Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086532 times)

pedln · « **Reply #3000 on:** November 07, 2010, 10:03:26 AM »

The Library

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

We look forward to hearing from you, about you and the books you are enjoying (or not).

Let the book talk begin here!

Suggestion Box for Future Discussions

Wasn't it great to get that extra hour of sleep.

PatH and Frybabe, thanks for the updates on Joshua Bell.

The library has informed that Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner? is available for checkout, so I will pick it up this afternoon. Has anyone read it -- think Elliot Spitzer, John Edwards, wives, etc. I just hope I have time to read it before it has to be returned. Life has been too busy lately. Must finish the French play edition of Side Show before heading to DC to see granddaughter perform in same.

pedln · « **Reply #3001 on:** November 07, 2010, 04:49:12 PM »

I just had an email from my granddaughter, a college junior majoring in chemical engineering, and she tells me . . . .

Quote

I'm also taking an interesting English class,
focused on American Bestsellers throughout American history. So far
we have read Charlotte Temple, Last of the Mohicans, Uncle Tom's
Cabin, Ten Nights in a Barroom (a prohibition novel), a dime novel
called Deadwood Dick, and Tarzan of the Apes. Next is Gone with the
Wind, one of my favorite novels. The professor gives fantastic
lectures, providing the cultural context for the novels and pointing
out key passages that reflect why the novel gained the popularity that
it had.

It’s good to know that even the engineers are reading these days.

Gumtree, she’s spending her Christmas break in Australia. Her boyfriend’s mother teaches linguistics and is starting a sabbatical in Tasmania.

Quote

Robert and I are looking forward to our winter break trip
to Australia, and starting to plan activities while we're there. We
will be spending 5.5 days in Sydney, a week in Hobart, Tasmania (in
his parent's house), and 3.5 days in Melbourne.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3002 on:** November 07, 2010, 06:12:52 PM »

That is fantastic - our engineering students here do nothing but sums. They are not encouraged to do anything else and certainly - so far as I know - would not be offered a course like the one your granddaughter is taking. My husband has a PhD in engineering and is surprisingly literate for one of his species (I take all the credit, but in fact he was brought up by parents who, although both scientists, read widely); he tears his hair out over the appalling grammar and spelling in the reports he receives from the junior engineers.

Gumtree · « **Reply #3003 on:** November 07, 2010, 11:40:57 PM »

Pedln Those are three great places for you granddaughter to visit - good time of year too - Sydney shouldn't be too hot and humid - Hobart won't be too cold - and Melbourne - well, it's Melbourne and can have four seasons in a single day ... hope she enjoys. If she is in Sydney on Boxing Day then I'd say that watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is the place to be - fantastic sight to see the yachts sailing through the heads.

roshanarose · « **Reply #3004 on:** November 08, 2010, 05:02:48 AM »

Pedln If I can just add my two cents worth to Gumtree's recommendations. I was in Sydney in May this year. I adore Sydney, it is where I was born. Great for tourists. One of the things I enjoyed doing this time (and always on past visits) was catching the Sydney Ferry and going from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour to the Zoo and Manly (where there is a beach) albeit not one of Sydney's finest. It is cheap and cheerful. I don't want to boast, but the sight of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House as you are coming in to Circular Quay on a clear day, has to be one of life's great tourist experiences. Also tell them to look out for the aboriginal guys playing the didgeridoo at Circular Quay. They are very friendly and enjoy having a chat. Also I recommend they take a stroll around The Rocks, one of Sydney's oldest areas. If they get time I would recommend visiting Lady Macquarie's Chair. This chair made of rock was where Lady Macquarie was said to gaze wistfully out to sea, wondering when and if she would ever return to England. The park that surrounds the chair encourages languid rests. I had four days in Central Sydney this time and merely scratched the surface of things to do. There is also a free bus which travels along George Street through the city centre down towards Circular Quay.

Hobart is an enchanting city. The second oldest settled city in Australia. Lots of history and tell your granddaughter that Salamanca Place is great to see and visit the Markets. It can be chilly up on top of Mount Wellington.

Melbourne - well the last time I visited was in 1974. What I do remember about it is that it is the place to shop for fashion. The Australian dollar now has parity with the US dollar, but who knows what it will be in December. Australia is expensive, particularly in the tourist haunts, but I guess that this is a worldwide trend.

Steph · « **Reply #3005 on:** November 08, 2010, 05:49:31 AM »

I am so envious.. I want to go to New Zealand and Australia and always have, but the long long plane ride puts me off big time. Some day when I have a month and no dogs to worry about, I will make the long trip stopping for a day or two twice, so that I dont get so very plane crazy.

Gumtree · « **Reply #3006 on:** November 08, 2010, 10:24:31 AM »

Roshanarose - I love coming in on the ferry from Mosman (where my son lives) and to round the light at Cremorne Point and see the Harbour open up. Wonderful scenery with the Bridge and Opera House thrown in for good measure - Pedln's g'daughter will be there for 5.5 days so they should have plenty of time to visit the northern beaches and crawl around those tortuous roads up Pittwater with their glorious scenery and maybe take a day to nick up to Katoomba and see something of the Blue Mountains and... and... and...

and... what about a Bridge Climb right to the top - they say the view is spectacular but I've never been game enough to try it - anyway I doubt I'd pass the required physical examination.

pedln · « **Reply #3007 on:** November 08, 2010, 10:45:20 AM »

Quote

If she is in Sydney on Boxing Day then I'd say that watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is the place to be - fantastic sight to see the yachts sailing through the heads.

