Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086882 times)

bellemere · « **Reply #3360 on:** December 14, 2010, 04:11:13 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

I love to have a book about a place in my travles, and on my first trip to the Caribbean, St. Kitts, I took Wide Sargasso Sea.
When I went to the French Riviera I took "Everybody Was So Young" about the rich couple, Sara and Gerald Murphy in the twenties and thirties and their guests at their beautiful house in Antibes; Hemingway, Picasso, Fitzgerald and Zelda. Great read.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3361 on:** December 14, 2010, 04:44:13 PM »

Oh yes, I agree - it's great to read a book set in the place you are visiting. Unfortunately the only books I know of set in Aberdeen are Stuart MacBride's very grisly (but very good) thrillers - Cold Granite, Blind Eye, etc. Edinburgh offers far more options. I also like to read Maeve Binchy in Ireland - her Light A Penny Candle perfectly evokes for me the rural Ireland I first knew as a 20-something.

Rosemary

bellemere · « **Reply #3362 on:** December 14, 2010, 06:28:36 PM »

yes, Maeve Binchy is fun. also John Mc Isaac, "By the Lake" is a paen to rural ireland. I took Yeatrs peotry but never got up to the Yeats country. Mayb e someday I will get to see" where the wave of moonlight glosses the dim gray sands with light" and "where the wandering water gushes from the hills above Glen Car. "

JoanK · « **Reply #3363 on:** December 14, 2010, 06:55:10 PM »

I love Loise Penny also. Don't you want to pack your bags and move to Three Pines (in spite of the high murder rate there)?

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3364 on:** December 15, 2010, 02:50:54 AM »

Sounds to me a bit like Midsomer - do you get "Midsomer Murders" on TV? It's a lovely little (fictional) English village, but the death rate must be off the scale!

R

Steph · « **Reply #3365 on:** December 15, 2010, 06:23:42 AM »

I always laugh at village cozies. The death rate in some small towns in America is truly remarkable..Think of the number of food ones that are midwestern small towns.

Gumtree · « **Reply #3366 on:** December 15, 2010, 10:09:08 AM »

Quote

Then again, why was I surprised at your interest in tractors.

Jonathon: who knows what alchemy is at work when we decide to read one book and not another. But in the case of Tractors in Ukrainian I do happen to know why. It wasn't tractors, or history, or literary merit or subject matter or any of the usual criteria we use when assessing whether to read or not. It was the author's name that captured my attention -Why? Simply because in variant forms her surname occurs in my DH's genealogy and my research to date indicates that regardless of the spelling those who bear the name are ultimately connected. So, how could I pass it up? I haven't done the work on Marina as yet - but I will - well, eventually

Frybabe · « **Reply #3367 on:** December 15, 2010, 12:59:37 PM »

rosemarykaye, our PBS Station ran the Midsomer Murders for a few seasons several years back. I haven't seen anything in the last year or so. According to Wikipedia, the series is still running which makes me wonder why PBS hasn't shown more than they have.

kiwilady · « **Reply #3368 on:** December 15, 2010, 02:55:55 PM »

I love Midsomer Murders but like someone said its a wonder there is anyone left alive in the village! They keep on showing this series here. There are a lot of episodes in this popular series.

Carolyn

joangrimes · « **Reply #3369 on:** December 15, 2010, 05:32:24 PM »

I love the Midsomer Murders...but I don't get them anymore...Don't understand why ..just know I do not get them anymore...Joan Grimes

maryz · « **Reply #3370 on:** December 15, 2010, 06:40:20 PM »

It's my understanding that the BritComs that are shown on any local PBS station are chosen and paid for by that particular station. I'd guess if anyone wanted a particular series, she'd need to call her station and request it.

joangrimes · « **Reply #3371 on:** December 15, 2010, 08:22:04 PM »

Midsomer Murders were not shown on my local PBS station as part ot the Britcom series that they show....I really don't remember how I used to find them and watch them on TV...

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3372 on:** December 15, 2010, 08:37:30 PM »

Was it Ginny who was reading the new book on Cleopatra? I just discovered a free book on ibook about Cleopatra, it might be interesting to compare. It's by Jacob Abbott, i can't see an original date on it, but i see it's also in Gutenberg which you can access thru www.gutenberg.net.

kiwilady · « **Reply #3373 on:** December 15, 2010, 08:56:09 PM »

I loved "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen." I have forgotten the author but if you saw the title on the shelves at the library you might just go past it without realising what a great read it is.

