Author Topic: The Library (Read 2079720 times)

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20320 on:** August 19, 2019, 06:14:28 PM »

The Library
Our library is open 24/7; the welcome mat is always out.
Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20321 on:** August 19, 2019, 06:15:02 PM »

Have not been to B&N in a while now - I should go this week - good place to cool off and spend time among the stacks. I'm also between books - my sister emailed me raving about her latest read The Tiger's Wife she said it took place in an interesting part of the world - I think the Balkans from what she described and came away with a better appreciation for sharing family stories and for passing along the fairytails and myths of a culture. On my reading list.

Not sure what season of Father Brown we see but this week, nothing - all recap drama and musical shows from the past - whose idea this was for pledge week I do not know but not to my liking so the TV is off all week - sorting out books to bring over to half price and came across one that included this web site address that I thought was informative. http://stuffseniorsneed.com/ found some decent dental insurance plans on the site.

Oh my Jurassic Park - in some ways it seems like yesterday it was all the rage and then it feels like long ago - sure started a bunch of movies with dinosaurs and other dangerous animals coming to life. There was Night in the Museum and then Robin Williams in Jumanji. I can't think of others just now, can you?

Frybabe · « **Reply #20322 on:** August 20, 2019, 07:27:55 AM »

I am now reading The Water Margin (aka: Romance of the Three Kingdoms). Volume One is 771 pages long. A whopper! It is set during the Han Dynasty (2nd Imperial Dynasty 206-220AD)and the Three Kingdoms period (220-280giAD).

Just saw a comment from someone on a chat site I moniter. The poster has decided that computers and computerized devices are reincarnated cats and goes on to cite a few examples of why this is so. I wonder if that is why cats have such an affinity for computer keyboards.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20323 on:** August 20, 2019, 10:33:02 AM »

Wow that is quite an undertaking - important literature to the traditional Chinese - impressive -

Here we go... a cat for every platform

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20324 on:** August 20, 2019, 10:34:13 AM »

I like Google and Apple's cats best...

Jonathan · « **Reply #20325 on:** August 20, 2019, 06:19:33 PM »

I would like to recommend a book that I read many years ago. And really enjoyed and so will you. I was looking for something on Rome among all the books in the house and spotted this one. It could be very timely, since President Trump has hinted that he would like to purchase Greenland. This could be big. Like the Louisiana Purchase, two hundred years ago.

Smilla's Sense of Snow, 'is a breathtaking achievement, an exceptional feat of storytelling.' By Danish author Peter Hoeg.

And I also found a novel about Catullus, The Key, by Benita Kane Jaro. And beside it an old favorite: Poets In A Landscape, Gilbert Highet's book on seven Roman poets. leading off with Catullus. That was a great read about fifty years ago!

Gotta go. There's the doorbell.

Frybabe · « **Reply #20326 on:** August 21, 2019, 05:51:10 AM »

I read Smila's Sense of Snow years ago. I also saw the movie. I remember enjoying it very much.

PatH · « **Reply #20327 on:** August 21, 2019, 11:59:05 AM »

Jonathan:

Quote

And beside it an old favorite: Poets In A Landscape, Gilbert Highet's book on seven Roman poets. leading off with Catullus. That was a great read about fifty years ago!

It's still good: I pulled it out recently to remind myself of something about one of the poets, and reread some of it.

Gilbert Highet is very familiar to me; Highet is my married last name, and Bob was already a fan when we met. They weren't related; my brother in law wrote Gilbert and they figured it out. I've enjoyed all of his books that I've read. In addition to the books, mostly about classical studies or teaching, Gilbert had a radio program which we occasionally got to hear. He seems to have been a spellbinding teacher. His wife was Helen Macinnes, writer of best-selling spy stories.

So for many years, the only people who could spell my name correctly were librarians and booksellers; now that Gilbert is no longer well known, nobody gets it right.

PatH · « **Reply #20328 on:** August 21, 2019, 12:11:02 PM »

I add my recommendation to Jonathan's of Smilla's Sense of Snow. It's a good yarn, that really sucks you in. If you reread it, you see some flaws and inconsistencies, but that's OK.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20329 on:** August 21, 2019, 02:12:03 PM »

Looked into Smilla's Sense of Snow - appears to be a mystery type story - I've so many to read just now but it is on my list.