She would love that, as she's on the school sailing team (I joke that her major is sailing because that's what we hear the most about.) My guess is that they'll be in Hobart for Christmas day/week. I've emailed her yours and roshanarose's posts, and will see her at Thanksgiving.

Gumtree · « **Reply #3008 on:** November 08, 2010, 11:07:30 AM »

Pedln: Well, if she's in Hobart just before New Year she'll be able to see the maxi yachts when they straggle in to harbour after the crossing. Some of those boats are just beautiful.

maryz · « **Reply #3009 on:** November 08, 2010, 06:29:06 PM »

We loved seeing Sydney - stayed in a small hotel just a block off the quay - we could see the Opera House from our window. But only a week in Australia (Sydney and Cairns) - our primary trip was to New Zealand - a 3-week Elderhostel plus a week on our own. We'd love to go back. The trip is a long one, though.

Do y'all read Wordsmith - A Word A Day? It's terrific. Their quote for the day today is....

In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you. -Mortimer J. Adler, philosopher, educator and author (1902-2001)

jane · « **Reply #3010 on:** November 08, 2010, 06:36:10 PM »

What a great quote, Mary. I think I'll add it to the Newsline.

Thanks!

jane

roshanarose · « **Reply #3011 on:** November 08, 2010, 09:12:06 PM »

Off topic, sorry. A while ago many contributors wrote about e-book readers. Does anyone know how I can access that discussion?

maryz · « **Reply #3012 on:** November 08, 2010, 10:48:58 PM »

roshanarose, I have a Kindle 2. E-mail me with your questions, and I'll try to answer some.

Steph · « **Reply #3013 on:** November 09, 2010, 06:08:41 AM »

Ihave an IPAD, which is a lot more than a book reader, but does in face do that as well. Glad to answer any queries on that.

roshanarose · « **Reply #3014 on:** November 09, 2010, 07:36:20 AM »

Steph and maryz - Thank you both for your response. Unfortunately, I can't afford an IPad. They retail over here for $600 plus. The Kindle has just come on the market over here, although one must get it through the US Amazon site which means postage etc. Another inconvenience for Australians re Kindle is that the battery has to be removed in the US if there is a problem.

I am thinking of buying a Sony Touch, does anyone have one?

Babi · « **Reply #3015 on:** November 09, 2010, 08:26:04 AM »

I thought I'd mention that Barbara St.Aubrey is facing some risky eye surgery this morning.
She mentioned some genetic problems that could complicate matters considerably. I know she would appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

ALF43 · « **Reply #3016 on:** November 09, 2010, 09:02:11 AM »

Thank you Babi for that information. Would you send me her address so I can get a card out to her from all of us?

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #3017 on:** November 09, 2010, 12:56:11 PM »

Roshanrose, if you have access to the latest issue of Consumer Reports magazine (December) I-pad is discussed on Pg. 39, the E-readers on Page 40 and are rated. This will be a great help to you, I think.

Steph · « **Reply #3018 on:** November 10, 2010, 05:44:33 AM »

Also on the readers, there are several new ones coming out in the next several weeks. Christmas always brings out the new stuff..

Babi · « **Reply #3019 on:** November 10, 2010, 08:47:19 AM »

I'll need to check my address book to see if I have Barb's addess, ALF. Her daughter posted
this morning with the news that Barb is doing well. She had one emergency yesterday afternoon when the eye clouded up, but that was resolved and she seems to be healing nicely
now.

roshanarose · « **Reply #3020 on:** November 10, 2010, 08:50:47 AM »

Thanks tomereader and steph - your suggestions are much appreciated.

ALF43 · « **Reply #3021 on:** November 10, 2010, 10:45:03 AM »

Oh Babi, that is good news. Thank you for the update.

pedln · « **Reply #3022 on:** November 10, 2010, 11:17:43 AM »

Roshanarose, can you get the US Amazon website? If so, go there and get to the "Kindle Store" section ( you can click to it). Then go to their "discussions" page.

I was reading some the other day, and some of the international (not in the US) readers were saying that Amazon charges an additional $2 fee for each book they received via wi-fi or G3. You should be aware of that before making any decisions.

roshanarose · « **Reply #3023 on:** November 10, 2010, 09:45:13 PM »

Pedln - Thanks - Buying a eReader on a limited budget is a minefield. Tomereader supplied me with an excellent comparison table which has helped a lot with technical information. The small print, if you like. I did look up Amazon's Kindle - sure they are prepared to send it to me, but they want to charge $54.56 postage for the privilege. No way, on principle, will I pay that. I have been doing a lot of research, and so far the Sony Touch EReader looks like what I want. I am going to "test-drive" it today. My daughter is prepared to pay for some of it for my Xmas present. It is $299.00 Australian.

roshanarose · « **Reply #3024 on:** November 10, 2010, 09:45:50 PM »

Looking forward to seeing Barbara back!

