Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439722 times)

roshanarose · « **Reply #2040 on:** February 27, 2012, 11:50:05 PM »

TO NONFICTION BOOK TALK

What are you reading? Autobiographies, biographies, history, politics?

Tell us about the book; the good and the bad of it.

Let's talk books!

Discussion Leader: HaroldArnold

Haven't been in here for a while. The library stacks are idle, and the reading room more hushed than usual. The library aroma is still present, that divine whiff of old well read books. I have come in here to make a confession. It's OK, because no one is here to hear what I have to say.

I realise that I no longer seem to enjoy fiction as much as I used to. If the book is fiction it has to be exceptional (at least to my taste) for me to read it. It seems that the only fiction I read is historical fiction, anyway.

Back when I was a worker I had money enough to buy any book I wanted. Now that I am a "senior citizen" (I love euphemisms) I am VERY cautious with my money, as there is just me to pay for other things like urban utilities and keeping my house in order. Nothing new there, I am in good company with many others here.

I look over at my bookcase and see that the majority of my books are non-fiction. A whole plethora of books about Greece meet my eye. They are my children; Greece is my love. Behind me another bookcase reveals my past tools of trade, ie books about language and linguistic theory; and Modern Greek and Ancient Greek dictionaries and workbooks. I have the full set of novels by Thomas Hardy; books about art, and occult books. Books about archaeology (not just Greek); books about Afghanistan (lots). Books by Gothic horror novelists like Lovecraft, Sheridan le Fanu, and Edgar Alan Poe.

They say that you can judge people by what they read, and I think that's right. Apart from the Hardy's and the gothic novelists, I have very few fiction books. I wonder what that says about me and others of my ilk?

Sorry to talk about myself so long but why I prefer non-fiction is a bit of a puzzle for me and a distinct disadvantage when I play "Author, Author" here. I do enjoy that game just the same.

At the moment from my TBR tower I am reading a book that I bought about ten years ago. It is called "Dating Aphrodite" by Luke Slattery, a committed Hellenophile like myself. It is the sort of book that only someone dotty about Greece would read (or write). A kind of inspired travelogue. Last night after reading another chapter or two, I dozed off into the world of rocky seascapes, mysterious untouched ruins, and the scent of wild thyme crushed underfoot. Fiction just can't do that for me.

Babi · « **Reply #2041 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:39:13 AM »

ROSE, it would be lovely if everyone's 'confession' was so benign. We
like what we like, no reasons needed. Me, I like variety and that includes fiction and non-fiction.
What really astonished me is that you have kept a book ten years
and are just now reading it.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2042 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:58:25 AM »

Babi - I have got a lot more than one book that I've had 10 years plus and not quite got around to reading. I keep meaning to do as Susan Hill did and have a year of reading only my own books, but I just cannot resist borrowing from the library, although since I got the Kindle I do browse charity shops a lot less. I am always reading reviews, blogs, etc and thinking "Ooo, that looks interesting", when perhaps I should really get on with the books I've already got.

Just saw "A Novel Bookstore" in our library yesterday - they didn't have it when you were all doing the group read. So of course I had to borrow it, even though I'm already reading Bleak House plus a Kate Carlisle 'cosy' mystery recommended on Lesa's Book Blog.

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #2043 on:** February 28, 2012, 09:04:07 AM »

Roshanarose you are not alone. Some of my TBR books must be older than that, including Barbara Tushman's A Distant Mirror. Yes, I know, I know. I should have read that one eons ago.

Two books just arrived: The Landmark Herodotus: The Histories and the Loeb Classical Library, No. 152 - Compendium of Roman History (Paterculus)/Res Gestai Divi Augusti (Augustus). Roshanarose likes her Greek, I like all things Roman. Even though I had a $25 gift certificate, it still cost me almost as much of my own money. I am getting very tight with my book money, so that seems a lot, now, when I used to think nothing of ordering five or six books and paying over $75 an order. It is amazing how fast you find alternative ways to save money when you aren't working anymore. My non-fiction books are "keepers", so I prefer them in print over electronic.

