Author Topic: The Library  (Read 2601459 times)

marjifay

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14880 on: March 30, 2015, 11:50:31 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!











I could never finish a book by William Faulkner until I read INTRUDER IN THE DUST -- great novel about a black man in rural Mississippi (in the 1940s, I believe) who is accused of murder he says he did not commit.  Made into a very good 1949 movie -- the old lady character is a kick.  (Why is there an "l" in the word could?)

Marj
"Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill."  Barbara Tuchman

Jonathan

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14881 on: March 30, 2015, 04:11:06 PM »
'compulsory church attendance several times annually for everyone'

Not often enough. It should be every Sunday. Matins and evensong or whenever the bell tolls. Why, some are called to pray, five times a day.

With hikers permitted to go their way.

marjifay

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14882 on: March 30, 2015, 04:35:18 PM »
Per Ginny about the
grandma book, "Who could put that down?"  I, for one, could.  I don't hike or want to read about someone doing it (that's why I also skipped Wild)  Sorry, not my kind of read.

Marj
"Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill."  Barbara Tuchman

ginny

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14883 on: March 30, 2015, 05:59:52 PM »
Ah well, de gustibus. :)

marjifay

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14884 on: March 31, 2015, 12:03:01 AM »
I have both of those books you mentioned, Ella, on my TBR list.  Glad to hear you liked them.

Marj

Per Jonathan:  "'compulsory church attendance several times annually for everyone'

Not often enough. It should be every Sunday. Matins and evensong or whenever the bell tolls. Why, some are called to pray, five times a day.

To each his/her own.  Not me, thank you very much.

Marj
"Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill."  Barbara Tuchman

marjifay

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14885 on: March 31, 2015, 12:35:25 AM »
Yes, Ginny, there is no accounting for taste.  But I suppose that makes the world more interesting.

I have a feeling that if I listed 100 of my favorite books you'd probably like only 1% of them, if that many.  And probably vice-versa.

Marj
"Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill."  Barbara Tuchman

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14886 on: March 31, 2015, 08:01:27 AM »
Marj - Jonathan was being ironic - he was lightly making some fun with the concept making the news recently - not sure if he attends church or not but that does not matter - the idea of going back to the eighteenth or even the seventeenth century when attending church on Sunday was treated like law was simply something to have fun with - if you read about the early settlements in this country it was part of the legal expectation but then religion is the glue when you do not have another way to control public behavior.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

ginny

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14887 on: March 31, 2015, 08:42:04 AM »
And Marj, I can't believe after all these years you  would think that I would insult your taste!!!  I am not that rude!

1. de gustibus does not mean "there is no allowing for taste." I don't care whose mother always said it or what website says it, that's not what it means.

de gustibus non disputandum est is the phrase. The non disputandum est is a Passive Periphrastic in Latin which literally means "it must not be argued." The phrase, often abbreviated to de gustibus, means there is no  point arguing about taste.

What I meant was there's no use to argue.  And there isn't. You're entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine.  I wasn't addressing that just to you, and I'm very sorry you misunderstood.

I have a feeling that if I listed 100 of my favorite books you'd probably like only 1% of them, if that many.

That isn't true, either. How about list them? List 10. In fact in our long association many of the books you've recommended on our site I've gone out and bought and really  enjoyed. Maybe I should have said that. I like your taste, tho this is not about liking or disliking people's taste.  I think that's where people get confused over the purpose of  this discussion.

Nobody is criticizing anybody here.

This is a site to bring things, books, all kinds of things  we've discovered we're excited about? Or maybe that we don't like. News we can use.  This is not an anonymous experience:  I've met a lot of you face to face.  If we were sitting in a restaurant  right now  and I said oh here's a book I've just discovered and am excited about,  I am willing to bet not one person here, not one,  would then say, oh no, not for me, I can't read about XXXX.

That's kind of deflating and negative. If it's not for us, it's not for us. Say something positive. What IS for you that you are enthusiastic about?  Stick your neck out and share that.

And then hold on to the arms of your chair and hope that nobody comes in and puts it down.

I'm asking, ironically, in view of the de gustibus misunderstanding,  for a little more gentleness here to the submissions of others.


And that's all I'm asking.  Maybe it's too much?



Steph

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14888 on: March 31, 2015, 08:57:23 AM »
We really need a reboot on this legislater stuff.. Between the church guy ( how silly is that) and the entire Indiana state  I cannot believe the nonsense. Florida legislature is no better, They are in mid term and have yet to decide on any of the important stuff, just the nonsense of telling everyone what great people they are. How sad and stupid.
Stephanie and assorted corgi

ursamajor

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14889 on: March 31, 2015, 09:06:05 AM »
In my state, alas, Tennessee, one of our sterling legislators has advocated making the bible our state book.  We also have recently added signs in our courthouses saying "In God we trust."  Right up there with "Allah wills it".

