Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085342 times)

marjifay · « **Reply #1720 on:** May 23, 2010, 03:06:25 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!

Suggestion Box for Future Discussions

Claire said: "Palin's taste of fame to say nothing of books and money are feeding her fire. She could end up hosting a morning show like THE VIEW for backward repubs."

So funny! I think she's where she belongs--on the Faux channel.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #1721 on:** May 23, 2010, 06:36:22 AM »

Back from my gambling junket with my older son and wife. We did have fun and I even indulged in an afternoon of beauty.. Massage, facial, wrap and hair.. Neat.. to be pampered.
NYC, it depends on when in September. I have a high school reunion in Septembe on the 12th and have committed to that.
Favorites.. hmm. by the hundred.. Margaret Maron, Sarah Paretsky, Laurie King.. Dana Stabenow, Janet Evanovich.. on and on and on.
I have put off the Steig series. Sounded a bit dreary, but all of the yeses, make me think I will check it out.
A different type of book for the I dont know waht I want people.. Try The Spellman Files. Wild and funny..

Babi · « **Reply #1722 on:** May 23, 2010, 08:56:54 AM »

FLAJEAN & PAN, the iTouch does sound interesting. Just how expensive is it? I can't use a phone function anyway, so I perked right up at "without the expensive phone function."
It would be nice to have something with books and games that I could
stick in my purse. Is there an on-going expense, after purchase?

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1723 on:** May 23, 2010, 10:12:03 AM »

Babi: Read this for an objective report on I touch: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10351282-1.html

Aliki · « **Reply #1724 on:** May 23, 2010, 10:12:34 AM »

Quote

winsummm: thimk

Hi Jean, every time I read the posts and see your 'thimk' I remember my late but never forgotten younger brother who used to say that all the time. He was quite a fellow! Was able also to read backwards faster than I could read forwards when we were young!

Just wanted you to know and thank you for the sweet memory of Frank.

aliki

FlaJean · « **Reply #1725 on:** May 23, 2010, 12:43:04 PM »

I didn't get the iTouch but the iPad. The screen is about the size of a regular book page perhaps similar to the Kindle. The difference being you can also use it for email, Internet which is good for traveling, and it has many apps to go with it including a map app which is very handy. I believe it is more expensive than a Kindle but since it was a gift from my dear husband I'm not going to delve into the price

. So far I'm only into the first few pages of Persuasion as I still have some library books to finish.

I finished 3 David Baldacci books (interesting and well written but three is too much in a row). After that was very happy that someone here suggested the Miss Julia series. It is a nice change and I am getting some laughs from Miss Julia Hits the Road. I don't remember right now who recommended author Ann Ross but THANK YOU!

JoanR · « **Reply #1726 on:** May 23, 2010, 05:11:15 PM »

Did any of you folks who have been reading Steig Larsson's books see this big article on him in Sunday's NYT Magazine section?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/magazine/23Larsson-t.html

I've been reading E.F.Benson's books about Mapp and Lucia over again. They are my favorite "comfort reads" - so funny!! I have all five in paperback but sure wish they were hardcovers. Tim Holt did a sequel or 2 but I haven't managed to round them up yet. Saw some used copies on Amazon which I'll prbably fall for one of these days, but I really should NOT be buying any more books!!!!!!!!!!!

Steph · « **Reply #1727 on:** May 24, 2010, 05:46:02 AM »

A followup on Lucia.. I made a note on that. I have read all of the Lucia books. She always seemed to make me laugh and sigh at the same time..
An ITouch is expensive, but sounds worth it.. or IPad..get them confused.. The IPod touch is also teeny,, My granddaughter has one .. She loves the wifi part..