Just saw your last post. Enjoy A Novel Bookstore. A most interesting read. I recommend you take a look at the archive for all the wonderful comments and links as you read.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2044 on:** February 28, 2012, 09:21:24 AM »

Frybabe since we discussed A Novel Bookstore I heard an interview with the author and to get more from the book there are two books that you may want to look into that according to the author are the bones of this novel - The Republic of Letters: A Cultural History of the French Enlightenment by Dena Goodman and The Age of Conversation by Benedetta Craveri -

Most interesting to me was to learn the influence and power women held in the eighteenth century that was all washed away with the creation of Democratic Republics. They were decided upon with Constitutions written by men and to benefit men and so, where women were the forerunners to Democratic ideas and ideals men developed them setting women aside.

But back to A Novel Bookstore there are in the book many references to historical incidents included in the books especially by Dena Goodman.

Jonathan · « **Reply #2045 on:** February 28, 2012, 11:16:51 AM »

Now this is interesting. Who is the author of A Novel Bookstore? How did I miss that discussion? I have both Goodman and Craveri on my shelf, waiting to be read. The period fascinates me. As well as the century before and after. Anything from Moliere to Maupassant.

Barb, have you read The Georgetown Ladies' Social Club? Livelier than the French salons, politically speaking. Ask any president.

CubFan · « **Reply #2046 on:** February 28, 2012, 11:17:11 AM »

I too have switched to almost all nonfiction reading. Almost all of my shelves of TBR are non fiction. I used to have 3 or 4 different titles going at the same time but right now (and probably temporarily) am focused on on two. I've been working on The Revolutionaries since the first of the year. I'm finding it slow going.

On the other hand, while watching Downton Abbey I realized I how little I knew about the World War I era and started reading about it. Last week I finished Barbara Tuchman's The Proud Tower and am now reading To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild. After which, I have An Illusion to Victory by Thomas Fleming. By the time I finish all three I'm sure I'll be ready to shift subjects. I do wish I had read at least Tuchman's book just before Downton Abbey because I find the series very representative of the period. Just as the Civil War here resulted in the loss of a whole way of life in our South, so did World War I represent the change of life for peoples worldwide. I had not known about the turmoil in the world prior to, during & after World War I. I would not have wanted to live at that time since I'm quite sure I would not have been part of the minority rich.

I think that nonfiction books are a much more an enjoyable read than in the past. Many of them are so well written that they read as smoothly as good fiction. Many of the good historians are now writing to be read by the educated public instead of to impress other historians. I also enjoy well researched historical fiction.

On the other hand, come April I will be ready for the new Carolyn Hart, Anne Perry & Sandra Dallas titles.

Mary

ANNIE · « **Reply #2047 on:** February 28, 2012, 01:35:36 PM »

I thought that I was sliding slowly toward non-fiction reads but I have always read historical fiction. Just finished "Poe's Shadow" by by Matthew Pearl. It was a struggle but its historical fiction and most interesting. JoanP just told me about Pearl's newest book "The Technoligist" so I will be looking for it. Its so new the ink ain't dry!
Maybe we will discuss it later this year. Marcie says its a good book but devoted to MIT and their technologies. Since I have been married to an engineer for 59 years, I might just make a gift of the book to him. Sounds worthwhile to me. I do love techie things!
I do believe that the reason non-fiction has become such interesting reading is partly because most colleges are offering classes on how to write non-fiction and we are fortunate to be blessed with a plethora of some good authors. The research that they do is fascinating and overwhelmingly difficult to me. I always read the whole book including on where they have their information. Wow!
I just discovered that I have "Destiny of the Republic" still on my shelf and its now overdue. Can't renew it because its new so I have requested it again and am 8th on the reserve list. Hope Harold and Ella will forgive me for "NO BOOK iN HAND"!
I also just finished "The Lady and The Unicorn" by Tracy Chevalier and liked it. I have other of her books, "The Girl With the Pearl Earring" comes to mind.

