Author Topic: The Library (Read 2303068 times)

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #10600 on:** February 07, 2013, 07:33:20 PM »

The Library

Our library cafe is open 24/7, the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

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BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #10601 on:** February 07, 2013, 07:36:19 PM »

Joanne yes, I read it as soon as I received it - been conflicted - the first over half was wonderful - inspiring - but then when the crowd took over his walk I got peeved and was behind him when he finally set out on his own but the next bit where he seemed to get lost and meander out of his way really confused me - was it supposed to signify someone as they age - and if so I thought that demeaning - just could not figure out why and then of course the sad bit at the care center but I also thought the author hurried the last few chapters - it did not hang as well - granted no more anticipation and feeling of a heroic tramp although, it was neat to see his exchanges in the restaurant - trying to write this without spilling what happens - it will be interesting to hear what the reaction is to the book as y'all read on to the end.

ginny · « **Reply #10602 on:** February 07, 2013, 07:37:02 PM »

Oh I'm so glad, Sheila and that so many of you are interested in it. I'm not very far into it and you know how that goes, it could turn bad in a heartbeat, but Tome finished it and liked it.

Reading is such a personal thing, isn't it? I guess one should never say they are enjoying something if they haven't finished it.

Pedln, that's IT! I had forgotten the name of the movie, it was a true story, but you're right, it had Richard Farnsworth in it, so it was a dramatized real story? Or based on...

I bought it when it came out on DVD, there's something about it which appealed to me but it also had a lot of unanswered questions. I like determination, despite odds. I understand Wild is about that as well, so that's next. I must be in a walking mood, everything I'm reading is about walking.

MaryPage · « **Reply #10603 on:** February 07, 2013, 08:23:40 PM »

I think I read You Can't Go Home Again and Look Homeward Angel way back in the nineteen forties. Don't remember them being difficult. But the point of You Can't Go Home Again has hit me over and over and over again through these long, but seeming so quick to come and go, years. I do know I have deeply resented there being an author of today named Tom Wolfe, when it seems to me there can be one and only one Thomas Wolfe. Oh well; we each of us belong in our own time capsule, as it were.

Remember Of Time And The River? Long time ago.

salan · « **Reply #10604 on:** February 08, 2013, 06:26:26 AM »

I just finished One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni and was ready to recommend it to one and all and then it ended.....Yes, that's right. It just ended leaving the reader to figure out what happened. I just hate books that don't end! If I wanted to figure out the ending, I would write the book myself. What a disappointment! 2/3 of the way through; I was ready to get other books by this author, and pass this on to friends, but not now. I don't want to give her a chance to disappoint me again. I don't know why some authors do this. Do they simply not know how to end the book they are writing, or do they think they are being clever?? I give myself credit for not throwing the book across the room!
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #10605 on:** February 08, 2013, 06:36:24 AM »

I read Thomas Wolf a long long time ago. I loved You Cant Go Home Again. Look Homeward Angel was good, but not as good as the other. Oh my,, that brings back memories.. Listened to lecture 3 and 4 yesterday. 3 was on early Christians, who did not believe that Jesus was an actual person, but a spirit.. The fourth lecture is a joy.. The beginning of the discussion on gnostics.. I had always wondered about them and what they really believed. He is very carefully laying out who and what they were and why they were so roundly hated by the orthodox Christians.. There are three lecutures on them, so I know I will enjoy the next few days.
Got The Big C on Netflix with Laura Linney. I know it won awards and I have always liked her, but don't like the series at all. What a miserable family she had.. what a miserable woman she is.. I know, I know.. she was diagnosed with cancer, but the need to be naked and act out escapes me.

pedln · « **Reply #10606 on:** February 08, 2013, 10:52:29 AM »

Sally, what a shame to be so disappointed in the ending. Perhaps you need to do as Mary Anne Schwalbe, memorialized in her son Will's book -- The End of Your Life Book Club -- did. She always read the end of the book first because she couldn't wait to find out what happened. And this woman was a reader extraordinaire.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10607 on:** February 08, 2013, 11:30:44 AM »

Our f2f book group have gotten into a classics binge, purely accidental I guess, but I think it is going to be F -U- N! Last night we discussed "Death Comes For the Archbishop". Lively discussion, our moderator did a bang-up job of author background and the other stuff we do for a selection. We have chosen for our March read "Fahrenheit 451" as it is the "One City-One Book selection for Dallas. Also, we will be reading "Animal Farm" for April. Aren't we just the clever ones? We normally do mostly current fiction, with a non-fiction tossed in now and then.

