Monthly Archives: February 2021

FFB: Death of A Busybody by George Bellairs

Posted on February 25, 2021 by Rick Robinson

Death of a Busybody by George Bellairs, © 1943, introduction by Martin Edwards, British Library Crime Classics 2017 trade paper, mystery. The titular nosy parker in Death of a Busybody is Miss Ethel Tither. She has made herself deeply unpopular in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading | 9 Comments

Short Story Wednesday – “Oomphel in the Sky” by H. Beam Piper

Posted on February 23, 2021 by Rick Robinson

Ministry of Disturbance and Other Science Fiction by H. Beam Piper, Adventure Paperback – April 1, 2007 “Oomphel in the Sky” by H. Beam Piper, originally published in Analog Science Fact and Fiction, November 1960, Aegypan 2007 trade paperback, 200 pages. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading | 11 Comments

Reading E. B. White

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Rick Robinson

E. B. White has long been a favorite writer of mine, since reading things by him written for The New Yorker long ago. Reading Is Sex Necessary?, James Thurber’s humorous book co-written with White, led me to reading more of White, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading, Friday Forgotten Books, Short Stories | 12 Comments

Ice Storm Snarl

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Rick Robinson

It snowed Thursday and freezing rain Friday and lost power about midnight. Power company says we should have power sometime Monday. Meanwhile, we have a gas fireplace for some heat and the stovetop to cook. We’re iced in so home … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading | 15 Comments

Bought a Few Things…

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Rick Robinson

I read the Black Gate blog daily, and occasionally the chief editor, John O’Neill, posts about lots of science fiction and fantasy books he buys on eBay. Last time he did this I was inspired to try it, and this is what … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading | 13 Comments

Short Story Wednesday

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Rick Robinson

Ministry of Disturbance and Other Science Fiction by H. Beam Piper, Adventure Paperback – April 1, 2007 “Ministry of Disturbance” by H. Beam Piper, originally published in Astounding Science Fiction, December 1958, Aegypan 2007 trade paperback, 200 pages. This is part of … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading | 12 Comments

short story Wednesday – Thrilling Stories of the Railway by Victor L. Whitechurch

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Rick Robinson

I read this in ebook form, a Kindle compilation of British Mysteries. Except for the review cited at the end of this post, the author is new to me. Thrilling Stories of the Railway by Victor L. Whitechurch, 1912.  Contents:“Peter Craine’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology, At Home in Portland, Books & Reading, Mystery | 11 Comments

Up Yours, WF!

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Rick Robinson

When we bought this house, we did it long distance from southern California, through a realtor here and the financing and so forth handled through an agency here. When all was said and done, our mortgage was handed off (sold) … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Reading | 6 Comments