Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087684 times)

Octavia · « **Reply #4400 on:** March 15, 2011, 03:27:52 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!

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I was thinking that it was a certain kind of book that was more suited to bedtime. perhaps a very light romance, or something innocuous or boring enough to send you off. I have trouble sleeping, and was after some titles

.
Pedlin, what's the significance of "prunes" and "prisms??
Gumtree, my sister flatly refuses to listen to anything said by a certain TV presenter, after he held Queensland up to ridicule for not having Daylight Saving, and made cracks about milking cows and fading curtains, and implied we were just country hicks who knew no better.
WA would have exactly the same reasons as us. We're both very large states, and one size doesn't fit all.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4401 on:** March 15, 2011, 05:53:12 AM »

Octavia - it is a very bizarre idea to us, in this tiny country, that there can be one country with different time zones. How does it work? For example, when you cross a time zone, does that mean it can be one time at one end of a town and a different time at the other end?

I am currently reading Circle of Quilters by Jennifer Chiavernini and although I am quite enjoying it, it easily sent me off to sleep last night! It is certainly very light so far. I suppose Debbie Macomber would come into the same category - I like her books just because they are such "safe" reads, but people like my mother can't stand things like that, (she reads thrillers in bed) so i suppose she would just get cross and be even more wide awake! Have you tried the early Jilly Cooper novels, the ones with girls' names? - "Harriet" is my favourite. I suppose it really does depend whether you enjoy this sort of thing.

I recently came across a blog by India Knight, who writes for the Sunday Times and has also written a few books. Amongst other things she made a a list of her "comfort reads" and I found that I had read almost all of them - here is the link:

http://indiaknight.posterous.com/?sort=&search=comfort+reads

The rest of the blog is quite interesting in a sort of glossy magazine way - avoid the page about her super duper wonderful London house, which strays far too far into the realms of Smug/Londoncentric/Self-satisfied IMHO, but some of the other pages make easy browsing.

Rosemary

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4402 on:** March 15, 2011, 05:55:25 AM »

Barb - is this any help?:

http://www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/html/bestpractice.htm

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #4403 on:** March 15, 2011, 06:22:28 AM »

Ah Larry, you did make me laugh. MDH insisted that I could find a dozen reasons to eat out at night with no thought at all. I envy your wife the book club. We have one here, but it is lame..

Babi · « **Reply #4404 on:** March 15, 2011, 09:23:15 AM »

Not me! If 'Nipper' wants to join me while I'm reading, he can sit/lay elsewhere than
between me and my book. 'Smooch', on the other hand, just wants me to get up! So she tries
marching back and forth across my head, tangling her paws in my hair. That doesn't go over
too well, either. $:-\$

OCTAVIA, if you will watch you lips in a mirror while saying 'prunes and prisms', you
will seen that the lips pucker up as for a kiss. Mustn't do that around the boys!

maryz · « **Reply #4405 on:** March 15, 2011, 09:55:11 AM »

Rosemary, re time zones - you’re right about confusion - but not too much. Our county is at the western edge of the eastern time zone. There are folks who live in the next county west, but work in our city. They just learn to live with the difference. Three of our daughters live in the Central Time Zone. Again, we just deal with it. It’s not really as confusing as it sounds.

marcie · « **Reply #4406 on:** March 15, 2011, 10:52:18 AM »

For those of you who don't participate in the Movies & Books Into Movies discussion, I'll post the following info here:

If you have a subscription to HBO, watch, starting on March 27, for a "mini-series" production of MILDRED PIERCE staring Kate Winslet. The "Making Of" half-hour video at http://www.hbo.com/mildred-pierce/index.html#/mildred-pierce/about/article/about.html (see the left column on the page) is very compelling.

The director, Tom Haynes, says that he saw parallels between the Depression era, in which the story is set, and our own economic times.

There was a 1945 film version starring Joan Crawford and Ann Blyth.

