Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #1 (Read 162619 times)

Steph · « **Reply #600 on:** May 21, 2009, 05:26:50 PM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

Oh Judy, I do so hope that all is well with you. We spent the day at the hospital as Tim had further surgery.. laproscopic surgery to remove the gall bladder. He is down to 148 and the doctors are hoping that this will improve his ability to eat and digest..Who knows.

Babi · « **Reply #601 on:** May 22, 2009, 08:01:01 AM »

I have been through an illness where I could not eat enough to do more than survive. The silver lining to that cloud was the loss of 80 pounds I could easily spare. Fortunately, I am now eating again and have stopped losing weight. I hope Tim has the same good results from his surgery. Do tell him I'm cheering him on.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #602 on:** May 22, 2009, 09:21:19 AM »

Babi: Glad you are eating OK now. As a life-long, unsuccessful dieter I've often wished for just a touch of anorexia, tongue in cheek of course.

Steph · « **Reply #603 on:** May 22, 2009, 10:00:42 AM »

Babi, Thanks for telling me. I have some hope that Tim can start eating again. He wants to so much and it just defeats him.
I am finally back on Eastern time and hopefully will get some housework done today. I am not a fanatic, but I can now make another dog from the dog hair.

Babi · « **Reply #604 on:** May 23, 2009, 08:47:29 AM »

I hear you. Val and I have so much fun with the cat hair. $:-\$

Steph · « **Reply #605 on:** May 23, 2009, 09:44:15 AM »

I am not a big Oprah fan, but saw her magazine yesterday in a store. It had her with dogs and has a lot of information on rescue organizations, so I bought it.. She is truly trying to help the rescue organization. She adopted what looks like a pure cocker spaniel.. actually two, but they ended up with parvo and one died.

marjifay · « **Reply #606 on:** May 23, 2009, 11:17:41 AM »

Has anyone read ON THE ROAD by Jack Kerouac? I've had this book since the 1970s, but am just getting around to reading it -- and getting a real kick out of it so far. Chapter 11 is hilarious where he hooks up with an old friend upon his arrival in San Francisco. The friend has left a note pinned on the door to the shack he shares with his girlfriend, which reads: SAL! IE NOBODY'S HOME CLIMB IN THROUGH THE WINDOW! Which Sal does, and the adventure begins.

Babi · « **Reply #607 on:** May 24, 2009, 09:01:06 AM »

Oh,yes, MARJIFAY.... I read "On The Road" many years ago and greatly enjoyed it. I wonder if it was ever discussed? It would make a good one.
STEPH, some of Oprah's shows I've enjoyed and others I skip. She offers a rather wide variety, which makes sense. It means more people will find topics that interest them. But there is no question in my mind that she is sincerely interested and involved in a number of very worthwhile projects. Her African school for girls was one of my favorite. She is a major philanthropist.

Steph · « **Reply #608 on:** May 24, 2009, 09:40:43 AM »

On the
Road.. have not thought of that for years. We have a small Kerouac foundation here in Orlando.. He lived here for quite some time in a small bungalow. Some fans bought the bungalow and have endowed a small foundation for beginning authors of a certain type.. They get six months free rent in the house to work on their books..
My cousin read that one and the Ken Kesey and immediately upon graduation from college, came home. I had just married and she took our old room, threw out the bed, kept the mattress, painted the entire room, ceiling, walls, floor black , bought lava lamps. I thought my Dad was going to have a stroke.. She taught school and went off each morning very respectable, but came home to her pad.. Very funny if the students had only known.

marjifay · « **Reply #609 on:** May 24, 2009, 02:39:11 PM »

Yes, Babi, On the Road might make a good discussion. I couldn't find it every having been read in the Senior Net archives.

By the way, I'm glad the archieves from the old Sr. Net reads were brought over to this website. I read the old discussion for Dr. Zhivago which was helpful when I recently read this book. The book is much different from the movie of Dr. Zhivago. Difficult to wade through. I
just purchased the book so I could read it again, as most who read it say it takes more than one read to really appreciate it.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #610 on:** May 24, 2009, 05:14:36 PM »

Here ye, here ye - after two humorous short story discussions there is change.

It was easy to see that more than a week on a short story is overkill.

We also have serious reading going on here on Senior Learn and so we did not need an in-depth discussion on yet another story.

However; as the newspapers had a section we called the Funnies it seems appropriate for Senior Learn to also have our version of the Funnies in the form of Funny Short Story discussion.

