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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

AND MANY WONDERFUL BOOKS TO READ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !!!

Marnie's -- The Mutiny on Board H.M.S. Bounty, By: William Bligh

A very happy new year to all of YOU! As Babi says - so many good books to talk about - and some to discuss in detail,

Does a gothic mystery appeal? We're starting Wilkie Collins' A Woman in White tomorrow. You won't believe his powerful storytelling! I can't believe this 1860 tale is so engaging still, after all this time. Do join us - - the more the merrier!

Our collection of Readers' Guides is really growing - what a great resource for readers - thank you Marni!

\_/ Let's all toast the New Year.

May it be better than the last year.

May we read many good books.

May we have the strength and wisdom that we need.

May we find the humor in little things.

May love be in our lives and the lives of our family members.

May we each have many good things to report at this time next year.

Marjorie.. What a lovely toast, I will surely join you in this.

Kiwilady: Best wishes to you for your birthday today. Hope you have a lovely day with family and friends....Cheers!

Happy New Year!

OH it's Carolyn's BIRTHDAY?

Happy Happy Birthday, Carolyn!!

And many more! Turn up the speakers and Everybody SING!

Did you all see yesterday's newspaper? It appears that Lake Superior State University has once again come out with its list of words and phrases and abbreviations they think should be banned forever from our use, and since we here are about words, what do you think of them?

Gitmo

combined celebrity names like TomKat or Brangelina

awesome

gone/went missing

pwn, or pwned, online video gamers spellings of owned

now playing in theaters

we're pregnant

undocumented alien

armed robbery/ drug deal gone bad

truthiness

ask your doctor

chipotle

I-Anything like I-Pod

healthy food

boasts

You have to read the article for the explanations of some of these but I loved their take on "boasts:" Real estate listings were targeted for overuse of "boast." As in "master bedroom boasts his and her fireplaces—never bathroom apologizes for cracked linoleum." Hahahaa

What would you add to that list?

I have two:

he's making his way.

Said any time any basketball player moves an inch on the floor going anywhere: he's making his way. I always get the picture of struggle and people thrown to the right and left or maybe a machete chopping thru the jungle as he makes his way to the locker room.

shop your happy shopping store. SHOP as a transitive verb.

Personally, I love "truthiness" and it's perfect for the appalling Wikipedia.

What bugs YOU about language in this new year?

Two phrases that I would love to see banned!

Finishing any speech or sentence with - "At the end of the day..."

Starting any sentence with - "You know what...?"

You know what; at the end of the day, you're right.

The one that gets me is "Whatever" intended as a complete rebuttal to a statement.

Rich

what happened was over and over and over

I hate the way graduate/graduated is used everywhere. As in he graduated college in 2006. He didn't graduate college--he graduated from college.

Another gripe is "he use to". I believe the correct usage is "he used to" as the verb is in the past tense.

I like Gitmo, though. It is the longtime Navy slang for Guantanomo Bay, Cuba, the U.S. Naval station there. Sailors have been using Gitmo for many years--at least 50 that I personally know of and probably more. Sue

Rich7 -

Love your response! Good to see you back in SN again!

I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy start to the new year. I haven't had a chance to check in for awhile. Bob had the week off from work. I'm retired, so we had a nice time lounging around since Christmas. I've been reading, reading, reading, and playing with my new toy that Bob got me for Christmas - my new iPod. It's got tons of room on it so I put so much music on it and all of my photos and I'm going to download audio books so I can listen to them in the car!

I just finished Dark Eagle about Benedict Arnold and John Andre. Really interesting story. I didn't know much about Arnold except that he was such a notorious traitor. The book is a novel, but the author is a historian and added a lot of detail from actual journals etc.

Now I'm on to Six Frigates. I got 2 copies for Christmas! I guess my relatives know what I enjoy reading! It's really good, though. I'm going to have to save time for Snow! And Latin is starting up tomorrow! Yay!

We saw 2 fabulous movies - Blood Diamond (SO GOOD) and The Good Shepherd. I loved them both and recommend them both.

Dark Eagle sounds interesting. I love anything about Benedict Arnold. He has always interested me. A complex man with strong opinions. His daughter was also very interesting. I have a fierce cold, so am not really celebrating much just now. However our granddaughter is here and yesterday we saw Night at the Museum, which with Ben Stiller is totally silly and yet fun.. Today we are going to see the Human Bodies exhibit at Orlandos Science Museum. It is one of the touring shows with the bodies that have been preserved by special methods. I am not sure, but feel that Grandpa and I are more interested than Kait at 11, but we will see. Whatever.. oh me, I do hate that one. That and "YOU GUYS".. If one more waiter tries that , I think my husband is going to rise out of the chair and scream.

Come now, we can't totally eliminate words like 'search' and 'awesome'; they have legitimate uses. So, regrettably, does 'whatever'. If we could ban them from the teen vocabulary, now that would be a pleasure! Alas, Freedom of Speech takes precedence, I suppose.

Stephanie, I guess you guys are going to have to try some higher class restaurants.

Babi

I'm running a bit behind here, Malryn said something way back there I wanted to respond to, I think it might have been those Reader's Digest books all in one volume, I saw one the other day, they are still making them. I used to love them, and they are perfect for introducing you to new authors (do they edit them so they seem all the same, Malryn? I am glad to see you back!) I see Ann Perry is in the latest volume and they are now in paperback, too. I wonder where you buy one?

We've just begun nominating books with the word "House" in the title or the name of same, come on down, we'll discuss (I hope better than I just did) our candidates for a March read, all this month and vote at the end of the month.

I've just nominated, (or seconded many nominations, depending on how you look at it

) having just seen the 25th anniversary of the movie released, Brideshead Revisited, and I can tell you we'll need all of you if that one is voted in, to try to understand what on earth he was really saying. We are famous for discussing the pros and cons of every nomination, in the House series, so please bring your opinions. It's been a long time since I read Brideshead, I'd like to know what it means! hahahaa Come on down to The Houseboat discussion and put your OAR in the heading. ahahah And in the discussion.

I'm reading the Second Assistant, am almost through, it's good, a sort of behind the scenes look at Hollywood as I said earlier, I am kind of glad it's them doing that life and not me. I'm reading Augustus, but am really not too impressed tho it was featured in the NY Times this past Sunday (see the Classics Bulletin Board for more), and a new book on the Ara Pacis given to me by a friend, it's glorious and am going out Friday to get the book by the guy The Pursuit of Happyness, (the movie) is about. The movie is fabulous, come discuss Books into Movies with us in THAT discussion! Click on the Books Main Page and scroll and scroll down.

Am also reading Ngaio Marsh's Death of a Fool, lovely solstice escapist stuff, I like escapist stuff with a nice British accent and atmosphere.

And the Lady is Coming! Watch this space for more (no I'm not talking about the Lady and Sons, but a Lady nonetheless who is very important to us in 2006, stay tuned!)

"know what I mean" after ever sentence. JOY

Sorry----every--- JOY

Ginny - Ngaio Marsh was a kiwi. Thats why her Christian name is Ngaio - uniquely Kiwi name.

about Ngaio Marsh

http://members.aol.com/MG4273/ngmarsh.htm#Marsh

Thanks for that great link. I love Ngaio Marsh and that link offers great information on her works.

You folks are so lucky to be able to read so much. My dry eyes do not allow me to use my eyes like that anymore and I really miss reading alot.

On the expressions, I hate you guys too. I always say I am not a guy. I am a girl. I really do not like awesome.

I love language and do not like the corruption of it. I feel strongly that is the duty of adults to refrain from taking up the use of these expressions. Sometimes I think adults join in using these expressions to try to appear younger. Since I am a great grandmother and proud of it I just don't join in using these expressions.

Off my soap box now.

Joan Grimes

I agree that I would think that "you guys" would be a family type place, but the truth is, that just recently we ran into it at a very high end restaurant, Not our waiter,, but the wine steward.. Hows that for dumbing down in Florida.. Ah.. Disney and Universal. Instand experts because they came to Florida..

The wine steward addressed a dining couple as "you guys"?

The end is near.

Maybe the regular wine steward called in sick, and they drafted the guy cleaning the dumpster, hung a ribbon with a silver cup around his neck, and told him that tonight he will answer to the name "Pierre."

Rich

We took our daughter to a nice restaurant in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. The wine steward was very chatty and folksy. I don't think he referred to us as "you guys", but he was definitely not the austere, formal steward that we remember from years gone by. I think that nowadays, even the high end restaurants strive for an informal casual atmosphere.

Yesterday I watched Wolf Blitzer's CNN show, The Situation Room. I must have had this discussion on my mind, because I noticed that he said the word "amazing" at least a dozen times, and one story he referred to as ,"amazing, AMAZING"! He also said, "at the end of the day".

I do think that TV anchors, interviewers and pundits are responsible for most of these words and phrases that get so entrenched and overworked in our language.

LOL!! Thanks for the laugh, RICH.

Babi

The made up word "truthiness" by Stephen Colbert is a funny, scathing look at how some people in Govt. misrepresent facts. I heard that it will be entering the Webster dictionary in the coming year.

Another new expression is "Wikiality"=Wikipedia+Reality=truth based on consessus rather than fact.

Personally I hate the expression "you know" especially when used as an opener for a sentence. Sometimes popular actors and musicians use this expression two or three times in one sentence. When that happens I realize that the person can say nothing I want to hear. and I turn them off.

Judy

I find that the Wikopedia drives me nuts. A lot is good, but oh me,, when they get a bee in their bonnets, it gets truly weird there.

has disappeared? On the "talking heads" shows the moderator says "thank you for being w/ us" and the guests always say "thank you" instead of "you're welcome." ......just a quirky thing that i've noticed and i try not to let it irritate me......LOL.....jean

Me, too, mabel1015i.

I have assumed that the 'thank you' reply was a shortened version of an understood 'thank you for having me'. Maybe so, maybe not.

Babi

Mmmm... or it could be "thank you for appreciating me" lol

NPR had an appropriate response today: "Thank you" "My pleasure"

I think that BaBI may be right in that the answer is a shorthand for "Thank you for having me on your program."

When you say thank you to a German: Danke schon (literally pretty thanks), he may reply with: Bitte schon (literally pretty please). The German sounds much better than the literal translation.

(There should be an umlaut over the "o" in schon, and Bubble once told me how to put umlauts over letters, but, predictably, I've forgotten.)

Rich

that's probably what they mean, but it just amazes me that no one, ever, just says "you're welcome" any more. It seems a very assertive response, as tho' "yes, i bro't something to the discussion and you're welcome to it." ...... i know, it's a tiny thing, but i've been so conscious of it so seldom being the response that it has intriqued me.......jean

Mrs. Sherlock: "thank you" "my pleasure" is like a standard Spanish reply--"muchas gracias" (many thanks); "el gusto es mio" (the pleasure is mine). It's a graceful way to say it.

Rich7: I'm hopeless at umlauts; I just use "oe" or "ue" instead, as in "danke schoen".

"You guys": a lot of people dislike this phrase, but it was a standard expression in my family (me, my husband and children), and since it was used by 3 females and 1 male, it has no gender connotations for me. But I agree it's out of place used by a wine steward. I don't really want to be friends with my waiters, I just want to get a good meal.

Jean, I will have to keep my antenna up to catch people not saying "You're welcome." I can't say I have noticed it, but you probably have a point, and I will watch for it.

How about the words that are supposed to elicit a "You're welcome?" The words, "Thank you."

You don't hear "Thank you" quite as often as you used to.

Notice what happens the next time you enter a building, and hold the door for someone immediately behind you. You will not automatically get a "Thank you." Older people will often thank you, but younger people will just as often go right on by you without a word.

Civility is changing in our culture.

Rich

I found this site about books and the future of books

Special Report:Books

Read in particular "To me, books are..." by famous writers.

P.S. The site does take its time to open; wait patiently.

even here in "rough and tough" New Jersey. The situation when i find they don't - which really ticks me off - is when i have stopped to let someone out into traffic and they just go w/ no acknowledgment, like it was my obligation to do so. ...... i guess we all have our quirky observations and frustrations.....that's what makes us so interesting!!.....jean

Bubble, thank you for the link - the message was heartening - though the Forbes report dealt mostly with on-line books and publishing -

"People are reading more, not less. The Internet is fueling literacy."

When I thank someone and they say "no problem" in response, I find that disconcerting. More and more people are using "no problem" in place of "you're welcome" around here. It gets me because I when I thank someone for doing a good job or a small kindness, I never considered it to be problematic.

Joan - New Zealanders seem to read more and more. My daughter ( the librarian) said the library was so busy over the Christmas holidays and all age groups too. It is very pleasing to see so many enjoying books. At the same time I am reading Woman in White I have been reading "A Tale of Two cities" by Dickens. I enjoyed it more this time than ever.

I have had four grands here today. Their parents were at work and needed a sitter. Two of my grandsons and my two grandaughters. One grandson is 6 and he is so bright. He brought a DVD and it was about the creatures which inhabited the earth before Dinosaurs. (A BBC doco) He gave us a running commentary during the DVD and it is obvious he knows lots on the subject. I was staggered. I know why his Dad calls him Professor Stirling. He wants to be some sort of scientist. He is at a private school which encourages bright students. The other DVD he brought was one done by the late Crocodile Hunter - Steve Irwin. This was my little grandsons idea of a riveting afternoons entertainment. (Bless him) He reads a lot too. Now I am really shattered so intend to listen to an audio book for the rest of the evening. How did I have 4 kids 24/7 and sometimes three extras to stay long weekends and think nothing of it? I DO NOT KNOW!

Carolyn

JoanP : "No Problem"! lol Taking a bow.
It was easy to post, ha ha ha

I think the 'no problem' respose to a 'thank you' began as a way of saying, 'No thanks necessary, it was really no trouble at all'. Of course, to most of us, a 'thank you' is always necessary when someone does you a kindness. It has become so common now, that people say it as readily as they say 'you're welcome'. I find I may use 'no problem' when someone asks me for a favor; then it seems appropriate to say 'no problem'. But when someone says 'thank you', my response is still the traditional one.

Babi

People may be reading more internet, but the prognosis for book reading (at least in America) is grim.

http://www.arts.gov/news/news04/ReadingAtRisk.html

Rich

I read the entire article before "literary reading" was defined as novels, short stories, or plays. I thought it might involve reading heavier, classic literature. I can't imagine reading nothing during a day and only 29 books a year. I read that many in about a month! But I wouldn't classify my reading as "literary" as I read for enjoyment and entertainment and not many of the novels I read would, IMO, be classified as literary--Tale of Two Cities, Les Miserable, etc. I have read those and most other classics, but now stick to best sellers, mysteries, most of the selections here at Senior Net, and some current popular fiction and non-fiction for my f2f book clubs--and horrors! Romance! Sue

A great romance will be discussed here, beginning next Monday, January 15. Of course there's much more. The importance of headscarves in Islamic culture. Military coups in revolutionary times. The mystery of writing poetry. And snow. Endless snow. If you think you have anything to say on these subjects, and many more, drop in. Isn't that what a book discussion is all about? An opportunity to let others know what you think. Why be a bystander? Join the fun.

Jonathan, what good words about reading and about Snow.

I can't imagine reading nothing during a day and only 29 books a year. I read that many in about a month!

How fortunate for you. 29 is exactly the number of books I read last year, double what I'd read the previous year--and I really do love reading. What with everything else I have to do during a day, usually the only time I get a chance to read is when my husband is driving, or at intermission between acts of a play I'm reviewing!

I don't get as much time for reading as I did with doing so much babysitting this last couple of years. I also have the garden to maintain. I read in the wee small hours mostly.

Carolyn

KiwiLady, that is my best time for reading too, around two o'clock in the morning. I love it. It's a good time to snack too.

The amount of reading I could do dropped drastically with the first child. And of course when I worked full time and still had a house to tend, I couldn't read as much. Now that I am retired, I read much more. Maybe that 29 books a year is typical of the busy person who only gets a chance to read in the evenings, before bed.

The fact remains, that there are many people out there who haven't picked up a book since they left school. Pity.

Babi

I have more time for reading now that I'm alone and retired. I have a busy life with clubs, tennis lessons, bridge, church activities, etc. but I read everyday--sometimes into the wee hours like Hats (and also snacking, shame on me) and if I'm not going out during the day, I may spend most of the day reading. My feeling is that housework can wait--although I do keep up with my gardening most of the time. Sue

29 books a MONTH! Wow ... that would be approximately one book a day! Wouldn't leave much time for anything else.

My problem with reading is that if you get me in a comfortable chair with a good book, in 5 minutes I'm sleeping, no matter how good the book is!

Well, I finished Six Frigates. So interesting!!! I can't get over how often men fought duels in the 19th century. And over the stupidest things. I can't picture women being that idiotic. Sorry, guys. I guess the dueling is still going on in some areas, what with the guns and all in the city streets.

Sue, I love growing flowers too. I have to use containers. I have a small patio. That doesn't keep me from filling it with petunias, impatiens, begonias, etc. Since it's winter, I have six houseplants to keep me company. The other day I bought a snakeplant. I have always wanted one. When I was growing up, it seemed like every house had either a snakeplant or rubber plant, sometimes both plants.

Hats, that plant is also called "mother-in-law's tongue".

Really??? Bubble, thanks.

Since I almost always have two or three books going at once, I probably do read 29 or 30 a month. This has me curious, so I am going to try and keep a list this month. We are retired and when I owned stores even the used bookstore, I could not read the way I wanted.. But now.. yes.. Late at night, Hmm, I am one of those early birds. I love morning, but hate late at night..

I posted something, yesterday, in the "Rembrandt's Eyes" discussion in response to EmmaBarb's comment that Rembrandt collected books, not just for what was in them but, also for their own shapes, colors, feel, and texture.

Ginny suggested that I also post it in "Book Nook."....

BOOKS:

EmmaB, you know, I think I suffer from the same condition as Rembrandt when it comes to books.

I like everything about them, the bindings, the covers, the typeface of the title on the spine, the way they SMELL (The recently published ones have the smell of promise, the older ones of stories not yet told, or wisdom yet to be learned.)

I like the way they sit next to each other on the shelf, all varying colors and sizes, each different, while at the same time, each the same. And that's before I allow myself the luxury of opening one up. What's in them is the wonderful frosting on the cake.

I can go into a video store, walk the four corners of the store and walk out finding nothing that interests me. I can look at someone's, anyone's, bookshelf and want to read each book, starting with the first one on the left and not stopping until they've all been devoured.

Rembrandt and I suffer from the same malady.

There's probably a name for it.

Rich

Rich, are you like me? from afar, looking at any shelf from the bookshelves, I can recognize each book from its size, its height, its color. They are all like old friends, loved and appreciated. I always have one or the other next to me, I like to touch them, to caress the pages and enjoy the riches hidden inside them.

Bev, I know what you mean about settling in to read and then falling asleep.

Re: reading --
That was an interesting article from the NEA publication, but I don't think a necessarily alarming one. There is a lot of competition for the time spent on "literary reading," such as newspapers, periodicals, and many excellent biographies and other non-fiction works. I could spend a morning with just the New York Times alone, not to mention the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post. And I'm probably going to pitch the great $25 New Yorker offer because I can't keep up with Time and the other publications that come regularly to my house.

My concern is with those who don't learn to read well in the first place and those who claim they "hate to read." I think those who have no quarrel with reading and who have found it to be a pleasurable activity will continue with it in some shape or form when they have time for it. In the meantime, those of us who value it can help spread the word. Barnes and Noble just opened a large new store here. I was happy to note a Story Hour sign posted there.

Rich, I enjoyed your post. I feel the same way about books.

Bubble, yes that's it. Books can be old friends.

Did you ever go into a large furniture store, and find that the "room arrangements' are often appointed with an occasional book on an end table or bookshelf. That's a mistake when it comes to me as a customer.

I find it impossible to resist picking it up and opening it randomly to a page to see if the story and style appeal to me. More often than not, I'll get "into" the book and plunk down in a comfortable chair to read more. My wife (The only reason I go into any furniture store in the first place) often has to retrace her steps to find me once it occurs to her no one has been responding to her questions and comments for a period of time.

I think they have become wise to me, however. More and more I find "phony books" made of glued together cardboard used for decorative appointments in furniture stores and model homes rather that real ones.

Rich

I love books too, the feel of them, just looking at their covers and just having them all around me. Now that my eyes bother me so much and I have to listen to books on cd more than actually read the print book, I still want to own the actual book. I really do not listen to the books much except when I am driving. So I don't devour books the way I used to do.

I am hooked on books about the Impressionist painters since I listened to and read The Judgment of Paris: Manet, Meissonier and the Birth of Impressionism by Ross King. I suffered with my eyes through actually reading Depths of Glory about Pissarro since it was not available in an audio book. I enjoyed really reading the book inspite of being in pain from my eyes but it was a slow go. I used to read so fast.

I am still hoping that there will be something else that can be done for the dry eye syndrome.

Joan Grimes

There is a name for it, RICH. It is 'bibliophile'. And I also love the smell of crisp new books, and the old books. (I dont' know what happens to the aroma in between; it's just not interesting.)

Babi

When I was a child I would sniff my new books with absolute ecstasy. Smelling them was an important ritual before I began reading. Now I am not so worried about smelling them first. I think it was because I owned so few books as a child. I was fortunate to have a grandpa who subscribed to a library for me and a neighbour with a bulging book case who let me borrow anything I wanted adult or childs book.

Carolyn

dry eyes accompany some of the things I have as in blepharitis and I use hot compresses on them also drops which offer some relief. but reading is hard now and it has to be really gripping for me so that I forget about my eyes which also suffer from MD, and cataracts and drifting. I haven't gotten into audio books yet because of the lack of choices available. Currently reading James D. Doss mysteries. He is a cross between Hillerman and Hiaasen and VERY GRIPPING. . .Claire

Joan.. If you find a good used book store, you can probably find lots and lots of audio books,, both cd and tape. I listen to tape ones in the gym and have for years. I get mine at used book stores and sometimes thrift shops. At Christmas, my husband will get me a few new ones, but otherwise.. strictly used. Not as good a variety as I would wish, but I do know that there is also a rental type thing on the web..

I have a friend who likes to read and actually prefers audio books over printed.

She says it goes back to her childhood, when, as a little girl who could not yet read, she would pick up a book and go around asking different adults in her large family to read to her. If someone would actually sit down and read her a story, she was in heaven.

She says she hasn't gotten over the thrill of finding someone to read to her, and the voice of the narrator on an audio book talking into her ears alone, makes her a little girl again.

Rich

Thanks for all the encouraging posts about the audio books. I like them all right but my attention seems to drift off alot. My husband and I used to use them all the time when we traveled in our motorhome. Then we would discuss them together. That was fun. Maybe if I keep trying I will be able to adapt better to them.

Stephani, I have had bad luck with books on tape. Many of the tapes are bad even on the new ones. The cds have worked better for me I think. I really want an mp3 player so that I can download them from the WWEb. That is less expensive than buying them and there is a better selection also.

It is just another change in my life that I do not like. I do know they are inevitable as I age but still do not like them.

Joan Grimes

Rich, the Ikea stores have in their displays lots of lovely leather covered books with gold print on the back. The only problem is that they are all in Swedish. lol I think they did that on purpose, to be sure noone would be tempted to lift them. It does look opulent on the shelves.

I agree that it's very pleasant to be read to, and to me a lot depends on the reader, some of them I can't seem to listen 2 minutes to. I wonder why. Some of my favorite actors, in fact.

But Hugh Fraser of the old Poirot series (he played Hastings) does a splendid job with the Agatha Christie books he reads, he takes all the parts and sounds exactly like David Suchet or a woman or anybody, he's fabulous.

I wish you'd all run over to the last posts in the Rembrandt Discussion and see what Emma is talking about, I've asked her to bring it here, I have never heard of paintings on the end pages of a book ONLY visible when you fan the pages!!!! This just blows my MIND, there's a whole culture out there of them, an entire... sort of field of the, who knew? Have you ever heard of such a thing? Not talking about books which animate when you flip the pages, but which have paintings only visible on the end of the book WHEN you flip, apparently? Fore painting or something. Amazing, just amazing.

I can't figure out how it works, can you? I must see one.

I've finished The First Assistant and it's cute, just as cute as the Second Assistant and makes you glad you have nothing to do with Hollywood, Agents or anything else connected with it.

I've now got the Goldsworthy Caesar, having put down Augustus, as last Sunday's NY Times ripped it apart mercilessly, and Caesar is a triumph if you're remotely interested in the subject. It's hard to put down.

It's Non Fiction.

The Lady of Shalott, despite being fiction, has decided to remain in her tower until this summer, she figures she's stayed there for 119 years she can hold out for a few more months. I think that poem speaks to the experience of women aging, tho it was not intended to do so and it was written by a man. Drabble's Seven Sisters does the same thing, and it's something we can all talk about at our leisure: the choices women make and why. Both women in these works made choices, we need to see what the moral is and what choice we would have made, I can't WAIT!

Just the thing to sit out under the tree with a glass of lemonade with!

Talking about luxurious bindings of books reminds me of the sale of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, originally scheduled for September of 1997 after her death and postponed because of something with Mohammad al Fayed.

I was interested I guess out of curiosity having read so many books about them and sent off for the catalogue, the PAPER catalogue!! And you should see what came from Sothebys. It's huge, two giant coffee table size books, paperback to be sure, with a separate book of introduction, one of the Private Collection and one of the Public, each almost 600 pages full color, glossy pages, and together in a slip covered box weighing over 10 pounds. They are glorious, there is no better word.

Also with it came a list of the books and the suggested prices they might bring. As you can see their library featured matching bindings, the actual titles, I don't think, would keep you up at night. And despite my....not particularly admiring the couple... I did think it might make a nice addition to my collection of books to own one of theirs. . Some of them were quite common. All of them went for astronomical prices, EVERYTHING went for astronomical prices, throwing me entirely out of the bidding.

The catalogues which originally stuck me as ghoulish now are priceless, a pictorial history of the couple full of letters and their own photographs never before seen, her jewelry which was out of this world, their clothes and their....ARTIFACTS captured in these books make a poignant history which speaks for itself. I guess Sotheby's knew this.

Here is Lot 1318:

A leather- upholstered library pole ladder of cylindrical form with dark brown-black leather and brass studs opening to reveal seven treads. From the Library Estimate price $2,500-3,500. Actually sold, according to the list they sent me (as non participating buyer hahahaa) $9,200.

To give you an idea of what sold for what, Lot 3 A History of Royal Residences inscribed by George V went for $8,050. and lot 23, A Menu Card inscribed in pencil by Queen Mary at Buckingham Palace November 30, 1914, in which she lists on the back her son's brother officers with notation as to who had died, went for $134,500. It was estimated to bring $1,840.

Like Emma's strange book, this pair of books in their illustrated slipcases is another case of a strange thing becoming a piece of history, as a text it tells more about them than many texts, but it has text, too. I wonder what these sell for today. It will be interesting to see how history regards this pair. How are they regarded today? The man who sacrificed everything for "the woman he loved?"

I wonder how they will be seen 100 years from now? At the time I thought I would not like to be the type of person who ran around saying oh I have the king's ladder. Now I'm not so sure! Hahahaa

At any rate, I could not have afforded the king's dust bunnies, so it's a moot point. hahaaa

I like to have the books, arranged in bookshelves, like a library. I can hardly let them go once they are mine. Boxes and boxes of books I have no room to display. Talk about your comfort blanket!

There is so much of it and I can read it so quickly in a day or two so there is a hugee bag of it now. . ..trader joes bags have handles and are sturdy waiting to be taken to the book exchange for credit. I can't imagine paying nrew book prices. Wednesday I spent 2.25 for four new ones. . .2 Doss, one turow, and one reich who is new to me and gory. I sampled all before settling down with the Shaman's Bones by Doss. and I'm almost through with that one already. they do pile up if I keep them.

the trouble with the book exchange here is that they may not be popular and you still store them and then if they are it's a clerical job and a trip to the post office each time one goes to a new home. I'm lazy I guess or maybe just OLD.

Claire

I must have five huge bags of books that need to be exchanged at the used book store. The problem with my book swap on line is that I do not list anything they already have. So I have some few books listed there and use it, but still have a lot of books that need to be exchanged and the store is only taking one bag at a time. Oh darn.. Joan,, I through sort of a mix up ended up with a Coby MP3 player. I have not used it for books, but love to have my very own loved Gilbert and Sullivan and old old folk music on there. I am slowly filling it up and having such a blast. Those things are addictive. Now any time I think I want to wait or dont want tv and want to read, I pop in the mp3 and read and listen. Such fun.

No, I didn't fall asleep reading the messages here. Just wanted to let people know that if you noticed I hadn't posted lately, my mother broke her ankle a week ago and I've spent the past week in the car, driving back and forth the 80 miles from here to first the hospital and now the nursing home. I'm taking the day off today to get some stuff done around here.

Wow, Bev, I hope she'll recover OK. Take care of yourself, if you possibly can.

BevSykes,I also hope she will get better soon.

Oh, Bev, you poor dear. The caregiver's role is very heavy, isn't it? Would your Mom like some get-well cards?

Bev,

My thoughts and prayers are with your mother and you. I hope that things will soon be better for you.

Joan Grimes

I have been listening to the free lecture about Martin Luther King given by Professor Dalton. I would like to write a Thank You to Seniornet.

Thank YOU, Hats. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Marcie Schwarz, you are welcome.

I didn't hear the lecture as I didn't know about it, but I listened to NPR's Performance today which featured a program by the Morehouse College Glee Club honoring Dr. King and then later a talk show on NPR with some of Dr. King's friends and colleagues speculating on what he might be doing today if not for his tragic death. Both were very moving programs. Sue

Sue, you can find a link to the lecture on Martin Luther King here: http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8331

The new Curious Minds topic is open for discussion.

Curious Minds

Bill H

Book Bytes is being rejected by your spam control, (AOL, Charter.net, earthlink, and others) or your full mailbox or some other reason. Since I can't correct any of these conditions or problems, I am forced to remove your email from my list.

To read the latest Book Reviews click HERE.

Pat, if anyone who was getting BookBytes doesn't receive it, maybe they could try putting bookbytes@hq.seniornet.org in their email address book and/or list of approved/unblocked senders and writing to bookbytes to re-subscribe.

Good idea, Marcie I hope that will help some of the return emails. It is frustrating to have AOL send back BookBytes and say it is spam.

PAT, I was getting so much spam I blocked everything that wasn't on my address list. (You are on there twice!) However, I check the listing of the spam before deleting, precisely to catch things like the BookBytes that I don't want to miss. I'll check that list this evening, and see if the BookByte address is one of your listed ones. If not, I'll add it. If it is, it should have gotten thru'.

Babi

Pat, I belong to another list Corgi-L, that has finally decided that the AOL customers must get another email address since AOL is rejecting all of the digests, etc. Obviously, they have made it truly hard for anyone to get the messages they want.

PAT, I recovered the BookBytes post from the Scam folder, and added the address to my address file. Future Bookbytes should come through w/o difficulty.

Babi

A new adaptation of Jane Eyre (parts 1 and 2) will be broadcast on many PBS stations on Masterpiece Theatre the next two Sundays (Jan 21 and 28).

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/janeeyre/index.html

The part of Mr. Rochester is played by Toby Stephens, son of legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith. Jane Eyre is played by a relative newcomer Ruth Wilson.

Thanks for the heads up on the PBS production of Jane Eyre. I'll check my program listings. Sue

Thank you. I will mark it on my calendar. Then, I have to remember to look at the calendar.

My biggest problem these days is remembering to look at the calendar and also remembering what day it is! Sue

me too, hats and springcreekfarm

Marcie and Sue, I have the same problem. I should sleep with a calendar under my pillow.

I'm there all right . . .Claire

Under looking for.... I see Fiction, Science Fiction, Mystery, and so forth. I am curious. Does anyone read fantasy? Would that fall under the Fiction discussion area? Also, how do you jump into an ongoing discussion? I see that there is a board for Charles Darwin's Origin of Species. It looks like there is a full blown discussion going on. Do I just start reading anyway and post as I find something interesting in the book?

I have been reading magazines (Mental Floss, National Geographic, and The Economist) and rereading humor (Dave Barry, Gary Larson, Calvin and Hobbs, etc). I used to read voraciously and, due to some interesting life circumstances, find myself a little tired and not up to reading a "real" book. I am hoping that this website will inspire me back to real reading.

Cheers, Fishbowls

yes indeed. just jump in or dive if you prefer. no restrictions except for the usual which probably don't apply to you anyway. name calling and swearing aren't so good, but hey. . .have fun. . .Claire

Welcome fishbowls, Fantasy is included under Sci Fi, a lot of people like Fantasy and I think they are discussing it IN SiFi, we are delighted to have you and hope that you stay a long time, what are you reading now?

Yes as Claire says you certainly can join the Darwin discussion, yes, just start reading: the selected passages for comment are in the heading, they'd love to have you. I'm sure Robby will be along shortly with a personal invitation.

I took Mental Floss for a while, it's cute!

Lots more to say but am late, wanted to welcome Fishbowls!

Fishbowls, we do discuss fantasy in Science Fiction,, Probably more than straight science fiction. Just dive in . YOu will love it.

Oh I so wish I could hear the Jane Eyre production or at least tape it to hear whenever! I wonder if PBS stations are rebroadcated on the Net? BBC does that...

Hats, if you have Yahoo, I think they have a calendar there reminding you of specific appointments and dates like birthdays, etc.

Really? Bubble, I need to go find it. Thanks. Welcome Fishbowl.

What terrific graphics above us here. It looks fabulous. Who did them?

Thanks for the heads up about Jane Eyre, Marcie. Someone here gave me the idea to put the dates on my email so reminders pop up at the appropriate time.

I wonder how many versions of Jane Eyre I've seen. It doesn't matter. It's such a wonderful story. Same thing with Pride and Prejudice.

Thanks for the alert on JANE EYRE, Marcie. I wouldn't want to miss that. I just hope it's scheduled on my local PBS. ...Babi

Bubble I checked my local PBS, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and there seems to be no way one can "watch" on one's computer but I will ask. Often these programs are for sale by PBS but they are too costly for me. Do you have a VCR which plays the American format? I could tape it for you if you do. I plan to get a DVD recorder but that is way down on my list of things-I-can't-live-without. BTW, Curious Minds is discussing the electronic facts of modern life. It's fun reading people's thoughts about our enslavement to things that glow in the dark and go "Beep".

thanks MrsSherlock. I dont possess a DVD and I don't think I'll buy one. I was thinking more of listening to it on a CD. I don't have much patience for sitting and watching, but I often listen to programs on a walman/walkdisk while doing other things. The BBC gives online wonderful theater plays...

Thanks again Mrs Sherlock!

Was it on this site that a woman was posting as she traveled around the Southwest/Mexico in her RV? I have forgotten what site it was, but i've tho't about her lately, what w/ the weather in that part of the country being so bad. I haven't seen any posts for a long time. Does anyone know who i 'm talking about or what has happened to her? I have forgotten her name, but she posted pictures of the various places she was visiting......jean

I think her name is Bonnie. And I think I saw mention of her in one of the geographical discussions perhaps California, since that's the one I attend. . . .claire

Thanks, Marcie, for the heads-up on Jane Eyre. I always like to see the story again and again and...

Evelyn

Bobbie travels along in a van of some type. She posts on RV travel.

So happy to see Jonathan back in the discussion of Pamuk's Snow! Just starting in case you are interested.

Happy too that it is finally snowing this afternoon in the DC area - thought old man Winter had forgotten us this year. It was scarey. I managed to save a bundle of blooming daffodils yesterday as snow and ice are in the forecast for today.

I plan to spend the afternoon in front of a fire, with my book - books, while the guys commandeer the TV in the other room to watch football.
I had hoped to watch Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" on PBS, but have been informed the games will go on into the night to determine who plays in the Superbowl. (We're one of the few one-TV households I know of.) Have set the VCR to take it - it's a two-part production - each lasting 90 minutes.

Lately we've been immersed in the Gothic novel - plan to finish our discussion of Wilkie Collins' Woman in White next week and then move into Diane Setterfield's recently-published neo-gothic mystery, The Thirteenth Tale

Ms. Setterfield refers to Jane Eyre on a number of occasions in her best-selling novel - This should be a great experience - total immersion into the Gothic novel!

Would love for you to join us in the discussion of The Thirteenth Tale beginning Feb 1. If you are interested, drop in now and save your chair by the fire...

After years of hearing about Le Rouge et le Noir by Standhal I am finally reading it in French. It certainly deserves its reputation and I am only sorry I didn't read it before now.

Here is another link to the web site for the Jane Eyre program that will be broadcast this evening in many areas: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/janeeyre/

We're suggesting that those who see it, post about it in the Books into Movies discussion.

I went there to try to get back here when my subscription didn't bring me back just now as I wanted to click on the Books into Movies link. The Book Nook link in the heading on the Books Index does not work for me. However, when I scrolled down, I could get here by clicking on the Book Nook link under the index items. Sue

Thanks, Sue, --- for the 'heads-up' on the Book Nook Link. It works now.

Eloise: I should find "The Red and the Black" and read it in English while you are reading it in French. I have been too intimidated to try reading it AT ALL - but maybe this would be a good opportnity. I have a colleague at work who reads French like a whiz and he could help me out with the background. I read Simone de Beauvoir and Sartre (in English) in the 60s so maybe I'd make some headway with Stendhal, too.

How are you? Is it cold and piled up with snow in Montreal? We had two days of ice days last week because of freezing rain in Austin. I was inside for three days and happy as a clam. Had shopped and made stew and chili - so I was "in tall cotton" as Texans are wont to say. It's cold again, but not raining yet. Pax

isak

Hello Isak, I am fine and in a way I am glad we finally have snow on the ground, I was starting to worry. It was cold a few days ago, but not intollerable. I like to see the days getting longer.

I think you should read Le Rouge et le Noir and I might try and find it in English and read it again. You can see that I loved it, it is grand literature. I never read Simone de Beauvoir or Jean Paul Sartre. I don't know if I want to either, but I might be prejudiced I don't know.

This quote below certainly backs up everything you all are saying about The Red and the Black, I thought of you when I got the book yesterday, and can't resist bringing the illustration below here.