Started The Murmur of Bees by Sophia Segovia last night - enchanting - like so many Mexican, Central American and South American writers it is written as Magical Realism - descriptions that are perfect yet, not how we typically explain with a rocking chair moved by the wind that blows down from the mountains rather than the old lady rocking herself all day. A magical story of a found babe who was kept warm by a blanket of bees and then the author uses the special characteristics of bees as the characteristics of the boy - like the distance a bee can see, beyond the horizon which is a skill this boy uses to benefit the family who sorta adopts him.

I found this wonderful Youtube interview with Sophia Segovia talking about The Murmur of Bees which is her first translated into English.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5apsKWlJpus

bellamarie · « **Reply #20330 on:** August 21, 2019, 02:13:15 PM »

Jonathan, I agree the purchase of Greenland, should it happen, could be a big deal.
PatH., thanks for recommending Jonathan's suggestion of Smilla's Sense of Snow, along with Frybabe. I looked the book reviews up on it, and did not get many good reviews, so I was going to just pass it by. Now, I may give it a second look, for my winter reads.

PatH · « **Reply #20331 on:** August 22, 2019, 04:47:29 PM »

Frybabe, when you're well into it, tell us what The Water Margin is like. I've never had the courage to tackle it.

Frybabe · « **Reply #20332 on:** August 23, 2019, 12:55:53 PM »

PatH, I think I have confused books a little. I bought The Water Margin by Shi Nai'an. This is not the one I am reading at the moment. I am reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms which was written and/or compiled by Luo Guanzhong. At least, that is who everyone thinks are responsible for the books. I actually forgot I had The Water Margin which I probably should be reading first because it looks like Luo Guanzhong took some of the material from it for Romance of the Three Kingdoms. I also just found that Wikipedia has a character list for The Water Margin and there are all kinds of things that pop up with a Google search for both books, including YouTube videos and movie trailers, a Japanese TV series, a video game, podcasts, guides, and so on. I am going to need a character list, for sure.

It is hard to keep characters straight, especially since the characters have at least two names. For instance Luo Guanzhong was also Luo Ben, and on top of that he used a pseudonym, Huhai Sanren, at times. I found that referring to one person by different names confusing with Cavriel's characters also. I am not sure how that works, as I don't think it is strictly a birth name vs. nickname sort of thing. The Chinese were (and still may be for all I know) very big on lineage. The translator for Romance of the Three Kingdoms mentioned that he tried to cut out some of that so the book wasn't so long. I wonder how long it would have been since the result is, for the first volume, still 771 pages.

I can tell you that the early chapters (I am only in the middle of chapter three) are a bit choppy and sparse on descriptive detail for much of the action. Maybe you could say short and to the point. However, many of the scenes/actions that are here I recognized from Cavriel's novel, River of Stars where he changed names and fleshed out the characters, scenes, actions and included the background of the Confucian bureaucracy in action and the culture. etiquette, and dress of the court. So,l I am just now getting into the rhythm of the book. I hope I've made a little sense here. Later on I am going to check out some of the guides, etc.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20333 on:** August 24, 2019, 01:04:30 AM »

OK - I hope this help frybabe - in the preface to my copy this is what it says, I am going to copy...

"Romance of Three Kingdoms gives us a world of versatility in full scale---a rolling panorama of human passions and ambitions. What makes the book fascinating is its wide appeal to many kinds of readers. In Asia, children read the book like they do with fairy tales, whereas politicians embrace it for strategies, scholars wisdoms, parents guidelines, everyday people entertainment. A Korean saying goes: "You can discuss life after reading Romance of Three Kingdoms." And the most famous Chinese commentator, Mao Zonggang, who lived in the 17th century at the start the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), had chosen "Seven Beautiful Books", and he ranked Romance of Three Kingdoms the first among them.

Several reasons can be explained here on why the historical novel has such a large group of fans.

Romance of Three Kingdoms is based closely on historical events (7 parts of facts and 3 parts of fiction); it is considered a mainstream history work, not a product of pure imagination or fabrication. Hence, it is extraordinary by itself, because history is the best storyteller.

But, one may ask, China with its rich and widespread civilization has produced many historical novels, why is Romance of Three Kingdoms the first masterpiece among them all?

First, the strife for mastery over the empire in the Three Kingdoms period is the most outstanding struggle. Never before has the world seen so many talents appearing in one same era; a large number of them are important figures who have left permanent impressions in several fields such as military, politics, literature, morality, and pop culture; their names are mentioned in numerous records.

