The Library

[roshanarose]

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
*SeniorLearn's Archives 
 

I meant to ask ..... while looking through an Australian book site yesterday, www.goodreading.com.au, I came across a "must read" book, for me at least.  It is called "The Rug Maker of Mazar-i-Sharif" and with the help of another writer a young Hazara man has told of the loss of many family members first at the hands of the Mujaheddin and then the Taliban.  Najaf finally came to Australia as a refugee on a boat.  I have already mentioned that I have taught a lot of Hazara refugees.  They are the sweetest people.  Has anyone here heard of the book?  

"The Kite Runner" was lauded internationally, but to me it is mostly sensationalism, as the author for one, is not an Hazara, and can only see and depict them as victims with no dignity; and for another he has lived in US for the last 20 or so years.  He wrote the book from a very biassed point of view, in this case the Pashtun viewpoint.

[Steph]

Actually way back it was believed that raw red meat would take the bruising away more quickly. No idea why or how, but that was the theory..

[Babi]

 What a great idea, MARYZ; cold rice in a bag/sock.  Hadn't heard of that before.  I trust
that at least no one has been so unkind as to say you resemble a raccoon, as someone once
did me. 
  Making turns too quick can definitely throw one a bit off balance, TOME. That's something
I have to beware of, too.

[maryz]

Babi, nobody's said that except me - every time I look in the mirror.

[pedln]

Rosemary, I can understand your FIL not wanting to put up with the wife-beater jokes.  Another take on that -- My mother and aunt were at a party where one of the women looked like MaryZ's pictures.  My mother, in jest, said to the woman's husband, something about his bopping his wife.  Well, later that evening, after arriving home, they got a phone call from the woman insisting that her husband would never "bop" her.  My mother thought she protesteth too much.  I think she should have just kept quiet.

[CallieOK]

...and then there's the question, "Have you stopped beating your wife?"   

That's what my mother would have called a "mouth full of too hot coffee" question.  Whatever you do/say next is wrong.   

[Jonathan]

She fell for me. That used to be such an innocent expression. Or perhaps only wishful thinking. Now it's an admission of guilt. And a reason to get out of town quickly. It's just not a man's world anymore. Nevertheless, I wish all injured beauties a quick recovery.

[JoanR]

Oh, Maryz - How awful! That must have been one very nasty fall!  Best wishes for a speedy mend.  They do say that head wounds heal faster than others because of the ample blood supply to the head.  Let's hope that works!
It doesn't do much good to say, "Be careful", since teeny little things have a way of tripping one up no matter how careful you think you are - after several trips to the ER, I find that to be true!!  Now I watch my step and don't rush around corners!  Maybe that will do the trick.

[mabel1015j]

I had an interesting reading experience this week.

I was reading a book that was an o.k. story, but i just couldn't get it.  I had to keep going back and rereading, it wasn't coming across clearly. I tho't about what was happening and realized the print was smaller than most books and there was little white space between the lines. I could read the words, but they weren't really mentally distinct to me. It was as tho the lack of white space between the lines was distracting me from the story. Isn't that strange? I never even gave white space any thought before.

When i went to the next book, i realized how distinct the sentences, therefore the words and thoughts were distinct.

Jean

[Babi]

"Have you stopped beating your wife?"

   The way I heard it, that question was posed when a lawyer insisted to a witness that there was no question that could not be
answered with a simple yes or no. The judge ceded the witnesses point and allowed him
more leeway in answering the questions.  At least that's the way I heard it. 

  Keen observation, JEAN.  It definitely makes sense to me.

[LarryHanna]

Mabel, your observations on white space on the page is very interesting.  I have never thought about that but it makes sense.  That is one of the advantages of the ebook reader in that you can change the font size. 

[ginny]

I have noticed, and it may be the way I was taught to read, actually, (the "look say" method),  that if an author (and it's always been this way for me) does not use paragraphs often but instead runs the whole into one long paragraph with no breaks at all, I can't really enjoy it and find self skipping. Can't concentrate on it. I need that white space. It's actually irritating.

Conversely authors who seem to have a new chapter with the turn of a page irritate, too. I almost think it's an insult to the reader: what, you don't have enough attention span to even follow out a thought without another chapter?

