willow -- Hugs, Willow |
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#2
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Parker and Misc.
I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them.
MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us; however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for the pure pleasure of it. My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a little laughter in my life again. Jerry Morris Willow wrote: Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker? I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over $1000 on eBay). It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and those priced over $1000. I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea. Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two. With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was terribly difficult to find in good condition. Regards, Willow Moi's Books About Books: http://www.tinyurl.com/hib7 Moi's LIbrary http://www.moislibrary.com My Sentimental Library http://www.picturetrail.com/mylibrary Florida Bibliophile Society http://www.floridabibliophilesociety.org |
#3
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Parker and Misc.
Jerry Morris wrote:
I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them. MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us; however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for the pure pleasure of it. My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a little laughter in my life again. I can recommend one series where you can have it all: mystery, humor, & a little bit about books: Lawrence Block's books featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr, professional burglar & proprietor of a used bookstore in Manhattan. And speaking of Parker, this is the opening paragraph of Blcok's _The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza_ : "Around five-thirty I put down the book I'd been reading and started shooing customers out of the store. The book was by Robert B. Parker, and its hero was a private detective named Spenser who who compensated for his lack of a first name by being terribly physical. Every couple of chapters would find him jogging around Boston or lifting weights or finding some other way to court a heart attack or a hernia. I was getting exhausted just reading about him." the Stephanie Plum series. I started reading those, and I enjoyed the first two. But the third & fourth books were much of a muchness, and I lost interest. --Jon Meyers Willow wrote: Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker? I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over $1000 on eBay). It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and those priced over $1000. I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea. Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two. With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was terribly difficult to find in good condition. |
#4
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Parker and Misc.
I really must try the Block series - did we forget John Dunning?
John has an interesting approach to "signed firsts" which shows up in his recent Janeway book. Willow "Jon Meyers" wrote in message ... Jerry Morris wrote: I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them. MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us; however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for the pure pleasure of it. My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a little laughter in my life again. I can recommend one series where you can have it all: mystery, humor, & a little bit about books: Lawrence Block's books featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr, professional burglar & proprietor of a used bookstore in Manhattan. And speaking of Parker, this is the opening paragraph of Blcok's _The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza_ : "Around five-thirty I put down the book I'd been reading and started shooing customers out of the store. The book was by Robert B. Parker, and its hero was a private detective named Spenser who who compensated for his lack of a first name by being terribly physical. Every couple of chapters would find him jogging around Boston or lifting weights or finding some other way to court a heart attack or a hernia. I was getting exhausted just reading about him." the Stephanie Plum series. I started reading those, and I enjoyed the first two. But the third & fourth books were much of a muchness, and I lost interest. --Jon Meyers Willow wrote: Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker? I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over $1000 on eBay). It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and those priced over $1000. I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea. Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two. With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was terribly difficult to find in good condition. |
#5
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Parker and Misc.
Willow,
I've also been reading (and collecting) Parker for a few years. I think that $1,000 for his first 3 was an asking price (didn't sell). I'm sure you could buy all three for much less on ABE and maybe have one of them signed (such as his signature is - that is my only complaint about Parker, his colophonic sig). Three Weeks in Spring is probably a "must have" for the true collector and Spenser's Boston was an interesting read for me as I've never been to Boston and it puts a nice "face" on his Spenser novels. One cannot read these for their literary merit as they tend to overlap each other (even with dialogue) but each new book is like seeing an old friend and catching up with what's been going on. |
#6
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Parker and Misc.
Jerry,
I'm guessing it's our California friends laughing away at Evanovich My better half got hooked on them and, after hearing her burst out laughing while reading away, I decided I needed to see for myself. I was hesitant since Janet got her start writing a "bunch" of romance novels, but I'm glad I tried them out. There are parts in them that are "laugh out loud" funny, and I'm a fairly somber fellow. One, Two and Three are worthwhile, but after that, they tend to be...predictable. Her characters tend to seem cartoonish yet still pass as believable (don't you have any friends that do inane things at times)? Her books won't make you think but I guarantee at least a grin. |
#7
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Parker and Misc.
