Author Topic: The Library (Read 2310053 times)

jane · « **Reply #11800 on:** August 25, 2013, 06:41:44 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!

*Suggestion Box for Future Discussions
*SeniorLearn's Archives

Or, applied to humans, as I've heard it used, a fish considered to be the most dangerous in the world, by some:

piranha or piraña

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11801 on:** August 25, 2013, 08:13:50 PM »

Fabulous

oh oh thank you and thank you again - so simple and I just could not grab it - thank you!!! Pariah - one that is despised or rejected : outcast · the example offered - He's a talented player but his angry outbursts have made him a pariah in the sport of baseball.

Steph · « **Reply #11802 on:** August 26, 2013, 08:31:05 AM »

I always think of Pariah is outcast.. But I think the original meaning was different. No idea why I think hat, but it sticks in the brain.
I am reading a book on jews in Shanghai in WWII by Daniel Kalla. I gather he normally writes mysteries that are tech oriented, but this is something of a memoir of his father.. Excellent..So many things I did not know about the area in that period.

MaryPage · « **Reply #11803 on:** August 26, 2013, 09:17:07 AM »

I always think of pariah as an outcast, too.
The one who is just not accepted into a group, albeit living amongt them. Or working with them. This person has done some deed or said some thing that has been unforgivable in his or her society or peer group.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11804 on:** August 26, 2013, 10:44:52 AM »

yes, it is an outcaste and it appears the word I was trying to grab does not have the meaning I was envisioning - using pariah I am searching both the thesaurus and the synonym/antonym dictionaries to see if I can figure it out - the sound of pariah is right for what was circling in my head but what I am trying to find is a word that sounds similar to pariah but means something like an ogre or a leach. Someone who secretly attaches themselves like a parasite that means you harm.

I am trying to remember where I read the word - not recently although within the past year. Where ever it was it is a word I remembered from when I was a kid. I am beginning to wonder if the word suggested is correct and I simply had an incorrect understanding of its meaning but then when something gets difficult I tend to find fault with myself and so I will pursue and see if I can get to the bottom of this.

PatH · « **Reply #11805 on:** August 26, 2013, 11:02:08 AM »

Here's what my computer's dictionary says:

pariah |pəˈrīə|
noun
1 an outcast : they were treated as social pariahs.
2 historical a member of a low caste or of no caste in southern India.
ORIGIN early 17th cent.: from Tamil paṛaiyar, plural of paṛaiyan ‘(hereditary) drummer,’ from paṛai ‘a drum’ (pariahs not being allowed to join in with a religious procession).

MaryPage · « **Reply #11806 on:** August 26, 2013, 08:25:03 PM »

Perhaps sycophant, a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage.
synonyms: yes-man, bootlicker, brown-noser, toady, lickspittle, flatterer,

Steph · « **Reply #11807 on:** August 27, 2013, 08:21:47 AM »

Whew.. not a word you want to use very often..MaryPage..
Weird morning. After my shower and walk, etc I was getting dressed and my legs felt numb out of the clear blue and acted as if they did not want to support me.. I sat down and said a few not nice things under my breath. It seems gone now, but was scary.. I dont feel bad or anything. Any ideas.??

Frybabe · « **Reply #11808 on:** August 27, 2013, 08:37:27 AM »

I hope you check with your doctor about that Steph. It kind of sounds like a pinched nerve. I've had something similar with a very brief, slight, almost no pain. It goes almost as fast as it comes. So far it hasn't lasted long enough to drop me. I have early (or it was some years ago) degenerative joint disease. Generally, it only gives me a numbish thigh muscle on occasion and more often, stiff lower back muscles.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11809 on:** August 27, 2013, 10:06:56 AM »

OH Lordy there must have been something in the air last night Steph because after falling asleep sitting on the sofa I woke to get to bed and banged my foot into the table hurting my toes - well sure enough this morning it looks like I have broken two toes - lots of pain to walk - I think I've enough groceries for a couple of days but it looks like it is the chair for me - no walker but my friend no longer drives or I would have borrowed the one she has in her closet - as long as this does not start hurting all the time I will be just fine but I will not be hobbling in here hanging on to pieces of furniture to use the computer as often. sheesh - always something.

jane · « **Reply #11810 on:** August 27, 2013, 11:07:56 AM »

OUCH! Barbara, good grief..your poor toes!

JeanneP · « **Reply #11811 on:** August 27, 2013, 11:44:24 AM »

I usual only reading mysteries or murder books but this week I read a great book,so different. It is by a new author Julie Kibles. .(calling me home) the name of it. Starts early 30s up to current. Racial problem.inter marriage.

PatH · « **Reply #11812 on:** August 27, 2013, 11:56:09 AM »

I guess I saved myself from something or other by going to bed early last night.