Second, the author of the book is one of the most talented novelists China has ever had. Writing a novel with a main theme is much more difficult than writing the annals. In the annals, each topic is dealt with separately; but in Romance of Three Kingdoms, arranging a huge amount of details into a continuous epic, and the epic being consistent and captivating, is the author's greatest achievement.

According to tradition, Luo Guanzhong is the author of the modern edition of the book. Born at the beginning of the 14th century, he was a scholar in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), but did not take office. Instead he travelled throughout with the title "The Man of All Lakes and Seas". Some three hundred years after Luo Guanzhong, Mao Zonggang edited the original work and made popular the new edition. This English translation is based on the Mao edition, which is also the most widely read edition in China and Asia.

But the birth of the book can be traced back to the Jin dynasty (265-316 AD). Chen Shou was believed to be the first to pen Romance of Three Kingdoms. He was an official in Shu-Han court, and later worked for Jin as historian after Shu-Han's submission. This first edition had 61 chapters---26 stories of Wei, 15 stories of Shu, and 20 stories of Wu. A century after Chen Shou, Emperor Wen of the Liu-Song dynasty commissioned Pei Songzhi to edit the work. Pei Songzhi collected a great amount of tales and historical facts and added them to the book, and this new edition of 65 chapters became mainstream history source for the Three Kingdoms period. The book went through various minor changes and inventions, until Luo Guanzhong combined the many sources and rewrote the masterpiece that gave birth to the Mao edition, which has been handed down until today.

Not only does Romance of Three Kingdoms has a rich history in the making, but indeed is it picturesque in contents. Its concepts and execution exact human notions of what are beautiful. Reading it is like contemplating clouds passing through mountains or storms pouring down the forest, the moon glowing in autumn or flowers blooming in spring. The evolution of all elements is infinite. Sometimes, the writing is as serene as a shooting star; other times, it is as rousing as tidal waves or earthquakes.

Romance of Three Kingdoms is cherished also due to its perfect cause-and-effect technique. Before a storm, thunders must be heard; after it, cold air can be felt. Every detail is traced to its origin and projected beyond its conclusion; one thing leads to another, so the various focuses relate to each other, making the main theme whole. The author did not merely record events, but he helped explain them in a style that all readers love.

Tradition has several guidelines for reading the masterpiece. To avid fans of history, being able to identify who had a legitimate claim to the empire is essential. But opinions vary and are subject to changing believes. Some agree with the ancient, whereas others have their own conclusions. As the result, this edition of Romance of Three Kingdoms tries to give the readers as much information as possible, so that they can judge for themselves.

However, we encourage the readers to do a few things before reading the novel. First, take a look at the maps of ancient China. Being familiar to the maps is important for appreciating the many military campaigns in the book. Second, you can warm up by reading the outlines of Chinese history from mythology to Three Kingdoms. This section of about 60 pages will acquaint you to the ancient society and its customs and thoughts.

After that, readers can choose either to read the lecture of Dr. Rafe de Crespigny about Three Kingdoms on http://www.threekingdoms.com/commentary.htm, or begin to read the book. The lecture of Dr. Rafe de Crespigny (about 30 pages) is the most informative writing about Romance of Three Kingdoms on the Internet. It will give you a complete understanding of old society in the Three Kingdoms period. This commentary can also serve as a perfect afterword. The main book has 120 chapters.

Having finished the book, readers can enjoy the many other writings about Romance of Three Kingdoms online and offline like Dr. Rafe de Crespigny essays on https://digitalcollections.anu.edu.au/html/1885/42048/index.html.

You can also enjoy the wisdom of war strategy through a reading of The Art of War by Suntzu (or Sunzi), a 13-chapter treatise of military methods, famous for its brevity and wide applications.

We also encourage you to use Wikipedia to follow the big list of characters (more than 1000), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_of_the_Three_Kingdoms.

Traditionally, the Mao Zonggang edition, which we are currently reading, wants the readers to believe Shu is legitimate and Wei is not. Mao even went to great length to tell the readers how to interpret events using Confucian morality system, before chapter 1 begins. In this system, filial to your prince is considered good, and oppressing your prince, for whatever reason, is bad. Due to his clear stance, the Mao edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms was warmly received and popularized by government officials and learnt people during 17th century.

