Author Topic: The Library  (Read 2086738 times)

Jonathan

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18960 on: May 23, 2018, 10:37:14 AM »
It was great fun watching The Great American Read. The best part was the enthusiasm of the readers. It didn't have to be a classic to be meaningful in their lives. Young and old. It was interesting to see Ginny's proposal for July/August show up as a favorite: The Joy Luck Club.

My fav at the moment is Tina Brown's The Diana Chronicles. I enjoyed her Vanity Fair Diaries so much I felt like reading more of her. As luck would have it, I found the Chronicles at the Thrift Store. In such a crisp, sophisticated writing style. Brown can make anything interesting. Even dysfunctional family matters. Amazing how that princess upstaged everyone in the palace.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18961 on: May 23, 2018, 03:43:44 PM »
Yes, Jonathan after watching the PBS series on Victoria I realized Diana's bloodlines were more English then any in the Royal Family which makes William and Harry more English than their father or Grandmother. The Windsor's all have that Teutonic sourpuss look as compared the the Spencer's.

Remember when the Joy Luck Club came out and everyone was learning to play mahjongg - I do not remember if it was in the book or not but it became all the rage. Then 10 years later we had the Tiger Mother - that book sure started something didn't it...
“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

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18962 on: May 24, 2018, 07:25:01 AM »
There are some books on the list that I could never see myself reading.  I tried The Catcher In The Rye several times and could not get through it.

Jonathan, I would love to find The Diana Chronicles.  I have read so many books on her and the Royals.
“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

Mkaren557

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18963 on: May 24, 2018, 02:44:55 PM »
One of my favorite books is Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton.  Have we ever discussed that?

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18964 on: May 25, 2018, 02:25:51 PM »
MKaren, Glad to see you posting.  How are you feeling?  I don't think we have ever discussed Cry, the Beloved Country. 

A friend of mine just recommended,  Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel by Mark Sullivan.  When I am ready to tackle another war story, I may just give this a try.
https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Scarlet-Sky-Mark-Sullivan-ebook/dp/B01L1CEZ6K/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
“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 #18965 on: May 25, 2018, 03:06:06 PM »
OH yes Bellamarie - enough with the wars - or for that matter politics - I've ended up using the week to watch movie after movie on Amazon Prime - never did read the Pickwick Papers and watching it, two installments a day and the fun is there - amazing the idea of a group of men having the leisure to go bouncing around the countryside staying as house guests hither, thither and yon.

A friend emailed to me this great article - I see the unraveling for many women in mid-life as simply starting a new life with a new job - new relationships with their children - a change in wardrobe and for many even a change of residence - more like change that may not have happened if the first part of their life did not unravel - but I am also seeing this unraveling in age - everything we own and do has to be looked at with new eyes and take into consideration the aging body - the income - what may have been a plan for retirement that either did not happen or for so many it happened but all the things on their list were achieved in about 5 years and they finally realized they have another 20 to 25 years to fill - I also see a big change to the aged grandparents after the grandchildren are on their own working and starting their adult life -

see what comes up for you after you read this article

https://brenebrown.com/blog/2018/05/24/the-midlife-unraveling/
“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

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18966 on: May 25, 2018, 05:04:28 PM »
Oh wow - what a great special from Library of America - they are offering a special of 5 different areas of history - either actual history or historical novels PLUS another free tome and these incredibly low prices - I loved the Leather Stocking tales as a kid - I know several here on Senior Learn have said they cannot bare to read them but I still love them - well the special is all 5 leather stocking tales in two volumes And a book of seafaring adventures that includes Two Years before the Mast, another childhood favorite and two more that I am not familiar with - all that for $6.95 in lovely cloth bound books in boxed book-sleeves

For only $3.95 you can get The Guns of August plus The Proud Tower by Tuckman and the bonus book World War I and America: Told by the Americans Who Lived It

here is the link - World War I and America: Told by the Americans Who Lived It
“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

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18967 on: May 27, 2018, 05:44:55 PM »
Oh my heavens, I went to see the movie Book Club today with Diane Keaton, Candice Bergman, Jane Fonda, Mary Steinbuger, Craig T. Nelson, Don Johnson, Andy Garcia, and Richard Dryfuss.  I laughed so much my jaws hurt.  Ladies over 60 will relate and crack up.  Check out the trailer.