Carolyn

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3374 on:** December 15, 2010, 09:11:54 PM »

Oh!oh! ..........i see Ginny already found the "free" Cleopatra........

While browsing in ibooks, the same author, Jacob Abbott, has written a series of books titled Rollo in..........(London/Geneva/italy, etc, etc) the narrator is a 12 yr old, so i assume they were supposed to be for young people, but i got a sample of "London" and it looks rather interesting. This one was published in 1854. Have any of you heard of them?......jean

Steph · « **Reply #3375 on:** December 16, 2010, 06:22:36 AM »

Yes, I would definitely slide right by
Salmon Fishing in Yemen.. or anywhere else to be honest.. Wild title..

ANNIE · « **Reply #3376 on:** December 17, 2010, 09:26:47 AM »

I received this last week and am putting it in here for those who might want comment on S&F's site. I know some of us knew this man and liked him.

Subject: New announcement: Tpikdave Passed Away

I read tonight that one of our computer guru's Tpikdave passed away on Sept. 25. I post this in his memory.

To unsubscribe from these announcements, login to the forum and uncheck "Receive forum announcements and important notifications by email." in your profile.

You can view the full announcement by following this link:
http://www.seniorsandfriends.org/index.php?topic=1997.0

Regards,
The Seniors & Friends Team.[/b]

Steph · « **Reply #3377 on:** December 18, 2010, 05:44:50 AM »

Finally finished the very very whiny book written by a woman who feels her family does not value her.. Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah. I skipped around quite a bit once I realized she was just going to go on and on about her wicked stepmother and horrible siblings..Whew.. definitely a vanity book.

Babi · « **Reply #3378 on:** December 18, 2010, 08:19:04 AM »

Thank you for taking the flak and giving the rest of us warning, STEPH.

CallieOK · « **Reply #3379 on:** December 18, 2010, 01:27:05 PM »

I had to go waaaay back to find mention of "Holy Moly". I'm about 3/4 of the way through and am finding it a (an?) hilarious fast read! That may be because I grew up in an area of Oklahoma with very similar characters. So I can visualize each one and "hear" the cadence of their speech.

My TBR stack has some "light reading" right now. Not sure this qualifies as "light" but I just finished William Bernhardt's "Capitol Threat". There are the usual graphically gory torture scenes (which I just skip over) - but the description of the scruffy P.I. (supposedly from Oklahoma) getting into a Poetry Slam by mistake had me laughing out loud.
He ends up on-stage expected to recite a poem and the only one he can think of is "I never saw a purple cow...". The three judges very solemnly analyze its "meaning and relevance"

and he receives a standing ovation for his "interpretive excellence". I couldn't decide which was funnier - the judges' comments or his completely confused reaction.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3380 on:** December 18, 2010, 04:35:16 PM »

I have just finished Ladies of Covington Send Their Love, and I have mixed feelings about it.

I was interested in the characters enough to want to read the sequels, but there were many things that ended up irritating me -

- the way that the plot depended on Amelia having just happened to have inherited a lovely old farmhouse,and the three fairly hard up women can suddenly not only afford to have it completely renovated, but can also immediately find willing and able - and even talented! - people to do it for them. try finding so much as a plumber here in the UK! They always have something better to do than your job!

- the way that everyone in Covington was immediately falling over themselves to do things for these elderly ladies - I used to live in a very small village in rural Scotland, and although everyone was very nice, no-one was rushing to fix things, lend me things, take me places, etc - maybe that is the difference between rural Scotland and West Virginia?!

- the fact that Grace apparently attracts the attention of a good looking, interesting, generous man - I wish this did sound true to life, but when I look around at my divorced/separated/otherwise single friends, these things rarely seem to happen

- certain things about the style of the writing, in particular the very frequent use of such phrases as "Hannah, you seem tired, fed up, sick" (I am just making this up, as I have taken the book back to the library, but there are lots of examples of this conversational use of several adjectives strung together which don't to me sound like normal speech - I would think someone would say "Hannah, you seem tired - are you fed up, or sick?") - do people talk like that in the US?

I have had a look at Joan Medlicott's website, and she is clearly immensely popular - good for her, she has evidently found a niche, and as I said, I would be interested to read the next books (though the library doesn't have them), but I can't say I put the book down feeling totally satisfied.

I have just bought a book from a charity shop, "Out to Pasture", by Effie Leland Wilder - it appears to be set in a care home n South Carolina, so maybe some of you have read it? I wondered if it would be in the same vein as Medlicott - will get on to it after I have re-read this month's Pym.