Frybabe · « **Reply #2048 on:** February 28, 2012, 03:45:17 PM »

Jonathan, Laurence Cosse wrote A Novel Bookstore. Just loved all the references to books and authors in it. Here is the link to the discussion: http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=2337.0

roshanarose · « **Reply #2049 on:** February 28, 2012, 11:01:30 PM »

Babi - The confession was just my "Non-Fiction" board confession. The others may be unprintable

I think that all of you make a sound point about how non-fiction is now so much more "readable" . On one of my ebook searches I found a book written about crocodiles. I was going to buy it, and probably will. But just at the moment I am trying to find a relatively expensive ebook called "Ancient Queens" by one Sarah M. Nelson. It is costed at $35.35 as an ebook on Booktopia, but I think that is a bit much for an ebook. Keep an eye out for it - it looks like a great read. I also enjoy reading Simon Winchester's books. Loved "The Surgeon of Crowthorne" which I think goes under a diferent title in the US; and currently have his "Krakatoa" on the TBR tower nearby..

Frybabe · « **Reply #2050 on:** February 28, 2012, 11:31:59 PM »

That is very expensive for an ebook, Roshanarose. I found several sites here in the States that want $19.77 for an ebook, except for one which wants $34 something. The print book is much worse. I saw one place had it listed for $92.00. Can you request it through an inter-library loan? It looks like the most likely library to find it in is a university library.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2051 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:01:26 AM »

Looks like Amazon has a used copy for $24.99 plus international shipping of 5.99 for one item making the whole thing under $30 in Australian dollars. here is the link http://tinyurl.com/6opax5s

marjifay · « **Reply #2052 on:** February 29, 2012, 09:03:57 AM »

CubFan, interesting list you have on your TBR list re WWI. Some others you might want to consider:

PARIS 1919; Six Months That Changed the World by Margaret MacMillan (How the treaty that was hammered out after the war changed Europe). Discussed in Sr Learn in August, 2004.

THE GUNS OF AUGUST by Barbara Tuchman (events leading up to the war)

THE GREAT WAR AND MODERN MEMORY by Paul Fussell (National Book Award and Modern Library's list of 100 Best Nonfiction Books)

Marj

Babi · « **Reply #2053 on:** February 29, 2012, 09:19:30 AM »

I, too, was mildly surprised to hear of a discussion of a book called "A Novel
Bookstore". I don't remember it, either. But then, my short term memory is a pretty sad
affair nowadays.
I have long thought that much of the art of conversation became lost when TV came along. And writing long letters began to die out with the coming of the telephone.

ROSE,

I had a book called "Krakatoa, East of Java", but I don't know if it
was the same book. Is that the full title of yours? As for piling up books, I'm
one of those who picks up a book because I want to read it, NOW! I'm much to eager
to get into it to add it to a stack somewhere.

CubFan · « **Reply #2054 on:** February 29, 2012, 11:56:36 AM »

Thanks for the suggestions Marj, I will put them on my list.

Mary

ANNIE · « **Reply #2055 on:** February 29, 2012, 12:03:00 PM »

Someone in here, CUBFN??, was talking about reading more about WWI and I would definitely recommend "Paris: 1919" which we discussed on SN or SL. I will drift down to the archives and maybe get a link for you. Here you go: http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/nonfiction/Paris1919.html
Those people just cut up the world at the Paris Treaty talks, didn't they?

roshanarose · « **Reply #2056 on:** February 29, 2012, 11:37:01 PM »

Frybabe - When I visited the US I was absolutely stunned by how inexpensive the books were. Much more variety and much cheaper. No contest. Problem was it was going to cost too much if I packed all the books I wanted in my suitcase.

Barb - Thanks very much for that link. I will let you know how I go with it.