As the result, the Mao edition overtook other more history-oriented versions of Three Kingdoms. Mao style, of course, clashes with modern readers, who are freer in their interpretation. The modern readers, strong believers in reforms and Darwinism, hate it when they see their heroes get judged by imperial values.

With all these writings, we believe you will come to understand and appreciate the First Masterpiece."

Frybabe · « **Reply #20334 on:** August 24, 2019, 06:32:05 AM »

It appears that Dr. Rafe de Crespigny is an expert on the Han Dynasty. Too bad many of his books are either unavailable or very expensive. I may just put in an ILL at the library to see what, if anything might be available. The Australian University site didn't like me for some reason. What I also would like is a list of places with their ancient and modern names.

Barb, I do think the book is written simply enough for a child to follow, while still appealing to adults. Forgot to mention that.

Addendum: Barb, I just placed an ILL for Fire over Luoyang : a history of the later Han dynasty, 23-220 AD which about a half dozen relatively local college/school libraries have listed. The other volumes I am interested in are all out of state and may not be available to me. I resorted to World Catalog website for the information.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20335 on:** August 24, 2019, 04:00:16 PM »

Just saw on Amazon the book you are planning on reading from the Library, if purchased would be $192.35 - holy hannah!

Frybabe · « **Reply #20336 on:** August 25, 2019, 06:06:18 AM »

One more comment on Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It occurred to me last night that the chapters are written as if the they were a serial story you might see in a magazine. So far most of the chapters end by promising more information about a certain person or situation in a later chapter and the chapter beginnings sometimes often begin with a comment that this chapter is a continuation of what came in a previous chapter.

Frybabe · « **Reply #20337 on:** August 25, 2019, 06:34:40 AM »

In other news, I read in the local paper this morning that the Dauphin County Library System is expanding. It just bought the property next door to the McCormack Riverfront Library branch. This property was once owned by the original benefactor of the Harrisburg Public Library and, at one time, home of several governors. They are going to use it to expand their activities for children and families and to preserve the historical building.

Frybabe · « **Reply #20338 on:** August 26, 2019, 12:32:57 PM »

I just can't stay away from ancient history. My latest listen is The War that Killed Achilles by Caroline Alexander. I am enjoying it but she is not convincing when she says in her intro that the book is about Homer's take on war. Oh, she does make a few comments about how Homer shows the futility of war, etc. but for the most part it seems more a character analysis, and a synopsis of actions taken and how various characters reacted to those actions. Actually, the NYT Book Review pretty much sums up what I am thinking, as I listen to the book. Nicely done, but nothing new. https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/books/review/Coates-t.html

I have almost forgotten the Bulgarian history I was reading months ago and need to finish. I have an online copy bookmarked, but I (and my back) dislike reading long online articles and books that I can't download to read offline on my tablet.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20339 on:** August 26, 2019, 05:35:47 PM »

So glad to know frybabe that you do read mulitple books at the same time - and you stop and pick up a book weeks if not months later - I also have several going - when you spoke of The Romance... I was looking on line for an inexpensive kindlecopy - I've gotten in the habit of sitting at my computer reading and with the black screen and white letters it is easier on my eyes - anyhow ran across a book I am loving - centered in the Taoist philosophy rather than Confucianism, set in the late Ming Dynasty, The Sage Swordsman and Scholars by Pierre Dimaculangan, adventure, philosophy, Marshal Arts, political intrigue, nature, foreigners, trade, poetry, the mountains, the sea, towns and forests - what a movie this book would make.

Then I am reading a fabulous book called UltraLearning - how folks learn a language in 3 months or learn how to draw portraits in three months and some, who follow the curriculum shown for a collage degree - some even go for and get an advanced degree - they find the books and delve in amercing themselves 16 hours a day and then arrange to pass the tests getting a 4 year degree in just over 2 years. One guy got an advanced degree from MIT in a year - just shows what can be done and the book does tell you how to go about it - the author pulls no punches though and says it is not easy and it usually takes someone whose curiosity level is above normal but then for that kind of person to stay on track without the influence of a formal class is a challenge. Reading this, where I'm not interested in degrees I have things I am anxious to learn and this is the first I've heard of anyone coming up with an alternate plan for learning, some of which I can borrow but more, it fits my style of learning.