JeanneP · « **Reply #10608 on:** February 08, 2013, 03:13:22 PM »

Is it Howard Fry or Harold Fry? I don't seem to be able to find it.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10609 on:** February 08, 2013, 03:14:48 PM »

Harold Fry

Steph · « **Reply #10610 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:36:30 AM »

I love Animal Farm and have reread it so many times in my life. I first read it as a young teen and did not begin to understand the understory, but by college did.. A powerful small book.
We did Death comes to the Archbishop( I think) in the old Seniornet.. Discussion was really really strong. I like Willa Cather very much, but disliked that one intensely.

Babi · « **Reply #10611 on:** February 09, 2013, 09:31:57 AM »

What an interesting insight on Mrs. Schwalbe, PEDLN. Perhaps when one is dying,
or just plainly reaching the end of life, there is simply a desire not to miss
anything. See how it ends, just in case you can't finish it?

I've never read 'Animal Farm'...deliberately. I've always understood it to be a
depressing book and had no interest whatever. I loved other books featuring humanized
animals, tho', such as "Watership Down".

pedln · « **Reply #10612 on:** February 09, 2013, 11:15:44 AM »

re: Mrs. Schwalbe and the end of the book --- I think not, Babi, she had always done that.

I loved Watership Down, and can still remember listening to an English teacher booktalking it to high school students. She had just finished talking about Merle Miller's bio of H S Truman, then she said, "You have heard about one leader today. Now I would like to tell you about another leader."

JoanP · « **Reply #10613 on:** February 09, 2013, 01:30:06 PM »

The End of Your Life Book Club is one of the six titles being considered for March group discussion.

The polls are still open - through today. If you haven't had a chance to cast your vote you still have time.

Tough choice, I'll agree! Remember to check the book reviews in the header...VOTE HERE

Steph · « **Reply #10614 on:** February 10, 2013, 06:22:51 AM »

Animal Farm is not depressing .. It is an allegory and as such is horrifying at times, and then as you get older, you realize how really true the characters are.. Not a funny animal story however. I wish I liked Watership Down.Everyone else does. I read it, but for some reason lost patience halfway through.
Two more lectures yesterday. both on Gnostic religion. I confess that I am confused at this point about what they believed. But the lecturer is trying. A complicated religion and in some ways not Christian.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #10615 on:** February 10, 2013, 08:13:19 AM »

Steph, I could not stand Watership Down and gave up less than half way through. The Art Garfunkel song that accompanied the film (which I have not seen) makes me cry, so i try to avoid that too. I know I am too sentimental, but I find I get worse with every passing year.

My son had a picture book called Farmer Duck when he was little.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Farmer-Duck-Martin-Waddell/dp/074453660X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360502267&sr=1-1

It was a sort of retelling of Animal Farm. My husband thought it was great, but although the duck triumphed in the end, I still felt quite weepy when I had to read it out loud...I was much happier with things like Alfie & Annie Rose (Shirley Hughes.)

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #10616 on:** February 10, 2013, 09:24:35 AM »

STEPH, even if it's using animals is an allegory of 'horrifying', I'm still avoiding 'horrible'
in my reading. I can sympathize with the difficulty on understanding the 'gnostic'. Trying to
get a clear definition of it is difficult. As you say, complicated.

As I said earlier, I really loved 'Watership Down'; I sympathized (empathized?) closely with
some of the characters. Perhaps I should be worried about what that says about me.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #10617 on:** February 10, 2013, 01:11:15 PM »

I'm another that did not like Watership Down

Gnostics believed the Jesus was man but not God and that God came about through man - the evolution of man created God rather than a force that existed before time - therefore Jesus was a man. The argument if Jesus was God or Jesus was Man or Jesus was both raged for about 1000 years - there would be agreements within the Roman Church and then someone would prove the argument did not hold water however, any group that believed Jesus to be either man or all god was dismissed and their followers were considered heretics -

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10618 on:** February 10, 2013, 02:34:44 PM »

I loved Watership Down also, Babi.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #10619 on:** February 10, 2013, 02:48:44 PM »

I think for me I wanted it to be more like Wind in the Willows and it wasn't - the scary parts were too scary for me - too much reality maybe.