Both are based on the book, Mildred Pierce, by James M. Cain.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #4407 on:** March 15, 2011, 12:47:26 PM »

rosemarykaye, to answer your question she said it was a book about 12 Great Women in the Bible (don't know if that is the actual name or not as she hasn't received the copy she ordered yesterday morning.

mabel1015j, our library has digital books that you can download to read on a special application by Overdrive, who is the supplier of the books. However, I can't use it on my large ebook reader but can on my iPod Touch and I am sure it would work on the iPad as well. I recently read the book by Andre Aggasi on the smaller screen and didn't mind it at all. You just keep turning pages quickly as there can be only a paragraph or two on each page. On the trigger thumb, my wife suffered with that for a long time and then saw the doctor and he was able to inject something that fixed the problem.

Speaking of time zones, I grew up in the Midwestern part of the USA and had Central Time. I could always watch the news at 10 pm and perhaps a little of Johnny Carson. Then I moved to the Eastern Time zone and the news doesn't come on until 11 pm and watching a late show is out of the question. I know I could record it and watch it the next day but really don't care that much and with the 24 hour news cycle I really don't need to watch the late news.

pedln · « **Reply #4408 on:** March 15, 2011, 12:53:30 PM »

Probably most of you have heard about the e-book conflict between HarperCollins and libraries. The NY Times article below gives a good overview of that, and includes other publishers as well. Be sure to read the comments, at least some of them; they tell more of the story.

Libraries and Publishers

Marcie, thanks for the info about Mildred Pierce. I don't have HBO, so will miss the Kate Winslet production, but have added the Joan Crawford to my Nqueue.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4409 on:** March 15, 2011, 01:06:56 PM »

My library does have the ebook loans. I hadn't paid much attention, but i might check them out now. ........ I had one steroid shot in my thumb, but it came back. I'm going to ask to try another one since i figured out ( i think) what has caused the problem. If that doesn't work, there's a very quick surgery that cuts the sheath thatthe ligament channels thru.

Thanks for your suggestions....... Jean

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4410 on:** March 15, 2011, 01:11:17 PM »

I had that "trigger thumb thing" back when I bowled in a league. I just treated it topically and with Tylenol, and in a few weeks, it went away.

PatH · « **Reply #4411 on:** March 15, 2011, 01:54:30 PM »

Rosemarykaye, you don't usually have a town divided into two time zones, because the divisions are usually made at state lines, but you could be very close to a different time. The hardest thing is doing business with someone on the other side of the country, 3 hours difference. Often when JoanK and I talk, she's eating lunch and I'm eating supper.

Here's how it's divided:

http://time.gov/

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4412 on:** March 15, 2011, 02:04:49 PM »

thanks marcie and Rosemary - needing to learn what other's are doing...

salan · « **Reply #4413 on:** March 15, 2011, 03:26:19 PM »

Oh me, I've done it again....am currently reading 4 books. Ahab's Wife for my ftf book club (meets this Thurs.). 670 pages, way too long imo!! I would not be finishing it if I had not made a resolution to read all the books in my ftf book club. The meetings are much more interesting if all members have read the book. This book should have been divided into 2 or 3 books or have been sharply edited. I only have 100 more pages to read and am sooooo ready for it to be over. Have any of you read it, and what did you think?? I also have started Major Pettigrew's Last Stand--so far, so good. I am reading The Elevator and 3 Men in a Boat. Have any of you read these books? If so, what is your opinion?

Next month my ftf club is reading Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas. I read it a couple of years ago, and will need to refresh myself. It is a fairly short sweet book and an easy read. I like Sandra Dallas, and have read all of her books.
Sally

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4414 on:** March 15, 2011, 03:33:00 PM »

Salan, I have read "Ahab's Wife". In fact it was read in my f2f library book group. It was a bit long, and actually caused us to institute a rule (soft rule) that books we read shouldn't be more than 350-400 pgs. maximum. However, the meeting did host a good deal of new attendees, and it seemed to be enjoyed by all, with a few thumbs down for different areas of the book. We also read Nasland's "Abundance" and it was long too, but enjoyable!