ALF43

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14890 on: March 31, 2015, 09:57:16 AM »
Everyone SMILES in the same language, my friends! Latin, English,French, etc.
Happy smiles to each of you :)
Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.  ~James Russell Lowell

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14891 on: March 31, 2015, 09:59:57 AM »
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

marjifay

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14892 on: March 31, 2015, 10:56:10 AM »
Thanks for enlightening me, Ginny.

And I have read several books you recommended and have liked them and recommended them to others.  I think I was in a cranky mood when I wrote that.

Marj
"Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill."  Barbara Tuchman

ALF43

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14893 on: March 31, 2015, 11:25:51 AM »
Let's all have a "goomby-ya" moment! Love is what we r all about. Happy Easter to all.
Books are the bees which carry the quickening pollen from one to another mind.  ~James Russell Lowell

marjifay

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14894 on: March 31, 2015, 11:30:53 AM »
Sorry, Jonathan, I took you seriously about church attendance.  When I look at what you were really saying, I laughed.

Marj
"Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill."  Barbara Tuchman

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14895 on: March 31, 2015, 11:52:03 AM »
I loved A.J.Fikry, I read it last summer.  A short read, but wonderful book.

Callie
Quote
However,  this morning's paper had a long Rave Review of the book, so I may have to tamp down my annoyance and try reading it.

I know a lot of us have read Fikry, but wouldn't it be nice if our group decided to have it for a discussion?  Sounds like mixed opinions, and I am up to reading again.
“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

MaryPage

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14896 on: March 31, 2015, 12:08:17 PM »
Barb, I just LOVE that sign!  And God Bless that minister for posting it!

Woo hoo!  Wouldn't it be Great if everyone just loved everyone Else, and it was just no nevermind where they worshipped or who they loved?

Now THAT is the way to Truly thank God for this beautiful blue planet and the chance we are given to live on it.

We should also never take offense, because I for one know that none is EVER meant by any in here, when we give our opinions about a book we have read or tried to read.  Hey!  I love a book, I tell you, you say you tried it and hated it;  so what?  You may love crabs, too (well, so do I, actually), but they make me break out instantly in hives from head to toe.  We are each an exquisite creation and unique as a precious jewel.  I love your loving the book you recommend, and do not object to your not relishing mine!  It is with the Joy of loving a good read that each of us passes on the Good News in a wish to spread that very same Joy, is it not?  I come here chiefly to reap your experiences, and I thank you deeply for all of the good reads you have caused my hours to fly by with!

pedln

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14897 on: March 31, 2015, 12:20:16 PM »
Quote
Sounds like a seriously odd human.

Ginny, you took the words out of my mouth -- Just different.  And someone who met her challenge and did it.

Jonathan, back in the 80's my oldest daughter worked in Boston and belonged to the Appalachian Mountain Club.  When I came to visit she lent me her car and said "go -- up".  I remember walking up Mt. Washington in the White Mountains, staying at a lodge there and at cabins in Massachusetts.   Have you read anything by New Hampshire writer Joseph Monniger?  I think his Eternal on the Water is one of the best books I've read the past few years.  The narrator started a trip to follow Thoreau's journey on the ???? River.  I don't remember if he finished his challenge, but the events he encountered changed his life.

Tomereader1

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14898 on: March 31, 2015, 12:52:48 PM »
"Eternal on the Water" was wonderful.  I may have recommended it here, I can never remember.  Someone else may have, and I rushed to get my library to get the book for me.  It was very deep, funny in places, and yes, his life was changed.  Do read it if you get the chance, nothing lewd or Xrated in the whole book.  Uplifting!
The reading of a fine book is an uninterrupted dialogue in which the book speaks and our soul replies.


André Maurois

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14899 on: March 31, 2015, 02:19:10 PM »
I seriously don't know what I would do without all your recommendations.  Some I try, some I read reviews and think...hmmm, not for me.  That is the wonderful thing about having so many avid readers to share our many different styles, genres, and opinions with.  I might rely a bit too much so, that I have a difficult time choosing on my own.  So, I thank you ALL for your suggestions.

We are just now wrapping up Jane Austen's wonderful "Emma".   I absolutely loved it!!

“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

MaryPage

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14900 on: March 31, 2015, 08:26:25 PM »
Emma has always been my personal favorite of the Austen novels.

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2015/03/holland-island-house-animation/

The area I live in has been said by scientists to be one of the first here in the states to feel the effects of climate change.  Here is a perfectly gorgeous brand new very short film made in what to me is also a brand new medium, clay on glass!  And animated, too!  Wow!  I love the artist's sense of humor in including take offs on very famous works of art.  But it is a sort of gallows humor, for we really are losing our islands here in the Chesapeake Bay, and this tells a true story of a very real house.

