Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085031 times)

Babi · « **Reply #1120 on:** March 04, 2010, 08:13:55 AM »

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!

Good thinking, STEPH, ringing in a male to talk with the shy guy. I hope the sale goes through
for you ASAP.

pedln · « **Reply #1121 on:** March 04, 2010, 11:00:24 AM »

I just read this article in the NY Times -- by Nicholas Kristoff. If you have not yet met 10-year-old Nujood, take a look.

Divorced Before Puberty

FlaJean · « **Reply #1122 on:** March 04, 2010, 11:50:23 AM »

Thanks for sharing that article.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1123 on:** March 04, 2010, 01:51:05 PM »

I love the concept of Wikipedia - "just folks" sharing their expertise - of course, you have to have a little skepticism about how factual all the info is, but i've found most people are giving real info and often very good info.

I just discovered Wikibooks, where people can write whole books and others can contribute. Some of them are real textbook types and then there is one i found that was just fun titled "The Anatomy of a Pencil."

Here is the main page link

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page

Here is the Anatomy of a Pencil site

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Anatomy_of_a_Pencil

This is the way they talked about in the 90's that the internet could be used and i just love it! (maybe i should check out the English grammar book based on that convoluted sentence i just wrote - you all know what i meant)....................hahaha.............jean

Frybabe · « **Reply #1124 on:** March 04, 2010, 01:59:58 PM »

WOW Jean, I've bookmarked the Wikibooks site. When I have time I want to especially look into what they have for Latin. Already there is an article about how to learn a language online that has my interest. Right now, however, I must get ready for work.

Steph · « **Reply #1125 on:** March 05, 2010, 06:01:14 AM »

I like the book aspect of Wiki, but the encyclopedia is sooo inaccurate about some of the things. As a genealogist, I am appalled at some of it, and the information on at least one of the high blood pressure drugs I used to take is just flat out wrong.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1126 on:** March 05, 2010, 11:52:15 AM »

yeah - i probably wouldn't take health advice from wikipedia. I usually check bio, history and "things" info w/ some other source also - that's just my teacher background kicking in....................jean

Steph · « **Reply #1127 on:** March 06, 2010, 05:39:04 AM »

Went to hear a talk on Friday by a woman who writes those picture and history books for the little towns. There is a whole series in Florida and probably other places.. She writes on Florida towns. She did the next little town to us and is now almost done with one on the town where I live. She was interesting. She had worked for the newspaper here and I assume is how she made the contacts to write the first book.

JoanK · « **Reply #1128 on:** March 06, 2010, 07:43:09 PM »

I never thought about who writes those. One of the first things I did when I moved to the town (suburb) where I live now was borrow the town history book from the library. I didn't finish it (the writing made it hard to read) but I find I'm the only one I meet who knows anything about the town history.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1129 on:** March 06, 2010, 08:57:37 PM »

My town has a bound copy of a report by the historical society of its historic buildings. When we moved here we took the book and rode around looking them up.

Steph · « **Reply #1130 on:** March 07, 2010, 06:19:14 AM »

The little towns in Florida are fun because most of them were started by rich northeners who came down and fell in love. Then they built large wooden houses and came in the winters. To their shock, every once in a while, it gets really really cold and boom.. away they go leaving the little town all alone. The big wood houses burned down over the years and then the groves moved in, but they had a massive freeze in 1989 and again the groves were destroyed.. So many of them are quite poor and have little to make them prosperous.

Babi · « **Reply #1131 on:** March 07, 2010, 08:59:16 AM »

When a big freeze threatens the citrus groves down in the Rio Grande Valley, the farmers
line the groves with big fire pots.. aka smudge pots, I believe. They'll stay up all night keeping
the fires going to protect the groves. Hard work, but they've saved groves many a time that
way.

ginny · « **Reply #1132 on:** March 07, 2010, 09:44:04 AM »

Gosh what a winter we've had. This one is bound to go down in history. I hope we've had our last disaster.

I'm getting sort of desperate for a good read. I bought is it Housing Project only to be bitterly disappointed, it's about smart mouth teenagers, nothing in any description prepared me for that. Don't need to even read one word about that and their perspectives, thank you very much.

The author of Native Son has a new one out, starts out with refugees clinging to the top of a train making an escape, that sounds exciting. I'll never forget a young man who lived with our neighbors in New Jersey who was Hungarian and who had personally commandeered a train to break through out of Hungary. I don't recall the time but I'm sure you remember the circumstances, wonder what happened to him?