I am now enjoying escapist fare, in my personal reading, and very much, too. Sometimes you feel like a nut in reading, sometimes you don't. We were talking about, in addition to the Jane Eyre series, the Hetty Wainthropp series and the Rosemary and Thyme mystery series in the Books Into Movies area, if you don't know where that is, holler, and somebody will give a link. Neither of these series, I guess come from books but both of which are influenced and based on the works or written by mystery authors and credited to them in the credits, and I'm reading what, for me, is a new author, Ann Purser, a grandmother, too, and her first book in the Lois Meade (and I sure am glad to see it IS a series) series.

Have any of you read this series? The protagonist is a woman with a family and children, I think the oldest girl is 14, living in a sort of low rent area of England who cleans houses for a living because she has to, to make ends meet. Even with a family and her job, she wanted to be a "Special," which is some sort of police officer, like we have in the states, a Reserve Officer, a volunteer thing, but was most disappointed to be turned down.

A murder happens in the village, and in her position going from house to house she is able to piece together clues. There are no puns, or cutsey -pootsie literary allusions, no cutesey anything, the woman is dead serious, but at the same time, I guess you could call it a cozy. If you've seen the Hetty Wainthropp series you have seen something very similar.

I like this character immensely, she's not young, she's somewhat scarred by age, she tries to keep going, I keep thinking of the word "gritty" but that would imply some kind of nasty detailed police thing which this is not. It's unique. I think the author Ann Purser was a grandmother herself when she began this series, it 's sort of a Hetty Wainthropp meets Nickel and Dimed sort of experience and I'm enjoying it tremendously and have ordered the entire remaining set.

Have any of you read it? It's only been started since 2002? THIS is what passes for my reading nowadays, bedtime escape. It feels good! Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't!

Here is THE most beautiful thing I ever read, from the wonderful Smithosonian Book of Books by Michael Olmert. If you love books, this one is now on the B&N Get Rid of Table and it's THE book, just love it. Introduction by Christopher de Hamel formerly of the British Museum, expert in Illuminated Manuscripts, glorious book full of plates about the history of the book, and making a book by hand right down to photos of the only known hand made paper factory in the world, in France. If you love books you want this one, I can see I'm going to wear this book completely out, look at this! (Can you see this? I didn't want to break the spine of the book, this is not a book you want to risk that with, that's why the white is on the right side?)

This is a tribute to a book by Clarence Day by calligrapher Hermann Zapf, as part of a "broadside for the 1973 Frankfurt Book Fair." The book says:

Originally a medieval trade fair, the Frankfurt Book Fair...first offered Gutenberg Bibles for sale in 1455. It soon became the premier annual gathering for Europe's book trade.

Does this not say it all?

(Note: if you are using Windows XP or ME or IE7 and it displays normally and then immediately shrinks, just pose your mouse over it, in the bottom right hand corner. You'll see an orange button or a magnifying glass, click on the picture and it will restore itself, apparently a dubious "benefit" of those systems. I like things to be the size they should, can you read it at all?)

Do you agree with this statement?

Does it apply to EVERY book tho? Do you ever worry about the trees being used to print some of the books today?

Do you ever worry about the trees being used to print some of the books today?

I worry more about the coal being burned for power.
Trees are renewable, coal is not.
Corn for ethanol is renewable, oil is not.
Soybean meal for biodiesel is renewable, oil is not.
Wind for power does not deplete the earth mineral resources.

Ginny, I love the Ann Purser series. Doesn't it have a day of the week in the title? First one is Monday...?
Patwest Lots of things made of wood are now being made of bamboo. It is also renewable but grows much faster than wood. I have bamboo knitting needles and I've seen bamboo flooring which is beautiful.

Ginny, I am more concerned about the trees cut down for the bloated newspapers full of advertisements than those cut down for books. I certainly agree with that statement, though of course it doesn't apply to all books, and many of the catastrophes also destroy books. Books have raised our humanity to a higher level.

MrsSherlock, I can testify to the rapid growth of bamboo. I have some in my back yard, and every spring I cut down about 800 new shoots. It's easy to do if you keep after it, but if you leave it for two weeks, they are twelve feet high, eventually reaching thirty feet.

THE WORLD OF BOOKS

The books that have lasted for centuries were written by thinkers who have a clear understanding about the meaning of life and they can express their thoughts clearly about what motivates people with an unquestionable logic. If they lasted this long it must be because people agreed with the author, otherwise it would soon have been forgotten I think.

People still read the bible.

Claire

Thanks, Ginny! What a wonderful quotation to read early on a Sunday morning.
Excellent food for thought!

Ann Purser///Will look for her since the premise is interesting. There is an American series where she is a housecleaner.. Charlaine Harris wrote it, I believe.. The heroine is Lily..and she is quite different to put it mildly. I believe the series always has Shakespeare in the title.

I really like this one, Stephanie, it's without conceit of any kind, I like it. And yes, Mrs. Sherlock, right on! It's days of the week, and Murder on Monday is the first one. And as always I have no earthly CLUE hu dun it, and never do. I must be the most credulous reader on earth.

I've ordered one of hers in another series, too, just to see what it's like.

Remember the old "Rag and Bone Men," from the 40's? Remember them coming thru the street crying "any old rags?" Kirk Douglas's father was a Rag and Bone man. Well the Smithsonian Book of Books shows them making paper from rags in 2006! It would seem you can make paper out of a lot of things, great comments here! (What did they use the bones for again? Soap?)

I do like listening to '40's broadcasts and they are always asking for fat, for the War effort, save your extra fat. For soap?

I am fascinated, every time I pick up a book by how it's been assembled. I confess I look for stitching and I confess I look to see how it's bound. I find those aspects fascinating for some reason. Once in the big Museum in Munich, is it of science and technology? It's the big famous one right on the river where they have a coal mine in the basement which I got lost in and nearly killed by a cart plunging past me. Hahaah But anyway, they had a demonstration scheduled for 1 pm, I think I have mentioned it here before years ago of making paper.

This was in aid of an entire section in the museum on book binding and printing. The talk was in German which I speak about as well as I do Mandarin Chinese (not). (I actually thought I did speak German passably well till I hit the ticket kiosk for the U Bahn and the S Bahn, and guess what? No English!!!) Yhahahaa

But anyway they were going to demonstrate how they make paper as the first step in book binding so a nice crowd of about 12 or so of us adults and grandparents and parents and children crowded round and the speaker very nicely addressed us all in German, often asking pointed questions of the group, sometimes at me expectantly and pleasantly (it did him no good to look at me, but I did my smile thing) but it was fascinating and we all got a small piece of it (like a paper towel) as a souvenir when it was hung on the line. I think I could make paper now (except he probably said don't try this at home it will eat thru your hands and kill you). Hahahaa

Still there are a LOT of trashy books out there, waste of even rags, in my own opinion.

Thank you ALL, great quote Eloise, too, the book comes alive again in the reader's mind.

Good point Pat H on newsprint and how about ads that are thrown away, those are never recycled and all that is lost!!!! Junque mail!!!

The coming alive again is why book discussions are so interesting, each person's own perspectives add so much to the understanding of the work. I remember our discussion of House of Sand and Fog, boy we were all over the place with that one, (AND the Professor's House), each person brings his own understandings.

Clarence Day? I keep wondering who he was? That's not the Life With Father guy is it?

I haven't read a lot of Virginia Woolf but I have one of her books and her style is very hard to put down, I think it's something about the Voyage Out or something, I may have to read on a bit. Have you all read a lot of her?

We're nearing somewhat of a celebration in the Rembrandt's Eyes discussion as we're actually going to finish it!! It's 700 pages long and we're on page 610 for the coming week, a Page a Day Book Club. All kudos to that group who have been steadfast for so long, it's the first non fiction book on art we've ever finished in the Books in 10 years hahahaa and may be the last but the group is super! And it IS Rembrandt's 400th birthday.

So what are YOU reading? Does the cold of winter and the fire and the cozy chair make you long for depth or are you escaping like me with mysteries and DVD's of women solving crimes (see Books into Movies)? Are you exercising your New Year's Resolution to really do something intellectual or are you enjoying some mind candy? Or both?

I imagine the Ann Purser books will not be around in 500 years, but I like them now. What are YOU reading?

At the moment I'm reading "The Colony of Unrequited Dreams", by Wayne Johnston..It's a story(fiction) about Newfoundland thru the eyes of a man born in 1900..There are also brief bits of "real" history scattered through out..Very unusual characters..Well written.About a subject I really knew very little about..That is always a good thing !

and HOW do I read.

I have some heavy going with a lot of names to get straight in the bob woodward book that I started about a month ago and I find that with my eye problem the print is small and I can only do afew chapters at a time, so o o o o

I intersperse with something lighter as in Kathy Reichs Cross bones and am looking for more of hers. . .Also even light would be the lates Robb mystery with Eve Dallas essensially by Nora Robb and a romance in the near future. . .very light.

so I mix em up becuase I have other things on my agenda as well and things that take eyes are here on the computer, the TV as well as reading.

I went to book Bytes and made a list of authors and titles to check with my library . . .on line?? I've done it before but it's another eye thing. Maybe I'll just call them on the phone and see what they have.

not only WHAT to read BUT WHEN AND HOW. . . .CLAIRE

Yes, Clarence Day wrote "Life With Father", also "Life With Mother", and "God and my Father". I thought they were pretty funny when I was growing up; don't know how they would strike me now.

Here's some news: Wally Lamb has written a beautiful note to all those who have helped in any way with our Prison Library Project which just hit 5,000 books, saying, among other things that "Illiteracy and inaccessibility to the written word are prisons, too, and so with each book gathered, lugged, and shipped to inmates, you help to set minds free."

Isn't that beautiful and there's more, read more about it here: Wally Lamb sends thoughts to all who have participated in SeniorNet's Prison Library Project!

I'm re-reading Jane Eyre and find it just as fascinating as it was when I first read it. I love the descriptions and Jane's observations on life--especially with Mr. Rochester.

I am also reading a local memoire, Dear Sister: Civil War Letters to a Sister in Alabama. One of my friends and her son found these letters when cleaning out an ante-bellum home a few years ago. Her brother, with help in translating the faded writing and research on the battles the brothers were in, published the letters with commentary. It's an incredible glimpse of the Civil War through one family's eyes. Three of the brothers lost their lives during the war. My local book club is reading this book for February and the author is coming to our meeting to discuss it with us. Sue

That was a very nice email from Wally Lamb. It is amazing to think that this project is just ending its 3rd year in March, and 5000 books have been donated, as well as lots of postage and cash donations.

Isn't it? Thank you Pat, I agree, it IS amazing, thanks to you and all the very fine donors sending books which they have finished with but which are desperately appreciated.

Can you believe there are book clubs in prisons? You may know once again begun shipping books to CT, to the York CI where Wally Lamb volunteers and the librarian at York now on sabbatical has written this highly informative letter, I think you'll find it very inspiring:

York CI is the only state level prison for women in Connecticut and currently houses over 1,300 women ranging in age from 14 to more than 60 years of age. The library at York serves as a place for studying, job searches and personal reading. The library maintains both fiction and non-fiction books, newspapers, and magazines. Additionally the women can type letters and resumes as well as do their homework. The library is open to the entire population. It is located in the school, so many of the women who use the library are also students.

The library facilitates many programs to provide education, self-help, personal growth and support to the women at York CI. One of the many programs facilitated through the library are book clubs. Currently, York CI has three books clubs. They are very popular with waiting lists in excess of a year. The women simply never want to drop out of the book club unless they are released. In the past five years women in the book clubs have read more than 50 books. Many books are from best selling authors like Wally Lamb, John Grisham, Toni Morrison and John Searles. Some have even been Pulitzer Prize winners, like the Known World, The Shipping News, The Hours and Empire Falls. The book clubs choose from a limited collection of titles as finding multiple copies are a challenge. We are always in need of good quality books for the women to read. If any of your members are interested in donating books to the library book club program, we would be greatly appreciative.

This seems like an excellent use of books, we might want to try something along these lines: Book Club to Book Club? If anybody is interested, we'll talk about it in the Prison Library Project.

Kudos to both of you, Ginny and Pat. Without your tenacity and hard work that project would never have gotten off the ground. You ladies have worked tirelessly for Wally Lamb.

Maybe this is the place to ask this question......could we do a list of "humorous/fun" books on SN? I seem to need to have light, fun, easy reading a couple times a year - especially during the winter doldrums and it would be nice to have a page to easily get some good suggestions - and we all know that all you SNers have the best suggestions about everything....

......jean

look at BOOK BYTES for all sorts of things and her humor section in particular with an emphasis on CATS might be good.

http://marylaine.com/bookbyte/humor.html

Claire

MABEL, if you are in the mood for odd, humorous/fun, I highly recommend Terry Pratchett. I've only read two that I didn't particularly care for; the rest were great.

Babi

I think Terry Pratchett is the funniest author I've come across in years, but you have to like fantasy and be willing to put up with mild crudity. He has the sense of timing that is so important to humorists, and he also has the ability to use the same joke over and over, and yet make it funny again each time. If you like him, you are in luck, because he has written a lot of books. My favorite is "Men at Arms" although "Guards, Guards" precedes it and it makes more sense to read it first--it's also a favorite. "Maskerade" is next, and after that a bunch of others. Among recent books, "Monstrous Regiment" was very good, and "Going Postal" was hopeless.

regiment

Back again at last - we are in holiday mode here and it is HOT HOT HOT!

Ginny Loved the Clarence Day quote - I find it comforting to know that in each generation there are always those who respond to the books of the past and who appreciate the art and the truth contained within the book. They may be few but they are always there - part of the long continuing thread ....

Rag-Paper?? I sometimes use a rag based paper for my artworks - it takes watercolour superbly but is comparatively costly.

A big thank you to the person who recommended Allegra Goodman's Intuition. Haunting ethics issues are raised and memorable characters are torn, all in the milieu of science. Another thank you to whomever mentioned Ian McCellan's Richard III. I haven't words to express the impact this film has had on me. It is one thing to see the ruthless quest for power played out with the men running around in tights and the women covered so only their faces show. When transposed to a more contemporary setting, such as a 30's Britain, and dressed in fascist-like uniforms, it becomes terrifying. It's still Will's words. All star cast. I gave it five stars.

Thanks Claire - i'll read it all, didn't know it was there.

and thank you Babi and Pat for that recommendation......jean

If you want some humorous light detective titles, try Cathy Hogan Trocheck who features Callahan Garrity and Truman Kicklighter in her books. I have only read the Callaghan Garrity titles but would bet that the Truman Kicklighter is also humorous.

And what about Clyde Edgerton's "Walking Across Egypt" plus others. The titles escape me!

MrsSherlock re: Post # 152

Is the IanMcCellen's Richard III a new movie or has it been around a while and possibly on DVD? Sounds very interesting.

Evelyn

Ian McCellan's Richard III is on DVD; I got it from NetFlix. It is dated 1995. Well worth seeing it out.

And THEN constrast it with Al Pacino's incredible Looking for Richard (or see it first as he explains Richard III).

Mrs Sherlock Glad you liked McCellan's Richard - I agree that the setting made it absolutely terrifying - it's a stunning film - I kept wondering how he would handle 'My Kingdom for a horse' and in the event it was just perfect...

Ginny Thanks for the Al Pacino tip - haven't seen it and will look for it...

Ginny: Looking for Richard sounds good although when is a Pacino film not good? NetFlix doesn't have it. Is it available in DVD? Maybe the library has it. Thanks.

can be anyone. . sometimes I can't figure him out for a bit . . .who is the actor. And he is always "SUPERB". MRS. SHERLOCK. ME TOO. . .CLAIRE

Someone mentioned Stone Diaries and I read it. What a tour de force! Thank you, nameless one. I would have missed this and I am the better for having read it.

Molly Ivins we will miss her. Texas has produced some very special women, Molly Ivins and Ann RIchards, sadly gone too soon.

Even I knew about Molly Ivins. She was a gutsy lady.

Carolyn

Molly and Ann.. Both wonderful one of a kind women. I will miss them and their comments on Shrub..

Mrs. Sherlock, I am seeing this morning that Netflix has Looking for Richard?

I love Netflix, I think it's the greatest idea to come down the pike, they've got just about everything and it's SO cheap, right to your door! No this is NOT a commercial but it's lovely if you like off beat stuff, especially British stuff!

I'm perfectly willing to plug Netflix. They have a huge selection of offbeat things you couldn't find elsewhere. They're very fast (at least if you live anywhere near a distribution center) and you can keep movies a long time or watch as many as the mail will allow at no extra cost. The only limit is they won't send you another until they get one back. You can pick how many you are allowed to have out at a time--increased cost for more. And it's pretty easy to get a 2 week free trial to see how it works for you.

Ginny: Thanks, I have it in my queue but its availability is "Unknown" which I take to mean that either it is not available on DVD or they haven't yet added it to their stock. Shirley Valentine is also in that category, which they call "Save". My library has Pacino's Richard but it is on laserdisc, whatever that is. I suspect that it won't work with my DVD player. Oh, well.

For Eloise, Joan Grimes and all of those who participated in the Depths of Glory discussion - well, and for all Pissarro lovers too -

an invitation to meet in Baltimore between now and the Spring - Take a look at this wonderful exhibit! Pissarro: Creating the Impressionist Landscape

And for those who can't make it to Baltimore: The exhibition will travel to the Milwaukee Art Museum in Wisconsin (June 9 –September 9, 2007) and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art in Tennessee (October 7, 2007–January 6, 2008). A fully illustrated catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

JoanP, thank you for the information. I am very excited.

Joan Pearson,

Thanks for the info on Pissarro. I'll go when it comes to the Brooks Museum in Memphis in the fall.

Evelyn

Evelyn, Maybe we can get together in Memphis - my grandchildren live there. You too, Hats! That would be fun.

Joan P. If only Memphis was closer to Montreal, I would go too. The discussion taught me so much about Impressionist painters, Pissarro in particular. From now on when I see one of his paintings I will recognize him I am sure.

Joan P.

It would be great it we could meet. Memphis is 185 miles from Hot Springs, Arkansas where I live. It is about 4 hours drive. Interstate all the way. Great way to hear an audio book.

I took an Art History course at DePaul U. back in the 70's when I lived in Chicago and I learned to love Pissarro among others.

It's a must see for me.

Eloise - It's too bad Montreal is so far. I really like your comments in the "Renaissance" discussion, and it would be great to meet you.

Evelyn

on another planet Claire

Joan P.

Thanks for the information on the Pissarro Exhibition. I will do my very best to catch it in Memphis. That is much closer to me than Baltimore. Surely I can find one of my friends from the Art Museum where I am a docent who will go with me to see the exhibition. If not I will just go alone. I really want to see it. I saw an exhibition of his work along with Cezanne in Paris in March of 2006 at the Musée Dorsay . It was just wonderful.

I will really look forward to seeing the exhibition in Memphis.

Joan Grimes

Joan Grimes

Thank you Evelyn and I would like to meet you too, but Montreal might not be that far for you, if you pass by this way we could meet perhaps?

I am reading in French these days, after Le Rouge et le Noir it is hard to get something better. I have a few on my shelves that I haven't read yet, I just have to find more time.

Our National Arts Center always has wonderful art exhibits.

Joan, what are the dates of the Pissaro exhibit in Memphis? If I have some time open I could drive up to Birmingham to meet you somewhere and we could go together. I'll check back in this discussion for the announcement and will be in touch. Sue

FEB 4TH HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA GINNY HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY.

Happy Birthday from me, too, Ginny.

Hi Sue,

The dates for the Pissarro exhibition are October 7, 2007–January 6, 2008. I would love for you to drive up to Birmingham and go with me to Memphis to see the exhibition. It would really be fun to see you again. So if you think you can manage it during that time period lets do plan on it. Will look forward to your email.

Joan Grimes

I haven't seen any posts from Hats for a while. Has anyone heard from her lately? I miss her, she is so eager to try new authors/books.

The last I saw of Hats was 3 days ago on Rubbish. Is everything OK, Hats?

Hi Mrs. Sherlock and PatH, I am here. Thank you for asking about me. That's awfully nice.

I live in Baltimore and am very excited about the Pissarro Exhibition at the BMA. If we can get together there some time in the spring, please count me in. I'd love to meet some of the people I have been e-corresponding with.

jbmsr@comcast.net

E-mail is on the way. Sue

Juanita, I'd love to get together with you in Baltimore.

Sue, Joan, don't forget that Hats and Evelyn are looking forwrd to looking forward to meeting up with us in Memphis too...read back posts. It would be fun to go as a group I think.

Sounds like a MINI Gathering to me!! Sounds like a lot of fun!!!

You all be sure to keep us up on it, every step of the way, and lots of photos, too. If you like Joan G can open a separate discussion area for it here in the Books OR you can use the Bookmobile or whatever we've called it for books get togethers all around the country. We've got two more coming up in the fall of 2007 and winter of 2008 but they're not yet ready for Prime Time, this one looks like a natural!!

Thank you for the nice birthday greetings, also, and for the remarks on the Clarence Day quote (and who Clarence Day IS or WAS!)

I wonder about that Unknown and Looking for Richard, it's not a new movie, but maybe they have to get it from somewhere, it's a good 'un. I just saw Ian McKellen (who I agree was super in that part) recently in a documentary, wasn't he? On TV? something about young actors doing Shakespeare, they were dancing? I need to pay more attention to the few useful things that are on!

I haven't made any promises. I would find it exciting. Just need time to get thoughts and eggs in a row. I am camera shy too. Just thought I would share that little flaw. I am grateful for the invitation, JoanP.

Hats,,, If we can get a mini group together, I will try to make the long journey from central Florida.. Might be fun..

Wow! Stephanie, you are one of my many special people here at Seniornet. I will do my best. I need to think of times, a husband, etc. Then, I need to think, if I come, how to hide the cameras.

Still, can't promise.

By the way, I would love to meet all of you too.

Hats, I was very camera shy until I saw that among SN friends it is different, it is very special. When you are in a SN group, just forget that there is a cam there. Smile and enjoy the company I am jealous, I would have loved to come too!

I didn't read the book, but I would love to see the exhibit, especially if there will be other SeniorNetters seeing it also. Memphis isn't as familiar to me as St. Louis, but it's only about 2 1/2 to three hours away.

Lucky gals going to the Pissarro exhibit and read Depths of Glory will certainly enjoy it more because it gives such good background material about the Impressionists.

Hats, I was camera shy too before I joined SeniorNet, not any more though, photos is a contagious disease with SeniorNetters, you can't evoid having your picture taken, everybody brings a camera.

And there is always my fallback strategy, HATS. I don't photograph well, but I have several wastebaskets.

Babi

Babi, good idea. Eloise, I would hope to catch the contagious disease.

Hah.. Last month someone mentioned how many books, etc a month people read. I got really curious about my habits.. So from January 11 through today February 11.. I have read and finished 15 books, started, hated and did not finish 2.. 8 magazines and a newspaper every single day.. So that tells me about my habits. I was startled actually.. Once upon a time, I think I read a book a day, but between the gym, the computer, etc, its more like two days for a book.. Anyone else curious???

I read a lot, but not nearly that much. I used to speed read, although while working I didn't have as much time to read. Now I'm retired, but have progressive bifocals. They have completely slowed down my reading. It seems I have to move my head back and forth following the words or else I lose my place.

bifocals are a hazard they distort your visual distance from the ground and as you have found make reading into a neck stretching exercise. Get some good reading glasses girl. Mine are about twice as powerful as my eye doc thought was necessary but he's not much of a reader. Eventually he agreed that I needed that kind of correction. He was thinking about the distance one must hold the copy and not the act of snuggling down in a chair or bed with the book fairly close to the nose.

claire.

Claire: That's probably exactly what I should do!!! But I need bifocals anyway just for daily living.

Marni, that's why I never got progressive bifocals. With mine (trifocals actually), I am dimly aware of the dividing line, and It seems to make me look through the right part. I'm lucky in a way, to be so nearsighted. I couldn't walk across the room without my glasses, but I can take them off, curl up in bed, hold the book about 5 inches from my eyes, and it's in focus. I still don't read as much as you do, Stephanie.

I love my progressive.. Took me a month to get used to them and a lot of grumbling, but now I must automatically adjust.. Strange.

Me, too, Stephanie. I've had mine for 8-10 years and haven't had a problem, except when my computer monitor was too high. Once I moved it to my keyboard table that pulls out from my computer desk, I was fine. My eye doc said adjusting to any kind of bi/tri focal takes some adjustment time, so progressive is what I started with and only kind I've ever had. He also said it can be hard on people who've had the lined kind to go to the progressive and vice versa. Guess it's all in what you get used to.

jane

We will be voting for the next Great Books discussion on Thursday, Feb. 15. There is still time to nominate another title for consideration - here at Great Books Upcoming

The list of nominated titles to date -

Book Title	Author
*Cousin Bette*	Balzac
*Heart of Darkness*	Conrad
*Bleak House*	Dickens
*Moby Dick*	Melville
*The Red and the Black - (Le Rouge et le Noir)*	Stendhal
*Vanity Fair*	Thackeray
*Barchester Towers*	Trollope
*Tom Sawyer*	Twain

THE INNOCENTS ABROAD (1869) by Mark Twain.

claire

I've been gone for a couple of weeks because I've been living with my mother, while she recovers from her broken ankle. So I'm trying to get caught up here.

While I was away, I read a wonderful little book called "From Baghdad with Love" by Jay Kopelman and Melida Roth. Kopelman was a Marine stationed in Iraq and found a puppy during the seige of Faluja. Though there is a strict rule about pets in a war zone, there was "something" about this little dog and the book is about how Kopelman and a host of people who risked a lot by helping this dog, managed to get the puppy to California, where he is now living out his life happily, with Kopelman.

It's an excellent story and it also gives a view of the war from a totally different angle.

I've had progressive trifocals for over 10 yrs and have never had a problem w/ steps or anything....maybe because i'm far-sighted or because i started early w/ them. Actually, i've loved them.

I'd have trouble counting how long it takes to read a book because i always have at least 2 going at a time, sometimes 4 or 5. Do any of you do that. Sometimes i'm in the mood for non-fiction, sometimes for mystery, sometimes for light fiction -----and all that can happen in one day....LOL......Right now i'm almost finished with Blanche Cook's book on Eleanor Roosevelt from 1932 - 1938; I'm reading The Best Yr's of Their Lives; I've got a Susan Issac book started and a Rita Mae Brown book started and I'm starting Founding Sisters that i'm going to faciliate a discussion of for the League of Women Voters at the beginning of March......variety, variety - the spice of life!.....jean

I do that too roam from book to book unfinished, and sometimes never fiished and also mix it in with the tv offerings at hbo etal. You have a great selection there. I just saw a wonderful film at ifc on FRIEDA diego Rivera's painter wife. I thimk it was ifc, could have been sundance but who cares. such riches. claire

I generally have three books going since like both of you, I like different things at different times. I counted each one when I finished it.. and noted if I did not. I have decided life is too short to keep reading something I dont like,, so I dont.

Hear, hear!, Stephanie. I feel I have no time to waste on reading books I don't enjoy.

Babi

From the list of nominations I only read The Red and the Black and it would be my first choice, I like Balzac's writing style very much but not so much what he writes about. After reading Balzac's biography I can understand why he is so sombre. I started reading Cousin Bette but dropped it after reading about 100 pages, I might take it up again. I will look for Vanity Fair next time I go to my used books store.

Today the temperature here is close to O F. I like to put my nose outside at least once a day but today it might be a little hard to do.

Put me in the multiple books column, too. Right now it is Woman in White (I didn't get it from the library in time), Chapters and Verse by Joel Barr, and Acts of Love by wife/husband writing team Judith Michaels. Dragonfly in Amber, by Diana Gabaldon is lurking around, too. It's not as interesting as the Scottish setting. Kitchen Confidential is in the car for those odd moments.

Hi -Just passing by...

Winsum: I loved Frida , have it on DVD. I thought Alfred Molina as Rivera and Aussie Geoffrey Rush as Trotsky were both superb - as was Hayek? who took the part of Frida. Kahlo was a remarkable woman as well as a distinctive artist. She was able perhaps to draw on her own pain and suffering for artistic inspiration - and maybe drew on her art for solace as well. Great Film

I have had progressive bifocals for years and years. In fact, I can't remember when I had line bifocals and would certainly not want to go back to them. I guess I had to adjust to progressive (can't remember)but have had absolutely NO problem w/them. Only problem I have w/my doc is that he always says "I can't give you any prescription that will be better", and I really feel like I need an increase in near-sight part of the RX. I had cataract surgery many years ago and had hoped to NOT have to wear glasses at all, but that is not the case. JOY

is that they have continuous clear focus from distance (on the top of the lens) to close-up for reading (on the bottom of the lens), and everything in between. It's like having trifocals without the lines, and as the ad for progressive lenses says, "Who needs more lines on their face?"

The disadvantage to progressive lenses is the fact that the "reading" segment on the bottom of the lens is very narrow. It requires a reader to move his head from left to right as he reads across a page, rather than holding the head steady and just moving the eyes as you would do when reading with regular glasses.

Some people don't mind continuously moving their head as they read, but I have tried progressive lenses (more than once) and it DRIVES ME CRAZY!

Rich

your doctor works for you. tell him what you want. I had to do that. they are such bullys. as for mmoving my head back and forth with each set of two or three lines. no wonder people have trouble with their necks Mine has real problems four fused vertebre by the calcium spurs growing out of them makes a block which keeps dislocating from the top three and has to be adjusted a couple of times a week to keep me off pai pills.

and a drifting eye so I need a wide field of focus for that. It means that I can't get anything focused in the same place on the glasses twice. confuzing huh.

but Iread fairly comfortably with ten dollar light bulbs over my recliner on a goose neck adjustable lamp. did I mention the cateracts and MD and blefaritis. computer folks are used to having to find "work arounds" artn't we. It's a must with these aging bodies. do get your glasses changed Joy.

claire

Here's my solution to the problem of sight. I am very near sighted. Many, many years ago when radial keratotomy (sp?) first came out, I had my left eye corrected and left my right eye near sighted. So I could see near with one and far with the other. I know sounds like it would drive you crazy, but it's amazing how your brain adjusts. I never noticed. Then, last year, I developed cataracts and when the lenses were replaced in my eyes, I had one with the correction and one without. So I continue to see well near and far, take books to bed, and never wear glasses - although I'm thinking that I should do something for driving at night. That's the only time I seem to have a problem. Not that I do much of that.

I absolutely agree that you have to tell doctors what you want. My doctor wanted to put corrective lenses in both eyes and said that the only reason he would do it for me is because I'd lived successfully with this for so long. But, if he hadn't agreed, I would have found a doctor who would.

Reading "Fall on Your Knees". What an odd book!! I've always avoided Oprah's books - couldn't tell you why - I guess I thought they would be too "sticky". But this one is intriguing.

You know with progressive lenses, the lense only cover a small portion of the glasses---down the center. Last year I went w/Hoya lenses (top of the line) simply because they have a somewhat larger viewing area at the bottom. Total cost of the glasses was $600 because I wanted NO FRAME Silhouette frames---also top of the line. I am only now getting used to them since last May. JOY

Are you experiencing any weather events today? Just watching the Weather Channel and it seems very few of us will escape - something. If we have to have precip, I'd much rather have snow - over ice, which is in our forecast in the DC area.

Ooooh, Claire - have you ever read Innocents Abroad? I've read parts of it - always thought that would be a dream job. Mark Twain was paid by a newspaper or journal to travel around the world and report on what he was seeing! If you hear of anyone looking for such a reporter, I'm available!

I've entered your suggestion to the Great Books slate of nominations. We'll vote on Thursday and everyone is invited.

Hi joan it would certainly open discussion in terms of al the places he visited.

claire edit: there are wooly white sheep playing around in a blue sky here in san clemente but boy those are big sheep with slightly soiled bottoms. the sun pops in and out.

SHRIEK!! SHRIEK SHRIEK SHRIEK!!

Fireworks where are fireworks!! Jane, where is Jane?

We've just received word that SeniorNet's Book Clubs will be featured in the March/ April 2007 Issue of Bookmarks Magazine!!!! SHRIEK!!

Jane and I wrote that article, cross your fingers they don't edit us to look like fools, SHRIEK!!

SHRIEK!! SHRIEK SHRIEK SHRIEK!!

March April? Is that NOW? Which photo did they use? I wrote and asked him, or should we wait or should we all run out now. Wonder which parts of it he'll use wonder if he'll make us look like fools, wonder wonder, very exciting! YES!!!! All of YOU to be in a national Magazine!!!

Thank God, I thought it was long dead, and there's believe it or not, another coming!

SHRIEK!! SHRIEK SHRIEK SHRIEK!!
\

Congratulations, ALL of you and US and off to the bookstore, I must have a copy, I must have 2 copies if we look human! I must have...maybe 5 copies. One for each of the children. How many will you need in case he uses a photo with you in it? Or quotes you? YOU??

I wonder which group photo he used YOU may be in a magazine in any Barnes & Noble store!!! When do they come out in the stores? SHRIEK!! SHRIEK SHRIEK SHRIEK!!

Wow! Thank you, Ginny. Congratulations to everyone in SeniorNet Books!

It looks like the March/April issue is not out yet: http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/

SHRIEK it's ONLINE, too? SHRIEK?? Oh PLEASE don't make us look strange, please. er..... YOU know the power of the press!

Shriek!

LOL. It looks like they don't publish the articles in the magazine online but they sell subscriptions to the print version.

Ginny ~ What wonderful news!! Congratulations !!!

I wonder if we get this magazine here Ginny. I will look for it.

Isn't this exciting? Thank you all! Remember way back there we asked about favorite discussions etc., that's how long this has been submitted!

At any rate Jane and I sent so much and two photos, and we don't know what they included and left out so the result will be surprising to us, too, I can't wait to see what quotes they include, which photos, what, in fact! Congratulations to us ALL!!! Hopefully we'll look like what we are: good.

Hopefully a lot of people will realize what a good thing we are, and join in.

Pretty cool! I'm looking forward to the magazine!

Here in Windsor we're in the midst of a storm - not too much snow, but lots of ice. Lots of things have been cancelled, including my gum transplant surgery which I had psyched myself up for.

I've been reading a biography of Henry Ward Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe's brother. I read that during the 19th century Harriet's book Uncle Tom's Cabin was the best-selling novel in the WORLD and the 2nd best-selling book in the WORLD after the Bible. It was translated into every major language. Apparently, everyone thought that really Henry Ward wrote it.

I think I may have to read it. Has anyone read it?

History is being made in the united state congress. I've been watching c-span. . . Claire

Marni, Windsor, Connecticut? You probably know that Harriet Beecher Stowe lived in Hartford, right near you. Her house still stands there and is open for guided tours. It's right next to the Mark Twain house, which is also open for tours, and in my opinion, is much more interesting.

But you're probably in Windsor, Ontario, right?

Rich

BevSykes - I'm anxious to read the book you recommended -From Baghdad With Love. My library (which is right next door to my apt bldg) has a copy available but we've had an ice storm and I can't take a chance walking over there. Now that I think of it, they're probably closed since nothing is moving here. First chance tho' I'll pick it up. I've read good reviews. I get such good recommendations here - thanks.. Niecie

MARNI, I read "Uncle Tom's Cabin" ages ago. I was young enough to be shocked at how cruel Simon Legree was, and to be thrilled at the escape over the ice-clogged river. All these years later, that's pretty much all I remember, tho' I know the phrase 'grew like Topsy' came from a character in this book.

What kind of history, CLARE? Are they doing something right?

It's been a while since they tried that.

Babi

Marni, that's too bad about the surgery. Sometimes I have found that when you psych yourself for something and then it's postponed, when it finally happens it's sort of like a rerun, and you feel quite calm about it. I hope it will turn out like that for you.

I've never read "Uncle Tom's Cabin", but something I read recently (I think in some book review supplement) suggested to me that maybe I should. It sounded like she had a better appreciation than I would have thought of the complex psychological effects of slavery on both owners and owned.

In the 60s and later in the 70s, we lived in the Brunswick, Maine, area. Brunswick is the home of Bowdoin College. Mrs. Stowe's husband was a professor there. My family attended the Congregational Church on the edge of the campus. There is a plaque on one of the pews that says that this was the place where HBS received a vision which inspired her to write Uncle Tom's Cabin. I've never read the book myself, except for excerpts for lit class in college. Many abolitionists were members of Congregational Churches. Sue

democrats have been out of power in the congress for twelve years. Their only power is that of the purse. many are chafing to stop funding the war and others are preceding with caution with a non-binding resolution. the senate is tied up with the rules but the house doesn't have the same setup and each member of the five hundred some membership is speaking to the resolution for five minutes. It does not allow amendments and has only a couple of issues

. It's clever because each member must vote up or down and it becomes transparent where they are on the war and a matter of record for future public interest.

If you are interested check out the c-span coverage. It isn't a good subject for seniornet. sorry folks. . .

I did read a book today. . .all of it it's short and quite wonderful THE WHALE RIDER. . .

claire

Winsum, I haven't read the book but I saw the wonderful The Whale Rider film. We discussed it as part of our PBS discussions. The Whale Rider ~ PBS Program Clubs ~ 08/05.

If you get a chance to rent the film, it is very worthwhile.

I agree about "The Whale Rider"; it's magnificent.

Hi, Rich. I'm in Windsor, CT. Are you close by? Yes, I've visited Nook Farms and have toured Mark Twain's house. I have not made it into the Stowe house for some reason. I keep threatening to go. Maybe I'll have to read the book and then visit the house.

Twain's house is so absolutely cool. Too bad what has happened to Hartford. Twain thought it was the most beautiful city. The Park River used to run right by his house, but it's been covered over.

-------------------------

Pat H: Thank you for your thoughts. I hope that is what happens on Friday.

I read in the Beecher bio that a black man who lived down the street from Henry's house in Indiana may have been Harriet's model for the character Uncle Tom.

A new book discussion will begin March 15 for The Island at the Center of the World: The Epic Story of Dutch Manhattan, the Forgotten Colony that Shaped America by Russell Shorto.

Dutch Colonial history, lost when the English seized Manhattan from the Dutch in 1644, was not destroyed. Now emerging in Shorto's gripping narrative is a remarkable story about an unknown American patriot and the foundations of New York City and the American culture.

