Yes! A brilliant novel and, for once, followed by a great movie. I never get tired of rereading (and re-viewing) "Rosemary's Baby."

Have you read SON OF ROSEMARY? I'm curious enough to read it. I heard it's not as good as ROSEMARY'S BABY but I'm curious as a sequel where it goes?

I read a preview on line and stopped immediately,

Although not a book, there was a movie: Look What Happened to Rosemary's Baby (1976). Have any of you seen it? Not a masterpiece, but it was interesting to watch because I wanted to know what happened.

That's why I want to read the sequel olivant, to see what happened. Turnbull, that bad after just a preview?

James Ellroy has a new one coming out soon. Based around the guy Jack Nicholson's character in Chinatown was based on. Sounds interesting.

https://www.latimes.com/entertainme...illating-new-tabloid-tinseltown-thriller

Its already available at Barnes & Noble, I picked it up today. Can't wait to get started!

CHEATED: THE INSIDE STORY OF THE ASTROS SCANDAL AND A COLORFUL HISTORY OF SIGN STEALING

Andy Martino does an absolutely terrific job investigating this scandal that shook the game of baseball to it's core. Easily presented, the first few chapters give brief instances of sign stealing in the game, dating back as far as 1900. Then we get into the meat and potatoes of why you're truly reading this book: The Houston Astros. The main players are identified (A.J. Hinch, Alex Cora, Carlos Beltran, and Jeff Luhnow), along with the teams most prolific players (Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and Jose Altuve). Martino divests chapters into Hinch's, Cora's, Beltran's, and Luhnow's backstory, which is appreciated, as I didn't know much about any one of them off the baseball field. The book details the extreme pressure and toxic environment Jeff Luhnow and his team created in Houston. Always searching for new and "innovative" ways to get an edge on the rest of the league. This "forced" an intern to create the program Codebreaker and they were off. The team attempts to justify their cheating believing, unfoundedly mind you, other teams in the league were doing it and they were just trying "to keep up." Once past the backstories of the main players, the book then goes season by season from 2016 until the 2019 season, when the whistle was finally blown when former Astros pitcher Mike Friers went public, before the final chapter wraps up with the aftermath of the scandal at the time of printing. If you have any interest in this subject matter, you'll enjoy this book; however, be forewarned this will make your blood boil!

NUCLEAR FOLLY by Sergeii Plokhi

There's no such thing as reading too much about the Cuban missile crisis, because new info is always being uncovered that shows just how close the world came to annihilation. The author, chair of the Ukrainian Studies Dept. at Harvard, had access to former Soviet archives and gives the best account yet about the run-up to the missile buildup and Khrushchev's reaction once his weapons were discovered. Plokhi's conclusion: after both Kennedy and Khrushchev "made every mistake in the book," they realized that neither wanted a thermonuclear war--and both were losing control over people and events on the ground. Excellent reading.

Just read Nicky Barnes book. I thought it was a great insight on his operations and dealings with different people. It had some funny moments in it as well.

2034: A Novel of the Next World War by Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavritis (ret.)

This novel, set 13 years in the future, posits that China has developed technology that allows it to "blind" US Naval ships and aircraft. A three-warship US Navy task force cruising the South China Sea on a "right of passage" mission is destroyed in a Chinese trap. The Navy sends more than 30 warships in a two-carrier task force to the area. It, too, is destroyed, leading the US to nuke a Chinese city with 10 million deaths; leading China to destroy San Diego and Galveston; leading the US to destroy Shanghai...but there's no denouement , just a gradual petering-out of the novel, with India emerging as a mega-power.

The sequence of actions/reactions is completely non-credible, the technology is wrong, the characters are two-dimensional and the writing is weak. How someone as distinguished and knowledgeable as Admiral Stavritis got involved here is beyond my understanding. The one value of this novel is to warn about China's global intentions.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

Quentin Tarantino's first novel, based upon his latest film, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD. The novel is a great and nostalgic way to both enjoy the story via another medium but also allows Tarantino the opportunity to change some things around. The ending is nothing like the film so it's not a complete regurgitation of the story we already know. In addition, more depth and background are given to characters. The only knock I have against it is sometimes Quentin contradicts himself, where earlier in the book he'll say one thing, only to later completely state the opposite. Other than that, this was a very enjoyable read and I wish Tarantino would do this with all of his films (although I'm well aware of that not happening). If the film was a love letter to Hollywood, this is an encyclopedia, choke-full with shows, actors, directors, and songs of yesteryear. If you enjoyed the film, you'll enjoy this as well!