Very curious. I sent the post below last night at 12:13 am, but it apparently
never arrived. While I am at it, let note that after reading Willow's post and attempting to reply, I checked and found I do have a first printing of Parker's The Godwulf Manuscript, ex-library unfortunately, but at least the real thing. Francis A. Miniter -------------------------------------- Willow Arune wrote: Does anyone else out there collect Robert B. Parker? I have recently started with this writer. The recent works, back to the late eighties are complete but one wonders about strange items such as the "Spenserian Sonnet" and more. "Spenser's Boston" looks like an interesting addition. Aside from the books listed, are there more unusual Parker items? (The first three Spenser novels just went of over $1000 on eBay). It seems that with almost any modern mystery writer, most of the works are easily found and for reasonable prices. Grisham, Cornwell, James and more can be competed in days save for one, possibly two books - and those priced over $1000. I noticed a small trend, for a brief period writers from McCullough to Cornwell to Nick Tosches ( a dear favourite of mine) and more all produced... cookbooks. Must have been some publisher's bright idea. Kid's books came up as a form for many - Follet and Cornwell for two. With the exception of the first book, the worst books are often the hardest to locate. C.S. forester's "Poo-Poo and the Dragons" was terribly difficult to find in good condition. Regards, Willow I do- collect Parker, that is. I am still looking for some firsts of the early books. (Your comment explains why I don't have them yet.) Actually, I do think that after the first dozen or so books, he had said most of what he had to say and the subsequent novels just do not have the same drive to them. Spenser's relationship with Susan is no longer in flux, he seems to have found a way for them to be together and yet keep their independence, the cooking is not central and the literary aspects and language play of the early novels are no longer there. But he tells a good yarn, and that is basic to any readable novel. Francis A. Miniter |
#8
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Parker and Misc.
"Jerry Morris" wrote in message ... I used to read Robert Parker's books, but I never collected them. MInd you, I enjoy reading books about books, and books by or about authors I collect, who no longer share a living presence with us; however, I think I need to get back to reading modern mystery novels for the pure pleasure of it. My wife reads the Stephanie Plum series books written by Janet Evanovitch. Every now and then, for seemingly no reason at all, she'll start laughing as she turns a page. A few other friends of mine who read the Evanovitch novels do the same thing. Yes, I think I need a little laughter in my life again. I know just why your wife likes the Stephanie Plum books. I was hooked from my first paperback reading of *One For the Money*. Not great literature perhaps, but they are so funny...I've laughed my way through all of the books (there are eleven, now, I believe). Some are better than others, but they are all funny. Obligatory collecting content: The author did a book signing locally for the ninth book, and she signed not only the new book that was on sale that day, but every book you brought from home. I had about five first editions at the time. Now I've got them all, plus the special Christmas story. Alice |
#9
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Parker and Misc.
I think I delayed reading Parker out of a rather snobbish bias. If it was
on television as a series, it could not be any good... I was definitely wrong. I started reading Parker earlier this year and was hooked very soon. The books do indeed flow together in a delightful manner; I have become good friends with Susan, Hawk and especially Pearl. It is always nice to find a series that is new to you and start off. Sandford's "Prey" series, remarkably similar in some ways, is also rather fun. Drop me a line privately on that ex-libris copy, please Francis. I have several ex-library of expensive first, including "Barn Blind", "Booked to Die" and "Postmortem". That raises a point. With my copy of "Barn Blind", the only indication it is a library book is the first page, easily taken off and replaced. After that, no one would even know. This raises tow questions" 1. Do you know of any good book restoration types who can do this type of work, and 2. After repair, is the book described as "restored, former library" even if it has never been read? Willow "Sam" wrote in message oups.com... Willow, I've also been reading (and collecting) Parker for a few years. I think that $1,000 for his first 3 was an asking price (didn't sell). I'm sure you could buy all three for much less on ABE and maybe have one of them signed (such as his signature is - that is my only complaint about Parker, his colophonic sig). Three Weeks in Spring is probably a "must have" for the true collector and Spenser's Boston was an interesting read for me as I've never been to Boston and it puts a nice "face" on his Spenser novels. One cannot read these for their literary merit as they tend to overlap each other (even with dialogue) but each new book is like seeing an old friend and catching up with what's been going on. |
#10
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Parker and Misc.
Jon Meyers wrote and I snipped:
....I can recommend one series where you can have it all: mystery, humor, & a little bit about books: Lawrence Block's books featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr, professional burglar & proprietor of a used bookstore in Manhattan Thanks Jon. I read some of Block's books and the books of many of the other current mystery writers when I worked part time at Waldenbooks from '90 to 97. I didn't care for Block's books then, but I'll give him another chance. The only mystery books I collect so far are the ones that Dunning writes. I shall also get the first few volumes of Evanovitch's books and think of Alice and Sam as I am reading them. Jerry Moi's Books About Books: http://www.tinyurl.com/hib7 Moi's LIbrary http://www.moislibrary.com My Sentimental Library http://www.picturetrail.com/mylibrary Florida Bibliophile Society http://www.floridabibliophilesociety.org |
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