I think Betsy read McKinley's Sunshine and wasn't thrilled with it.

Betsy liked Sunshine despite misgivings, though not as much as some other Buffistas, IIRC. I detested it, which saddens me, because I love McKinley's work in general.

Previous discussion here -- it gets into white-font pretty soon, but there's some initial nonspoilery stuff.

Nutty, have you seen the film recently? Because I saw the film right after it came out, and shortly after I'd read the book, and even though all I remember clearly is Maggie Smith, I do remember shaking my head coming out of the theatre, as if there was water in my ears. I need to read the book again; I was literally a teenager and haven't read it since.

Anybody here ever read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie? I just finished it yesterday and would like to talk it over a bit.

Probably too long ago to be of any use in a discussion. I've never seen the movie at all. Sorry.

And Coffee People! Machismo Mouse!

Not so much anymore. Coffee People retains the name, but was bought out by Starbucks. You can still get Black Tiger there.

Machismo Mouse crashed and apparently only has one franchise left, I'm not sure where. ::shrugs::

Still, Portland is wonderful. Meara, save time to visit the Rose Garden (not the arena, the actual garden) in Washington Park, particularly if it's clear. Gorgeous views, beautiful roses. And yes, go to Powell's.

They'd moved the children's section since I'd been there (and expanded it hugely); I was all disoriented.

Meara, you do need self-control at Powell's, but the good thing is they shelve used copies with the new ones, so you can often find a version in your budget.

And the Chinese Classical Garden is only a few blocks away. Very beautiful and calming.

I've lived in Portland for 15 years now, and would not live anywhere else.

I lived there from 1990 to 1994, and every time I go back I wonder why I ever left.

And then I remember: I like to eat.

Also? Clothes and housing are cool too.

meara, which used bookstore is the one you've been visiting in DC?

Second Story in Dupont is very hit or miss. Bonifant up on Georgia Avenue is much better (I think that's where it is). Book Bank in Old Town is also hit or miss.

Nutty, have you seen the film recently?

Not in probably 3 years, but one does not forget That Voice and That Accent saying "I am in my prime." I don't think I entirely appreciated what a role that is when I saw the movie for the first time.

The really confusing part is that the movie and the book have different plots, in some ways, but at least on the surface have the same point. But I'm not sure that the point stays the same once you get below the surface. I never felt particularly sorry for movie-Brodie, but I pitied her terribly in the book.

It's "Pages from a Young Girl's Journal." I think the easiest place to find it (still in print, also likely to be in libraries) is Alan Ryan's Penguin Book of Vampire Stories. Oh! Which also has the Fritz Leiber, one of the novellas that makes up The Vampire Tapestry, and C.L. Moore's "Shambleau," which I love with a mad passion. And really lovely romantic vampire story called "Bite Me Not; or Fleur-de-Feu" by Tanith Lee.

I have that! I love, love, love it! I've had it for years, and I regularly re-read it.

Jilli, if you don't have it, you must own it. It's a great anthology. It's got Wellman's "School for the Unspeakable" and excerpts from "Varney the Vampire" and Byron's vampire novella.

I read "Sunshine" and it was...fine. Nothing amazng, to me, but certainly good enough for an afternoon's reading. It's not up to par with "Hero and the Crown" or "The Blue Sword."

Edited for idiot-speak