Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084420 times)

BooksAdmin · « **Reply #400 on:** December 06, 2009, 06:13:05 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!

Everyone is welcome!

Suggestion Box for Future Discussions

PatH · « **Reply #401 on:** December 06, 2009, 06:54:19 PM »

Quote from: marcie on December 06, 2009, 05:28:11 PM

I remember the chairman of the investigation committee, Senator Sam Ervin, who kept refering to himself as "just an old country lawyer."

Abraham Lincoln was just a country lawyer, too.

JoanK · « **Reply #402 on:** December 06, 2009, 07:53:34 PM »

They were country foxes!

marcie · « **Reply #403 on:** December 06, 2009, 09:45:42 PM »

Exactly, JoanK!

Octavia · « **Reply #404 on:** December 07, 2009, 02:04:49 AM »

Wow, You learn something new all the time, I'd never heard of Nibelungenlied!

I finished Family Album and although it's a fine novel, I didn't have an emotional conection to it, as I've had with many of her novels. Far too many main characters, so no one stands out.

I've read two lovely books this year. Well I've read many books but these two are stand outs. Dianne Highbridge's A Much Younger Man, and Andrew Greig's That Summer(The Clouds Above in America).A Much Younger Man is a love story between a 16 yr old boy and a thirtyish woman. Sounds yukky, but has wonderful reviews, and I couldn't put it down. Beautiful writing. I see Highbridge has written a book about expats in Japan- In The Empire of Dreams, that had great reviews too. Plus another called The Book Lover. I can't wait to read them.

That Summer is about the Battle of Britain, beautiful, heartbreaking writing. Haunting was the most common remark. It definitely haunts me. the lovely prose is helped by Greig being a poet first. I'm going to send over to the UK to get more of his books. Electric Brae is the only other one here. I really enjoyed that too.

JoanK · « **Reply #405 on:** December 07, 2009, 02:36:20 PM »

OCTAVIA: those sound like very good books. I can see that you really appreciate good writing.

Octavia · « **Reply #406 on:** December 07, 2009, 04:46:55 PM »

I do Joan, but I must confess that I'm not so keen now to tackle the big confrontational books I read when I was young. Awareness of my own mortality and having children did that, I guess.

Andrew Greig said he wrote to make himself feel more alive, and hoped his readers would feel the same. So true.

Gumtree, if you're reading here, you might remember asking me in the Australia Folder just before SN folded, which poets I liked. I mentioned Carol Ann Duffy and later she was made Gt. Britain's Poet Laureate. I felt like I'd backed the winner of the Melbourne Cup

.

Gumtree · « **Reply #407 on:** December 07, 2009, 11:49:34 PM »

Octavia: Yes, I saw that about Carol Ann Duffy and immediately thought of you. Have you ventured into the poetry site here. I lurk there occasionally to read a few pieces - interesting because the current theme is seasonal which is the exact opposite of what we have here. All the ice and snow coming down in the States makes me appreciate our perfect climate all the more - even if it has been 37C this week.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #408 on:** December 07, 2009, 11:54:19 PM »

Gum: Is the December-March season there known as "Summer" as I suppose it is? Well, remind us in Poetry of what we're missing. withe the temps in the low 20s and high teens I could use some fantasies about beaches and gentle waves.

Gumtree · « **Reply #409 on:** December 08, 2009, 12:04:34 AM »

Mrs Sherlock: You're spot on - Dec-March is our summer season - though the hottest part is Feb-March at least here on the western coast. So it's just beginning to really warm up - the temperature was up around the 100F for a couple of days this week but has dropped again now to around 80-85F very pleasant with a cooling light sea breeze - balmy in fact. I'm not so sure that we have beaches with gentle waves - rolling surf is more like it - and don't forget the sharks

mrssherlock · « **Reply #410 on:** December 08, 2009, 01:55:51 PM »

Dang! Another fantasy shot down. Sharks???

mrssherlock · « **Reply #411 on:** December 08, 2009, 02:00:34 PM »

BTW, I finally saw the movie Australia the other night. My son, who calls it a soap opera, sat through it stoically as he played computer games. 2+ hours of Hugh Jackman, fantastic. I had no idea that Darwin had been bombed by the Japanese. I was only six at the time so the only thing I remember about Pearl Harbor is my father, pacing and swearing, as the news came over the radio.

