I love all the folders under Books and Literature, but I have one gripe (?). With so many books now under discussion in all categories, plus the brand new Winners' Lists, how can anyone keep up with them all....and get the housework done? Seriously, it's hard to choose which current book to read and discuss with other SNetters. Doesn't anyone else have this problem?

I didn't realize I was Post No. 1 here...didn't mean to start it off on a sour note. I'm sure it will be great!

Gail, that's not sour, it's true!! It's a smorgasbord!! It's a feast at midnight on a cruise ship!!

Larry used to liken it to a library, where you walked over and picked up something that interested you.

It reminds me of a candy shop that was at the end of our street when I was 5. You'd go in, and it seemed there was miles and miles of shiny glass with candy underneath to choose from, and it was impossible to make a decision!! And your nickel went a long way then.

Do you remember those strange candies which appeared to be glued to a piece of paper? Looked like little pills? THAT was a lot for your money!

No, instead of being a negative remark, your thought reveals you to be a true reader who wants to read them ALL, and whichever discussion you finally decide to settle on, you are very welcome!!

Ginny

Gail and Ginny, how do we read so many books? I just know everyone has books piled up all over, but can you imagine the discipline I need to get past the Book Seller at the library every week? Doesn't always work.

Gail, I try to clean house with a sweep of a glance. At least I don't have to cook, but I do have to keep ahead of all these readers here in the romance book discussion. Hopefully this book will take a little longer and then we can slow down a bit to give everyone a chance to read something else. Shirley

Gail, I really relate to your comments above and share the sense of frustration in not being able to begin to participate in most of the discussions. When we started about 3 years ago or so I tried to read all of the books under discussions and it really became sort of a job and a burden. I then decided I had to pick and choose and even then, with all of the hours I spend reading on the computer, I still often don't get the books finished that I have selected. However, I am convinced that we are better off having this wide variety of books available for discussions knowing that different people like different types of books. That is what makes this such an interesting place. Never hesistate to put forth your views as you did in the first message above since we usually find others share the same thoughts. Good comment.

Larry

Haven't had any one agree to read this book and wonder what happened. Do you need more time?

Ginny, I saw that candy in a store today and it is called "candy buttons".

Well, I didn't make it past the Bookseller today. Saw them taking a cart full of books in there so had to stop in. Just found five books. Two of Rosamunde Pilcher, one for my husband, and three to mail out.Have decided that instaed of a personal library, I have a collection of books. Oh joy.

Starting date for Whitney My Love has been extended to July 6th. Hopefully some of you will choose to read this delightful book and join us at that time.Shirley.

Shirley, let's make sure everyone hears about this book between now and then! We'll hunt around for some reviews so that folks know a bit more about it...and then we'll get the word out. Don't want any lovers of Romance to miss this opportunity!

Later!
Joan

Thanks Joan. With romance being such a big seller in the book stores, there should be a lot of people interested in this discussion. Let's find them! Shirley

Hello Shirley ...Just checking in. Don't know if I am going to be able to make this book, tho' there's still plenty of time I guess. So I just might. But even if I don't I'll keep checking in if I may... Don't want to lose touch now I have found you all

Have been busy in several directions trying to promote my own book. It has been reviewed on line, and I was then asked to write an article on Electronic Books for the site. From there I became involved in 'Chats' on the same subject with more to come. And have been working to provide easy access to my book on the computer screen of my local Library. A lot of fun, and a lot of work. But I don't mind that 'cause it is giving me a lot of hope too

Mid winter here. Thick frost every morning, turning to sunshine later, and making for glorious days. My mountain is covered in snow, and beautiful.

See you...Betty

I was finally able to get a copy of Whitney from the library last night, so will start reading....hope I can get through it with company coming for the 4th!

N. Joan

Good to hear from both of you. Don't worry about getting in the discussion right away. We will take our time. I think it will be slow going on this one as I will be leaving on the 15th for three weeks. Hope to get someone to cover for me, but if not, carry on!

Betty, I saw your picture the other day and you are nothing like I pictured in my mind. Nice ddescription of your winter. Are they always mild? Not like Joan and I experience. Good to hear about your activity with the new book.

Joan, will it be the family from Mpls? Overnight parties? Fireworks? Have a glorious Fourth.

Betty, the fourth of July is our Independence Day and we go all out for ths one. Maybe you heard about the tiff England and the colonies had.

