Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085236 times)

Octavia · « **Reply #1440 on:** April 13, 2010, 08:02:06 PM »

Yesterday, I bought a copy of Wally Lambs The hour I First Believed. The newsagency was closing down their ABC franchise and selling off the stock. I have to say I don't know anything about the book itself but it was reduced from $35 to $9 so I thought why not. I gulped when I saw there were 723 pages without the 15 or so of afterwords.
I noticed it's printed on the same slightly rough? fawn paper that The Book Thief has. I couldn't get a copy of TBT for the discussion but I did glimpse the Library's copy. I was curious to see if the page or chapter no's were smudged. They weren't.
The chinese carrier on the GBR has been floated , but the damage will take decades to repair. Anti-fouling paint with heavy metals is smeared all over the 3k's of reef the ship pulverised.
Now they've parked it alongside Great Keppel and Barren Islands while they assess the damage.
Lots of divers use that area and have to be excluded. My eldest has dived there.

winsummm · « **Reply #1441 on:** April 13, 2010, 10:35:06 PM »

I just read and dumped a bunch of SAMPLES from the index and moved back into what appears to be a series by Stuart woods. at least it is well written and will become a mystery and detective tale along the way. his retired cop, attorney main character isn't someone I'd like but his plots are complex and interesting. He is ow in his seventies and has written many many many such books so may keep me busy for a while. ask goggle or amazon for the lists.so far settings begin in new york and go to Florida and lost Angele's, all very sophisticated ven 8)ues.
Claire

Gumtree · « **Reply #1442 on:** April 14, 2010, 04:05:14 AM »

Quote from: Octavia on April 13, 2010, 08:02:06 PM

The chinese carrier on the GBR has been floated , but the damage will take decades to repair. Anti-fouling paint with heavy metals is smeared all over the 3k's of reef the ship pulverised.
Now they've parked it alongside Great Keppel and Barren Islands while they assess the damage.
Lots of divers use that area and have to be excluded. My eldest has dived there.

Octavia: Yes, what a disgrace - I heard that oil is now washing up a few miles further south - again in pristine areas. Isn't Great Keppel a major breeding ground for the turtles or tortoises? I keep thinking of the millions of tiny sea creatures that lived in the reef being crushed along with the coral. I wonder if the Chinese sea-captain will keep his licence after all this is settled legally -doubtful - perhaps he'll be put to work painting anti-fouling on hulls - although first, he should be given a crash course on how to read a chart.

Steph · « **Reply #1443 on:** April 14, 2010, 05:49:04 AM »

The Tudors sounds nice.. May look for it.. and I do like Chris B---. He wrote the Midwife book that made me think hard about how different perceptions change reality.. This one sounds like the same type of query.
I am reading very very light still.. A. J.D. Robb.. and the chocoholic book..

ANNIE · « **Reply #1444 on:** April 14, 2010, 11:00:12 AM »

I picked up a Chris B. audio book at the library entitled, "Skeletons at the Feast" about post WWII Germany and it was so depressing at the beginning, I put it back in the return pile. Didn't we read another of his books back in the dark ages before SN crashed?

Steph · « **Reply #1445 on:** April 15, 2010, 05:48:13 AM »

The teeny little library run by the next town to us is having their first annual book sale on Friday and Saturday mornings. I will have to run by. It is a house and it looks adorable.. Must see what is inside.

Babi · « **Reply #1446 on:** April 15, 2010, 08:26:34 AM »

I didn't know there were still any of those small 'house' libraries left. Many a small town kid is
indebted to those little houses of books. And the bookmobiles! I remember using one of those
but I can't remember where and when. Ah, well. $:-\$

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1447 on:** April 15, 2010, 01:15:11 PM »

Our first small town library was in an old r.r. station. Decades later they moved into a fairly large house just across the street, nice big brick 19th century home. I'm wondering if they've outgrown that yet. The library in the town i live in now is preparing to pack up everything because they are renovating the municiple complex and the library will be a part of that. So, they aren't taking any more books for book sales, or even donations to the collection - what shall i do w/ all these books i was planning to donate? Guess they collect dust for a yr in my house, altho the book sale books i could take to a neighboring library.........so glad we are all recycling books and no longer tossing them...................jean