https://www.facebook.com/deadlinehollywood/videos/10156951040879897/?t=9

p.s.  Yes, my hubby went too, and he laughed so hard at the guys and ladies interactions.
“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 #18968 on: May 28, 2018, 02:39:21 PM »
Looked it up and the movie is playing here - thanks for the tip Bellamarie - not sure when but it is now on my list - quiet weekend - been sorting out and also completely taken with and reading books on The Enneagram -

Amazing, the difficulty I have listed over and over to follow through that never happens - of course it will not happen by my attempting to do it that way and than shaming myself or being annoyed that I did not act accordingly - which will not happen because of how I process life - what a complete eye-opener and better yet, - learning the way other personality types react to stress and security.

Like all of use we look at other's behavior through the net of our own thinking they are an extension of what we understand as important vulnerabilities and achievements - this system of understanding myself and others is fabulous to a more compassionate realization of the goals and needs of others.

One of my go-to guys for reading that leads to spiritual growth is Richard Rohr and he has written several books on Enneagrams - nice.

Mentioned as secondary reading is: Anne Lamott, Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace and David Foster Wallace,  Infinite Jest

The Enneagram book I am reading is by Ian Morgan Cron, The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
“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

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18969 on: May 28, 2018, 04:42:57 PM »
Just want to drop a note that I may be a bit scarce for a week or so. Microsoft's lastest and greatest (HAH!) update crashed my laptop. I can get in on my desktop machine with Ubuntu, and this laptop that my BIL gave me. The later is a year older than my Desktop and is slow and still running Windows 7 sp1. I hope to remedy both laptops soon. I am going to take them both up to the local computer repair store (Alliance) to see what they can do with the dead one, and see if I can get a processor upgrade for this one.

This has not been a fun past few days between the computers, one of George's cats (which I feed when he is away) died, the smoke detectors decided to go off for no apparent reason this morning and I got overcharged at the grocery store today.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18970 on: May 28, 2018, 08:14:16 PM »
Sheesh frybabe talk about Joe Btfsplk's black cloud from li'l Abner- good luck - never one thing is it...
“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

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18971 on: May 28, 2018, 11:26:02 PM »
Oh Frybabe, that all sounds so horrible!  I am so sorry you are going through all of this.  Did the cat actually die while you are cat sitting?  I hope you are up and running soon.

Barb, my go to person to read when I am looking for spiritual growth is Max Lucado.  He has such a serene way about him.  I am getting so much better at "Don't sweat the small stuff."

We had a glorious Memorial Day, celebrated with the kids and grandkids in the pool most of the day since it was 97 degrees here in sunny Toledo, Ohio.  When you are in the water it never feels as hot as outside the water.  Then we stopped by a Military Memorial path, that is only a few minutes from our house, we had no idea of, until just a couple of months ago.  We felt good visiting the walls of each war, and reading the names.  Gone but not forgotten.....



 
“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 #18972 on: May 29, 2018, 07:58:55 AM »
Barb -  ;D

Bellamarie, Orion looked okay to me last I saw him, but it is often hard to tell when a cat is sick, they hide it so well.  He had fluid between his chest and lung (not pleurisy, not in the lung sac, I asked), and it was so much that it was crushing his lungs. Even on oxygen, the vet determined that he was too far gone to survive surgery. Nor could he say that it would not fill up again. It wasn't water fluid. What I got from George is that it was liquefied fat. I haven't looked it up yet to see what causes such a thing. I never heard of it.

I am testing out the Chromium browser this morning. It seems a little faster than Firefox.

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18973 on: May 29, 2018, 09:36:51 AM »
Frybabe,  I have only used Chrome.  I tried Firefox years ago and found Chrome faster.  So very sorry about Orion.
“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

lindahart

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18974 on: May 31, 2018, 07:12:16 PM »
Hi, Ladies. I was wondering if you had chosen a book for June. When will the discussion begin?