Hi Shirley ...Did you see the picture of me in the Nitelinks Website ? Or some place else ? And how had you imagined me anyway ?. Younger perhaps ? Or was it just that my beauty amazed you ? Oh Lord it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way

And today I saw the kitten I am going to adopt. He is a little stray and was so dirty the vet to whom he was taken had to give him a bath. He was only half dry when I saw him, and looked so bedraggled, but apparently he loved his bath. Maybe he should have been a goldfish... He has huge eyes and was very affectionate and I love him already even though I can't have him for a couple of days because the vet is checking him over etc. first. It's a bit like being pregnant, looking forward very much to having him all to myself.

Betty

Betty, it was in Senior Net photos. Skinny good looking you - in blue. A new kitty. Purrrrr. Be sure to join us in Feathers, Fins, and Furry Friends - Cats. Do you have a name picked out for him yet? How old do you guess him to be? Is he a he?

Well, it's time to start discussing this book. Tell me if you liked the story. Would you call Whitney immature? Would you call Clayton arrogant? Who had the most pride?

Is everybody busy reading?

I have about 70 pages left to read. Hope to get it done tonight. Then I will comment.

Northern Joan

Judith McNaught is one of my favorite Romance authors. I think Whitney, My Love was her first. When I noticed this discussion, I got out my copy and reread it.

I like this book because Whitney, the heroine, is spunky and intelligent. Clayton is arrogant and overbearing at first, but of course in a romance, true love never runs smoothly. My biggest complaint about Clayton is he is so quick to mistrust Whitney--and she is too quick to forgive him.

McNaught writes good dialogue. I can imagine the characters speaking as she has written. A lot of it is humorous, and her love scenes fit in with the plot. Sometimes in a romance novel, the sex is just in there to titilate the reader and lends nothing to the plot.

Whitney, My Love moves along at a good pace. I am usually able to finish it in a day or too. I save books like this for vacation or when I'm feeling stressed out. It has enough plot to sustain plenty of rereadings if you space it out. I'd recommend McNaught's other Romance novels, too. She's written about 7 or 8. Sue

I have read several McNaught novels and liked the others better than Whitney! I found myself constantly telling myself this novel takes place in the 1800's when women were not treated like human beings, but I still had trouble with a man like Clayton. He certainly jumped to conclusions all of the time....I think the last episode with finding the note was just too much.

As for Whitney....she did have spunk but not when she needed it!

Seems to me the only civil people in the book were Clayton's mother and brother! Even Aunt Ann (was that her name?) was suspect at times.

Northern Joan

Welcome Sue! How nice to have you with us. Hope we hear from you again as I am learning from you and Joan. It was hard for me to like this book and I was rather disapointed with the story. As Joan said, Clayton kept jumping to conclusions and Whitney kept thinking for him. Actually, it reminded me of two major literary characters. Can you guess who I mean? Now why can't it be Aunt Ann? That's a nice name.

I took four romance books with me to read on the trip and the third one was set in Seattle. I didn't know that and started reading it right after we left there. Nice coincidence.

Do you mean Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. ________. His name escapes me for the moment, but I mean the main characters in Pride and Prejudice. Sue

Whoops. Three weeks of traveling and I can't remember the characters in the story even tho I keep a list of names. A lot of good that does if I can't remember them. Guess I will have to get the book again and run thru it.

There was Lady Anne and Lord Edward Gilbert who were the aunt and uncle. Whitney stayed with them in Paris. Is that the Aunt Anne you referred to Joan?

Boy, am I tired. This is the second edit of this message.

No, not Pride and Predjudice. How about Scarlett and Rhett? They were the greatest couple in my mind. I know a romance story has to have conflict but many times it seems the author is trying to copy those two. At least it seems so to me.

I don't see the connection to Gone With the Wind except that Whitney is somewhat independent as is Scarlet. Rhett was a much more sympathetic character than Clayton, IMO. At least I had a tremendous crush on him when I first read GWTW when I was 12! I certainly didn't have any romantic notions about Clayton.

And I remembered that Mr. Darcy was Elizabeth's true love in P&P. They had lots of mixed messages and misunderstandings. Sue

You are correct. There is no comparison between the two stories. But, Scarlett and Rhett, to me, are the best in romance. I can believe them when they argue, fight, makeup and love. Any other character is a pretense compared to them. At least that is how it seems to me. Not all authors make me feel that way but some do.

Do you ever compare characters of one story to another story? I'm sure it is all in the style of the author. Oh well, I'm new at this romance stuff so please bear with me while I learn a thing or two.