Rosemary

pedln · « **Reply #3381 on:** December 18, 2010, 04:41:57 PM »

That sounds like a good one, Callie. I'm not familiar with either the series or the author -- Bernhardt, but 'most always enjoy mysteries set in the nation's Capital. It's available for Kindle and I'll also check the used book store.

I've got to start making a list for the used bookstore because next week I'll be in Seattle and no visit there is complete without a trip to my favorite bookstore, Elliott Bay Bookstore, which I understand has moved out of Elliott Bay to somewhere else.

maryz · « **Reply #3382 on:** December 18, 2010, 10:36:07 PM »

I don't know whether it was here on on Seniors & Friends, but somebody told me about the Sticky Toffee Pudding we could get here in the US. THANK YOU!!!! I got some at a local Whole Foods affiliate, and we just had some tonight. It's delicious!

marcie · « **Reply #3383 on:** December 19, 2010, 01:09:51 AM »

I found a few recipes for Sticky Toffee Pudding. I wonder which (if any) are like the great kind some of you have found.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-live/english-sticky-toffee-pudding-recipe/index.html

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sticky-Toffee-Pudding-231668

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-index/dessert-recipes/Sticky-Toffee-Pudding

Steph · « **Reply #3384 on:** December 19, 2010, 06:14:48 AM »

Rosemary, I do agree about the book and several other writers, all female. They write about an ideal town..The kind that everyone dreams of, but is certainly not here in real life. Their characters always meet kind generous people.. especially tradesmen ( try that in real life), and if they are widows or divorced,, a handsome caring male.. I read them once in a while, when I want fantasy.. Miss Julia is like that. There is a whole series about a minister who lives next door to.... wait for it.. The perfect woman and of course they marry and then take care of the entire town.. Hmm. ok, but not for every day.. Medlicott is the same way.. They are a straight novels version of cozy.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3385 on:** December 19, 2010, 08:47:49 AM »

About the Covington series of books, I think you have to suspend belief whenever you read fiction. I mean, in order for the author to spin out the tale he or she wishes to tell, some amazing coincidences must be made to occur. At the same time, I have known many, many true stories in my 81 years of which I or someone I was talking with have said: "If you put that in a book, everyone would say it was too unbelievable!"

Covington would not have happened for those 3 ladies if Amelia had not had a distant cousin without other blood kin who left her that farmhouse and the fifty thousand dollars to fix it up. And the two other ladies would not have tagged along for the adventure if (1) Amelia had not been too timid and afraid of her own shadow (I've know simply heaps of women her age like that!) and (2) the other two had not been raring to get out of their dreadful lives as they were.

I find the three ladies quite like many I have known. I own Hannah's strong independence and love of gardening, while otherwise I am a Grace in personality and shape, without the cooking skills. As for men, I agree there are many lonely people in this world and my heart aches for them. And I agree that for some, eligible persons do not just pop up on the spot. On the other hand, I was married 3 times, all three died of cancer, and the third and best marriage took place when I was 74 and he was 80! And yes, while I intend to stay single forever now, I've had my chances since!

And yes, this author has the language and manner of speaking down perfectly for northwestern North Carolina.

Babi · « **Reply #3386 on:** December 19, 2010, 08:54:58 AM »

I can empathize, ROSEMARY. I recall reading a couple of books, can't recall the author-
Michael somebody. Anyway, the books were set in a small community on the outskirts of a
State capital. All the principal characters were handsome or beautiful, intelligent,
witty, clever, etc., etc.
Those were very enjoyable books, but really! What are the chances of finding that many
beautiful, witty, etc., etc. people in one place? Incredible, really.

ginny · « **Reply #3387 on:** December 19, 2010, 09:02:16 AM »

It was I, Mary, and I'm so glad you were able to get some, it IS wonderful, isn't it? I can't believe all the recipes out there, both here, thank you Marcie, and in the Holiday Memories area, looks like you can make your own just as good as the purchased ones, I'm excited to try once the holidays are over.

I finished the Louise Penny, A Fatal Grace, I can see why people love her books, she's so clever, and now am going to start with Still Life, the first one, which won so many awards.

I got Steve Martin's new book which everybody is raving about: a clever take on the art world, have any of you read it? Still reading Keith Richards's Life and Schiff's Cleopatra, they're both good (who would think both of those would be in one sentence, hahahaha). Did you all see Folett's huge tome, the new one is listed as one of the 10 Worst of 2010 by Entertainment Magazine? What do they know, right? Still reading Clarissa Dickson Wright's book, it's good too.