And so NEW PLAN -

Every Sunday evening a new humorous short story will be added to the bottom of our heading along with just a couple of questions to help focus the start of a post.

I am working harder this summer than I have in years and so I cannot promise to be here very often but the discussion really does not have to be managed - we are having fun - sharing what makes us laugh - what was funny in the story - and adding a bit of learning as we try to identify the type of humor in each story we read - is it a witty story, a story of satire a slap stick comedy, a farce -

Labeling the kind of humor is the only thinking in the entire discussion - the rest is just letting us know if you laughed, smiled or enjoyed the story and your thoughts about any part of the story that hits your fancy or reminds you of a real life experience along similar story lines.

And so please drop in and lighten up your day once a week with a short story from the funny side of life. http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=351.0

Steph · « **Reply #611 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:54:37 AM »

Reading one of the newest Sookie stories from Charlaine Harris. New vampires and she cant find Quinn.. Oh dear..

joangrimes · « **Reply #612 on:** May 25, 2009, 11:23:23 AM »

Have any of you Read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. My f2f bookclub read it for the May selection and we had a good discussion of the book. It is set in Mississippi during the 1960's. If you like history you will enjoy reading this book.

Here is a clickable to an article about the book
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20090510/NEWS/905105022/

It was painful at times reading about a time that I lived through but I am glad that I read it.

Joan Grimes

CallieOK · « **Reply #613 on:** May 25, 2009, 01:21:30 PM »

Joan, thank you for the link to the review of "The Help". It's on my library reserve list and there are 43 ahead of me but the library has 33 copies.

Although I was "grown and gone" by the 1960's, I suspect I will also find some reminders difficult to read.

I have just finished "Path To Glory" by Jeffrey Archer. It's based on the life of George Mallory, an Englishman who may have actually been the first one to make it to the summit of Mt. Everest - in 1924.
His body was discovered in 1995 about 700 feet from the summit. The body of his climbing partner has never been found. The author uses documented facts to assume that they did make it to the top.

Judy Laird · « **Reply #614 on:** May 25, 2009, 02:09:11 PM »

For all of you that are interested PaPa John's wife Cornelia passed away this morning. She suffered a long illness and their family has been amazing.

Almost moved in. I have always worried about my books and Fairwind's offered to take my library for me. Its just on the second floor and they are buying more book shelves as I have more books than they did. It may seem silly but its a load off my mind.

maryz · « **Reply #615 on:** May 25, 2009, 04:30:31 PM »

Thanks for letting us know, Judy. Pappa John and Cornelia were such a devoted couple - and such nice folks. She'll be sorely missed.

ANNIE · « **Reply #616 on:** May 25, 2009, 06:05:46 PM »

Hi all,
Judy, thanks for letting us know about Cornelia. She will be sorely missed. Her family will be my good thoughts and prayers.
Well, did the big TV fit in your new living room??? Have you sent many boxes back to the old house for the garage sale??? Tee hee. Just kidding.

Judy Laird · « **Reply #617 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:38:03 PM »

I don't want to talk about it, but thanks for the thought. Now I need to find someone to run a garage sale for me.

Busy day W11 bowling this morning, Barb-que at noon. VFW presentation at 1,pool party @2;30. Dinner and some people down stairs are singing,I figured they could do with out me for that one.

Tommorow bus trip to Tulaip Casino
[
Just busy busy

Babi · « **Reply #618 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:47:26 AM »

Wow, that does sound like a budy schedule, JUDY. Something for everyone.
I'm so glad they took your books, and I'm sure they are delighted to have them. I wonder if they have any bridge players there?

pedln · « **Reply #619 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:48:17 AM »

Judy, I just took a "virtual tour" of your new home. Looks great. And what a calendar. You are really going to be busy there. The swimming pool looks very inviting.

Well, of course they would want your library. Now you can move in in peace. WHat floor will you be in.

Steph · « **Reply #620 on:** May 26, 2009, 08:51:14 AM »

Judy. Sounds a delight. Now if I could only get my husband to at least go look at any.. No go thus far.. He loves our townhouse. I keep warning him that although it is a beautiful thing and I love the space, it is three story and sooner or later that will get us.

Judy Laird · « **Reply #621 on:** May 26, 2009, 06:48:15 PM »

Babi tons of bridge players and everyother game including that d=====Mexican Train

ANNIE · « **Reply #622 on:** May 26, 2009, 09:57:55 PM »

Whoa, Judy, don't be calling "Mexican Train" bad names! Its one of my favorite games along with Bridge.

maryz · « **Reply #623 on:** May 26, 2009, 10:14:40 PM »

Oh, that Mexican Train addiction!!!!!! We'll be going to the beach in about 6 weeks, and will get to play it with real people.

