Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087239 times)

maryz · « **Reply #3760 on:** January 16, 2011, 04:17:21 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!

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Evelyn, you do have to pay for most books. Some libraries offer books to be downloaded for a specific time for free. Maybe that's what Judy means.

jane · « **Reply #3761 on:** January 16, 2011, 04:17:41 PM »

Evelyn...Judy may have been speaking of the apps she's downloaded. For example, I've downloaded the Nook software for my laptop. That's free. I can download B&N nookbooks to my laptop. The books, for the most part, you pay for. The prices seem to run $12.99 for a new best seller; 8.99 or 7.99 or 6.99 for older titles.

There are free books available...some are scifi or romance or whatever. B&N also offers a Free Friday when they offer a title for a free download. None of those has yet to appeal to me, but maybe that's just me. The Cleveland Clinic book on diabetes and on arthritis were available for free download last week.

There are other sites that may have free downloads, including a number of the classics.

There are sites, I'm told, that have illegal downloads. I've stayed away from those. I am a believer in intellectual property rights and will not steal someone else's work.

Judy Laird · « **Reply #3762 on:** January 16, 2011, 09:27:59 PM »

Evelyn the sites I spoke of are apps which are usually free for the I-Pod.

I haave not bought any books for those apps yet. I put a couple on for free just to see and it was very nice and easy reading. I never pay full price for books on my Kindle I type in what I want at the bottom and then read about them check the price and so-on.
Most all the classic's are free. I got a book once called The Apothocary/s Daughter and enjoyed it. When you are in the menu on Kindle, check on Kindle's best sellers. When it comes up look up in the dar right corner. There is small print that say's "Kindles toop 100 free" Great fun. I by the way on my 3rd Kindle.

kiwilady · « **Reply #3763 on:** January 16, 2011, 10:40:14 PM »

Our library has many titles to be downloaded to your MP3 player.

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #3764 on:** January 17, 2011, 06:00:28 AM »

Some ebooks are free, some are small charges and mostly best sellers are roughly paperbackl prices.. I check the listings once a week since they have deals all the time.
I dont carry myIPAd all the time.. Dont like that big a purse.. But I do love it and use it at home every day.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3765 on:** January 17, 2011, 08:34:18 AM »

Steph - I had at last decided that the i-pad was right for me - then met a friend for lunch who said no, I should get an Apple Mac - she has one and thinks it's fantastic, but she works from home and uses it for all her work stuff too - she is a drilling engineer, so I suppose that involves lots of figures and spreadsheets, both of which I would never use. What do you think? I find all this so confusing!

Rosemary

roshanarose · « **Reply #3766 on:** January 17, 2011, 09:08:57 AM »

Hi Rosemary

You just need to decide what you really need. If you just need to read ebooks, I personally recommend the Sony Touch (mentioned earlier) in this discussion. You need to check price, memory, easy reading. Also consider what your ereader will accept, e.g. EPUB, etc. My advice is to spend at least two weeks checking out the capabilities of ereader that will suit what you need. Also it is a good idea to take a look at the major bookstores ebooks in the UK. In addition, it is a good idea to investigate what your library offers in way of books and the length of time for which you may borrow them.

I thought that you may also be interested to know that the flood work is progressing well. I think my daughter should be connected to electricity some time this week. Thanks again for your kind thoughts.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #3767 on:** January 17, 2011, 11:16:33 AM »

Well I have decided not to do anything for a bit - I see the downside for all the devices - Yes, it would be good to have instant communication however, in my work that is feeding the jittery feeling in a buyer's tummy about making a choice and retrieving information for a seller is better on a large window that is still best on a laptop. For me, my task is to watch faces and body language in order to provide feedback to folks about what they like and what they did not like. No electronic devise necessary.

Reading - I only travel by plane a couple of times a year at best - most of my travel is me driving - no reading while driving - there was a time I would pick up a book waiting at a red light but no longer - too much traffic - I used to even pick up some knitting at a red light - gone are those years - on the planes during my holiday trip I noticed there was whole swaths of time that electronic devices are required to be turned off while I merrily read my book.

As to reading at home - I like the feel of a hardback - I buy more used books and will pay extra for a hardback. In fact, I will buy a used hardback over a new softback in a New York minute. I also, like to see the size of the pile I plan on reading - I can easily become overwhelmed with so many books stored where I could not see them - now I can hold off a purchase until my stack is down to a certain height. When it comes to books I can too easily become a 7 year old with eyes too big for, as the saying goes my stomach [simply change stomach to possibility].

