Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086387 times)

ALF43 · « **Reply #2840 on:** October 15, 2010, 06:29:44 PM »

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

Oh thank you, thank you. I am loving the Follett book and took your suggestions to the chair. So far, so good. Thanks Mary and Mabel.

Fellow roomie, Pedln- than you for the suggestion of The Whistling Season and Cutting for Stone. Is that about the cathedral buidings?

I read Condominium a few years back when I first moved to Florida and it scared the bee-jeebers out of me. The Help, I read last year , enjoyed it but am tired by all of the "classic segregation" arguments.

Jackie- I will check into the Finkler Question. I have never even heard of this and that piques my interest.
Belle= Every Man Dies by Falleden is another posibility. I will check that one out as well. gracias.

Thank you ladies, i need meat!!!

PatH · « **Reply #2841 on:** October 15, 2010, 07:49:06 PM »

Bellemere, thanks for reminding me of Every Man Dies Alone; I saw it had been translated, but then forgot. My husband used to read Fallada in German, with great pleasure, and described the books to me, but my German isn't as good as his, and it seemed like too much work.

A little while back someone mentioned Kristin Lavransdatter in one of our discussions, don't remember if it was this one, and several people read it with great pleasure as a result.

roshanarose · « **Reply #2842 on:** October 15, 2010, 11:14:24 PM »

Steph: Kiwis and Australians both use the word "trackies". Or trakkie dax - at the moment I am wearing trakkie dax and thongs. Translation: trackies/trackie dax - both mean track pants; trackies can also mean the full track pants and top. Now I know that you know what thongs are and they are worn on the feet. Please understand that the term trackies does not mean that we actually wear them to the track to practise our athletic abilities - at least I don't. I don't have any athletic abilities!

Steph · « **Reply #2843 on:** October 16, 2010, 05:53:47 AM »

Thank you for the explanation. I do wear types of trakkies in the winter, but never thongs. I dislike anything between my big toe and the rest of the guys. I do go to the gym, but wear gym clothes which are designed to not hang up on the weight training and give and take in the classes where we jump about .. so trakkies only work to go back and forth from the gym, but I use them for warmth buying the washable velvet.. Even have several of the hooded jackets.

Babi · « **Reply #2844 on:** October 16, 2010, 10:08:18 AM »

Oh, me too, STEPH. I can't stand the thongs between the toes. And it is so hard to find an affordable sandal that doesn't have the thong.
I have my second Thomas Perry book waiting for me to finish my current read. It's a Todd
McCaffrey book, "Dragongirl". It's okay, but it simply doesn't catch the depth and warmth of character that made me love his mother's books.

JoanP · « **Reply #2845 on:** October 16, 2010, 11:04:14 AM »

I read all of Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy many years ago, PatH. And loved it! I've often thought of going back to it again to see if the magic is still there. Do you think it is something you would like to discuss with a group, here? Not the entire Trilogy of course...that's over 1000 pages...but the first, The Bridal Wreath, would be a good start. If hooked, we could consider going on, or reading on our own... If so, would you post it in the Suggestion Box - link is in the heading at the top of this page.

Here's a brief summary - of the entire trilogy:

Kristin Lavransdatter tells the story of one woman from childhood to death, through betrothal and an illicit affair, marriage and marital discord, and childbirth and motherhood. There is too much in it to grasp in a single reading, let alone summarise in a brief review. Among other things it encompasses the complexities of kinship ties and family relationships, the pitfalls of reputation and status in tightly knit rural communities (and briefly of the high politics of Sweden and Norway), and the variety of religious beliefs and practices. Undset handles the changes in pacing needed in a novel covering half a century, convincingly connecting events and depicting changes over a lifetime.

Sigred Undset - 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature, "principally for her powerful descriptions of Northern life during the Middle Ages"; her work is much admired for its historical and ethnological accuracy.

JoanP · « **Reply #2846 on:** October 16, 2010, 11:10:06 AM »

Bellemere, would you mind repeating this lovely post in the Two by Pym discussion, please?