Is this a first book, Jeanne? Sounds good.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #11813 on:** August 27, 2013, 12:30:54 PM »

Oh Steph that sounds a little scary, maybe it was just the hot water from the shower lowering your blood pressure. And Barbara, i have hit my toes often enough to know how that hurts, fortunately i've never broken any thing - that i know of.

A good time to catch up on those ebooks and those tbr books.

Jeanne, i'll check out that book, thanks for sharing.

Jean

MaryPage · « **Reply #11814 on:** August 27, 2013, 04:10:34 PM »

Steph, sincere apologies if I offended you. I had no such intention, but took those definitions word for word right out of the dictionary, and thought no more about it. I am truly sorry.

PatH · « **Reply #11815 on:** August 27, 2013, 05:05:09 PM »

I did once hit my toe against a couch leg hard enough to break it. They didn't want to do anything for it, just let it heal however it wanted to.

JeanneP · « **Reply #11816 on:** August 27, 2013, 05:06:39 PM »

PatH.

That book is a fast read. Makes you realize that things for colored people still touchy up into the 60s. Although I noticed it when in Louisanna and that was in 1973.

Frybabe · « **Reply #11817 on:** August 27, 2013, 05:23:05 PM »

Just started Eva's Eye. I think I managed to be the first one to request it. Thanks to those who mentioned the Sejer crime series. The other I started is called Devil's Lair by David Wisehart. It is another Grail quest story set in the Middle Ages during a Black Plague epidemic. E-book form only, free on Amazon. Some Latin is spoken for us Latin fans and Dante's Inferno features.

Steph · « **Reply #11818 on:** August 28, 2013, 08:40:21 AM »

NOOO MaryPage, I was joking.. You never ever offend me.
I do wonder about a pinched nerve, but since I am still high in the mountains and my doctor I trust is home in Florida.. So will hope for the best.
My husband broke his big toe many many years ago and his balance was destroyed for weeks. Big toes are nothing to mess with, but the little ones, they tend to leave alone.

PatH · « **Reply #11819 on:** August 28, 2013, 09:15:03 AM »

Right. Big toes are important for balance and leverage. The one I broke was little. It looked a little crooked after, but they're none of them very beautiful, and I've forgotten which one it is.

pedln · « **Reply #11820 on:** August 28, 2013, 10:59:17 AM »

Come here, learn something new every day. I never knew that about big toes -- needed for balance. I hope everyone's toes and muscles are better today.

That Julie Kibler book -- Calling Me Home -- really sounds good, JeanneP. I've put it on my growing TBR list.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11821 on:** August 28, 2013, 03:06:37 PM »

Amazon has been featuring Calling Me Home and it was included in their weekly email about the books I would like.

Well I made it into the room where my computers are located - pushed a couple of chairs in the hall and the long spot in the den where the furniture is low with nothing high enough to hold - I can stand today with out ouching but walking is not fun - yep, just tape the the toes to the ones not broken is the cure all - real twenty-first century health science here. I did soak my foot in Epsom salts - I know that when my grandson played a lot of soccer and would come home aching an Epsom salts bath did wonders.

Around here this is the last day of summer vacation - school starts tomorrow - now we have to get used to another traffic pattern - I can forget using the major roads from about a quarter to three till after 7:30 - after that the roads will be practically empty but with my eyes no longer good at night it only helps for another 6 weeks till next April.

Finished Jim Crace's Harvest fascinating - shows how people take sides with those who are of their village and of their social status - it is the end of an era when a land holding that was farmed and had supported many families in a cycle of planting and the harvest only precluded another planting before winter set in. The wife of the landowner dies and the land reverts to her family leaving the husband homeless unless, as he does ingratiates himself with the brother, the new landlord who has no loyalty to the villages and sees mechanical farming as the way to make the land pay. A fire is blamed on folks who set up camp at the edge of the land and who came there because they were kicked out of their generational village as their landlord turned to mechanical farming. The manipulation by those with power that created fear among those dependent for their very life is a reminder of how easily we react to our own fears when we suspect danger.

Started Once the Shore - a book of short stories by Paul Yoon - he has a new book out that is getting all sorts of kudos and this was his first publication that only cost a penny so I thought I would start here. As the description for his new book says he writes as a poet and I can agree - his descriptions are breathtaking - so far the stories or so so but the various paragraphs describing places, events, feelings, happenings you have to put the book down a minute and let it roll over you.

ANNIE · « **Reply #11822 on:** August 28, 2013, 03:12:14 PM »

I just finished "The Technologists" by Matthew Pearl. A historical mystery and quite good. All about the founding of MIT and Harvard's involvement.
I am now into another David Baldacci mystery with John Puller as his main man. I haven't ever been disappointed by his many books.