I think I'll try it. I have Native Speaker somewhere in the house, but unread.

Meanwhile, do any of you remember Mary Stewart? The new issue of Bas Bleu has what looks to me anyway like a super book, how have I missed it? My Brother Michael:

Here's their page mentioning it:

http://www.basbleu.com/basbleu/Item_My-Brother-Michael_UD0342_ps_srm.html

Here's their blurb:

Quote

“Nothing ever happens to me,” bemoans lovely Camilla Haven while on holiday in Athens, Greece. Moments later, as if on cue, a stranger approaches and hands her the keys to a rental car, along with instructions to deliver it to Delphi. Obviously the man has mistaken her for someone else. And yet Camilla, a classics teacher whose finances are running perilously low, can’t refuse the opportunity to travel for free to the ancient village. There she meets Simon Lester, an intriguing young man recently arrived from England to investigate the death of his brother Michael in the mountains above Delphi. It seems Michael’s final letter home was something of a riddle, hinting at a spectacular discovery he made just before his death. When Camilla and Simon join forces to investigate, they realize that Michael’s discovery cost him his life—and may well cost them their own. Framed against a spectacular Greek backdrop, My Brother Michael is a thrilling tale of murder, suspense, and revenge. (KG)

Now that for some reason looks good to me, how have I missed her? And in looking her up elsewhere I found many titles that I have heard of but never read, have you all read her and somehow I missed her?

_______________________

I am so glad you are enjoying the Latin course, Gum!!!

_______________________

Those of you reading Byatt's latest book, The Children's Book, how is it? Do you like it?

_______________________

I love the Bas Bleu catalog, I get lots of ideas from it. This one has two books on famous elephants of the circus and their somewhat strange handlers. They LOOK good, everything LOOKS good, but nothing is. It's strange to be Between Books, it's a special malaise, nothing I start seems interesting or compelling. I miss being immersed in a good book.

Has that ever happened to you?

Anybody reading the new Zafon? How is IT?

What are you reading? There has got to be SOMETHING good out there!

maryz · « **Reply #1133 on:** March 07, 2010, 10:19:00 AM »

Babi, some of my family has lived in The Valley since the 1930s or earlier. I still have an aunt in Weslaco and a cousin in Edinburg. We visit every year in January (can't stand it any more from March-November - I grew up in Houston).

pedln · « **Reply #1134 on:** March 07, 2010, 11:09:56 AM »

Ginny, sometimes timing is everything. I had Byatt's The Children's Book home from the library for three weeks, but was already reading other things already started, including Louise Penny's Brutal Telling, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

So perhaps Byatt's book did not get the attention it deserved. The very first chapters, so much detail, so many people, and one keeps thinking, "Let's get on with it . What's supposed to happen here." Then it became due, and I couldn't renew. So, I'm going to wait on that on until it's out in paperback (hopefully 2nd hand paperback) when I can read it on my own schedule. I'd definitely want to read it along with another book -- this one is not a sit up and read all night book.

Unlike Tess Gerritson's The Bone Garden, which has our old friend Oliver William Holmes playing a small part. A stand alone mystery, back and forth between 1830 and contemporary times. Medical training and women giving birth.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1135 on:** March 07, 2010, 11:23:03 AM »

This will be repeated in mystery: Elizabeth George ~~finally~~ has a new Inspector Lynley coming out in May. My name is #20 on the waiting list. Check this out: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/elizabeth-george/this-body-of-death.htm
If you haven't fallen under George's spell beware; it is a wicked addiction. George's Lynley and Laurie R King's Mary Russell will always be at the top of my stack of books.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1136 on:** March 07, 2010, 12:03:48 PM »

The above post should have read "finally."