Still reading 97 Orchard Street, I really like it, and the 100+ year old recipes, it's a history of 5 immigrant families to NYC at the turn of the century through the food they ate. It's fascinating, and the recipes make you want to get out the pots and pans. The author is now associated with the Culinary Programs at the Tenement House in NYC, I really think we must plan another mini trip there, especially since there is a new Pompeii exhibit opening at the Discovery Expo in Times Square in March, I mean it's made for us! Still trying to figure out what "a glass of fat" and a "glass of sugar" might be for Cranberry Strudel.

I have a feeling that the people who did those recipes originally knew what they were doing, and I don't.

What holiday films or books are you reading? Do you always watch a favorite holiday movie? What is it?

I'll vote for the Alistair Sim black and white Christmas Carol, but I like the colorized one too, which is your favorite? Would you believe I've never seen the Jimmy Stewart one to this day... what is it? It's a Wonderful Life? That commercial for that child saying something in a sing song about every time a bell rings, etc., absolutely wants to turn me into a vampire or something. I think instead I'll go read a Kate Morton. hahahaa

What are you reading or watching to get away from the noise and crowds?

maryz · « **Reply #3388 on:** December 19, 2010, 11:39:38 AM »

Thanks for the recommendation, Ginny - it'll be a staple now - and I'll probably order some, too.

Marcie, the first recipe sounds sort of like it - with the same ingredients as listed on the package. Neither this one, nor the one I had in England, were made in a bundt pan like the Rachel Ray recipe. It's not something I'd ever make from scratch.

Whatever - it was a great hit with our group last night.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #3389 on:** December 19, 2010, 12:28:37 PM »

Callie, do the Bernhardt books need to be read in order?...........

My husband and i both liked "Holy Moly" and we live in NJ!

pedln · « **Reply #3390 on:** December 19, 2010, 01:24:15 PM »

Quote

What holiday films or books are you reading? Do you always watch a favorite holiday movie? What is it?

One of my favorite films -- A Christmas without Snow starring Michael Learned and John Houseman -- about a San Francisco church choir preparing for a special Christmas performance of Handel's Messiah. There is much interaction among the choir members, very down-to-earth portrayals of their personal trials and tribulations. Houseman is the choir director. Michael Learned, a choir member and single mom who has left her teaching job in Nebraska, to forge a new life for herself and her young son. And of course, there is a lot of singing, especially of the Messiah.

I first taped this show (still have the tape) 15 to 20 years ago. Amazon has DVDs and it's available from Netflix only by streaming/downloading to your computer. The reviews are mixed, mainly complaints about the sound quality which is apparently 15 to 20 years old. Nevertheless, it's a delightful performance, very realistic, not sticky-sweet, and I highly recommend it.

CallieOK · « **Reply #3391 on:** December 19, 2010, 08:35:59 PM »

Mabel, I don't think the Bernhardt books need to be read in sequence although some of the same characters appear in each one. There are 18 books featuring Ben Kencaid as the main character. The first one seems to be "Primary Justice", published in 1992. Nine more "....Justice" books follow that one.
Then there are four with varying titles (also featuring B.K.) before the five (so far) in the "Capitol (whatever)" series.
He is a prolific writer!

I want to read some more books by the author of "Holy Moly".

I so agree with the comments about older ladies in ideal situations! Have you also noticed that none of the 'gentlemen friends" ever has a health issue?
My observation has been that real-live ones (except for Mary Page's, of course

) are either looking for someone to nurse them through old age or make them feel younger than springtime. I'm not capable of one - and not interested in the other!
Nevertheless, every-once-in-a-while, I like to read one of the optimistic "cozy" stories and daydream a bit.

The Christmas movie I always watch is "White Christmas" with Bing, Danny, Rosemary and Vera Ellen.

joangrimes · « **Reply #3392 on:** December 19, 2010, 09:09:29 PM »

Callie,

I always watch White Christmas too... It is really the only Christmas movie that I care about...but I must watch it.
Joan Grimes

nlhome · « **Reply #3393 on:** December 19, 2010, 09:13:55 PM »

I love White Christmas, but my daughter and my husband love Elf.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3394 on:** December 20, 2010, 02:47:36 AM »

Too right Callie!