Steph · « **Reply #3025 on:** November 11, 2010, 05:43:59 AM »

A year ago today.. The man who caused the accident was finally tried on a traffic infraction yesterday.. This was the third time that they had tried.. He pleaded no contest.. The judge adjudicated guilty,, 6 months suspension of license, an additional 1000 dollar fine.. In Florida, you can kill as long as you do it in a car..
He has another trial since it seems his license after our accident was suspended for some reason and he drove and got caught.. So another trial , not involving us on the 18th..
Not my best day, but I will live..

Babi · « **Reply #3026 on:** November 11, 2010, 08:19:37 AM »

It seems this guy does not learn from his mistakes, STEPH. For you, it's another milestone
passed. For him, I suspect it's only a matter of time; he's digging his own grave.

maryz · « **Reply #3027 on:** November 11, 2010, 08:43:09 AM »

Many hugs today, Steph (and every day)!

bellemere · « **Reply #3028 on:** November 11, 2010, 11:36:38 AM »

On license suspension: a judge in family court in MN told me that she has a couple of sanctions to use against deadbeat Dads. One is suspension of a driving license, the other is suspension of a hunting and fishing license. She uses the second whenever possible, because game wardens catch violators, but people will always drive without a driver's license the chance of being caught is so small.

Babi · « **Reply #3029 on:** November 12, 2010, 08:28:40 AM »

I'm surprised to learn that a judge can suspend and hunting or fishing license on an unrelated
matter. I can see where it might be more motivating than a driver's license suspension for
many men. I've heard of many a man who would rather go fishing that face his problems.

pedln · « **Reply #3030 on:** November 14, 2010, 09:31:02 AM »

Oh boy, remember when she felt bad about her neck?

Here’s a new collection of essays by Nora Ephron, with a focus on – aging. From the movie critic at the Seattle Times

I Remember Nothing

Quote

"I was not at Woodstock," she writes, "but I might as well have been because I wouldn't remember it anyway."

pedln · « **Reply #3031 on:** November 14, 2010, 11:46:47 AM »

Ponderings from the Sunday papers. Here’s a question for you. Have you heard of Rebecca Costa? Or I am the only one who did not know the name?

NYT has an article about Oprah winding down her show and Ms Costa would love to be on it, but doubts that will happen. So who is she – she’s written ONE book, just out – The Watchman’s Rattle – the Kindle price on Amazon is $12.99 (Vanguard Pub. 10/2010). Nevertheless, when you google her, she’s on page after page, interviewed and her book frequently reviewed.

From what I gather, she writes about the declines of previous empires and cultures, and then explores what we’re doing rightly and wrongly now.

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Costa takes aim at everything we have always accepted as our truth or reality. Unfortunately, science has shown us—if we choose to pay attention—that we are on the road to disaster. These are facts. We have suffering from severe water shortage, we are engaging in senseless wars, our food is tainted, our air is poisonous, and we are getting fatter and fatter every day.

(Example from NY Journal of Books)

She apparently does not come out of nowhere; she’s a sociobiologist and a CEO of a Silicon Valley start-up. I’m just curious about the book promotion techniques used here.

Rebecca Costa

maryz · « **Reply #3032 on:** November 14, 2010, 12:04:38 PM »

I never heard of her, pedln. You're not alone.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3033 on:** November 14, 2010, 02:04:13 PM »

Never heard of her. she must have a good publicist for the book........Steph, hope you are feeling better.......jean

jane · « **Reply #3034 on:** November 14, 2010, 03:57:56 PM »

Never heard of Ms Costa, but it sounds as if she's writing about what Jared Diamond has done years ago with his Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fate of Human Societies(1997 and a Pulitzer Prize winner) and (2006, rev. ed. 2010) Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail Or Succeed.

We've been looking for a copy of Guns, Germs, and Steel and finally found one Saturday at Half Priced Books.

jane

maryz · « **Reply #3035 on:** November 14, 2010, 04:41:31 PM »

Loved Guns, Germs, and Steel - hope you like it, too, jane.

pedln · « **Reply #3036 on:** November 14, 2010, 05:03:57 PM »

Two of my granddaughters really liked Guns, Germs, and Steel, and one of my daughters said it was the best book she'd read in a long time. I guess I'd better get it on my list.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3037 on:** November 14, 2010, 05:14:51 PM »

I also liked GGandS, but didn't finish Collapse. i was so disappointed, since GGS was so interesting, but Collapse was not. it was somr time ago,so i don't remember clearly what i didn't like about it other than it was boring.......jean

jane · « **Reply #3038 on:** November 14, 2010, 05:45:13 PM »

jean...my husband didn't care as much for Collapse as he's anticipating liking GG&S. He, too, thought it dragged along.

jane

maryz · « **Reply #3039 on:** November 14, 2010, 06:36:52 PM »

I haven't heard of anybody who liked Collapse as much as Guns - we certainly didn't - I don't think I even finished it. And I had flown through GG&S.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086532 times)