JeanneP · « **Reply #10620 on:** February 10, 2013, 03:46:02 PM »

Is it only me as I get older. Never did cry over anything. Now let something sad be happening in a film. Someone starts crying I can't stop myself from crying along with them.

Steph · « **Reply #10621 on:** February 11, 2013, 06:04:17 AM »

Barb.the point in the lectures is that not all gnostic were Christians and many were closer to Jews.. and some were seriously into spirits. The world was a mistake created by a wicked god.. That is where my head started to spin.. So I am still struggling and have listened to one of the lectures again. Many have a divine spark and can become gods.. To some extent, the Mormons believe a variation on this.. The god part I mean.

ginny · « **Reply #10622 on:** February 11, 2013, 08:16:00 AM »

I get the BEST recommendations from you all! I was amazed yesterday at just reading the different folders here how MANY and varied are your interests and reading. I felt really awed actually by this community of readers.

I can't get any Mortimer here!!! I mean everybody has heard of Rumpole and the Bailey but HE is not on the shelves in the bookstores; at least not the one's I've been in and most all of them are now Barnes and Noble, what's left? I remember years ago a short story of his which I just absolutely loved, so beautifully written, so am trying now to make up for lost time with him.

Rosemary, you do recommend the best books! I've ordered Farmer Duck for my own grandbaby, had never heard of it, and it looks perfect. I'm trying to find a good book of Aesop, for him, too.

Oh I loved Animal Farm. We read it here. It's of course an allegory on communism, Stalinism, you name it, but I to this day quote Boxer (probably erroneously) "I will work harder."

Four legs good, two legs bad. I think perhaps Orwell was right on that one.

Frybabe · « **Reply #10623 on:** February 11, 2013, 08:30:27 AM »

Ginny, you can probably order from the bookstore; some (if not all) are still in print. Amazon has them both in print and on Kindle. Many used are listed through the Marketplace. Barnes and Noble also carries them in print and for their Nook. Mom had my copy of the Rumpole Omnibus, but I don't know if I got it back. I haven't seen it around. My sister has my DVDs of Rumpole shows for the moment.

Babi · « **Reply #10624 on:** February 11, 2013, 09:43:52 AM »

There are gnostics, and there are agnostics. It's easy to get the two confused. An
agnostic holds that there may be a God, but that we cannot possibly know that for
certain.

Thank you, TOME. Isn't it strange how differently readers can perceive the same book?
We are all such highly individual assortments of genes and life experience. Just think
how unique each one of us truly is.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10625 on:** February 11, 2013, 12:33:06 PM »

Not on topic, but just read that Pope Benedict is retiring. Last time I saw him on TV (I guess at Christmas) I noticed how very infirm he looked,and was very worried. A pope has not retired since Pope Gregory in 1400+ something.

JeanneP · « **Reply #10626 on:** February 11, 2013, 04:10:12 PM »

He will be well taken care of in his retirement. I should think it would be compulsory after age 85. One must be feeling worn out and needing to rest. Not heard anything as to if is health is bad.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10627 on:** February 11, 2013, 04:44:30 PM »

He himself said his health was not strong enough to continue.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10628 on:** February 11, 2013, 04:50:19 PM »

Pope Benedict XVI To Resign On Feb. 28 Due To Health Concerns

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #10629 on:** February 11, 2013, 04:50:56 PM »

The above per HuffPostNews, the link wouldn't copy to here.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #10630 on:** February 11, 2013, 05:48:08 PM »

Yes, they added that this afternoon - to adjust the news suggests to me there were questions - I still believe this a political move - there was his predecessor John old, feeble after a stroke and very ill, who died as Pope with his dying to be used as an example of how to die with dignity - and so just because Benedict is old does not add up.