Babi, Babi, Babi - I don't just pick up ONE book, I pick up several. All at the right price of course. I rarely pay more than $10.00 a book, whereas the hardback of "Dating Aphrodite" cost me $32.95, but I wanted it - so I bought it. There is a place I go now with a fairly good selection of fiction anyway. One pays no more than $5.00 a book. It is my nemesis. Reading what Rosemary had to say about borrowing books from the library, downloading ebooks and scratching around for cheapies is exactly what I do. Before I know it I have a towering TBR. I just can't help it. The true meaning of bibliophilia, I guess. Babi - I think you said to me once that I will be dead before I read all my books. I will be happy though.

The title of the book I have is just "Krakatoa" and is a relatively recent book by Simon Winchester.

Babi · « **Reply #2057 on:** March 01, 2012, 08:44:10 AM »

So long as you're happy, ROSE.

roshanarose · « **Reply #2058 on:** March 01, 2012, 08:51:53 PM »

I love saying / writing - babi, babi, babi. I always think of Diana Ross and the Supremes and their song "Where Did Our Love Go".

I am happy in my space just now, thanks babi.

Babi · « **Reply #2059 on:** March 02, 2012, 08:56:55 AM »

I'm glad you enjoy singing my site name, ROSE. Just for the record tho', it's a briefer version of
'Bobbie', not an odd spelling of baby.

marjifay · « **Reply #2060 on:** March 02, 2012, 10:32:19 PM »

One more suggestion for CubFan and others who may be reading about World War I:

THE COLLECTED POEMS OF WILFRED OWENS. (I'm not really a fan of poetry, but his poems are an exception. He was killed in action not long before the Armistice.)

An example:

Anthem for Doomed Youth

“What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, -
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing down of blinds.”

Marj

roshanarose · « **Reply #2061 on:** March 03, 2012, 12:19:40 AM »

Babi - I shall just have to find a song about Bobbie then, shan't I?

marjifay - Wilfred Owen immortalises mere men into the heroes that lie within them. I love his poetry, but it is so sad.

Barb - Thanks for the link. I checked it out. Still too much money. I will wait until I can get it at a better price, preferably as an ebook. I never thought I could be so parsimonious

Babi · « **Reply #2062 on:** March 03, 2012, 08:47:29 AM »

A sad poem, but beautiully written, MARJ. By one of those odd coincidences, I just
started reading a book in which the heroine as a young teen would read Wilfred Owens
and cry. The background is the post-WWI era.

Nothing like a minimal income to encourage financial prudence, ROSE. I speak as an
expert!

marjifay · « **Reply #2063 on:** March 03, 2012, 10:56:25 AM »

Babi said, "I just started reading a book in which the heroine as a young teen would read Wilfred Owens and cry. The background is the post-WWI era."

What is the name of that book, Babi?

Marj

JoanK · « **Reply #2064 on:** March 03, 2012, 07:14:04 PM »

Rose: "It is my nemesis." Tell me about it! I CANNOT resist a cheap book! But since I have more spare time than most, I read them almost as fast as I get them. Of course, that includes a lot of mysteries, which are quick reads.

roshanarose · « **Reply #2065 on:** March 04, 2012, 12:10:46 AM »

The major cause of "frisson" these days is not the touch, the feel, the scent of a man, but seeing the very cheap price of a book I have wanted for weeks, but couldn't afford.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2066 on:** March 04, 2012, 02:29:51 AM »

Oh yes, Joan and Roshanarose - cheap books, good cakes, good coffee, plain chocolate, (almost) any wine; I am easily pleased. And these days I must add, seeing something I want 'free for Kindle' - the directory on mine is becoming as cluttered as my bookshelves.

I was thinking about simple pleasures the other day, as my brother-in-law has just been appointed to a mega high paying job and the gulf between their lives and ours has gone from big to ginormous - what would I actually spend all that money on if I had it? Of course we'd all like to have a bit more - so that we didn't have to think about book prices, and the horrendous cost of petrol, - but when it comes to £millions, I'm not sure that I really want anything that much. Which is not to say I wouldn't find something to use it for if I had it!