I went through a Pym stage about fifteen years ago, along with a co-worker from London, and we had a lot of fun planning a "Barbara Pym Tour of London" , the British Museum of course, and a "jumble sale" and "tea with a curate" and a "vegetable awards show". She bought me "A Very Private Eye", Barbara's biography. I am looking forward to renewiing my acquaintance with Ms. Pym!

You can reach the discussion quickly right here - TWO by Pym - Excellent Women and Quartet in August

Thanks!

ALF43 · « **Reply #2847 on:** October 16, 2010, 04:05:57 PM »

Thank you again for your suggestions, I've reserved 4 of these books-- so we will see.

Traude and I have opened our site for the upcoming discussion of Little Bee.
Come over and check it out, see if you'd be interested in joining us in January. Visit us here:
Little Bee

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2848 on:** October 16, 2010, 06:58:39 PM »

Because of your discussions here in SL led me to Thomas Perry and Vanishing Act. Thank you. What a refreshingly new story concept. ..........jean

roshanarose · « **Reply #2849 on:** October 16, 2010, 10:06:26 PM »

News from the Antipodes

I know this is off topic but I think that most Australians are fairly chuffed about these pieces of news and would like to share them with our American cousins.

The Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has just finished and Australia came first in the medal tally.

Sister Mary MacKillop a nun of the St Joseph's Order has just been canonised and is Australia's first saint. If you have time, look up her story. She was/is quite a woman.

http://www.answers.com/topic/mary-mackillop

Steph · « **Reply #2850 on:** October 17, 2010, 06:22:04 AM »

I do hope you like Thomas Perry. A very original writer with some interesting things to say. His stand alones are always amazing as well.

Babi · « **Reply #2851 on:** October 17, 2010, 08:47:52 AM »

I have Thomas Perry #2 awaiting me. I must get another one read first; I keep neglecting it to
read those from the library. Due dates, you know.

Congratulations, ROSHANA. (I love the word 'chuffed'. So expressive.) The link on
Sr. Mary MacKillop was most interesting. I especially approved her handling of the
Bishop's 'excommunication'.

Steph · « **Reply #2852 on:** October 18, 2010, 05:58:01 AM »

Y e s.. Chuffed is a neat sort of adjective. Today would have been my 52 wedding anniversary. A sad day..Makes me remember how much fun we had, but the tears still come.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2853 on:** October 18, 2010, 12:21:48 PM »

God bless you Steph. Persevere darlin'

bellemere · « **Reply #2854 on:** October 18, 2010, 12:29:07 PM »

Yes to kristin Lavransdtter discussion. Yes to only one book.
Read something disturbing about an electronic reader, I think Kindle, not sure - that passges are underlined or highlighted if the publisher thinks the reader should pay special attention to them.. I would not like that practice; I will decide what I fine memorable. Can the reader/customer remove those encumbrances?
So a husband that reads German! My son won the German prize at Harvard and ten years later his (now ) wife won the same. it's a difficult language to learn, I found. My college German teacher was very good, but all i have retained is the songs she taught us if we showed up after class on Fridays and sang with her. The bonus was no weekend homework. In Munchen standt ein Hofbrau Haus, eins swei zuffa!

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2855 on:** October 18, 2010, 12:36:08 PM »

bellemere, I've never heard anytihing about publishers highlighting/underlining anything on the Kindle. I've certainly not found anything like that. I would assume you could remove anything that appeared. I would call the Kindle customer service and inquire about the practice, if you have experienced this, ask if it can be removed.

Gumtree · « **Reply #2856 on:** October 18, 2010, 12:38:23 PM »

I'm interested in the Kristin Lavransdattar trilogy as well - the new translation hasn't been released in Australia but is due sometime toward the end of November - looking forward to reading it and will probably read it over the Xmas holiday season.

JoanR · « **Reply #2857 on:** October 18, 2010, 02:26:11 PM »

I have the old original 3vol. set of Kristin Lavransdattar which I read 60 years ago! Would love to re-read vol.1.