I also find that if the text contains a lot of capitalized names or letters...the Russian authors come to mind, it's slow going for me as I have to STOP and concentrate on the new name and it's distracting. I think I read too fast if there is such a thing,  and fly over the text in sort of an anticipatory way and dislike being slowed down. But I don't absorb the content that  others do, either.

I remember JFK and his speed reading, and I remember taking a course in it, then, actually which is not the way that one reads for pleasure, but he was very fast and I was too. But running your finger down the center of the page (which they recommended then) is not quite the same thing as drowning in a good book.

One reason I find I am personally having problems reading Antony and Cleopatra on the i phone now is that the entire page presents itself a lot as one paragraph, due, I think, to the small screen. I just gave up and ordered the in print book.

[CallieOK]

I agree with the comments about white space, paragraphs, capital letters, italics, bold print and chapter "lengths" - or the lack thereof.
Sometimes I think the author (or maybe the editor?) is trying to create an "art piece".

[pedln]

My Seattle grandson will be a high school freshman, and has to read ONE, only ONE book for his summer reading, an "international" book (international being interpreted broadly by the school) from a list of about 50 possibilities.  My daughter checked out 5 or 6 six titles from the library, but little progress was made.  She finally asked me to pick one, any one.  So I chose Dancing Arabs, about a young Arab who is given a scholarship to an elite Jewish school.  For sure, the book had to be male oriented.  But it also had wide margins, the print was clear and distinct, (as opposed to some with small print and little space between the lines) the the chapters were relatively short thus providing convenient stopping points.

The kid gets good grades, is perfectly capable of reading at the high school level, but there's just so much competition from other activities.  I think "white space" makes a difference, especially for assigned readings, textbooks, etc.  As far as I know, the book was not opened before I left. 

[Frybabe]

I think I learned in my one and only graphic design class in college that white space is important. Too much white space is just as distracting as not enough. Another important element is the font type. Times New Roman, a serif typeface, is very popular because it is easier to read than many other fonts. At least that is what I was told.

The above is the default which is most probably Arial. This paragraph is in New Times Roman. I've gotten used to reading Arial on the web, but for print pages, I much prefer the Times New Roman. If you want to experiment a little, find a print book or magazine with Arial (or Helvetica) and compare reading  it with one that uses Times Roman (New Times Roman or Adobe Garamond) and see which is easier for you to read.

By the way, I commented once upon a time to my BF, who has a PhD in Education with a specialty in reading, that I noticed I tend to skip around more (especially with lengthy articles) while reading online than I do print reading. He confirmed that studies of reading online showed that it wasn't my imagination and it wasn't just me. Another oddity is that one of the girls where I used to work who is dyslexic said she can read better from a computer screen than she can print. I'd be curious to know if this is true for other dyslexics. One more thing - reading from my Kindle is more like reading from a print book than reading from my computer screen. Easier on the eyes? Less distractions from other page elements?

Comments welcome.

[JoanK]

Interesting comments about reading. I also find that I breathe to the rythm of what I'm reading. So if the sentances are too long, I find myself always out of breath. (I had a LOT of breathing trouble reading Proust!!).

[kiwilady]

I cannot enjoy recreational reading since I did a 3 year speed reading program from the age of 10-13. That is why I get so much enjoyment out of audio books. I would not recommend speed reading as its a habit you cannot stop once you learn it. Its fantastic for study and fantastic for reading signs quickly in the supermarket for- instance I can fly round a strange supermarket because I can speed read all the directional signs for the different aisles and products plus I can see the specials in an instant and process the information on the shelving signage.

Carolyn

[Gumtree]

Frybabe: I'm with you on Times New Roman - it's the only one I use for my stuff. Of course, I take what comes online.

[kiwilady]

Arial is my chosen font.

carolyn

[Babi]

 I don't like reading on a screen, and I suspect at least part of it is due to the brightness of
the background.  I find it tiring,  and my whole 'reading posture' is so different it simply doesn't
invite leisurely reading.   Give me my easy chair,  lamp and print book, please.