ANNIE · « **Reply #1728 on:** May 24, 2010, 07:03:01 AM »

So, do I understand that we only have two interested folks here for meeting in NYC in the fall? And one of you can't go, rght? That would be Winsumm. I am so sorry that you won't be joining us.
JoanR wants to join us. Can't wait to see you either, JoanR. And, yes, we have to make reservations by June 1. Please send your name, home address, room type and dates you will need the room to Ginny at "gvinesc@gmail.com" and here's a loose schedule for the dates mentioned. Joan, is your sister a possibiity this year? My sister will be there.

SeniorLearn's September Soiree

Here's a loose schedule for Sept 8th thru Sept 12th:

Sept 8th-Day 1--Ann plans for us to meet at the Fraunces Tavern Museum at 3pm. When the museum closes at 5pm, meet downstairs in the Fraunces Tavern for drinks and dinner. This is where George Washington and his generals met after or during the Revolution. http://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org/

Sept 9th thru Sept 12:
Day 2--LucyLibrarian--plans a cruise on the Hudson

Day3--Alf plans a day at the Botanical Gardens http://www.nybg.org/ or a history tour of NYC environs??

Day 4--Pedl'n plans a day at the newest NYC park, the High Line. http://www.thehighline.org/

Day 5--Do we have something for our Latin students?? Maybe a day at the Met Museum of Art or the Guggenheim or the Morgan Library or a concert at St Thomas Church. We are open for suggestions and will need one more person to do some planning for this day. According to Ginny, the Met offers wonderfull free tours with very knowledgeable docents.

Remember! Ginny is doing reservations and this is how you do it.
Send Ginny your room preferences and the dates you want the room plus your name and home address.
She will FAX all info to The Leo on June 1st.

Babi · « **Reply #1729 on:** May 24, 2010, 08:25:04 AM »

Thanks for the link, JACKIE. That's sufficient to decide that I'll
simply stick to paperback and crosswords for the waiting rooms and travel.
Much as I would like to see all of you, ANNIE, I simply cannot make plans for future travel. I can't guarantee I'd be able to travel tomorrow,
much less next Sept. My body has become so whimsical. $:-\$

ginny · « **Reply #1730 on:** May 24, 2010, 09:11:18 AM »

The Tom Holt sequels to Mapp and Lucia are absolutely excellent. I ordinarily dislike sequels but he's nailed them. In fact when i think of Mapp and Lucia I think of the orange incident. He's not Benson but he's as close as you can get I think.

There are only 2 and they are much too short to suit. I love EF Benson also.

Yes if you can, do come. We can all plan a larger Gathering for next year at our leisure, we simply couldn't fit in all the super ideas, research all the super places and events suggested here in such a short time, 2010 is half over already. We KNOW NYC hahahaa some of us more than others, but it's always a learning experience. We are lucky to have our "Man in NYC," or I should say Woman, LucyLibr, who knows what's on and what's happening, to help us with bus schedules, what's on, etc.

The switch to the 2nd week in September seemed best from the viewpoint of the weather (mild) and the cost (prices not inflated as they are in the winter) and the super availability of boat rides, the Botanical Gardens, etc., etc. Many books written in and of NYC, it's like a reunion, but everybody is invited.

Should we get enough Latin students we can plan something special for them. We had a good crowd two years ago and it's always wonderful to put a face to the typing we find here, so fun.

So if you can, do try to come. If not, we'll still be here.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #1731 on:** May 24, 2010, 10:09:57 AM »

I smiled at BABI's remark - "My body has become so whimsical." That's such a nice way of putting it. I have the same type of body.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1732 on:** May 24, 2010, 11:13:37 AM »

Sounds like a super little trip - I'd love to be there with you but my body's is 'whimsical' too - and then it's a loooong way from here to there - Enjoy!

ANNIE · « **Reply #1733 on:** May 24, 2010, 12:12:01 PM »

Here's a great poem about how well we were built and how we should die.
I read this in "The Medusa and Snail" by Lewis Thomas, a biologist, professor, dean of the Yale Medical School, researcher, president of the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Ctr. etc etc. Wonderful little book of essays.

http://www.poetry-online.org/holmes_the_deacons_masterpiece.htm
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ginny · « **Reply #1734 on:** May 24, 2010, 07:25:21 PM »

Ann, I love that, had never heard of that. I miss poetry, loved this line:

In fact, there's nothing that keeps its youth,
So far as I know, but a tree and truth.

