Titles, Actresses, and of Course Murder… Oh My!
First Edition UK Cover 1933
Title: Lord Edgware Dies
Author: Agatha Christie
Going through my own personal Agatha Christie Crime Collection challenge, next on my list for April was 13 At Dinner. My copies are leather bound editions with 3 titles per volume, in no particular order, so I thought my eyes were just going bad when I couldn’t find the title. Finally I settled on 13 Problems and thought I was ready to go, but opening it up, something didn’t feel right. So it was back to the internet to check over my list.
That’s when I discovered that 13 At Dinner was originally published as Lord Edgware Dies, and low and behold, I actually have a copy of THAT. The story follows the trail of a woman suspected of murdering her husband because, quite frankly, she told everyone he would and then he drops dead. It happens during a dinner party at which there are 13 guests, hence the republished title. But that doesn’t explain why they chose to retitle the book.
I was doing a little research into this phenomena, and discovered that this happens quite often especially in crime fiction. For Christie alone, there’s a fabulously long list of retitles, mostly between the first edition UK and the first edition US:
After the Funeral (UK) = Funerals are Fatal (US)
Death in the Clouds (UK) = Death in the Air (US)
Destination Unknown (UK) = So Many Steps to Death (US)
Dumb Witness (UK) = Poirot loses a Client
(US) Five little Pigs (UK) = Murder in Retrospect (US)
4.50 From Paddington (UK) = What Mrs McGillicuddy Saw (US)
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (UK) = Murder for Christmas (US)
Hickory, Dickory Dock (UK ) = Hickory, Dickory Death (US)
The Hollow (UK) = Murder after Hours (US)
Lord Edgware Dies (UK) = Thirteen at Dinner (US)
The Mirror Crack’d From Side to Side (UK) = The Mirror Crack’d (US)
Mrs. McGinty’s Dead (UK) = Blood will Tell (US)
The Mousetrap (UK) = Three Blind Mice (US)
Murder in the Mews (UK) = Dead Man’s Mirror (US)
Murder is Easy (UK) = Easy to Kill (US)
Murder on the Orient Express (UK) = Murder in the Calais Coach (US)
One, Two, Buckle my Shoe (UK) = The Patriotic Murders (US)
Parker Pyne Investigates (UK) = Mr. Parker Pyne, Detective (US)
Poirot’s Early Cases (UK) = Hercule Poirot’s Early Cases (US)
The Sittaford Mystery (UK) = Murder at Hazelmoor (US)
Sparkling Cyanide (UK) = Remembered Death (US)
Taken at the Flood (UK) = There is a Tide (US)
Ten Little Niggers (Original UK) = And Then There Were None (Current UK) = Ten Little Indians (US)
They do it with Mirrors (UK) = Murder with Mirrors (US)
The Thirteen Problems (UK) = The Tuesday Club Murders (US) T
hree-Act Tragedy (UK) = Murder in Three Acts (US)
Why Didn’t they Tell Evans? (UK) = The Boomerang Clue (US) T
– taken from http://www.gaslightbooks.com.au/checklists/mchanges.html
While looking into that little curiousity, I stumbled onto another bit of fun. One of the characters in this particular Poirot adventure is based off a real historical person. Inspired would be more correct, as Ruth Draper
Draper was known for her monologues, ability to become something new with few props, and to immitate anyone. When Christie discovered Draper she thought “[…] how clever she was and how good her impersonations were; the wonderful way she could transform herself from a nagging wife to a peasant girl kneeling in a cathedral. Thinking about her led me to the book Lord Edgware Dies.” (from Christie’s autobiography
Apparently, Draper loved to perform at parties as well as on Broadway. It was said that she would watch people, taking note on all their little quirks and behaviors, and then turn what she gathered of them into one-person sketch, worthy of all sorts of accolades. She traveled throughout Europe as well and was quite the sensation. The character of Carlotta Adams is one in the same, aside from the small little detail that she doesn’t live to the ripe age of 70 because she gets wrapped up in a murder mystery.