PatH · « **Reply #4415 on:** March 15, 2011, 04:26:15 PM »

Sally, I've read Three Men in a Boat, found it very funny. Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog is sort of a spoof of it--about time-traveling historians from our near future who go back to that time.

pedln · « **Reply #4416 on:** March 15, 2011, 04:55:37 PM »

Sally, are you talking about The Elevator by Angela Hunt? I read that on my Kindle a few months ago, after someone here suggested it. It was a good thriller and I enjoyed it, though some of the connections were pretty predictable. If you liked it, you would probably also like The Condominium by John MacDonald, another "hurricane" story.

roshanarose · « **Reply #4417 on:** March 15, 2011, 08:47:49 PM »

RosemaryHow are you sweet? Party goers love daylight saving on New Year's Eve. On the border between Queensland and New South Wales is the tail end of the Gold Coast. Because of daylight savings they all walk across the border from one state to the other and have two parties.

Steph · « **Reply #4418 on:** March 16, 2011, 06:21:49 AM »

When we were out west in Arizona a few years ago, we crossed several time zones in our RV.. We had been at the Grand Canyon all day and came back that late afternoon.. We were staying in a campground halfway between the Canyon and
Williams, Arizona. I had been steadily remembering to change clocks etc,, but we went to dinner at what we thought was 7:00,,I looked at a clock in the restaurant and it said 6:00.. I asked the hostess and she gave me such a look.. Arizona does not do daylight time, she replied. So we had spent an entire day and the night before a whole hour ahead of the rest of the place and never even realized it.. Very funny indeed.. Time changes are so dogmatic.. I was told there are a few counties in the west who wont change either. No idea which ones. We also went touring Michigan and that area went back and forth between Eastern and Central.. The line wobbles and we much have been driving close to it.

Babi · « **Reply #4419 on:** March 16, 2011, 09:22:34 AM »

Quote

The meetings are much more interesting if all members have read the book.

(Sally) Mmm, yes, I would think so.

bellemere · « **Reply #4420 on:** March 16, 2011, 06:45:26 PM »

I finally came up with some good discussion questions for our Book Club meeting on "Henrietta Lacks"
What an amazing book! That young woman is an exceptional writer and researcher. it remind me of how much I like those medical detective stories.and good non-fiction science writing in general I am goin t re-read Lives of a Cell by Lewis Thomas next. anybody have any favorite true life science writing?
Amazing how many doctors are good writiersl Atul Gawande, Abraham Verghese, Oliver Sachs, Jerome Groopman. I'm sure there are more that I can't think of right now.
I did order a "sleeper" for my Nook: The Three Weissmans of Westport. A comedy of manners and social satire. Imagine Jane Austen as a New York Jew, writing Sense and Sensibility about two very different sisters and their slightly loopy by lovable mother. I liked it a lot; it would make a terrific movie.

serenesheila · « **Reply #4421 on:** March 16, 2011, 08:16:22 PM »

I took a bad fall, last Thursday morning. Wasn't able to get up from the ground. So, my daughter called 911. An ambulance took me to the hospital, ER, and I spent the entire day there. Amoung the tests they did on me, was an EKG, a Cat scan, blood work, etc. It turned into an interesting day. All of the tests turned out clear. So, that is good news.

I am black and blue, all over. Sore everywhere. I could hardly walk the day after my fall. But, each day I feel a bit better. So, there is hope. Sore will heal. It could have been so much worse! So, I am counting my blessings.