A smaller laptop is on my list - I saw the small apple featured this winter and that would be a lovely addition however, Ty suggested I wait till this summer when the new features are added and the computer shakes out any problems - since all of Austin is wired I can sit on any curb or any where in my vehicle or a coffee shop and plug into the Internet until I drive out past the coverage in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander etc. On my laptop I have Skype which for quick short messages and long distance messages works well.

Tweeter reminds me of when my kids were in High School and a phone grew out of their ear - the quality of the conversation and time spent on Tweeter I see as no different. Facebook is similar instant chatting - at least Facebook has the advantage of sharing photos. Although, I do see Facebook growing into a force for change - gathering contacts toward that change.

For now I am letting all this settle down till I determine the pattern of communication that will best assist me - having instant electronic communication still does not replace the sound of a voice which tells me so much more than reading words and as I say I enjoy the feel of a book as part of the reading experience - I like writing notes on place markers - hate writing in a book - I understand that is the advantage of having something like a Nook but then when a book is read I cannot see it on my shelf with slips of paper waving at me that these are the pages that prompted thought or learning. I would not like a library of electronic devices lined up - of course the books completed will probably be gathered and stored in a cloud but still not the wonderful feel of being surrounded by books.

Frybabe · « **Reply #3768 on:** January 17, 2011, 03:07:46 PM »

I'll be downloading mostly the free e-books including whichever we decide on for the Classical Book discussion group. The other thing I am looking into is e-textbooks. Although I don't really need to because I got okayed for a grant that is paying for my books. I don't see any of the money, it goes directly to the college, so I have to buy my books there. The accounting books and the accompanying worksheet books are HEAVY.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3769 on:** January 17, 2011, 04:03:24 PM »

Hi Roshanarose.

Thanks for the advice, and I am so glad to hear that things are starting to improve for your daughter and her family. We once had no electricity for 4 days in the middle of winter when my elder daughter was a few weeks old (a cow kept rubbing herself against the pole that held the wires up in a nearby field!), and it felt like an eternity, so I can only imagine how difficult it must be with that on top of everything else.

I don't just want to read e-books, I want to use the thing for emails, internet, etc as well - but not complicated stuff like my friend uses her Apple Mac for (terrible English I know - am in a rush!).

I think I need to go into John Lewis by myself when it is quiet and ask their advice. If I go with my daughters they start playing with everything and telling me how much they need an Apple Mac, and if I go with my husband he gets rather tetchy when I can't make my mind up....

got to dash now - hope things continue to improve ,

Best wishes

Rosemary

Dana · « **Reply #3770 on:** January 17, 2011, 08:17:31 PM »

Look at at this stuff about libraries !!
I have always "gone to the library"....Scotland (where I grew up), Canada (where I lived for awhile..., upstate NY (ditto) and now SC.
I go sort of sporadically. Presently I have requested (and got) all of Barbara Pym. That is what a library is for.. You find an author, you get the books.
The internet is great for looking stuff up, though.
And it has the whole of Latin classics on Corpus Scriptorum Latinorum. Haven't found a place for greek classics yet, but it probably exists. what a time to be living in....!

Dana · « **Reply #3771 on:** January 17, 2011, 08:27:43 PM »

oh... this was all about what kind of electronic device to get....can't help there... I am always dragged kicking and screaming into any new thing...fortunately my work forced me into using a computer years ago....and now my retirement job has just reupdated itself and compelled me to learn something new again.....(don't ask me what, couldn't explain...)

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3772 on:** January 18, 2011, 04:01:22 AM »

Dana - although I would like some sort of personal computer thingy, nothnig will replace the library for me - I love it dearly, and am looking forward to finding out what the Edinburgh libraries are like. I just hope our councils don't close any more branch libraries, because although I do use the central one here, I much prefer the cosy ambience of the little local branches, and I feel they provide a real social service to their regulars.

All of Barbara Pym - what joy! I am just re-reading (for the umpteenth time - for my Pym book group) An Unsuitable Attachment, and still relish every word. This one includes a parish trip to Rome (I think she tried to include some sort of holiday or excursion in all of her novels) - much typically English fussing about cups of tea and postcards; I love it.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #3773 on:** January 18, 2011, 06:14:08 AM »

Apples are wonderful, but are quite different from the readers or the IPAd. If you want an all around computer, an Apple laptop is quite a good choice. I have a regular PC, a laptop and an IPAD. All are used for different purposes.. My lap top was bought for the RV, since I pay all my bills on line and needed access while on the road with the rv. Now I no longer have the rv,, but I live in a three story house and I keep the big PC on the 3rd floor..Office is there, then on the second floor, which is the living,dining kitchen area, I keep the both the laptop and the IPAD.. I take the laptop if I go away for more than a week..The IPAD is mostly for me a toy to access books, games, internet access, my email and facebook.. I will take the IPAD with me to NYC this next month and will probably bring it with me to Scotland..But this summer when I go away for a month, will take the laptop. The IPAD for me is a place to store books, next month on the train, I will have lots of books to read and not have to lug the actual books around. Should save on suitcase space, since I have always traveled with way too many books.
I use audio books in the car when on long rides.