JoanK and I would love to have you join us. Sign up for the discussion here: "---Island at the Center of the World ~ Russell Shorto ~ Proposed ~ March 15"

Marni

but I've lived in just about every New England state at one time or other.

Mark Twain has always fascinated me, and his humor strikes me as just as funny now as he intended when he wrote it long ago.

You're right, his house in Hartford is a great place to visit. You really get a feel for the man there. I have a memento from the house hanging on the wall right here next to my computer.

I've told this story before, but that's a luxury that people are supposed to afford you as you get older...

In the Mark Twain house, there is a large fireplace in his second floor study. On the mantel above, there are a few knick knacks. One of those is a small, framed painting of the portrait of a cat. The cat's face almost fills the painting, but you can see that he is wearing a "ruff" collar. (Think of one of those stiff, white, pleated collars you see on people in old Dutch paintings.) He supposedly bought the painting in Florence while on one of the world tours he took with with his wife.

The title and artist are unknown, but Twain gave the painting a name. He called it "The Cat in the Ruff."

Anyway, in his study, at the end of each day Twain would tell a bedtime story to his daughters before they were tucked in. No matter what story he told, the "Cat in the Ruff" would play a role; sometimes as a bit player and sometimes in a lead role as, say, the detective who solves a "mystery."

I had to have a copy of that painting, and I did manage to get a small replica in the gift shop. I framed it, and the "Cat in the Ruff" from Mark Twain's house is, right now, looking on, over my right shoulder as I type.

Rich

Isn't that great about the magazine coverage? I'm telling you, if you are ever in need of a PR man - it's Ginny - with Jane at her side! Let's see who finds the March edition first!

Marni and JoanK have come up with a winner - it looks as if they have quorum for the Island at the Center of the World. Do look in at the heading - you won't be able to resist. I found a copy at local library - LARGE TYPE! Can read it without my reading glasses. You have no idea how happy that makes me.

I came in this morning to let you know we have just opened the Polls for the next Great Books discussion title - You can vote Here - You'll see the voting booth in the heading of the discussion. Hope to see you there!

Rich, that's a wonderful story - will look for the Cat in the Ruff whenever I read Twain from here on! We have two of Mark Twain's books nominated this time around. The last time we discussed Twain - Puddn'head Wilson we had two docents from the Twain House in Hartford participate. All sorts of interesting information from those helpful folk.

Anyone heard of shelfari.com? It's a special place for booklovers. One can list one's books there, talk about them, or get an opinion on new books. It sounds good, even if only for that grouped list one can make.

Rich: I love your story about the Cat in the Ruff. Speaking of Mark Twain's fireplaces - we saw a very interesting fireplace in his house. He had one built with a window directly above the fireplace. It's like nothing you've ever seen. One wonders where the smoke from the fire goes. But there are two flues, one on either side of the chimney. The smoke is directed up and over instead of directly up. What an interesting and beautiful house. I haven't been able to find a picture of the fireplace on the web, but here's a picture of the house: http://www.oldhouses.com/cf/displaylisting.cfm?q_listingid=60

I read Uncle Toms Cabin when much much younger. I was also instrigued to discover that they made a play of it and performed it all over the US in the traveling shows. I do believe that Harriet wrote it, but her brother Henry was a publicity hound and I suspect tried to pretend it was all from him. I read some of the books written in that time and Henry does not come off smelling like a rose.. Harriet on the other hand was universally liked.

I read Uncle Tom's Cabin in college, but when i hear of the story i think of the movie The King and I, where the children do a dramatization of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Anna was making a point to the King about the way he treated his people and the depiction of the river crossing is very artistic and dramatic......jean

Jean: I remember that scene in The King and I! That was really neat the way the dancer was running and they made waves from fabric.

instant appeal to me the warm woods and the quilts and patterns on the floor the many pictures but Rich I couldn't find the cat over the fireplace. of course they are pretty small here. which one? lol.

the structure is appropriate for the person who chose to live in it. If he were a house he would look like that.

claire

Some houses just appeal to something deep in us or reflect the owner in such a personal way. I think of Teddy Roosevelts Sagamore Hill.. What a wonderful house. The man was an eternal child himself and knew just how to please his family. Jeffersons house displays his passion for innovation and gardens.. We went to the Jackson House "Hermitage" and fell in love with the gracious feeling.. The Alcott house disappointed me.. I got no feel for her at all. But then I think I expected the house from Little Women.

The Emily Dickinson house on Main Street in Amherst, Massachusetts is one that, when you visit, you get the sense that you will find the author waiting for you in the next room.

Rich

Last Saturday, the members of the local book group attended a wonderful event in Sandwich, Mass., on Cape Cod, affectionately known as "The Cape". Billed as "Sandwich Reads Together", the event is held every two years in the auditorium of Sandwich H.S. and is sponsored by the Friends of the Sandwich Public Library and Titcomb's Bookshop in East Sandwich.
One of our members lives there and she reserved seats for the rest of us. The auditorium seats 900 and was packed. Wide-screen TVs were set up in the gymnasium to accommodate an overfill crowd.

Two distinguished women authors were the invited guests : Alice Hoffman and Jodi Picoult. The pairing of these women, who had not known each other personally before, was positively inspired. They complemented each other perfectly.

Alice Hoffman (55), a breast cancer survivor, lives on the Cape and in Boston; Jodi Picoult (40) in Hanover, New Hampshire. Both shared with the audience how and when they decided to become writers.

Then Alice H. read from her book "Blackbird House". Jodi P.(who is probably best known for her book "My Sister's Keeper") read from her soon-to-be-released suspense novel "Nineteen Minutes". The applause was generousand sustained. A long line snaked to the tables where books were signed.

An extraordinary communion of readers and writers and could not have been more perfect in every way. That's why I wanted to share it with all of you.

It looks like a great meeting:

Booksigning

The bookshop looks pretty nifty, too.

MARNI, I love the Twain house. It made me wish I lived there. (With someone else to take care of it, of course.) I would have to walk outside every day just to stand and look at it! Ah...I think one life is just not enough. I can think of several life directions I would like to take.

Babi

SO VERY NICE to hear from you Traude! Enjoyed your sharing your very pleasant day with us. Thanks! JOY

I am reading every post, but have nothing to add except that I joined a French book club recently and I am reading French books. I don't read as fast or as much as many of you here but I enjoy having face to face exchange about the books I read very much. I told them about Seniornet book club and they were sorry not to know English enough to participate and so was I.

Hello JOY !! It's a great pleasure to see you here. An AOL Friend ! Super.
I don't post here as often as I'd like: my time at the computer is rationed because of my bad back. Good to have you !!

Hello, ÉLOÏSE ! Am about to vote in Great Books now.

Traude, I am so envious. What a wonderful day. I like Alice Hoffman a lot. Her books are generally quite different in many ways than others.

I looked for Alice Hoffman and got everyone BUT.

there's a new PLUM I see.

http://tinyurl.com/2lr9zr

claire

I've just gotten in the mail today a package from Bookmarks Magazine, which sent some copies of their big Spring Reading Special, the March/ April 2007 issue, which features two FULL pages of US!!!! Yes, it's SeniorNet's Books and Literature sections, discussions, and everything we do, right there in a magazine you can buy in your bookstore!! It even says Book Club on the left hand column of the magazine's cover. That would be US?!?!

Some of you will see yourselves in print, if you attended Books at the Beach in 2005, some of you will see your own quotes about a particular book or discussion, and all of you will see activities here like the Book Exchange, which you have helped to make so viable.

I believe you will be proud of it and of the contributions you have each made over the last 10 years to our Books sections. They are right in the magazine: we ARE unique. And they are publishers of integrity. I couldn't be more excited.

I understand you can buy individual copies of this issue on the internet in case you are not near a Barnes & Noble or other bookstore, we'll have more about that later. I have also heard from Mary Alice Monroe who sends her congratulations and news of her two new books, more on that later: one is a sequel to Beach House (those of you at the beach may recall she asked US for our suggestions to the characters), and one is a children's book with photos by Barbara Bergwerf.

I know you will extend to any newcomers, and how we hope they will come in and introduce themselves, our traditional warm welcome and help them find the section that they are most interested in and welcome in all the new voices we hope will come by, stop, and stay a long while.

We've been interviewed several times in our long 10 year history, by several magazines and the New York Times, but this article, in a magazine of this caliber, devoted to reading and books, has got to be the top of the mountain. I can't think of anything higher, this is IT. Let's enjoy every minute.

And since we could not have taken one step up without you, nor could Jane and I have written it without the help of the books Volunteers, coordinators, Marcie, your comments, your participation and input, and survey results, I hope you all feel part of the success. Don't miss getting a copy if you can, you'll be proud of what you have done and what can be done on the internet!

HUZZAH!!

Thank you for letting us know about all of the great features of our SeniorNet Books community that are in the Book Marks magazine. We owe Ginny and Jane many thanks for writing the article. I too hope that we'll attract some new participants because of the article. Congratulations to everyone in SeniorNet Books!!

My Bookmarks Magazine arrived in the mail this afternoon. I thought I might be the first one to see the SeniorNet Book Group article, but Ginny beat me! The article is one of the longest ones I've seen in the magazine on book groups. It is really nicely done. Even though I'm mostly just reading everyone's postings and not saying much myself, the Book Nook has become an important part of my day -- just to relax and hear what you all have to say about the books you are reading. I love to read what each and everyone of you have to say. And, after reading the Bookmarks article, I think you will have many more people visiting and participating in your book discussions.

Thank you very much for posting that thoughtful message, winchesterlady. These are definitely YOUR book discussions too.

Wonderful news indeed ! All of us have reason to be proud ! I'll go for my copy as soon as I can. At the moment I am house-bound. The walkway to the garage is iced over, the long driveway also treacherous.

CLAIRE, just Google Alice Hoffman. Loads of information there.

STEPHANIE, yes, it was really special to see the two authors together last week. Alice Hoffman, who has magic in some of her books, seems to have some about herself, and Jodi Picoult's effervescence is irresistible.

Just out: "The Double Bind" by Chris Bohjalian. He writes from Vermont and this is his tenth book. Among his other books are "Midwives", "The Buffalo Soldier", "Before You Know Kindness". So many wonderful new books, so little time !

Winchester lady, you lucky duck. I've been haunting the mailbox for my copy of Bookmarks. ALF introduced me to it at Books At the Beach and I've subscribed ever since. It can't be other than a great article because Ginny and Jane both worked on it.

Traude, what a wonderful event in Sandwhich. I have read some of Alice Hoffman's books, but none yet by Jodi Picault, though her Plain Truth is on my bookshelf. I liked Bohalian's Midwives several years ago, but have not read any of his others.

Am currently reading an author familiar to many, but new to me -- Elizabeth Berg -- We Are All Welcome Here. It's a fascinating novel inspired by a true story, about a woman who gave birth in an iron lung, and then raised her daughter, even though she was wheelchair bound and dependent on a respirator.

What great news about the article. Ginny and Jane are great book discussion leaders.

I have been thinking of getting a subscription to BOOK MARKS Bought 2 at my local Boarders (ships was theme in one) Told myself if I bought one more it would be better to buy the subscription. The article about the book discussions here at SeniorNet will make number 3 so I will buy it and then send for the subscription. I had hesitated because I already get 2 book magazine (Romantic Times)Book Reviews. And Pages

tells the truth and does it well. I've read several of her books and look forward to reading the rest.

These discussions have offered so much in the way of book reviews that I have a long list to explore. Thanks so much all of you. . . Claire

Gaj -- PAGES is one of my favorite book magazines. However, I tried to renew it back in November. My check was never cashed so I wrote to them. They returned the check to me and said, "...we are no longer able to continue publishing PAGES." Checks received after October 15, 2006, have not been cashed and will be returned. I was very disappointed to hear this because I really like this magazine. So it is probably a good thing for you to subscribe to Bookmarks!

Pedln -- If you like Alice Hoffman and Elizabeth Berg, I bet you would love Jodi Picoult. My favorites were "My Sister's Keeper," "Keeping Faith," "Mercy," and "The Pact." She somehow seems to have books published at almost the same time the subject matter becomes nationwide news.

Another author you might enjoy is Sue Miller. Have you read any of her books? I just recently read "The World Below" and "Lost in the Forest."

Oh my no more Pages

I will have to see when mine will need renewal. Nuts I really liked it.

I loved Midwives, so will look for his new book. Midwives made me really think of what you do in certain situations that have no good answer. Will have to trek to B&N to see what is up.. I arrived late for Books at the Beach, so I know I am not in the famous picture..

I'm still looking around for a copy of Bookmarks Magazine. My library doesn't take it. (I made a point of telling them about the SeniorNet article.) Nor can I find it listed with Barnes & Noble. There are one or two other places I can check, before I try to buy a single copy on-line. So inefficient. I've pretty much stopped subscribing to any magazines. I only read the parts that interest me, and then they start piling up, up, up!

Babi

Babi ~ Don't now if they still are carrying it, but I have purchased Book Marks at Boarders.

I read Uncle Toms Cabin at a very young age and recently read it again. I have the book in my library to share with my grands when they are old enough. The book reminds me that everyone no matter what their ethnic roots is a human being with feelings, hopes and aspirations. It is no great literary work but has a very powerful message that is as true today as it was when the author first set down her words on paper.

Carolyn

Carolyn: I was glad to see your post about Uncle Tom's Cabin. I'm definitely going to read it when I have a chance. I can't believe I never read it in the past!

Marni -It was my mother who got me Uncle Toms cabin. She also had shed many tears over it as a child. Although she believes in human rights she does not believe that ethnic groups should have mixed marriages. A lot of people on all sides of the equation also believe this although they may believe in equal rights for individuals in every other facet of life. I found this puzzling as a child.

The poll for the next Great Books discussion ends tonight. Verry close. If you have been putting it off, you can still vote HERE

GINNY, my elder daughter works at a mall that has a Borders Bookstore. I'll ask her to check for me, and pick up a copy if they have it. Thanks for the tip.

Babi

Each month BookMarks has suggested readings. I just finished two of them. One was a novel about Marie Antoinette entitled Abundance.
I really enjoyed it. It was presented in the 1st person narrative so you follow the young, beautiful the young 14 year old being prepped to be married off to the future King of France, to seal a political alliance. It threw a whole new perspective on Maria Antoinette for me.

The other book suggested was Echo Park, a mystery by Michael Connelly. It has been some time since I've read a good old fashioned detective story. It is the 12th of the Harry Bosch series about a LAPD detective's search to find a killer. Very suspenseful for me as I usually guess the outcome and get bored. The writer surprised me on this one and had me guessing until the end.

I am still waiting (im)patiently for Dark Angels, a seventeeth century story filled with royal intrigue.

BaBi ~ You are welcome! There are 2 of us named Ginny.

Ginny

GinnyAnn(me)

I agree, Andrea, I really like the reviews in each issue of Bookmarks. (Andrea is the reason we even knew of Bookmarks, she is a big booster of that magazine and it was a revelation to me to pick up the first issue!)

I noticed also as I said that they reviewed Rachel Cusk's new book and I remember our first read of her first book which was up for the Booker (then called) Prize. We really enjoyed that one.

I like the way they give ALL the reviews, positive and negative. The person who gave two stars compalined that she does the same character over and over, oh JOY!! hahahaha I love her character, love the humor, reminds me of an early Devil Wears Prada type (the good one).

I am thinking, we've been batting around the idea, of a Bookmarks Book Club for the summer, when the days are long and hot and you really like a nice read and lemonade in the shade: limited to only books they have reviewed in XXX issue: I think it would be super, as you can see Andrea has already read two of them. We can list them.

I also very much like the article on authors they always include: just a super magazine, the ne plus ultra of books magazines, amazing for us to be even mentioned in it much less featured.

Huzzah!

Well, I'm sold. I will subscribe to Bookmarks today. What a deal: we get new members and they get new subscribers. Win/win, n'est-ce pas?

Ginny -can you some how let BookMarks know of our support for their magazine?

Andrea

Hello,

I am a student at The London College of Communication in the UK and as part of a design course I am conducting a research study of the design of American literature between 1960 and 1969. I am collecting information about the works of fiction that were read by American audiences in the 1960s. I am contacting book clubs and discussion groups in the US who migt be able to help me with this research study.

I would like to ask for your help in gathering some information. I realize that this is a somewhat odd request but it would help me a great deal. If there is anyone who would like to discuss books from this period I would very much appreciate if you could take a few minutes to answer this questionnaire:

1. How old were you in 1960?

3. What music did you listen to?

4. Who/what were your influences?

5. What were you reading in the 1960s?

6. What was your favourite work of fiction of the 1960s?

7. What do you remember of the book?

8. Why did you choose to read it?

9. What did you think of it?

10. What do you feel about it now?

11. Do you recall what appeared on the book’s cover?

Thank you very much for taking the time to assist in this project. I hope to keep you posted with the progress of this assignment.

-Design Student
kamykamkam@hotmail.com

Design Student: How are we to respond to your questions? Are you providing an email address? Some questions (such as asking age) may be a bit personal for some to provide in this context.

We've got a winner! Hope you will join us in the
UPCOMING GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION!!

Marni: If you click on Design Student's username, you'll see his/her email address.

jane

Oh, right! (duh) Thanks, Jane!

I have the Mar/Apr Bookmark magazine. Ginny and Jane, I enjoyed the article about Seniornet very much. Alf, I have fallen in love with the magazine too. I hope the article will lead to many new readers joining the discussions here at Seniornet.

I know, GinnyAnn. Sometimes I simply feel too lazy, and use the shorter version, figuring the proper 'Ginny' will know she is being addressed by the subject matter. Rude of me, of course. I promise to do better, okay?

Babi

Thank you, Hats! Isn't that a TRIP? I still can't get over it.

We have a PILE of Bookmarks fans here!!! And about to be fans! I totally agree, Mrs. Sherlock and it's a great magazine for readers, I am going to subscribe too! hahaha I'm tired of rushing into Barnes and Noble and trying to buy it anyway, it's usually sold out when I get there or there is one heavily thumbed copy available. I don't know how many of those they order but they should stock up on this latest issue, huh? hahaah

It's kind of fun to find out how many of you take it and have seen it, I can't imagine why a "Bookmarks Book Club Read" wouldn't be just the thing, those who do not have the magazine can, as always, reference the book titles on Amazon as we always do and we'll be talking about them!

Ginny: When I filled out my subscription form online at the Bookmarks site I discovered that I can also order a specific copy in the case the March/April issue. A Bookmarks Book CLub Read could be widely distrubited by thus ordering the specific issue even if one chooses not to subscribe.

I just called my neighborhood Books a Million--only to learn that it has closed since I was in there a couple of weeks ago. I then called the one in the next town, about 10 minutes away. The clerk didn't know about BookMarks, but is going to call me back in about 10 minutes when the "magazine girl" comes back from her break. If they don't have it, I'll get it online. Sue

First I read the whole article about Seniornet. Then, I began from the beginning of the magazine trying to make myself familiar with the magazine. The whole magazine looks yummy. I noticed the article about Wallace Stegner. I haven't read any of his books. That is just shameful. Didn't the Seniors read Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner?

Yes, Hats, your memory is excellent. Traude led that discussion back in Sept. of 2002.

"Angle of Repose ~ Wallace Stegner ~ 9/02 ~ Book Club Online"

Jane, thank you!

Wallace Stegner is one of my favorite authors. He originated the writing program at Stanford, lived in Los Altos Hills, just a hop, skip and a jump from my house in West San Jose and wrote about the west in all its broad canvas. Angle of Repose features a geologist, a continuing interest/hobby in this family, and part of the action occurs in the Almaden mines, just above San Jose. His other books are just as riveting to me. Try him, you'll liike him. I'm going to read the archived discussion of Angle which I have read three times.

I am going to read the archived discussion too.

I read but I'm not a reader in that I don't gobble up classics or prize winners My tate wanders all over the place from mysteries to modern political figures, an occasional woman style novel as in E. Bergs books and time spent elsewhere, watching movies, news shows. . .new series as in Desparate Housewives which seems to have the same music as Six Feet Under. to say nothing of making art. who has time for it all?

Claire

I have just begun reading believe it or not, with my 9 year old going on fifty grandaughter, a very funny book. Its called "Stop Dressing your Six Year Old Like a Skank and other words of delicate Southern Wisdom" Its so funny. For those who do not know Skank is a newer word for Tart and I think it refers to those tarty clothes for very little girls that some mothers buy for their daughters. Yukkk!

Brooke my grandaughter loves humour so we read the first chapter together last night which was all about planning a family trip to Disney world for the first time. The writer is so funny. Its more like British humour - so clever. Brooke and I were almost rolling off the sofa. Brooke is very wise to the ways of the world for her age and very very sensible. She got 99% of the humour and enjoyed the interaction described between Mother and child and also the Mothers dialogue with other Mothers and Disney Reps. Brooke has made me promise not to take the book back until we have read the lot. I can extend the loan for 2 weeks making it a total of 6 weeks loan.

The cover shows a blonde woman with a blow dryer in her hand. She is dressed in a pink fluffy dressing gown and is attempting to style a real frizzy mop of hair which is quite a long length.

The author hails from North Carolina and her name is Celia Rivenbark.

Carolyn

That sounds like it would be a fun book to discuss here.

Got bookmarks today. Read the article while eating a late lunch. Couldn't wait till I finished lunch to get reading it. lol I loved it!!! Even though I have been coming to SeniorNet for a long time, I learned stuff I didn't know about the book discussions. Great job Ginny and Jane.

Has anyone west of the Mississippi received his/her Bookmarks subscription issue? I'm getting flubbered 'cause I don't know if it's Bookmarks or the Post Office, but my copy has not yet come. To call or not to call -- but be nice.

So, am looking at this past month's issue -- and SeniorNet Books is already currently reading one of the current reviewed books -- Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale

I always like the Bookmarks listing of upcoming Movies from Books, and oh joy, The Namesake(Jhumpa Lahiri) is opening in March.

Now, to wait impatiently for tomorrow's mail.

Thanks, GinnyAnn. Ginny and I are glad you enjoyed the article and found it in a bookstore already.

jane

Hello Everyone,

I just read the latest Bookmarks and learned about this site. I think you will be getting a lot more bibliophiles joining the discussions here as a result of the article. I for one am very excited to have learned about SeniorNet and the book discussions and look forward to participating.

We are very happy to have you here. Enjoy!

Goodmorning, Glencora! I'd like to echo Hat's Welcome! We are looking forward to getting to know you! Find a comfortable chair and join in the fun!

We are delighted to have you here amongst us. Hop on our train filled with "bookies" sit down and have some fun. An official welcome will soon follow from one of our Ambassadors.

GLENCORA, finding new bookies is one of our delighted expectations from the Bookmarks article. We were so proud to learn about it, and now we shall reap a welcome harvest from it as well! So good to have you, and I know you will be pleased with all the possibilities here.

Babi

Glencora.. Welcome to the land of the posessed.. Books are our passion, desire and need. We are all a bit on the eccentric side, but mean well.. Tell us what you like to read.

Glencora: What do you like to read? We probably have a discussion for you already. If not, and we can generate enough interest (and a discussion leader volunteer) they may expand these offerings. It has happened before. I am always glad to welcome another bookie.

Since I had never heard about Bookmarks, I am of course unfamiliar with it. I looked for it yesterday at our local library and it was not there. Is it not in the public libraries????? JOY

as a publication? I use it to keep track of sites I want to revisit on my macintosh. I've never heard of it either.

claire

http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/

You'd have to check with your own local library to see if they subscrib e or not. Many libraries have had to limit their inprint magazines because of costs involved and their budgets.

We are SOooooooooo glad to see you here. I'll just echo the other welcoming remarks and say now enjoy exploring all the other areas of SeniorNet Books. There are lots of folks waiting to meet you.

Remember we have twice discussed the HMS Bounty?
Well, in the NYTimes book Section there was a book shown entitled The Grave Tattoo. It was written by Val McDermid. I quote:

"The discovery of a bizarrely tattooed body in England's famed Lake District sparks old rumors. Did Fletcher Christian stage the mutiny of the HMS Bounty so he could return home?

Did his friend Wm Wordsworth record this secret in a long lost poem? Wordsworth specialist Jane Gresham tried to uncover the truth, as a drama of life and death plays out- with its ultimate prize a bounty worth millions."

A 200 year old crime has resurfaced. Doesn't that sound intriguing?

glencora: Welcome! What do you like to read? We have all kinds of books being discussed and some NEW discussions are starting up soon! As a matter of fact, if you're interested in the early days of America, on March 15 we are beginning a discussion of The Island in the Center of the World by Russell Short about the Dutch settlement of New Netherland. In fact, right now, while people are getting ahold of their books, we're chatting about our roots, about New York, and other interesting things. To find out more about it, click here:

"---Island at the Center of the World ~ Russell Shorto ~ March 15" #, 13 Feb 2007 4:36 pm

We'd love to have you join us!

Marni

Alf: I was surprised to see the question from the Mutiny article: "Did Fletcher Christian stage the mutiny of the HMS Bounty so he could return home?"

Wow, from what I read, why on earth would Fletcher Christian have staged a mutiny to return home? The mutiny had exactly the opposite effect. They would have been going home without the mutiny, albeit via the West Indies. Hmmmmm.....

You've got me Marni, that is why I was so intrigued. Maybe he had had enough of the high seas and the growing of the trees aboard & wanted to return home. Why? I know NOT!

Alf and Marni, I have been reading reviews about The Grave Tatoo. I think the title really sounds interesting. I am not familiar with the author. I have never read his book. I surely do want to read this one. Alf, I like your word for the plot "intriguing.

My library has Tatoo so I've reserved it.

It's on order at our library. Sorry. The book is being processed.

Well shoot then. I don't want to be left in the wings so I will now have to check it out. I wish I hadn't given away my Bounty Trilogies book when I moved two years ago. I loved those stories. whenever any one of you get into the book before me, send me a note or leave a message here. Intriguing!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their very welcoming messages. I look forward to participating in the book discussions and getting to know some of you better.

I just revisited some of Jan Sands poetry at Charlottes Web. I do like his stuff. See Helsinki- Fall and this one The blind man or blind man's bluff.

http://www.artvilla.com/mair/sand15.htm

Claire

Alf: The discussion group for the William Bligh narrative of Mutiny on the HMS Bounty looked at pictures on the web of Tahitian tattoos. We read that Fletcher Christian and Peter Heywood both got "the works" of traditional male Tahitian tattoos. (The whole backside was tattoed extensively - literally covered with ink.) I wonder if that's the tattoo referred to in The Grave Tattoo?

I don't know-but what a riot . Imagine A "grave" tattoo on the derriere. Haaa that is funny. I have all type of comments to make about that but I will hold my fresh mouth. Haa on the bum, a grave tattoo.

You see glencora we have a lot of fun discussing books and a great deal more than that. Have you chosen any particular book that you would like to join in on the discussion yet? We have an eclectic group of readers and choices on SeniorNet. If you would ever like to make a suggestion this is the place for it.

I love Val McDermid, so will look for that one. She can really creep you out actually. Very intense writer.

Pedlin I don't know about all of the west of the mississippi but Bookmark's is not in any B&N or Borders near me. They have the old issue but not the new yet.

JOY, my library doesn't subscribe to BOOKMARKS MAG. either, but my daughter is going to pick up a copy for me from the Borders Bookstore near her workplace. That is what a lot of us who want to have the article are doing. Borders is know to have the magazine, but the Mar./Apr. issue isn't in yet...at least down here.

Babi

I find it interesting that Boarders has different stock, depending on where in the country you live. My Boarders here in NE Ohio had at least 3 copies of book mark magazine when I purchased mine on Wednesday.

Bookmark Mag Borders here in the wilds of Perth, Western Australia don't have it and won't order it unless I can produce 20 people who want a copy!!!! Can't get it anywhere else - libraries don't have it - my other half says -Subscribe! Will do!

I went ahead and ordered BookMarks after checking to make sure they would start my subscription with the March-April edition. They guaranteed it, so I am waiting patiently for it.

Stephanie et al I went to the Borders in Austin yesterday and they had the Bookmarks - so I got to read the very nice article about Seniornet. Yeah!!

isak

Stephanie, I think you will really enjoy Bookmarks. And it is a magazine to KEEP. I noticed on their website the other night that they have an index (a librarian's joy

) of alll the reviews published in issues 1 -17. My holdings only go back to the beginnings of 2005, but the index includes 2002or2003. You will find that SeniorNet has read many of the books listed there.

I always keep a back issue or two in my fitness club bag, so if I eat lunch there I will have something good to read.

Let's hear from the rest of you who now have a copy of Bookmarks in your hand. Aside from that terrific article about a super online book club, what else to do like about Bookmarks Magazine. What special features, perhaps.

Ah, so many books, so little time -- how often have you seen that here. Well, maybe a solution will be found in this New York Times article, and then again, maybe not.

But, if you start this article, you must also finish it.

Read It? No, but You Can Skim a Few Pages and Fake It

Re: Bookmarks

I am pretty certain that I will be subscribing to this treasure, now that I have found a copy and read it. It's the kind of mag that you like to keep and re-read, and accumulate so you can remember better what you read "sometime.....I'm not sure when." Sound familiar? I guess you could say it's the kind of periodical I've been looking for all my life!!

isak

Bookmarks will fill a void in my life. There are very few books reviewed in the Oregonian or the Statesman, the Portland and Salem newspapers which I subscribe to. I've also subscribed to the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle which reviews more books. What other book review publications do bookies read?

I don't know the name of the little monthly publication that the independent booksellers put out, but it has very short reviews on quite a number of books.

Kathy

ONE WHO A TTACKS CHERISHED BELIEFS

so not having read many of the cherished classics I don't attack just state preference. Bookmarks is a target for me as an iconoclast.

Why bother looking for it and reading it since it is an article praising us by us. I know all that stuff already.we are greeeaaattt.

I do love the article on not reading books that are popular with the washed as contrasted to me and the other great unwashed.

claire

I know, Claire, the article is written by two of us (a source of pride) and about us. And is says all those nice things I already knew, but I still read it with great satisfaction. But primarily, I wanted to be able to take the magazine, with the article marked, to show the librarians at my local library, where I am a volunteer.

I have often thought that the head lady would like SeniorNet and I wanted her to know more about it. ALSO, keeping in touch with what a lot of people are going to be discussing might mean more of the books would appear on the library shelves. See how devious I am?

Babi

Addemdum: I found an interesting site that is going to be covering Black History Month in what seems to me an excellent format. If you would like to take a look at it, you can find it here...

BLACK HISTORY"

Babi

Babi, thank you.

Finn

Have any of read Finn?

I have My Jim on hold at the library.

My Jim

Bookmark's Seniornet Article with photo

Link to Bookmarks

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison berautifully written sad and soulful so far. I may not finish it. depressing. . .Claire

Hats: I've reserved both books. Thanks for the headsup. Jackie

I've enlarged the picture and am frustrated as to who is who. I've gone to the various reviews offered by BOOKMARK in the heading and I can see why a real reader would be entranced. Most of the reviews offered there are international in settings which I find difficult. ie. When I'm in England I miss a lot because I can't identify even though the language isn't a problem. Some of the colloquial are though. I have to look them up or skip them. they offer reviews of at least two black writers, our current interest here at this time. A good place. I've book marked it.

Ok that was the get to gether in South Carolina - I did not get to attend - I will do my best to name the faces I know

Starting on the left --

I do not know for sure who is sitting on the arm of the sofa, it could be Pedln however, behind her in the plaid shirt and blue denim hat is Ginger - next to her is Éloïse from Canada - next to her in the black sweat shirt I do not know - next in the print blouse is Pat Westerdale who does so much of the graphics and sets up many of the pages for each book we discuss.

Next in the white sweat shirt I believe is Alf - not 100% sure - next in the white sweater with a red shirt - the tall lady - redish hair - again I do not know but in front of her wearing black is Joan Grimes - in the orange sweat shirt I do not know - next to her is Robby - in front of him in a white sweat shirt is Annafair - on the end in a red shirt is Ginny.

On the sofa - I think the lady in the stripped shirt is Ann Alden's sister - next to her could be Ann Alden from Ohio - in the middle is the author - and then Judy Laird's daughter Candi and Judy in the purple top.

Very good Barbara. that would be me in a white sweat shirt. I have the "heav enly white halo" above my head. Did you know that about me?

The picture with the names is in the heading of the discussion HERE

jane

I've saved it to my desktop so I can look at you when you post.

makes us all more real.

claire

Claire, that's lovely of you. And, the link to our Books family is still in the heading, waiting for the rest of you to add your pictures. (See above.)

My bridge foursome was here this afternoon and of course I had to show them THE ARTICLE (which arrived here half wet, Sat. afternoon.)They all thought it was pretty cool, and, they all left with Bookmarks order forms in their hands.

Claire, it was a fun gathering on the Isle of Palms and talk with so many people I met in SeniorNet Books. I am looking forward to our next Books gathering. It does make a difference when you know what the people you are talking with in a discussion look like, doesn't it?

I am reading a historical novel. Its set in England in the nineteenth century to early twentieth century. Now I understand what my great grandmother was talking about. She would always tell us she never lived in tenements. Well I know they had a house with three or four bedrooms so they must have been really well off compared to those I am reading about today who brought up families in one room where they cooked, ate, washed and slept. It seems almost unbelievable today. It does us good sometimes to ponder on the lot of the ordinary man in those times which are not that long ago really. It really makes me count my blessings.

Carolyn

Golly, I was just watching "Antiques Road Show" on TV. A woman showed up with a set of John James Audubon's Quadrupeds of North America. It was said to be worth $10,000. The dealer got to talking about Audubon's books. For you folks out there who read his Birds of America, a set of that is worth between $5 and $10 million. Ack!! Now I know why the copy at the Beinecke Museum at Yale is displayed carefully behind glass.

Marni, I missed that show. I am not surprised at the price of the Audubon birds. I have never forgotten that book discussion. Claire, I loved The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. I think some young girls, secretly, might feel this very way just because of what society presents to them as perfection.

Oh I absolutely love that show and I turned it OFF too soon. I like nothing better than seeing somebody thinking they have trash in the attic find it's worth a fortune, my favorite was the guy who said, I need to sit down. haahaa

I'm back from my trip and am so excited about all the excitement here! Isak that is pure poetry, we may have to send that to the Editor, thank you!! How I envy those of you who have found it in the bookstores, I can't wait: Wednesday's the day for me~! What joy here!! I hope we get many more new readers, those already coming in are fabulous, just what we need here!

There's nothing worse than being a reader with nothing to read on a flight or in the airport! I went thru every weekly magazine in a flash, newspapers, sigh, bought in some desperation Jane Smiley's newest, something about Hills but unfortunately trashed it in the hotel room. I like Jane Smiley but this thing? Please. I know Hollywood is shallow, I did try, but in the first few pages when they started naming the body parts and tenderly fondling them it was time to move on, so I don't know how it ended. I know some of you have read it, just didn't quite do it for me this time, maybe next time. Naming male body parts, please.

But today's the DAY!! Yes Shaopaholic Fiends, where is Joan K, yes today's the day, the very latest Shopaholic hits the stands. I can't wait, love Sophie Kinsella, love the way she writes.

Also bought Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, I love that thing. Short stories 2007 copyright from authors who have, in many cases, new books out. We can't always stand in the stores and read a particular author new to us to see if we like the way they write, and this way you can sample the author and see if you'd like to read more.

Ann Cleeves had a story entitled Going Back, very well written, I like her a lot and her new book out is Hidden Depths. She won the 2006 Duncan Lawrie Dagger for Raven Black, and she works with libraries developing services for readers. I really liked Going Back and so will try these two new ones, (to me, anyway).

Gillian Roberts wrote The Old Wife's Tale, another very Patricia Highsmith like tale, just like the Cleeves, I liked them both very much. You may know Roberts as the author of Caught Dead in Philadelphia, which I loved, and her new one is All's Well That Ends, just out.

Liza Cody wrote a strange story as part of a conference apparently of mystery writers on the theme of senior citizens committing crimes and her first novel Dupe has just been brought out in paperback, it was strange but funny and I liked it.

I see MC Beaton has a new Hamish McBeth out too, always a fun read.

Two other great books I'm reading as a result of this weekend trip and a lot of airplane airport time are Vesuvius AD 79 by Ernesto De Carolis and Givoanni Patricelli, which was on display at the Exhibit. I almost did not buy it, thinking from the illustration it was a children's book and was with the children's books, forget that, it's fabulous, full of the most startling and scientific information, love it.

Also bought Journey to Pompeii by Gaetano Capasso which is the fabulous Italian DVD in print, which I recommend to anybody interested in the subject, it's like watching a DVD, not much print but a lot of great reconstructions, in paperback. The DVD is not available anywhere America except in traveling exhibits, in Pompeii, in Herculaneum and in the National Archaeological Museum, in Naples.

That's what I'm reading, but I want the new Rachel Cusk that Bookmarks talks about, too. On Thursday come on down to the Houseboat and help us nominate and discuss our ballot of Books with House Somehow in the Title!

And keep watching the Coming Attractions, Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble is about to make a debut! I defy any person to tell me what happens at the end, and she's writing in English. Please do NOT reveal the ending or spoil it for others: let them experience it in all its glory as it was intended. You'll either love it or hate it but you sure won't be bored. I can't wait!

CAROLYN, did you ever see Christ Stopped at Eboli? It takes place in a small town in the mountains of southern Italy during the late 30's. I doubt if it has changed much today. The inhabitants, even in those 'modern' days, were washing clothes by hand, bathing in tin tubs and living in homes we would consider bare and primitive. And here in prosperous American, poor families still lives in one room in today's slums.

You would think we could have solved these problems by now, wouldn't you? If there is a realistic answer, I've never heard it explained.

Babi

Babi- I fear that although we went through a compassionate and caring time under your Roosevelt and our Mickey Savage the world is reverting to the "me first" mentality where "me' comes before the greater good. Sad observation but its true. There has never since the time of those two good men been such a big gap between rich and poor. We are going backwards not forwards and this is happening globally more is the pity. I listen to so many people who live in denial about what is going on behind the scenes in their countries. I think I would like to read that book you recommended to me. One of our local businessmen has a daughter who married an Italian man whose parents came from a village such as you speak. He was so touched by the hospitality of the people in this village he paid for and laid water to every house in the village. He did this around 15 years ago.