Still reading The Murmur of Bees by Sophia Segovia and had to start another viewpoint of Mexico's Revolution so I'm reading, Emiliano Zapata: The Life and Legacy of the Mexican's Revolution's Iconic Leader. Seems like what was an unfair land grab in the south morphed into a national uprising that affected land owners all over Mexico, regardless how well or fair they were. I did not realize that the Mexican Revolution took place 8 years before the Russian Revolution and was about some of the same issues, with Mexico still struggling out of the socialistic government that the Revolution ushered in. Never really knew that much about Mexican history so this is an eye opener. OH I heard of Zapata and others but more as leaders of peasants that were quasi good.

I'm also finishing up Lillian Boxfish takes a walk - written as a memoir of living in NYC since the mid 1920s that shows the changes in the city as the changes in Lillian - she seems to be a woman ahead of her times or maybe not so much ahead as how society closed back on women after WWII where as in the 20s and 30s they were spreading their wings that was not pickup again till the late 60s into the 70s.

Then last year sometime I started The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and not only do I have it on my list of challenge books but I saw an ad last night on TV that it has been made into a movie that it appears will be released this fall or winter - so all the more reason to finish that read.

And finally, I like dipping regularly into Chic Inspiration by Fiona Ferris - If I'm going to live nicely, no one is going to make it nice for me, so this bit of inspiration helps me make my surroundings, my way of living more pleasurable - all that we need to make our life as we dreamed is at our finger tips and so, I decided I could do it - or use it - all this saving for good or a holiday is wasting the beauty of our 'things' - sure it means a bit of care but hay there is no more rush, no more children needing or employers expecting so I've decided, why not create a world using my best and this author has so many wonderful tips.

Ha and that is not even touching my nightly, before bed read - reading and re-reading each line - She Had Some Horses by Joy Harjo

Well our PBS stations are finally finished with the fund raising so we are starting back to normal programming - can't say I got as much done as I thought or read as much as I imagined with nothing on TV but did read a few books and started others and did clean out the frig and one basket of books - so onward - I keep thinking when it cools down I will be the dynamo I imagine but the long term forecast talks about a warm dry Autumn so I better just get on with it...

ginny · « **Reply #20340 on:** August 27, 2019, 10:22:27 AM »

Just checking in, didn't get too far with Jurassic Park, kind of disappointed in that, right away there is a child on a beach who runs off and screaming, and you know it's those small dinosaurs, can't deal with that. hahahaha DESPITE having seen the movie. In a movie you can cover your eyes and sing for a minute (or speed through on the replay) but in a book you have to keep reading and it's hard to cover one eye and skip with the other, so put it down . hahaha I am sure I will pick it back up but it's, surprisingly, NOT for an evening read.

I know what you mean, Frybabe, about history, particularity ancient history, just today I got caught up in Sallust's account of the Allobroges and Roman politics, and WHAMMO, all of a sudden the glass clears and you can see clearly how it feels to be a small dependent country appealing at an international conference for your rights.

It explains what we see on TV today, there truly IS nothing new under the sun, it's ELECTRIC. Who knew? Much better than any fiction.

Speaking of which, however, I do like escape reading, and am now reading a real Heart Pounding Definitely NOT for Bedtime Reading book, Ruth Ware's (The Woman in Cabin 10, the Death of Mrs. Westaway) new one, The Turn of the Key.

I grabbed it up because I so enjoyed the Woman in Cabin 10, and did not find it scary at all, but this thing!

OH yes!!!! I first heard about it on Fresh Air on NPR. Golly moses, you can't put this one down, either, and you wonder if your heart can take the next chapter. So well written. Suspense novel, ancestral mansion, rainstorms, murder mystery, forget to breathe kind of book so far. Not going to read this one at night either. hahahaa

Anybody reading anything you can read before nodding off at night?!?

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20341 on:** August 27, 2019, 05:10:47 PM »

Well if FINALLY came - on the last day of promised delivery - the longest delivery time in a long long while - but Ginny it is a good clean copy - Backing into the Spotlight: A Memoir - looks like i will have some giggles tonight - the cover itself is enough to hint at the frolic this read will be...

bellamarie · « **Reply #20342 on:** August 27, 2019, 05:20:21 PM »

I just finished Beach Combers by Nancy Thayer, just a light summer read, taking place in Nantucket. I like how it finishes at the exact time of year it is now, Fall temps at night and in the morning, less tourists, kids going back to school, and the flowers showing summer is coming to an end, while the Fall flowers are starting to pop up.