Ovation TV is new to me; I found it while surfing, saw Billie Holiday singing and stopped to watch. Checking the web site I saw this, think I'll tune in. http://www.ovationtv.com/programs/746-the-book-group

joangrimes · « **Reply #1137 on:** March 07, 2010, 02:32:50 PM »

Oh I long for a delicious Elizabeth George.
Joan Grimes

JoanK · « **Reply #1138 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:12:31 PM »

Ovation TV is new to me, too. What are its call letters, the Web page doesn't say?

winsummm · « **Reply #1139 on:** March 07, 2010, 07:47:29 PM »

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=billie+holiday+sings&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

billie holiday sings bye google and me

claire

strange fruit takes a wile to get started and ends too soon but does remind me.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1140 on:** March 07, 2010, 08:24:34 PM »

Hello Claire...
Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1141 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:33:33 AM »

Wonderful. I love Elizabeth George.. I had somehow missed one of the Lauri King Holmes.. Resurrection Hall. So I am now reading it.. Lovely and made you turn on your head with characters from another of the books..
I dont know Ginny.. Do you like the Arthur legend. Several of us are reading Guinivere, which is a study on Guinivere done by a famous arthurian scholar. Finding out all sorts of facts and not facts from history on the legend and possibly true people.

Babi · « **Reply #1142 on:** March 08, 2010, 08:40:21 AM »

I'm pretty sure I read "My Brother Michael", GINNY. I don't remember
much about it...so long ago...but I always enjoyed Mary Stewart.

MARY, I had family in the Valley, too. Some of them are still there.
Visiting there is how I learned about protecting citrus groves, and where
I rode my first horse. My uncle managed some orange groves, and after he
died my aunt developed a business making jellies and preserves, including
a novel cactus pear preserve. Most of them wound up in gift baskets of
the kind you would find in the stores during the holidays. I bought a
batch from her every year as gifts for my co-workers. Ah, the memories
this stirs up.

bellemere · « **Reply #1143 on:** March 08, 2010, 08:42:29 PM »

Strange Fruit: th :-*e song that Billie Holliday sings so hauntingly, was writtn by a man named Meerepol, who adopted the two sons of the Rosenbergs after they were executed. They both live near me in Western Mass and they took the Meerepol name.. One is a lawyer and one is a professor of economics at the college where I was the grantwriter before my retirement: a brilliant man, who had to overcome a lot in his life.

JoanK · « **Reply #1144 on:** March 08, 2010, 09:17:59 PM »

This isn't about a book, but I thought this might be helpful. If any of you had earned income last year, or a government pension or annuity not covered by social security, you can get a tax rebate. On the first page of irs.gov, in the left corner where they have frequently requested forms and schedules, right below 1040 is Schedule M and Instructions for Schedule M. Or get Schedule M from your library.

FlaJean · « **Reply #1145 on:** March 08, 2010, 11:02:31 PM »

The citrus growers are no longer allowed to use smudge pots here in Florida because of pollution. They spray water on the trees and fruit which freezes and protects the fruit.

I've read many good Mary Stewart books but not for years.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1146 on:** March 08, 2010, 11:49:44 PM »

Has anyone here read any novels by Barbara Pym? I used to read some things by her years ago. I thought of her today and went searching. I could not think of her name but at last I searched with enough clues to the kinds of novels she wrote and I finally found her name.
Joan Grimes

winsummm · « **Reply #1147 on:** March 09, 2010, 04:38:44 AM »

hi joan G. are you still "good book less". I get my referrels here from all of you. check out as samples on kindle and keep the promising ones for a time when I'm in the mood for that particular type. currently I have ovver a hundred in the archive and about a dozen in the sample index which covers a lot of ground.

the cosies have been keeping me busy lately but I'm about ready o go back into current fiancial books. books on c-spand had MARK LEE GARDER on this last weekend disucssing his passion for the old west,his new book on billy the kid and playing all the folk instruments I diddled with years ago He played and sang them authentically and I loved it. . .so Iwent and ordered his book the title something about death and a fast horse, sampled it caught me and I finished it i a day and a half.

as for barbara pyms light english msteries. yes long ago when Iwas into that kid o book. I don't relate very well to english setting now adays although I enjyed the old Austin ones since they were also offered as films with visuals to helpop. there are so many political books available now. Wolf ?? writes about the presidencial primary campaigns obama and hillary. I'l look into that some time.

claire
I htink a well written biography may be next on my agebdy. kindle has edison which is well written and jefferson which is boring and washington, also boring. but. .you never know.

good beach reading is THE DIVA SERIES. THE STATE OF THE ONION, and HAIL TO THE CHEF. all about life in the whitehouse as a couple of mysteries. fictional but entertaining with good characters. Gjoan you might enjoy that. full of recipes also.

claire

Steph · « **Reply #1148 on:** March 09, 2010, 06:07:42 AM »

I always found the Rosenbergs interesting and have read a fair number of books ,nonfiction and fiction about them and the boys.. A sad sad case.
I am reading a Lauri King who has brought into the story , an execution during WWI.. Seems the Brits executed young males.. over 300 altogether if they were considered cowards.. I found that horrifying and did some looking and darned if it isnt true.. Whew.