It is so quiet here that I wonder if anyone has anything else to say. Are you ready to go on to another book already? I have one in mind that Joan suggested and am very anxious to read. Will wait awhile yet to see if anyone else wants to say something. I plan to go to the library tomorrow to get a book on how to lead a book discussion so lets hope I can improve my rather poor style.

Hello everyone ...Sorry I've not been around for awhile, but there have been several reasons. Caught a nasty bug which laid me low... Have a kitten who wastes my precious time . And have been working with my publisher on the final preparations for getting my children's book on line. The pictures make it a little more complicated than 'Adam Grant' was.

Shirley ..Think I'll have to give Whitney a miss, but if you can let me know what the next one is I can begin to see if my Library can supply. But I do like to look in and see what is being said, and say hello even if I have nothing but my interest to offer. Hope that is allowed

Betty

Betty, it is good to see you posting again. Hope you are recovering from that nasty bug and giving the kitten some lovin.

This is a book that Northern Joan suggested and I hope we can start a discussion on it.

THEN CAME HEAVEN by LaVeryl Spencer.

Let me know who is interested and rmember that we need at least three for a discussion. A date will be set after we find out who will join us and time allowed to get and read the book.

Want to tell you that when I looked at the book at the library, I read the fly and almost fell off the chair. It starts "In Browerville Minnesota"... my husband grew up there! Farther down it says.."at St. Josephs' Church"... He lived across the street! I brought the book home and he recognized the church right away. More about that later. I'm about half way done with it and don't know which way the story will go. I have mixed feelings about it. Should be a really good discussion.

I read the book so of course will be interested in the discussion. I am not Catholic so am wondering how someone who is Catholic will view the book. Yes, could be an interesting discussion.

Northern Joan

Hi Joan and Shirley: I've read the book, also. I'll try to get it again from the library so I can make pertinent comments. It's LaVerle Spencer's last book, or so she says. Shirley, I wonder if your husband knows Mrs. Spencer. In a small town like that, everyone probably knows everyone else. At least that's the way it was in the small town where I grew up. Sue

Joan and Sue, delighted to have you join in the discussion. I was born and raised in Mpls MN and converted to the Catholic faith when I was 16. I am reading this with strong Catholic beliefs and can picture so much of what is happening. Today I cried as I read it. We raised four daughters so you can see how this could affect me.

Robert says he did not know her. When he graduated from high school he went right into the army and in 1952 we got married. The stonework and grotto mentioned in the story was built by his father and I have postcards showing it.

Hi Shirley ...Just reporting in. I'm OK now thanks. And Leo continues to grow and delight me .

So is 'Then Came Heaven' the book I have to go looking for ?. Or is the final decision not yet made ?

Betty

That's right, Betty. "Then Came Heaven" by LaVeryl Spencer will be the next book and you will make four so the discussion can start. Please let me know when you get the book so we can set a starting date. I have to let the powers that be know about it so it can be announced and a new setting put up. So glad you are better and will be joining us. Leo,hmm?

If you like romance, in-depth characters, laughter and a few tears this book is for you. This is one of McNaught's earliest books. Her latest, Night Whispers, I'm sorry to say, is not nearly as good. Others I'd recommend--Something Wonderful, Kingdom of Dreams and Until You.

Hi, M, and Welcome!! We are delighted to see you here and I know Shirley will be thrilled, this Romance section is growing daily.

Welcome, and please stay around and look over all our Books & Literature sections!

Ginny

Hello everyone.....This site was recommended to me by Sue (SpringCreek Farm) from another books forum. How interesting to find you all here. I love finding new people to talk to.

I have the book "And Then Came Heaven". LaVyrle Spencer is my very favorite author and I've read all of her books except this one. Haven't been able to get into it yet, but will, so I can join the discussion.

I love discussing books. I don't have a lot of people in my personal life that read a lot. I didn't read "Whitney, My Love" (I don't think) because I'm not usually interested in far back historicals (although I have read some of them and don't just throw them out totally.) Early America or late 19th century I do like though.

I have a book that I would like to suggest for later on and see what you all think of it. It is really "different" but a very good read. I think it would definitely bring a lot of discussion. It is called "Firebird" by Janice Graham. It has been on the New York Times Bestseller list. Also "A Song for the Asking" by Steve Gannon is very good, although not literally a romance novel. More of a family in conflict as Spencer often writes about.

I am also from Atlanta, Ga.

Hi Wittywoman1....glad to see you here. Hope you get that book read and will add to our discussion. I read it earlier this summer....it is supposedly Spencer's last book....she is retiring. She lives in Stillwater MN so her books with a MN flavor are interesting to me.