Also, last month I saw a list of about seven books that were being suggested for May. Winter Garden was selected. The Hideaway and the Tour were on the list. I’d like to have the rest of the list. Thanks.

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18975 on: May 31, 2018, 10:04:49 PM »
Hi lindahart, there has been no book selected for June as of today.  If you scroll backwards you should be able to find the list you are interested in.

PatH., Can you give us an update as to what we will be reading next and when we will begin?
“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 #18976 on: June 01, 2018, 01:38:07 AM »
Lindahart so glad you found us - looking forward to your posts - and finally found it - the list of books we used to make our choice that ended up being Winter Garden...

1. The Girls of Ennismore by Patricia Falvey -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1496709950/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

2. The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0718084225/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

3. The Tour by Jean Grainger

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1482385635/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

4. The Women in the Castle: A Novel by Jessica Shattuck

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062563661/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A2BZJ3OE7RA6B&psc=1

5. Things We Surrender: A Lowcountry Novel by Heidi Hostetter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0996133755/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

6. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (older but less difficult a subject than her new book - this still takes place in Alaska)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312663153/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=A2XF5HY28Z1YOG&psc=1

7. Evening Class by Maeve Binchy

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0440223202/ref=ox_sc_act_title_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
“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

lindahart

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18977 on: June 01, 2018, 10:03:04 AM »
Thank you for the list. Sorry it was a pain to find.

I remember someone mentioned The House of Seven Gables for our next read??

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18978 on: June 01, 2018, 11:59:19 AM »
Last we heard Lindahart, Pat was having second considerations about The House with the Seven Gables - usually the discussion leader makes a decision and sometimes we ask for feedback - but the Discussion leader needs to make the final choice because if not, then we all loose enthusiasm.

Typically we have some questions designed by the discussion leader to get us started but for the last 2 discussions we seem to have moved along at the pace of the group.

Typically we divide the book into 4 sections - we read a section a week and do not refer to anything in our discussions that has not been read by the group - in other words the book is discussed without any clue as to where it is going and how that may affect the chapter we are currently reading. With this plan that we have used now for over 20 years we get in depth with our comments and research - often adding information that many readers would skip.

Lindahart sometimes we miss but most often we end up with lots of sidebars because of our curiosity and we often have differing opinions - which is fine - we know we all have experienced a life different from each other and we all live in different parts of the country - not too long ago some of our readers were even from different parts of the world and so it was natural to see and relate differently to a story.

OK I think that gives you an idea of how we read a selection - we are now few in number - we are seniors and many have passed - and so now that we are fewer, we go back and forth if we will read a book a month or a book a quarter -

All the book discussions are in the archive and so they can be pulled up and reviewed if you choose to read on your own a book we have discussed - here is the link to the Senior Learn archive after we were no longer SeniorNet. The SeniorNet book discussions are mostly archived - we lost a few during the transfer.

Here is the link to the Senior Learn archive of books read.

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?board=45.0

Again, Lindahart so glad you found us - we will be looking forward to your posts and mixing into our conversation -
“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

mabel1015j

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18979 on: June 01, 2018, 12:12:43 PM »
Barb - what do you mean you’re “reading books on the Enneagram?”

Jean

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18980 on: June 01, 2018, 01:27:55 PM »
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Back-You-Enneagram-Self-Discovery/dp/0830846190/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527872628&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=enneagram&psc=1

The Road Back to You Study Guide

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Back-You-Study-Guide/dp/0830846204/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527872628&sr=8-11-spons&keywords=enneagram&psc=1

The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth by Christopher L. Heuertz

https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Enneagram-Finding-Unique-Spiritual/dp/0310348277/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1527872628&sr=8-5&keywords=enneagram

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge by Beatrice Chestnut

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Enneagram-Paths-Greater-Self-Knowledge/dp/1938314549/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1527872628&sr=8-13&keywords=enneagram


Ennea-type Structures: Self-Analysis for the Seeker by M.D. Claudio Naranjo (one of the early authors who found the treasury of wisdom)

https://www.amazon.com/Ennea-type-Structures-Self-Analysis-Consciousness-Classics/dp/0895560631/ref=pd_ybh_mlt_26?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0895560631&pd_rd_r=3VZM3T95S3TX9X33J99F&pd_rd_w=w942u&pd_rd_wg=G3rWq&psc=1&refRID=BGDDD33AP5GPAHYPG79D