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #2067 on:** March 04, 2012, 08:59:08 AM »

Hear, hear!!!, ROSEMARY. I like to think I could find better uses for excess funds than some
others do. I like to watch some of the house remodeling, etc., tv shows, but my teeth are
really set on edge when I hear of some over-endowed couple deciding to blow, say, $30,000
on a fancy spa-like bathroom! There are kids going hungry, for Heaven's sake!!

JoanK · « **Reply #2068 on:** March 04, 2012, 04:32:08 PM »

"cheap books, good cakes, good coffee, plain chocolate, (almost) any wine; I am easily pleased. And these days I must add, seeing something I want 'free for Kindle' "

You hit the nail on the head!!

The other day my son and I wwere playing "what would we do if we won the lottery" (considering that I never buy tickets, pure fantasy). I started with $70 million (after taxes). I decided: half for me, half to help solve the problems of the world. That left $35 million. $10 for each kid, $5 for whatever, and $10 million for me. But what to do with my 10. The first thing I thought of was "I can buy any book I want." The second "I can pay to make travel comfortable for me again: go see all of you!".

Then I thought "If i give the kids all this money, they'll have to pay it all in taxes -- how can I avoid this?" "What am I going to spend the solve-the-problems-of the-world money on -- there are so many problems? How am I going to arrange all this travelling? my kids will want me to live somewhere fancy, and I like where I live, I don't want to move. I got so fussed, I decided it wasn't worth it!

Whatever it takes to spend that kind of money, I don't have it!

JeanneP · « **Reply #2069 on:** March 04, 2012, 06:26:09 PM »

Only thing is . When you see people win millions on the Lottery. You see where they are prior to the winning, one thinks they will do that. Split the money, give half to help the poor..Give to Church. Buy homes for the Children. Time goes bye. You hear about them again. Lost most of the money, Divorced. Children got into trouble. Into drugs and booze. Hit someone with car. All really messed up. Like to have a show come on TV that would find some of these people who spent money doing good things. We have had a couple people win around here. Over 100 million. Above pretty much sums up what happened to them. Believe the man Age 45 died of a overdose.

I would just like to win about a million. take one payout. about 750 thousand left.. Pay taxes. Live nice with the rest. But then I don't buy lottery tickets either.

Frybabe · « **Reply #2070 on:** March 04, 2012, 06:57:45 PM »

Fella near here won a lottery several years back. He lived in a cul-de-sac away from everyone, and he wasn't in the best of health. That did not stop perfect strangers from driving up his drive, knocking on the door and asking for handouts. He had to move out of his home to get away from the beggars and loonies that kept showing up. He only lived a year or so after winning. Sad.

roshanarose · « **Reply #2071 on:** March 04, 2012, 10:16:09 PM »

Frybabe - What a terrible story. Poor man. Moral : Never have your name published in regard to lotteries.

JoanK - My ex-husband's (US) grandparents were quite wealthy. They used to offset their money by sending each family member $10,000 every Christmas. The exchange rate then was much more favourable to the US dollar, so the family would get about $4,000 Australia extra each. The grandparents had a female relative who owned a bank, she helped them a lot with financial arrangements. The bank owner died Intestate and her money was divided up for her family. I won't say how much my ex husbane got, as it is rather vulgar to talk about money - sorry! I was a bit surprised that a citizen could own a bank. They are all big companies here, no private banks at all.

Rosemary - When people get that rich here, the government rubs its hand in glee. They take over 50% in Tax. Like most places, there are many tax evaders in Australia.

Babi · « **Reply #2072 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:55:53 AM »

JOANK, your distribution of wealth sounds great to me. I confess to being puzzled
by the 'whatever', tho'. If that's not 'for me', and not to help solve world problems,
whatever could it be?? And I'm pretty sure a good CPA or lawyer could explain how
to give your kids money they can keep. I'd certainly like to give it a try.