Carolyn

Oh, boy, am I enjoying the David Liss books recommended in the Island discussion. I finished A Conspiracy of Paper and am now reading the sequel, A Spectacle of Corruption. The stories take place in the early 18th century. The protagonist is a Jewish ex-boxer turned detective. He solves mysteries. The first was related to the South Sea Bubble and the 2nd one so far has something to do with the Jacobites and getting The Pretender back on the throne. Liss writes beautifully, knows a lot about the times and the economy, and mixes thrills with comedy. Super books!

We have SO many great things coming up here in the Books to plan for! I love the enthusiasm here and here's another one, a coming attraction for JUNE, like a movie trailer: (sonorous voice): In theaters this June: The Seven Sisters!

Come on down and sign in, this will be an event!

A book written in English about a woman aging, seems simple enough, but you know nothing is simple and this thing is unreal. Come on down and sign in, get your book and then prepare to tell US what on earth is happening and why you think so: the perfect read, coming (sonorous voice) to theaters June 1!!

No car chases, no spies, and unfortunately no Johnny Depp, but plenty of fireworks nonetheless, come join us!

You know, I was surprised to read in MARNI's post that there were boxers in the 18th century. Then, I wondered why I was surprised! Men have been fighting since the beginning of time. A Jewish ex-boxer solving mysteries involving high finance and politics. Now this does raise the eyebrow. I'll have to check into David Liss.

Babi

Babi: The Liss ex-boxer refers to himself as an ex-"pugilist."

He says they didn't use boxing gloves back then; it was bare-knuckle fighting.

Thanks for the Liss homepage, Barbara! Oh, goody, he's working on another novel!!

Barbara, thank you.

If you are planning on joining us in the next Great Books Adventure - and we hope you are considering doing so, you are invited to our Open House - at Red and Black!

Just opened the doors - Hors d' oeuvres and pinot blanc are being served!

Bookmarks is OUT! It's on the stands here now as many of you have been reporting and I can't tell you what a thrill it was to sashay somewhat nonchalantly (read: run) into a big Barnes & Noble in Greenville SC yesterday and somewhat casually wend my way (read: bee line) to the magazine stacks, trying to look normal so as not to arouse suspicion, spend several anxious moments in the various stacks looking for the literary area and then BINGO!! There it IS, THERE IT IS~!!!! No bells rang no fireworks erupted, there it stood!

Front and center and brightly shining, a national shiny magazine, even smells good, with little old US right in it! They had about 15 copies and so I relieved them of some and upon getting to the cashier, just had to tell her and show her and SHE was greatly impressed and congratulatory of our whole group! Wow, says she, that's the biggest write up I have seen there.

YOWZA, yes sir!

Kind of reminds me of that old sit com Good Times, remember that one? Remember the song?

Well we're moving on up
To the big time
To that deluxe apartment in the sky
Yes we're moving on up
To the big time
We finally got a piece of the pie!

And they are right, too in this line: Took a whole lot of trying, just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in the big leagues
It's our turn at bat.... Yeah!!!

We're getting tons of new enquiries and great new readers looking in, whether or not they are posting, and that magazine will stay out there till the end of April. Please be alert in every discussion to welcome in our new folks who will add so much to our experience here.

The clerk said it's moving off the shelves very fast!

Have you SEEN their website, and what we're linked among? That's very heady company!!!!! We need the link here in the heading so you can see it at all times.

At times like these it's hard to take it all in, as Helen Mirren said it's such a fleeting moment, this is the best time: so this is our Oscar and we need to appreciate and enjoy the moment, it may never come again, (I'm actually not sure how it could get any better) so I say HUZZZAH and welcome welcome all new and former readers!

The Seven Sisters has quorum so is a definite GO for June, you can buy the book or get it from the library with confidence! Come on down!

I also got the new Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic, which looks silly but I like her so what the heck! Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't! Read what suits YOUR taste of the moment and come tell us about it: what are you reading?

I'm half way thru Weeping on Wednesday, the down to earth Lois Meade detective series by Ann Purser, I still like her a lot. What are YOU reading now?

I can't wait to read the Ann Purser series. I have Monday. I just haven't had time to read it yet. I love how the series is named after days of the week. Ginny, thank you for introducing the series up here in the Book Nook. I am excited about the newcomers.

You are welcome, you'll like Monday I predict!

Tuesday put me off a little bit, she tried to introduce a bit of...racy stuff, which I think she could have left off but Wednesday is back on the beam, I think. I don't mind racy stuff but it's not necessary even in a realistic series, I mean, really. And it was not much.

It's a good book to read before going to sleep or on a trip because you can pick it up and instantly be where the characters are with not a lot of review time. I like the series.

I am excited about the new folks, too, and there are a LOT of them already!!

The Houseboat is now taking nominations and discussing the various nominees starting today for a ballot to be voted on April Fool's Day! Come on down!

I must have missed something. Pray tell me about Bookmarks.

Carolyn

Carolyn:

Bookmarks is a magazine to which Ginny and I submitted an article about the Books folder here at SeniorNet.

They published it virtually as written and it's far longer than most of their previous book club profiles.

You can read about the magazine here: http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/

and the article is online here:

http://www.bookmarksmagazine.com/Articles/20070304BookGroup.html

Ooh that is exciting! Try as I might I cannot get other seniors here to join our book club online. I am mystified why more Kiwis are not participating in SN discussions. I am always extolling the site and giving out the web address but we still remain a very small group in the bigger scheme of things.

I am sure my brain would have atropied without SN it keeps me on my toes and keeps me learning. There is no way that I would have access to the brain pool we have here in Books if I had to rely on personal contact in my neighbourhood. I think too our Universities are too focused on business to the detriment of literature and classics. I feel privileged to have access to such great discussion leaders

You did good Ginny and Jane!

Carolyn

Thanks, Carolyn.

I feel that way, too, about my brain and the various discussions all over SeniorNet. There's no way I could ever have "talked" to so many people who share my interests in person. I guess that's what makes SN special to so many of us.

jane

Thank you Carolyn! I agree totally with much of what you and Jane say above!

It's a wonderful thing, our Books!

I have subscribed to Bookmarks, so eventually I should get my copy. I also read the Monday..by Ann Purser. I have Tuesday as well, but am just now knee deep in Island..and a few others. Sooner or later I get around to everything.

Ooh, thanks for the reminder! I definitely want to take the Bookmarks article to the library with me this morning.

Babi

On Tuesday the Library of Congress' Center for the Book is hosting its annual meeting for the Reading Promotion Partners (SeniorNet's Books and Lit is one of these partners.) I'm taking Bookmarks Magazine with me to that meeting too. Will let you know how impressed they are! I might have to leave them my copy though...

http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8244

Here is a page listing the past 4 months of the Mid-Month Book Bytes.

I welcome short reviews of books by email or post, here or in the Genre Book Discussions.

Thank you, Pat. Well done! And thank you very much Joan for representing SeniorNet Books again at the annual meeting of the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

I have participated in Books and Literature for ten years now and I wish I could say everything that this web site has given me over the years but the list is too long. Lets say that the most important thing I received is more knowledge, the kind I would never have acquired spending years studying in university because participants who post here all bring their own vast knowledge accumulated over years of study and life experience, thank you for that. There is no other place on the web like Books and Literature of Seniornet and it deserved to be featured in Bookmarks Magazine for it's excellence.

My copies of Book Marks Magazine came in the mail yesterday. I had ordered a couple of copies. It really is a beautiful article in a great magazine. Thanks Jane and Ginny for writing and submitting it.

Joan Grimes

Wow, thank you Eloise, what a beautiful quote, we're going to have to embroider that one, and keep it forever, and Jane who is travelling and I thank you, Joan G, wow! (It IS a beautiful magazine, isn't it?) The issues came fast!

It's no wonder we're in magazines with such wonderful readers participating as we have here, huzzah!

Thank you for taking it to the Tuesday meeting of the Partners in the Center for the Book of the Library of Congress where you represent us so well, Pearson!

Huzzah!

Thank you Marjorie for the sleek new heading here and Jane for the Help for Newcomers also in the heading.

If you're new, you can click on any of our names here, email us, and we'll be glad to help you get in and participating.

Hint: our headings here in the Books & Lit are quite long. When you click, for instance, on one of the underlined categories in the heading you'll come to a heading display. It may be quite long, we try to be creative here, don't let that deter you, just grab your mouse and pull down or grab the buttons on the right and scroll down, eventually you'll get to where people are talking. Meanwhile you'll have all the info you need IN that heading.

When you get to the posts you may say oh these are not recent. Look for the word last > which is directly over the first brown bar on the bottom of your screen and click on IT and you'll see everybody's recent thoughts. Come add YOURS, we're waiting to hear what you're reading.

I just finished Weeping on Wednesday last night and now am starting the new Rachel Cusk I saw in Bookmarks, I can't WAIT, she's so good!

We've already gotten 5 new readers and we hope for 500 more!

Huzzah and welcome!

Well, my daughter and I just had to check out the local Barnes and Noble while shopping yesterday. We walked out with Seven Sisters just for you Ginny, Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name, Koontz'es Brother Odd, the Thirteenth Tale (I recommended from our last discussion) and Water For Elephants.
Not a bad day at the book store. I, too, showed the sales clerk our picture in BookMarks magazine and raved about it. I had already purchased 3 copies and sent gift subscriptions with them. Eclectic reading isn't it? When I get home I will have a few that I ordered from Amazon on the internet, so I am a happy reading camper. I have been reading a book to the girls that I bought for Staci (the eldest daughter) . The copyrite is 1954 and is entitled The Family Treasury of Children's Stories, book I. We don't know what became of the rest of them. Staci's name is written in it with our old address and phone # . She is 41 yrs. old and it looks like it needs to be glued in a couple of places but what great kids stories are within; filled with Kipling, Nash,The Grimm Brothers, etc. Ariel's Song, wonderful, short stories to read and talk about while I'm here.

Ginny

I felt with "Seven Sisters" it was a book that was pretentious. Margaret Drabble was trying to be too clever. I also felt it was a book that should be read as two books. Seven sisters to me was two books placed within the same cover. Drabble has written some very good books without the need to resort to competition with her sister in writing "Seven sisters" in the manner in which she did. The main plot in Seven Sisters would have been good enough on its own. In trying to be clever Drabble lost opportunity with the main plot. It is just my humble opinion however.

Carolyn

DIGGING TO AMERICA and I'm going to miss those families. The American one and the Iranian one. I put off finishing the last fifty pages for half a day because I didn't want to lose them.

Anne Tyler has a wonderful understanding of what makes people from any culture live together. Claire

I put my mouse on genres in the heading. For the first time I noticed no mention of Adventures as a genre. I have begun to look at books by Nelson Demille and Clive Cussler, fictional adventure writers. Plus, there are true adventure stories like Perfect Storm. Should we have a genre to click on titled Adventure?

Classic Children books would serve a great purpose for those who would like to revisit their childhood or find what to read to their grandchildren. The Little Engine That Could is a good one not to mention for older children Little Women, The Watsons go to Birmingham.

Andrea, I did the same thing and enjoyed it tremendously and I am going to try it again this week, nothing quite beats that feeling! It may never happen again, I say carpe diem! hahahaaa It's super advertising and I know Pat has shown it to her librarian, too. Good for all of us!

I was waiting for the electrician this morning, had a slight emergency now fixed and turned to that glossy, sumptuous, gorgeous Bookmarks again and have you all noticed page 14 and 15?

They are called Have You Read?

Wow!! They've got some we have read and a lot we haven't like Ex Libris, by Ross King, about a 17th century London bookseller summoned to visit a country lady, but when he goes on a mission to locate a monograph he is trapped in dangerous situations arising from duplicity!

Or how about The House of Paper, a new nomination in the Houseboat today, about bibliomania in its extreme sense, love the premise, come on down to the Houseboat and read it for yourself! Reminds me of the Zafon.

Then there's Travels in the Book World by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone about their book collecting hobby turned livelihood.

I've really also been hearing a lot about Handel as Orpheus (page 17) by Ellen T. Harris, shades of The DaVinci Code! The gentleman recommending this book is Gary Thor Wedow, Chorus Master and conductor at the New York City Opera in Lincoln Center, and a faculty member of the Julliard School.

I like that section on books on Opera, recommended by bright lights in that field.

Thank you Carolyn, I know that was said when we read it before. I am not familiar with her sister's work but Drabble herself has quite an impressive vita; we've got her bio up in the heading of Seven Sisters. I'm thinking I at least, who was so dismissive (and I was) of her talent last time, need to take her more seriously this time: that's the reason for the reread.

I see something completely different this time, and I'm hoping it's like a magic box and on the 4th reading the truth will come clear to me, anyway: come and join us and see if you feel the same this time around in June! You can tell us your opinion, good, bad or ugly, hahaha, of what happened at the end, then, too! Can't wait for that one!

I came IN, tho, to ask everybody the burning question of the year! How many of YOU have read The Secret! If you have tell us what it is? (or is that a spoiler, if so, don't?)

Does it work? Is this like the Olympic Athletes who visualize their victories beforehand? What happens if everybody does it?

Claire -- They were interesting families, weren't there. I enjoyed "Digging to America" very much -- especially like what the author did with the different points of view.

Truth & Beauty: A Friendship by Ann Patchett

If you only like books that leave you with a warm fuzzy glow - then don't read this one. But if you like true stories about real people with real problems, you will love it. Ann Patchett wrote this book in memory of her dear friend and fellow author, Lucy Grealy.

I'm hoping that someone else in SN has read this newest of Patchett's books, because I would love to talk about it? As I said, it is not light entertainment reading. Heavy and serious stuff. I plan to follow it up by reading Lucy Grealy's book, Autobiography of a Face.

Love Patchett.. Must get the book. She is very very complicated. I have reread The Patron Saint of Liars several times and get more and more out of it.. Tried to promote it as a read, but noone else seemed to want to.

Oh my goodness my goodness my goodness, LOOK what I just found! I was sitting at the pick up point waiting for my son to come with the baby and reading Bookmarks (what else?) when my eye espied page 1 which I previously had not seen.

Those of you with the magazine, run look?

IS that or is that not the most perfect commercial for us you've ever seen? I've just NOW noticed it!

Just in case you all can't read it, it SAYS:

SeniorNet Book Group Online

You've always wanted to join a book group, but could never make the meetings. Why not join a virtual community that meets on the Internet 24/7 for in-depth book discussions on every conceivable topic?

Whoopee~!

Golly what a magazine, I just now this morning saw ANOTHER House book to nominate along with the other new one found yesterday, you all come on down to the Houseboat discussion, now assembling a worthy slate for an April Fool's Day vote!

I didn't see that until now. I need to go and look at the magazine again. That's great!

My daughter's name finally came up for "The Thirteenth Tale" on the ver-r-ry long list at her library. She called to see if I still wanted to read it. Of course, I said yes. Now I get to see what all the mystery was about.

There is another "Ex Libris". It is "Ex Libris:Confessions of a Common Reader", by Anne Fadiman. I've mentioned it on SN before. It is all about Fadiman's love of books...a natural for us from a kindred soul.

Babi

I know its been a long time since I posted in here but that's life! Have been dealing with a chronic sinus problem which has taken me from one specialist to another. So, I will get better eventually.

I have missed Books so much and will now try to get back into the swing of things. I can't wait for March 15th and the Center of the Earth discussion. 'Twill be much fun, I know!

Have ordered the Bookmarks magazine which has that nice article in it. And, there we are! I also sent my sister, Mary, who was at the Isle of Palms with us a link to their site. She will enjoy it, I know!

As a long ago great fan of Clifton Fadiman, it is so nice to see the family name being carried on..

I met a lady at the hairdressers this morning. I invited her to come on in to SN and the books discussion. Told her if she introduces herself to tell everyone Kiwilady told her about SN. Then I will know when she comes in. I hope she does!

Carolyn

Anne is the daughter, PUTNEY, and she mentions her famous father in talking of her love for books. This one was a keeper.

Babi

Carolyn, good job, thank you! I hope she does too, we'll be looking for her!

Ado Annie, SOOO glad to see you back again, we have missed you! Welcome home!

I saw an interesting ad for some sort of palm book, it made the mention of have you only two pages left in a 2000 mile flight? hahaha

Boy I know that feeling, in spades, there's nothing worse. How many times can you READ that flight magazine, which somebody else has already filled in the crossword of anyway? There's no worse feeling. the premise of this small electronic book apparently is you can have a lot of books in this strange ipod thing, I know several people here use them. I would miss the paper, the pages turning, but let's face it, on a trip you would KILL for one, they are so right. Airlines should supply them, along with reruns of Mama's Family.

I have read some of the most incredible dreck purchased in a panic in airports or train stations. Anything to have something to read, having totally exhausted what I thought would keep me for the entire trip (and having to lug it around the rest of the time or throw it out). hahaa

Lots of times on book and reader sites you find them talking about the best book you've read in the last year or the best you've read in your lifetime.

Sometimes you find them asking what's the most famous children's book you never read OR what's the most famous book you never read (for me I guess that would be the modern phenom: The Secret.)

But as I am now in the syndrome of Airport Reading, I wonder, what's the WORST book you have read in the last 5 years? The absolute worst.

This may sound negative, but you make these decisions yourself as you read, and....what do you DO with a bad book if you have purchased it?

I think the absolute worst book I have read in some time was Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. Absolute rot.

Now when you start saying what's YOUR worst, you may hit on MY best and so we need to be careful and not say something like, "anybody who loved that book is a nit." Hahahaa But as always we readers are full of opinions, and we're simply stating our own taste.

I like the WAY he writes but could not get thru the horrific torture scenes and especially the total foolishness at the end, I mean really. I have flown in a helicopter. I won't spoil it if some of you have not read it...but for me THAT one was the Stinker o the Year. O many years. I had to force self to finish it and it went promptly in the trash where it belongs.

What's YOUR Worst Book Read in the Last 5 Years and why do YOU think so, being mindful, and careful, of course, of the sensibilities of others: you may hit on my very best.

Any of you love Angels and Demons? Why?

PS: Did you know they say it's easier to write a negative review of a book than a positive one? I did not know that. I wonder why?

Worst.. Oh boy, I really have to sit and think on that one. But I confess that I always have two books on the plane, no matter how short the ride.. I am paranoid about getting stuck with no book.. I do shed books when we travel.. Leave them in RV campgrounds, or motel rooms.. I think that others get to enjoy the same thing that I did.. But these are always paperbacks.. Never take hardbacks on journeys except in the coach.. Just too bulky.

Hmmm. GINNY, does 'reading' a book imply finishing it? If a book is that bad, I don't continue reading it, so I don't know if I can say what is the worst book I've read.

WAIT! I can remember one I read, because we were discussing it! (Well, I didn't read all of that either. It was making me grind my teeth whenever I tried.) But Eco's "The Flame of Queen L...whatever". I definitely swore off Eco after that.

Babi

A new thriller for those who thirst for intrigue mixed with cathedrals is due to come out. It is based on the life and death of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudì, who was responsible for the famous Sagrada Familia church in Barcelon, which is still abuilding.

It will probably be called The Gaudi Key in English.

kevxu

There was one about a lady detective who was in Mexico, something to do with horses and dressage, and there were SO MANY references to Montezuma's Revenge that I sickened (lol) and didn't finish it.

is an original.there isn't another like him and his bldgs aways remind me of fairy tales. I'll look for the book about HIM.

Claire

edit: here is the site of http://www.casabatllo.es/

it's interactive. click the icon and wait for it to load. the introduction is worth watching for detail but you can skip it on the lower right. it's a fairyland. . .

I decided to mention Measuring Time by Helon Hebila for anyone looking to read a novel set in Nigeria .

The book info states: Habila is the internationally renowned author of Waiting for an Angel, which won both the Commonwealth Writer's prize and the Caine Prize for African writing. HE resides in the United Kingdon.

An absorbing novel of twin boys and their dreams & how their life is lived.

Amazon link to Measuring Time

International Herald Tribune Review

As a boy in Nigeria during the 1970s, Helon Habila started reading to shelter himself from the world around him. He lived in the dusty town of Gombe, in the northern region of a country recovering from a long civil war. Although Nigeria had enough oil to make it the richest country on the continent, its government's shift from a military dictatorship to a corrupt democracy did little to rebuild what had been destroyed. The future held little promise for young people like Habila

Bio interview with Habila

The new issue of Newsweek contains a brief article/ interview with Harold Bloom, he of the Western Canon (a list of Great Books) and he's got some particularly scathing things to say about Harry Potter.

When pressed to give an opinion about the most important books of our time, Bloom's list of My Five Most Important Books includes Shakespeare, Canterbury Tales, the Divine Comedy, Don Quixote, and the Iliad. We've read them all here, haven't we?

I personally like his statement about the Iliad: "The Iliad by Homer. Whether we like it or not—and I don't always like it—we are the children of classical culture."

Yes, we are, tho I'm not sure what's not to like.

Not included in this excerpt online : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17439192/site/newsweek/?from=rss is the somewhat startling bit here:

The book you cared most about sharing with your kids:

The two Alice books by Lewis Carroll are the finest literary fantasies ever written. They will last forever, and the Harry Potter books are going to wind up in the rubbish bin. The first six volumes have sold, I am told, 350 million copies. I know of no larger indictment of the world's descent into subliteracy.

This sounds to me like it would make a wonderful future Curious Minds topic as he's deliberately left off the Bible, too, for somewhat controversial reasons.

Do you agree with him on Harry Potter or not and do you agree that we're descending as a world into subliteracy?

To tell the truth, I don't understand all the rave about Harry Potter. I suppose children see it differently. It has the same virtue as cartoons against good literature.

I like old Harry very much and I would venture to say that years from now, it will be like Alice.. a classic for all older children. Both Alice and Harry are not for teeny tiny children, but from about 10 to 14, they are both superb in what they do.. To stimulate the imagination into What if.. is a real gift and I must say that old Harold really should think through what he wants to complain about.

Harold Bloom, born in 1930, strikes me as a grouch. He's standing at the crossroads, snarling at the parade which is passing him by. How can he approve of text-messaging? Shouldn't people of quality live lives of leisure with hours and hours each day to fill with delightful activities such as reading, comtemplating Nature, embroidery, riding, etc? The houseful of servants behind the scenes can keep us fed, warm, and in clean clothes and spotless houses, what else are we to do with our time?

I like Harry Potter. His world is fun to read about. He competes with some fine literature for my reading attention but I am not a typical reader. For one thing, I no longer have to punch a time clock. For another I am not addicted to TV. I also do not ski, windsurf, play pool, etc., etc. Bloom should wake up and smell the coffee - the world is leaving him in its dust.

I agree with you, Stephanie. I was quite taken with Harry Potter with the first book and have read them all, though don't have the encyclopedic knowledge of each of them that kids do.

Wow, CLAIRE, I see what you mean about Gaudi and his 'fairyland' architecture. My jaw literally dropped. That rooftop was literally like seeing some sea creature with beringed huge claws. I want to see more of that.

I also enjoy Harry Potter, as does my daughter. I suspect Mr. Bloom is sour because Harry's creator has made a fortune from her entertaining books, while his more serious work did not enjoy a similar fate.

Babi

Harry Potter has excited legions of children about reading. Parents are reading with their children as well. What does "subliteracy" mean? Under literate???

Children tackling 800 pages or whatever some of those are is no minor accomplishment! If he expects the average 10 year old to pick up one of his "five most important," I expect he'll have a very long wait.

I suspect Dr. Bloom's ivory tower is out of touch with reality.

Hurrah for Harry!

Claire - that site on Casa Batllo is fabulous. Makes me want to get on a plane to Barcelone as I write. What am amazing mind Gaudi had. One could just get lost in all of those spatial places. Thanks for posting it.

Kathy

I am a minority about Harry Potter. I did like Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, I wonder why I find a difference with Potter....

re Harry Potter. I agree. In fact I got into it one time two or three pages and gove up. the movies are dumb too. there I said it. it's for kids.

I have 2 or 3 books on my Zire 71 for the plane.But I usually end up playing a game.

I NEVER travel with out 3 books. The one I am reading the next one in case I finish the first one and the third one in case I don't like or have already read the second one.

I never could stay with it. My older sister used to quote portions, my parents loved it and I thought it was nutty and boring. I like things like complicated mysteries and thrillers and now and then a woman style novel i.e. E. Berg.

so my taste is in my mouth. . .works for me.,

Claire

I just LOVE the Harry Potter books and movies. They are fun, fun, fun. I read they've been translated into Latin and are being used as texts in Latin classes and are getting kids to sign up for Latin class. Now they don't have enough Latin teachers to meet the demand.

Well, I guess it's why we're all different. I loved the Harry Potter books, but couldn't get into Narnia at all.

And Judy, I'm with you--either always travel with 3 books, or be sure you're staying withing walking distance of a good book store!

The 6th graders in our district read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in class, and it has been popular for many years, even before Disney made the movie. It is a fantasy much like the Harry Potter books.

I won't be surprised when Harry Potter shows up in a reading curriculum for Jr. High students. The complaint of the local Baptist churches, is Harry Potter includes witches, but then so do The Chronicles of Narnia.

I like the Harry Potter books a lot. I've read them all in English, two of them in Spanish (they turned out to be the right level of difficulty when I needed something to practice on) and read the first 4, all that were out at the time, aloud to my husband when he was too sick to read but needed entertaining. They stand up to reading aloud very well, better than a lot of books.

They aren't great literature, but they are reasonably well written, and very ingenious, full of amusing little touches.

I agree, it's very individual whether one likes books like these. I like the Narnia series, but not nearly as much as Harry Potter. I haven't read Alice as an adult, so don't know what I would think of it now.

I adore Harry Potter. They are wonderful read aloud books and kids adore them. Kids here also are quite keen on the Narnia Chronicles and other fantasy books for kids. My friend Ruth is very intellectual and she loves Harry Potter too. Harry Potter is fun for adults and kids.

Carolyn

Alice,, I loved Alice, although truthfully when I reread as an adult, I realized that this is a multi layer book.. There are several sides to each of them. However I grew up way out in the country and was a lonely solitary child.. So Alice appealed. I would pack a lunch, a book and the pony and I would be off for the day all summer long. My cousin who lived with us stayed home with Mom and did whatever inside.. She did not like the outside at all and never came out to play with the animals and was always terrified of the horses,etc. I think Harrys appeal is that most children harbor a lot of desire to be something other than what they are.. Dont we all??

I have a story about the Narnia Chronicles. I loved them, and my DIL introduced my grandchildren to them. She is Jewish, and raised the children in that faith. Years ago, someone told her that the Narnia books were 'Christian propaganda'. "Nah,", she said. Then she went back and re-read them. After finishing the reread, she said, "Okay. But they're good propaganda!"

Babi

I agree Babi they are good propaganda.

Carolyn

Well I must join the people who are different. I do not like to read fantasy at all. I did not like Alice in Wonderland, or Narnia and I have no desire to read Harry Potter as I know that I would not like the books or the movies. I am certainly not condemning anyone who enjoys them. To each his own.

Carolyn it has nothing to do with being intellectual. It is just a matter of not liking fantasy.

Joan Grimes

Joan I hated fantasy too before Harry Potter and then I read Narnia Chronicles. I also hated detective novels, mystery and thrillers. I now read all of them! I guess I ran out of books in the categories I like and decided it was try others or go without! There are some fantasy I will not read but the ones I like the look of I have really enjoyed.

Carolyn

Carolyn,

I can't afford the luxury of reading something unless it I am fairly sure that I will enjoy it because of my eyes. I cannot read all the things that I want to read because of my dry eyes. So I try only to read things that are similar to things that I like.

Joan Grimes

I have a different email address. If you might need it, please click on my name here. Then, you will see it. Thank you.

Since I am having a senior moment.. hmm more like a annual event.. There is a science fiction author ( female) who write for adolescents.. They are fantasy and always involved people who also can change into an animal ( or sometimes animals). They are fun.. I think she had 8 books in the series and as an adult I read them and adored them.. Now to remember either the author or the series. It has been probably 10 years ago when I read them. I love Fantasy and science fiction and have read many many fantasy.. Love the invention of your own world..I think many children need to be able to retreat into their own version of the world. I know I did.

wrote some children's and teenage science fiction. She was not nearly as successful as her husband, and later found it to her advantage to write under her married name, Janet Asimov.

Rich

"No Ordinary Time" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Glad I read it, but I'm also glad I'm finished. It's not a book you take to the beach.

The 725 pages of fine print really have to be studied, rather that read, but it does give good historical insight on what it was like in the White House and on the American home front during the Roosevelt years.

Rich

I didn't know what was going on at the White House, but I remember for myself what the home front was like during the WWII years. Remember saving grease and foil, and planting Victory gardens? And the women treasuring a pair of nylons?

Babi

I never thought I liked fantasy either. I only read the first Harry Potter because of all the hype, but I really got caught up in it. I guess I liked it because it made fantasy believable. It was almost "realistic" fantasy, if that makes any sense.

I'm wondering if there is a difference between fantasy and science fiction.

BaBi: Oh, how I remember those years. I was in high school. I remember gas rationing, tires rationing, ration books , sugar rationing (nowadays that would make no difference to me), coffee rationing, and etc. Those were "the years". JOY

And blackout curtains.

and searchlights over Los Angeles one night . . .Japanese subs? in the sky??? rumors fly.

I forgot about shoes, and blackout curtains did not involve us here in Louisiana. JOY

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/janet-asimov/

I recently read another WWII book about the true story of German spies being landed in America from U-Boats.

I think the title was "Saboteurs. The Nazi raid on the US." or something close to that.

They were dropped on Long Island, and the Florida coast. After hiding out for a while, the group had orders to regroup and conduct strategic sabotage. After making a number of clumsy mistakes, most of them tried to forget their mission and attempted to contact relatives in the US with the hope of hiding out until the war was over. One of the Nazi spies turned the rest of his team in to the FBI, thinking he would be hailed in America as a hero.

They were all rounded up and executed, except for the one who talked. He was imprisoned and deported after the war.

Rich

Stephanie, Rich7, and Ginny Ann,thanks for the info on Janet Asimov. I had no idea she had written so much; I've read "Murder at the Galactic Writers Society", quite good, but nothing else. Stuff like this also is of interest to the Science Fiction Clearing House; it's not a very active site, but I think there are a lot of lurkers, and it's certainly the place to ask a sci-fi or fantasy question.

Bev Sykes, science fiction and fantasy are kind of a spectrum, with technical-based, rocket science type stuff at one end, and books like Narnia at the other, with all shades in between. I wouldn't dare to try to give a definition of either.

Remember to change your clocks ahead tonight. "They" changed Daylight Saving to March instead of April this year.

goodie! That makes me with a difference of only 6H with the East coast instead of 7, until we change to "summer time" too....

Still working on the worst book I ever read. Patricia Cornwalls Isle of Dogs comes close since it was really a failure in all sorts of ways..

Click here and wish him a Happy Birthday.

For every card received Random House Children's Books will donate one book to First Book

Hehehe, that was fun and for a good cause. Thanks Pat,

Thanks to a lot of warnings, I never attempted to read "Isle of Dogs," though I generally love Patricia Cornwell. The worst book I ever read would have to be the first in the wildly popular "Left Behind" series. I managed to make it halfway through the book before I threw it across the room and said life was too short to read such crap.

"Left Behind" Series -- WHEW!! What a bunch of 'hokum'.

LOL. Perfect description.

STEPHANIE, tell me again why you're spending your time reading the "worst book" you've ever read?

Babi

Patwest: That was fun. I found out recently Dr. Seuss lived in Springfield, MA. We visited the Springfield museums quadrangle several weeks ago and found there is a large metal Dr. Seuss character sculpture in the courtyard ("sculpture garden") in memory of Dr. Seuss. It looks like a giant metal playground, but there is a sign that says "Please do not climb on sculpture." The first thing children do when they get there is climb on it!

MARNI, did you know that 'Dr.Seuss' had written a book called "You're Only Old Once"? It is written in the same style as his books for children, but it is about 'old' people and our library has it filed in the adult section. And very odd it looks there, too!

Babi

BaBi- I received that book from my step daughter when I turned 50.

My MAC Mini isn't compatible with that site; I couldn't print my name. If someone with Windows would send one to The Cat in the name of Jackie from Oregon, I would be grateful.

Babi: I have to read that book! Gee, this has me thinking about the days when I had to read the "The Cat in the Hat" to Danny 10 million times. He loved those Dr. Seuss books.

You have a Mac Mini also? And you can't get into a site because of it?. what site is that? I haven't had that problem.

Claire.

The Worst book I have ever read.. Actually Ginny brought up, could we remember what it was and I have been working it over mentally for the past week or so.. Sort of fun to think about since mostly when I hate a book, I give it up after the first 50 pages or so.. Never tried The Left Behind series. Still owned our book store then and just was wary of the people who wanted to have it in the store.. Wished Dr. Seuss a happy birthday. What fun.. I also have a copy of the Youre never too old by him..

Winsum: I tried to send a birthday card to The Cat in the Hat, post #452. All it needs from the sender is a name and a state. The state field is clickable, but the name field requires one to enter a name. Well, the cursor kept blinking, but it wouldn't accept my typing. Wasn't it delightful to wake up Sunday morning and the MAC OS had the time right? MAC RULES!

AH! I get it, STEPHANIE. I thought you meant you were working on reading the worst book ever, and I couldn't imagine why! Silly me.

Babi

I thought about doing it too sending the cat in the hat a greeting and midway changed my mind but it probably would have rejected me too. Their program is probably faulty. . .certainly not our MACS

Claire

worst book was one I was forced to read as homework ony I skipped a lot. Julius Cezar in Latin in school. "veni vedi vici"

I never read anything that doesn't please me if I've given it a good fifty pages or so to do so.

claire

Rich - i loved NO Ordinary Time. I tho't it read almost like a novel and yet gave such wonderful information about the time and the Roosevelts.......jean

I hope I didn't give the wrong impression. I enjoyed " No Ordinary Time," also, and would recommend it to anyone. It's not a book that you would read in one afternoon, however.

One of the book's reviewers summed up the scope of the book by saying it should have been titled "No Ordinary TOME."

Rich

Edit: I particularly liked the description of the relationship between Roosevelt and Churchill. They seemed to hit it off from the day they met. Churchill would sometimes visit the White House during the war years, and stay as long as three weeks. Reading that, I had to ask myself, "Didn't he have a country to run?"

Rich - i understood you, it took me awhile to read it too, but still enjoyed and i also liked the R/C friendship, i was most impressed by the civilian industrial production. i knew that had happened, but seeing the numbers made it very clear how amazing it was and i loved the story of the liberty ship producers competing to see who could prduce one the fastest,,,,,,,,jean

RE: Churchill visiting the White House, seems like he crossed the Atlantic many times. Good thing the Uboats never got him in their sights.

I've been immersed in A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It is like quicksand, looks harmless but once you get caught it doesn't let you go. Thanks to all of you who brought this book to these discussions.

Oh, I loved that John Irving book.

There is a Churchill Memorial not far from my home -- in Fulton, Missouri. Churchill spoke at Westminster College in Fulton, and it was there that he coined the phrase "iron curtain." The memorial was built later and is housed in a church that was brought over from England, and erected brick by brick. Not sure of the name -- St. Mary's of Aldersgate? If you are ever in the area, it is worth a visit.

Mrs. Sherlock -- A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my favorites, and certainly my faviorite of John Irving's books. And I also like the movie version, Simon Birch.

To all my fellow beach bookies, I finally read Sullivans Island by Dorothea Benton Frank and wow.. Isle of Palms is so much like the book and Charleston is exactly as she described. If you love Charleston and the south..Read it.

I read "A Prayer for Owen Meany", and it's hard to describe my reaction to it. I felt disappointed, restless, unhappy...not at the quality of the book, but at the outcome. I guess I wanted a happier ending.

I have somehow arrived at the years of experience and wisdom(?) still optimistic that things will ultimately turn out well. I do have to rely a lot on that 'ultimately', tho'.

Babi

Babi: Yes, it was hard to get nearer and nearer to the end but I couldn't stop so read until 3 AM or so to finish. Interesting concept: The Joseph characters who merely stand around, sort of holding up the scenery.

Oh I loved "A Prayer for Owen Meany". It is certainly one of my favorites and has been for a long time.

I leave very early tomorrow morning for ten days in Italy. So I will drop in here when I return. HEre is a link to my itineray. If you are interested in reading about the trip just click on it. http://panther.bsc.edu/~spezzill/spring2007.html

Joan Grimes

Joan: Lucky you. Looks like you will be getting to see lots of fun sites.

Have a wonderful trip, Joan!

Joan, it sounds like a wonderful trip and thanks for the link to your itinerary. I'm sure many of us would love to be with you at all those historic places in southern Italy.

Tomorrow is March 15th - the Ides of March - Time for the Island at the Center of the World book discussion to begin! We're gathering for some hot cocoa or a hearty beer in an old New York City tavern to talk about New Netherland and its influence on America.

Marni

A couple of weeks ago, my local used book store had their semi-annual sale. I picked up Dorothea Benton Frank's Isle of Palms. The owner asked me if I'd read anything by Mary Alice Monroe. I told her we'd had a "Books at the Beach" gathering and met her. She was very envious. I have been holding the Dorothea Benton Frank Isle of Palms to take with me to Scotland in May.

Joan Grimes, your trip sounds wonderful. I envy you getting to the National Museum at Naples. We were supposed to go there 2 years ago when we were cruising from Athens to Rome, but it was closed. It sounds like a fabulous place. Enjoy your trip. Twenty-five is a good group. Not too many so that you can see more. Sue

Thanks Folks for your kind words about my trip. It really is a good trip and it is going to be wonderful to have a reknowned Classics Professor leading our trip.

I am just afraid that it is going to be too strenious for me because my years are really catching up with me physically.

I am saying good night now as I have be at the airport at 6:00 AM. So see you all in 10 days or so.

Joan Grimes

I know I missed Joan, but hopefully she is off and running. We went to Italy last year around now.. Wow was it cold and rainy. I do hope that Joan has better luck with the weather than we did. I loved the trip, but was cold the entire time.. I want to go back however to see the Museum in Naples.We both fell in love with Pompeii and want to go back there and then to the museum to see the treasures..