Dana · « **Reply #3774 on:** January 18, 2011, 09:11:35 AM »

I'm not sure what I think of Barbara Pym yet. Sometimes her characters sort of irritate me a bit (Wilmet in A Glass of Blessings for example which I just happen to have finished. I keep thinking, what a boring life, but I thought that about Jane Austen's heroines too. So glad I live nowadays, being female!) However her writing is so understated and her observations are so delicately expressed. I'm on to Jane and Prudence next, don't know if I have got them all in chronological order because some of them, published here, do not have the original date only the US date. Haven't read An Unsuitable Attachment yet. Reading them all at once tends to confuse the plots. They would bear reading again sometime.

Babi · « **Reply #3775 on:** January 18, 2011, 10:11:34 AM »

My approach to each wave of the 'newest' devlopments in technology
is pretty laid back. I do nothing for at least two years, giving things
time to settle down. More kinks will have been ironed out, the doodads
with the most problems will be weeded out. and the prices will be much
lower than the originals. Then, I can start looking at what's left
standing for whatever will suit me most.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3776 on:** January 18, 2011, 03:57:54 PM »

Steph - thanks for the advice. I am wondering if some sort of laptop would be better, maybe + a Kindle. Is it a holiday that you are taking on the train? How do you manage with your dogs? I am worrying about my Siamese at the moment, as I need to have them cared for whilst the house is being packed up to move, but they have not been in a cattery since they were tiny (they are now 5 years old), and the owners of the only one that I like are going to be away on holiday until 2 days after I need them cared for - I am thinking about asking my neighbour to have them for those 2 days. We went and looked around the so-called luxury alternative at the w/e but I didn't like it - for one thing it was freezing, and it just didn't seem nearly as good as the other place.

Dana - I know what you mean about the Pym plots mixing up. I do think I have come to love them more with each re-reading. I love Wilmet - she is so sure she knows what is going on, and she is so wrong. Excellent Women and Some Tame Gazelle are still, however, my favourites.

R

kiwilady · « **Reply #3777 on:** January 18, 2011, 06:37:04 PM »

I love the characterisation in the Jane Austen novels. In fact my preferred reading is books which go deep into the psyche of the characters and also those which portray the society in deep in the time the books were written. I enjoy some of the Medieval crime novels as they give a very good portrayal of the time in which the books are set and I enjoy historical novels. I do like accurate historical novels however. It is the characters not the scenery which captivate my attention.

Carolyn

Frybabe · « **Reply #3778 on:** January 18, 2011, 07:21:13 PM »

Well, here is something different to get people into the Libraries. Events to be held during the Welsh Libraries Festival Jan. 20-30 in Cardiff.
http://www.welshicons.org.uk/news/cardiff/derek-brockway-challenges-you-to-try-something-new-at-your-library-2/

Other libraries are holding events such as survival techniques, knitting, creative writing workshop, and a Welsh rapper.

While cruising around on Project Gutenberg, I ran across George Washington Cable. I've downloaded his Madame Delphine for the Kindle. He has others that look interesting too, mostly stories centered in Louisiana and Mississippi, but this will do for now. I like his writing. The story is grabbing me right away.

joangrimes · « **Reply #3779 on:** January 19, 2011, 01:32:29 AM »

I am presently reading Susan Vreeland's latest novel on my Kindle..." Clara and Mr Tiffany"...I am finding it fascinating...There are lots of details about designing and making objects in Glass.. I enjoy reading all that since I love Works of art in Glass...The novel is very wll written as are all of Vreeland's books...There is a little mystery involved...I am really enjoying reading it...Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #3780 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:01:36 AM »

Rosemary, I suspect from what you need the computer for, that you are best with a laptop and some sort of reader..
The train.. I am taking the train to New York City next month to go to the Westminster Dog Show.. It is like Crofts,, the most prestigous show in the US. I have never been in person, although my parents went many times and decided to take it in. Found a small tour company that specializes in dog shows and other specialty shows. I am taking the train, because I am tired of airlines and the nickel and diming nonsense.
Joan.. MDH and I collected works of art in glass and I love them., He was also an amateur stained glass artist and loved it. I have many hangings of stained glass in almost all of my windows. May try the book..

