The Vulgar Eclectic

Tag: reading

  • A Slew of Comics

    I went to a comic book store yesterday that I’ve never been to before. It was a great shop, with quite a lot of back issues. They had a dollar bin, which is something I love and don’t find a lot anymore. If you bought 25 comics, the price dropped to 80¢ an issue. The…

  • Autobiography of Joseph Scaliger

    I just finished reading the Autobiography of Joseph Scaliger, translated by George W. Robinson and published in English in 1927. The subtitle gives a good idea of what makes up the book in addition to the opening autobiography: with Autobiographical Selections from his Letters, His Testament, and the Funeral Orations by Daniel Heinsius and Dominicus…

  • The Infant by Denís Fonvízin

    I finished reading The Infant by Denís Fonvízin (1782; Nèdorosl’), a play in five acts. It is translated by Joshua Cooper and is the earliest play included in a collection of Russian theater titled Four Russian Plays. This was a lot of fun to read. There was quite a bit of witty humor, social critique,…

  • Home Front by Joel Rosenberg

    Here’s another belated book jot, from September 2021: I finished reading Home Front by Joel Rosenberg (2003). It’s categorized as mystery fiction, but is very light on mystery. I read a series of fantasy novels by this author when I was in my early teens and recently came across this book. It takes place in…

  • The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

    Here’s a book jot from September 2021: I finished reading The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks (1980). It’s a children’s novel that takes place in contemporary Britain. The story revolves around an old medicine cabinet and antique key. When used together, they impart a magic that turns small plastic toys into living…

  • comics!

    I’ve picked up a number of comics recently, some at a little hole-in-the-wall shop near where my family gets together for the holidays and some from online and two from my niece for Christmas! Here’s a mishmash of covers:

  • Boyhood by Leo Tolstoy

    Here is an old book jot from August, 2021…still getting caught up with posting these! I just finished reading Boyhood (1854) by Leo Tolstoy, translated by Judson Rosengrant. It’s the second novel in his autobiographical trilogy. The first book, Childhood, was the first work Tolstoy published. The prose is beautiful, natural, and simple. It was…

  • The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

    I’m still trying to add some older book jots…here is one from July 2022: I finished reading The Sword of Shannara (1977) by Terry Brooks a few days ago. This was a chunker of a book…a great big, epic fantasy novel. Years ago I had read the first chapter or so when I was in…

  • Thunder by Alexander Ostrovsky

    I finished reading Thunder (also translated as The Storm; 1859), a play written by Alexander Ostrovsky. I had never read anything by Ostrovsky before, and coming across this play was like finding a hidden jewel! There is a well-developed cast of characters surrounding two young Russians: Catherine, an unhappy married woman, and Boris, the son…

  • Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

    I finished reading Kidnapped (1886) by Robert Louis Stevenson. This was a fantastically fun read! It’s an adventure novel that takes place in the mid 1700s in Scotland and follows the trials and tribulations of young David Balfour. Friendship is a major theme, as is integrity and honor. There were many words new to me,…