#WritersCoffeeClub Nov 3: What's the best money you ever spent as a writer?

For instruction, TELLING LIES FOR FUN AND PROFIT by #LawrenceBlock. For inspiration, WILD GRATITUDE by #EdwardHirsch.

#Poetry #Fiction

“One thing that helps is to give myself permission to write badly. I tell myself that I’m going to do my five or 10 pages no matter what, and that I can always tear them up the following morning if I want. I’ll have lost nothing—writing and tearing up five pages would leave me no further behind than if I took the day off.

Lawrence Block

I am unsure why I chose to read Lawrence Block’s “The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza.” I think that it was the nod to Spinoza that enticed me to open the book. From the first page, Lawrence Block’s sharp writing style, which balanced humour and serious themes, gripped me from start to finish. There were plot’s twists and well-crafted supporting characters that enriched the story’s complexity. And the nickel is real, but you must read the book to find out more!

Book Review: The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza

Author: Lawrence Block
Genre: Mystery/Detective

In “The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza,” Lawrence Block masterfully combines intellectual intrigue with a crime narrative. The protagonist, Bernie Rhodenbarr, is a charming burglar with a penchant for philosophy—specifically in this book, the works of Spinoza. As he navigates the murky world of crime, Bernie’s sharp wit and existential musings offer a unique lens through which to view his exploits.

Block’s writing is both engaging and insightful, blending humour with deeper reflections on morality and ethics. The plot is intricately woven: a seemingly simple burglary leads to a tangled web of murder and deception, challenging Bernie to outwit both the law and his adversaries.

For those who appreciate a blend of intellectualism with their thrillers, “The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza” is a fascinating read that will leave readers pondering the complexities of human experience even after the last page is turned. It’s a testament to Block’s skill that he can make a burglar so relatable and thought-provoking.

In a 2022 episode of The Book Dialogue, my sister, Sarah, and I ventured into the irresistible world of Lawrence Block’s novel, The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza.

The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza – The Book Dialogue

Lawrence Block: A Brief Biography

Lawrence Block (born June 24, 1938) is an American crime writer best known for two long-running New York-set series about the recovering alcoholic private investigator Matthew Scudder and the gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr. Recognized for his contributions to the genre, Block was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1994. He received many awards and nominations over the years: Anthony Awards, Edgar Awards and Shamus Awards.

With a prolific career spanning more than half a century, Block has written in the genres of crime, mystery, and suspense fiction, releasing over 100 books. His works have engaged readers with their inventive plots, complex characters, and novel narratives, establishing him as a significant figure in American literature.

For more information on the Bernie Rhodenbarr series, check our Lawrence Block’s website: “Bernie Rhodenbarr Novels.”

Blog Break

Dear readers and followers,

I will be taking a break from October 4, to November 1, 2024. I will be scheduling new content during this time, although comments will be closed. I appreciate your continued support and look forward to connecting with you again upon my return.

Rebecca

https://rebeccasreadingroom.ca/2024/10/22/the-burglar-who-studied-spinoza-by-lawrence-block/

#DetectiveFiction #FictionSalon #LawrenceBlock #MysteryFiction #TheBurglarWhoStudiedSpinoza

「依頼人とはまだ会っていません。事件のことは新聞で読んだだけです」
「だったらなぜ無実とわかるんです」
「わたしの依頼人だからです」
「はあ？」

#LawrenceBlock 『エイレングラフ弁護士の事件簿』

The Naked and the Deadly: Lawrence Block in Men's Adventure Magazines is a superb collection. For me the highlights are the three Ed London PI stories and the two Evan Tanner tales. So much pulp fun here. Early Lawrence Block is always a treat.

My review: https://vintagepopfictions.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-naked-and-deadly-lawrence-block-in.html

#vintagethrillers #vintagethriller #vintagemystery #vintagemysteries #noir #noirfiction #crimefiction #hardboiledcrime hardboiledfiction #hardboiled #pulpfiction #LawrenceBlock #mensadventure

Listening to the audio book of Lawrence Block's HIT LIST and all of a sudden I am getting the strong urge to retrieve my teenage stamp collection from the attic that swallows all and become a philatelist.

#LawrenceBlock #Philately

Lawrence Block's Campus Tramp, one of his early sleaze novels written 1959 under the name Andrew Shaw. When love goes wrong a college girl devotes her life to sleeping around. Not a great book but intriguing when you read between the lines.

My review: https://vintagepopfictions.blogspot.com/2024/01/lawrence-blocks-campus-tramp.html

#LawrenceBlock #AndrewShaw #VintageSleaze #sleazefiction #pulpfiction

I read 37 crime novels in 2023. The highlight was Lawrence Block’s The Girl with the Long Green Heart from 1965. I just love novels about con-artists. And this is a great one.

My review: https://vintagepopfictions.blogspot.com/2023/10/lawrence-blocks-girl-with-long-green.html

#noir #noirfiction #LawrenceBlock #vintagecrime

#WritersCoffeeClub Dec. 28 — What are your thoughts on using real brand names in your writing?

I'm fine w/ it. It helps bring characters into a specific place and time. #IanFleming used real brands. #RobertBParker did. OTOH, it's also fine to invent brands as #LawrenceBlock does. However, if there's no purpose using a brand name, it's not necessary.

I used a real type of jeep in my story "Fred" b/c I wanted readers to have a real point of reference:

https://www.mysterytribune.com/fred-private-eye-flash-fiction-by-gerald-so/

A Diet of Treacle (AKA Pads Are for Passion) by Lawrence Block writing as Sheldon Lord was marketed as sleaze but is really beatnik noir. A very dark look at beatnik subculture, with three beatnik losers on the run. Offbeat but intriguing.

My review: https://vintagepopfictions.blogspot.com/2023/11/lawrence-blocks-diet-of-treacle-pads.html

#LawrenceBlock #SheldonLord #noir #noirfiction #beatniks #vintagesleaze #sleazefiction