Several of my friends have tried internet dating, and the one I know best has told me that she is now giving it up because she hates the way it is all totally based on appearances, and all the men she has met have been needy (as you say, in one way or another), and also usually in dire financial states.

I remember that after my mother was widowed (she was only 39 when my father died), she was pursued by an older man who was always turning up when she least wanted to see him (which was indeed practically never). On one memorable occasion, he told her - in the course of "normal" conversation, that he had been unable to get the book he wanted from the library, because on entering that building he had had "a sudden movement of the bowels"

. I don't think any of Joan Medlicott's men would ever come out with that.

roshanarose · « **Reply #3395 on:** December 20, 2010, 03:28:18 AM »

Rosemary - The expression "Too right" is often heard in Australian conversation.

I loved the story about the guy and his "sudden movement of the bowels". It reminded me of Jeremy whatshisname from Top Gear when driving a very fast car saying - "I think I have soiled myself". So very romantic! It's kind of like when my mother was being courted by eligible men in her single days. One of the men was eminently suitable and approved of by my grandmother. Why? He used to knit his own socks. My mother did not find this skill at all attractive and he was given a miss!

btw the news tells me that the UK is getting more than its fair share of snow. The notion of having to dig through snow drifts 6 foot high to get to my front gate does not appeal to me at all. For now I will deal with heat and humidity.

Steph · « **Reply #3396 on:** December 20, 2010, 05:57:47 AM »

I actually am not fond of Christmas films. Love Christmas carols..The music is such a joy and adore the Messiah chorus.. I belong to a widow-widower group. I agree that Mary seems to have had good luck and three husbands, but the general run of the mill widower seems to have problems that the women dont share. Our widowers are mostly very nice, but very needy.
Our oldest ( in his 80's) is by far the funniest, but his eye is always struck by our youngest widows.. Not the ones close to his age.. He and I laugh a lot together because we have the same sense of humor, but thats it..
Our group leader is dating and that is from the internet. She seems to like the last one, but she is in her mid 50's and really loves to just get out of the house.
Finished Some Days theres Pie by Catherine Landis.. It was OK>. If you like not much plot, but sort of fun characters.. You will like it.

Babi · « **Reply #3397 on:** December 20, 2010, 09:11:43 AM »

How could you have missed "A Wonderful Life", GINNY? It's on every year; a classic favorite. And Jimmy Stewart at his best.
My daughter turned on "Miracle on 34th Street" yesterday, and I found I still enjoyed it, though it is so dated. Imagine a time when one's young daughter can make friends with a male neighbor Mother hasn't met yet.. watch the parade from his apartment windows..and Mother is perfectly all right with that. No one thinks a thing about it. And in the movie, of course, it is perfectly all right.
Actually, there are women who are happier with the companionship of a man, and they attract them with the greatest of ease. My dear step-mother has had three husbands (my Dad was her second, until his death) and is currently sharing a home with a fourth male companion. My daughters and I simply marvel over her.

bellemere · « **Reply #3398 on:** December 20, 2010, 09:41:49 AM »

My divorced friend resisted all my attempts to introduce her to anyone ; said" All they want is a nurse or a purse." So cynical and then she married , in her sixties, a wonderful man and is enjoying life as never before.
I watch the television listings every year for the Alistair Sims Christmas Carol, and the old production of the Nutcracker Ballet with Barishnikov and Gelsey Kirkland. My husband waits for Miracle on 34th St. "Messiah" performance by the local baroque music group is a must every year. I love the "flash mob" Hallelujah choral groups that are appearing on youtube.
Getting a start on Little Bee, a Christmas gift from my secret Santa. Also I am responsible for recommending the January book for my group, and trying to prepare. I keep a list of books I have read with short comment and a note if it might make for a good book club discussion.
( I also try to include one classic and at least one non-fiction) Then we vote on the one for everybody to read. So far iI have picked Lit by Mary Karr and Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris. I am trying to avoid too many novels by women; we have been reading a lot of them lately. The chosen book must not be too long, and that omits my top favorite for the last year, Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada . No short story collections and absolutely no politics or poetry! And it has to be available in paperback or "used" from Amazon.com Quite a challenge, isn't it?

marcie · « **Reply #3399 on:** December 20, 2010, 11:05:53 AM »

Bellemere, Did your reading group read THEN WE CAME TO THE END by Joshua Ferris or are you thinking of recommending it? One of my niece's fiance has Ferris' latest book, THE UNAMED, on his Christmas list. It sounds very original and Ferris has gotten quite a lot of reviews as an excellent new writer.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086882 times)