I’m enjoying my weekly sit downs with Christie, and Lord Edgware Dies has been no exception. Its fun, interesting, and Poirot always keeps me on my toes.
Book Love Art – Ophelia’s Quote Mugs
Previously featured as Book Love Art was the fabulous photography of Joel Robison. In that post I mentioned Ophelia’s Quote Mugs, and in this post I’d like to share with you Ophelia’s Literary line. From C.S Lewis to Ray Bradbury, Ophelia’s Quote Mugs combines beautiful art work, meaningful quotes, and the practicality of something in which to drink your coffee or tea. Priced roughly at $14, they are comparable in price to Starbucks merch, but offer so much more.
And an even cooler feature… the art doesn’t stop on the outside of the cup. Take a close look at the insides of these:
Buy one for your cozy reading time from Ophelia’s Gypsy Caravan on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/OpheliasGypsyCaravan.
Gothic Picture Books
While picking out picture books, I’m slowly but surely learning that the things that grab my attention may or may not grab Ayla’s, and even if they do grab Ayla’s sometimes maybe I shouldn’t be reading them to her quite yet.
The Spider and the Fly
Then, there’s books that are simple, like Nosy Rosie
How do you decide what to hand them when? On one side, I don’t want to be Phoebe’s grandmother on Friends who turned off all the movies before the unhappy ending and the character didn’t know that Bambi’s mother got shot or that Old Yeller died at the end until her thirties. But neither do I want to be the creepy mother raising her child to disturbing things like “A is for Amy who fell down the stairs,” even though as a teen and adult I find them quite funny.
So again I ask you, how do you decide what to hand them and when? I suppose the age old dilemma for every parent is based in the fear of warping their child, and when it comes to books I have an even bigger problem because its not just about what my child can handle, its the message I give her when I make the decision. I don’t believe in censorship, but I greatly believe in reading guidance.
What are some of your favorite ‘gothic’ picture books? When did you decide to share them with your kids? Or did you let them seek them out themselves?
Male Readers for Outlander Series
After I posted my review for Dragonfly in Amber, I got a Twitter response from author Diana Gabaldon. She stated that although it was a “lovely review” she doesn’t like her books classified as romance because “a) they aren’t b) doing so cuts off ALL the male readers and the female readers who don’t think they read THAT kind of book.” While working in a bookstore and being taught to shelve her books in the romance section, I’d often heard the author had this preference against it, but had never done very much research concerning the matter.
The books are lovely. There is sexual content, but it’s not all ripping bodices and whatnot typical of a romance novel. In that regards I completely agree with her. The truth is, I can’t think of a good section for this astounding author’s work. I think they would get lost in the fantasy section and many bookstores don’t have their own historical fiction department.
What I love most about the books, is that even the store I worked, housed in the romance section, people sought her books out. I agree that placing them in that section cuts off certain new readers, but once introduced, there is no stopping a man from waltzing into that wall of pink and half exposed breast covers to pick out the next in the series. I’ve seen it happen over and over again.
That being said, I wanted to share this fan letter Diana Gabaldon has available on her site:
Thank you from an American Soldier (UNCLASSIFIED)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE
Ma'am,
I don't know if you will personally read this. I hope and pray you do. No, I am not an obsessed fan. But I am someone who enjoys your work. It has touched me on a very personal level. Please allow me to explain.
I am a soldier in the United States Army and have been for about 18 years. I had my first of three long deployments in 2003. I have deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. And each time I took your books with me. When I first bought Outlander, I am ashamed to say I only bought it because it was a very thick book. Getting ready to deploy I know that I would have a very long journey ahead of me. On the plane from Louisiana (where I was stationed) To New York to Maine to Italy then into Kuwait I couldn't put the damn thing down.
While I was deployed it was my escape. I sent a message home to my mother to find other books in the series. Lucky she found more. I have to say that your books helped me escape the reality that war can be. When I suffered personal hardships (IED blasts, fire fights and death of my friends) your books were a way for me to escape and even if for a brief few moments a way for me to keep my sanity. I am so very grateful to you for that.