Once I fell down the stairs at my daughter's and broke two middle toes. I went to to the nearest Dr Scholl's exhibit in the drugstore and bought a shoe(sort of like a sandal) which kept my toes from bending. Its really worked! We did have to put off hiking in the mountains in NY.

I also broke one at the Miami airport in FLA, so I got in the handicapped line for Southern Express passengers, so that I could choose my sear early before the crowd filed. I just picked the first seat I came to and fell into it in lots of pain. Its a real bummer! My foot doctor advised me to quit going barefoot and wearing sandals. Hahaha! I love sandals but maybe I will take his advice when I go out side. Tee her!

JeanneP · « **Reply #11823 on:** August 28, 2013, 03:24:29 PM »

Frybaby
I think I would like to read " devil's Lair" can't find it listed. Must only be on E book
I just have Ipad. Don't think ican download from Amazon. .

Frybabe · « **Reply #11824 on:** August 28, 2013, 03:58:27 PM »

JeanneP, I think you can download a free Kindle reading app for the iPad. At least, I thought someone (my sister?) told me that. I'll have to check.

And yes, here it is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipa_ln_ar?docId=1000490441

jane · « **Reply #11825 on:** August 28, 2013, 05:23:32 PM »

Yes, Jeanne...you can download the Kindle app free and you can have the Nook app also free on there at the same time. There's also the iBooks app.

I've found books are somtimes cheaper at Amazon for the Kindle than they are at B&N for the Nook. I have a lot of books on both and just go to whichever has the book and read it from there.

Easy Peasy.

jane

Steph · « **Reply #11826 on:** August 29, 2013, 08:31:29 AM »

Yes, I unloaded all of the book apps on my ipad.The only thing now you must do ( Apple is mean, sometimes), you must go on the website onthe ipad and go to Kindle or Amazon.Then you can order, etc and it is there like magic.Originally you could order through the app, but no longer.

ginny · « **Reply #11827 on:** August 29, 2013, 09:20:59 AM »

Barbara, I hope your toes will be better soon! Nothing like a broken toe, is there? I'm sorry. My last one came about as I unwisely kept saying to self, "you never forget," as I got on one of my sons's boy's bicycles in the barn and started out. What a feeling of freedom! What joy the wind in ones hair! I had forgotten a lot of this and yes I could ride.

But what happens when you stop? I hadn't considered that as even worthy of contemplation. Stop the bike? Nothing to it. You put on the brake and gracefully put down your foot, right? One forgets that bar that men's bicycles have and this was one of those old timey giant off the ground man's Schwinn, 27" was it? I don't know what the sizing for bicycles is supposed to be but my feet suddenly don't touch the ground, or get anywhere near it. And when the brake was applied there went the toe. Looong way down there. Didn't I used to be tall?

I was going to a conference the next week in Philadelphia. That was an experience I will never forget. ! I had to walk several blocks carrying our Latin Courses exhibit for the Conference, for starters and thru an airport to meet our other Latin teacher Barbara, and boy that was a big airport and a LOT of blocks on the city streets. Haven't been back on a bike since.

__________________________

I started reading Orange is the New Black this morning and I don't know why. I had heard a lot about the TV show and wasn't interested, but for some reason I had heard more about the book so looked it up.

I was caught up immediately by the writing and the first scene, the bag which does not come off the carousel at the airport. We all know that feeling. The young woman is worried because she's got money smuggled in it. And tho I am not a drug runner or money launderer, I do understand this feeling because I just experienced it myself, coming back from my trip this summer with my bag of (what I thought/ feared/ apparently fantasized) was illegal rocks. I know now that's not the case, but at the time I thought I was in danger of having committed a heinous crime.

So I can totally relate to what the girl is saying about her smuggled bag, albeit for a different reason, and really so far am caught up in it. It's very well written. I am sure it becomes distasteful and I am sure it's not to everybody's taste but so far it's a winner. I'll report more when I'm a couple of chapters into it.

Anybody else here read it? It's sort of a Martha Stewart Goes to Prison type book apparently, well heeled Smith Alumna with everything apparently on earth going for her (her name is Piper), somehow (we'll find that out) ends up bringing in illegal money. Starts very intriguingly and is very well written.

pedln · « **Reply #11828 on:** August 29, 2013, 09:42:11 AM »

Ginny, I stopped riding my two-wheeler about eight or ten years ago -- because I became afraid that I wouldn't be able to stop. Actually kind of a mental block, but I just didn't trust myself on a bike. But this spring I broke down and about a three-wheeler -- a low-to-the-ground recumbant. Lovely. Now all I have to do is avoid the "sidewalk riding prohibited" police. The sizing -- your 27" bike -- refers to the wheel size.