Northern Joan

WEll, Shirley, you must be living right!!!

Welcome, welcome Wittywoman1!!!! How neat this all is, how exciting for Shirley!! Such fun to see our Romance Group take off, those books sound fabulous.

Now, you're from Atlanta, do you know our Larry Hanna? He's the greatest, one of our Books Hosts here and lives in Atlanta, too!

And I see you're on bellsouth, just like me, I'm a couple of hours from Atlanta but it's down I-85 so I don't get down much, it's closer for me to Charlotte, NC.

WE are so glad to see you here, and your statement that you love discussing books went right to my heart. I see Northern Joan has already welcomed you, this is a nice group of people in here, and we hope to see you in ALL of our Books discussions and thank Sue for me, a lot!!

WHEE!! Such fun!

Ginny

Hey WittyWoman1! I'm glad you took my advice, but don't forget to come back to ThirdAge's BookTalk. I live 3 hours out of Atlanta in rural southcentral Alabama, so I think we might have more in common than books. I read Then Came Heaven earlier this year when it got to my library. I'll try to get it back and reread it in order to participate in the discussion. Spencer's books are pretty popular at our small county library, so I may have to wait for it. Sue

Third Age??

Well, ahem, er....I don't like to be caught bragging, and we all know I'm a bit biased here, as I know ThirdAge is just great, but, ahem, we actually think our Books & Literature sections are second to none! We know we have the best, best people and we think we have the very best discussions anywhere! hahahahah Our Books & Lit Book Clubs have been written up in the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal Constitution (ahem) hahahaha, for starters, and all we are, are people who love books! AND we're under scrutiny right now by a professor at Rice University who is including a chapter on Online Book Clubs in her new book on book clubs (of course, ThirdAge might be too!)

So the best thing to do is visit us BOTH often and well, and "sit deep and come often, you're one of the Folks!" hahahahahaha

Ginny

Ginny, the information in your post about the New York Times, Atlanta Constitution, and the professor at Rice University was most interesting. However, I will have to tell you I feel more comfortable at ThirdAge's BookTalk discussion, hosted by GinnyAnn. I subscribed to the Amsterdam discussion here at SeniorNet and have been lurking all summer, but couldn't get the book at my library and after lurking there, I felt somewhat intimidated by the discussion. I read primarily for enjoyment and don't have much to offer in the way of motivation, themes, characterization, plot, etc. The Amsterdam discussion was way over my head! However, I'm not giving up and will continue to participate both here and at ThirdAge. You have more participants, I think, and they all seem like geniuses to me. Sue

Welcome, welcome, welcome. M and Wittywoman 1. So very happy to see you and delighted to have you join us.Thanks Ginny and Joan for your greetings to them as I had my back turned.

Actually, I was reading a few books on how to lead a book discussion since this is a new venture for me. The discussion for Whitney My Love was rather disappointing and I guess my being out of town didn't help.

The books you suggested have been added to the list, Wittywoman. May I call you WW? Do like that name. I got a pin from a daughter that says WOW! I thought it was because I turned 70 but found out from the catalog it stands for wiser older woman. Well, that's true too.

Sue, I too read for the enjoyment and don"t always know just what the author is trying to say in the long run. I think we will get along just fine.

M I have several of Judith McNaughts' book but not sure which ones. We have a Book Seller at our main library and I can pick up discarded books there for a quarter. Since I am there every week, it is hard to walk by without stopping in and of course coming out with at leastfour books. Not all for me tho as I have found a few for the people in Books Wanted and my husband too.

Ginny and Joan, thanks for greeting the new people. It looks like I should get on line every day instead of every other. Shirley

Sue, glad you're going to hang in here, you seem a heck of a lot smarter than I am, that's for sure! I have a feeling if you had been able to get the book AMSTERDAM you'd have instantly known where they were coming from, too, had I known you had trouble getting it, you could have had mine: it was a weekend read with very little prose. Made you wonder what the author was about.

We're hard at work to make a place where we all can feel comfortable and happy. I have seen Ginny Ann's work and she seems great! (In fact, you'll laugh at this, I once thought of asking her to join us here! hahahahaha) We hope when we get thru, as we're still growing, that we can offer something for everyone, not everybody wants the same thing in a book discussion of which we're totally aware, and if you will keep on saying what you do want, we can magically alter some of our book discussions to meet everybody's needs. At least that is our goal.

Meanwhile, those of you who could happily sit and diagram sentences all day, take heart, you've got a discussion coming in September, too!!!!