Another thought - since there is so much attention focused on Mark Twain (his original autobiography in 2 volumes is coming out this month) I thought we might do a Twain book - Huck Finn or " Conn. Yankee in King Arthur's Court" or something lighter such as "Innocents Abroad" although that's fairly long.

The Morgan Library in NY has a special exhibit on Twain and there is another at the NY Public Library. Also should be quite a few articles, etc. once the books are in the shops. I've ordered Vol. 1 from Amazon, vol.2 doesn't seem to be available yet. Twain did'nt want these books to be published until 100 years after his death since he was pretty free with his opinions of everyone and everything in them!! Should be fun.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2858 on:** October 18, 2010, 04:31:45 PM »

Understand your sadness Steph. I was widowed after 29 years of marriage. We were married very young and had our 29th wedding anniversary just about 10 days before Rod died. He got the girls to buy me roses and a lovely blue glass vase. I love blue pottery and glass. I have been a widow for 15years now. Never wanted to date again.

Carolyn

PatH · « **Reply #2859 on:** October 18, 2010, 04:33:45 PM »

Bellemere, were they all drinking songs like that one?

When Bob and I started our careers, a chemist had to know enough German to read chemical articles. I had had two years in High School, and I don't know if Bob took courses or studied on his own, but he had to pass an exam as part of his PhD requirement. Then in 1957-8 he got a postdoctorate fellowship in Zurich, and by the time we came back we could both speak it pretty well, and sometimes found ourselves thinking or dreaming in German. He was better than I, especially in vocabulary, and continued to read it for fun for the rest of his life. He read 3 or 4 of Hans Fallada's books, and many of Gunter Grass' (I find Grass heavy going in English) and a lot of other stuff. I've let my German lapse.

maryz · « **Reply #2860 on:** October 18, 2010, 05:18:35 PM »

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

bellemere · « **Reply #2861 on:** October 18, 2010, 08:27:27 PM »

Keep the happy memories Steph And a few tears will just make them shinier.
No, not all drinking songs. although it was fun singing it in the original Hofbrau House in Munich. We also learned Lorelei, Christmas Carols: O Tannenbaum and O Du Frolische and even pop love songs of the times: Mein Herz geht auf die Reise....Muss ich den .....

bellemere · « **Reply #2862 on:** October 18, 2010, 10:20:34 PM »

I went to the Twain exhibit in the Morgan Library in New York. The manuscripts were all in cases; the light was dim; Icould not make out much of Twain's handwriting and was limited to reading the descriptive notes on the materials. One case contained a folder manuscript that has never been published because "it was considered too obscene" I asked my friend to read it and she stood in front of the case saying "Oh, my God! Oh my God!" She told me what is said, but I will not put those words here. I was shocked, SHOCKED. Yes that autobiography is gonna be something. Put your name in at the library NOW.
the other exhibit there was a series of photos, documents and a silent film about the relief work done in France after WWI, by a group of rich american ladies , organized by J.P. Morgan's daughter Anne. If anyone is interested I have some websites.

Steph · « **Reply #2863 on:** October 19, 2010, 06:18:36 AM »

I ga ther that Mark Twain was not a gentle man or writer, but that his wife made him promise not to shame her.. The dialect as always drives me nuts. I dislike dialect in books. Feels like I have to translate as I go.
I had a german grandmother and I went to a lutheran church with my grandparents and parents that had the fourth Sunday of the month in German. So.. growing up, I could get along in it.. No more. but when in Germany I realized that I could not understand the speakers, but given written stuff, could translate enough to know what to order or how to get on the right bus, etc. Amazing the stuff tucked away in your brain.

Babi · « **Reply #2864 on:** October 19, 2010, 08:15:08 AM »

Quote

Amazing the stuff tucked away in your brain.

So true, STEPH. I can't begin to speak Spanish grammatically, but it is surprising how much
I can understand written. Not a book, mind you, but ads, menus, book titles, billboards...
The sad thing is that so much of what's 'tucked away' in my brain is getting harder to retrieve.