Will have to take a look at Orange is the New Black. I didn't know it was a book, and ordinarily avoid prison stories -- except for Wally Lamb.

PatH · « **Reply #11829 on:** August 29, 2013, 09:44:18 AM »

Good for you, pedln. Hope you enjoy your bike.

Steph · « **Reply #11830 on:** August 30, 2013, 08:43:15 AM »

I did not learn to ride a bike unti my late 20's.. Farm girls dont have anywhere to ride.. Husband and I used to ride a lot, but my bike is always a non gear beach bike type.. I gave it away when I moved this spring since I know I wont use it by myself.. Just not comfortable with the idea.
Help.. Iam going to take my granddaughter on a european trip next spring after graduation. She thinks she wants to go to Germany and visit Berlin...for sure and would also like to visit a concentration camp.She is into history andWWII... I have been to Germany, but mostly either small boats or my husband was there and drove. I am not driving.., so anyone recommend any of the touring companies.. Not Colette.. had a very bad experience with them. I have been to a concentration camp many years ago, but it was Dachau, which is close to Munich ( I like Munich. cheerful and fun)..

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #11831 on:** August 30, 2013, 10:19:20 AM »

I started reading Orange is the New Black this morning and I don't know why. I had heard a lot about the TV show and wasn't interested, but for some reason I had heard more about the book so looked it up.

Ginny -- Haven't read the book but have been watching the series on Netflix. It's very good but, at times, very graphic.

MaryPage · « **Reply #11832 on:** August 30, 2013, 10:47:08 AM »

Steph, if she is into History, see if you can talk her into Italy instead. The history and art in Florence and Rome beat the heck out of Germany, don't you think? Maybe the romantic (?) notion of a gondola ride in Venice will convince her? Just don't tell her it is really smelly there.

jane · « **Reply #11833 on:** August 30, 2013, 11:03:53 AM »

Steph...Tauck and Grand Circle get good reviews, usually. However, they seem to cater to the 50+ age group, so I don't know how comfortable your granddaughter would be. There's also Odyssey Unlimited which seems to get apts for you, etc. and maybe some inter generational Road Scholar (used to be Elderhostel) I'm sure others will have other names, too.

PatH · « **Reply #11834 on:** August 30, 2013, 11:42:46 AM »

I see we just lost Irish poet Seamus Heany. Too bad--he wrote great stuff.

pedln · « **Reply #11835 on:** August 30, 2013, 12:39:11 PM »

Steph, some friends of mine just came back from an 8-country tour that included a visit to Auschwitz. I've asked them to let me know the name of their tour and I'll pass it on to you.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #11836 on:** August 30, 2013, 02:34:07 PM »

I am more then 1/2 way thru Calling Me Home by Kible. I'm really enjoying it, very well written, interesting subject. Her style of using the 2 women's lives at two different times in history, surprisingly keeps the story moving along quickly. And the interracial angle is certainly apropos - but then Ginny keeps telling us how au courant we are.

Jean

CubFan · « **Reply #11837 on:** August 30, 2013, 09:16:14 PM »

Greetings All -

I have just started Louise Penny's new book How the Light Gets In and I am already content with the setting back in Three Pines, with Ruth, duck Rosa et al. My responsibilities are met, there's plenty of food in the house, the air conditioner and fans are working, so therefore, I don't expect to resurface for a couple of days. What a great way to spend the last weekend of the summer.

Mary

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #11838 on:** August 31, 2013, 12:14:19 AM »

We are starting up the Poetry Page again - the loss of Seamus Heaney is a big loss that only reminded me again of both Fairanna and Babi - both daily contributers to the Poetry Page. Fairanna started the Poetry discussion way back during the early days of SeniorNet -

Fairanna shared as much of her own poetry as she did the poetry written by others - and for about two years we had only shared the poems of one poet a month so that we learned more about the poet and his or her work. Fairanna had featured poets that where new to some of us and we did a month with Seamus Heaney - but more - she and Babi were partial to his poetry and often shared his work.

It seems fitting to honor all three in September - we will be sharing for a month poems and quotes by Seamus Heaney and any poems written by Fairanna that you may have kept in some file on your computer.

Hope you will join us - there will be links in the heading to some of the poems and quotes written by Seamus Heaney - any of them would be lovely featured in a post that can bring meaning to our day.

MaryPage · « **Reply #11839 on:** August 31, 2013, 07:41:04 AM »

I knew Anna. We met at a Virginia SeniorNet gathering in Fredericksburg, Virginia and then at several of those later. She led a profoundly courageous life, and brought much sunshine and joy into the lives of others.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2310053 times)