Author Topic: The Library (Read 2298428 times)

ginny · « **Reply #11440 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:41:24 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!

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ginny · « **Reply #11441 on:** July 13, 2013, 10:44:09 AM »

I think, personally, and could be totally wrong, that that is the way she actually saw it. It's in her eyes, from her perspective.

I think those are the "real" Shirley Jackson. Or the way she would have liked it to be vis a vis her insufferable, snobbish and definitely not in her league husband.

I have always had a great deal of empathy and respect for her, and after reading the various books out on her, tho I haven't read the latest one, (I need to), I developed a great deal of distaste, which remains, for Stanley Hyman.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11442 on:** July 13, 2013, 07:51:14 PM »

I've finished my latest borrowed from Kindle book. I have over two week before I can borrow another one. My two top choices are The Boy From Reactor 4 (about a boy ice skater living in the Chernobyl area) and The Misremembered Man (rural Ireland setting). Has anyone read either one yet?

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11443 on:** July 13, 2013, 09:47:54 PM »

I have the Misremembered Man as one of my choices for next month - I have four on my list that hopefully something will not come along to change the list for the next four months.

Steph · « **Reply #11444 on:** July 14, 2013, 10:36:49 AM »

Interesting title.
I just started a biography of sorts. DreamCatcher, a memoir by Margaret A. Salinger. Like most people I had forgotten that he had children. Interesting and the pictures are amazing

pedln · « **Reply #11445 on:** July 14, 2013, 12:16:20 PM »

Oh my gosh, holy samolies, who'da thunk it?

Has anyone read The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith.? Readers say it was complex, compelling and scintillating, a first novel written by a former military security guy.

Maybe too complex for a first novel

The Cuckoo's Calling

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11446 on:** July 14, 2013, 02:13:34 PM »

well she did not pull off that Pseudonym for very long did she.

PatH · « **Reply #11447 on:** July 14, 2013, 02:50:55 PM »

No, but at least she got unbiased reviews of the book.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11448 on:** July 14, 2013, 03:07:30 PM »

I wonder how the secret was uncovered - who tipped her off I wonder.

jane · « **Reply #11449 on:** July 14, 2013, 05:01:10 PM »

I'm lost...What author are you gals speaking of? Shirley Jackson or ?? What pseudonym?

Dense jane

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11450 on:** July 14, 2013, 05:53:39 PM »

Jane Pedln shared this with us...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/books/a-detective-storys-famous-author-is-unmasked.html?hp&_r=0

jane · « **Reply #11451 on:** July 14, 2013, 06:51:24 PM »

Thank you! I missed that link and couldn't figure out who was the topic of that conversation.

jane

PatH · « **Reply #11452 on:** July 14, 2013, 07:05:32 PM »

I missed the link too, but heard it on the radio this morning.

Steph · « **Reply #11453 on:** July 15, 2013, 08:55:22 AM »

I missed the link, but saw it in the NYTimes yesterday.. Critics put together the publisher, agent, etc tracking who could have written it and discovered her.She wanted to know what people really thought and plans on writing more. I will read it, but not quite yet.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11454 on:** July 15, 2013, 11:35:44 AM »

Publisher's Weekly take on the 10 Most Difficult Books. I am only familiar with four of these, but have never read any of them.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/tip-sheet/article/53409-the-top-10-most-difficult-books.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=7f51013a22-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-7f51013a22-304806741

ginny · « **Reply #11455 on:** July 15, 2013, 11:47:28 AM »

Oh neat, Frybabe. That's certainly interesting. I've read To the Lighthouse, The Faerie Queene and A Tale of a Tub. I found James Fennemore Cooper and Faulkner much more frustrating than any of those, but this just shows you that taste varies with the individual.

Cooper makes me stark staring mad, or maybe I am that, already. Faulkner is incomprehensible, and there's nothing worse than struggling determinedly thru a book only to be told you missed this or that reference, and it governs the entire plot. silly you. Bah. Humbug.

What one finds difficult another might like and vice versa.

PatH · « **Reply #11456 on:** July 15, 2013, 11:55:35 AM »

That's quite a list. I've heard of five of them, and had to read The Faerie Queene in college. It certainly doesn't make me want to read the others.

The hardest book I ever tried to read is Capitalism and Material Life, by Fernand Braudel. His book on the Mediterranean is quite readable, but you can't even read a whole paragraph of this one. His prose is so complex you drown immediately.

jane · « **Reply #11457 on:** July 15, 2013, 12:16:52 PM »

I, too, had to read several of those titles and/or authors in college, too.