Love it!

You may have seen a bright yellow blob passing by in our News area on top of the pages and you can always find it below at the bottom of every page. It's a link to Amazon. If you feel like ordering books or whatever and you usually order from Amazon, do, please, consider using that link to do it, it contributes toward SeniorLearn! I just clicked on it and it's an instant link to Amazon, and if you're normally a customer your own page comes up, couldn't be easier!

A painless way to help out in addition to sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Frybabe · « **Reply #1735 on:** May 24, 2010, 08:19:42 PM »

Yes, Ginny, I noticed our new link. Amazon is one of my very, very favorite places to shop. My last purchase, however, wasn't books. It was smoke detectors to replace my old ones.

ginny · « **Reply #1736 on:** May 24, 2010, 08:24:42 PM »

It really doesn't matter so long as it comes from Amazon, doesn't have to be a book. I am also a big Amazon fan, they literally have everything. You'd not believe what I've bought there.

pedln · « **Reply #1737 on:** May 24, 2010, 09:32:56 PM »

Flajean, do you need to subscribe to anything additional for the Internet. Or if you already have ATt or verizon for your laptop, that would enough?

I occassionally use Web Captel (from Sprint) with my cellphone so I get captions with my telephone calls. I wonder if that would work with the iTouch or if I'd need the Iphone. Like my body, my technology knowledge is becoming whimsical.

Yes, to New York. If nothing else, to live like a New Yorker --I wonder what they'd say if my daughter brought us all to the Park Slope Co-op -- 15,000 members. Narrow aisles, tiny carts, but where else can you buy garbanzo flour. Judy works two hours a month in the office, Liz is a bicycle watcher. I love Brooklyn.

FlaJean · « **Reply #1738 on:** May 24, 2010, 10:43:01 PM »

Pedlin, you have to have iTunes on your computer (download is free) in order to use either the "iPod Touch" (used to be called iTouch) which is small or the "iPad" which is about 13". Several people here use the iPod Touch/iTouch but I don't really know anything about as I have the "iPad".

The "iPad" comes with Safari browser and Mail. You have to have wifi for the Internet and mail. I've used mine at Panera Bread and McAlister's Deli that have wife and it works great. My husband went all out and got me one capable of 3G so I can subscribe to AT&T in order to use it cellular but won't bother with that until we go on vacation.

Steph · « **Reply #1739 on:** May 25, 2010, 05:56:00 AM »

Oh darn.. cannot do that in NYC as I already have a committment for that week. Oh well next time. I did want to come. Have not been back to NYC for years. I hope to go to the Westminster show in February this year..
I got a brand new mattresss . Watching them install it was a hoot. It is wrapped into the smallest possible container. Then they open it, unfold it and all afternoon it gradually became a real mattress.. getting taller and taller and straighter.. My little female corgi, Gracie was lifted up last night and was puzzled. She sniffed it all over and kept looking over at me. She then curled up on the other bed ( they are antique twins pushed together) and went sound asleep.. I loved it.. Soft... cushiony.. Wow.

Babi · « **Reply #1740 on:** May 25, 2010, 09:01:09 AM »

It's been long since I saw the 'One-Hoss Shay'; I had to stop and read
the whole thing. Thanks, ANNIE.