Dana · « **Reply #3781 on:** January 19, 2011, 11:13:30 AM »

You know, what you say Rosemary, about Wilmet being so sure she is right and being so wrong immediately reminded me of Emma, and she used to irritate me too!! But Emma was more interfering.

FlaJean · « **Reply #3782 on:** January 19, 2011, 11:57:46 AM »

I never read Jane Austen until last year. I downloaded all her books onto my iPad and loved every one of them, but my favorites were Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice Right now I am enjoying Stones into Schools.

I envy you, Steph, going to the Westminster Dog Show. It has been years since I visited NY City. What a treat you will have.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3783 on:** January 19, 2011, 12:43:11 PM »

I love every bit of Jane Austen, and found Stones Into Schools even better than Three Cups of Tea. I enjoyed Pym, as well. And Elizabeth Gaskell and Trollope and Thirkel. Make it take place in the English countryside, and it is usually my style of comfort. Does anyone remember the wonderful R. F. Delderfield? How about Winston Graham?

Frybabe · « **Reply #3784 on:** January 19, 2011, 01:04:37 PM »

Sounds great, Steph. George and I watch the WDS every year on TV, although neither of us owns a dog. I think dog shows are so much more interesting than cat shows.

Dana · « **Reply #3785 on:** January 19, 2011, 01:43:13 PM »

Oh yes, MaryPage, "To Serve them all his/their days----great book & tv series. Also read and enjoyed Winston Graham many yrs ago--still have the books, but never reread them

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #3786 on:** January 19, 2011, 02:55:26 PM »

Steph give us a run down after of both your train trip and your experience at the Dog show - I understand the crowds are large - where do you stay in New York? - do you own a show dog?

CubFan · « **Reply #3787 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:41:47 PM »

Greetings -

I thoroughly enjoyed the the Delderfield books. At that time I was also reading the Taylor Caldwell books. I liked the in depth multi generational presentations. I find most books today - other than Roses - over before you really get started knowing the characters etc.

Just finished Clancey's latest Dead or Alive. Didn't enjoy it as much as previous titles. Possibly because it was too close to home (current history) and again not as developed characters as in the past.

Last week read Lake of Dreams and liked it very much although I was disturbed about the stealing of letters from the research library. Supports our not allowing people to bring anything except paper & pencil or laptop into the archives. Am saving Memory Keeper's Daughter for next week while I dog sit for 5 days for my daughter.

Mary

joangrimes · « **Reply #3788 on:** January 19, 2011, 03:54:57 PM »

I really enjoyed the Delderfield books and i read them all...Joan Grimes

salan · « **Reply #3789 on:** January 19, 2011, 04:58:15 PM »

I loved, loved, loved Delderfield. God is an Englishman, and the follow ups were so good. Thank you for reminding me about him. I read all that he wrote.
Sally

joangrimes · « **Reply #3790 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:19:30 PM »

I wonder if the books are still available.. Yes Amazon has them on Kindle as well as in other formats......I am very excited about them being on Kindle
...Joan Grimes

bellemere · « **Reply #3791 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:28:17 PM »

I used the free B and N software and downloaded it to my laptop. A couple of problems. No easy way to magnify the type, which I need to do. I would be left trying to use my terrible Vista magnifier, which merely spreads out the pixels and makes all the letters look hairy. Also, I cannot download books from Mexico. (Kindle allows this) But my computer is a huge clunky 3 year old Toshiba, 17 inch screen, weighs about 6 lbs I seldom take it anywhere. A new computer is not in my budget but a Nook is, and we are a Barnes and Noble family; my son in law works for them. It will save me the weight of the five or six paperbacks I take on vacation because the little island where we go has no library in English and no bookstores. I must download all my books before I go.Also, the basic Nook is not backlit, that's a good feature for me, because there is not the glare with the fancy Nook Color, for which you have to buy a little anti-glare screen.
I still love all books: library books, hardcover, paperbacks, used books, and now, I hope, ebooks.

bellemere · « **Reply #3792 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:37:03 PM »

I spent a bookless weekend, a girlfriends getaway to winter Cape
Cod.. We visited the great Outer Beach, where "A man could stand here and put all of America behind him." - Henry David Thoreau. We walked along the high bluffs over the beach, looking at the dark blue Atlantic with the foaming breakers and the dunes, covered with snow now. We ate fried clams the way New England's like them, squishy bellies and all. We saw a wonderful movie, "The King's Speech" and an art exhibit of Cape artists, mixing good, bad and indefferent. Lots of wine and cheese and girlfriend talk , silly to serious , before the fire. Better than a month's vacation, I swear. The three of us started planning for our trip to the Montreal Chamber Music festival in May.

kiwilady · « **Reply #3793 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:06:23 PM »

Sounds like a wonderful get away!