Speaking of which.... my flower gardens in my front and back yard were a gardener's dream this year! My Hibiscus and Hydrangeas were enormous and so brilliant, the Butterfly bush was twice its size than last year. My Mom's climbing Rose bush needed trimmed thee times, the Balloon plants needed stakes to hold their weight, the Shasta Daisies and Day Lilies had tripled, the Azalea bush and Hostas are just huge, the Asiatic Lilies were so beautiful I had to clip them and bring them inside for my vases, and my Vinca from all the rain has now tripled, along with my Corn flowers, Coreopsis, hanging Petunias pots, and Geraniums. The annuals have finally begun spreading, and the Fall Mums, Montuck Daisies, Morning Glory, Peppermint Phlox and Berry Bush are showing buds and blossoms. Oh, oh, oh how I love watching the Hummingbirds and Butterflies come to the bursts of colors. I just planted some Black-eyed Susan and Trumpet vine, and can't wait to see them come up next year. Is there anything more rewarding than seeing your hard work digging in the earth, planting seeds, sucklings and shoots, and seeing what beauty comes from them? Yet now, I hear the katydids in the early afternoon, and my hubby and I took a drove out to Gust Pumpkin Farm this morning, to see the beautiful Sunflowers before they are done for the year, making us aware these are all signs, Fall is near.

It always brings to mind, Ecclesiastes 3: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

hats · « **Reply #20343 on:** August 28, 2019, 08:19:42 AM »

Just stopped by. Glad I did not miss the description of that beautiful and successful garden. I have a container garden. The flowers all look completely out of energy. My plant food is not helping either. I am hoping my Hen and chicks will live until the finish of summer. Then, I will bring it inside. I see two good mysteries listed above by Ginny. I would love to read both of them. I am feeling very happy and in delicious company with the novel titled "The Summer Before The War" by Helen Simonson. My latest novel finished is "Exit West" by Mohsin Hamid. It's about migrants. The author is a spectacular writer.

By the way, I just realized the joy of summer. I almost missed it. Happy Labor Day~

bellamarie · « **Reply #20344 on:** August 28, 2019, 11:43:54 AM »

hats, It's so nice to see you stop in. I've been reading reviews on the book you mentioned The Summer Before The War, by the author Helen Simonson, who also wrote Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, which I thoroughly loved! Did you find the bit of humor in this book, that Simonson had in Pettigrew? I read it deals with refugees and women equality. Wow! Now those are two subjects that are upfront today. I do hope your Hen and Chicks last through the summer, it's nice to have container plants you can bring into the house for the winter. I am hoping to purchase a Christmas Cactus this year for inside my house.

Yes, summer is coming to an end, and I am glad you found summer's joy. Happy Labor Day to you as well.

hats · « **Reply #20345 on:** August 29, 2019, 06:29:41 AM »

bellamarie silly me. I have not focused on "Major Pettigrew...." I am so caught up in the simple conversations between the characters that issues have taken a backseat except for the war that has come ashore. It has a very strong man named John acting very weepy and sentimental. They are now beginning to choose which home is best for each refugee. This idea, for them, is taking quite a bit of thought. All seem very benevolent while knitting green socks for the war effort.

I would hope my introverted nature would not take over if asked to give boarding to complete strangers. That would take quite a bit of courage and a big heart. To me, "The Summer Before The War" is magnificent. Can't wait to get back to a community I have adopted for a short time.

PatH I am glad to see the title "Smilla's Sense Of Snow." I would like to read it. Is it only read in the winter?

bellamarie · « **Reply #20346 on:** August 29, 2019, 11:11:43 AM »

hats, You gave me food for thought, mentioning if asked could you take in a refugee. I did in home day care for sixteen years, so it seemed like my home was taken over by six little kiddos, needing love and care each day. But.... they all went home at the end of the day, and I could find solace in the hours they were not there, especially on the week ends. So, I wonder, if asked, could I take in a full time refugee? Not sure I know the answer, I do know my mother set a perfect example, who with seven children of her own, she was always taking in a stray family member, and actually was awarded custody of my two minor cousins when their parents died. I agree, it would take quite a bit of courage and a big heart, and she had both, and I would like to think she passed it on to me.

I have begun reading a new book titled, The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes.

A heartbreaking, stay-up-all-night novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You, After You, and Still Me.