Yeah, pets do like a familiar aroma in order to feel comfortable. Fresh out of a box has no
interest....though of course, if it's a cat they love the box. I don't know what it is with cats and
boxes, but they'll climb into one whether it fits or not.

pedln · « **Reply #1741 on:** May 25, 2010, 10:44:29 AM »

Thanks for the info, Flajean. Your "gadget"really sounds fascinating. Maybe I'll go pester the guys and BestBuy and ask them to demonstrate. But I think it will be a while before I get one. My next "gadget" has got to be an external harddrive so I'll have one place to store all those photos that I never do anything with.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #1742 on:** May 25, 2010, 06:35:26 PM »

Hey, Kindle 1 users, I (my daughter) needs help. She has recharged her Kindle but it doesn't come on, nothing comes on the screen. She doesn't know where to turn for help. Does she she need to replace a battery pack on the back of the Kindle.

It hasn't been used for some months, could this be a problem?

Any suggestions?

joangrimes · « **Reply #1743 on:** May 25, 2010, 06:38:41 PM »

Ella call Amazon and they will help you by walking you through what you should do...I had that happen to mine when it was kinda new...They were very nice about it all...Let us know what happens with the kindle.There is some printed material that comes with it with a phone# on it..Just call that number... Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1744 on:** May 26, 2010, 05:56:24 AM »

I bought a thumb drive for the pictures on the computer. Like you, I save them, but not quite sure why.

ginny · « **Reply #1745 on:** May 26, 2010, 07:07:09 AM »

For those of you with i touch, i pod and i pad, how are they different?

And what are the downsides? Everything has a downside. I have a Blackberry and it requires an ISP, do these devices require an ISP to work?

Overseas if I want to surf the internet or write email, there is an extra charge or package I can add on monthly so that I don't incur horrendous charges to do that, will these devices work that way also?

If I have an existing ISP contract for wireless, will I need another one for the i touch (which is what I'm looking at?)

Are they better than a Blackberry? I can put my GSP info on the Blackberry I have but can't read a book that way (and don't want to actually).

So I guess I'm asking how do they function, will you be condemned to finding free WiFi or do you need an ISP? How do they work?

JoanP · « **Reply #1746 on:** May 26, 2010, 07:14:15 AM »

I'll be interested to hear the answer to your questions, Ginny! Do you mean we'll be able to contact you when you are abroad?
Those little flash drives are amazing, aren't they Steph! They hold so many pictures!

Listen, we're putting the finishing touches on the poll for our SeniorLearn summer discussions - there is still time to stop in to the Suggestion Box and nominate some more if there is something you'd like to discuss with a group.

Some of us are quite intrigued with the idea of discussing Fairy Tales and what's behind them - I'll bring the nominations here for you to consider before voting on June 1. The book titles are linked to reviews or descriptions of the books -

Title	Author
*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*	Clemens
*The Lacuna*	Kingsolver
*Frankenstein*	Shelley
*Dracula*	Stoker
*Gulliver's Travels*	Swift
*From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers*	Warner

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #1747 on:** May 26, 2010, 09:34:32 AM »

THANKS, JOANG! I'll tell my daughter!

ANNIE · « **Reply #1748 on:** May 26, 2010, 10:53:22 AM »

Isn't that poem just perfect for saying how we should leave this earth. Just all at once--a pile of dust.

Well, Gumtree and Steph,
We sure do wish you could go with us. Its so nice to hook up with old friends in person.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #1749 on:** May 26, 2010, 11:47:34 AM »

It is rumored that the Iphone is coming out with a new version since walmart has reduced the price to 497. apple is mum. comments i have read about the itouch lament the lack of gspr and video camera. As active geocachers, this family would love to have all in one package. our gpsr, the garmin oregon, is likean iphone with touch screen navigation but it lacks the photo- taking application and all geocachers need photo documentation. it can be used fo loading data on shopping destinations, restaurants, points-of-interest. We used it extensively on our trip to Astoria, for navigation as well as other destination data. so an Itouch combining all that with camera and its internet access would be super. plus only one instrument to have to keep charged instead of three!

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=14904&ra=true

my shift key isn't working.

pedln · « **Reply #1750 on:** May 26, 2010, 12:43:32 PM »

This is not a new NY Times article; it’s from a blog that came up today while checking on something similar. Authors were interviewed about what books they’d keep and what they’d get rid of.