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14901 on: March 31, 2015, 10:59:23 PM »
MaryPage,  I truly enjoyed Emma.  I have read Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Emma, and Mansfield ParkPride and Prejudice is my all time favorite.  Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcey made me laugh, cry, and fall in love with their characters.
“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14902 on: April 01, 2015, 07:27:47 AM »

Steph

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14903 on: April 01, 2015, 08:49:37 AM »
I have been reading about the reinterment on facebook, since one of the people on there in the corgi list comes from the area and she filmed so much of it. It was wonderful.
I love senior learn. We are all different, we read different things.  I love to read about all of it. I don't climb mountains or even want to. But I live in the summer where I can sit on my sun porch and see three ranges and they change every hour and I love it.. I make lists of books mentioned and dip into them.Some I love, Some, not so much and a few,, not my thing..
Arkansas just joined Indiana in this foolishness. I don't get it.. Noone is telling anyone else to become different. They are not inviting you to be in the wedding or love them,, so the idea of not helping for pay is crazy to an old retailer like me.. Noone tells you to love your customers, but being polite and caring is easy.
Stephanie and assorted corgi

MaryPage

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14904 on: April 01, 2015, 09:07:32 AM »
It is scary, that is what it is.
Scary that folks are being brainwashed that it is ok under our constitution to hide behind the Freedom of Religion clause as though it were a large black cloak of permission to practice bigotry and hate.
I have thrown up a few times watching a band of such haters demonstrating outside churches in which funerals of men and women who served this country in our wars and died doing so are taking place.  They hold up big signs saying they died not fighting to safeguard our nation, but because this nation accepts "fags," and "God Hates Fags!" Honestly, it is to puke!
Well, our constitution allows them the freedom to emotionally attack the bereaved families, but it DOES NOT give them the right to bar any citizen of this country from going about their daily lives just as do all other citizens, including buying and selling in the marketplaces of America.  If someone offers goods and necessities to any one of their fellow citizens, they must offer them to all.  Otherwise, they should close up their establishments and gather in their churches to pray.  No doubt God will hear their prayers and send them darling little Gay children and grandchildren to refuse goods and necessities to!

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14905 on: April 01, 2015, 09:18:55 AM »
Steph,  I am with you on this.  I just don't understand how people have become so insensitive.  

I am a Christian Catholic, and I think this law is deplorable, discriminating, and uses religion in a very bad way.  We are to be tolerant of other races, religions, creeds and life styles.  It does not mean we accept everything, but as a Christian who knows scripture, I know for a fact Jesus would not ban anyone from his services.  

I just ask myself, how have we gotten here?  ALL human life under the Constitution and the Bible, is to be equal, yet when you begin deciding even when human life becomes an existence, then you begin denigrating human life.  From there, it only begins to chip away at other areas, racism, bigotry, sexism, gender, and the very embryo inside the womb.  We protect extinct animals more than we protect the unborn.  So instead of asking myself why we are where we are today, I should ask why not.

Sorry if I sound like I am on a soap box, it is my own personal opinion and I am not asking anyone else to agree or disagree with me.  Our country, world needs more human respect, and less, go with what makes you feel good in the moment.  Baking a cake for a gay couple to me shows tolerance, refusing to bake the cake, shows judgement.

This law reminds me of the scripture when they were trying to trick Jesus, so they may accuse Him.

John 8: 1-7    1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5“Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]

This law while using the Religious of Freedom act as their basis, seems very much like the pharisees trying to use the Commandments as their arguments.  It only backfires, and makes the lawmakers look unchristian and intolerant.
“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

MaryPage

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14906 on: April 01, 2015, 09:47:55 AM »
I have this framed on one of the walls of  my home:

Irish Rune of Hospitality

I saw a stranger yesterday;
I put food in the eating place,
drink in the drinking place,
music in the listening place,
and in the name of the Trinity
He blessed myself and my house,
my cattle and my dear ones, and the lark said in her song
often, often, often,
goes the Christ in the stranger's guise,
often, often, often,
goes the Christ in the stranger's guise.



bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14907 on: April 01, 2015, 09:52:38 AM »
This is so true....."goes Christ in the stranger's guise." 

“What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?...Was ever anything so civil?”
__Anthony Trollope, The Warden

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14908 on: April 01, 2015, 01:50:44 PM »
I think the law is not so much about who and what they can discriminate against as it was to protect those who do carry signs and who do discriminate from being prosecuted by law.

Right now most of the sign carriers are none tolerant of gays and agree with those who will not pay for women's health and protections from sex as well as, wanting to close down, regardless of other health care, any doctor or clinic that helps a women have an abortion - these laws were to protect all of the protesters - even if they cross the 25 foot zone or stop a funeral procession, from being stopped by cops since their offenses are under the guise of religion.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

marjifay

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14909 on: April 01, 2015, 03:18:05 PM »
I read an interesting article in Yahoo News this morning which you may have also read.  Doctors have been listening to President Reagan's speeches to see if they could notice any early signs of his Alzheimer's disease.