My two granddaughters want to see "The Kings Speech" I may go with them! I am reading the second part of a fantasy series. Its not as way out as some. Its about a post apocalyptic world. It involves mostly children and just a few adults many years after a global nuclear war. Its by Terry Brooks. The first was Armageddons children and this one is The Gypsy Morph.

My granddaughter Brooke who is almost 14 has the offer of a trip to China next Christmas holidays. One of her "bbfs" father is going to work in China he has worked there before. He is one of those Global executives. Brookes friend has never had a group of close friends before (because of all the different countries they have lived in) and her dad was very happy about it. In fact they are leaving their house here unsold because they intend to come back for holidays and when the dad retires. Dad has offered to pay airfares for four friends to come to China to spend time with his daughter. They just need to save money for day trips and outings. All accommodation will be provided food etc. This is an amazingly generous offer. They had a sleepover and farewell party on Wednesday night. This is when the dad broke the news to the friends about the move to China. When I was a kid I could never have dreamed about vacationing in a place like China! It will be a direct flight so as they will all be over 14 they don't need a chaperone on the plane. Apparently the family is coming back for a week or two in June and the dad promised to take all the girls to our largest funpark. Friends are enormously important to teenagers.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #3794 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:46:57 PM »

Wow kiwi don't you wish you could turn into an elf and tuck yourself away in your granddaughter's pocket when she visits her friend in China - what a fabulous opportunity.

maryz · « **Reply #3795 on:** January 19, 2011, 11:13:53 PM »

What a great thing for Brooke, Carolyn. I know she'll have an incredible experience!

serenesheila · « **Reply #3796 on:** January 20, 2011, 05:17:24 AM »

I have a new, electric device. I also gave one for my daughter, for Christmas. I bewlieve it is called a notepad. It is very light weight, has an 8 hour battery, and will be wondeful for her to take with her to her classes. It will be helpful for me, as I have arthritis in both of my hands, and because of it's light weight, will be easier on my hands.

Monday night, we had Nerds On Call, over to set them up, and show us how to use them. I am excited about mine! Each cost $350. I bought them on QVC . The brand name is Asser.

I gave my daughter an earlier version, when I bought my 4th generation Kindle. Over the weekend, I learned that whenever I order a new book, I can use the book on both of our Kindles. I feel excited knowing that I only have to pay once, for the book, but we can each read it, on our Kindle.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #3797 on:** January 20, 2011, 06:10:44 AM »

Now I have rescue corgis, but I did show dogs when I was younger. So no show dogs.. just me. I am staying at the New Yorker which is almost across the street from the Garden.. I did a tour company booking. They got me tickets side box.. for both days. The in and out kind of tickets, so I can see everything. Also I have matinee tickets for Jersey Boys on Sunday.. and the tour does a small around the island on Sunday morning.. All in all a full four days.. the train will consume two more.. But I do love trains.. Plan on using my IPAD to read and keep in touch with the world..

Babi · « **Reply #3798 on:** January 20, 2011, 08:50:23 AM »

I never did get around to reading R. F. Delderfield, MARY. His
is a quite different style from Trollope or Austen, isn't it?
I'm not familiar with the name Winston Graham. What did he write?

Sounds like a great time, STEPH. Enjoy every minute of it!

jane · « **Reply #3799 on:** January 20, 2011, 10:25:56 AM »

Quote

because there is not the glare with the fancy Nook Color, for which you have to buy a little anti-glare screen.

Hmmmm... I didn't have to buy anything for anti-glare. I've been using mine now for about 6 weeks. What I did buy was a screen protector covering, similar to that people put on cell phones and cameras. Included were two of these sheets and a microfiber cloth for cleaning the screen. I don't see how glare would be a problem since you have great control over the degree of brightness of the screen. The only problem I've had with reading it in full sunshine by a pool was with my prescription sunglasses that must have some coating that makes it impossible to read the screen. Easy solution was to wear a hat and take off my sunglasses.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087239 times)