The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective Paperback – by Richard Rohr (my copy has not yet arrived)

https://www.amazon.com/Enneagram-Christian-Perspective-Richard-Rohr/dp/0824519507/ref=pd_ybh_mlt_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0824519507&pd_rd_r=1SPKS1RTH3J614TJ9AHA&pd_rd_w=dEQ81&pd_rd_wg=U2zgL&psc=1&refRID=1SPKS1RTH3J614TJ9AHA

Jean, the Amazon write-up on these books give a good explanation - so far I think the first book is the easiest - I did take a test and if I find the link to the test I will post it...

My friend made the recommendation to me since her women's group at her Church was using the first book and the study guide along with all of them taking the test for their lively weekly discussion.

I found it very helpful to better understand some family members and to allow me to see the benefits of personalities I find difficult - this explanation allows for so much more understanding and compassion for all of us including ourselves - I had no idea but Homer's Odyssey is written so that each of the 9 stopping points on his journey match to gods or characters that match the elements of one of the nine Enneagrams - I want to now re-read the story, that we discussed here on Senior Learn, in relationship to these Enneagrams.
“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

PatH

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18981 on: June 01, 2018, 02:07:32 PM »
Lindahart, welcome.  You're just in time to have a say about the next read.

Bellamarie, I was sort of doing what you suggested at the end of Winter Garden:
Quote
PatH.,  Let us know what you decide for our next read.  Take your time, it seems we all need to thaw a bit, from Winter Garden.
Here's my suggestion.  Three Men in a Boat has been suggested several times, most recently by Frybabe.  It's a light little comedy, written in 1889, but still funny, and it seems to be available in libraries.  It won't lead to a very serious discussion, but we can enjoy some chuckles together.

That won't last more than about two weeks.  We could follow it with The Wind in the Willows, also suggested here several times, which is also about a river.  I have always meant to read it, and JoanK tells me it's really a gently idyllic praise of nature.  Or we could pick some other short book.

What does everyone think?  Does that idea appeal?  If not, we'll do something else.

lindahart

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18982 on: June 01, 2018, 03:02:26 PM »
I’m not disappointed that Pat is having second thoughts about the House of Seven Gables. I actually got a copy from the library and have read about half of it. Hawthorn’s style of writing is a little offputting. He definitely gets bogged down in details. 
It might be fun to read a comedy. We’re leaving on Thursday for a three week vacation to Alaska so something that could be put down and be a fun read is appealing.

A little about myself....I was born in Austin, Texas and graduated from Texas Tech in Lubbock in 1971. Married and eventually got back to Austin. We raised our three sons here and now have three grandsons. Riley Grace was born last week so we finally have a little girl in the family. Mike and I have been retired for a year and a half and are thoroughly enjoying our leisure time and time with the grandkids.

lindahart

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18983 on: June 01, 2018, 03:08:22 PM »
Is it the Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. It’s a children’s book?

PatH

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18984 on: June 01, 2018, 03:53:37 PM »
Yes, it is, Linda, but grownups seem to like it too.  I'll read it before we get to that point, see if I think it will do.

Feel free to suggest books you might like to discuss.  That's how we get many of our best choices.  Any type of book is welcome.  To actually be chosen, all that's needed is that one of the DLs (discussion leaders) has to be willing to lead it, which is harder than you would think, and enough people have to want to be in the discussion to make for a real conversation.

Linda, you hit the same snag I did with Seven Gables.  It seems charming at first, then it starts to be more and more like hard work.

I envy you your trip to Alaska; it's one of the places I've always wanted to see, but haven't gotten to.

BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18985 on: June 01, 2018, 05:26:45 PM »
Goodness sake Lindahart - do we live near each other I wonder - I'm in NWHills near Doss and Murchison - we need to at least meet for coffee - how about when you get back - It will be fun to hear about your visit to Alaska - what area of town do you live? By any chance are you related to the Crown Shoppe or Hart Graphic, Hart's?