MaryPage · « **Reply #2865 on:** October 19, 2010, 01:08:47 PM »

I have already pre-ordered Mark Twain's autobiography Book I from Barnes & Noble. He required the 3 books he wrote about his own life not be published until 100 years after his death! How delightful that I have lived (well, fingers crossed!) to own and read them!

Carolyn, we've done it AGAIN! I positively adore blue glazed pottery, and have 22 such pots on my front and back decks filled with flowering plants; mostly salmon-colored geraniums. And I am gaga about blue glass; especially cobalt blue. Have that in large collections in my kitchen, on top of cupboards and cabinents, and on window sills. AND, I have given quite a bit of my collection to my namesake granddaughter, who loves it as fiercely. I have many vases, pitchers, objects, bottles, and so forth, but my favorites are my Early American Pressed Glass goblets in various shades of blue. I have 44 different patterns! There were a total of about 3,000 patterns in EAPG, and only about 500 of those were ever made in color. And, since we are talking BOOKS here, I should mention I own 3 books on the subject. I carry them around in my car so that if I get a chance to stop in at a previously unvisited antique shop, I have my books for verification if I think I have found a prize.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2866 on:** October 19, 2010, 01:47:01 PM »

When Rod first passed on I did a lot of ceramic work and my favorite glaze was blue. I particularly like the very deep gentian blue. I gave most of my work to the kids or my mum. I don't have room for lots of dishes and platters etc. I found I could paint the bowls and platters too. I did one for Mum - a huge platter with a large sunflower in the center. I looked in the China shop and a similar hand made one was about $200. Mum is having a downsize so I asked her to give it to Raelene (Matts wife).Raelene treasures her dishes and has looked after every piece I ever gave her.

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #2867 on:** October 20, 2010, 06:00:32 AM »

Oh me.. Blue in glass and pottery.. I have been collecting bits and pieces of blue for years. I have a large china cabinet and the open shelves are full.. I have large platters, etc, but for the past five years, have gotten to only get small bits and pieces.. Just flat out running out of space.. We brought back treasures from all over the US in the rv and always made room in the suitcases for something from abroad.. I also have two original glass vases in a variety of blue.. They are current, not old.. The one from Corning museum store is truly a joy.. Rectangular blue with a bouquet of daises painted on it.. Done by a woman from California..

Babi · « **Reply #2868 on:** October 20, 2010, 08:28:38 AM »

I have several pieces of the cobalt blue, too. I've always loved the color. But like STEPH, I
really can't add anything more. Between my things and my daughters even larger collection of
different things, we're really overfull now. At least it seems so to me; Valerie likes 'clutter' and
it doesn't bother her at all.

MaryPage · « **Reply #2869 on:** October 20, 2010, 09:47:27 AM »

For a number of years now, I have felt the last thing in the world I need is more "stuff." So I look at something and think to myself that I would like this particular child or that particular granddaughter or great grandchild to have it. And the next time I see them, I try to give it to them.

Well, some of them, bless them, take it gracefully and with thanks. But others protest and shrink back and act as though I might drop dead on the very spot if they took the something from me. Do you encounter that, and do you hate it, as well? Bottom line, I would never make the offer if I did not really mean it!

They seem to be better at taking a book than taking a piece of jewelry or a knick knack.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2870 on:** October 20, 2010, 03:20:34 PM »

Ive got a tiny blue perfume bottle my sis bought me back from Venice about 35 years ago. It has tiny flowers painted on it and the flowers are melded into the glass itself. Its absolutely exquisite and has never left my china cabinet. Its not something I would use. I also had an enormous Vase also from Venice which my twins bio mother left me in her will and which the twins broke when they were playing ball in the living room against my express wishes. I should not have had it out on display.