Since my first deployment each time I had to say goodbye to my son, your books were in my rucksack. They are dog-eared and a bit worse for the wear...think Dragon Fly in the Amber even has a huge blood stain on it from when I got hurt. But I repaired them lovingly with what we call 90mph tape. Anyway they have traveled all over the world with me.
It is because of your writing that I have chosen to get my degree before I retire (when ever that will be). I have chosen history for my course of study. Once again...thank you.
I know you are busy but I wanted to let you know how much your work means. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. God bless you and yours.
Very Respectfully,
SSG [name and unit omitted by request]
P.S. enclosed is a picture of me in Iraq on my most recent deployment and one of me at Gettysburg, Pa on mid tour leave.
Staff Sergeant [name and address omitted] Attachment Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Attachment Caveats: FOUO
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE- http://www.dianagabaldon.com/from-the-fans/readers-letters-2/
Isn’t that the most wonderful thing? To have the spawn of one’s imagination be so inspiring and comforting to so many people is such a glorious privilege. That’s something that would inspire any writer to attempt to be such a story-teller. And if that didn’t do it for you, read her bio, its quite impressive: http://www.dianagabaldon.com/about-diana/bio/
The 8th of The Outlander Series is thought to come out sometime next year. I will be reading the 3rd (Voyager) in the next few months. Anyone interested in a readathon?
Post Edit: I found this Outlander Reading Challenge and joined. http://www.thelitbitch.com/?page_id=1314
Even More Earth Day Excitement with Ian Somerhalder
As I’ve previously mentioned, working for Half Price Books over the years has made me very Earth Day conscious. Even more than that, its made me even more Earth Day Every Day aware. In additon to that, its made me pay a little more attention to the world around me, more specifically pop culture. Kids are reading Vampire Diaries? See what they’re filling their minds with and what you can offer them if there aren’t any copies to sell. Oh, the fad is being turned into a show? Check it out and see if its any good. Maintaining a book blog and networking with Twitter? Be sure you’re following people who have the same interests as you.
All of these scenarios led me to following Ian Somerhalder on Twitter. I’m not a huge fan being THAT fan, unless of course its of a writer. I have plenty of author love for people like Tanya Egan Gibson and Jane Austen, but if you haven’t noticed the latter is dead and the former is a bit too sweet and humble to be basking in worldwide limelight any time soon. (That being said, you should totally go buy her book How To Buy a Love of Reading
1. He’s an amazing actor. So amazing that in Rules of Attraction, my husband and I really thought he was gay in real life. And despite his gorgeous face, I completely forgot about him being pretty in Lost.
2. He does cool things with his money. He loves the environment and the world and has set up a foundation called IS Foundation. No naturalist, environmentalist, earth day extraordinaire could deny that this is a pretty cool thing for someone to do: http://www.isfoundation.com/.
3. He’s from the South. Being a Texan, I fully appreciate one’s dedication to his/her roots, even more so if those roots were once part of the Confederacy.
4. He runs a family business with his brother. I love small businesses, and though this business probably wont stay small because Ian Somerhalder is already famous, I love the idea behind it…
And that brings us to what this little article is really about: BOB… Built of Barnwood.
Ian Somerhalder and his brother started a business in Mississippi creating accent pieces, furniture, and all sorts of other artsy crafts out of reclaimed barn wood. It feeds into his desire to help the planet by reusing and recycling as well as (I am assuming) utilizing skills and tapping into other passions he got from his father, Robert, who was a building contractor (information from imdb.com). Go check out the site and see the special Earth Day promotion: http://www.builtofbarnwood.com/
The only thing cooler than finding this site and this business on Earth Day and sharing it with you all, would be getting an interview with Ian Somerhalder himself and finding out the name of his favorite author. After all, this is supposed to be a book blog.