Steph · « **Reply #624 on:** May 27, 2009, 07:38:39 AM »

Just finishing up with the Rhys Owen book on Mollie. Tends to drag a bit. She does not move the plot along very well. Mollie is interesting though

ANNIE · « **Reply #625 on:** May 27, 2009, 08:43:05 AM »

It is an addiction!
Our f2f group is reading "Dewey" which about a library cat. Can't say I like it but its assigned and I want to be able to comment at our next meeting on Monday.

Babi · « **Reply #626 on:** May 27, 2009, 09:05:56 AM »

Oh, yeah! Well, the first time I plaed Mexican Train I enjoyed it too.
The next time I played, with another group, they had different rules which
made no sense to me. I finally became so exasperated I dropped out of the
game and didn't go back.

ANNIE, your 'library cat' reminds me of a cat I saw at a vet. clinic.
He was huge! He looked like he must have been partly a much larger breed of feline. He lived at the clinic, where his placid temperament
was a great help in calming nervous overnight patients. An unforgettable
cat!

ANNIE · « **Reply #627 on:** May 27, 2009, 09:14:19 AM »

Babi
I am finding out about Dewey whose official name, chosen by the library customers, is "Dewey Readmore Books" and he is quite a cat but the book is not!
At Christmas, our grandson, wife and BIL stayed here on their way to NY. They taught me a new game using four decks of cards. I can't remember the name but it was fun.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #628 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:42:19 AM »

As cat lover Dewey is a satisfying read. The book is no page turner but Dewey is a doll.

ANNIE · « **Reply #629 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:58:27 PM »

As a long time cat lover and owner of many of them, I don't recommend "Dewey" due to the overall gooey sweetness of the book. Yuck!

joangrimes · « **Reply #630 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:03:33 PM »

My f2f book club read Dewey about three months ago.I could not finish it. It makes me feel better that you felt the same about it that i did Ann. I had felt that there must be something wrong with me because I did not like the book.

Joan Grimes

Judy Laird · « **Reply #631 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:10:05 PM »

I am addicted to Mexican Train on the computer. I just sit and sit and can't stop.

joangrimes · « **Reply #632 on:** May 27, 2009, 03:17:06 PM »

Judy, I am addicted to Mexican train on the computer also. I like to play the game with real people too. I played with a group of friends at our Senior Center last night from 5:30PM until 9:00PM...I enjoyed that very much.

Joan Grimes

Judy Laird · « **Reply #633 on:** May 27, 2009, 04:14:05 PM »

Good to see your smiling face Joan. Do you play on line with real people?

ANNIE · « **Reply #634 on:** May 27, 2009, 05:26:21 PM »

JoanG,
I did like the discussion about the Carnegie libraries in the book. I had no idea that they were all so ornate. We watched a movie the other night that featured the main library of NYC and now I must go see if it's a Carnegie.

Aren't the people online real people??? tee hee! Where is a link to the Mexican train game?? Under Dominoes???

pedln · « **Reply #635 on:** May 27, 2009, 05:49:43 PM »

Okay Judy and JOan (and that's what I call my two youngest girls, too) -- you did it. I just spent the past hour, at least, playing that game on line. Kind of hard to do without instructions. Maybe that's why I was usually on the bottom of four. Haven't come across the strategy yet.

ANNIE · « **Reply #636 on:** May 28, 2009, 08:16:43 AM »

Where's a link to that site, Pedl'n?? And get back to work!! Just kidding!

Steph · « **Reply #637 on:** May 28, 2009, 08:25:50 AM »

Ok.. Will look up Mexican Train on Goggle sometime today.. Thats all I need. Am already a solitaire addict.

Babi · « **Reply #638 on:** May 28, 2009, 09:15:49 AM »

Four decks, ANNIE? There is a game called 'hand and foot' that used a
lot of cards. I wonder if that's the one you played.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #639 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:09:43 PM »

Just finished "Cane River," a wonderful, wonderful story written by a woman who left her job at MicroSun to research her family history in Louisiana. Altho she writes a fiction story, she uses her family history from ancestors who were slaves to her grandmother in the 20th century and includes actual pictures of the people she is writing about. It's a story of 5 generations of amazing women, each of whom strategizes as to how to keep their families surviving and prospering both before and after being slaves.................i highly recommend it...........jean

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #1 (Read 162619 times)