JoanK · « **Reply #412 on:** December 08, 2009, 04:49:39 PM »

I was eight. I remember vividly sitting on the floor staring at the green dial on the radio. I didn't understand, but I knew it was bad because I could tell my parents were scared. I asked them "what does war mean?" and they wouldn't answer.

joangrimes · « **Reply #413 on:** December 08, 2009, 06:57:17 PM »

I vividly remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor. My mother, my aunt and i had been out to hunt mistletoe for decorating for Christmas. We came home and my dad greeted us with the news that the Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor. We sat by the radio for the rest of the day listening to the latest news. My Dad talked about it all. He had been predicting for sometime that the Japanese would attack the United States. There were many steel mills in our area and some of them had closed down and the scrap metal had been sold to the Japanese. I can remember my dad saying we were selling it to them to shoot back at us.

Joan Grimes

bellemere · « **Reply #414 on:** December 08, 2009, 08:41:01 PM »

I was sitting on the floor too, looking at my new Jack and Jill magazine that had just come the day before. Saw myparents go silent, and watched their worried faces. Thought Pearl Harbor was around Boston Harbor.

serenesheila · « **Reply #415 on:** December 08, 2009, 09:48:56 PM »

On the morning of December 7, 1941, my friend and I were walking home from Sunday School. Her father came out on the front porch, and said the "Japs" had just bombed Pearl Harbor. He was very upset! I can remember wondering where Pearl Harbor was. I was 7 1/2 years old.

I lived in Long Beach, California, and the next week there was barbed wire, and gun enplacments lining up on the ocean front. I remember my dad painting half of the headlights on our car, so hide the headlights from the sky. I do not remember being afraid, but the adults in my life, showed that they were very worried.

My life was covered with war movies. I lived right around the block from a movie theater. I do remember my mother refusing to allow me to go to the movies, when a movie about Japanese atrocities. I watched it a few years ago, and can understand why she would not allow me to see it. WWII had more impact on my childhood, than any one other event.

Sheila

JoanP · « **Reply #416 on:** December 09, 2009, 08:23:34 AM »

Good morning! I've been watching the morning newscasts of the terrible weather conditions in much of the country - would like to hear how you are doing- especially those of you in the midwest - buried under all that icy snow! Let's keep in touch - and stay inside if you can. Hope you haven't lost power.

CubFan · « **Reply #417 on:** December 09, 2009, 08:44:17 AM »

Good Morning Joan -

Snowed in here in east central Wisconsin. Still snowing and blowing. A couple of neighbors are trying to snow blow their driveways & sidewalks but the streets aren't plowed. Supposed to continue to snow and blow all day. This year I decided to hire the man across the street to snow blow for me. After last year's 70 plus inches of snow I'd had enough of trying to do it myself. Right now the temperatures are 30ish. The bitter cold is coming in tonight and tomorrow.

Power doesn't seem to be a problem here. All schools are closed. Even the university (for the morning) which is rare. Since we had advance warning I decided that today would be a good day to do Christmas cards & Christmas cookies, listen to Christmas music, and read.

It will be a white Christmas.

Mary

Babi · « **Reply #418 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:18:23 AM »

Oh, yikes, Christmas cards! I usually have them done by now. But
then, I send out fewer and fewer every year. Getting fewer as well, which makes sense. Okay, that's my main chore for the day. Thanks
for the prod, MARY.

nlhome · « **Reply #419 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:20:09 AM »

Here in SW Wisconsin we have around 10 inches of snow, although it's blowing around so much that it's hard to know for sure. Schools, offices, universities, even some banks are closed. I won't be working today - I would be able to get to my office easily because I live just blocks away, but the whole office is closed as it is "non essential" - so it's a good day to stay in and read. My husband will happily spend the whole day with his snowblower and shovel and broom, coming in for coffee, a TV check and a little food.