NONE of them made me want to read them again or anything else by those authors. Those convoluted, "what in the world is he/she saying" novels are not for me. [I had an English professor (and my English major seminar professor) who said that the purpose of writing was to communicate one's ideas/thoughts/beliefs, and if a person didn't do that, he wasn't a good writer. I continue to believe that with great fervor!]

JeanneP · « **Reply #11458 on:** July 15, 2013, 02:27:16 PM »

I doubt she will ever write a book that will take off like her Harry Potter's did. I did read " the vacancy"one. Not right for me. Don't think I will bother with this new one. She can retire on the money made.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #11459 on:** July 15, 2013, 02:27:32 PM »

My "In the words of women" newsletter highlighted Catherine Sedgewick today. She's one if the first published women, particularly f novels, in the country. Here is a link to the newsletter and a link to her Wikipedia page. Click on the blue links to read her works.

http://inthewordsofwomen.com/?p=825

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharine_Sedgwick#Writings

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11460 on:** July 15, 2013, 03:43:44 PM »

I do not think any artist or writer do what they do for the money - the money comes because they have pleased so much of the public with their skill however, I think they must continue to share their special gifts and practiced skill.

JeanneP · « **Reply #11461 on:** July 15, 2013, 05:02:37 PM »

It still surprises me then that she would turn to write such a book as the one she wrote after Harry Potter. It had the F word on everyother page.. Not a good plot at all. Hundred have or are writing all the Sexual type books are for money, Can't be for anything else. Would have thought reputation she had after HP. She would have wanted to hold on to.

maryz · « **Reply #11462 on:** July 15, 2013, 08:57:13 PM »

We went to hear Mary Alice Monroe at a book signing event tonight at our downtown library. What a treat! Her new book,The Summer Girls, is again set in the Low Country of South Carolina, and is about dolphins. In the Q&A, I identified myself as a participant in SeniorLearn and said that the group has asked to be remembered to her from the time you spent with her at the beach. She remembers it well and what a good time was had by all. We got a copy of the book and had it autographed to our PhD marine biologist granddaughter. We'll give it to her after we get a chance to read it, of course.

Steph · « **Reply #11463 on:** July 16, 2013, 08:34:44 AM »

Aha, someone else who buys books for presents, but always reads it first. I can never resist.
Most difficult to read?? Faulkner and Joyce.. Neither one interests me at all.

JoanK · « **Reply #11464 on:** July 17, 2013, 04:05:53 PM »

The only one of the difficult books I've read is "To the Lighthouse". I read it twice, thinking the second time through I might understand it. Nah.

I read Ulysses (with the help of another book that explained it), but after two sentences of Finnigan's Wake I gave up. Never tried Faerie Queen and don't like Faulkner. I've never heard of most of the others.

pedln · « **Reply #11465 on:** July 17, 2013, 08:13:29 PM »

It makes you wonder, JoanK, who did or who does read these works? And why?

Steph, one of your favorite authors was on Morning Joe this am. Daniel Silva, talking about his new book The English Girl, which apparently deals with the Russians. Silva said, although the Cold war ended over 25 years ago, the Russians are not our friends, nor do they want to be.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11466 on:** July 17, 2013, 11:59:34 PM »

Mason & Dixon sounds interesting - I put it on my list - the only problem with Clarissa is it is so long - at least War and Peace has many interesting characters where as Clarissa just drones on and on.

I think you have to read up to be able to read some of these books - pushing ourselves so that the symbolism, metaphors and analogies roll off our backs. Reading Joyce I think it helps to have been a Catholic before Vatican II.

The one that did me in was The Tale of Genji - attempted to read it on SeniorNet but there was only two of us and I forget who it was but he had read it and this was his second time around - after chapter 24 I gave up and we closed down the discussion - all the study helps in the world and still I never have gotten past chapter 26.

MaryPage · « **Reply #11467 on:** July 18, 2013, 07:22:31 AM »

Just finished reading an interesting story in the August issue of Vanity Fair about how Harper Lee's longtime agent stole her copyright.

Steph · « **Reply #11468 on:** July 18, 2013, 08:45:07 AM »

Pedlin, I saw Silva on Today last week. He looks as I expected and was interesting. Gabriel Allon is a favorite of mine. No idea why since the books are violent, but intricate. I guess the intricate pulls me in.

JoanP · « **Reply #11469 on:** July 18, 2013, 02:25:45 PM »

WE didn't want to finish up our discussion of Short Stories without spending a little time on Shirley Jackson's funny stories in her big house mentioned here several days ago.

Most of us cannot imagine Shirley Jackson as a humorist after having read "the Lottery." That same year she turned to humorous tales of family life - and published “Charles,” the hilarious sketch that launched Jackson’s secondary career as a domestic humorist. Was this a response, a reaction to the reception "The Lottery" had received? Four years later in 1952 she wrote the humorous, quite autobiographical "The Night We all had the Grippe."

