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Book Review - The Sex Lives of Cannibals
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Diving Debbie
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 Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 02:20 am

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Anyone who has ever lived on an island, or desires to live on an island must read this memoir by J. Maarten Troost. I haven't read his follow-up, Getting Stoned with Savages, but I intend to. The best way to sum up this book is to quote from the epilogue and the couple's trip to the mall upon their return to civilization (if you can call it that - they were living in DC):

Even though the thermometer said it was 78 degrees, I found it excruciatingly cold, and so I walked around with several layers of tropical shirts and socks with ingeniously cut slits to accommodate my flipflops. So attired among the besuited Washington throngs, I discovered that I elicited the kind of reactions typically reserved for gun-toting crackheads.

I would send it to the troll at the bridge, but I borrowed it from the library.

http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Lives-Cannibals-Equatorial-Pacific/dp/0767915305/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212718780&sr=8-1

Last edited on Fri Jun 6th, 2008 02:21 am by Diving Debbie



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Island Woman MJ
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 Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 11:30 am

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This sounds great! Thanks. Stealing from the library is a sure ticket to  hell, so I'll figure out the other way to get it :cool:



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Prudence
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 Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 01:00 pm

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I agree, The Sex Lives of Cannibals, was a great read! 

I keep hoping to find Getting Stoned with Savages on a book exchange shelf, but have not yet had any luck.  And, of course, our limited cruising budget does not allow for me to even consider the purchase of new books.  Therefore, if anyone on island has a copy of J. Maarten Troost’s second book to lend for a few days, I promise not to get it wet.

Thanks,

Doug aboard the sailing vessel Prudence
Personal blog:  http://www.sailblogs.com/member/ashiya/ 



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admin
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 Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 02:54 pm

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welcome Prudence!!! 

and Island Woman SOOOOOOOO needs to read these books.......if any readers have ones to loan her, please do so.....they are great!



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Diving Debbie
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 Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 10:43 pm

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Well, Doug - you may very well have been the reason I looked into it - credit where credit is due. Do you have something posted in your blog about it? I kind of thought I got the recommendation from scubadiving.com, but maybe it was you. I read your blog all the time - love it!



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Abe Ross
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 Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 12:13 am

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Debbie,

Thanks for the suggestion - I've put a hold on it at our local library.  And speaking of libraries, does the Paradise still have that back room with shelves of exchange books?



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Diving Debbie
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 Posted: Sat Jun 7th, 2008 12:34 am

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Abe,

Paradise does still have the book room (so does On Island near the Dinghy Dock). But, did you know, there's a library on Culebra now? It's staffed by volunteers, open a few hours a week, and is located on the road between the Bomberos and the old Baxter plant. Check it out this winter. . .

MJ can probably help with the background details, but I believe a benefactor donated the "building" (an air conditioned trailer) and all the books were donated (many by yours truly - I loved cleaning off the shelves and getting rid of books I had already read or was never going to).



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beachbound
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 02:36 pm

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Thanks for the book suggestions.  I ordered them as soon as I read the post, before they idea flew out of my mind.  I got "Sex Lives of Cannibals...", "Getting Stoned with Savages...." and also "An Embarrassment of Mangoes:  A Caribbean Interlude" by Amy Vanderhoof.  The last one was suggested when I purchase the others---and I am suggestible, so I got it.  I will work hard to find the time to read them asap then donate them to the new library via MJ!

Prudence
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 03:47 pm

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An Embarrassment of Mangoes is a FANTASTIC book!  In fact, it provided the initial inspiration for Sheryl and I to learn how to sail, buy a boat, and escape to the Caribbean.





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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 04:26 pm

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alright Sue -- sounds like you better read quickly and get 'em on down to Island Woman. 

I'll have to check out An Embarrassement of Mangos.....thanks for the tip Prudence!!



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beachbound
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 05:39 pm

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Oh boy, the pressure is on now!  I should prepare my husband and kids to be ignored for a while!! :shock: 

Doug and Sheryl, thanks for the personal review of Embarrassment of Mangoes, I am SO glad I ordered it now!!  I can't wait to escape into all my new books.....where is that UPS truck??? 