Steph · « **Reply #1448 on:** April 16, 2010, 05:45:33 AM »

The small town library I loved the most was the old one room schoolhouse.. Which was actually a two room,, one up, one down.. The upstairs was once the town meeting hall, but was being used when I lived there as a regular meeting for all the clubs in town.. The downstairs was a small library.. I think I had more books than they did, but the town adored it, supported it and all in all it was fun. Where I live now, it is a brand new building built by the county and the community college.. However the college is the tail that wags the dog and I am not overfond of the library.. Not enough books,, way too many dvd's, computers, etc. They even shut down when the college is between classes.. And the parking. Whew.. Oh well. the county feels they saved money and in good old Florida, anything that they can pass off on anyone else is the name of the game.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1449 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:55:01 AM »

Totally off-topic: Woot has a cute "bookie" t-shirt today, suitable for oneself and/or a whole family of sizes plus free shipping!: http://shirt.woot.com/

joangrimes · « **Reply #1450 on:** April 16, 2010, 10:33:02 AM »

Jackie that is too cute..Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1451 on:** April 17, 2010, 05:55:33 AM »

Lawyers came.. talked, presented papers.. The settlement money for me will arrive this next week and then I will actually sign the papers, have them witnessed and notarized.. The set asides will be held by the probate attorney.. Now if I can just get the police to finally close a five month old investigation and do something about the man who killed my husband.

maryz · « **Reply #1452 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:08:42 AM »

{{{{{{Steph}}}}}}}

Babi · « **Reply #1453 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:18:14 AM »

At least that will be one major burden off your shoulders, STEPH.
I'm curious, tho'. What are 'set asides'? Things left to other parties,
I'm guessing.
Five months seems like a long time, but for a police department, attorneys, et al, it probably isn't.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1454 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:25:37 AM »

The end of a chapter in the book of your life. Now you can turn the page and start the next chapter.

ginny · « **Reply #1455 on:** April 17, 2010, 09:32:59 AM »

I'm so sorry, Stephanie. I hope that doesn't drag on forever, but it probably will. If he pleads guilty, it will probably go faster.

The Henry VIII is slow going. It's wonderfully and memorably written but you can't read it like a mystery novel. Yesterday i read about Richard III's death (grisly and awful) (the book starts with this) "my kingdom for a horse," which he is unlikely to have said, and the 4 armies on the field, including two by the Lords Stanley, former allies of Richard, called by Richard to the battle when Henry landed on England's shores, but who strangely held back and allowed his army to advance and now who were waiting, apparently like jackals, with two separate armies, to rush in whatever tide of battle turned.

Apparently Richard was a brave man in battle, despite his stature, etc. Seeing Henry Tudor (Henry VII) alone and withdrawn from the battle, he made for him fearlessly, apparently thinking they could duke it out together. He had held hostage (an ancient custom) one of the sons of one of the Stanleys and when they began to mass on the field,and NOT come to Richard's side, the father of the Stanley son was informed his son would be killed if they did not withdraw. The answer came back, "His lordship has other sons." The Stanleys or at least one of them also rejected Henry's offer to join him, telling him to "mind his own business." Looks like the Stanleys were out for the Stanleys.

Jeepers, you talk about barbarians. Anyway in all the excitement, when it was seen that Richard was losing, one of the Stanleys led his 5,000 man army forward and annihilated Richard and I do mean annihilated.

Those were rough times, you talk about Henry VIII!

It's very slow going, but memorable. It also appears he hates Henry VIII, we shall see.

Yesterday my Veterinarian recommended Barbara Kingsolver's book on is it Animal Vegetable, Mineral and The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, have any of you read either of these?

pedln · « **Reply #1456 on:** April 17, 2010, 11:35:30 AM »

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but Omnivore's been on my shelf for over two years (Christmas gift) and I have yet to read it.. Just too many other things in the way.

I've heard of the Kingsolver -- is it in that one that she recommends buying locally. That's been a trend for a while now, but I wonder if she was the impetus there.