We're reading and discussing Shirley Jackson's humerous stories this week - please do follow the link and join us HERE.

Steph · « **Reply #11470 on:** July 19, 2013, 08:21:37 AM »

I loved Shirley Jacksons humor even though the stories did not tell the real story on her home life..

JoanP · « **Reply #11471 on:** July 19, 2013, 09:18:41 AM »

Steph, if you have a few minutes today, would you stop in the discussion of s. Jackson's short stories and share what backgournd information you may have? T'would be greatly appreciated...

ANNIE · « **Reply #11472 on:** July 19, 2013, 12:17:17 PM »

Shirley Jackson's humor is pretty good and maybe its her take on her family's life while raising children. Can't we all think back on hard times and laugh about them now? Silly things that happened about which one can only laugh to withstand the misery within? It makes them easier to live with??

About our headings and other graphics, all done so very well by Jane, Ginny, Marcie and JoanP, my favorite one is the notice at the top announcing the 14 well educated students from the Latin classes which are taught by Ginny, Pedl'n and LucyLibr. The best part of that header is the clapping hands which when they come up (before I read the caption) make me feel so good. As if they are clapping for me?? Who knows?

I read two of Mary Alice Monroe books this summer. The one about butterflies and the other about flyfishing. She is just a delight to read. Love her books! Remember when we met her, she brought along her editor? and the lady offered to show us some turtles in the rescue room in the back of the Charleston Aquarium the next day. That's where Judy Laird lost her camera chip to a turtle's mouth. Popped right out of Judy's camera and right into the turtle's mouth. Judy told our gracious guide that she would appreciate it if the chip showed up later in the day, if they would they call her as she had many pictures on that chip.

Steph · « **Reply #11473 on:** July 20, 2013, 08:40:25 AM »

We teased Judy about that chip all week.. No time to drop in the short story discussion.Was gone all day yesterday until last night and today is Franklin Day , so I am off to downtown for the firetruck parade>> I know,but thats what the ad said.. just firetrucks, I guess.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11474 on:** July 20, 2013, 09:35:43 AM »

Sounds like fun, Steph. I guess they want to honor first responders in some way. Ben Franklin started the first first volunteer fire brigade in Philadelphia in 1736 after a huge fire, hence the name Franklin Day (unless the town you are at is Franklin?).

maryz · « **Reply #11475 on:** July 20, 2013, 10:50:47 AM »

Frybabe, Steph lives in Franklin, NC.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11476 on:** July 20, 2013, 12:08:58 PM »

Ah, thank you Mary. I couldn't remember the name. Steph did say at one time or other.

ANNIE · « **Reply #11477 on:** July 20, 2013, 12:30:00 PM »

Steph, You won't believe what just happened! Judy Laird called me to chat about her life without Don. Company arrived and we cut our conversation short. She said she will call back later.

Steph · « **Reply #11478 on:** July 21, 2013, 09:32:56 AM »

Oh do wish her my best. Judy could always make me laugh and I know the past few years have been hard on her.She so wanted to explore the American south and am not sure how much she got to see.
Franklin days is a massive craft show, reenctment, fire engine parade type day. It rained like crazy at 3pm, so got cut short..It is just Saturday. We are in the bible belt, nothing in the mountain small towns on Sunday, but church. This is my summer home, my winter is in Clermont,Fl.

ANNIE · « **Reply #11479 on:** July 21, 2013, 11:13:58 AM »

One Christmas, Judy went exploring the South with Don. She asked me to look up a place for them to stay after leaving Hartsfield airport, driving south on 75, and I found a really neat B&B that she said was great fun. I think the place had something going on for the visitors to their place pertaining to Christmas. I seem to remember suggesting several places that they might want to visit and they did see some of them. We lived in Georgia, off and on, for 18 years, so I was aware of many places to visit. Judy was fascinated by Savannah and the book about the cemetery and a murder?? "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"

??. Yes, that's it! She really explored the town and met many of the folks connected with the book. I think she even visited Beaufort to talk to one of the characters in the book. I know she met the lady who played the piano at a bar, in the book.

Judy did get to explore the South a few other times with her friend, Janet Sue, who came to NYC with Judy in 1998 when SN Books and Lit got together for the first time. Super memories! Judy is quite the explorer and thought nothing of wandering around NYC alone. Once we(my sister, Mary and I) ran into her down in Soho at a sidewalk flea market. She told us about an area that she had been to where no one else had thought to go. So, Judy knows no strangers. She had been talking to a lady who came out from one of the houses and told her all about the area's history. Judy was sincerely glad to know more about NYC.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2298428 times)