Madison has 17 inches of snow, so it's possible we have more than we think we do.

CubFan · « **Reply #420 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:46:58 AM »

Greetings

Babi - Didn't you have your snow last week? A friend in Huntsville sent me pictures of her adult children and grandchildren playing in the snow. That was a better snow angel and snow man snow than we have.

I've noticed that the Christmas cards are slow in coming this year. Of course, I usually have mine out by now too.

NLhome - Yes, this is a guy snow. Around here 6 inches or less, we women shovel (at least in my neighborhood). More than that we have to get out the snowblowers. You never see the men shovel. If there is enough to be cleaned up (an inch or more) they always snow blow. I find it easier to shovel than to handle a snow blower and if I shovel I can listen to the birds and other sounds outside. Snow blowers are too noisy.

Time to read for a while and then I'll start being productive. Started Sue Henry's latest, The End of the Road. Looks to be a fast read.

Mary

Babi · « **Reply #421 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:48:57 AM »

Meanwhile, here on the Texas Gulf Coast, the snow of Friday yielded
to a Tuesday with the heater's off and the doors open because it was so
warm! That's Texas for you.

nlhome · « **Reply #422 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:21:52 AM »

Cubfan, I also have that Sue Henry book and hope to start reading it today. But Christmas cards and laundry and vacuuming call also. I don't shovel unless no one else is here - too painful for my wrists. I'll sweep. And walk rather than drive.

jane · « **Reply #423 on:** December 09, 2009, 11:26:09 AM »

I'm in NE Iowa, so our weather is like nlhome's. Probably 12+ on the ground, still snowing and temps are dropping and winds are picking up. Husband has blown off the walks and driveway so there's more room for the additional snow and drifts! hahaha...snow humor here!

Our wreath on the gate this morning:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k175/janeiowa/wreath.jpg

marcie · « **Reply #424 on:** December 09, 2009, 11:55:18 AM »

I can't complain of the cold weather in California (record-breaking 23 degrees last night) since we only have frost where I live and not the huge snowfalls that many of you are experiencing. That's a beautiful photo, Jane. Your lovely wreath barely shows through the snow.

Gumtree · « **Reply #425 on:** December 09, 2009, 11:57:56 AM »

All this talk about snow is making me feel cold

I love Jane's wreath but ...

Please, Please, Stay Safe Everyone

mrssherlock · « **Reply #426 on:** December 09, 2009, 12:09:23 PM »

Our freezing (literally) weather will continue but it is dry. Temp is up to 11 from 8 earlier with the sun shining brightly but there is ice. Door mat crackled when I went outside to get the paper. Supposed to stay like this through the weekend.

Frybabe · « **Reply #427 on:** December 09, 2009, 12:13:17 PM »

Our two inches or so of very wet snow is melting some, but it looks like more mix coming this afternoon. Hurray! Just in time for me to go to work in it. I had hopes that it would dry some, but doesn't look like it now. Time to bring out the ice melt.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #428 on:** December 09, 2009, 12:23:13 PM »

Fry: What is ice melt? Sounds like something to keep on hand for emergencies when our driveway is icy, like now.

maryz · « **Reply #429 on:** December 09, 2009, 02:13:56 PM »

Love your photo, jane - but glad it's you and not me!

We had 3.75" of rain yesterday and last night, and really strong winds today. But our high today is about 58. Y'all come join us in the Sunny South.

bellemere · « **Reply #430 on:** December 09, 2009, 02:21:02 PM »