Steph, hang in there.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1457 on:** April 17, 2010, 12:30:10 PM »

Steph - good tho'ts and encouragement for patience coming to you. .......jean

JoanK · « **Reply #1458 on:** April 17, 2010, 02:35:20 PM »

Do any of you have recipes using loquats? My new condo has a loquat tree, and when I move, I'm going to have hundreds!

kiwilady · « **Reply #1459 on:** April 17, 2010, 07:51:13 PM »

Just popped in to say that the Latin exam results (link on home page) are astounding! What a great effort by teacher and students! Congratulations Ginny!

Carolyn

maryz · « **Reply #1460 on:** April 17, 2010, 08:53:22 PM »

Joan, here's one site for loquat recipes. I just put "loquat recipes" in google.

http://www.loquatworld.com/LoquatRecipes.html

JoanK · « **Reply #1461 on:** April 17, 2010, 10:04:50 PM »

Thanks, Mary. I'll l;et you all know the results.

Steph · « **Reply #1462 on:** April 18, 2010, 05:57:36 AM »

Set asides are the money that medicare has paid out on our behalf for medical treatment. The settlement from the insurance company means they will be paid back on our behalf.. The second attorney holds these in trust so that he can get releases of medical liens, etc. At least that is the explanation both from the attorneys and on the web.
Hmm. Ginny. Sounds like too bloody a book for me just now.. I love English history, but just now I dont do war and blood..
The police have yet to charge the man with even a traffic ticket. That is what drives me nuts. They have witnesses, medical evidence, the cars, pictures, statements.. sigh.. no idea what the heck they are waiting for. I have been told recently that it is possibly for me to sue the town charging the police department for negligence in investigation. Hm.. I truly dont want to sue anybody, but if it will end this, I will.

ANNIE · « **Reply #1463 on:** April 18, 2010, 08:26:33 AM »

My gosh, I almost ordered it. I must quit doing that. Most things that I order don't fit and require return or they are not the color presented. But, yes, the shirt is cute!

Babi · « **Reply #1464 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:21:23 AM »

As far as I know, jelly is about all you can do with loquats. But I won't
be surprised if someone has come up with other ideas. Cooks can be very
creative.

STEPH, I do hope that doesn't mean that when I die, my kids are going
to have to pay back medicare for what it spent on me. I doubt if my small
life inurance policy would cover it. But surely, I would have heard of
such a thing before now, if that were so.
Is the man responsible for that accident an important figure in your
town, STEPH? That could be why they are dragging their feet on this one,
hoping you will let it go. But yes, if you do want to get involved in a
lawsuit, you could sue the city, and then the man involved. Do lodge a
complaint, first. Personally, I'd rather leave it in God's hands than get
involved in a lawsuit that could drag on forever and cost me a fortune in lawyer's
fees.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1465 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:36:16 AM »

Babi: I'm not "an eye for an eye" person but I believe that this man must be called to task for the death of an innocent person. For one thing Steph has had her life turned upside down. Plus this man should be prevented from future deaths. Lastly, if the police are incompetent, or worse, subject to undue influence, they must be held to account, also. The threat of a suit may be enough to bring this to its logical conclusion.

nlhome · « **Reply #1466 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:40:07 AM »

Medicare gets reimbursed in cases where other insurance or lawsuits are responsible for the medical expenses. This also happens with other insurance and auto accidents or workman's comp. For example, when I injured my knee, my insurance company sent a questionaire asking if a 3rd party was responsible for the injury and if I was going to file a claim or lawsuit for damages.

Babi · « **Reply #1467 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:51:27 AM »

Thanks for that explanation, NL. Relieves my mind considerably.

I agree with what you say, JACKIE. But I would still say lodging a complaint with the city
would be the logical, and simplest, step. My own small city government is great about
responding to any problems I bring to them.
As for the man being held responsible for his actions, I certainly hope he will be. But I don't
think I would want to see STEPH carrying the burden of frustrating, nerve-wracking, costly lawsuits for the next year or two. The cost to her, emotionally and physically, could be very
high. Her well-being means more than his punishment, in my view. I can't help feeling her husband would feel the same way.