Something for everybody, that's our goal, and thanks for speaking up and saying what you'd like!!!

Shirley, I'm looking forward to your adroit handling of your new discussion, it appears you've got a great group here!! If you've learned anything about leading discussions, please don't hesitate to pass it on, we're all learning here.

Ginny

Hi everyone.....Thank you so much for all the wonderful, warm welcomes. I've got to quit reading your lists though because I want to run down and get some of the wonderful sounding books that you mention and I have shelves of books waiting for me all ready....LOL

I have finally finished my book "Judas Child" by Carol Connell. How very disappointing it was. A suspense novel that was so confusing that I still don't know what some of it was about. The end was very much of a let-down. Oh well, on to better things.

I started "Jordan's Bend" and it is very nice. Doesn't seem to move along very quickly, but it has such descriptions of the life of the girl telling the story. It is about Tennessee mountain people along the Tennessee river during the depression when the TVA came and took land to build dams and such. It is written in the dialect of the people at the time and describes in detail their lives. I'm finding it to be very warm. It is almost like a diary.

Sue, my mothers family came from Alabama. They were from down around Pell City, and.... wouldn't you know my mind has deserted me. I can't remember the towns that they were from. I will remember later I'm sure. My brother lives in Al. now up near Cullman.

I don't know the gentleman from Atlanta, but I guess that isn't surprising. JimVa, we do have connections in Mo. My husband is from Mo. and he has relatives that live all over that state. Some from Springfield and around the Lake of the Ozarks. He is from around Sikeston, MO. I just love this small world that we live in.

I'm glad to meet all of you. I have friends from other boards that I have been corresponding with for over 2 years. Have met 1 in person.

Well, it's Sat. and time for the Sat. errands. Hubby is getting ready so guess I had better too. I will check in again later and am looking forward to our discussions. I will start "And Then Came Heaven". I think I can read these two books at the same time with no trouble.

See you later.......

Nice to see you posting again Wittywoman. I haven't read either of the books you mention....I'm not too much of a mystery fan.

And Then Came Heaven is an easy read, so you should have no trouble there.

Have a good Saturday.

Northern Joan

PS: Am I the only one who, every time they look at the title of this discussion, thinks it says "Whiney," my love? hahahahaaa I have to blink every time. Shows you where my mind is!

Ginny

It's a lovely day in Milw and I stopped in to see how everyone is doing. Was at KMart this morning and found THEN CAME HEAVEN in paperback. If there are any lurkers who can't get the book from a library, try Barnes and Noble. They may have it in paperback also. I have learned that when you see something you want, buy it. It might not be around next time. So I bought four of them for Christmas presents.

Have you taken a look at the Book Groups Gathering? I'm sure someone will make a clickable for it since I can't. We are gathering in Chicago Nov 11-14 just to meet each other. Doesn't that sound like a great idea? Come, join us, and put a face to all these words! Joan and Ginny will be there as will I. Oh, Betty, is New Zealand too far away?

We hav a new site for the new book and will switch over soon. Still need to set a starting date but feel free to move any time. I'll check in at both places.

 Then Came Heaven

Hello again everyone.....I've been totally swamped for several days and have been trying very hard to get back over here.

I found my copy of "Then Came Heaven". I had put it in a different shelf than usual so had lost track of it. I'm going to try to get started on it today. I have another book going but can do both together if I can just get the time. Thought I had the whole day today, but my youngest son and his wife, who is expecting in about 4 weeks, came by and wanted me to do lunch with them. It always puts me a little behind but I never pass up the opportunity to spend time with them. We have such a good time. This will be the first grandchild that I've lived near when it is born, we are so excited.

Well, off to try to catch back up......will check in again soon...I've already bookmarked the new site, so I'm ready to go, if I can just get the reading going now.....

Hi Witty Woman, glad to know you found your book and our new site. See you there.

WHAT A RARE MOOD I'M IN........Just had to break into song. I am definitely in love.

This morning at 9:00 a.m. we welcomed our 5th grandchild, a beautful little girl, three weeks early. What a surprise!!!!

She weighed 6lbs. loz. and is 20 inches long. Shelby Aron Wisdom. And I must say she is gorgeous. Grandma is pooped. Only about 4 hours of sleep, but still not wanting to go to bed. I guess I just hate to turn loose of the day. I got to see the delivery for the first time of any of my grandchildren. The most wonderful experience imaginable. My other kids were either on the far end of the country or in a hospital that didn't allow grandmas to be in. This was my youngest son and his wife........So very thankful everything turned out. They had l