Italy Scotland (sigh) I'm envious too, Sue, even if my years are catching up with me,too.

Babi

I give thanks every day that I am healthy and still active. I am haing my 70th birthday today--and I walked my dog twice already for a total of 2 miles--and he's in here bugging me for another!

I love to travel and dread the day when I can't just take off and go. Hopefully that won't happen for a long time. Sue

Happy birthday Springcreekfarm!!! Thanks for spending some of your day celebrating with us.

Thank you, Marcie. I try to get here everyday I'm not traveling. Some days are busier than others, but I do look in if I can. Sue

I'm one year ahead of you, Sue. Unfortunately, my financial status won't allow me to 'take off and go'. (gripe, gripe, gripe. Don't you hate that?)

Babi

Happy Happy Brithday,
Sue!!

And many more!!

Everybody Sing!

Gee, thanks, Ginny. I took the eons.com longevity test--and got the scoop on my longevity. According to them, I am slated to live to the ripe old age of 100! (I hope not--I'm afraid I'll outlive my kids!) Sue

Sue--congratulations. For some reason I felt my 70th birthday (3 years ago) to be kind of liberating. It was kind of like: I've done my three score years and ten, and contributed to society the whole time, and now I can do what I darn well please. There were no particular changes in my life to acount for this. In terms of longevity, I agree, one doesn't want to out live children, but maybe they will have the same longevity expectations. My own model is my great grandmother, who died in her later 90s from the pneumonia she caught from stacking firewood in the middle of winter. So you SeniorNetters are, I hope, going to have to put up with my crabby presence for some while.

Pat, Thanks. I have similar feelings about turning 70. I'm in really good health and enjoy life. I, too, had a long living grandmother (93) and 3 great-aunts who live to the ripe old age of 98! Sue

Happy Birthday, Sue. I'll bet you'll just keep going and doing as you want -- I like Pat H's philosophy -- after three score and ten you set the priorities.

One of my uncles lived until 102 -- sharp as a tack until the end, enjoying every day in his retirement condo. Kept his golf shoes in the trunk of his car, just in case. He was 90 and my two aunts in their late 80's when they told me they were going to put down earnest money for a condo that would be finished in 18 months. Which I thought was a tremendous act of faith.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE!!

Happy Birthday Sue.. At least it was yesterday. My 70th comes in December and at this point, I am looking forwad to it. Birthdays other than my 50th have always been fun for me. I went bonkers on my 50ths. Cried for days.. moped for weeks, then got up.. and changed my life. Started walking, stopped smoking. started doing more for me and less for the rest of the world. Now I Laugh about the whole thing..

Sue, Happy Belated Birthday! You deserve it!

I hope Joan Grimes is enjoying her trip. What a lovely schedule.

Book Bytes was refused by AOL, Earthlink, Comcast, and Bellsouth, claiming spam. That amounts to about 100 people.

If you did not receive it, you can read it here.

March Book Picks ~ Book Bytes

Yes that looks a trip to die for, we'll have to hear all about it when she returns!

For me it was the 60th. I really got in some kind of a funk about it, till I decided to do and try 60 new things that year, including some things I had wanted to do for a long time, like learn to play the cello. Some of the things were quite small and petty but I ended up with more than 60 and I really enjoyed the experience. I should do it again. Ahahaha

I'm almost thru Tears on Thursday I think it is by Ann Purser and am enjoying it very much but am VERY excited about a book I just got from the UK by Ann Cleeves called Raven Black, it's new and it's won a prize for mystery and the cover alone is enough to really make you think. It's a sort of water color of a snow scene out in the country with a sunset of blood red and a man walking along the road toward an isolated house, I have no idea what it's about but have heard a great deal about how good it is, so we'll see. What I have read of hers is not a gory mess, at least not in the past, we'll find out. Has anybody read Joe Hill's (Stephen King's son) new book? It's got a super premise.

Thank you Pat, I was looking for a link to our Bytes, I got one and I'm on bellsouth? I did enjoy our Books Newsletter The Book Bytes last night, and am really impressed with the guesses in the new Name That Book Contest, This time the Wiz may be taken down a peg by our knowledgeable readers!

I heard thru the grapevine tho that he's got a spectacular new prize for whoever wins this time, watch the heading for more news in the Name That Book Contest He must be pretty sure of winning this one.

We have other games and contests, too. If you like words you might enjoy a play on words, Rubbish, one of our most popular games or Last Man Standing in which contestants reproduce snatches of song and poetry from memory, it's loads of fun. Just click here Games and Contests and go to the most recent posts.

From Netflix I received Rosemary and Thyme. It's the first one in the series. I loved it! I watched it in one sitting which is unusual for me. The scenery is beautiful, all the flowers so pretty. Thanks for the recommendation.

I just looked up the cover of the Ann Cleeves book. It is very different, makes me wonder what's inside of the book. The cover has a poetic touch, I think. I would like to read the book. I am not familiar with her mysteries.

the local library, yesterday, to get a book to read and observed something going on. There were a good number of people in the small library, but they were all around the computers; two and three deep. Nobody was looking at books. The rows between the stacks of books were empty of people. They could have been used for bowling alleys.

This is not the first time I've gone away with that impression.

Is this good or bad? Am I just a dinosaur shaking my fist against a revolution I don't understand (sorry about the painfully mixed metaphor), or is there possibly something good happening here, and I just don't see it?

Rich

Rich...

I think it's good. Computers are another way to find information for people and that, to me, is one of the primary reasons for a good local public library. People need a place to find the information they're looking for...be it a printed book from which to learn new information, a book to read and relax and "get away" while in their armchair, an audio-book (tape/CD), a DVD, a CD of relaxing music, art prints to take home and enjoy for a period of time, or a computer to find the information, take a class, search a database of periodicals for needed research, join an online bookclub (like SeniorNet's Books!

) or find the name and address of a company one needs to contact, etc. [One local library south of me is famous for their cake pan collection that can be borrowed. It started out with a donation from a long-time cake baker and has grown and grown. Weird, but neat.]

Computers, to me, are just another item in the arsenal of information-seeking "tools."

jane

My big surprise at the Library yesterday was --- when I went looking for The Red and the Black, the library had 2 copies and both were out. The waiting list had 3 names on it, so maybe I will be able to check it out by April.

Our Library is also sponsoring a community wide read of The Grapes of Wrath - Steinbeck. They are also showing The Grapes of Wrath movie free - - on Saturday and Sunday matinée - and Saturday evening.

I have seen the movie, Grapes of Wrath. I haven't read the book.

The computers did away with the card catalog system. Sometimes I miss opening those old wooden drawers. Then, getting a tiny piece of paper to use with the pencil to write down my call numbers.

Thanks everybody for the birthday wishes. Stephanie, your account of your 50th sounded very much like my 30th. It was 1967 and my husband and a number of friends were either on their way to Vietnam or already there. Seventeen of us went out for the evening to San Francisco for a combination farewell, St. Patrick's Day, and B'day celebration. One of the guys wrote a poem about me "not getting older, just getting direction" and as we were bar hopping, he would get up on a stool and read it to all the patrons. That was a very depressing birthday, but all the rest have been great. I am so glad to be alive and healthy that I look forward to them.

Pat, I'm on Bellsouth and I got my BookBytes yesterday, I think it was. Sue

There has never been a quiet time at the Salem library. All the computers are in use but sometimes it is hard to move around the shelves, people getting in the way. Lines waiting to check out their books. Busy, busy, busy.

What do you all think about the noise levels in libraries now? Remember when they were silent? I used to, as a young girl, have to run outside (Ok a VERY young girl) and scream hahahaaa no need now, but how can anybody concentrate?

Hats, WAIT till you see They Understand Me in Paris, Disk 2 of Rosemary and Thyme! The series gets funnier and funnier ,but has been cancelled abruptly. What a shame, I love it, all three years of it.

PAT, I was getting so much spam I told AOL to block everything that wasn't in my address book. Then I check the spam folder regularly to make sure there's not something there I want to read. For BookBytes, I simply added the address to my book, so it now comes thru' w/o a problem.

Babi

Ginny, I can't wait to see it. I love the relationship between Rosemary and Thyme too.

Oh, I miss that silence. It seems like the rule of silence has gone down the garden path. A library was treated like a church. Keep your voice down! Now, it's a bit different.

Now I remember what I missed about libraries, it is the silence. Our house was never a quiet one with many children and I used to go to our big Municipal Library around the corner from us to read and read and browse there in the only silence I could find. I was so impressed by the fact that I could see dozens of people sitting at large shiny wooden tables reading in silence. I used to let my eyes roam around the books on high shelves. There was a special smell in that library, a smell of leather and paper that I never smell any more when I go to the library. They were magic moments for me at that time.

Eloise, I remember that special smell too. "They were magic moments."

Ginny, WHAT!!! you yell in the library now?

Ginny -

Little behind in my lurking - been reading The Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. Like father, like son. He did a good job, I think.

Our libraries are still very quiet. I went into the computer suite with 43 or 50 PCs the other day and it was extremely quiet considering the number of kids there. There is quite a few separate areas. There is the newspaper reading area where one sees the oldsters and homeless people also reading. My daughter has told me how dreadful she feels when she has to turn the homeless out at 8pm into the cold. There are only one or two homeless people at any one time but its an alien sight to us in this area. We don't think of the people who regard our libraries as daytime sanctuaries. Nicky says they are very well behaved people. Brooke cries about the homeless and wants to know they are alright and turning up each day. Nicky seems to get on well with these people and they confide in her. I so admire my wonderful compassionate daughter.

We have a preschool area complete with TVs and headphones. This is for little kids to watch cartoons while their parents choose their own books after the kids have chosen theirs. There are also toys in this area as well as all the preschoolers books, tapes and videos,

Nicky says most people really respect the library and value the good service they get there. Our Central library is jointly owned by the City and Unitech so there is a lot of students always in the library. Often at exam time I have seen them fallen asleep over their books!

Carolyn

Carolyn, interesting about the homeless people in the library. I'm glad they are well-treated there. I haven't noticed any in our local library, but I have on the art scene. First Friday night of each month the downtown galleries and Arts Council buildings are open, usually with receptions with food. This month I noticed the same couple at a few of the receptions. Someone said they homeless, but they were welcome, and enjoying the buffets.

Hats, librarians don't miss the wooden drawers. The computers allowed us to finally get caught up. A book that required 20+ catalog cards could be done in one swoop. We started getting more use from old books that were never checked out just by adding notes and biographical analytics. Computers, yay.

Guess how some libraries used to maintain quiet? They hired library monitors. I was one. It was one of my worst jobs in history. It was after Danny was born. I had quit teaching and we were poor. I needed a part-time evening job to make ends meet and those were hard to come by. The library is a couple of blocks down the street and they needed an evening monitor 4 nights a week. I signed on. Ugh!!!!! I had to just meander around looking for teenagers talking and carrying on. I had to ask them to be quiet. There were even times I had to kick someone out. Ugh!!! What a horrible job.

People talk in our library all the time and the reference librarian told me that they encourage people to talk and "interact" with each other. It is the "new" thing in libraries. Cell phones are prohibited. There is a sign to turn them off when entering, however, people go into the aisles in the back and talk and talk. It is disturbing...but the "new" thing.

We have homeless people too, who come and spend all day. They sit in the very comfortable chairs by the walls and many of them sleep, but many of them read. We all just let them be. And I think, thank our lucky stars it's not us.

Evelyn

The Boston Public Library has a fascinating sounding exhibit on now through May 1. The title is "Crooks, Rogues & Maid Less Than Virtuous: Book in the Streets of 18th Century London."

According to my weekend TV Guide from the daily newspaper, this exhibit has 4 parts, "The Explosion of Literacy & Print", The Thrill of News From London, Atlantis & the Moon", "The Allure of Crooks, Pirates & Highwaymen" and "Daniel Defoe & the Invention of the Novel".

They are showing early copies of many books, including Robinson Crusoe, woodblocks, prints, etc. I'd love to visit Boston during this exhibit. You can find it on the Net at Boston Public Library: http://www.bpl.org.

If any Bookies live in the Boston area, please let us know if it's as interesting as it sounds. Sue

The Boston Public library is an incredible place. My daughter lived in the Boston area for several years, so I got a chance to see it. It still has the quiet we all remember so well, and it also has a quality of serendipity. I would go in to any stack and see a book I wanted to read. I didn't see any homeless there, though other people complained to me about them. I can't help feeling that a library should be a refuge to anyone who needs it.

Sue: That Boston library exhibit sounds great. I'm heading up to Newton next weekend to visit my sister-in-law. I think we'll take a trip to the library.

Pedln, I understand your feelings totally. I am a lover of the computer too. I understand from a faraway view that the librarian's work must have become easier than pencil and paper. I just wandered in nostalgia's way for awhile. Don't worry. I am not a person wanting to get rid of the computers in the library. Coming out of the past doesn't mean forgetting the past. Remembering the past does not mean I am not progressive in my thinking. I wish there had been computers in the library for my children. Now, it's easier for my grandchildren to get information for school on the computer. On Grandparent's Day my grandson showed us the computer room in his elementary school.

It's a little like Ka in Snow. He always remembers the beauty of the old, old Armenian Architecture. At the same time, there is a part of his soul that's Westernized. Anyway, I like enjoying two worlds at once, the new and the old. It's like a new baby coming home with an older brother or sister already there. Both new baby and the older sibling must have special treatment. Both are precious.

When we lived outside of Boston, I used the library for research. You cannot go into the closed areas of the library, but must fill out the little cards and then your number in the carrells and then they would bring you the books.. Dont know if it is still done taht way or not, but I loved the long tables and the little lights and the stillness or concentration.. Our library in Orlando has had homeless problems in that they jump on the computers and tune in pornography.. Now you can only be on the general computers for an hour and then must turn it over to the next person. The ones up in the genealogy section are strictly monitored for research only. Years ago in Bedford, Ma, I ran the used book section of the library. The main problem they had was that the elementary school was on the same campus as the library and parents were telling their children to go to the library after school and stay there for hours. Made for baby sitting librarians and noone was happy.

Stephanie...

The "dropping off parents" are still a problem in many children's sections...esp. in the summertime. The parents drop them off when/before the library opens and don't come get them until late afternoon...kid has an apple or whatever (if he's lucky) for lunch.

One was going to come to the Board with a complaint that the nerve of the Children's Librarian to not leave the restrooms unlocked (we can't...we've had so much vandalism from unattended children and teens...intentionally stopping up the sinks and toilets and then running them to overflowing, that the restrooms are locked and a key must be asked for and signed for) because the 5 year old she'd dropped off and left for hours was sick and had a fever and diarrhea and needed to be able to get to the restroom.

The Librarian had told the mother the child needed to be at home if he was that ill. The parent was offended!

Of course, she didn't come to the Board meeting. (I'm on the Board...I was hoping she would come...and we were ready for her, too, with news that the police would be called if the children were left unattended and ill again for hours for the library staff to tend!)

jane

It's interesting that so many people have memories of the Boston Public Library.

I grew up in a very blue-collar Boston suburb, and had never heard of the Boston Public Library until, one day, the coach for the youth basketball team I played on called me over and asked me to take the subway (the MTA) into Boston and return a basketball film that they had rented from the library. I was only about twelve at the time, and had no idea where or what the Boston Public Library was.

They gave me the film canister, a slip of paper telling me how to get there by MTA, and subway fare (5 cents each way).

When I came up out of that subway kiosk in Copley Square and saw the huge structure which is the Boston Public Library looking at me across the broad square, and I walked up those granite stairs between the two lions and through the huge brass doors into the amazing world of books, it was like the part in the "Wizard of Oz" where everything in life changes from black-and-white into full color!

For me that started a love affair with books that no computer will ever quite replace.

Rich

I think Rich7 takes the cake for the best library story ever!

Last week I saw one of our library monitors in action. One must be a resident to get a library card, proof being a utility bill in one's name. No computers can be reserved without that card. There are comfy chairs scattered around. This one looks like an authentic Morris Chair. A fellow had a book open on his lap but was sleeping. I thought it was amusing until a man came up to him and very quietly told him that he must be reading the book to stay. He noted that the man had been warned before and his acts would not be tolerated. The man nodded his agreement, but went right back to sleep. After about 15 minutes the monitor returned and escorted the man out, again very quietly. Made me wonder what do the homeless do with their hours andhours of empty time.

Now that I do not understand, MRS. SHERLOCK. The man sleeping with the book in his lap was disturbing no one. I doubt the library was so full there were people standing around waiting for his chair! It does no one any harm to let the man sleep. I much prefer the way Carolyn's library,..and daughter..handle the situation, don't you?

Babi

I think the question about allowing the homeless to stay in public buildings is an important one. One feels so sorry for the homeless, yet they can be intimidating, too. I remember my trips to the World Trade Center before 9/11. Homeless people used to sleep in the entrance to the lobby and they were all over the place. It was shocking. And there were many hanging around outside the building. Some were begging. I have very mixed feelings about it.

Marni: So do I. I worked in the county government center on the floor where the Supervisors had their offices. Before the 1995 Murrah Building explosion in Okalahoma City, our building was wide open. There were receptionists on each floor but no barriers. Now there are locks and security walls. Adding to the fears was the time an inmate escaped from the Jail across the street and hid in the elevator shaft until he was found. Luckily it was early morning and we were just arriving for work so we gathered together outside until the emergency was over.

Good morning all

I think we don't like to see the homeless because it makes us feel guilty. Out of sight out of mind. However many homeless are the result of them closing down residential care for the mentally ill and for the residential houses they had once upon a time for the chronically addicted. There are some human beings who need sheltered care. It seems our Govts don't want to fork out for it. I think to myself there for the grace of God go I. I got a blocked drain yesterday and I said to Ruth after we had been talking about the homeless that I would count my blessings that I owned a house and had a blocked drain. It really made me look at a problem that usually would stress me out in an entirely different way. In our libraries we don't care if people sleep quietly in a chair. My daughter says its a bit of comfort for someone to sleep in a safe place. They have no problem with the homeless but do have problems at times with stroppy affluent customers if they are told they have a book overdue and they claim they never had it etc.

An interesting aside is that some of our libraries have visiting cats. They come in to the library and curl up on one of the chairs because their owners are at work. They get lots of attention and lunchtime snacks. Nobody seems to bother about the cats using the library either! When the Managers come round on their regular inspection visits they turn a blind eye to the odd cat sleeping on a chair.

I just finished a novel about the life of Henry James the author, by David Lodge. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was sad in that he never realised fame in his lifetime although he was greatly respected by the literary community. The book was called "Author Author" There was a lot of information in the book about James's contemporaries. He had many friends in the global literary world. I would heartily recommend this book to any one who is interested in the personal life of Henry James. Its based on fact but conversations in the book are the figment of the authors imagination,

Carolyn

I'm always surprised by the bills run up by some people at the Library, and also by the way different librarians judge damage. Once I had to pay $11 because there was a corner off a magazine cover(no info lost) but when I shamefacedly fronted up to the desk with an intro page missing from The Lord Of The Rings( puppy play), it was a non event. No worries, that one said, it's just the Title and I'll type one and stick it in for you. Lovely woman.

There's another use too, for libraries. When I was looking for work in a strange town, I always took myself off to the library for breaks, because cafes would hassle about re-ordering.

I have fond memories of little town libraries out West, usually a room off the Hall and manned once or twice a week by volunteers. Memory is a strange, strange thing! I remember the library at Normanton(Gulf Of Carpentaria) and a book I was reading to my 6 yr old(now 37). It was Wet Albert who attracted rain to himself, and one of the lines was "And the days slipped by like the trees on the riverbank." I've never worked out why that would stick in my mind, when parts of my wedding have faded!

I'd love to see a cat in my library. My doctor had one till he walked on the computer.

I'm amazed by the allowing of cats to roam free and sit on the chairs, esp. if upholstered, in public buildings.

My husband is extremely allergic to cats...his eyes and throat swell shut, and he can end up in the ER. I wonder if the people who let the cats in realize the severe allergies some people have to cats?

I guess I wonder if people who pay taxes to help keep these public buildings open should be kept out of them because others let animals roam freely in them?

jane

Jane, I'd never thought of that, I suppose because I don't know anyone with allergies. A good point.

a utility receipt which shows that you are not HOMELESS. . . and are able to pay for rent if not taxes. nope it's not fair. But on the other hand the homeless have trouble with hygiene.

Do you have to show a library card to get in the door at your library, Claire?

Here, you don't have to have a library card to go into a library or read there or stay there all day long.

jane

nope only to take out books.

I am a hospital volunteer in the Surgery Waiting Room, and we have had homeless that use the waiting room for sleeping, restroom facilities, etc., especially in the CICU, and SICU part of the waiting room. Families wait in that part because their loved one is in a critical state and they want to be present if their condition changes. They sometimes wait for word about their family member for days and nights-never leaving the waiting room. JOY

I thank God nearly every day that I have a home. I am so lucky.

I can see where a library in a large city would have quite different problems from one in a small town like mine. If there are any homeless here, they are keeping out of sight. I imagine they are more likely to congregate in larger towns and in cities, where there are more places to linger...and more places to disappear.

Actually, there do not seem to be as many homeless now as there were some 10-20 years ago, when they seemed to appear on every other corner. Again,..before I moved to this small - and very friendly and helpful - town.

Babi

I think we spend more time now talking about the illegal aliens. I hate that term. It's so ugly. We spend more time talking about who comes over the border illegally. The homeless problem is very much around. Once social problems become huge in a society, I think it's hard for the bad situations to disappear. They are hidden under the carpet but always there, I think.

Some problems are so huge, I am w/o a clue as to how they could be solved. Has anyone come up with a viable answer? If so, what is it, and what has prevented its implementation.

I know...'the poor we have always with us'...but there is also an obligation on the part of those better off to do something about it. My question remains, "What??!!" Handing five bucks to a guy on the street isn't enough; it simply won't solve the problem.

Babi

I think, at times, it worsens the problem. Five dollars can only buy you know what.....

Actually, $5. can buy rice, beans, oatmeal and cornmeal. Unfortunately, it's true it often goes to buy 'you know what'.

Babi

I live in an area where there are a lot of homeless and alot of runaways.. Orlando is considered a path to heaven, since it is warm 12 months a year and has all levels of employment. However it does cause problems. We had several retail stores over the past 19 years of semi retirement first.. My used book store was in a small center and was backed up by a small wooded area. We had a mother and daughter and daughters boyfriend living in a tent in back of the stores. All with very limited intelligence. The daughter loved to read, but only the absolutely most terrifying horror stories. She would trade in a book and get another and I always faithfully took back the old book ( although it was so damp and torn up, I had to pitch it) and give her a deal on the newer one. But I fell for the old " I can save her" syndrome.. I brought in soap and washclothes since she stunk pretty awful and women as you know have a problem that can make the stink and staining worse.. She would not even consider washing.. I gave coupons for McDonalds ( there was one close by). She gave them back explaining they only ate snack foods.. and beer ( then she stood there until I explained I did not do beer)She was hit by a car ( just a glancing blow and entirely her fault) in our parking lot. I took her to the emergency ward and gave the nurse my phone number to call when she was done and I would come back for her. When I went to pick her up, we went to the drug store and I paid for the prescription. ONce she found it was not a narcotic she threw it down on the seat and refused to take the antibiotic. Finally one day she appeared in the store and announced she and her boyfriend had scored bus tickets and were going to Tennessee where his parents lived ( In the woods, I certainly hope not) and off they went. They had a bike and I would guess used that to get to the bus station. She was never going to live normally. Had never been to school, did not have a birth certificate. They lived entirely off the normal scale.

Stephanie, your experience with the "tent" people -- there was a movie few years back, based on a book, about a mother who lived with young children in a tent. I can't think of the name of it.

In Curious Minds we're talking about today's K-12 education. (Please come by) Since you all have brought up the homeless, I think I'll bring that up in CM. I'm wonderfing if there are now regulations in place that offer some school stability to children who live in homeless shelters.

approached for a dollar by a member of a group in a beach parking lot I gave him five. His request was for a can of beans and I thought that five would maybe buy enough for the group . . .beans.

claire

these were traveling young people during the sixties. the drunk in tatters is pitiful and on an individual basis I would be torn between security and compassion. Security would probably win. don't ope your purse near anyone asking for money is a safety measure.

claire

Years ago when my husband worked in Manhattan, he bumped into an old buddy from their high school days in a wealthy suburb. His friend was begging on a Manhattan street. Bob talked with him for awhile. His friend had worked, but found it was much more profitable to beg, so that's what he did for a living. He was earning (back in the 60's) $200 a day begging. He said it wasn't worth it to work.

I read in the paper that a good 90 percent of homeless people are schizophrenics. I wonder if that's true.

I believe many of the homeless are mentally ill. I don't remember, maybe, how to spell the word. Deinstitutionalization happened in the seventies or eighties. Something happened in the mental health system. This budget crisis, I think, sent many of the mentally ill on to the streets instead of long stays in the hospital.

My spelling definitely looks wrong. I am going to try and find the right spelling. I think it's just a long word.

Deinstitutionalization

When the mentally ill were turned out of the hospitals it was a result of changes in treatment of certain conditions. Research had led to the conclusion that much of what we call mental illness is the result of too much or not enough of certain chemicals in the brain. In other words, we could "cure" many conditions by medicating them, so there was no longer a need to warehouse them in expensive hospitals. The flaw in the ointment, so to speak, is what we see today: Mentally ill people who do not take their meds and have no place to go either because they can't or won't conform or because they prefer the unstructured (and profitable, see post #551 above) freedom homelessness offers them.

I believe the other thing was that the "thinking" was that the local city/entity would take over "community mental health" care and so the states emptied out the big institutions.

At least in this state, that didn't happen. It was far more expensive than any town/county here could afford...and the state continues to stop income coming into the small towns in this state.

They called it "reinventing Iowa"...what it did was keep the $$ at the state level, so those dudes could spend it.

I know a lot about mental illness and yes a huge majority of the homeless are mentally ill. Mentally ill people can often self medicate with drugs or alcohol. The huge problem is that the mental illness itself creates a terrible fear of psychiatric drugs and often they will be afraid to take them. I can't say I blame them because the side effects can be horrific. Hats and Mrs Sherlock are both correct in their assessments.

I wish I could write the stories of some of the homeless. If I was well enough myself I would. The Homeless are with us and in a lot of cases like in my country are hidden. However we have a great city missioner who is doing a lot to get the city to recognise and address the needs of our homeless.

It is interesting to note that in small country towns people are more tolerant of what we may call the eccentric and will often be of more assistance to these persons and homelessness becomes less of a problem than it is in big cities. Mentally ill people will often survive better in a small town environment than they will in a big city where there is always more fear of any person who sits outside the square.

carolyn

Carolyn ~ You reminded me of side characters in many novels. How many novels have the 'town fool'? He, and it is usually a he, is often the humorous relief in the story. Often called the Town Drunk he is considered as part of the place.GinnyAnn

You might want to discuss the issue of homelessness in our Social Responsibility Including Activism" discussion. You all are making important points and others who are interested in social issues would be better able to find your conversation about this topic in that discussion.

In response to a welcome message from Pat:

Our son manages a library in a small town, kind of suburban to a small city. The homeless have not yet been a problem, though the overall area has become economically depressed due to outsourcing.

I'm hoping a second cataract surgery this week will allow me to read more than selected book and magazine articles. (I'd told the doctor that my positive c-reactive some years before along with muscle inflammation suggested I should prepare for surgery with anti-inflammatories, I got the usual patronizing response that women's observations often receive from doctors.)

Now a there's a book ("How Doctors Think") by a male doctor (Harvard's Jerome Groopman), admitting that women often receive less attentiveness and correct diagnoses from (male?) doctors or doctors they don't really "click" with. The solution? Gently push it. Ask more questions like, "What else could it be?"

Following the seven months it's taken to get an eye healthy and not swelling after my first surgery, I find I'm even ready to read a few weightier things. After two literature degrees, some university teaching, and a lifetime of really serious reading, though, I now enjoy non-gritty mysteries and detective novels, etc.

Funny story--In my mid-forties I began to read light mysteries and detective novels instead of the more ponderous things reviewed in The New York Review of Books--not the cozier New York Times Book Review. I placed on the counter in a used bookstore about eight of these quick reads. The fiftyish, grey-haired male clerk said to me, "You might try reading something more challenging." To this day, I can't believe I said nothing! Maybe I was afraid it would be too mean or uppity. It's nearly always a mistake to be judgemental of our fellows--as he was, and I hope my librarian-son would never say such a thing. OK to say, "Have you looked at . . "

I dived into seniornet political discussions in 2004 and look forward to posting there in the future also. I'm happy to recognize some of you wonderful people from those days. (Of course, now that Donald Trump is considering a run for the White House, we can all put to rest our fears for the future of the Western--and Eastern--Worlds.)

Barbara.....

Donald Trump? Hahahahahahahaha....oh, yes, he'd about be taken seriously....what an ego that man has...bigger than his head, I think, which is going some, imho.

Glad you're back to SN!

jane

Our librarian-son is allergic to cats--so they're not gonna be there. Of course, if he had his way, there'd be about three or four dogs lying around. Our daughter lost a few thousand dollars moving from a new apartment in Brooklyn because her floormate had cats. There were several doctor bills and a scary asthma that lasted for a few months after she moved out. (We sent an AllerPet spray from AllerG to spray her furniture and non-washables.) What a problem it must be to try to convince a librarian that someone's life could be in jeopardy because of a loveable little cat. Most people would probably consider the complainant a trouble-maker or a neurotic.

Welcome back, Barbara 65, we're glad to see you here again!

I think in reading sometimes you feel like a nut and sometimes you don't, and I read "light" mysteries like the Ann Purser series every night before going to bed for several reasons and they're all good.

I don't think anybody has to excuse what they read, we all read different things at different times for different reasons, he probably meant well. Every time I check out of B&N their eyebrows are all over the place: eclectic taste, we're all entitled! hahahaha Read what you like!

It's all good. I hope your eyes will shine as eagles!!

Harper, did you see the huge new article today in the NY Times on Joe Hill? It's in their New York Times Magazine and is called how Joe Hill Got Over Being Stephen King's Son and Wrote his Own Best-Selling Horror Novel. Prince of Darkness.

As you are reading The Heart Shaped Box, is it more like Thinner or is it like...what's what guy with the chain saw in the movies?

I'd like to try it if they aren't sawing out eyeballs or something? Do you recommend it?

I think Stephen King in his earlier writing is brilliant, have never read anything like him. But I had to stop reading him with the one about the tortured author, he just got too much for me. I still think he's one of the best writers around. I never will forget the story he did about the man who goes to the supermarket with his son and all hockey sticks breaks out. I have been looking for the title of that story for years, it may be a Bachman book, not sure.

Stephen King said anybody could write if they would sit at a word processor and write 5 hours a day, if I thought I could write like he did, I would!

Anyway, since we were talking about Joe Hill (to whom The Shining is dedicated), I thought I'd throw that in since it's in today's NY Times.

Ginny - No, I haven't seen the Times article, but will certainly look at it.

Heart-Shaped Box isn't the goriest novel I've ever read, but certainly there is some blood. For me, The Stand will never be equaled, Nor will Salem's Lot. Pet Semetary broke my heart. I couldn't ever take such a nice family and completely ruin it.

So, I guess what I'm saying is Heart-Shaped Box was a good (I think fun, but I'm odd) read. Not as good as Stephen King at his best, that's for sure, but as good as some of his lesser ones.

Yeah, I think it was worth the time.

Hats, Thanks for the link to the homeless, I read it all and it is so true.

Yes, Hats, thanks. I read the whole thing.

are here in review. http://tinyurl.com/22hqsd

I like this kind of thriller but will have to make sure m night light works before starting.

And then there is Scott Smith http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400043875/

claire

I was interested, but not really surprised, to learn that many 'beggars' are in it as a profitable source of income. More than once I noticed that purportedly 'homeless' begging on street corners looked remarkable well-fed.

Barbara, I fully empathize with your remark, "To this day I can't believe I said nothing." I've done that, and can still get mad at myself for not speaking up when I feel I should have.

Babi

I read The Ruins, too. Oh my!!! What a book!!

Just fascinating the way some people's minds work.

I log in to SeniorNet almost daily and enjoy it tremendously. I seldom post therefore no one knows me. I did participate briefly in a discussion of Dickens Christmas Carol and one other book several years ago when I was recovering from having both knee joints replaced. I love SeniorNet and give A BIG THANKS to all of you who participate in the discussions so faithfully.

Babi, I wanted to respond to your Post #545. What can be done? Many of the churches in our area have joined together in a project called Operation-In-As-Much. Each church houses the homeless at night for a week or two during the winter months-Nov –Mar.. These are overflow from the Salvation Army-they don’t have enough space for the number of homeless in our area. The Salvation Army provides cots and blankets, these are moved from church to church. We provide meals in the evening, a place where they can take a shower, we do their laundry, and fix a simple breakfast. We eat and mingle with them, play games watch TV or just talk. Some are so starved for conversation. They are bussed to the host church and a paid coordinator is with them at night as well as volunteers from the host church. There are rules they must follow- no alcohol, once they come in the building cannot leave until morning, etc.. The bus picks them up in the morning. Many of the homeless have jobs and have just had bad luck and cannot afford housing. They are so appreciative for a warm place to sleep and meals. This has been very successful-our third year.

that's the right way to do it I think. minimal interference with their lives . . .just helping out as needed.

Claire

Wow, Jayfay, what a neat program. What a positive way for a community to address the problem. Thanks for telling us about it.

Kathy

jayfay -- a good program.

It would be great if you could post in the Social Responsibility Including Activism" discussion and spark some interest there.

Thanks Pat for the link to Social Responsibility Including Activism. I had not seen that one before. I will send a post about the OIAM (Operation-In-As-Much) project. It has been a wonderful experience for the churches involved.

That's what I call Win/Win!

Homeless people are going to increase here, because house and rent prices have skyrocketed. People often have to put in a bid to get a rental property, the highest bidder gets a home. A church van goes into parks and gardens at night to serve meals. We have hardly any cold weather, so sleeping out isn't a big problem. Gangs of teens and pre-teens are the biggest problem, especially the younger ones.

I see there's an internet site http://www.whichbook.net that helps you pick a book to suit your mood. Apparently, you can sort potential books by plot shape, type of main character, country etc. You can look for a book that is "unpredictable, romantic, and a little bit sad" the site says "or a challenging book that's also funny with plenty of sex."

I haven't tried it yet, and chances are the Library here wouldn't have the book, but it sounds fun.

I've heard of similar programs, JAYFAY, and I very much like the idea of a community making the effort to help their own. It may not reach to the roots of the problem, but such programs at least do what they can, where they can.

JAN, that site does sound interesting. I'm going to look it up, too. There has been many a time when I was in the mood for a certain type of book and found that aimless strolling around scanning a few wasn't a really productive method.

Babi

the hot link for which book didn't do that??? it was a general site for many things including books but not THaT.

claire

Claire, I just had a quick look, I can't do more as I have to go out early this morning, but it did say to click on the how to use whichbook link. I see choices like beautiful, gentle, conventional. optimistic etc.

http://www.whichbook.com is not the correct site. It is for sale. They are looking for the highest bidder.

http://www.whichbook.net/ has the book search database.

My apologies, I put the wrong ending. While I was typing I was talking to someone about Bigpond.com and I've switched the com with the net.

The Welcome in green, fancy calligraphy is so pretty. I really like it. Thank you for making the page look like spring.

I just wanted you all to know...I clicked on that Whichbooks.com link yesterday and today when I opened my emails, I got 20 spams. So maybe someone can remove that incorrect link entirely or go back and correct it. That's the only other web-site I went to yesterday besides SN. I spent my time yesterday cleaning kitchen cabinets(ugh) instead of on the computer.

Thanks, "gaj" for the correct link today.

Evelyn

Thanks, Evelyn. I've corrected the link in the original post about whichbooks.

Hello From Rome!

Having a wonderful trip!

See you soon.

Joan Grimes

It's great to see you, Joan. I am glad that you are enjoying your trip. Thank you for taking the time to say hello from Rome.

I went to her website and it is really interesting. 2 new books and one of them is a children's book.

"WELCOME TO A TURTLE SUMMER ! Dear Reader,

My new novel, SWIMMING LESSONS --the sequel to THE BEACH HOUSE—will be on sale March 27th. I’m also proud to be releasing my first children’s book, and companion to the novel, TURTLE SUMMER: A Journal for my Daughter. Come to my website http://www.maryalicemonroe.com to see the fabulous video book trailers!

About the novel~ I had been assisting at the sea turtle hospital of the South Carolina Aquarium and participated in the release of an enormous, gorgeous and gleaming sea turtle, Big Girl. Ah, she was magnificent. When I stood knee deep in the warm waters of the Atlantic and witnessed the emotional journey of this big mama sea turtle fearlessly making her way back home to the sea. I knew I had my story. SWIMMING LESSONS is an emotional journey of healing and self discovery as it explores the bonds of mothers and daughters.

About the picture book~ TURTLE SUMMER, A Journal for my Daughter is a picture book of photographs and artist’s sketches telling the tale of a summer spent tending sea turtles. I wrote the children’s book for all who ever dreamed of witnessing a nest of hatchlings scramble to the sea or wanted to share that experience with their child or grandchild.

About Turtle Summer Website Starting in June, my website will begin an exciting, active page of current blogs, podcasts, photos—all kinds of current and fun info about our turtle season here on Isle of Palms. Now you, too, can be an honorary turtle team member!

Join me in the beauty and magic of a TURTLE SUMMER!

Mary Alice Monroe

For more information on these books, to read an excerpt, enter contests and enjoy video book trailers, visit the website at http://www.maryalicemonroe.com "

I am glad to hear about Mary Alice Monroe's new books. I remember with happiness her visit here to Seniornet for the book discussion.

Back from visiting the coast here in Florida. Wow ,, Brevard County has a magnificent new library and research center in Cocoa.. Went there to use wifi.. They have a wonderful room in the front. You can do wifi.. bring your lunch or snack and eat in a quiet comfortable room. The inside has a gift shop?? Used books?? Found a Lee Smith I had never ever seen before. and was so nice. Anyone visiting the area. Stop in,, the nicest most helpful librarians I have ever seen. Lots of computers is you want to use theirs or a large wifi area to use your own.. Such a plug, but I did like it so much.

