Xairete!

[Selethryth]

(The greeting seems appropriate, as it was a Greek dedication that attracted me to the Russell books in the first place.)

So, hello to all!

I currently live in Montreal, Canada, and am a student of the delightful subject of linguistics. Within the field, I'm particularly interested in phonology, language change, and Germanic linguistics (as well as various areas of applied linguistics); outside of it, I've studied a healthy amount of classics, archaeology, and, oddly enough, I spent a couple of years as a music major. Less academically, I am periodically employed at a hotel in Vermont. I enjoy skiing at an alarming speed, singing very loudly, learning obscure and/or dead languages, and-- unsurprisingly-- reading mystery novels.

To date, of this author's work, I've only read the Russell mysteries. (Efforts, taking the form of judicious penny-pinching, are currently underway to acquire others.) I found copies of O Jerusalem and another Russell (presumably A Letter of Mary, as I distinctly recall the Greek) at a book sale in 2006; in my regrettable ignorance, I only bought the former. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the couple of novels I read shortly after. The atmosphere can't be beat, and the characters, particularly Russell, appeal to me as few others do. (One of my favorite passages: "For me, for always, the paramount organ of passion was the mind. Unnatural, unbalanced, perhaps, but it was true: without intellect, there could be no love." Perfect!)

My interest was revived again this fall, and things came to a head one evening when I couldn't find any as yet unread English-language books of the series in the local libraries; in a frenzy of frustration, I bought out a local bookstore's collection of Russells. (Who needs to eat, after all, when there are delicious books to be had?) I'd finished The Beekeeper's Apprentice by three o'clock the next morning, and then, you know, I was hooked.

So-- yes. I'm looking forward to meeting you all, and discussing these excellent books (and, one hopes, other topics) with you!

[jtb1951]

(Who needs to eat, after all, when there are delicious books to be had?)

Welcome, Selethryth (named after the abbess of Lyminge?), to a group of folks that live by your quote above! I hope that you get the opportunity to read all of Laurie's novels and share and discuss your thoughts with all of us; we look forward to talking with you. In the meantime browse through the different topics; I expect that you will find much of interest, and hopefully have a great time in the process. It's a great group of folks here!!:) Welcome, again!

John.

[Strawberry Curls]

Hello from sunny So. Calif. where it was 75 degrees today. OK, can't help it, my hubby is a Trojan and when USC wins the Rose Bowl the sun really does shine. I will quickly add the traffic here is terrible and the housing prices through the roof, you really wouldn't like it, honestly. Well, I tried, it is getting too crowded. LOL

Anyway, welcome to the group, Selethryh. There are any number of things to enjoy -- poke around and have fun.

[Kiyomi]

Welcome Selethryth I also spent a couple of years as a music major before turning it into a minor and adding a minor in history and major in Chemistry, we are a many interested bunch of people here so you will fit right in! I'm glad you are getting a chance to read more Russel books, they are my personal favorite LRK books and I find that they get better with each reread!

StrawberryCurll's, what's wrong with being in SoCal? I'm here all the time ;-) This is unusally warm weather for this time of year! Although the area around the Rose Bowl is particularly crowded but I live more in the boondocks almost out to Ontario so it's not as bad here.

[Strawberry Curls]

StrawberryCurll's, what's wrong with being in SoCal? I'm here all the time ;-) This is unusally warm weather for this time of year! Although the area around the Rose Bowl is particularly crowded but I live more in the boondocks almost out to Ontario so it's not as bad here. Shhhhhhh, Kiyomi, I'm trying to keep it a secret...there is nothing wrong with So Cal I've lived here 53 years, but you have to admit it is getting so crowded and every time the weather is like this for the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl people from the frozen parts of our nation flock here to thaw out. I live near the beach and it is particularly crowded and expensive here, but I do love the Pacific and the weather.

[Selethryth]

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

I'll confess that I hold the opposite viewpoint, Strawberry Curls. I'm sure your weather is pleasant, if unseasonable, but to me, nothing compares with a beautiful (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture152.jpg) subzero (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture297.jpg) day (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture211.jpg) in (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture267.jpg) northern (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture277.jpg) Vermont! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture244.jpg) Worth the risk of losing a toe or two, in my book.

Kiyomi, it's always fun to see such intriguingly assorted interests. What sort of music do you do?

And agreed about the rereads! I delight in finding new tidbits and undignified-giggle-inducing phrases that I didn't catch the first time (well, times) around.

[Strawberry Curls]

I'll confess that I hold the opposite viewpoint, Strawberry Curls. I'm sure your weather is pleasant, if unseasonable, but to me, nothing compares with a beautiful (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture152.jpg) subzero (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture297.jpg) day (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture211.jpg) in (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture267.jpg) northern (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture277.jpg) Vermont! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/corinneg/VT/Picture244.jpg) Worth the risk of losing a toe or two, in my book. Your pictures are stunning. I love to LOOK at snow and ice, but my thin California blood would freeze solid in a Vermont winter. I'm just a lightweight who can't handle the cold. Part of what makes life interesting, different strokes and all that. Thanks for sharing the shots, beautiful scenery.

And agreed about the rereads! I delight in finding new tidbits and undignified-giggle-inducing phrases that I didn't catch the first time (well, times) around.One of the delights (one of many) of Ms. King's books is they almost require a second or third reading to really enjoy the richness of the language, the depth of the characterizations and the wit embedded in the scenes.

[Bachi]

Welcome, your pictures are lovely. I especially like the "day" picture. There is something about snow, water, and ice that captivates.

[tangential1]

Shhhhhhh, Kiyomi, I'm trying to keep it a secret...there is nothing wrong with So Cal I've lived here 53 years, but you have to admit it is getting so crowded and every time the weather is like this for the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl people from the frozen parts of our nation flock here to thaw out. I live near the beach and it is particularly crowded and expensive here, but I do love the Pacific and the weather.

*smacks self* Awwww...I fully forgot about the Rose Parade! I woke up on Tuesday morning, grabbed a cup of tea and went back to bed to start on Touchstone....

[Kiyomi]

Kiyomi, it's always fun to see such intriguingly assorted interests. What sort of music do you do?


I was trained to sing classical opera, mainly Itallian and German but for singing I like old folk songs or musical theater. If I am listening to music I like just about everything except depressing music or music that is basically screeming and bashing things. As long as there is not a ton of bass I'm pretty easy to please but too much bass throws me off mentally and makes me grumpy.