I just do not think you make this decision lightly as we see Queen Elizabeth, another Monarch with more democratic organization around her than this Church, showing no sign of abdication. Now the Dutch queen did recently abdicate and other monarchs are incorporating more democratic systems in their office as the King of Jordan and the King of Sweden established a law that allows his daughter to take the thrown - However, we see no movement toward a democratic influence in the Curia - it is old fashioned power welding.

We may not live to get the whole story but I bet 25 years from now, just as we are getting more of the inside story of the politics of Vatican II, there will be further chapters in the History of Popes that lets us in on the behind the scenes happenings. If we did not have the leaks from the Butler and the whole mess of his trial plus the computer analyst serving time for breaching security I would not question this additional news saying he Pope was old or some are saying in poor health, coming out almost 12 hours after the announcement.

pedln · « **Reply #10631 on:** February 11, 2013, 10:14:29 PM »

Quote

I should think it would be compulsory after age 85.

WHOA!!! Some might say the same thing about holding public office

Or driving!!!

jane · « **Reply #10632 on:** February 11, 2013, 10:35:18 PM »

At least in driving, you have to prove yourself with a driving test...at least in Iowa and Illinois, I know, yearly by age 85. Yes, the person has to be actually out driving with the tester.

It's a shame there's no test for those who hold political office to judge their competency as we have for drivers' tests!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #10633 on:** February 12, 2013, 03:36:23 AM »

I appreciate I may not think this way when I am 84, but I really do think some people should stop driving at that age. My nearest town, North Berwick, is extremely popular with retired people, but the streets are very narrow and quite honestly some of their driving is frightening. It is easy to walk to lots of shops, banks, etc if you live in the town, and there are volunteer car ride services, etc (because there are also a lot of young retired people keen to volunteer for everything), so I feel there is no excuse. People here have to have a health check if they are still driving at that age, but no actual driving check. As I've said before, my in-laws (who don't live here) should not be on the road, for everyone's safety including their own, but of course they don't see it that way and my MIL refuses to use public transport. She comes from an age where you didn't even have to take a driving test to get a licence - but the roads are very different nowadays.

On a happier note, my 20 year old son finally passed his driving test yesterday! Now of course I will be worrying about him even more - just as my mother did about me, and did I care? Of course not

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #10634 on:** February 12, 2013, 06:29:47 AM »

Babi,,, at least I think it was you.. Gnostics is the heresy that I am currently on.. Agnostics would not be in this course.. Gnostics varied wildly at this point in history. That is what is throwing me.. They did not agree with each other much less the orthodox..
Watching the dog show in parts, I can follow specific breeds on facebook.

ginny · « **Reply #10635 on:** February 12, 2013, 07:55:15 AM »

He's obviously frail and not in good health, needs two men to support him even to walk, says he hasn't the strength in his Abdication speech, poor guy. Just listening to him talk is almost breathtaking: he hasn't the breath, himself. It's amazing how strenuous the job of a priest can be, much less what the Pope does. I couldn't have done it at my current age, much less his. Heck, I remember 30 years ago being worn out on Easter mornings with two choir services, much less doing what he does, those services he does take forever. (And I've sat thru several of them, as a tourist).

Last year he was in some country on a trip, and I noticed particularly his hands. The fingers were reddish black in the photos, I kept looking at them and wondering if I were seeing things. and there were black pits under his eyes. I thought, uh oh, something's wrong, and I believe it is. Whether or not he's ill there's no doubt he's exhausted and frail. I admire somebody who knows when he can't do the job the way he thinks it needs to be done and knows when he can't do it any more.

Rosemary, you are such a hoot: (because there are also a lot of young retired people keen to volunteer for everything). I love the way you express yourself.

Did you ever finish your writing class? And how did it go?

Oh the days of a son going off with the car!!! How well I remember them.

Babi · « **Reply #10636 on:** February 12, 2013, 09:06:09 AM »

There's really no way of knowing. It may simply have never occurred to John that he
could retire. If Benedict feels he can no longer carry out his duties properly, then
retiring is the wisest option. As to the two queens, it occurs to me that the queen
of the Netherlands may have more confidence in her successor's capability than Queen
Elizabeth. What most surprises me is Jordan now permitting a woman to reign. I would
think that is bound to kick up a fuss in the Arab world.