They found that Reagan became more repetitive with his words and substituted nonspecific terms such as "thing" for specific nouns. He also used significantly fewer unique words over time (I'm not sure what that last one meant).  I suppose it would be helpful if doctor's could use changes in a person's speech to diagnose an impending Alzheimer's thing--whoops.

Marj


'
"Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill."  Barbara Tuchman

MaryPage

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14910 on: April 01, 2015, 03:24:33 PM »
There was a special sort of "appreciation of Jim Baker" documentary on PBS recently which was so highly flattering of him that a number of reviewers accused it of being a hagiography, but I enjoyed it very much.  And when it was describing his early years assisting Reagan, it also referred to the fact that Reagan presented a great front due to his acting and speaking abilities, but that he needed people around him to tell him what was going on and what to say because he, himself personally, didn't have a clue.  And yes it said, as have a number of things I have read, as well, that he showed early signs of senility.

Steph

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14911 on: April 02, 2015, 08:46:46 AM »
I think that many people wondered when he was the President. There were so many denials of the strangest things, His vanity was amazing.. Not a favorite for me, but I know he was popular.
Stephanie and assorted corgi

Dana

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14912 on: April 02, 2015, 12:54:27 PM »
Well I seem to remember there was this British TV show, or it was part of a show, "The President's Brain is Missing."  Not very nice but prescient.....

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14913 on: April 02, 2015, 03:49:49 PM »
Having seen on PBS a show about Reagan sometime in the last couple of years and those men surrounding him in office were with him when he made speeches and would tell him when enough was said and before hand remind him of the purpose of what he was saying which of course was their purpose - it was when the moneyed class of this nation took over the White House and they have successfully marched through taking over seat after seat in Congress using money as the bait plus, the intimidation or threat of loosing their elections because if they did not take the money and support the contributor, the money would crown another to take the running office holder's place.

We really are no longer a democracy as we learned it as children and I have no clue how we will ever get it back because they seem to have even infiltrated the Supreme Court that allowed their money enriching tactics to be legal. It all started unfortunately with Reagan.

Yes, I think he was duped and Nancy I think saw what was happening but was not knowledgeable enough or powerful enough to stop it. I do think, and have never seen it written anywhere, but I still think Reagan's eldest daughter, who he had with Jane Wyman and who died back years ago now, could also see what was happening and I bet she was trying to get Nancy to act so that the two women became bitter enemies for awhile.  
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ~ Goethe

Steph

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14914 on: April 03, 2015, 08:13:37 AM »
Reagan spent years and other people money becoming President. His vanity made him want it more than anything and Nancy did nothing but say,... yes,,yes,,yes.. The Supreme court has doomed us with this anyone can throw all the money they want into political campaigns.
Why oh why can we not be like GB. They have rules on elections. times you can campaign and they don't spend the kind of money we do. As long as you can spend unlimited money, you get people like the Kochs, who are greedy and evil.
Stephanie and assorted corgi

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14915 on: April 04, 2015, 06:55:23 AM »
Just found info on an interesting new app called Clean Reader which changes swear or objectionable words into cleaner, non-objectionable works. Here is what Huffington Post has to say about the app.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/09/clean-reader-app-ebooks_n_6831570.html

Here is the app:  http://www.cleanreaderapp.com/

Apparently some current authors are not happy about the app; one article I read mentioned Margaret Atwood being one. But the book is published as is. All the app does is change bad words it finds using one of three levels of "clean" words.

MaryPage

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14916 on: April 04, 2015, 07:44:35 AM »
I think language is generational.  Words unacceptable to MY grandparents (my grandmother handed me a bar of Fels Naptha soap and made me wash my mouth out with it at her large kitchen sink because I said "darn" when I was twelve.  I swear to this!) became nothing at all to my own, whereas words my generation thought only used by folks who were "gutter trash" are now nothing at all to my grandchildren's generation!  I mean really, it is obvious they do not think these words "dirty," but just their slang words!  Everything in life changes and evolves, including the language, and we may as well adjust, at the same time the ubiquitousness of what we consider filth makes us feel quite nauseous.

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14917 on: April 04, 2015, 08:17:45 AM »
My Mom used Palmolive soap on me.

Steph

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14918 on: April 04, 2015, 08:45:11 AM »
Oh that is silly.. clean words changing an authors words.. I would be furious if I were an author. They think of what they say and why.. Teens nowadays use words that make me shudder, but they are not bad from their point of view.. I wont use them, but ignore the ones who do.
Stephanie and assorted corgi

MaryPage

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Re: The Library
« Reply #14919 on: April 04, 2015, 08:48:44 AM »
I think we're on the same page again, Steph.