Pat I like your suggestions - as you say, over and over Three Men... have been mentioned here and it does show up on many lists of books to read... and what a delight during summer to read Wind in the Willows - a nice break after all the drama we have read this Spring - love the story and can never get enough - so many bits of wisdom that of course go over the heads of children -

A quote, “when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea.”   

Then Ginny is back in July and last we heard she was looking at books on the list of 100 Great Books featured by PBS -
“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

lindahart

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18986 on: June 01, 2018, 05:28:37 PM »
I’d love to read a good spy mystery. Not too heavy but one I could put down if need be. I read the Alice Network by Alice Woods Windle with another book club a few months ago. It was intriguing. I loved it. My husband read it and he loved it too.

lindahart

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18987 on: June 01, 2018, 05:46:36 PM »
That’s hilarious. We live on Highland Hills Dr in Highland Hills, about 2 miles from Doss. Love to meet when we get back. Can’t believe what a small world it really is. And no Austin traffic between us.


BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18988 on: June 01, 2018, 06:05:23 PM »
Wonderful - love it - see you after your return- what fun is this...
“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

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18989 on: June 01, 2018, 06:43:24 PM »
Linda, Barb, what a great coincidence the two of you are nearby. 

I am beginning to read with my other online book club a mystery called The Lake House by Kate Morton.

https://www.katemorton.com/books/the-lake-house/

Linda was interested in a good spy mystery, maybe we could give this a try.
“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

Mkaren557

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18990 on: June 01, 2018, 09:03:26 PM »
My bookclub in Maine tried to read Wind in the Willows and stopped after one discussion because discussing it was contrived and did not flow from the participants who lost interest and did not finish the first reading.  I think children's books are fun to read, but may not be meaty enough for discussion. Just wanted to share my experience.  It could be very different in this group. 

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18991 on: June 02, 2018, 07:28:38 AM »
Lindahart, I am glad you liked The Alice Network. I saw a blurb for that the other day on one of my book Emails, but haven't yet checked to see if my library has it.

PatH

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18992 on: June 02, 2018, 07:56:11 AM »
Karen, I half expect that to happen with Three Men in a Boat, too.  There isn't really a story, it's just a series of amusing mishaps, with the humor in the style, so not much to discuss.  If that happens, we'll finish up quick, and start another book.

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18993 on: June 02, 2018, 11:43:15 AM »
PatH.,  I was able to download Three Men In A Boat on my computer for free, at https://www.free-ebooks.net/

Here is also a youtube link to watch the movie of it,   https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-dcola-001&hsimp=yhs-001&hspart=dcola&p=movie+Three+Men+in+a+boat+on+youtube#id=1&vid=dc394f309d516c14d830754516f17bd8&action=view

I am not finding it the least bit interesting, or funny.  I think I will take a pass on this one.
“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

mabel1015j

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18994 on: June 02, 2018, 01:07:59 PM »
Barb-I am familiar with the Enneagram cncept - I am a 9 😊 - thanks for those lnks. When I was doing training for managers and facilitating employment teams, I used the Keirsey instrument a lot. It is a knock-off of the Myers/Briggs instrument, free to use but the same outcomes. I think all of them are helpful in our understanding of ourselves and others. One woman who was a salon owner and asked me to facilitate a discussion with her staff said, smiling, “if I had understood this when I was married I might not have gotten a divorce.”

The Road back to You - great title!

Smebody mentioned The Joy Luck Club, one of the 100 Great Amcn Read novels. I’ve never read it, but would be interested in doing so and discussing it sometime.

Jean




BarbStAubrey

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18995 on: June 02, 2018, 03:31:40 PM »
Oh Jean a 9 - my son is a 9 with a one wing and having tested I learned I am a 5 with a 6 wing - reading it fits - what was astounding and wonderful for me to learn is that all these years I had various goals with a todo list and I've had the most difficult time with follow up - sometimes all would go well and I was on my way but more often than not I was either stuck or feeling like I was dragging myself through mud up to my knee caps.