I am really glad to see that notice about Mary Alice Monroe's two new books, Pat, thank you. I love her website and it's not just because when you click on Book Clubs in her tab you see a giant super notice of our own Reader's Guide, nor as you scroll down we're the first group pictured, (but I do like that

) and that's the same photo appearing in the Bookmarks article, so I'd say we're well represented there!

Love it.

Come on down to the Houseboat discussion, we must winnow the list of nominees now, we'll vote on April 1, April Fool's Day, but there's nothing foolish about that list of nominees and we're going to have a FABULOUS May Day reading and discussing one of them.

Come on down!

Ask somebody for directions if you can't find it!

You may be know that SeniorNet Books is a member of the Library of Congress Center for the Book. We are one of the Reading Promotion Partners. So is the PEN/Faulkner Award foundation. They plan to keep our readers here better informed of readings by award-winning authors who have been finalists of the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

We'll post these notices as PEN/Faulkner sends them to us - in case you are interested and will be in the DC area. I definitely plan to attend the April 20 meeting. (New grandchild might interfere with the March 30 event. The Mama experiencing labor pains since last pm.

Shirley Hazzard is the author, most recently, of the The Great Fire and Greene on Capri, a memoir of Graham Greene, as well as several works of fiction, including The Evening of the Holiday, The Bay of Noon and The Transit of Venus, winner of the 1981 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award. She lives in New York City and Capri.

The final offering for the season will be on April 20th - "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman" with Kate Lehrer, Francine DuPlessix Gray, Jennifer Egan, moderated by Deborah Tannen.

MARY ALICE MONROE comes across as such a delightful, enthusiastic, caring person. I am pleased to have made her acquaintance, even at secondhand. Thanks, PAT.

Babi

Jan - I borrowed a copy of "Goodreading" from the library. Its a magazine published in Australia about books. Reviews- author bios etc. I think its great and I have got lots of suggestions for my reading this winter. The good thing about the mag is our own Downunder authors have a chance to get shown as well as the international authors. I intend to go through the all the issues available to get some ideas for my reading. Its $8.50 to buy here which I feel is a bit expensive to subscribe but the library seems to either get them donated or buy them in so I can read all the back issues at no cost.

If you want to get into the head of your teenage grandsons I borrowed a book called Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. He is a British author. It is 13 months in the life of a thirteen year old boy who lives in a sleepy village in Worcester. I really enjoyed it.

Carolyn

The new Smithsonian Magazine is very interesting. An article/pictures of Chihuly works. Wonderful pics of artifacts from ancient Alexandria.

And for those of you who enjoy the David Liss novels - a neat article about the online "The Proceedings of the Old Bailey, London 1674 to 1834 - A fully searchable online edition of the largest body of texts detailing the lives of non-elite people ever published, containing accounts of over 100,000 criminal trials held at London's central criminal court. Contains 101,102 trials, from April 1674 to October 1834."

This article mentions Jonathan Wilde who is a character in A Conspiracy of Paper.

http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/

Oh I love the Smithsonian!! Mine hasn't come yet but one of the very best things a visitor to London can do is actually attend a trial at Old Bailey, it's out of this world. The last one I attended turned out to be the murder of a television personality and it was fascinating, just incredible. You enter into this balcony of creaky wood seats and the judge and attorneys have on wigs and you never see anybody but the judge and the witnesses, several of whom are made total hash of by the attorneys, it's like something out of a movie.

In this trial a very haughty Lady was called and she definitely resented being there, huffed all thru the proceedings, it's fascinating to see. That woman who wrote a book about women travelling alone lists it as her favorite thing to do in London (but you can't take in a camera and if you have brought one you need to store it at the pub a block away and that causes you to lose your place in line, just FYI). Wow, thank you Marni~! I love that magazine!

Honestly, I don't know what is more frustrating, reading something interesting and then not remembering where you read it, OR finding something you'd like to do or tell others about and then not being able to find it.

Here I sit looking at the new Newsweek, the March 26 edition, a photo of books, and the questions: "How many times has Norman Mailer been married? What actress was Truman Capote's first choice to star in Breakfast at Tiffany's? Test yourself with our Quiz! Go to xtra.newsweek.com for links to these articles."

OK I did. I see a page exactly like the one I'm looking at, page 5, but I can't find a Quiz which pertains to books? Can any of you? I have a sinking feeling when I do I can't answer any of the questions, but I'm a question fool, can anybody find it before April First? Hahaha or are they fooling us?

Ginny....

Closest I can come..since I have to leave in 3 minutes...is this page which lists all the Periscope Quizzes...you can then check for the date they appeared...they don't appear to be in chronological order...

Periscope Quizzes at Newsweek

Thank you Jane! My goodness, that's frustrating, it's not there! I went thru 10 pages and can't see one with this issue's date, perhaps they have not put it up yet. Maybe it's one big April Fool~! hahahaa I appreciate that.

We've gotten off on an interesting seque in the Houseboat Group which you are not only invited to join, , we need your hand as oarsman, we'll vote on April 1, but the topic has suddenly swung towards those old favorites we once read and loved which we've never read here and how they compare to today's writing.

This might be a better topic for this discussion. What started it was my copying into WORD the opening lines of Book One of Brideshead Revisited, which is one of the 9 contenders on the ballot, and which WORD advised contained sentences which were too long and I should consider revising it!

I wonder what that says about us in 2007. Small snappy phrases? Short sentences? The InfoMinute Culture? They are now saying that Text Messaging is producing a world of illiterates. Can you imagine editing Waugh? I wonder if we have become a nation (and world) of ADD Sound Bytes because of TV. I wonder what WORD would do with James Joyce!?!

I've read, but do not know if it's true, that modern editors will read 15 minutes in any new book, (if that), and if the first, I've forgotten how many lines, does not grab them, they toss the book. The author has to hook the reader in the opening paragraph. Some say in the opening sentence.

I expect there are a lot of classics which would not grab the reader in the first 15 minutes, some of those older books take forever to even get started but they are worth the read, the READ'S the thing, (or is it?).

Just for the heck of it today, I'm going to look back at some of my old favorites that I have not reread in some time, and just check out the first paragraphs. Like The Good Earth, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Arrowsmith, So Big, The Fires of Spring, Babbitt, and see what they start out like. Let's all bring some here and we can look.

Here's one, as a starter, I had already done it, so it's easy. It's Evelyn Waugh, one of the contenders in the 9 book strong ballot of the next Houseboat vote, which WORD said was too long and should be revised. From Brideshead Revisited:

(This is the Everyman's Library, with a Prologue and a Preface and 28 pages of Introduction but I'm going to skip to the first page of Book One:)

Book One

ET IN ARCADIA EGO

"I have been here before, " I said; I had been there before; first with Sebastian more than twenty years ago on a cloudless day in June, when the ditches were creamy with meadowsweet and the air heavy with all the scents of summer; it was a day of peculiar splendor, and though I had been there so often, in so many moods, it was to that first visit that my heart returned on this, my latest.

That day, too, I had come not knowing my destination. It was Eights Week. Oxford--submerged now and obliterated, irrecoverable as Lyonnesse, so quickly have the waters come flooding in--Oxford, in those days, was still a city of aquatint. In her spacious and quiet streets men walked and spoke as they had done in Newman's day; her autumnal mists, her grey springtime, and the rare glory of her summer days--such as that day--when the chestnut was in flower and the bells rang out high and clear over her gables and cupolas, exhaled the soft airs of centuries of youth. It was this cloistral hush which gave our laughter its resonance, and carried it still, joyously, over the intervening clamour...

I think it might be interesting to do a sort of little experiment, I'll going to go get more. I'll alternate with a new bestseller and then another oldie, what fun!

If you have an old favorite on your shelves, bring us a couple of the opening sentences and let's see for ourselves what if anything has changed? Meanwhile I'll ignore WORD. hahahaa

I remember A Tree Grows in Brooklyn caught me from the first paragraph. I adored it.. Still do. Arrowsmith took a bit longer, but again it has stood the test of time. But Brideshead.. I have never been fond of the convoluted sentence structure and the slightly upperclass sniffs at people..

I just finished reading Restless by William Boyd. I was disappointed. I think that was one of the recommendations from Bookmarks. Its about the secrets of a female Russian spy, recruited by the British Secret Service during the second world war and her affair with another spy. On a scale of 1-5, I'll give it a 2.

What was wrong with it, Andrea?

Now this is only my opinion BUT the characters didn't grow. It seemed somehow fractured to me. What happened to the foreign boyfriend of the daughter? Why was he learning English? Why did the author even put the 5 year old grandson into the story? The story is told thru the eyes of the daughter of the spy. Why did her mother need her help in finding the long lost spy that she had betrayed her? Why? why? why is what I kept asking myself. It was too far fetched. Why did they recruit her anyway at age 27? Just because her brother had been killed playing "spy-man" and they needed a replacement? No! It just didn't gel with me. It was too contrived and spurious for my liking.

Love it, you need to write one of the reviews they have sought of us!

I'm starting the Rachel Cusk mentioned in Bookmarks Magazine. The reviewers were all over the place about it so I feel good going in, I absolutely love Rachel Cusk, first heard of her when she either won or was shortlisted for the Booker as it was then called prize.

Ginny, I have not paid any attention to computer-generated grammar and style suggestions since the time many years ago when my husband typed the Gettysburg Address into an early program. Here's what the computer said:

"Readability index: 10.17 (readers need a tenth grade level of education)

Strength index: 0.00 (on a scale where 0 is weak and 1 is strong). The writing can be made more direct by using: shorter sentences, fewer weak phrases, more positive wording.

Descriptive index: 1.10 where 0 = terse and 1.1 = wordy. The writing style is overly descriptive. Many adjectives are being used."

In addition, in the text it marked some sentences to be split in two, some words as too negative, felt the word "great" was not justified, and thought the reader might not understand consecrated, detract, hallow, and fourscore.

I have read the Gettysburg Address many times, and it still brings a lump to my throat. If this is really a strength of 0, I don't like to think what shape I would be in after reading something with a strength of 1.

hahahah Pat! That's priceless!

about writing styles. The short style described is what my son learned to do in high school and continued through college as a journalism major. I find myself skipping the poetic and editorializing sections in a book or article where I'm principally interested in WHAT COMES NEXT. But sometimes I'll wallow in beautiful description as I do in an occasional poem. As for editorializing with person observations,I'll read it all only if they are not only relevant but funny.

All it makes me think of is Paul Simon singing about a short little attention span, I can hear him now, "got a short little attention span." hahaa

What song WAS that?

Deems has a great point on this in the Houseboat discussion, also.

I ran across yet another book prize - http://www.kiriyamaprize.org. This honors "outstanding books that promote greater understanding of and among the nations of the Pacific Rim and South Asia. Authors from anywhere in the world are eligible, but the books have to be about this area". There are some good books presented both for this year and the past.

Kathy

Kathy: My thanks for providing such a rich resource. Living on the "Rim" is exciting and there is so much to explore. Lots of goodies to read...

OOPS, KATHY, I spent so long exploring your link I lost track of time. Gotta scoot!

Babi

That is great that you took a look at the site. I found it interesting that this is the 11th year for the prize. I had never heard of it. I went and looked at the finalists for the last few years and I actually had read a number of the books. I really like books centered in other countries and better yet written by a local author.

Kathy

I have just finished reading two Bryce Courtenay books. Bryce Courtenay is an Australian writer with close connections with NZ and South Africa also. I first read "Brother Fish" and then "White Thorn". I have read all his other books.

If you want to read a modern day author with the gift of drawing characters that are totally believable and a plot that keeps you reading and reading all through the night Bryce Courtenay is for you. He is one of the only authors I know who have written a truly wonderful novel in the first person. He has a social conscience also and this comes through in all his books. His story about the dying and death of his son "April Fools Day" was played on our National radio in the wee small hours each evening during the year my husband was terminally ill. I listened to it during many wakeful hours using my little headphones as I lay in bed. It was tremendously therapeutic for me and I am sure it was for Bryce.

Carolyn

You may be aware that SeniorNet Books is providing books to children on the Blackfeet reservation in Browning, Montana.
Today we introduce a new contact at the Blackfeet Early Childhood Education Center.

Her name is Connie Hipp - she's the Parent Involvement Supervisor She says they received the last shipment of 8 books - these must be from MaryZ. She says they are much needed and much appreciated and thanks everyone.

She told me they just had a very successful parents' literacy night. Parents came to the center and read to the children. This is good for the parents, many of them literacy-challenged - as well as for the children. It works both ways. It meant a lot to be able to hand the parents nice new books to read to their children.

I will always keep in mind that image of the parents reading "our books" to their little ones. We've sent 98 books to date to the Early Childhood Center. Marcie did the math - that's 1 new book for every 2 children. Let's keep them coming! Who will send the 100th book? To learn more, tune in here -
Native American Children's Book Project

Kathy, thank you so much for posting the link to the Kiriyama Prize. That was new to me, and I suspect to many. Thanks to you I've posted a link to it at Read Around the World, as it certainly fits in well with the books we talk about.

I was happy to see that Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea: One School at a Time was one of the winners for 2007. I'd read something about him earlier (can't remember where), but he's established 55 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. My library has the book and it's checked in. Yay.

Kathy, thank you so much for the wonderful link to Kiriyama Prize books. I never heard of this prize for books either.

I just finished reading The General and Mrs. Washington: the untold story of a marriage and a revolution by Bruce Chadwick. It was very interesting - had lots of details about their private life that I did not know.

One thing was that George Washington was a high-stakes gambler, esp. at cards and horses. He'd spend $15,000 in a year gambling at cards with friends at a tavern or at home, sometimes every night in the week. Apparently, he broke even. Also, George established a distillery - he was probably the first man in the South to run a commercially-operated distillery. (That George was always looking for ways to make a buck!)

To my astonishment, today's Hartford Courant had an article about Washington's distillery. Mount Vernon has rebuilt the stills of Washington's distillery for the 1st time in 200 years. They're 3 miles down the road from his house. Reconstruction of the stills has been going on for 10 years. Costumed distillers and millers will operate the water-powered machinery using 18th century methods.

Apparently, the whiskey tastes pretty harsh - 120 proof. Visitors will not be able to taste it. But as of July 1, the distillery will produce a more aged whiskey - not from Washington's recipe - a special edition commemorative whiskey for $25 per bottle.

Apparently, there will be a History Channel program about the distillery.

Another thing in today's paper - Dan Brown won his copyright-infringement case.

I am glad Dan Brown won.

I am too hats. I've read everything he has written.

claire

Claire, you have??? I haven't read any of his books. I did see the movie, Da Vinci Code. Which book do you like the best? I started reading the Da Vinci Code with the group here at Seniornet. I got lost along the way and gave up.

Da Vinci Code was the most interesting to me re the workings of the vatican and the church. . . the others were sci fi thrillers. . . good reading I like that kind of thing too.

I will have to give one a try.

I too liked The DV Code best, but maybe I was biaised because it reminded me of a lot of places I have visited. I did not so much look if it was plausible but enjoyed the suspense.

Bubble, I liked the suspense in the movie too.

I can't comment about the book since I haven't read it, but the Louvre now offers Da Vinci Code tours.

I'm glad Brown won his case, because as nearly as I could figure out the suers didn't really have a good case.

I thought the book was a great read, but hey, it is fiction--and as far as I was concerned I didn't see the need for all the hullaballoo concerning the premise of the plot, Brown didn't say it was true!

The plagiarism suit was an entirely different issue. Evidently the evidence was on Brown's side, since he won. Sue

Oprah's announced that The Road by Cormac McCarthy is her next book club choice. I haven't read this author nor have I read Don DeLillo, mentioned in the article as two of Harold Bloom's greatest living American authors. Any suggestions as to where should I start with these two? Thanks. Jackie

Mrs. Sherlock I heard about Oprah's pick, The Road. I think she made a good choice. It had to be something spectacular after Sidney Poitier's autobiography, The Measure of a Man.

Sue, I agree, the media took off with it because of the controversy about religion, but basically it is fiction and Dan Brown knew the topic would be a good sell. I was disappointed with the fast action noisy movie.

I liked both the movie and the book Da Vinci Code.. It is fiction of course and the nonsense going on about it strikes me as silly.. But that is a compliment to the author if people keep thinking it is real. There is a tour that takes you all over Europe to all of the spots that he went to.. Cant remember which tour company does it.

I've tried both these authors in the past and gave up on each after about 50 pages. Others will have different opinions, of course. I like to get into the plot and not have it so much about pyschological meanderings--at least that is what I remember about the two. Sue

"..the Louvre now offers Da Vinci Code tours".

Someone in tourism was on their toes, non?

Babi

hahaha Every time I think of Dan Brown's DaVinci Code I think of Arthur Quiller-Couch, you'll remember him if you have read 84 Charing Cross Road.

"Though we must sigh and acquiesce in the building of Babel, we have some right to examine the bricks."

That says it all about Dan Brown and the DaVinci Code, to me.

Kathy thank you for that super link, I have never heard of that prize, either, something to consider for a future read! You always know the best books!

Speaking of best books, the group preparing to read in the Houseboat series (books whose titles have the word House in them) have decided the ballot is so good, we'll read them all (or most of them, whatever can fit in one month's time) in order, and we'll vote on the order starting tomorrow. This is new for this group, I like it. I like new things.

We hope you'll vote and join the group on May Day. The Houseboat discussions, (so called because we sort of envisioned a houseboat of Readers floating down the river, discussing books with HOUSE in the title) last one month and are really enjoyable, so please plan to vote tomorrow and join us May 1st.

On June 1 you are invited to read and discuss The Seven Sisters with us, and tell us what it says. Hahahaa It's not a long book, it's written in English, I defy anybody to know what she's saying but we'll enjoy YOUR interpretation and why you think so, it's about aging and the choices we make. Or don't make. Or something, hahahaa............

YOU'LL be the judge of what it says to you: a perfect book for a book discussion, we've read it once here and had no idea then either. This time we may be able to solve the burning issues. Or not. OR will you hate the author?

Come on down and help us figure it out June 1. The third time I read it I saw something new!

For those who enjoy learning things and being armchair travellers when they read, there are a lot of classical allusions in it: Vergil, the Sybil, Cumae, lots to enjoy finding out about. So even if we don't know what she's talking about vis a vis the protagonist, we'll know something anyway, at the end. hahahaa

A perfect book for a book club. I can't wait!

Just click here and look on down to see the entire Books Menu. We've kept a chair for you, in all of them, come on down! JUST the thing for Spring!

Meanwhile I'm reading Arlington Park and Shantaram, which could not be more different. I would take Shantaram on my trip but it's huge and not something you'd take on a plane, perhaps, but it sure is good. Am also reading Ann Purser's Friday book at night and it's getting a little....overworked. I have a feeling she's run out of ideas, and is caught in the series. The characters are too many and not well fleshed out, so they are confusing. It's hard to separate them in your mind so you always have to stop and think ok, Norman, who is he and what connection does he have with Fergus? With Rupert? With Howard? Not a good sign. I have heard she's got another one just out.

I saw a huge display yesterday of Mary Alice Monroe's new book in Greenville SC, she's on tour with it, and it really DOES look good. They tell me in the bookstore there she draws the largest crowds of any author they have ever had. She'll always be special to us here in SeniorNet Books, and we still remain first on her Book Clubs page and our Reader's Guide is featured on her website. It's amazing the connections with authors we've made over the years, they are (at least the ones we've been lucky enough to deal with), wonderful and loyal people.

Cormac and Dom.. both unreadable as far as I am concerned. I simply cannot get into their books at all. Feel dumb, but think I like a tight plot more than they do.

GINNY, I love that Quiller-Couch quote. I must remember it for the next time someone complains about my examining the bricks! :

Babi

We've never read any Quiller Couch here actually.

So, what did he write, GINNY? With a name like Quiller-Couch, I naturally expect something very erudite.

Babi

I've got storms and have to get off but I'll be back, yes, very interesting stuff!

And erudite he certainly was! He was known widely simply by his pen-name 'Q' - something of a scholar - he wrote a few novels, best known was Ship of Stars and a few volumes of poetry. He also edited anthologies of poetry - eg Oxford Book of English Verse. Lived in Cornwall in late 19th early 20th century at Fowey - which became famous for another resident, Daphne Du Maurier. I seem to remember that he and Daphne were friends.

He lectured at Cambridge Uni - some of his lectures have been published as - On the Art of Writing and On the Art of Reading

Years ago I picked up a copy of the Reading at a charity sale. The lectures have titles such as: Apprehension versus Comprehension - On Reading for Examinations - On reading the Bible - On Selection - On the Use of Masterpieces - and one I know will be dear to Ginny's heart - On the Value of Greek and Latin in English Literature. They are all rather wordy and obviously of their time (1920) but the underlying scholarship,and love of literature is undeniable.

As Ginny mentioned he was a motivating force in Helen Hanff's? little book saga 24 Charing Cross Road

I haven't picked up that book for years but now here it is in my hand again - maybe I'll have a bit of a browse through it right now! - Thanks.

by Wilkie Collins also the author of Women in White. Considered to be the first "detective" novel written The introduction by the publisher is an interesting read in itself pointing to the close association he had with Dickens and his own ideas about life. He was an atheist during a Victorian era and dared to suggest illicit matters. etc.

It has a nice rhythm to the writing and the characters work. . .so far. will check in. It's long and the print on this Penquin copy is small.

Claire

I was entranced with 84 Charing Cross Road (movie and book). -- And had to go look for it some years back. The used bookstores of the area are still there but 84 was a pizza place when I looked back then.

Butch Elects a Mayor (Helen Hanff) was a favorite of my youngest -- when she was about 9.

Nominations have been closed and the voting has begun for the books to be discussed in May in the Houseboat themed reading book club.

Voting will end April 8.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

100 books Times magazine

http://www.time.com/time/2005/100books/the_complete_list.html

Wow, Hats!!!

"Time critcs Leo Grossman and Richard Lacayo pick the 100 best English language novels from 1923 to the present! " Let's see how many we have read, personally and here in our SeniorNet Book Club Discussions.

Let's take them two letters at a time for a while because the complete list is in alphabetical order:

The Adventures of Augie March
Saul Bellow

All the King's Men
Robert Penn Warren

American Pastoral
Philip Roth

An American Tragedy
Theodore Dreiser

Animal Farm
George Orwell

Appointment in Samarra
John O'Hara

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Judy Blume

The Assistant
Bernard Malamud

At Swim-Two-Birds
Flann O'Brien

Atonement
Ian McEwan

OK in the A's we've read Animal Farm and Atonement here on SN. I've read in addition the Assistant, Are you There God, it's Me, Margaret, (in a course on adolescent literature, otherwise I'd have never heard of it. We also read A Hero Ain't Nothing but a Sandwich and something about Chocolate, very powerful they were, too). And in the B's we can see a current nominee in the Houseboat discussion, Brideshead Revisited, now being voted on, how are you doing with these A's and B's? And what is that At Swim Two Bird thing? Never heard of it? Has anybody read it?

Ok here are the B's, we can take two letters a day: what have you read here?

Beloved Toni Morrison

The Berlin Stories
Christopher Isherwood

The Big Sleep
Raymond Chandler

The Blind Assassin
Margaret Atwood

Blood Meridian
Cormac McCarthy

Brideshead Revisited
Evelyn Waugh

The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Thornton Wilder

Not doing quite as well on the B's, either here or in our SeniorNet Book Discussions. One of these is up, as noted and being voted on now, Brideshead Revisited, which I have read. I saw the movie about the Bridge at San Luis Rey but did not read the book. Haven't we read the Blind Assassin here or not? I have read Beloved, how many of these have you read and where is BABBIT? And where is ARROWSMITH?

Is Lewis out of favor? Or did he write before 1923?? Off to find out! Love lists, I don't care what anybody says about them, they are fun. What have YOU read of these? Thank you, Hats!!

Aha! Babbitt was written in 1922, just missed the cut off date but Arrowsmith was written in 1925! AHA! Does anybody read Lewis any more?

I have read All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren. I really want to reread it. I loved the movie. It did bother me that so much was left out of the movie. A long time ago I saw the movie Band of Angels. I think the book was written by Robert Penn Warren. The Swim title, I have never heard of that one. I would love to read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Judy Blume. I read a Young Adult book by Judy Blume. I can't remember the title. I did enjoy it.

I meant to say thank you, Gum, for that great bio on Arthur Quiller- Couch, I learned some things too. Helene Hanff felt that reading his book (which I also bought but have not completely read) was a real education for her in literature. Wouldn't you have loved to have heard him lecture one time?

I've never been to Cambridge except to tour, but I did take a course at Oxford one summer; we tried to get up a group here to do it actually, and it was just out of this world. It was only a week, it's called The Oxford Experience and people came from all over, to sit in the Harry Potter Dining Hall, the great hall (where they filmed the first Harry Potter movie) and our class took place in a board room which looked 300 years old. We sat with our "tutor" for so they are called around this huge polished table and there were refreshments on the sideboard.

It was a TRIP! The class was on the Rise and Fall of the British Empire in India. There was a reading list of 10 - 12 books before hand. which several folks were dismayed to find out they WERE supposed to have actually read, hahahaha and a lot of stuff given during the class. Ditto on the supposed to have read.

What sort of scared me to death was the.... you just didn't read sort of haphazardly, and sit in the back of the room as is my wont, happily incognito. NOOOO, you were expected to HAVE a position which you had come to as a result of lots of reading and comparing and study and then DEFEND that position and I was not prepared for that!

And we went around the table I nearly threw up. Ours was a professor from St. Andrew's, Prince William's school, and an Indian and an authority in the field, she was a delightful person but I'd stammer out something and she'd say, (I can hear her now) "Something more? Something more, I think?" when I had really exhausted everything I HAD in the way of thinking. hahaahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

LOVED it! AH and I've got a tee shirt to prove it! hahahaha Still hear from some of the class, fabulous people.

Ginny: What a neat experience. I've always wondered about Oxford and Cambridge. One "reads". Perhaps that is what you experienced on a small scale. How exciting to have to defend your opinions. Really must sharpen the mind.

hahaah well I guess it would if you HAD a mind hahahaah but it was wonderful, it was it was and I don't know what it means to say "he read Classics at Oxford," but I can guarantee you when he got out, he knew his stuff.

And today IS the last day to register, and Colin Dexter is going to speak on Inspector Morse and Me I think it's in the first week. Here's the Information on the Oxford Experience and here are the courses, OH boy Courses

It was FUN, you stayed in the student "dorms," the like of which I have never seen, and you had all these lawn croquet and receptions and concerts, it's a magic time. It's extremely well done. If you know anybody looking for a great educational week, this is the place. Also they have other sessions in the summer as you can see on the left. AH to be in England now that....whatever whatever... I guess I need to take another course! hahahaha

I suspect that Quiller-Couch's novels are out of print. Both the anthologies he published are at my library, but nothing else by him.

84 Charing Cross Road is a great favorite of mine, too. It's hard to imagine a book-lover who wouldn't find it a favorite.

Babi

Ginny: I see that there is a course on Oxford and the Novel & it includes Waugh as one of the authors. Wish I was rich...

Yeah they've gone up quite a bit in price since I stayed there, still that's room and board and classes for a week, but it has gotten pricey!

I wish we had contacted Helene Hanff before her death, that's one of my two regrets here in the Books.

Here's the C's and D's list of Time Magazine's 100 best, I don't have time to code them, which have you read? I am wondering how I have missed some of these:

C - D

Call It Sleep
Henry Roth

Catch-22
Joseph Heller

The Catcher in the Rye
J.D. Salinger

A Clockwork Orange
Anthony Burgess

The Confessions of Nat Turner
William Styron

The Corrections
Jonathan Franzen

The Crying of Lot 49
Thomas Pynchon

A Dance to the Music of Time
Anthony Powell

The Day of the Locust
Nathanael West

Death Comes for the Archbishop
Willa Cather

A Death in the Family
James Agee

The Death of the Heart
Elizabeth Bowen

Deliverance
James Dickey

Dog Soldiers
Robert Stone

Well now that's a list! I've read the Cather and we read the Franzen here in our Books & Lit and compared it to Revolutionary Road, I wonder if that's on there, I'll run look.

I've read Catch 22 and Catcher in the Rye, what in the world is the Crying of Lot 49 about? I'll run look it up too. I've never read A Clockwork Orange, have any of you? And the movie Deliverance put me off the book, awful thing, or so I thought. What are your own thoughts on these, if any??

Who is Elizabeth Bowen?

YES! Revolutionary Road IS on there! Good for them! This must be critically acclaimed books then?

Ginny, thank you for the Oxford link. I remember your visit there. For those of us who have never been there, you made it all seem so real. I bet that place is huge. I have read Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield, that name is unforgettable.

Elizabeth Bowen was an English writer - I think she was active mainly during the mid 20th century - wrote several critically acclaimed novels/short stories etc. I've read some but can't recall titles (having a senior moment) Eva Trout? might have been one. She had a distinctive style - her approach to her subject reminds me of Willa Catha though she is a quite different writer.

Hi Hats - are you up late or early? Here in sunny West Aust it's 10.02 pm Monday April 2nd - time for bed...

Of the C-D list I've only read Catch 22 - Catcher in the Rye and Death comes for the Archbishop - I did better on the A-B list...

Gumtree, it's morning time here. It's eleven o'clock A.M. I guess it's time to tell you good night. Isn't that strange?

My sister-in-law and I exchanged books last weekend. She is reading my non-fiction England's Mistress: The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton by Kate Williams and I'm reading her novel The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag. The Sontag book is about Emma's husband, Lord William Hamilton. It's fairly interesting so far, but I'm not sure I'm too crazy about the author's style. It's hard to get into but it seems to be getting more and more interesting as she is describing the royalty of 18th century Naples. The lives of the characters are so fascinating, it's hard to imagine that the novel would not be interesting.

After seeing Clockwork Orange I felt compelled to read the book. Needless to say my memories are of the visually shocking movie but I have no recollection of the book being at variance from the movie, or should I say vice versa. I guess I've read half of this lot. Half of the titles, not half of the books. I always finish a book.

So far, I'm averaging only 2-3 books from each list. Many of the books appear to be from a period and style that never much appealed to me. When other people were reading Heller and Salinger, I was reading classics and historical fiction. Just out of sync' with my generation, I guess.

Babi

Ginny- I heard that Helene died almost penniless in a nursing home. I was sad too because I wanted to write to her and tell her how I loved her books.

Carolyn

I did better on C-D than A-B, with 4.

Catch 22, no comment.

The Crying of Lot 49--this is a surrealistic, psychedelic sort of thing. If you want to call it a plot, it involves a conspiracy down through the ages of an alternative Postal Service, but that's only the framework. I liked it a lot, but you have to be into this sort of thing.

Dance to the Music of Time--it's unfair to call this a book, since it's a twelve book series. It's mostly rather understated poking fun at the British upper classes from the 20s on. Some of the books stand alone and some don't.

Death Comes to the Archbishop--I have read this book several times and found it very moving.

Dance to the Music of Time.. I was amazed this was considered one book. I agree that it is a series of 12 loosely connected and a bit weird. I have read a lot of the books named, but a good number of them were not enjoyable at all. Its like everyone loves Philip Roth, but Oh me, I have never ever made it all the way through any of his books.. Just too too precious.

I have read The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron. I was young. Now, I wouldn't read it. I hate reading about slave revolt, the violence is just too much for me.

I never heard of Dance to the Music of Time! Is it like PG Wodehouse? I just finished watching all the DVD's of the Jeeves and Wooster series and some of them are hilarious, and now that Hugh Laurie is on...what's that new show about a cranky doctor? And "Jeeves," Stephen Fry, is an author. Love that series, is it like that?

The 49 sounds super, I'm going to look for both in the library instead of buying them as it seems they may be somewhat off the wall but I love that sort of thing. I really appreciate those of you who have read these telling us what they are about. The Styron I haven't read either! Makes you wonder what you HAVE read, let's see about E and F~

WELL! So much for F we'll need G: here is Time's list of the 100 best books written since 1923, starting with E no F and going to G:

Falconer
John Cheever

The French Lieutenant's Woman
John Fowles

The Golden Notebook
Doris Lessing

Go Tell it on the Mountain
James Baldwin

Gone With the Wind
Margaret Mitchell

The Grapes of Wrath
John Steinbeck

Gravity's Rainbow
Thomas Pynchon

The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald \

Now I have read the Grapes of Wrath and Gone With the Wind, but for some reason I simply cannot seem to manage The Great Gatsby. I wonder why? That must be the greatest book I never read.

The Houseboat vote (a group which floats down a literary river reading books with "House" in the title) is going splendidly and voting closes on the 8th at midnight Eastern time, 4 more days! At the moment one has pulled ahead of the three way tie but it's a lovely vote and they're all good!

What are you reading this fine spring morning??

I have read "Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin. Now, I can't remember it. So, I would like to reread it. I have also read "Gone With the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. I read it one summer. It's impossible to stop reading this book. The writing style is wonderful. I think it's Margaret Mitchell's only book. I have also read "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I don't find his books very easy to read. I am trying to decide whether to bold words or just leave my words alone. It's like picking a pair of shoes. I can't make up my mind about which style is better.

Five out of eight! Right now it is Harsh Cry of the Heron. Can't get into it, its not as compelling as the other three Otori Tales. House books, The Red & the Black. I've given up on Island at the Center of the World. Too many facts even though he is an engaging writer. Blue Mars is in the stack; just finished the second of Robinson's California trilogy. Has everyone gotten into Sudoku? My son twisted my arm and now I'm struggling with the "Easy" ones! BUT my time on the jigsaw puzzles is now close to the Average; sometimes I even beat that time! Going out to plant California poppy seeds on the hillside behind my apartment today.

What jigsaw puzzles???

Five out of Eight fo me too! I had a lot of trouble with "The Great Gatsby" and don't think I finished it when young - but only a year or two ago a F2F selected it and I had no trouble though it is not one of my favourite reads. One the other hand "Golden Notebook" is just about my favourite Lessing piece. I think I have read just about everything Steinbeck ever wrote - just loved his style - the no nonsense prose and the way he told his story -just couldn't get enough of him. The others are the John Fowles and GWTW which for me was better as a movie than it is as a book.

Kiwi Lady I didn't know about Helene Hanff's sad end - she seemed always to be short of money but I didn't realise how serious her situation was. Nonetheless what she had to spare she spent in the best possible way - On Books!

Yes - I wondered about the Jigsaw bit - do tell...I cannot get into Sudoku no matter how I try - but word games are another matter.

I've read the Baldwin and the Steinbeck book from this list. I tried to get into "Gravity's Rainbow", but found it like trying to slog through knee-deep snow. I just lost all patience with it.

Babi

I have never read a book by Doris Lessing. I love reading journals and letters. I would like to try The Golden Notebook. I have read East of Eden. I had to read it quickly. That woman was so hateful. She just gave me the creeps. I can't remember her name.

"Slog through deep snow," I love it! Babi, what a description. It gets the point across.

Wow, you guys are way ahead of me with this section F-G, and I can't get into Soduku or however you spell it either, I wonder why.

Carolyn, I did mean to respond, yes, that's one of my greatest regrets here in our Books, she was still alive when we read her 84 Charing Cross Road, and the NY book, and we did not know her situation. We were new and quite shy about writing authors. Today I wish we had known her situation, we could and would have written her.

GINNY, some of us are word people, that's all there is to it. I can't even get interested in trying suduko(?), but my daughters are quite good at it. But I do Times Sunday crossword puzzles and am hard to beat at Scrabble.

Babi

Scrabble is my game. My science-math teacher daughter can zip through the very difficult sudoku puzzles. It just depends where your talents and interests are.

I find that they are important to me. If it's beyond my time frame I can't identify and eve now, most of the behaviors which cause so much tension in these "old fashioned" books are no longer relevant to me today. So on with the most recent political and psychological themes,

claire

If you aren't into Sudoku, don't feel bad. It's very addictive and will cut into your reading time. I love it. Bridge, Sudoku, and Latin are my exercises for the mind -- along with reading, of course.

Am averaging maybe about two have-reads out of the daily letters.

Speaking of F. Scott Fitzgerald a few posts back -- according to an article in yesterday's USA Today his Last Tycoon, based on his life in Hollywood, is one of the early (job) insider novels, along with Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre (governess). The article brings us updates on Devil Wears Prada, Nanny Diaries, and several others, including one I'm dying to look at -- Mergers and Acquisitions by Dana Vachon, a former Wall Street Analyst. Here's the article

Insider novels push the envelope

thanks Pedin. I saved that article to my book referrals file.

I read the DEVIL WEARS . . .and enjoyed it although like others I tired of poor ANDrea's passivity.

claire

Jigzone.com has a new jigsaw puzzle daily. They have a variety of piece shapes and quantities for you to choose. If you don't liike the one they present just choose "Change Cut". I am addicted to the 87-piece Crazy cut. Also there is a library of past puzzles listed by subject and by date.

Sudoku baffled me until I learned what it is about. There are 9 squares with 9 spaces in each square and 9 horizontal lines and 9 vertical lines. No number may repeat in a square, a vertical line or a horizontal line. No math is required, it is merely a pattern puzzle using numerals as the symbols. I haven't solved one yet but I'll keep trying.

Pedln thank you, I am anxious to read the article.

Sudoku was easy for me. . .but I obsessed over it and quit doing it for that reason. that and my eyes. caught myself staring which hurt them.

claire

When I go into a big book store now, it makes my head ache. There's so many great books that I haven't got time to read(frail parents), and more being published all the time. I can't keep up, it's like being a kid in a lolly shop.

I was trying not long ago to talk my eldest son into reading The Grapes Of Wrath, but as Claire said the issues aren't relevant to him.

I liked to read as a kid and teen, mostly what I like now mysteries and thrillers and adventure and love stories. They kept pushing classics and I found them boring and irrelevant. so it goes. claire

Mrs Sherlock ~ I have been doing the jigsaw puzzles at JigZone for quite awhile. I get upset if I can't beat the average time. lol The more you practice the better you will get. Along with being fun, they are supposed to help us keep our brains active.

My times really slipped when my doctor took me off HRT. Win some, lose some.