A Romance to Last the Ages
Title: Dragonfly in Amber (second in The Outlander Series
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Publisher: I am reading from A Dell Book, pocket papberback, published in 1992.
Length: 947 pgs
Although the book covers are a bit outdated and have been revamped and republished, The Outlander Series itself will never be outdated… will never get old. Often shelved in the romance sections for its sexual content and love story, its a little more dramatic, a little more fantasy, and has a little more historical detail than your average romance. Gabaldon has written a saga that is a “little more” no matter where you house it in your bookstore.
Where I devoured Outlander (the introductory book of the series, published in the UK as CrossStitch), Dragonfly in Amber I mosied through. I kept it on my nightstand and read 20-30 page here and there, until I finally finished it this morning over breakfast. But not because it wasn’t good.
Jamie and Claire Fraser are the kind of characters you like to let linger with you. By book two you see more of their faults and weaknesses as well as their strengths, and they are less token flat romantic leads strictly enamoured with each other. Still definitely a romance, these books are also clearly about a marriage tried by time travel, war, and witch hunts, and more. There’s a real element to them that traditional romances don’t have, the Outlander Series is all adventure but never fairy tale. Knowing there’s a whole series of nearly 1000 page books, its easy to set it down after a little bit, assured they will be there when you come back.
Of course, the moment you get to the end of one, Gabaldon has teased you with some lingering story line that makes you want to immediately start the next. I recommend having several of the series set aside before you begin so when that moment comes you aren’t left with the deep urge to leave your house and run to the nearest bookstore hoping they have the one you need in stock. Just buy them all up whenever you see them, and toss them (in order) on your TBR pile.
Like Baroness Orczy’s The Scarlet Pimpernel, I think The Outlander Series will be a romance that lasts through the ages.
A Natural English Journey for Earth Day
Title: Birds of Selborne
Author: Gilbert White
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Length: 96 pgs.
This pocket sized series of letters from naturalist Gilbert White about the village of Selborne should be a part of every environmentalist’s collection. White studied at Oriel College in Oxford and then spent years travelling around England. Birds of Selborne is a segment of The Natural History of Selborne, a work he published after he returned home from his travels.
I love these little books, its a branch off of the Penguin Great Ideas series, an “English Journeys” collection of which this is number 19. Much of this particular edition is filled with White’s bird watching adventures, but also covers things about the trees and weather as well. If you’ve ever enjoyed the work of Darwin’s Origin of Species or Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, Gilbert White is worth your while.
Tomorrow is Earth Day, don’t forget to check out your local bookstore and pick something up from the nature or gardening section to kick off your Sunday (after church, if you go). Find a spot under some trees or in the sun to celebrate your Earth while you read. Half Price Books in Humble will have Eco-friendly goodie bags to hand out to 50 customers, if you’re in the Humble area you should check it out. If you’re in the Dallas area, there’s a tree planting event on April 28th: http://www.hpb.com/treeweek/
Archie Rocks Acoustic, Totally Rocked Half Price Books
Booking musicians to serenade customers at a bookstore has been pretty fun so far. Sure, it has ups and downs… a great musician, a no show musician, a nice musician, a quirky musician… but tonight it was all UP! Archie Parks had the tips flowing, the book buying happening, and customers tapping their toes while they shopped LP’s, and applauding from the DVD aisles. A couple came to find me to ask if he had cd’s for sale and why not. So after the show, I took some time to pour over the calendar with him and conduct an interview for my blog.
Who are your biggest influences?
Bush, Gavin Rossdale, Cobain. That dude from Seether, I can’t think of his name right now, but I’d know it when I see it. 90’s Grunge music mostly, you know STP. I could go all day… Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Shoe.
When did you start playing and why?
Jr. High. My Dad had a guitar and a friend had a drum set. Started writing our own songs because if we messed up nobody knew. And then it snowballed. So I guess the answer is boredom.
Where else are booked to play?
I’m trying to set up a show at Bohemeos. It’s real chill there.
What made you decide playing in a bookstore would be right for you?