Six inches on the g round in Western Mass, still snowing lightly. Schools closed. Woods look pretty. Streets a mess. Great day to read. This year I revisited old friend, the gentle William Trevor, with Felicia"s Jouney and his newest, Love and Summer. Some similarities in both; poignant love affairs that do not go well. The latter made the listing of the year's best books in the Times. I have hardly read any of them.
Also in an Irish setting, Annie Dunne, wonderful , by playwright novelist Sebastian Barry. His other Long Walk,trench warfare in WW1, just too graphic for me.
Decided I was too Brit/Irish oriented, got Returning to Earth by Jim Harriso. I think he is a native American or "First Citizen" as they are known in Canada. The protagonist is dying of ALS, a terrible sickness that took my best friend several years ago. Not cheerful book, but a very strong sense of place, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and of Native American spirituality. What are some other good 'regional" books? Like John Updike for New England, or Pat Conroy for the south?
A vice president of Barnes and Noble told me that Sarah Palin is selling like crazy. I guess nobody ever went brok underestimating the intelligence of the public. He also said Susan Boyle's CD is perhaps the best selling of the season.

JoanK · « **Reply #431 on:** December 09, 2009, 03:19:45 PM »

Boo for Sarah Palin, but hoorah for Susan Boyle. you can't help but root for her. Here's what the fuss is all about, if you haven't seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=related

Here in Southern California, no snow. Monday, we had rain for the first time in months, and tthe freeways, which don't drain properly, were a mess.

Octavia · « **Reply #432 on:** December 09, 2009, 04:08:57 PM »

I'm intrigued Bellemere.I haven't read anything by William Trevor, but now I'm going on a search for him at the Library. I may have to cross to the Southside, nothing showing in my branch. Someone wrote that if you're looking for a straight forward, logical plot he's not your author. Good, I enjoy books with twists and turns, and shades of grey.

I find Pat Barker's WW1 books very hard to face sometimes.

Re Christmas cards, London son asked for all the family's addresses as he's announced he's sending everyone a card this year. I passed them on but remarked I didn't think it'd happen. Just got an email 'Oh, ye of little faith'. We'll see.

JoanP · « **Reply #433 on:** December 09, 2009, 05:50:06 PM »

Octavia, do you have any idea what prompted son to return to the Christmas card tradition? It seems most young people have turned to the Internet for all communication these days. I'm interested to see if he goes through with it when he sees how much work is involved!

Do you remember when the PBS Masterpiece MYSTERY series began - and PBS offered us some free copies of the featired mysteries - since we (SeniorLearn) are Reading Promotion Partners in the Library of Congress' Center for the Book along with PBS?

Well, we have another book offer to go with the upcoming "Return to Cranford" scheduled for January to kick off the 2010 Masterpiece Classic series. This is an adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's Cranford, written in 1840. This should be fun - with some of us reading the book and discussing the PBS adaptation together with those who watched the show.

These won't last long - we have 10 copies to give away, free, but for the postage. We'll send them out Media Rate, to keep the cost down. Just post here in the PBS discussion, or email me and I'll get your copy out to you as soon as they arrive here in Arlington.

Great weather to stay inside with a cup of something warm and a good book, isn't it?

Babi · « **Reply #434 on:** December 10, 2009, 08:26:37 AM »

I'm afraid JANE's picture of the snow-covered wreath just made me
shiver. Our blood is thinner down here.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #435 on:** December 10, 2009, 02:26:13 PM »

Dang! Ijust found a list of books and every single one is calling, "Jackie! Jackie! Come and get me." I really need to add more books to my TBR stack.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121243815&sc=nl&cc=bn-20091210

JoanK · « **Reply #436 on:** December 10, 2009, 03:03:43 PM »

JoanP: I can never resist a free book. Please send me one. Let me know what the postage is.

Frybabe · « **Reply #437 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:29:07 PM »

For those interested, Robby has posted an obit for Thomas Hoving, former Director of the NY Metropolitan Museum and author. I think some of you have met him. Do I remember correctly?

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=64.0

Judy Laird · « **Reply #438 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:54:46 PM »

Yes Thomas Hoving took us on a guided tour of the museum and also had lunch with us. It was a wonderful day.

JoanP · « **Reply #439 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:56:03 PM »

That is quite an obit, isn't it? I printed it out - came to 5 pages! He was quite a man - bigger than life. He gave us the grand tour of the Met. Museum's Cloisters - in spite of the head docent assigned to our group. Unforgettable experience. An unforgettable man.

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084420 times)