Babi · « **Reply #1149 on:** March 09, 2010, 08:48:08 AM »

JEAN, they freeze the leaves and fruit to protect them from a freeze???
Now that's weird! For all I know they may no longer be using smudge
pots in the Valley, either. Since I was a kid when I learned about that
you have some idea how long ago that was!

That is shocking news, STEPH. I'm not surprised it isn't well known. I'm
wondering, though, if those executions were for displaying cowarding in
the face of the enemy. A death penalty for running from the scene of
a battle is not uncommon. Was that the situation, or were these young
men declared cowards because they didn't want to join up in the first
place?

joangrimes · « **Reply #1150 on:** March 09, 2010, 09:36:13 AM »

Hi Claire,

No Barbara Pym's book are not mysteries. They are English though. I really enjoy reading about the English countryside. That is when I read at all. Some days my eyes just are not up to it at all. Other days I do manage a little while reading.

Oh the aches and pains of aging are upper most in my mind unless I get caught up in searching Amazon for titles of books that I read long ago and start remembering what they were all about. The problem with the Barbara Pym books is that they are not even in large print. I would like to have a collection of them just to know that I have them but I need to be clearing out stuff not still collecting stuff.Joan Grimes

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1151 on:** March 09, 2010, 12:19:19 PM »

It wasn't only the Brits. "Paths of Glory" is a movie, starring Kirk Douglas, about the execution of four French soldiers. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050825/

bellemere · « **Reply #1152 on:** March 09, 2010, 01:51:23 PM »

Bookless people: try rural Ireland, either Annie Dunne, by Sebastian Barry or By the Lake by John McIsaac. Both charming, wonderful visuals, characters, perhaps Annie Dunne a but enigmatic but still wonderful

Steph · « **Reply #1153 on:** March 10, 2010, 06:10:38 AM »

The Brits.. Some of the executions were officers who refused a direct command to charge and sacrifice their men. They were all young and had been in the trenches for long periods of time. They have a memorial to them in England now, but the PM refused to pardon them. Sad.

marjifay · « **Reply #1154 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:55:46 AM »

Ginny asked, "Are any of you reading any Stuart Woods?"

My favotite Woods novel was IRON ORCHID. The "bad guy" is a very interesting character and the only villain I've ever wanted to see escape.
A page turner.

Marj

marjifay · « **Reply #1155 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:02:25 AM »

Steph, since you said you liked books about restaurants, have you been watching the FOX TV channel's reality show KITCHEN NIGHTMARES. We've found it fascinating. Chef Gordon Ramsay spends a week with a failing restaurant in an attempt to turn it around and become successful. Great program.

Marj

Babi · « **Reply #1156 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:25:18 AM »

Oh, MARJ, that brings unpleasantly to mind the late Marvin Zindler and his roach hunts. Not
that I wasn't glad to know that a particular restaurant had a dirty kitchen, but the man himself
really got on my nerves. Every show, he would bellow "Marvin Zindler" as though
he were introducing God.

Frybabe · « **Reply #1157 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:33:24 AM »

Babi, since I didn't know who Marvin Zindler was, I looked him up. While I don't know him, I sure do remember his crusade to close The Chicken Ranch (aka "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas").

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5009880.html

joangrimes · « **Reply #1158 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:52:55 AM »

Thanks for the link to the article Frybabe. It made for interesting reading this morning.Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1159 on:** March 11, 2010, 05:40:19 AM »

I used to be a huge fan of Food Network, but truth is, I dislike it intensely now and rarely watch. The iron chef is silly as far as I am concerned. Isnt Gordon Ramsey the one who yells all the time??
I like the silly one who dyes his hair blonde and does Diners,etc. He is not a cook and eats junk, but he does occasionally make me laugh.. But I dont watch him very often. Dont like the females on the Food Network.. Rachel is too cutesy for words.. and the Paula Deene makes my teeth ache for the gooey behavior.. The contessa is not bad, but n ot really a good cook..All in all, I want the chefs back.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085031 times)