84? I made the decision to stop driving just a few months ago, at 77. It was plain
common sense. My legs are no longer strong enough to guarantee I'd be able to react
promptly in an emergency. I will not forget the severe leg cramp I got while driving
in the parking lot at WalMart. I could not shift that leg off the accelerator, and
I was terrified I was going to hit somebody before I could bring the car to a stop.

Oh, yes, I understood that, STEPH. It's just I had a much clearer picture of what an
agnostic was. I think anyone would be confused about the gnostics; they couldn't
agree with anyone, including each other.

MaryPage · « **Reply #10637 on:** February 12, 2013, 10:44:44 AM »

I think this pope is suffering with congestive heart failure. There is no cure, and the symptoms just get worse and worse. He cannot walk, but has to have that moving platform to get around EVEN IN THE CHURCH! That, plus his breathing and his color tells me to bet on congestive heart failure. I am no doctor, so should not be hazarding a guess at all; but I have seen this so many times. He needs full time rest and oxygen in order to be comfortable, and anyone with that condition deserves comfort and freedom from anxiety.
The Washington Post gave the history yesterday of the previous popes who resigned. Beyond fascinating. I knew about the period of the two popes, but I did not know there was a thirty some year old who decided after some years that he did not like being pope and wanted to get married and his uncle paid him (and no doubt others) a big bribe and this pope resigned and his uncle became pope. Then the nephew who had been pope decided he wanted his job as pope back and all hell broke loose. I will see if I can find yesterday's article and pass it on to you.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/previous-popes-who-have-resigned-in-history-of-roman-catholic-church/2013/02/11/bd8fba54-7455-11e2-9889-60bfcbb02149_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/02/11/the-bizarre-stories-of-the-four-other-popes-to-have-resigned-in-the-last-1000-years/

marjifay · « **Reply #10638 on:** February 12, 2013, 11:22:45 AM »

The pope probably had a lot of headaches trying to protect all those priests who were preying on young children.

Marj

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #10639 on:** February 12, 2013, 01:18:04 PM »

Hi Ginny

Yes, I did finish the Open University writing course last summer. I managed to get a Distinction, but I decided not to take the next course, as the tutor was so awful and also the subjects were not so interesting to me (eg 'writing for radio', 'writing theatre scripts.')

I'm glad you liked the look of Farmer Duck - we still have it somewhere I think, I couldn't bear to give away most of the books my children had enjoyed. (And indeed I snap up copies of books I loved in my own childhood if I see them in charity shops or sales - 'The Family From One End Street', 'What Katy Did At School', 'Milly-Molly-Mandy', 'My Naughty Little Sister & Bad Harry' - I love them still.)

What I said about North Berwick is entirely true - I have offered to help with things from time to time, only to realise that there is actually a waiting list/pecking order to be negotiated before one can be admitted to the hallowed ranks of Volunteer.

I think Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands is a very sensible woman, who probably wants a bit more time to enjoy life before she's too old to do so. I read in the paper that royal duties are considered much more of a 'job' over there, whereas here the royals are still seen almost as gods, even when they fall far short of divinity. There is also a view widely held here that HRH won't stand down because she doesn't think Charles is up to it - but I would have thought he'd be a lot better now he's got Camilla keeping him in check.

At least the Queen is still capable - the Pope, I think, has done a very sensible thing if his health is failing, and I can't really see what everyone's making so much fuss about. I do wish they'd appoint someone a bit younger and fitter, but as I am not a Catholic it's not really something for me to have views on. The behaviour of many people in the Anglican church over current issues is causing both me and my daughter to have many doubts, not about our faith but about our church attendance. I have told Anna that it's good constantly to question things like this, but we are neither of us sure where things are leading us. I am thinking of attending the Quaker meeting in Edinburgh to see what it is like, although that won't be until after Anna's choral scholarship at our current church ends in June. There are many very interesting and thoughtful Quakers on Twitter, and so far I like what I see of their approach.

Rosemary

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2303068 times)