Sheila

bellemere · « **Reply #4422 on:** March 16, 2011, 08:46:16 PM »

Sheia, so sorry; did anything cause your fall? Slippy rug or something? Glad you got checked out at the hospital, with no bad news.
I am so afraid of falling . I walk cautiously around like an , well , like an old lady.
I passed on the annual meeting of the Pym society. Just back frrom vacation with empty pockets. Maybe next year.

maryz · « **Reply #4423 on:** March 16, 2011, 09:10:24 PM »

So sorry about your fall, Sheila. I'm glad it wasn't worse. Remember to take it easy for a while.

jane · « **Reply #4424 on:** March 16, 2011, 09:23:58 PM »

Barbara...email on the way.

jane

pedln · « **Reply #4425 on:** March 16, 2011, 09:56:27 PM »

Sheila, sorry about your fall and being black and blue. Sure glad nothing was broken. Do take care.

Quote

I walk cautiously around like an , well , like an old lady.

I know what you mean Bellemere. I'm sort of a wall hugger myself.

So true about the doctors and writing. Cutting for Stone is on my Kindle waiting to be read, and Atul Gawande's Complications (an early one of his) is on my bookshelf, partially read. I finished and enjoyed The Three Weissmans of Westport. If you liked it, you would probably enjoy D.G. Fulfold's Designated Daughter, written with her mother, after she became the "designated daughter." Both books have a nice subtle humor.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4426 on:** March 16, 2011, 11:41:54 PM »

Thank You Jane - I am really grateful thanks

Octavia · « **Reply #4427 on:** March 17, 2011, 04:59:53 AM »

I think there are 6 time zones in Australia.Pity the radio announcers who have to give the times on the hour, and stumble through the list.
I've had a totally self indulgent day, reading a 530 page book, The Burning Blue by James Holland, the Historian from The Battle Of Britain series.
This is beautiful fiction, and completely unputdownable. I started at 9 and finished about 4. Luckily, I only had one phone call.
I'm so glad I picked it up at the Library and it only caught my eye because of the spitfire on the cover.
I remembered the Documentary where Ewan McGregor's brother Paul? flew the old WW2 planes.He's a fighter pilot.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4428 on:** March 17, 2011, 05:40:14 AM »

Good for you, Octavia! There are few things more satisfying than reading a book in one sitting. Don't call it self-indulgence! Call it self-education and you will feel better

I have my younger daughter off school (slightly) ill, so I have been up since 6am (as thought we were going to school) and have achieved practically nothing - why didn't I just sit down and read one of my numerous TBRs? Because knew I should be doing work, that's why - and of course I haven't done that either

. So full marks to you for using your time wisely.

And the book sounds good too.

Rosemary

Gumtree · « **Reply #4429 on:** March 17, 2011, 05:58:16 AM »

Octavia - 6 times zones in Aust? H'mmm... - I thought with DST there were only 5 so which one am I missing.

Glad you enjoyed your day reading. The book sounds like something DH might like - will suggest it to him...

Rosemary: Sorry your daughter's is not sparking today. Hope she'll be on top form again soon.

The interest in Three Men in a Boat these days is quite surprising. Was it sparked by the fairly recent TV series with Griff Rhys Jones and his mates who reenacted the original? I read that book in the 1950s and laughed myself silly. Have read it a couple of time since but it never has quite the same impact my original reading of it did - I guess that's true of most things we read. I think Jerome's sequel was called 'Three Men on a Bingle'

Steph · « **Reply #4430 on:** March 17, 2011, 06:05:03 AM »

Oh Sheila, I am so sorry. I hope that the bruises pass and you are feeling better. Like the rest of you, I worry about falling. I live alone in a three story townhouse and am so cautious on the stairs. I remember bouncing up and down steps for years. Now it is a much more deliberate procedure..and holding the rail.. Oh well, I can still do them and that is the most important thing.

LarryHanna · « **Reply #4431 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:28:44 AM »

Sheila, so glad you didn't break a bone or do any serious damage to yourself in your fall. I am just beginning to be at the stage where I find myself occasionally losing my balance. I am concerned about my wife falling as she has a bad knee and occasionally will utilize a cane to relieve the pain and to steady her walking. If she fell I don't think I am strong enough to lift her as she is somewhat larger than I am.