Books You Can Live Without

Quote

When you’re all finished, think of selling your books to the Strand! Though we’ll definitely buy the quality books you plan on discarding, we really want the books you’re keeping.

Fred Bass, owner of the STrand, who gives some good advice on how to make room on your shelves.

marcie · « **Reply #1751 on:** May 26, 2010, 09:15:36 PM »

Pedln, that's an interesting article with a range of views on keeping books and letting them go. I'm with the guy who says: "Books are notes from the field, bound and domesticated, life brought into narrow focus. Get rid of a book? No way. Every one is a brick keeping the building standing."

joangrimes · « **Reply #1752 on:** May 26, 2010, 11:22:05 PM »

Very interesting article , Pedlin..Many of the numerous books that I own were bought on my trips as souvenirs of my trips...I just cannot part with those books...My book collection will just have to be one of the things that my children will have to get rid of after I am gone...Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1753 on:** May 27, 2010, 05:55:34 AM »

I have keepers in books.. a lot of paperbacks that I trade mostly on my swap club after I read them and a few authors, I save in paperback because I reread them.. A lot of older science fiction for some reason. Just cannot let it go.. Mostly out of print and then tons of genealogical books.. Those are keepers.. but the biggest job I will be leaving to my daughter in laws is crystal and glass. I have a very large collection from ancestors and pieces we bought and loved over the years.. I love looking at it all, so I have warned the girls that they will get the job someday of keeping, selling, etc.. My granddaughter glares at this and says,, it will all be hers to remember her Nana.. Funny girl.

Babi · « **Reply #1754 on:** May 27, 2010, 07:04:13 PM »

Smart kid, STEPH. She knows she wants some of those beautiful things.
Doesn't hurt to remind Mom and Auntie right up front. I have a collection
of angels, of all types. Glass, china, pottery, wood ...even cross-stitch.
What I can't seem to find is an angel I think of as more realistic than the
delicate fairy-like creations. A Michael or Gabriel, for example, big, strong and powerful.
We should bear in mind that the first thing an angel says in the Bible, when bearing a message, is "Be not afraid!". There's a reason for that!

JoanP · « **Reply #1755 on:** May 27, 2010, 10:10:42 PM »

Babi, as a graduate of St. Michael's grammar school in Cranford, NJ, I can tell you that there are figures of the powerful angel out there - at least there used to be! Will keep my eyes open for one for you...

As promised, the poll to determine our Summer Book Club Online in-depth discussions is now open -
Notice that the titles in the Suggestion Box heading are linked to descriptions or reviews.
Note the two different categories:
1. Your first choice
2. All the titles that interest you for future discussion

I'm going to put the linked titles here, just to be sure you see them -

Title	Author
*Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*	Clemens
*The Lacuna*	Kingsolver
*Frankenstein*	Shelley
*Dracula*	Stoker
*Gulliver's Travels*	Swift
*From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers*	Warner

VOTE HERE -

Steph · « **Reply #1756 on:** May 28, 2010, 05:32:02 AM »

Voted, but I am not a huge fan of fairy tales.. and I dislike dialect books.. ( Huck
Finn is not a favorite of mine at all).

Gumtree · « **Reply #1757 on:** May 28, 2010, 05:46:53 AM »

I've voted too - and agree with Steph about Huck Finn though there are some wonderful passages.

I'm still plugging for Frankenstein

Mippy · « **Reply #1758 on:** May 28, 2010, 06:55:47 AM »

Good morning! not Huck Finn, but did vote and won't say which one!

Frybabe · « **Reply #1759 on:** May 28, 2010, 08:06:38 AM »

I could read any of the books but went with ones I already have in my TBR pile. Huck Finn and Gulliver's Travels I read when I was a youngster. I remember liking Huck much more than Tom Sawyer.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085342 times)