Sudoku,, i love and can do medium now. Crosswords.. I love the straightforward, but hate the punny ones. Someone else who loved The Golden Notebook. Doris Lessing is overwhelming to me. I could only read it in small doses, but I loved it. I like Fitzgerald and Steinbeck..have read pretty much all of them. Like Baldwin, although he is soooo angry. Amazing how many I have read thus far..

I love books set in other times. I can bring them alive again in my imagination, feel the ambience. I do find that some 'times' no longer interest me. Teen angst and rites of passage, for example. I find myself thinking 'enough already!'.

Babi

Teen rites of passage do not seem as compelling from this distance.

No, to me either, but you have to wonder what is out there for US?~!? The Seven Sisters is out there for US! I hope everybody will join us in that discussion to give THEIR own oipinion about what she's saying about US!

I wonder on the Grapes of Wrath, I wonder. I do know of course that that specific incident in history was particular to that time, yet I wonder if it could be applied to other situations today.

Ok continuing the list Hats found of the most important 100 books written since 1923, here are H-L:

A Handful of Dust
Evelyn Waugh

The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter
Carson McCullers

The Heart of the Matter
Graham Greene

Herzog
Saul Bellow

Housekeeping
Marilynne Robinson

A House for Mr. Biswas
V.S. Naipaul

I, Claudius
Robert Graves

Infinite Jest
David Foster Wallace

Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison

Light in August
William Faulkner

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis

Lolita
Vladimir Nabokov

Lord of the Flies
William Golding

The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R. Tolkien

Loving
Henry Green

Lucky Jim
Kingsley Amis

Hooo I'm doing much better with this group! Yes for our Books and Lit, too, I see two current nominees of the Houseboat group so far, Brideshead Revisited and Housekeeping, and House for Mr. Biswas was discussed earlier.

I've read no Tolkien and I missed that CS Lewis, maybe we need a book club addressing the Most Important or Famous Book I Never Read hahahaa but I've read Herzog which at the time I thought was the greatest book I ever read.

I have seen but not read I, Claudius, for some reason I just can't seem to get around Graves's prose, have any of you read it? I've even tried listening to it on audio, I just can't seem to get thru him.

I have always wanted to read but never have, Invisible Man. I've read Lord of the Flies, and Lolita, but not that Graham Green nor any of the others. I do see Rabbit Run coming up, now THERE we might need to argue tho I know it's a very powerful book. Instant depressive.

Have only read 7 of the 16 in this group...and yes one of them was "I Claudius" - This was in my Robert Graves period - still have the old Penguin copy - some of his poetry really hits its mark too. Others on my list are the Tolkien (forced by my son and got hooked ) Golding, Lord of the Flies was required reading for him at school so I thought I'd better get across it. I had a fling with Nabokov at one time too and thought his lectures on literature were literary gospel, now I'm not so sure, This is fun, can't wait for tomorrow's listing.

Mine drives me tuns. I wish I could turn it off sometimes. The frustrating thing is that although I visualize everything my left brain side is slow to catch up . . .words escape me. The right side is hyper.

Yesterday I wrote a poem, and started and got well into a painting and figured out how to make a hamburger with the stuff I had in the house and did and it was good. I'm trying to avoid salt and animal fat, but the sauce was loaded. Home made everything tastes better anyhow.

I used spaghetti sauce in the mayo for thousand island with pickle and lots of green garden lettuce on multi . . .word here . . grain? Milton bread which is good plain but for this was toasted and . . .good stuff.

yesterday I made an interesting egg salad sandwhich using the ginger and horse radish left over from some market sushi. I wish it were not so much about food.

I finished one mystery,am into another and also the Bob Woodward book still unfinished, made a list of all the ones I'm taking to the exchange so I'd know what I'd read already about two dozen, and found things I didn't know I had . . paperback classics. And I do 't think I even like classics. Oh well. . .exercize the mind huh?

back to coffee and bread and a dried peach half. http://www.seniornet.org/gallery/bookclubs2/graphics2/fireworks10B125.gif

claire

Yes, Ginny, agreement here.
I, Claudius by Robert Graves is somewhat difficult going, partly because his fictional treatment may trample known facts (but who can say), particularly regarding the evil Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus.
What is much better and worthwhile, especially for those having interest in Roman history, is the set of DVD's (perhaps 4) starting the illustrious Derek Jacobi, which I recently rented. Fantastic!

Have they held up well, Mippy? It seems every time they rerun those things I get Nero and his sister, I'd like to watch them again, I think I'll order them on Netflix, which I absolutely love.

Claire, I am an absolute fool for an egg salad sandwich, so British!

Do you all know about the UNDO feature right here when typing in this box?

Glad to see that I'm not the only one who hasn't read Tolkein. Haven't read the Harry Potter books either. I've never liked fantasy much at all - prefering real people involved in real life, or problems that I can relate to.

On this latest list: I recently reread, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter". I liked it even more now that I'm old. I liked it so much in fact, that I rented the movie starring Alan Arkin. Excellent!

I also read "Lolita" many years ago, when it was at the peak of popularity. I imagine that it would seem strange and dated now that there is so much publicity about sexual predators - or men who prefer young girls?

"Lord of the Flies": Read it long ago too, and thought it was very good at the time. Remember when everyone was reading it and talking about it? Wonder how it would seem now? I recall that the movie was a big disappointment.

As to "Grapes of Wrath". ... I think it's still relevant to today's world. A wonderful story with memorable characters.

UNDO ///

IS IT THE EDIT? OR something else

claire

After you type something in the message box and want to undo -- right click in the box and the 'undo' option appears.

This is good when you accidentally delete what you have typed and want it back.

but pat macs don't have double mice. no right click.

I saw instructions for Macs from Marcie somewhere. I'll go look for them.

On my Mac, if I hit Control while clicking, I get the right-click menu.

Iuse that when I'm capturing images from the net. it has six ptions but not one to immediately go back. I do thatthe old fashioned way with command A highlighting and space bar wil take it al out. or just use the od mac drag over the part to delet and hit space or delete key.

I just thought maybe there was something ew I didn't know yet. this after maybe ten years or so on a mac.

have to edit thought to get at it and sometimes it's too late for that. but you never know used the right arrow key to get back to fix.

Sorry to be behind the times on my comments, but here are some comments.

The Golden Notebook: this was supposed to be a great feminist manifesto, but when I read it (10-15 years ago) I was mostly impressed by how the author had gotten suckered into some traps, like the British communist party and some standard personal relation-type traps.

Gravity's Rainbow: this is an incredibly rich, clever book. I lasted about 50 pages, but sometime, when I want to put in the effort, I might tackle it again and enjoy it.

The Great Gatsby: almost everyone I know who has read this thinks it is great, but I have read it twice (about 5 years ago and sometime much longer ago) and it still doesn't move me. The author is really moved by his vision, but I totally don't feel it.

Dance to the Music of Time: Ginny, this isn't as funny as Wodehouse, and is more a specialized taste. You have to be committed to what was going on in England from WWI on. I like it, but I have to admit that it's slow going at the start. And there is a cast of thousands. Someone appearing in book 3 can re-surface in book 10. So I don't like Gatsby, which everyone agrees is great, but I do like this.

I did't like the movie either. and I'm not an anglefile, don't care for most english setting except for some historical novels via Philippa Gregory and The Other Boleyn girl.

Claire

Looks like 7 of these for me. So happy to see Housekeeping up there. I just finished it and plan to re-read it. Didn't you read Gilead here? How was it? Premise sounds kind of hokey.

Lord of the Flies was required reading but I can't remember for what class. I may have read The Great Gatsby twice.

Each time for a different class. Also read Invisible Man and
Herzog in a class I took completing an English degree.

Not sure if I read all of
The Lord of the Rings

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Another 'G' book I read and still remember fondly is Green Mansions by William Henry Hudson. Think I read it on my own and not for any class.

Going on with the list:

Lucky Jim: I thought this was amusing when I read it many years ago. Amis is a selfish, self-centered person, and this shows up in his books, but he's funny.

Lolita: writers love this, but I cdouldn't get into it.

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe: I read all seven of these books with my children, and they are good. There is a very strong Christian message in them, which is fine, but there is also a certain amount of British Imperialism in them which I don't like.

The Lord of the Rings: if you don't like fantasy and myth, you won't like these books, but if you do, they are magnificent. Tolkien was a professor of old languages at Oxford, had translated old documents, and understood very well what was important in myth. They are kind of corny in places, but mostly they work well. Again, a cast of thousands--it's hard to keep track of everyone.

Lolita.. Wow. it takes me back years. When I read it, I thought it was powerful and of course he was always drunk with word play,, but I wonder now.. The world has changed so much. Probably would not cause the reaction it did back then. I,Claudius.. I tried, heavens knows I tried since I liked the PBS version, but the book drags so..Oh well. I have read most of the stuff, but truthfully a lot of it I am not sure I cared about even then..

Graves, Lewis and Tolkien from this list. I loved Tolkien. I hesitated over "Heart of the Hunter", but realized I was thinking of "Home is the Hunter". Not a Fitzgerald fan, but I did read Hudson's "Green Mansions", Ginny. I had mixed responses to that one, but on the whole liked it.

Babi

I've heard about Green Mansions but never read it. I'm beginning to wonder what I have read. haahaha

I am so enjoying hearing about these books, quite a few of which I have never read, it's really instructive to hear WHY they might be on this list. I'm making my own list, some of them look like books you'd not want to miss.

I'm also glad to hear Robert Graves has flummoxed more than a few of us, it's really hard going for me.

As I'm planning a few days off for the weekend, I thought I'd put M, N, and O here, to see how we fare.

The Man Who Loved Children
Christina Stead

Midnight's Children
Salman Rushdie

Money
Martin Amis

The Moviegoer
Walker Percy

Mrs. Dalloway
Virginia Woolf

Naked Lunch
William Burroughs

Native Son
Richard Wright

Neuromancer
William Gibson

Never Let Me Go
Kazuo Ishiguro

1984
George Orwell

On the Road
Jack Kerouac

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey

Wow, talk about batting zero!!

I see another Martin Amis! I see Never Let me Go, tell you what, Remains of the Day better be there!

What strange titles. Has anyone read the Burroughs? I have wanted to read Native Son forever and never got around to it. I've read 1984 and Mrs. Dalloway (as a result of our book clubs) and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. If the Moviegoer is there (have any of you read that?) The Pawnbroker needs to be, too. We'll see when we get there!

I've heard more things about the Moviegoer and the movie, have any of you seen IT? I've not read the book, they say it's very powerful!

Happy Weekend!

I did read cuckoos nest and 1984

claire

Not quite zero either. I've read Neuromancer. (Also most of 1984)

Neuromancer was ground-breaking science fiction when it came out. Gibson originated a type of cyber-world, run by large corporations and mysterious entities, which has been much imitated since. You either like this kind of thing or hate it.

http://www.seniornet.org/gallery/bookclubs2/graphics2/fireworks10B125.gif"

I love the book I started a few chapters ago. Herman Wouk's Don't stop the Carnival

He likes his characters a nice change from something else I couldn't finish because the author kept abusing them. Can't remember just now.

This is set on a Carribian island essentially paradise and Norman the protagonist is a new York Jew transplant who maybe wants to live there with his nice wife and to do so must buy the local INN and party place.

So far so good.

Claire

Claire that is one of my favorite books. I have lived on a Carribiean island and owned a business there. If hes not baseing that book on St Croix I'll eat my hat. haha

I liked Dance to the Music of Time but did not read all the books. I don't remember why though.

I like Golden Notebooks very much. I like the way Doris Lessing writes. Seems ages ago that read these books.

I had to read Gatsby because I had to teach it. Liked it all right.

Am familar with many of the books listed.

Started Mrs Dalloway several times but never finished it.

Joan Grimes

Ginny ~ It was me, GinnyAnn, that wrote about Green Mansions. The only book on this list I remembering reading is 1984 by George Orwell. His words Big Brother are now part of the language of us of a certain age.

I've read five of them, (better than I did on earlier lists) if you count "Midnight's Children", where I bogged down halfway. You have to get into a certain way of thinking to read Rushtie, and I couldn't do it.

I liked Mrs. Dallaway a lot. It's easier to read than some of her others, like "To the Lighthouse". And 1984 is full of bits that are well worth remembering.

"Native Son" is hard to read: he does nothing to soften his protagonist and make him more likeable. But Wright's emphasis on bad housing as the evil that creates bad people inspired several people I know to spend their lives working for better housing conditions for minorities.

Some of you have mentioned Chihuly several times so i tho't you might like to know that Elderhostel is having one of the one-day sessions at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia where Chihuly's Flame of Liberty is displayed. Their will be a session w/ a glass-maker and a tour of the glass collection they have. The dates are April 16, Apr21, May14, May21. It's only $50-something. You can find out more at www.elderhostel.org and then search for National Liberty Museum......jean

Can't get to Philadelphia, but here's the 'Flame of Liberty'. (Looks like a nest of snakes to me!)

FLAME OF LIBERTY

Babi

I love Chihuly and the flame is aweinspiring.. Wow.. Dont get to Philadelphia very often, but used to live quite close. 1984 and the Richard Wright,, and a few others. Richared Wright is a hard read, but at the end you feel just exhausted at the fire and energy.

Well - 4 from 12 - where have I been? Tried 'Midnites Children' a couple of times but couldn't finish it but finally got through with help from F2F group. Rushdie has his moments and he's been through a lot but he's not a writer for me.

I read '1984' a lo-ong time ago. It was a revelation at the time.

'On the Road' didn't do anything for me I found it boring and too repetitous. Didn't convince me to try anything else by Kerouac.

Have read 'Mrs. Dalloway' several times and find more to it each time I've read all of Woolf's novels and some of her letters and diaries. I like her writing and her style but somehow I don't think I'd have liked her as a person much. I think I prefer Leonard.

Joan Grimes: Thought I was alone here in liking 'The Golden Notebook'. Whilst in general I don't hold with Lessing's politics and think she was somewhat gullible, she writes a good book - some of her African stories (Martha Quest?) are powerful. Her 'Diary of Jane Somers' is quite different from her usual - have you read that?

I noticed that William Golding's "Lord of the Flies" is listed in the "100 Books" count. This Sunday many PBS stations will broadcast Part 1 of a 3-part dramatization of Golding's trilogy. "To the Ends of the Earth." The first book (and first episode), "Rites of Passage" won the 1980 Man Booker Prize.

See more information at:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/totheends/notes.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/totheendsoftheearth/

http://www.william-golding.co.uk/works.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_the_Ends_of_the_Earth

The Wind in the Willows will also air on some PBS stations this Sunday.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/willows/

My station is showing Wind in the Willows on Sunday at 8:00 pm CDT.

is the author I spoke of who dislikes his characters. I've had a hard time with him. He is a good story teller and a fine writer but he is also . . . .such a DRAG.

claire

Winsum: he sure is a good writer. Pity you don't care for him. I find him quite intense at times but am taken by your comment that he doesn't like his characters. I can't quite see that. He certainly wrote a lot of very varied stories. He gained a lot of awards - the Booker - James Tait Black etc, culminating in the Nobel Prize so I guess he had something going for him. I think 'Rites of Passage' is the best of the trilogy mentioned here as being screened sometime soon over there (but not here).

the author I meant is William GolldMAN.

But this one Golding, is pretty dark a well.

I have simple requirements in literature. As long as the writing is goodf enough, so that it's not a distraction, or not too good so that it is, I'm happy. For me the important thing is the play of characters and the situations in which they find themselves. . .the story.

Claire

I've always wondered how these lists are compiled. Does everyone nominate a list of their choices and then the jury votes? Does someone make up a list and then have others rank them numerically with the total points deciding the order? Also, who decides what are the criteria to make a book a great book? Claire describes succintly exactly what I am looking for in a good read.

A very good question, MRS. SHERLOCK, since there is usually a great difference between various 'lists' of great books. It would seem that each is compiled from a particular perspective or source. I have seen some lists where I've read 70-90% of the books. On this list, it's more like 20-30%.

Babi

seem to be a challenge "are you are REAL READER. If so have you read THESE BOOKS? etc. I pay no attention to them but always feel slightly guilty in that I've ignored the classics and the SHOULD READS and do read a lot of GOOD TRASH for the simple enjoyment it provides. There is a kind of snobbery about such lists and attitudes that bothers me a little. I don't want to be part of it.

Claire

Winsum: I think everyone should read whatever they choose to enjoy. Lists are just that - lists. They are sometimes fun to play around with as we're doing here with this one. But I've never seen one I really agreed with no matter what criteria for selection was used. I've read a fair few of the so-called classics, lots of general fiction, bestsellers, historical fiction, biogs etc, It just depends what grabs me at the time and I love it all.

I really wondered at finding "Neuromancer" on that list; it's so totally different from all the others, it didn't seem to belong.

Same thing when "they" come out with a list of movies. One Hundred Best Films, or Top Ten Movies of All Time , etc. We all have different tastes and like different styles of both books and movies. Whenever I rave about a certain movie or movies that I adore, someone will generally make a negative comment (hated it!) or a middle of the road comment. (It was okay, but not great.) Same with books. I think it depends on your own personal life experiences, as to how you relate to the different characters in books or movies. A book that someone might think is boring, I have maybe read 4 or 5 times! Just a wide difference in people and what we enjoy or relate to.

These various and neverending lists, are most likely made up by one person or a small group of people on a panel? It's hard to say? Maybe they actually do take a poll? All I know is that they always leave out my favorites!

Yes, we're all different. I'm always a little timid about recommending books to people for that reason.

I recommend, but put warnings in. Just like restaurants.. We might have loved it, but the next person may not. I loved The Golden Notebook and I also love some of William Goldman. He wrote a huge variety of books and screen plays actually. My granddaughter just now is enthralled with The Princess Bride and he wrote that.

So right, MARILYNE. Some critics seem to recommend only the type of movies I dislike. In the past, there was a critic my husband and I could count on...that is, anything he panned we could pretty well expect to enjoy!

Babi

What wonderful conversations here on the pros and cons of book lists, and books themselves and even presentations of film on television! Love it.

This morning we do have a winner in the Houseboat book group vote (Books With House in the Title)! AND it's one of the books listed in our continuing discussion of the 100 Best Books Written Since 1923 from Time Magazine, so I feel good about that, too.

There was a very healthy vote of 33 votes cast and Brideshead Revisited is the clear winner this time (it's like the Oscars, we're going to read all of them anyway...all that can be completed in one month.....) and so I guess you'd say the Oscar "goes to" Bridehead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh this time!

I am secretly quite pleased as I am deep into the book, it's a book of the kind that you'll want to savor every line, it's a wonderful book. We'll need ALL hands on deck and a lot of people ready with background material and dictionaries to tackle this one, but what a MAY DAY we'll have (that's when we begin). Can't think of anything I'd rather escape with, or any group better to discuss it with.

As always we'll take it in sections to DISCUSS, but you might want to read it first on your own, either way, it's going to be a treat!

I am excited about this also as it appears it's going to be another sort of Remains of the Day experience and I thought I'd not see the equal of that one again, so I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a pleasure and don't sit back, we'll need YOU for this one!!!!! There will be a discussion for it soon going up, please plan to spend May with us under the trees reading Brideshead Revisited.

I'll put some more of the list Hats found in here shortly. Hooray!!

Hello, everyone.

I watched the Masterpiece Theater production of Wind in the Willows last evening. The actors and photography and setting were up to BBC standards but the story was, in my opinion, boring!!

On a different topic....From time to time, SeniorNet receives offers from book publicists for books and audio CDs for review.

There is a list of some fiction and non-fiction books and audio books (CDs) at http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8405. The publicist is willing to send a copy to different people (she will provide only one copy of each book, eg. bookA and BookB could go to missX and bookC could go to MrY). If you are interested in posting a short review of the book after you read or listen to it, email marcie@hq.seniornet.org with the title(s) you want and your postal address. The first person to let me know he/she wants a title(s), will receive the book (and I'll put your name in red next to the title to indicate it is "taken.")

I liked The Princess Bride, too. There was a good movie made of it a few years ago.

a good movie. I actually watched parts of it a few times on the tube. nothing much else was on and it was nicely done. didn't know there was a book.

claire

I loved the movie. The casting was superb. I've watched it more than once. Every element in proportion: humor, pathos, terror, etc. I fell in love with Mandy Patinkin.

me too. wasn't he on ER for a while? Used to watch it just for him and clooney. yum. . .

Kait has the book and the movie. I tried to tellher that the book was written from the screen play, but she doesnt care. Just now at 11, she is into happily ever after..

I am so glad to see somebody say the Wind in the Willows was boring, because I never liked it, as a child or when I tried to read it as an adult, I thought the book was boring. Now I love Frog and Toad, go figure!

Here are P-R of our list and here I am doing a LOT better and so are we in SeniorNet's Books, but I must say that anybody who would include Isiguro's Never Let Me Go and NOT include Remains of the Day....WELL!! I really think Remains of the Day is one of the greatest books ever written. Here they are:

The Painted Bird
Jerzy Kosinski

Pale Fire
Vladimir Nabokov

A Passage to India
E.M. Forster

Play It As It Lays
Joan Didion

Portnoy's Complaint
Philip Roth

Possession
A.S. Byatt

The Power and the Glory
Graham Greene

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Muriel Spark

Rabbit, Run
John Updike

Ragtime
E.L. Doctorow

The Recognitions
William Gaddis

Red Harvest
Dashiell Hammett

Revolutionary Road
Richard Yates

Ah there's Revolutionary Road, that tells me a lot about these reviewers, I agree with them, and we have duscyssed it here in SeniorNet's Books, and I've also read Ragtime and as a Books Group we saw it on Broadway which I thought was a waste of time but we did have box seats, that was fun.

Oh golly and the extremely depressing Rabbit Run, both RRs are about the disintegration of society in America, I think, the 'burbs culture? Of course the very fine Passage to India, wonderful book. And Portnoy and Play it As it Lays, and there's Graham Greene again, I've only read one of his Travels With My Aunt, looks like I missed something here. A lot of people consider Possession one of the best books ever written, I have never read it, have any of you??

But we've got THE book to read on May Day, Brideshead Revisited, please DO get a copy, either the original or the revised edition of 1959 and join us!!!

We'll need you!

I haven't read any of the P-R books. I have always wanted to read Doctorow. Oh, wait a minute, I have read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I also had the chance to see the movie. I can't remember the actress who played Miss Jean Brodie.

By the way, I loved The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. I have always wanted to read her bio. I haven't seen the movie.

I have also read Black Boy and Native Son by Richard Wright. I think Richard Wright was a genius.

Three! Only three. Hats: Maggie Smith play the title role. Wasn't she superb? I can still hear her voice saying "Young ladies"

That's her name! I can hear her too.

AT THIS MOMENT, OVATION IS SHOWING A PROGRAM ABOUT REMBRANDT AND "THE NIGHT WATCH"! HOPE YOU CAN ALL SEE IT!

ovation? is that public TV what station

I was disappointed with "Wind in the Willows", too, MARNIE. Definitely for young children; so silly. I guess I was expecting one of those excellent animated versions that Disney does so well.

Ths only book from this page I've read is "Portnoy's Complaint", and I disliked it so much I made it a point never to read Roth again!

Babi

Wind in the Willows is a child's story. Disney has done an animated movie of it, too.

The Painted Bird Jerzy Kosinski c

A Passage to India E.M. Forster The Painted Bird

Play It As It Lays Joan Didion

Portnoy's Complaint Philip Roth

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Muriel Spark

Rabbit, Run John Updike

either read or started to and didn’t fiish these books

claire

Good for Claire! I've only read three: Passage to India, Portnoy's Complaint and Possession.

The lister likes Graham Greene. I don't I only read one of his books (forgot the name -- not this one) and hated it. I also hated Portnoy's Complaint (very anti-woman). I've always assumed I would hate "Run, Rabbit, Run" so haven't tried it..

Possession is a hard read, but probably worth it. One of the characters is a poet, and it's full of her very very wordy poetry. The reviewers were all over the place: some said the poetry was bad, some said it was wonderful, some praised Byatt for her hilarious satire on poetry of the period. (!?!) I admit, I allowed myself to not read the poetry. or I would never have gotten through it (ANNAFAIR: you didn't see that!)

I have Possession in my book case. It is indeed hard to get into. It did not sell well here so I got it for a knock down price in a book sale.

Carolyn

I hated RABBIT. . .didn't finish or portnoys either.

The only one I've read is Portnoy's complaint, which I found both annoying and funny. The anti-woman aspect would probably seem even worse to me now. I've tried to tackle Updike twice (not this one) and gave up quickly. I'm totally out of sympathy with him. "Passage to India" is one of those books I've always meant to read and never gotten to.

I like some Graham Green, such as "The Third Man" (the story is somewhat different from the movie) but mostly I'm pretty lukewarm about him.

Well we've had a great time with Time's List of the 100 Best Books since 1923, and I really appreciate Hats bringing it here, here's the last of the list, what have they left off (besides Remains of the Day!)

The Sheltering Sky
Paul Bowles \

Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut

Snow Crash
Neal Stephenson

The Sot-Weed Factor
John Barth

The Sound and the Fury
William Faulkner

The Sportswriter
Richard Ford Read the Original Review

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
John le Carre

The Sun Also Rises
Ernest Hemingway

Their Eyes Were Watching God
Zora Neale Hurston

Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe

To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee

To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf

Tropic of Cancer
Henry Miller

Ubik Philip K. Dick

Under the Net
Iris Murdoch

Under the Volcano
Malcolm Lowry

Watchmen
Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

White Noise
Don DeLillo

White Teeth
Zadie Smith

Wide Sargasso Sea
Jean Rhys

My gosh, Zadie Smith!

Wow what a list. What on earth is the Sod Weed Factor??

I've read the Hemningay and the Faulkner, we read Zadie Smith here, I think, hooeee, I'm way off on the end of the list.

What IS itt about Vonnegut? Have you all read him?

I'm getting an F here. ahahahaa Still, it's been great fun, thank you Hats!

I've read lots of Phillip K Dick but never heard of that one. Snow Crash is not quite my kind of Sci Fi but I'm struggling with it. Will probably take me the rest of the year tofinish. It's not bad enough to quit but not good enough to keep me away from another book if there is one available. Hats: this has been fun. Thanks

I enjoyed it too. From other posters I have good and bad recommendations. I admire Zadie Smith. I adored "To Kill a Mockingbird. I also "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston. I also admire Zora Neale Hurston.

I have never read Vonnegut. Is he good? I decided the other day, one day soon to read "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" by le Carre. Is that a good book?

I would say that in general, most of us are not in agreement with TIMES about what makes a 'best' book.

Babi

Babi, I am in agreement too. I don't read from lists necessarily. I read what touches me in some way. This list attracted me because of the review about Brideshead Revisited. I thought it seemed timely. The Houseboat vote was nearing or was already in progress.

Babi, Ovation is a cable channel and is all about the arts. That program about "the night watch" was wonderful but had some errors in it. I wouldn't have noticed them if we hadn't discussed the portrait in The Island.

I wasn't here for the whole list but I do find them annoying most times. I read "Portnoy's Complaint" when it first came out and decided that Roth was nothing but a whiner! I did love "Mockingbird", some of Graham Greene's titles of long ago, Tropic of Cancer was certainly an eye opener at my tender age at that time, I have read all and own all of LeCarre's books---he's the best for spy stories, IMHO; Kurt Vonnegut is not one of my favorites but since he's from my hometown of Indianapolis and his family money comes from very large and popular hardware stores, I keep trying. I saw an interview of him on Books TV on CSPAN a few weeks or months ago.

Faulkner is also not one of my favorites. And, to quote Ginny, what the h--- is a sot-weed. I'll google and let you know.

I seem to read more of what appeals to me at the time I'm in the book store and the library. I don't read books that seem hard to read as I don't have time for forcing myself to read a best seller just because someone else loved it. I am at this time listening to "A Walk In The Woods" about walking the Applalacian trail. Its non-fiction and so far relaxing before I drop off to sleep.

Hats: Thanks for the list - great fun. Hope you're feeling better now.

I scored well among the 'P' titles but lost it on the final listing. Loved Miss Jean Brodie book and film. I can hear Maggie Smith's voice too - she's sitting under a tree clad in a long knitted cardigan saying that her 'gels' are 'the creme de la creme' Have read others from Muriel Spark. The titles are on the tip of my fingers but I can't quite grasp them - was her final book "Memento Mori?

Have read all of Forster's novels (well there are only a handful) 'Passage to India' has a wonderful scene toward the end when Fielding and Aziz realise their friendship cannot continue on the basis of equality one to the other. One of the saddest pieces of writing. Who played Mrs Moore in the film? Alec Guiness was brilliant as usual as Mr Godbold?

I have a copy of Forster's 'Commonplace Book' where he comments on books he is reading and other matters chiefly of literary interest, The book he used was inherited by him and is one of those huge, old 19th century leather covered books with marbled end papers, gold edges and strong but fine paper. It had been passed down through family members and left to him by an aunt? (I think). A few pages had been used but Forster considered very carefully before deciding to keep it as something of a literary journal. Interesting!

'Possession' is a brilliant book. It's a wonderful paper chase but it didn't work for me as a film. I'm not sure that the poetry is all that good either.

Sot weed is tobacco and here's little about the book. Barth's book, The Sot Weed Factor

And here's a little about the original author of the poem in the book. Ebenezer Cooke

Gumtree, I am feeling much, much better. Thanks for asking.

Hi Ann, thanks for the links.

Hats, that was a fun list to chew over. Many thanks. I'm not even going to mention my percent read -- am just going to look forward to reading and discussion Brideshead Revisited.

But, did anyone find the print version of that list in a Time mag -- I went looking in mine and could not find it.

Re: Prime of Miss JB and Maggie Smith. I just went to Netflix and put it on my que. Also another one with her -- The Last September, from a book by Elizabeth Bowen. About class distinctions in Ireland. Has anyone read her?

Am currently reading Sophie Kinsella's Confessions of a Shopaholic -- or some such, after hearing so much about it. Funny. But has she really written MORE in the same series?

I read "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" when it first came out, and have read "To Kill a Mockingbird" several times. I've read other books by Dick, Faulkner, Murdoch and Vonnegut.

Hats, Vonnegut is good but gloomy and depressing. His whole attitude toward life was formed by his WWII experiences, when he was a prisoner of war in Germany and had to endure the fire bombing of Dresden--one of only 7 American prisoners who survived.

I'm surprised to see P. K. Dick there, though I don't know what Ubik is like. His sci-fi is pretty surreal--he messes around with time and space and perception of reality, and you're optimistic if you think you're going to end up knowing exactly what happened. It reads as though he was stoned when he wrote it, which he probably was.

Hats: Spy Who Came in from the Cold is a great book as is all of Le Carre's earlier stuff. There were some great movies and PBS series based on Spy and Tinker, Tailor. George Smiley is an unforgettable character. BUT you have to like spy stories to enjoy them. Stay well.

Jane has posted SeniorNet's first book review! You can find a link to the review at http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8404 Thanks very much, Jane. Well done!

Also on the page linked above, you will find a list of books and audio books that are available for review. If you want a copy of one of the books for review, please email me: marcie@hq.seniornet.org

If you have read a book in your personal library that you'd like to review, please use the suggestions in the outline at http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8419 and email me your review and we'll add the review with your name or username(your preference) to our Reviews page. If you are an author, we ask that authors not send in reviews of their own work.

thanks

IMHO Vonnegut is excellent if a bit negative. . . .a classic. there is nothing else like his writings.

claire

gumtree - Coincidently, I went to the library last week and checked out the movies, Passage to India and Out of Africa. I hadn't seen either one in years, and wanted to take a fresh look. Both such excellent films! Peggy Ashcroft played Mrs. Moore, in "India" and she was absolutely wonderful. All others were perfectly cast, I thought.

I also really loved "Out of Africa", and consider it to be one of the best of the romantic epic style films, along with "Doctor Zhivago" "Ryan's Daughter" and "The English Patient". I checked out the book by Isak Dinesen, (Karen Blixen) but haven't started it yet.

Of the others on the latest list - the ones I read and liked were "Mockingbird", "Spy who Came in from the Cold", and all books by Graham Greene. I especially like "The Third Man" and "End of the Affair".

I also disliked "Portnoy"! WHY was it considered so good at the time, and even now? Maybe we should read it again and see if we've changed our minds? Same feeling about "Rabbit Run".

Oh no, not me, not Rabbit Run, I don't need to be depressed, and you need serious anti depression meds after reading Rabbit, and the sequels! I'm not kidding. If I want to feel that good about life I can stick pins in my legs.

Join us in Brideshead, Marilyne, I just watched some of Out of Arfica this morning, I've always wanted to read that book! I loved Elspeth Huxley's on Africa.

I am so glad to see so many folks going to join us to read Brideshead Revisited, it's going to be wonderful! Get your copies and join us May 1, we'll need you!!!

Oh my yes, Pedln, there are THREE other Shopaholics and they are absolutely fabulous, strongly recommended if you like the latest one.

Ann thank you for Sot Weed, I am so glad to see you again, I hate I missed the Rembrandt show, I am not sure I get that channel, I need to find out what all we DO get, the program card might as well be written in Chinese.

JANE!@!!! What a fabulous review, you are hiding your light under a bushel!! WHOOP! Thank you Marcie, a new FIRST for our Books in 2007!!! Our own Reviews, whoopee. I see a new career aborning, well done!!!!!!! Woweeeeeeeee!

(Somehow I like that Sot Weed on the List. You can't feel bad about not having read Sot Weed, can you? hahahaha)

Sot Weed.. John Barth is totally unreadable as far as I could tell. I tried, but never ever got anywhere. Updyke and Roth..Two women haters who are boring as all get out.. Sigh.. Amazing these book lists. You do wonder how they ever decided. But I love LeCarre and all of his books, although I consider Spy one of the weaker ones. Tinker Tailer is my personal favorite..

I have a feeling that if I tried to reread "Portnoy's Complaint" it would show its age badly, and since I had mixed feelings about it to begin with, I doubt there would be any point in trying.

I've been reading everyone's responses to the TIME 100 books. Many of you are saying you don't agree with some of the selections. Would you all like to create our own "SeniorNet BookClubs" list of the 100 all time novels. Maybe we can write to TIME and tell them where we differ.

We could start with their list and scratch out some and add our own suggestions. It might be fun.

I would like to review two of the audio books. Where do I sign up?

I would like to contribute to such a list. Great fun!

Same here in regards to creating a list from us.

Mrs Sherlock, email me the titles of the two audio books you want to review and your postal name/address and I'll have the publisher send them to you. thanks!

I'm checking with the Books volunteers on what they might want to do with the 100 novels idea.

WOW! I've read eleven on that last list! Makes up for others where I bombed!

Marilyne - Yes, Dame Peggy Ashcroft - her name came to me after I was in bed. She was truly a great actor. I saw her in one of the Henry VI plays. Brings goose pimples to my skin just to think of it.

Like the idea of our own 100 Books List.

that Kurt Vonnegut passed away. He was one of those authors who you either really liked or disliked. I am one of the former. I devoured everything he wrote. He didn't write enough for me. The waits were too long between his books, and I found myself rereading his old works.

I will miss his uniquely ironic and wry sense of humor.

Rich

Jan Sand. he is a great Vonnecut fan. hs own style something like it. . .Claire

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070412/ap_on_re_us/obit_vonnegut_23

Thanks for the news about Vonnegut. I'd just finished readint the Washington Post, which didn't have the news, so I opened the New York Times, which gave him a big splash on the front page.

I like his work, but can only read it in little doses, because it depresses me.

I guess it depressed him, too. Bubble's story on Vonnegut told me something I didn't know. He attempted suicide in 1984 while fighting depression. Shades of Art Buchwald, another writer with a great sense of humor. (I don't believe Buchwald attempted suicide, but he did suffer from serious depression for years.)

Rich

Bubble,

Thanks for the clickable link to the obit of Vonnegut. I really liked his writing.

Like JoanK I have read alot of the books on that last list posted.

I have a new book to listen to this morning. It just came by UPS from Amizon.com last night. It is "Innocent Traitor " by Alison Weir. I am lookng forward to listening to it beginning this morning as I do housework. I read a wonderful Biography of Eleanor of Aquitane by Weir several years ago. This new book that I have is a novel of Lady jane Grey. So I will be getting into English History today as I read about this tragic young lady of Tudor England as I work in my house.

Joan Grimes

in Vonnegut's books was a down-and-out science fiction writer named Kilgore Trout. He appeared almost as a regular in many of Vonnegut's books.

Only recently did I learn that the name Kilgore Trout was a parody of the name of the real science fiction writer, Theodore Sturgeon.

Rich

Rich7 or Bubble, would one of you post the Vonnegut story in the sci-fi discussion, since it's your story?

PatH, you shouldn't be so formal and proper with me, you can always do it too and I would never object!

Here's a tip of the Grand Falloon to you, RICH. Vonnegut has been one of my very favorite writers for a long, long time.

Mal

I saw that on the news this morning about Vonnegut's death. Boy, I'll never forget Slaughterhouse Five and Billy Pilgrim. That was an eye-opener. I had never known before about the fire-bombing of Dresden. The film was interesting, too.

At the Libray this morning -- sorting book donations for our Book Sale -- we had about 20 books by Vonnegut. But before we finished sorting the owner of the books donating, came in and asked to have the books back. He had just read about Vonnegut's death.

had many others writing alongside. look for the SO IT GOES article by David Abel. and My friend Jan who has always loved him wrote an obit for OVI magazine not yet published. I wish I could show it here. He's the poor mans Vonnegut.

claire

I just read a notice of Vonnegut's death on MyWay.com. A recent non fiction book he had written is titled A Man Without a Country. I think it is essays and/or short articles which may have been published in periodicals. I am interested in what he has to say there about Global warming as he was very interested in the environment in later years. BTW, his mother committed suicide when he was sent to Germany in WWII. The MW.com article also said that his father had a miserable later life but managed NOT to commit suicide as he didn't want to wish that upon his children and Kurt V. also made the same decision. He had 6 or 7 children, the last one adopted.

You can read the article here: http://tinyurl.com/2ms2bj

Sue

I borrowed/stole this from a post Jeanlock made in General Computer Questions.