Well - it turns out just because the various books about getting things done and focus and...and...and said this or that was the way - all those recommendations were driving my todo list and were not at all in keeping with my Enneagram but had everything to do with my stress line of a negative 7 - if I had focused on the positive nature of my 5 I would have accomplished so much more.

Result, I have developed an entirely new way to move forward and some of the 'needs' I have to clear out this house I now better understand and so, where I will continue to clear out for practical reasons as I've aged, I can do it without feeling so desperate or guilty about it. I know it sounds crazy at my age but I am getting ready for the next phase of my life.

I think it is Genny who is planning to lead the discussion on the Joy Luck Club - she is out of the country just now and when she is back, the weeks before her Latin classes begin, is when she is planning a book discussion. 

 ;) Just thought - It will be fun to determine the Enneagram for the three men in that boat that they take down, or is it up the Themes - I believe there is a dog involved as well - It takes place in the 1889 and I bet the characters are representing aspects of British society - have not read it but this copy sounds intriguing "Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog): New Illustrated Edition with 67 Original Drawings by A. Frederics, a Detailed Map of Tour, and a Photo of the Three Men"

So many books over the years with the river connecting and developing the character of those who frequent the river. Just saw again, after years and years "A River Runs Through It" an early Brad Pitt movie - it too does not have a lot of drama and it is only after seeing the movie and letting it sit that I could catch the theme which was still sketchy at best - the Brad Pitt character certainly pushed the envelop in life but then needed to stay in town where as, the older brother who seemed much more conservative and settled is the one who goes a field to both collage and later for his job - interesting...

I'm expecting a similar dichotomy while reading Three Men... if nothing else, to become aware again how during this time in history leisure was a given and taken for the middle and upper class - I think I shared how after all these years I am finally into Pickwick Papers and there too, a group of men have the leisure to toss any todo list or calendar and hospitality was a normal lifestyle between folks of a similar class. Today, the intensity is to successfully create a business or climb the ladder with only certain weeks set aside for vacation - certainly we do not see 30 and 40 year old men traveling leisurely on either a river or the country side for weeks or months on end without a particular purpose but just to travel.

Even after retirement - oh there may be a bucket list but the idea of just visiting others for weeks on end to enjoy life and leisure activities together, with our joyfully opening our home to friends for the same purpose is just not done. Most folks no longer even have a guest room unless their family needs a room when they come to visit over the holidays or for time during the summer. Our idea of hospitality sure has changed and so I am anxious to see the change in attitude that will be apparent in both these river stories... 
“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

Frybabe

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18996 on: June 02, 2018, 04:45:58 PM »
Sad report: Marilyne over on Seniors and Friends reported this afternoon that TomeReader's husband just passed away. I assume someone will make an official announcement here soon.

Tome, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My heartfelt condolences.

PatH

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18997 on: June 02, 2018, 05:09:10 PM »
Oh, dear, Tomereader, I'm so sorry.  It's really hard to lose a longtime beloved and companion. (((((hugs))))) and prayers.

bellamarie

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18998 on: June 02, 2018, 05:49:06 PM »
My condolences to Tomereader on the loss of her loved one.

Barb, since my hubby and I have retired we have a longer "to do list" and are doing a good job with clearing out the clutter.  We have decided to tackle the attic above the garage this summer, hoping to get rid of much during our annual neighborhood garage sale in August.  I just re-landscaped my backyard this Spring, removed the swing set that was there for over 20 years, got rid of the merry-go-round I bought 22 years ago for the first grandchild, and turned the area into a serene flower sitting place.  Reading Winter Garden did inspire me to do this.  We are finally ready to get rid of the things we thought our kids or grandkids "might" use or want.  The fact is.....they do NOT want any of our saved things.

I have never read The Joy Luck Club, so I will look forward to when Ginny returns and begins the discussion. 
“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

PatH

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Re: The Library
« Reply #18999 on: June 02, 2018, 08:36:37 PM »
I have never read The Joy Luck Club, so I will look forward to when Ginny returns and begins the discussion.
Same here, Bellamarie.

You may get a chance at an interim book too.  Either we won't get a quorum on Three Men, or we'll have time left when it's done, and insert another book.