Octavia, I can't even imagine being able to read such a long book in one day. I do well when I can get 150 to 200 pages read on a book that is really holding my interest. Usually it is a smaller number of pages per day. Of course, I have to do my crossword and jigsaw puzzles on the computer each evening and that takes up a bit of time.

jeriron · « **Reply #4432 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:48:09 AM »

Sheila I'm sorry to hear about your fall. It's a good thing your daughter was able to call 911.

After my husband passed away my kids insisted that I have one of those medic alert things to wear. This one goes right to 911 and you tell them where you are. Trouble is I haven't used it. Someday I will need it and be sorry that it's sitting on the counter instead of being on me.

Babi · « **Reply #4433 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:27:20 AM »

ROSEMARY, your quandary sounds so familiar; I had to smile.

SHEILA, at our age any kind of 'shaking up' will do that; leave us bruised and sore. I'm
so glad it wasn't any worse.
LARRY, maybe it's time you added a spiffy, gentlemanly cane to your ensemble. Learn to
twirl it a bit.

And JERIRON, think of it as a bit of bling, AND PUT IT ON!!

maryz · « **Reply #4434 on:** March 17, 2011, 09:53:35 AM »

Steph, I could never live in a house with 3 sets of stairs. We were in a split-foyer for 24 years. When we moved here 25 years ago, that was my one requirement - that it be all on one level. Have you done any more looking into moving?

pedln · « **Reply #4435 on:** March 17, 2011, 11:04:31 AM »

Larry, falling is something I worry about, and ever since reading an article about seniors and balance in the NYT, I try to practice balance exercises. I can't find the article, but remember it talking about how many seconds you can stand on one foot. As we approach the 60's and 70's it becomes harder -- less than 10 seconds, even less with eyes closed.

Mostly I now practice in the shallowest part of the gym pool, standing on one foot and walking heel-to-toe. And if I fall, I don't hurt myself. (You're probably more buoyant in water, so it's not a true assessment of balance, but it doesn't hurt)

A google search on "balance exercises for seniors" turns up a lot, including a very good video demonstrating exercises where you hold on to the back of a chair.

Balance Exercises

maryz · « **Reply #4436 on:** March 17, 2011, 11:36:15 AM »

pedln, we do a number of balance exercises in our water class. Standing on one foot in the shallow end is one, but we also stand on a noodle or on one of the buoys in the deep end. Every little bit helps!

bellemere · « **Reply #4437 on:** March 17, 2011, 12:40:00 PM »

Okay, Sheila, you are off the track team. Lots of good "no fall" advice here. I watch my year old grandson go downstairs backwards on hands and knees. Hmmmmm. Wonder if I will come to that. Shake up the guests in the living room if nothing else.
have to get that Cathleen Schine book after The Three Weissmans. Love her sense of humor.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4438 on:** March 17, 2011, 01:27:03 PM »

OUCH Shelia - I bet you get some red going with all that black and blue - ouch ouch -

My good friend has been giving herself stars - yes, those old fashioned paper stars we received on our papers in school when we did well - well she is using them on her calendar as a pat on the back for not falling - she did one in the backyard and was there for a couple of hours till the pool man came by and then one in the garage again for a couple of hours till the young boy who puts out her garbage opened the garage door - since he finally wears that necklace with what looks like a lavaliere that she can press and first a neighbor arrives and if they are not at home the EMS or police arrive. Carrying a cell all the time especially in the shower, just was too unwieldy.

Erin go Bragh

pedln · « **Reply #4439 on:** March 17, 2011, 05:50:39 PM »

MaryZ, just what do you do on the noodle? I went to the pool this afternoon and thought I'd try using it -- do you stand on it, try to balance?

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2087684 times)