It’s chill. My new style is perfect for a chilling bookstore.
Since we’re in a bookstore, who are your favorite authors?
Asimov, he’s the shit. Herbert, I love science fiction, obviously. I heard a new Dark Tower came out, Stephen King, but not Stephen King, I like his alter ego Bachman. But Asimov is number one. I love robots, man. And those dudes that came out with new Dune books, they weren’t Herbert, but they were still pretty sweet. And I’m into Eastern Philosophy. But it’s fucking lame. I’m into it, but not to be a hipster.
Do you read much? Does your reading affect your lyric writing?
No, I don’t read much. It doesn’t affect my writing. What does is school, I’m taking Creative Works.
What messages do you wish to convey through your music?
My number one theme is love. I sing about it all the time because I love the ladies. But my goal is to help people find the right path for them. That’s why I like Eastern Philosophy and I’m not a hipster. Help people find themselves, and feel stuff.
When do you think you’ll have cds or downloadable songs ready for sale?
I have enough material for a seven track album. But I’m leery, I need moral support because I don’t want to rip people off just selling me and a guitar. I have higher standards. I don’t want to put my name on crap.
At which point, I had to tell him that I thought the idea of a cd with just him on a guitar wouldn’t be a rip off at all, it would actually be quite lovely. He’s very humble, but not in a self degrading well. He was genuinely pleased and surprised that customers were interested in buying his music if it was available.
Anakalian Whims 
Voice of Conscience by Behcet Kaya – A Review
April 28, 2012 at 10:10 pm (Reviews) (behcet kaya, books, culture, debut novel, reviews, social commentary, Turkey, turkish authors, world literature)
Author: Behcet Kaya
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Length: 414 pgs.
Described by multiple reviewers as a Shakespearean Tragedy, Kaya’s debut novel Voice of Conscience
is a little bit Kite Runner and a little bit Bourne Identity, but still something all its own.
Best read in three days (because of its three parts set in Turkey, London, then California), Voice of Conscience follows the life of Ramzi Ozcomert Jr., from his childhood in Turkey and a culture of vengeance and family tradition – to love, marriage, and finally the return to his roots. In the spirit of Khaled Housseini (author of Kite Runner) and Manil Suri (author of The Death of Vishnu), Kaya dives into his own culture and gives us social commentary of a country often overlooked in literature. Addressing deep issues of the human condition througout love, loss, revenge, and guilt from the perspective of a Turkish author, I found the book rather enlightening and educational.
Prior to Kaya’s novel, the only books I had ever read involving Turkey were Middlesex by Jeffrey Euginedes (entire portions of the novel dedicated to the relationship between the Greeks and the Turks) and vampire hunting novels that often use Istanbul as a pitt stop within plot developments. I’ve encountered Orhan Pamuk over and over again, having worked in a bookstore running the literature section for years, but I never actually picked up any of his work, despite their accolades.
I read Part One set in Atamkoy, Turkey in 1962 curled up in my library with a cup of coffee, thinking this little tragedy was going to be more of a depressing, cozy read. Turns out, through Parts Two and Three, I had migrated to my Gazelle
where I can work out and read simultaneously due to its low impact and breezy routine. I’m a mood reader, and the more the story progressed, the more Ramzi got closer and closer to going all mercenary ninja on his enemies, which gave me the desire to be on the move. By the time the book ended, in tradition of a perfect story arch, I was back in a cozy chair with my coffee and a beagle on my feet.
Overall, I appreciate Kaya’s novel and how much of himself he has poured into it. Its an excellent first novel, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future. My only complaint is in some of the dialogue which occasionally seems to fall a bit flat and is often times too lengthy. (This coming from a girl who talks incessantly and tends to write how she speaks… could be the pot calling the kettle black!) But all in all, well done!
Additional articles to read:
http://www.prlog.org/11463686-behcet-kayas-voice-of-conscience.html
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-273884-international-readers-need-to-discover–turkish-literature–say-publishers.html
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