Carolyn

roshanarose · « **Reply #2871 on:** October 20, 2010, 08:53:34 PM »

I also have a tiny dark blue perfume bottle. My mother had it given to her back in the 30s. It originally contained the perfume "Mischief" by Saville which can still be discerned ever so faintly. We all love blue!

bellemere · « **Reply #2872 on:** October 20, 2010, 10:14:52 PM »

Dark blue perfume bottle ? Not "Evening in Paris" which was my mother's favorite from the thirties and can still be bought. believe it or not! Ther Vermont Country Store catalog and on line. They also have Tangee lipstick, how is that for "retro"?

Steph · « **Reply #2873 on:** October 21, 2010, 06:03:55 AM »

Ilove Vermont Country Store.. I love cotton and buy nightgowns from there. My husband loved night shirts and that was close to the only place to get them for the last 10 years.. They have such neat older stuff. If you like candy, they have all the old ones.

Babi · « **Reply #2874 on:** October 21, 2010, 08:21:34 AM »

The Vermont Country Store sounds enticing. How do their prices run? Low/medium/high?
I don't think I've heard of 'Tangee' since I was a teenager. Do they still make it, or are these
really, really old tubes?

bellemere · « **Reply #2875 on:** October 21, 2010, 08:57:27 AM »

Not sure about the lipstick. Bur their prices are okay. Unless you make the drive to Vermont - gorgeous this time of year - you also pay shipping charges. They have "Bag Balm" for your chapped hands, (a favorite of dairy farmers) and not only cotton nighties but cotton slips, and of course, long underwear.
The store is in Weston Vt near a small, lovely Benedictine Abbey that has some public services where the singing of the monks makes you think you are already in heaven!
Vermont is the greatest little state, even if some Vermont ladies insist on hanging their laundry on the front porch.

MaryPage · « **Reply #2876 on:** October 21, 2010, 09:43:22 AM »

I adore the Vermont Country Store and get all of their catalogs and peruse them avidly. I order all of my Lanz of Salzburg nightgowns from them, and they are quite wonderful. And yes, a sit down with one of their food catalogs is a visit to the far past.

Carolyn, this fall they have a new Lanz flannel nightgown in blue with Bichons all over it. The Bichons wear red ribbons. Two of my daughters, who are gaga over their Bichons, gave each other one for Christmas 2010!

Funny; I have a tiny colbalt blue perfume bottle a dear first cousin gave me years ago. It is exaggerated round at the bottom (flattened out round), then goes in for a very short neck and flares out into a wavy fluted top. The fluting is solid cobalt, but the round part of the bottle, the part that actually holds the perfume, has some clear and silver waves in it as well as the cobalt. The plug stem is clear glass with 3 tiny cobalt leaves on top.

Vermont Country Store has a web site, but I urge you, if you are not familiar with them, to go there and ask them to send you their catalogs. BelleMere, I envy you BIG TIME for having the treat of going there. I'll never make it now.

ALF43 · « **Reply #2877 on:** October 21, 2010, 09:56:53 AM »

Who was it here that said they had read "The Gate at the Top of the Stairs?" I would be interested in your take on it now that I have finished it

bellemere · « **Reply #2878 on:** October 21, 2010, 10:34:10 AM »

I read Gate at the
Top of the Stairs.
Lorrie Moore writes very well; the plot contained some implausibie, but not impossible , turns, (the funeral of the brother) and "coincidences" but overall, it reflected the growth and in some cases, disillusionment of the young narrator. She realizes that some of her preconceived ideas don't hold up in real life. I did enjoy it, though.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2879 on:** October 21, 2010, 02:02:42 PM »

I, too, love Vermont Country Store. Now, their prices to me are "High", especially when you have to pay shipping too. But I am hooked on their soaps. I've used a sampler, then a wonderful German soap, that is clear like a glycerin soap, and they used to have a black one (they discontinued it), but they smell wonderful, and LAST and LAST, practically forever! The clear soap is "Kappus" Transparent Soap, and it lathers like a dream. They also had Vaseline soap, which is nice for dry skin. But I prefer the Kappus.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086387 times)