A Brief Encounter for our time, The Last Letter from Your Lover is a sophisticated, spellbinding double love story that spans decades and thrillingly evokes a bygone era. In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing—not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter, signed simply "B," from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything. In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon the letter and becomes obsessed with learning the unknown lovers’ fate—hoping it will inspire her own happy ending. Remarkably moving, this is a novel for romantics of every age.

Looks like a perfect book to cozy up with on my couch, with the cooler temps outside.... bringing in football season and falling leaves!

ginny · « **Reply #20347 on:** August 29, 2019, 06:52:31 PM »

So many interesting topics here!

I'm now 3/4ths through The Turn of the Key, by Ruth Ware, her newest, just dropped off the earth yesterday and did nothing but read it, boy that was satisfying!

And nothing has happened at all except she can scare you to death with a door knob. What marvelous writing. She can take one of those technologically powered rooms, you know, the curtains slide shut, everything's at your command electronically and then she can absolutely scare you to death with just THEM, nothing else, no murder, no blood, no heads, nothing. Boy can she write and in the hardback the print is nice and large too. She has the ability, regardless of the age or stage of the character (or language for that matter) to put you right there in the book.

Remembering her Woman in Cabin 10 I know something is coming, and I also know whatever it IS I will have no idea who dun it all along. I'm going to look for her Death of Mrs. Westaway, it's older but I hear it's excellent, too, but she has (so far, how much more can there be?) hit this one out of the ballpark.

Alfred Hitchcock, you've met your match.

ginny · « **Reply #20348 on:** August 30, 2019, 02:45:16 PM »

And...it's over. And.... I never saw it coming.

I never do but this time I really didn't. A true Agatha Christie ending. Other than the language, which I think could have been toned down, it's very Agatha Christie ish.

Barbara, I came in to say that the radio station When (aka "When Radio Was,") on Sirius is sponsored by Radio Spirits. com (and they are the ones I was talking about earlier with all the old radio shows) and they were saying you can download free a lot of the shows to listen to on Ipod, etc.

https://www.radiospirits.com/

It looks like they feature 2 to listen to a day? free but otherwise they appear to expect you to join and pay $19.99 a month (which seems kind of high, but these old things are very expensive to buy in sets) for downloads which you can then put on a CD or whatever, so I'm not seeing the free thing they advertised today. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place, but they have an episode of Dr. Kildare from 1950 and the Adventures of Superman from 1947, free to listen to today. I listened to a great one on the radio on the way home, I love those old things, it was a murder mystery, The Shadow Knows. This station When has lots of background info on the programs, it's really interesting if one can get it.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20349 on:** August 30, 2019, 05:38:36 PM »

OH my do I remember The Shadow Knows - about age 12 and cousin 2 years older - we were left to be responsible for our younger sisters (both sleeping) while both parents went out - they came home in the middle of that radio program - my hero cousin Duke and I nearly jumped out of our skins when they came in the door...

bellamarie · « **Reply #20350 on:** August 31, 2019, 06:56:03 PM »

Just finished The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes. What an absolutely beautifully written story, about the lost art of letter writing, and lost loves. Highly recommend this book, it is 529 pages, and I read it in two days. I could not put it down.

hats, I was able to borrow The Summer Before The War, from my online library app. I think I will begin reading it this evening after my Michigan Wolverine's football opening game is over.

hats · « **Reply #20351 on:** September 01, 2019, 12:18:34 PM »

bellamarie I am glad you have The Summer Before The War. I only have a small amount of chapters. I really liked the novel. I am slowing down in my reading for a while. I am not feeling so great. At times it looks like rain, and I feel like rain. Anyway, I have read a novel by JoJo Moyes and loves it. Will see all of you later or around on the Internet, I hope, by luck. It's nothing serious. Just an end of a season can some times make the feet go in different directions.

bellamarie · « **Reply #20352 on:** September 01, 2019, 04:12:39 PM »

hats, I am sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Rest and feel better. It has been raining here in Toledo all day, with temps in the 60s, our typical Fall like weather. After the grandkids went home today from having a sleepover, I am pooped, and spending the day on the couch resting. Too tired to even read at this point. Ya'll have a great Sunday.