JimNT · « **Reply #1468 on:** April 18, 2010, 11:29:08 AM »

I just started Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace which I bought based on an NPR discussion I heard a couple weeks ago. Yesterday I read the first 30 odd pages of what appears to be a tome and was immediately convinced that this novel was not my cup of tea. I intend to continue as NPR believes it to be one of the greatest novels of recent vintage though my limited exposure strongly questions this conclusion. Has anybody read or even heard of this book? I'd love your comments.

JimNT · « **Reply #1469 on:** April 18, 2010, 11:33:13 AM »

If I remember correctly, The Shipping News is a Margaret Atwood novel and, if it is, I've always felt that she is one of the best novelists.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1470 on:** April 18, 2010, 11:58:23 AM »

Margaret Atwood surely is a good novelist - but she didn't write the shipping News - that was by E. Annie Proulx.

Was agood film too with Judy Dench.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1471 on:** April 18, 2010, 02:08:32 PM »

NPR was memorializing David Foster Wallace who was a recent suicide. I've never heard of him except for the news about his death.

JoanR · « **Reply #1472 on:** April 18, 2010, 02:11:26 PM »

"Infinite Jest" is one of the books that I keep saying that I'll have a go at one of these days. I've heard so much praise of it but have also heard that it is "post-modern" - whatever that means! - which requires a somewhat different way of looking at it. "The Lost Books of the Odyssey", which I just finished and enjoyed,has also been called "post-modern" but I found nothing very odd in the writing style. So who knows??

"The Shipping News" was one of my favorite books. That and "A Fine Balance" and "Peace Like a River" are all books that I keep giving people when I find cheap copies at estate sales or the thrift stores!!

Right now I'm gearing up to re-read "Possession" and after that it will be the summer of the Iliad.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1473 on:** April 18, 2010, 02:19:18 PM »

" I read Shipping News" along time ago. However I did not ever see the movie. I will have to look that one up. Joan Grimes

JoanK · « **Reply #1474 on:** April 18, 2010, 03:12:27 PM »

BABI: yes, most of the recipes I've found are for jelly. Too much work for lazy me, I'll probably just eat them off the tree. Anyone want some?

Gumtree · « **Reply #1475 on:** April 18, 2010, 03:23:35 PM »

Yes please ! I love loquats. They are the first of the stone fruit here but have a fairly short season. When I was a child every second house had a loquat tree but I don't see them much anymore and have buy the fruit at the markets. They are just so succulent - too good to waste cooking them

JimNT · « **Reply #1476 on:** April 18, 2010, 04:18:15 PM »

Yes. My mistake. Proulx, who is also a good writer, wrote Shipping News.

Pat · « **Reply #1477 on:** April 18, 2010, 09:50:09 PM »

Shipping News was a good discussion back in '01.

http://www.seniorlearn.org/bookclubs/archives/fiction/ShippingNews.htm

Lorrie Gorg and Sarah T were the leaders.

maryz · « **Reply #1478 on:** April 18, 2010, 10:34:57 PM »

Was it here that someone mentioned The Stranger and the Statesman - the story about Smithson (the man who gave the money for The Smithsonian Institution? I got it used from Amazon since our library didn't have it. John just finished it and found it fascinating. It's now gotten moved to my stack.

It'll have to wait for me to finish two library books: C. .Vivian Stringer's memoir (Standing Tall) and Mary Alice Monroe's Swimming Lessons.

Steph · « **Reply #1479 on:** April 19, 2010, 05:42:16 AM »

Babi, yes, I see someone else answered you on the medicare. It is just for accidents, etc where insurance or workmens comp or something like that is going to pay. The set aside is simply the amount that medicare has paid out so far.
No, the man does not live in this town. He has nothing.. lives in an apartment, has had a foreclosure last year on a house.. and listed his profession as mortgage broker, which in Florida at this point generally means unemployed.
I am going to..1. get in touch with the police chief ( we have been dealing with the person investigating who always had a hundred reasons why she just doesnt have the time), then a selectman or file a written complaint with them.. I cannot imagine suing.. Both of my sons however want to sue so very much.. But I dont. I want to get over this grief, start laughing again and begin some sort of new life. But I do feel some sort of punishment is appropriate.. He ran a stop sign and killed a man.. Seems that he should at least get his license suspended for some time..
Post modern.. generally means to me an unreadable book that everyone praises..

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085236 times)