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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 05:40 pm

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Island Woman probably hijacked it and gunpoint.:D



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beachbound
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 06:05 pm

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I don't care if she did as long as she shares when she's done!!:D

Island Woman MJ
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 08:13 pm

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Sorry I missed most of this until now...I've been playing oh poor me with my back. Sit, get prone, sit, walk, groan, drink. Start over.

I SWEAR I've not hijacked anything, I know my dear beachbound will make sure I get the goods (that was a funny little afternoon interlude, eh Sue?) as soon as she's done. Can't wait, will wait.

I won't tell the library story, it's better to see and hear it in person, but if you are a reader, or even if not, just to see what has been done, this should be a *must check out* while on island. The founders and volunteers are devoted and diligent and have done an incredible job of providing all sorts of goodies for pleasure or research. Balloon John just hooked up the internet for them as well. I'm not sure how that works, but I know it DOES work! John is good.

To be sure of the hours, check with Excetera, or just crane your neck on your way to Dinghy Dock; it's the trailer right beyond the fire station. There is some new signage as well, to help the lost be book found.



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beachbound
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 08:22 pm

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I'd forgive you even if you had, you know I love you!  And yes, this afternoon was amusing.  I feel that with your wording we might have some less than clean minds thinking erroneous thoughts ;)!

Island Woman MJ
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10th, 2008 10:45 pm

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No worries Sue, we don't get much entertainment here and since your guy BeachBounder knows all about us, let's give 'em something to talk about (it's going to be a long, l o n g summer).

Truthfully, I am such an idiot...I make gaffes like that constantly, due to my purity of mind and deed.



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beachbound
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 Posted: Wed Jun 11th, 2008 01:14 am

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I was just proud that it wasn't me having the "innocent blonde" moment this time!!  Oh, I can feel the breeze from the rumors flying right now!  It was worth it though, anytime, anyplace--lots of fun!! ;)

Doug
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 Posted: Wed Jun 11th, 2008 11:59 am

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A thread with book reviews, eh?  I've got an enigmatic one, for certain.  I picked up Downhill Lie, Carl Hiaasen's newest.  It was my trip book for my recent visit to Cambridge, MA, to see my nephew graduate from Hahvahd (got the plug in, dude).  Anyhoo, it's a nonfiction piece about CH attempting to take the game up after a 30 year hiatus (shouldn't that be spelled hiaatus?).  It's amusing, but only laugh-out-loud funny if one is as shi**y a golfer as Carl or I.  I'm trying to decide if sending it to the Culebra Literary GuildTM is a waste of postage.  Golf is as revered on Culebra as Victor G's eco-enterprises.   And, yet, it is Carl Hiaasen. 

Last edited on Wed Jun 11th, 2008 12:05 pm by Doug



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Jim
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 Posted: Wed Jul 9th, 2008 06:05 pm

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I have for a longtime now viewed the
suite types as a uniformed brainwashed cadre of
sorts. There definitely is some conforming to the club
aspect to it, an implied consent or pledge to
obedience.

.Pretty harsh, eh, but thats how I feel, even though
I spent the better part of my life as a "three piecer".
After "Corporate World' I went back to entertainment
in the form of a studio (which went belly up) but it
allowed me to grow my hair long for the first time
since college, 1970,

I felt more comfortable, a little rebellious or maybe
cavalier. And then Culebra, when I got here. Quique
Canovas said to me "Jimmy you need to cut that
hair" and I said "What so I can look like a banker or an
attorney, No thanks".

I may look left, but I'm right.

Last edited on Wed Jul 9th, 2008 06:45 pm by Jim



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Doug
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 Posted: Wed Jul 9th, 2008 06:15 pm

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Jim,

I'll include it in my next shipment to the CLG, with a note to reserve it for you.   While it certainly simplifies human classification to ascribe attitudes and beliefs based on superficial appearances and even recreational pursuits, I discontinued the practice in my late 20s.  I found the methodology and results to be alarmingly imprecise.

Doug



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