Frybabe · « **Reply #20353 on:** September 02, 2019, 12:15:36 PM »

Yesterday, being the 1st, was my download day for freebies from my Amazon Prime. From the Lending Library I downloaded the next of theGalaxy's Edge series I am in the middle of, and two from the First Reads section. The two I selected are of particular interest. One is Jan Stocklassa's The Man who Played with Fire which is about Stieg Larrson's (The Girl Who series) investigation into the assassination, in 1986, of Olof Palme who was Prime Minister of Sweden. This is the first of Stocklassa's books translated into English. Stocklassa is a journalist who generally writes about international affairs.

The second is Patricia Cornwell's Quantum. This one is listed as a thriller. What is super interesting about this one is that it includes animation and videos embedded in the book. I remember reading something about that, probably in Publisher's Weekly, so I want to see how it does. Some of the Fire tablets and the apps for iOS and Android can take advantage of the feature. Will let you know how that works out.

Now that I am finished listening to The War that Killed Achilles, I am listening to The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. It is about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary. The 'madman' turns out to be an American Civil War vet interned in an asylum for the criminally insane.

That should keep me busy for a while.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #20354 on:** September 02, 2019, 03:55:17 PM »

Frybabe, I picked the same two "freebies" !

Frybabe · « **Reply #20355 on:** September 02, 2019, 04:07:09 PM »

Great, we can compare, Tomereader. But I warn you, I won't be getting to reading them until the second half of the month.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20356 on:** September 02, 2019, 08:05:05 PM »

I too chose The Man who Played with Fire but I did not want another mystery, suspense type thriller and so I went with the fantasy novel - something about a witch and a vineyard - taking place in France I thought would give it some interest although, I do not do many fantasy novels.

My new thyroid meds have been causing havoc and so that is eating up time - need to find a doctor here - did the exam not knowing, if or what while visiting my daughter and the prescription worked really well for almost a month - now it is causing the problems it was supposed to be curing - so not much reading again, but did use some dollars accumulated by delaying a couple of deliveries and got, reduced, a kindle copy of Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice by Sidney Powell. Explosive, more eye opening than I was prepared to hear about.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #20357 on:** September 03, 2019, 02:32:04 PM »

AND THEN IT IS WINTER

You know time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems like yesterday that I was young, just married, and embarking on my new life with my mate.
Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all those years went.

I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
But, here it is... the winter of my life, and it catches me by surprise...
How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those "older people" were years away
from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey... they move slower and I see an older person in myself now.
Some are in better and some worse shape than me... but, I see the great change...
Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and
we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day!
And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so... now I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of
strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!!
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...
this I know, that when it's over on this earth... it's over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done... things I should have done, but indeed,
there are also many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet... let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think.
So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can TODAY, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!

You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... so, LIVE FOR TODAY and say
all the things that you want your loved ones to remember.. and hope that they appreciate and love you
for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life" is a GIFT to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.

~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!
~Going out is good… coming home is even better!
~You forget names... but it's OK, because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
~You realize you're never going to be really good at many things.... especially golf.
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but
you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep."
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"...

~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless?!"
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have three sizes of clothes in your closet.... Two of which you will never wear.

~But "Old" is good in some things:
Old Songs, Old movies ... and best of all, our dear ...OLD FRIENDS!
Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!"

Jonathan · « **Reply #20358 on:** September 05, 2019, 05:50:20 PM »

That's a very thoughtful post, Barb. A marvelous, poetic reflection. And those seven horrified ladies! Waking up to life?

It immediately put me in mind of a book I read as a teenager, seventy-five years ago. And I still have it, always meaning to reread it. And now I will. The Flying Years, by Frederick Niven. The story of three generations of Scottish immigrants to Canada, in the terrible aftermath of Culloden. It made a great impression on me.

I'm in the mood. For weeks I've been living Proust's la Temps Perdu, as well as a biography of himself. Recapturing time...it's entrancing.

Frybabe · « **Reply #20359 on:** September 08, 2019, 07:16:18 AM »

Cruising through YouTube yesterday, I discovered that the Kings and Generals channel includes The Three Kingdoms. These were posted recently, so I guess the Kings and Generals: Three Kingdoms video game (which sponsors the channel) is a recent addition to their line-up. Nice that they sponsor some real history. Anyway, the Three Kingdoms series sure helps to visualize and keep who is where doing what more straight in my mind. The videos use the real history rather than the novelized version which is what I am reading. Oh, and I also watched one on the Praetorians which pretty much is a short summary of the audio book I finished last week.

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