FACE IT: A MEMOIR

Debbie Harry recounts her life and work and while the story is interesting, be forewarned: it comes in a little lite. The book is only 352 pages long and that includes pictures as well as fan art. Debbie goes through her entire life, from her being adopted, to her moving from New Jersey to New York City, to her start in music, until her ultimate success with Blondie, and her downfall. However, the book is rather superficial as she only briefly goes into personal stories before glancing over months/years. Only during the final chapter does she reveal she's a private person, so it makes sense. Being this is the only work we'll probably ever get from her directly, I'd still say it's worth a read; but just know going in to it, it could have been much more.

I’ve read a hundred books recently, but one of them was Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli. I picked it up after seeing it advertised here. It’s very interesting to hear the story behind my favourite movie The Godfather. I would like to see another book written about the making of The Godfather Part II.

I have a video of Blondie that I recorded off of PBS from a few years ago, sponsored by WTTW, Chicago. They were absolutely great. Debbie just slayed the crowd--she had them completely in the palm of her hand. She reminded me of a somewhat debauched Marilyn Monroe, and May West. What a combination!

I agree w/ that bigtime...I remember seeing them (Blondie) @ CBGB's in '77 ..and being amazed for what was then somewhat inexpensive door pricing..Debbie was oh so sexy & as a kid who often got where he wanted despite the age ( I was only 15)..we had no problems getting booze or first view vision...weed was everywhere & good times abound..the only thing that I remember was the problem of gathering up fare 2 get back home to Philly...we were so irresponsible back then..spend all now...think later.

Great story hoodlum! Were you ever fortunate enough to meet Debbie?

In my dreams 12..I would creamed my pants if I were fortunate enough 2 just shake her hand!

The Last Emperor of Mexico - Edward Shawcross

This is a lively, infoHe rmative, often witty account of how Maximilian, a Habsburg prince off the mid-19th Century, was suckered by France's Napoleon III into becoming "Emperor" of Mexico with support from French and other European troops. France wanted a big stronghold in North America, and the well-intentioned but naive Maximilian was their instrument. After three rocky years, he was ousted by the Liberals under Benito Juarez, tried and executed. France's plot failed, and Mexico went through years of revolving dictatorships. All in all, a very good read.

I'm reading Joachim Fest’s biography, Hitler. A brilliant biography of him as a politician and warlord.

Im going through a Band of Brothers phase the minute.

recent books i've read are:

Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest
Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

Next books to read

Easy Company Soldier Don Malarkey: The Legendary Battles of a Sergeant from World War II's "Band of Brothers"

Helmet for my pillow- Robert Leckie

The past year or so i've been reading alot on WW2, be interested to know what recommendations with regards to books people have on the topic?

I don't have many books on WW2 but it is the war I'm most interested in. A great (but very long) book is THE RISE AND FALL OF THE THIRD REICH by William L. Shirer. Longest book I've ever read at 1,147 pages (hardcover). I read it during COVID but well worth the time and extremely detailed, in-depth, and well researched.

The Confession by John Grisham

Why do I put myself through this? Middling stuff. Haven't truly enjoyed one of his books in a long while. I must have already gone through all the great ones.

What would be your top 5 books from OC genre?

If you mean nonfiction OC, then I'd probably have Five Families, Mafia Prince, The Brotherhoods: The True Story of Two Cops Who Murdered for the Mafia, Murder Machine and Gotti: The Rise and Fall in there.

Haven't got around to Blood and Honour yet but George Anastasia's books are all good, aside from the Alite one.

Appreciate it! Have read all except Mafia Prince. Will have to check that out.

Great, thanks for the recommendation

BLACKOUT

First time author and one of my favorite political commentators, Candace Owens delivers her Blexit movement from the Democratic party by advertising the books tagline as "how black America can make its second escape from the Democrat plantation." The book is a quick read with 11 chapters and 269 pages. However, while not overstaying her welcome with fluff, Candace gets to the heart of the matter by questioning the black communities undying support for Democratic leaders. Written prior to the 2020 election as a thought provoking book for black voters that is still very much relevant today with the November mid-term elections quickly approaching. Candace poses the question from a variety of different angles with the chapters tackling issues such as conservatism, family, feminism, overcivilization, socialism and government handouts, education, media, excuses, faith, culture, and finally slavery. She also brings her own experience to the table as prior to only a few years ago, Candace was a Democrat voter herself. This is an honest and at times, difficult conversation Candace has with the reader. Holding a mirror up and asking the reader to engage in self-reflection. Overall, I was excited to read this and I did enjoy it, just not as much as I was hoping to. Candace is very well spoken, educated, and makes valid points. Those alone are worth reading this.

Still reading Joachim Fest’s biography, Hitler. I read about 50% but it's huge.