(I don't buy lottery tickets either. Throwing money away, IMO. I never did understand
the attractions of gambling.)

maryz · « **Reply #2073 on:** March 05, 2012, 11:29:49 AM »

We've always said that a lottery is a tax on the mathematically challenged.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2074 on:** March 05, 2012, 01:21:13 PM »

JeanneP · « **Reply #2075 on:** March 05, 2012, 05:15:30 PM »

Giving children and Grandchildren money seems to be the thing now in the USA. Older people think that its a good thing if they have quite a lot saved. Reason they seem to think is if they have to go into a Nursing home then it takes their money fast. If they don't have a lot then Medicare picks up the cost. so. They can give each member that they want I believe 13000 now with no tax having to be paid. I have seen how some of these members spend that money. One ex family member went out and bought a 25 thousand dollar motercycle. Another went on a Gambling trip to LV. Other put in a swimming pool. Here are the older parents scrimping on food etc so that they could give them the money.

This was another way that the US Gov. did not think things out. Putting money in trusts that cannot be wasted should be the way to go. Or seniors should not scrimp. go without things. Enjoy themselves spending if they are healthy. Not worry about giving or leaving money for the Kids and they call it.

I feel like we raised them well. Educated them in order for them to make a living. Would help if really needed to, but to keep on wanting them to have it easy is not the best way to go.

JUST MY OPINION. Many don't like it.

nlhome · « **Reply #2076 on:** March 05, 2012, 10:25:29 PM »

Just one little correction, Jeanne, Medicare only covers rehab in a nursing home, not long term care.

Medicaid can cover long term care, but there are rules about giving away property in order to be eligible - of course, people can get around those rules if they have a good attorney.

I agree, seniors should not go without in order to leave money to their children.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2077 on:** March 06, 2012, 04:28:46 AM »

Jeanne, i agree with you - but I have read in our newspapers, and seen for myself, that many grandparents in the UK are now helping families with much more basic needs than motorcycles and gambling. My mother's view is that her generation had benefits that subsequent generations are never going to have - our children will probably not have the health service as we know it, neither will they have good pensions, free travel, free university tuition for their own children and many of the other things that pensioners enjoy, or have enjoyed, in this country. I hasten to add that my own family is not funded by either set of grandparents, but I do know many who are getting very welcome and much appreciated help with school fees, etc. Many older people over here have made substantial sums from the huge increase in property prices over the past 50 years - the property market is now very different, and I have no idea how my children will ever manage to buy property unless we help them.

However, in my job I have seen some older people frantic with anxiety about the parlous financial state that their feckless offspring have got themselves into - huge credit card debt, gambling, etc - and absolutely agree that there should be no bail out there. It all depends on circumstances, I think. I hope I will be glad to help my children if they really need it, but I know they would not expect me to go without to do so.

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #2078 on:** March 06, 2012, 09:14:21 AM »

I like your opinion, JEANNE. Padding corners and relieving offspring of responsibility has
ruined the character of far too many. My Dad once said 'You can do anything you like, so long
as your're prepared to take the consequences." Wise man.

JeanneP · « **Reply #2079 on:** March 06, 2012, 01:56:53 PM »

That is true. MEDICARE will only cover so much but the thing is if you have run out of money. Your funds are not there because you have passed most on to children at Tax Free. (Your home if done I believe 5 years). then they come under the MEDICAID system. No funds left. (Other than if still have a spouse living then they can't touch $13.000 of what money left). If still own a home then they can take it.

I have seen this happen so often. People who owned so much in their younger time end up in County Nursing homes on MEDICAID. Mind you ours if just by me. Beautiful new building but people still call the County Home. Associate it to what use to be the POOR FARM. here in Illinois.

News:

Author Topic: Non-Fiction (Read 439722 times)