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/introducing-the-book-p1.php

I have to admit I didn't remember what a Grand Falloon was. After a little "googling," I did discover that it was one of a number of words coined by Vonnegut. My source says a "Grand Falloon" is BIG lie, wheras a "Foma" is a little lie.

Is that right?

Rich

NPR just did a small bit about Vonnegut and why he is remembered in Germany and included an audio of his reading from Slaughterhouse Five and more about the book. It was quite interesting, it may be on their website, not sure, they usually are.

I don't remember reading Vonnegut. Not sure why. Did he write Cat's Cradle?

Joan Grimes ~ I love the English Renaissance. There is something about the energy of the time. There is an excellent book on Eleanor of Acquataine Beloved Enemy:The Passions of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Ellen Jones.

I thought Slaughterhouse Five was a great book! Cat's Cradle, I just didn't get! But that's why I don't usually read science fiction.

And it's impossible not to like "To Kill a Mockingbird". I didn't understand "To the Lighthouse", but liked it.

But Henry Miller's anti-womenness (if there's such a word) makes Philip Roth sound like a feminist. (Have you ever wondered why there are so many anti-woman books on these lists). I was once trapped underground on a NY subway for three hours. Being New York, of course no one talked: they all just read their papers or stared at the wall. The only thing I had to read was "The Tropic of Cancer". I think reading that was even worse than being trapped underground. I swore if it ever happened again, I'd pipe up and say "Does anyone know any good songs?"

JoanK: I agree - Impossible not to like 'Mockingbird'. Have read it three times I think, have seen the film more than once too and the stage adaptation as well. It speaks on several levels and each time there is something new.

As for'To The Lighthouse' tried it when I was young but couldn't finish it. Then read it in my thirties and have read it a couple of times since. I think that Woolf kind of grows on you. she is sometimes very subtle.

Pat:

Thanks for posting the link to "Introducing the Book". It is hilarious. I laughed out loud.

I sent the link to my husband, so I suppose he'll send it to all the instructors, coaches and students at the Hot Springs Learning Center and probably half of Hot Springs. Funny, funny.

Evelyn

It was: it was great! Wonder if they could use it at the computer learning center?

gaj,

I am glad that you like that time period in English History. Thanks for the title of the book about Eleanor Of Acquitaine. I am going to look for it. I never get enough of reading about her.

Joan Grimes

Me either Joan! Didn't Kathryn Hepburn turn us all onto Eleanor?????....do you think we would be so interested in her if not for Kathryn?......jean

Jean,

I agree that Katherine Hepburn sure did help to kindle interest in Eleanor Of Aquitaine but I think I would have discovered her and been interested in her just with my study of History.

wasn't Katherine Hepburn just perfect in that role. I still love "Liom in Winter". It will always be one of my favorite movies.

Joan Grimes

I am so glad to hear of someone else's love of "The Lion in Winter". I make a point of watching it at least every two years. The acting was just superb! Katy Hepburn still remains my favorite actress of her generation. There was no one like her!

I love Katy Hepburn too, but I've never seen "Lion in Winter". I'll put it on my netflicks queue.

Joan K,

I hope that you will see Lion in Winter soon. It is really a wonderful movie. Do let us know what you think of it after you have seen it.

Joan Grimes

. USA TODAY has a book list out. They picked 25 books that have had the greatest impact on readers and the publishing industry in the last 25 years. Harry Potter heads that list. If you're interested:

USA BOOK LIST

Babi

I jut finished DON'T STOP THE CARNIVAL by Herman Wouk. great read. recommend it to anyone who hasn't had the pleasure.

claire

Eleanor has always been a favorite of mine. A most independent woman who gave both husbands fits from her outspoken ability to cause problems.

by Jonathon Kellerman is a bust. At least I have trouble with the writing. I think maybe he's just not INTO this one. fifth chapter and he still hasn't named his protagonist. it's Dr. Delaware but I only know it by the cover. And he hates Los Angeles setting on this one . . . in detail. Milo is pictured in an unbecoming fashion too. usually I like him. too bad. everyone has a bad day now and then.

thinking ???

Claire

When I was a teenager I remember going to the public library and looking at reference books with birth charts of the Kings and Queens of England. Later when I went back to complete my degree, (did it as a non-traditional day student) I became enamored of info about the English Renassiance. I have many books on a non-fiction shelf. The date I read Beloved Enemy:The Passions of Eleanor of Aquitaine is not recorded in my 'Books Read' data base.

The Aquitaine story is well researched fiction. I remember the women in her Solar would sit close to the braiser to keep warm in the winter.

Here is a link to letter written to Eleanor
Medieval Sourcebook: Peter of Blois: Letter 154 to Queen Eleanor, 1173

Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine: An Attempt to Chastise Her

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/eleanor.html

Babi, that's an interesting site, and I think the writer was correct in stating that they were 25 books that had an impact on readers and publishing, not necessarily the "best" books.

Hats, you don't know what you've started here with your initial link to the Time Mag list. Start googling anything to do with books and you'll never come up for air. Babi's list sent me looking for two by Robert Downs that I remember from our high school library -- Books that changed the world and Books that changed America and ended up with a title that will last me until the next millenium -- see below. A Passion for Books

These titles are just a sampling from the table of contents.

The New Lifetime Reading Plan, Clifton Fadiman
Comfort Found in Good Old Books George Hamlin Fitch
The Collector, Susan Sontag
Bibliomania, Gustave Flaubert
"All the Friedrich Nietzsche You'll Ever Need''
Bibliomania, Roger Rosenblatt
The Book Action, Solly Ganor
From Areopagitica, John Milton
Books Unread, Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Ten Books That Shaped the American Character, Jonathan Yardley
Books That Changed America, Robert B. Downs
The Commerce of Reading, Michel de Montaigne
Book Collecting, Robertson Davies
Bibliomaniacs, John Michell
They Don't Call It a Mania for Nothing, Harold Rabinowitz

Pedln, I am soooo excited. Thank you.

Tomorrow, we will be starting a new Curious Minds discussion and the topic will be: Successful Aging of the Healthy Brain, come and join us, it will make us learn much more than we already know about the brain. Dr. Marian Diamond wrote the article and she will join us for this.

My favorite book list was one published by the New York Public Library at the turn of the Century to commemorate their 100th anniversity. It was the most influential (not necessarily the best)books published during their 100 years. I set myself a goal to read as many as possible, and had a great time with it.

is not recognizing my library card number.

upgrade hell? probably I've had it for years. They do have all sorts o online services now as in downloading books to a computer for a given period.

claire

That sounds fantastic! I wish the libraries here had such facility and provided downloadable books.

I guess I am not too impressed by the USA Today list of 25. Seems that if these books made a difference in American, we would hear more about them. I have read several of them and was disappointed most times.

Instead of Toni Morrison's "Beloved", I would have nominated Toni Morrison's titles, "Tar Baby" and "Song of Solomon". Then there was Alice Walker's "The Color Purple". And another book and movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes" plus "Driving Miss Daisy". I can think of many others. James McBride's "The Color of Water"; Mary Pipher's titles, "Raising Ophelia" and "The Middle of Everywhere". What about "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"? by Maya Angelou. I'll stop now! This list just got me going!! It just seemed pathetic and wimpy! Sorry about that!

Ann I also liked and consider The Color of Water to be an important book. Another good book is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Read it for an AAUW book discussion. I loved Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt. A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley and of course A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Are you the sports nut? If so, say hello to the other one here in books. That would be me! Anyway, I found a really neat site here on the net for keeping track of just about every sport that's played here in the states. Here 'tis: Foxsports

I've read all of those.

claire

I loved I know why the caged bird sings and the Color Purple, but disliked Beloved.. Never did the McCourt books at all. Tried twice and hated them.. Books on Ireland tend to turn me off. I am now reading some sort of horrible book about a quaker minister, written by one.. Since I am a Philadelphia quaker, the idea of a quaker minister is disturbing enough.. We dont have them..This one has a congregation that has nothing to do with any sort of normal congregation. I think the name is something about Harmony?? Supposed to be a quiet sort of read, but I find it mostly stupid..

I have "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. It's another unforgettable book. I would love to reread it.

In his books from the 1970's Robert Downs lists such titles as Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Jungle, and Silent Spring as books that actually changed how people lived and worked. I think Ida Tarbell's History of the Standard Oil Company was also on the list.

Can you think of any books since that time that have done the same? Or has not enough time yet lapsed?

How about "The Prize: The Epic Quest For Oil, Money and Power" by Daniel Yergin? Quite an eye opener for me!

Hi - greetings from Mexico where I am serving as a Rotary volunteer teaching English. I found Suite Francais at an airport. Has anyone read it? It is quite the book with its skip around development of the characters. My guess is that they all come together at one point. I thought I had read about a controversy with the book in France.

Kathy

I think that Silent Spring is an important book because it brought important information to the general public. Not sure if it is one to reread or not.

Kathy!! So glad to see you again on one of your trips overseas to help others! I have not read the book, it's good to have this discussion where we can keep au courant with what's being read, and what's new in the world of books. (And old). I am so enjoying everybody's comments AND a new list! But hist!!

Brideshead Revisited is now open! and waiting for you to sign in!

You may have seen the movie now just released in a 25th anniversary edition with scrumptuous commentary, but how many of us have read the book? I had not!

The Saturday Review has said, "Brideshead Revisited has a magic that is rare in current literature. It is a world in itself, and the reader lives in it and is loath to leave it when the last page is turned."

Please join us, we begin May Day. I can't wait to hear you on this one!!!!

(#828)

Cry, the beloved country - by Paton is one such book, changed the way people saw South Africa.

I nominate The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Rise and Fall of Enron by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind. While the book itself is the recounting of events which had already occurred, I believe that future historians will see the Enron debacle in the light of the general political climate in Texas, including the Bush administration which grew out of the Texas political scene. Since it looks like the "war" with Iraq will affect the entire world for decades to come, it certainly has had profound impact.

Kathy, it's good to hear from you and I'm sure your teaching in Mexico is very much appreciated. I've heard of Suite Francais, but have not read it. Didn't the author (a woman) die in a concentration camp during World War II, and her daughter had the book published, just recently, after reading the mother's wartime journals?

I think that books like "Silent Spring" and "The Jungle" were life changers more than most books written nowadays. The Jungle because he wrote so well and convincingly and made it a novel. So much non fiction tends to be heavy handed. Uncle Toms Cabin did not change a thing. It was enormously popular in the north but in the south was considered complete trash. A very controversial book to this day. Cry the Beloved Country.. Now that is a wonderful book. I would reread it in a minute. The nonsense book I finished is Just shy of Harmony and it is truly a ripoff..Will steer away from that author for sure.

BUBBLE, I agree with you about "Cry, The Beloved Country". A beautifully written book, and deeply affecting. Another book along the same lines that affected me deeply was "Glass House of Prejudice".

I was in high school when I read that, and what I read made me so angry I once yelled "They can't do that!" while reading it in gym class (waiting for games to begin). I looked up to find a gym full of startled faces staring at me. But the book did make me very aware of things that I had been ignorant of, or blind to.

Babi

that are being written now may have some impact. Al Gore's film AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH seems to have done it for now and the Bob Woodward expose of what was happening in the Bush Administration leading up to the war is easy reading and referred to by others as "the book in the red jacket"

As for fiction. women writers of the women's condition like Elizabeth Berg and Barbara Kingsolver although the latter writes mostly essays, may have a lasting impact.

claire

Barbara Kingsolver mostly wrote essays. I have read three or four of her novels and for the most part have enjoyed them all. "Bean Trees" was my favorite but also enjoyed "The Poisonwood Bible" and "Pigs in Heaven".

There's also Anita Diamonte who wrote "The Red Tent" which actually caused many day long women's discussions across the country. I went to one at our church. Delightful experience!

The Diary of Anne Frank will always make a great impact on the world, for generations to come. Also, Roots by Alex Haley.

The Red Tent seems to be a classic. I've been half way through for about three years now.

claire

Barbara Kingsolver has always been a favorite of mine. I enjoyed the three Ann mentioned, as well as her Prodigal Summer, which was one of the first books I read and discussed here on SeniorNet.

Which reminds me, I'm now reading Robert? Bausch's "Gypsy Man," for my f2f group's discussion next month. It's set in rural western Virginia, much like Prodigal Summer.

I would add The Feminine Mystique as the most recent book that had the greatest impact on changing society.......jean

The Red Ten is one of my favorite books. Another well written book Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. I loved it.

what was it the name of the book which turned our sexual mores upside down..oh yes The Kinsey Report. that sure made waves.

Claire

I have read "The Red Tent." I loved it too. I didn't read it here with the group. I read it by myself. I tried two times before getting in to the book. Once I started reading it, knowing the characters, I loved the book. Sorry I went off on a tangent talking about other books while everybody was discussing "The Red Tent."

Marge Piercy affected my perceptions of the world. She is and was a child of the 60's and a feminists. Vida is an old favorite.. Its about someone who went underground in the 60's and stayed there and the terrible lonliness of this life.. All of her books are good.. She is not writing much now as far as I know.

The Red Tent we discussed here about five years ago. It was my all time favorite discussion. Pope joan has been nominated many times for discussion but hasn't won the vote as of yet.

I loved "Pope Joan"! We discussed it a long time ago, 5/6 years, in our f2f group.

What about Louise Erdrich's books? I really like her writing and even bought The Birchbark House books for my grans. The really liked them.

My two favorites for adults were "Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse" and "Master Butcher's Singing Club". I couldn't get into "The Bingo Palace" but will try again this summer. She is quite a writer.

Oh that green reading worm in the heading! He is adorable, all engrossed in his book.

BUBBLE: I went right by the bookworm til you pointed him out. He looks just like me with a new book!

The bookworm is adorable. He does remind me however when when I was younger and had children at home,, I read all the time, still do of course and both boys caught on early that if they just kept moving, the chances were I would not even realize that they were coming and going. They also laughed because they used to swear that I didnt even hear the phone when it rang.. Oh well, concentration is part of the game.

STEPHANIE, I lost a good deal of my reading speed during that same period, for the very reason that with the kids around, I couldn't concentrate. Also, my peripheral vision is GREAT!, and they couldn't slip by me undetected.

I also enjoyed the "Red Tent", but I didn't really care for "Pope Joan".

Babi

Interested in the Hay Festival? CLICK HERE

I have been rereading Alistair McLean again. I like him and Nevil Shute. I have been through a lot of Nevil Shute novels again over the last year or so and enjoyed them as much as I did as a girl. Now its time for Alistair McLean. Have been reading more of Alexander Fullertons sea stories again as I come across them in the library. I find I read more books which appeal mostly to men in the last couple of years than I have done in all my life!

I read "The Welsh Girl" by Peter Ho Davies the other day and although the reviewer raved about it on our National Radio Program recently I was not impressed. I found it slow. Maybe I need a rest from that sort of book for a while.

I got my first real fantasy book the other day. I have never really liked fantasy that much apart from Narnia Chronicles and Harry Potter. I will see if my tastes are changing around fantasy too!

carolyn

Kathy, How good to hear from you from Mexico.

I have read "Suite Français" and found it to be very interesting. Let us know what you think about it.

Joan Grimes

Carolyn: which real fantasy book? They vary all over the map in what they are like, how convincing they are, the intended audience, quality, etc. The best are mainstream literature quality, and the worst are pretty awful and there is every level in between. If you like "Narnia" and "Harry Potter", you are off to a good start.

Carolyn: I haven't read FUllerton; have you read Patrick O'Brien? I loved sea stories when I was a girl. I haven't read SHute lately but I love how that man could tell a story. I think my favorite is Trustee from the Tool Room. So full of surprises. And poignancy.

Yes I LOVED Trustee from the Tool room!

I have read a lot of Patrick OBrien too.

Carolyn

Anyone who likes sea stories should try Patrick O'Brian. If you like him you are in luck, because there are twenty books (I've read them all) although the later ones aren't as good. They should be read in order.

They take place in the early 1800s, and the model for one protagonist, Jack Aubrey, was a real person, Thomas Cochrane, also the model for Horatio Hornblower. Some of Aubrey's more outlandish exploits are actually pretty much taken literally from Cochrane, who had a habit of winning battles at long odds in a way so improbable that you would hesitate to put it into fiction.

The books are full of fascinating details of life then, from what people ate to natural history to manners to, of course, details of sailing at the time--O'Brian got the sailing right.

For hard-boiled addicts, Dean King has written two useful books. "A Sea of Words" is a lexicon of anything that might come up in the text: sailing terms, medical terms, personalities of the time, Latin (phrases quoted in Latin in the books are translated) history and battles, and much more. "Harbors and High Seas" takes each book and gives maps of where the action takes place (we range over most of the known world of the time). Warning: there are plot summaries, and if you read ahead you will hit some spoilers.

Carolyn, Puppet on a chain? That was the first one I read by A. McLean. His Guns of Navarone of course became a classsic and has been used in schools teaching English.

When I was in College in UK, we were strongly recommended to read and re-read Nevil Shute to improve our writing skills in English. I remember A town called Alice, In the wet, Most secret, An old captivity, and On the Beach which was a little different.

I loved Shute, but not Maclean.. and I never ever got through a single book on the sea.. Just not my thing. oops.. actually read a lot about the Bounty, but that is because the characters interested me so much, not the sea. Funny,, I hated Ahab and the book, but read Ahabs wife several years ago and loved it. That is a good writer indeed.

CAROLYN & JACKIE, I agree. I thought"Trustee From the Tool Room" was the best of Shute's novels. It captured perfectly the core of what made Shute's books so good.

I like a number of Alistair MacLean's books, but I have trouble with any book that takes place in the middle of snow, ice, or any other form of chilling cold. I must let myself get too empathetic with the characters. BRRR!!

Babi

Babi, I believe Caravan To Vaccares has no snow nor ice!

That one I read, BUBBLES.

Babi

Shute fans - I'm another one. I found a copy of A Town like Alice at my Halfprice Bookstore recently, and got it so I will have to go back and find some more, since they are such good reading. I can find them in the stacks at the Library where I w--k, but it is nice to have them in hand and in paperback when you want them.

Hello everyone.

For you history buffs, a program on Sherman's March is going to be broadcast on the history channel in many areas this Sunday. See a preview at http://www.history.com/media.do?id=shermans_devil_ap22_60&action=clip

See an interactive map of the march and more info at http://www.history.com/civilwar/shermansmarch/ (click Explore the March in the body of the page and More Resources in the top right corner).

for the mention of Dean King's books. I've read all 20 of Patrick O'Brien's sea novels, not in order though as I started after I saw the film, "Master and Commander". The novels became very popular then and I had competition in getting them from the library. I'm going to search for King's books at my library now. Sue

I have met my enemy, and it is "I". My library is having their spring book sale, today and tomorrow. I always try to go, even though I know I shouldn't. Like a starving person, faced with a plethora of food, I fall on the books to salve my hunger! I did exhibit a wee bit of will power, and only bought three books. Some older ones that I hadn't had the chance to read, but thought I would like to add to my collection. I walk the narrow aisles, touching the book spines, picking them up, reading the liner notes, checking the size of the print, and making a decision. Sometimes I put the book back down, only to come back and add it to my stack. "Hurry and check me out" I tell the volunteers, "I must leave before I'm forced to buy an additional house to put my book collection in". I may go back tomorrow!

Signed, Slave to the Written Word

That's a name from the past. I was able to get Shute's autobiography a few years ago and since my husband is also an aero engineer, he really enjoyed it. We had always liked Shute's novels but had not idea of his history. Fun read for those who have been working in the aero industry for the last 45 years.

Go back, Tomereader. Your purchases will help the Friends of your Library support their worthy projects.

Patwest, I shall, of course, go back. They may throw me out for fondling the books! LOL. Can anyone tell me if "A Widow for One Year" is a good read? They had several copies, even a set of cassettes, but I don't remember hearing if it was a great book. By John Irving (?) I think. I do pay my Library Friends dues, and will volunteer for the sales if they ask me. Couldn't even find my name on the roster this time, and I just paid my dues about 2 wks. ago.

"A Widow for One Year" -- yes by John Irving. It was also used in pary for the movie, The Door in the Floor. Google -- A Widow for One Year -- and there are several good links.

Edit: Volunteer for the sale, don't wait for them to ask.

Sue, King's books are best used as references when reading O'Brian, although "A Sea of Words" especially has some long essays at the beginning, and is full of amusing entries. One of my favorites:

Diamond Rock A small, inaccesible, but strategically placed island...off Martinique. In 1803, commodore Samuel Hood...decided to take the island and make it a stationary warship, as a depot for harassing the enemy's shipping. (They) hoisted 5 guns...to various positions on the 600-foot high haystack-shaped island by means of a cable attached to one end of the ship and running up to the top of the island. Hood manned the island, dubbed a sloop of war, with a lieutenant and 120 men and boys.

I assume they had to commission the island so no one would lose seniority, but I think it's pretty funny, and it's definitely the only unsinkable ship I've run across.

Tomereader: I'm in the same boat. Today was the first day of Stone Ridge School's annual massive used book sale--over 100,000 books, continuous re-stocking. One year I saw someone at the sale wearing a T-shirt saying "I am a bookaholic. If you are a decent person you will not sell me another book". That just about fits me. This year I hit a mother lode of '50s science fiction paperbacks for $1 each.

There's always something. One year I got a little Chinese cookbook by a nun who had gotten an MS in Home Ec from the University of Minnesota in 1926, gone to China in 1930 as a missionary at the Catholic University of Peking, where she noticed Chinese cooking, had been interned by the Japanese during WWII, then, post-war, was evacuated to Japan, where she and her fellow sisters ran a cooking school. The recipes are kind of simplistic, but the introduction alone was worth the 75 cents.

A friend told me I should bring in a bag of as many books as I buy, but I'm not capable of that.

Pat - I've been hearing an announcement of the Stone Ridge School's book sale all day. Almost makes me wish I hadn't made plans to go to TN to see new grandbaby this weekend! But he's still so new - a week old tonight. Next year, we'll go together, okay?

I came in to ask something I thought I would never hear myself ask - is there any interest here in a discussion of an Oprah pick - Cormac McCarthy's "The Road?" So many people are talking about it - just tonight my two sons. Have you read anything about it? It sounds like something sci fi people might like, though my sons don't usually go for science fiction - and they loved it.

Did you see that it won the Pulitzer for fiction this week? I've never read any of his books. Some say they are better. Do you think it would be fun to read and discuss THE ROAD together on SN?

I was planning to read THE ROAD. It would be fun to read it together.

Next weekend the AAUW (American Association of University Women) is having their annual book sale. Years ago I was head of the committee in charge of the sale. It was a lot of work, but I did get a chance at the books before the general public. I haven't attended the sale yearly, but am thinking of going this year.

I didn't know that Nevil Shute wrote his autobiography. I'll see if I can find it, I am curious about him. I did read about him on the net some time ago.

JoanP, like Mrs. Sherlock, I am planning to read "The Road" too. I didn't know about the book until Oprah mentioned it.

My friend and I saw the move "The Hoax," with Richard Gere - great on the edge of your seat story without the usual shoot em up and multiple sex scenes or uncomfortable language. I thought it was well done showing how a story teller can weave a story out of the most improbable conditions and how a character in a book can become "real" for the story teller. Wonderful movie to see if you are fascinated with how an author writes - and to see how the entire true episode that actually led to Watergate, can be written as a cliff hanger adventure story is just amazing.

I found used copy of Shute's autobiography online. I'm sure you could do the same. Happy hunting!

Yes, "A Widow For a Year" was pretty good. But, I read another widow book this year in my f2f group that I like better. Its out on loan or I would give you the title.

JoanP, have a wonderful time and send pictures!

I love library book sales and used book stores.. Used to own one of those. When we travel in the coach, I always look up book store when we are in a town more than a day and we make time to go see what is happening.. Get somewonderful regional books that way. There is a really really nice mystery book store in Sacramento , California that I loved.

Do come down and join the super group in the new Brideshead Revisited discussion, if you have not read that book lately or only saw the movie (just released again for a 25th Anniversary Edition....has it really been that long?) you might be surprised.

As our own Carolyn pointed out it seems nobody reads Waugh now but it's one of the "Best" or "greatest" or "most important" (depending on what list you look at) books of the 20th century and there's a very good reason why. It's spellbinding, taking you away to another world, a world which MAY not ever have been as we think.

As Simon Brett (one of my bedside table reads) writing in the mystery The Hanging in the Hotel, August 2004, says on the same subject:

It's remarkable, Jude thought as the taxi nosed up the drive, how much nostalgia in England is for things that never existed. To escape the present, the English like nothing better than to immerse themselves in an idealized past. She felt sure that the people of other nations--or other nations whose people could afford the luxury of self-examination—also venerated the past, but not in the same way. Only in England would the rose tints of retrospection be seen through the lens of social class.

I think that's a remarkable statement. When we think of a romantic period of time or a romantic setting, our image of the great houses of England is tinted, isn't it, with aquatint? For us it's an escape. What interests me in this book IS the escapes, to me they are all escape artists, but I'll hold it till later, because you may not agree, at ALL!

This beautiful statement was made in the Brideshead discussion by Hats, I hope this does not embarrass her but I loved it:

...if a person writes well, I lose all inhibitions, desiring to travel and explore any unknown land, meet any unknown people. I don't care whether the person is black, yellow, white, blue or green. I don't care whether the geographic location is rich or poor. I just want to hear the author talk to me through his pen. Then, introduce me to the characters from his imagination who always seem to be me in some way or someone I have met. I think there is a strand of wanderlust in my heart.

Isn't that why we all read? And the writing in Brideshead is a joy, it's like a dip in a pool of honey, an adventure, but will the Wonderland we enter through the gate be what we think it is? You'll be the judge! Please join us in Brideshead Revisited and "revisit" it with us. The adventure starts May 1, and you'll not be sorry, AND you can say you're reading Waugh, apparently not something you'd hear every day

. I can't wait, come join us!

On another note I have started Kabul Beauty School for my bedtime reading also and I love it. It's an American beautician (Non Fiction) who starts up teaching Afghan women hairdressing, she opens a shop. It's all the rage from the critics and I can see why. It's very poignant and I'm enjoying it VERY much: a side of Afghanistan most of us know nothing about.

I remember On The Beach by Nevil Shute among others by him. This one gave me the shivers and resulted ina painting too from my internalizing the visuals.

Claire

On the Beach was a favorite of mine during my doomsday period..

Stephanie: How apt is Doomsday Period. We thought then that there would be a BANG but we are stuck here now whimpering into the future, aren't we?

Stephanie: How apt is Doomsday Period. We thought then that there would be a BANG but we are stuck here now whimpering into the future, aren't we? I've always liked Frost's fire and ice vision, myself.

"whimpering into the future," a perfect description.

Claire

I agree "whimpering into the future," a perfect description.
GinnyAnn

I kind of like "to boldly go where no man has gone before."

ginny you are a trekki too. . . . I miss it. it was more than a series of sci fi. it was a glimpse into our future. . .cell phones etc. I'm waiting for cyber transport of bodies. that would be so handy. everyone I know these days is somewhere else.

Claire

Another trekkie here - I surf quite a bit in Books and Michigan and one ot two other places, but I am a real trekkie and like all of the daring of the Star Trek and Deepspace 9. isak

hello Fellow Trekkies!! hahaha Did you see there's a new movie, I am not sure if it's out on DVD or what, two new movies in fact about William Shatner, but one is about all the physicists, etc., who were inspired by the series? I have not seen it but found the premise very interesting.

How about "To boldly split infinitives where no man has split them before"?

In spite of my dig, I am a Trekkie too, and I feel that in spite of the budget-type effects, the Star Trek TV episodes, at least the best of them, worked a lot better than almost anything that came since. They've got a quality that many of the followers lack.

I presume that most Trekkies have seen "Galaxy Quest", available on Netflix. The aging actors who played a Star Trek equivalent and are now surviving by going to conventions are recruited by aliens (who have been watching our TV and think the stories are real) to help repel evil alien invaders. It's pretty funny, and also has some of the quality of the original TV episodes.

pat lol I haven't seen it. but I did notice that split infinitive every time I tuned in and heard the intro. They must be famous for it by this time.

to GO BOLDLY doesn't have the flow, the power, the spice TO BOLDLY GO has.

You're all right it was different it possed questione of morality and judegement what could be viewed as universal. . . .a thinking person's obsession.

snobs all of us trekkis in a way. I remember the first full length movie attracted crowds which extended around the corner and down the block of the town where I was visiting a friend. nope we didn't try to see it hen.

claire

You put your finger on it, Claire, there was a moral quality to the originals.

I haven't heard of Galaxy Quest! I'll put it on my list, thank you!

Galaxy Quest is great.

Ah, Jean Luc.. you were the captain of my heart.. Shatner was funny, but the ego was sort of massive, although I adored the series and loved Nimoy, but then Jean Luc came along and my heart was lost. A sexy bald guy, who knew.. and "Make it Happen". A man after my own heart. I do miss him.

I'm putting "Galaxy Quest" on my Netflix list. STEPHANIE, what is "Make It Happen" about. I haven't heard of that one.

Babi

Wasn't it "Make it so"? Yes, he gave a whole new dimension to Star Trek. But that crooked grin of Han Solo's did me in...

Right.. Make it so.. Oh my, senior moments do me in.. Han has a certain charm, but darn it all was a bit young.

Ah, MRS. SHERLOCK, what is it about crooked grins that utterly charms us? They are so genuine. A smile can be polite, or even false, but a grin has to be for real.

Babi

Pedln - you are right about the publishing of Suite Francaise.

Joan - glad to hear that you have read Suite Francaise. It is quite a different book in its character development. There are a lot to keep track of. The author sure likes cats!!!! (as do I)!

Kathy

I watch anything in which I can spot PATRICK STEWART. I don't know it it's the actor or the role he played in ST but he continues to charm me mindless.

claire

Patrick Stewart played in the movie trilogy X-Men. They also have Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen and more stars as it is an ensemble cast. We watched the third movie of the trillogy last night.

CLAIRE: I was lucky to see Patrick Stewart live on stage doing a one-man interpretation of "A Christmas carol". Even as Scroge, he's sexy.

My niece sent me this cute youtube video link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRBIVRwvUeE

Oh, t he youtube is soo funny. Some people are so creative. I just loved it. Seeing Patrick Stewart in person. I think I would like that indeed. He is a classically trained actor and that might make the difference. The English do seem to have better training than we do.

A good point, STEPHANIE. The belief here often seems to be that all one needs is talent and a 'break'. There is much less emphasis on professional training. Though some of our finest actors did take acting lessons, as I recall. Remember the 'method' school of acting? Brando, for instance, was one who took advantage of training. I don't even know what is available nowadays, outside of high school/college drama classes, tho' I assume professional training is available somewhere.

Babi

marni0308 , I had a good laugh with that one... I wonder how records will be kept five hundred years from now...

Bubble: Your point is well illustrated by the change in technology of information storage and retrieval in my lifetime. When I was a child we would get things in school which were reproduced by purple gelatin like stuff. Mimeograph reproduction was high tech and expensive. Data were available only in printed form and huge buildings were necessary to store these files. Computers, when they arrived, also took up huge amounts of space, and were little more than extremely fast adding machines. Now, as we all know, data exists in some imaginary space called the internet. What next?

MrsSherlock I have a memory stick that can hold 4.0GB and fits nicely in ½ a matchbox. I have huge files of photos and animation in there and do not seem to be able to fill it. I could probably have hundreds of books there, in ½ a matchbox.

It is hard to imagine.

I am so glad that our S/N "Bookies" were featured in the Bookmarks magazine. I found a copy at Borders, and subscribed. I would never have known about this magazine if it weren't for S/N. It is a terrific magazine, and how did I not discover it before now? Of course, SeniorNet has opened my world to a lot of wonderful things: Book sites, wonderful discussions and a plethora of new friends! Yes, cyber-friends do count as friends. I enjoy visiting the various books/literature sites to see what everyone is reading in Fiction and Mystery genres. Since I now belong to two f2f book discussion groups, I can hardly find time to participate in the on-line discussions, but do read the posts when time permits. Just thank you SeniorNet for being here!!

I subscribe as well and am now enjoying my second copy..Its already marked up with too many books, but then so is my house..

There are so many books in the new Bookmarks I want to read! I think we should start serving wine at our meetings like the Book Club in the new issue.

I don't have the new issue. I'm going to get it this weekend. Could you give some of the titles??? Just two or three????

Jackie, why not? We could pour a glass of pinot noir before turning on the computer - just be careful not to spill it on the keyboard! Nasty mess...

Hats: One feature is a list of favorite books from a 5th grade class in Toronto which will help pick out books for our Blackfoot Reservation project. Another feature, where readers recommend their favorite books, is a list of books from a community college teacher, all of which are about different ethnic groups. Anne Moody's Coming of Age in Mississippi is about her growing up in the rural Deep South in the 40's and 50's. A timely book about the experiences of Korean immigrants who are new to America is East to America, edited by Elaine H. Kim and Eui-Young Yu. Lincoln's Sword, by Douglas L. Wilson, subtitled The Presidency and the Power of Words, examines Lincoln's creative process through the scores of his drafts and revisions to speeches at Gettysberg, the Emancipation Proclamation, Farewell Address to Springfield. I could go on and on but you'll have to discover for yourself what you want to read.

JACKIE: "When I was a child we would get things in school which were reproduced by purple gelatin like stuff".

My mother bought one of those things, and we kids used it to publish a neighborhood newspaper. What a mess!! I still remember that awful gelatin!

And the monster computers! I was a computer programmer back in the fifties on those dinosaurs. We used to program it, then go run it. I'll never forget the time I went to run my program, hit the start button, and the whole front of the computer fell off and hit my on the head. Talk about technology headaches!

"technology headaches" love it! Not the headache but your discription of it.

JoanK and Jackie; wasn't that ditto - tests and papers that were purple. and then there was mimeograph which was black ink. I remember ditto from grade and high school. isak

I had a used one that used to belong to a school. they gave up on it because of the slippage. I fixed i with some kind of tape on the roller and used it for song sheets for my guitar students. I still have some of those old purple pages although a lot of them faded away.

claire

Ditto! That was it. What an appropriate name, though I didn't "get" it until years later.

Hi, just a quick note here to say that Robby has asked me to say that due to circumstances beyond his control he will not be able to offer the Descent of Man in May as planned, just FYI. We all hope you will find many other discussions here in the Books & Lit you may enjoy.

Tomereader, what a beautiful quote, how exciting and I guess Sunday will be our official last Day of Bookmarks, the new ones are already on the shelves. I miss US already but isn't it a fantastic magazine and I did love the children's book club profiled in the May/June issue, that was a great article. Proud to be part of this whole thing!

How's this for a premise? A single mother ex-cop returns to her coal mining home town where her 23-yr-old son has become a straight arrow sheriff's deputy. Tawni O'Dell's Sister Mine relates the incredibly complicated life and times of Shae-Lynn Penrose with writing such as: "I stopped thinking about the big picture a long time ago. I only think about the individual drops of paint and how to maintain the integrity of each color before it hits the canvas." I'll be reading more of this author.

Sounds good, Mrs. Sherlock. I made a note of the name...which gave me pause. Do you suppose her folks actually named her 'Tawni'?

Babi

I'm almost through the Kabul Beauty School and I must say it's eye opening, in a lot of ways. We don't realize what others are going through on a day to day basis in other parts of the world till we read something like this book. It's a real shock to read. I wish I had read it before I read (but of course it wasn't written before we read) Kite Runner, it would have altered my own perceptions quite a bit.

I've finally found a copy of House of Paper and it's on the way so I hope to start it in a few weeks, right now I'm drowning in Brideshead and you are invited to join the huge crowd of brilliant, fun, and astuste readers getting ready for the opening day this Tuesday.

Brideshead APPEARS to be online, see the Pre Discussion, so dew drop by. You need not have a reading knowledge of Russian (see discussion) to enjoy!

And tomorrow in honor of May Day we'll have something to flit around the May Pole with in Brideshead, do join us and say your own piece.

We have two new excellent book reviews written by Hats about Jewels and by MrsSherlock about Simple Genius.

I want to thank our reviewers and Jane for their good work in making these reviews available on our site.

There are still a few books and audio CDs available if someone else would like to write a review. See the list at http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8405

Or if you have read a book for which you would like to write a review, you can follow the sample guidelines at http://www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8419 and email me your review. thank you!

The 67th Readers' Guide has just been completed by Marni and JoanK.

Island at the Center of the World Readers' Guide

Thank you, Marni and JoanK, for developing that interesting Readers' Guide after your wonderful discussion of Island at the Center of the World. And thanks, Pat, for helping put it together.

Thanks for reviewing Jewels and Simple Genius. The books are very different, but both sound very interesting. I'm planning to see if my library has them. Great reviews! Sue

I know what you mean. I enjoyed all the reviews too. Thank you Marcie and All!

OH Hats, and Mrs. Sherlock, what wonderful reviews, they are better than the ones you read by professional critics and editors! I see a publisher's offer to you in the future, but you're OURS! Our own SeniorNet Reviews and Jane's led the way. Very proud of those, wow. Wonderful, I am gobsmacked but I should not be, you all have always been fabulous. This is a new direction for us, haven't you done it splendidly!!

They made me want to read the books!!! I bet that will not pass unnoticed. Super job!

Did anybody manage to see the article in the NY Times yesterday on Kabul Beauty School, refuting some of the claims? We get the paper, and it said continued on page 1. The problem is it wasn't. Not on any page 1 I could find, perhaps I did not understand which page 1 it was? At any rate I really would like to know who has challenged it and what part of it.

Today of course is our last day of "official appearance" in the glossy national Bookmarks Magazine but we'll get up a Bookmarks Book Club or Read this fall, and tell them about it, very proud to be associated with such a super magazine! Seemed to sell well on the newstands, tho I never seemed to see more than one copy (and no, it was not because I was buying them all

) Jane did a whopping great job co writing that one, too, we're really branching out here!

What next, I wonder? Well you could join us in Brideshead and make it sing? We begin tomorrow, bring your Morris Dance Costume and join us around the MayPole.

AND/ OR you might consider joining us in The Seven Sisters, for June, we really need you in there since nobody knows what she's saying at the end.

It IS in English, but that does not seem to help, how hard can it be? A woman alone confronts her own aging. Come plan to join us!