[Frybabe]

You are right, Babi, a background that is too bright does not help. You can adjust the brightness of your moniter to what is comfortable for you. There should be some little buttons on the monitor frame somewhere. Room lighting can also cause problems. I never had much problem with that, but others that I worked with did. They often taped cardboard over the top of their monitor to shade the screen from the glare from overhead florescent lights.

[maryz]

I use Arial and have that set as my default when I can. 

I've never read books on my computer.  The Kindle was designed without the backlighting of a computer screen because they felt it was easier on the eyes.  I like that, too, but wish the Kindle had more contrast between the screen and the print.  Now that I think about it, I think that's been changed over the years.  I don't notice it as much in my 3-month old Kindle as I did with the one I got 3 years ago.

[Steph]

My IPAD has lovely clear print on a white screen. Very easy to read.. However my eyes get tired more easily than with a book.. Will have to consider if that has to do with white space or not.

[MaryPage]

I am most fond of Comic sans ms, whatever that means.  Normally I do not bother to change from the default font, whatever that is.

[Frybabe]

I often use Comic Sans for e-cards. The MS stands for MicroSoft. It is their version of the font. In A Garamond, for instance, the A stands for Adobe, which designed their own version of Garamond as well as many others. The differences between the original font design made for print and the proprietary MS or Adobe (and lots of others)are minute in many cases. There are many type houses or type foundries. Some of the best known are Linotype, The Font Bureau, and Berthold Typefoundry which has been around for 150 years. 

[MaryPage]

I am impressed, Frybabe!

[Frybabe]

Thank you, thank you. The little things you pick up when you've worked in the print industry for 16 years.

[Steph]

We do go off on the darndest things.. I learn something here at least once a month..

[pedln]

I'm not trying to be political.  A friend sent this and I thought it was funny.

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table,
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for
peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid...

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

[Steph]

Ginny, kindly answered a tech question for me on the tech site.. Hooray.. I want to take my ipad with me to
Scotland and she told me how to use the international plugs and converter.
Been looking up the weather.. 53 and rainy>>> whew.. Will check every few days from now until the 3rd. Sounds as if winter woolies for me.

[Babi]

 And don't forget your umbrella, STEPH.  Or is that brolly?

[JoanP]

Gee, Pedln.  That would be funny if it wasn't so close to happenin'

Steph, will you be visiting London at all this trip?  We're packing for a trip to visit  son who lives in central London - he just sent this map of last night's fires and looting.  Beware of kids wearing hoodies.   Don't know how police are going to get control of this volatile situation.
 
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=207192798388318292131.0004aa01af6748773e8f7&msa=0&ll=51.558503,-0.055275&spn=0.114195,0

[pedln]

Steph, is your trip coming up next month?  Sept always sounded a long way off, but I guess not. Hope you and Rosemary can get together.

JoanP, when do you leave?  Isn't it nice when your kids live in interesting places to visit.

Have a great time, all of you.

[rosemarykaye]

Joan P - my mother lives in London, I spoke to her this afternoon and she says the violence is very localised - I don't know where your son lives, but he may well not have seen any violence.  Just be careful if you venture into unknown territory.  I believe that central London is absolutely fine.

Rosemary

[rosemarykaye]

Steph - whilst we have had some torrential rain lately, we have also had some brilliant days in between.  It's not all bad!  I am in the Lake District at the moment visiting my in-laws, and today FIL and I had a great walk up Gummer Howe, - beautiful weather, lovely views.  Home on Friday, by which time we should have fully functioning internet!

Rosemary

[Frybabe]

The riots may be localized, but the map is showing quite a few of them, more than I realized. I do hope things are settling down now.

[Steph]

 No London this time,, Just Scotland. I land in Glasgow and then leave for the north of Scotland, so it will be colder than Glasgow and Edinburgh.. We are doing a semi circle going up up up and coming down the other side ending up in Edinburgh and yes,, Rosemary and I are hoping to get to see one another. My tour has most of the next to last day off and I hope that she will be available..

[Babi]

 I understand from the news that London police will be authorized to use water
cannon if necessary.  Is that the same as  water hoses?  A strong hose does
tend to take rioters off their feet with minimum harm.

[Frybabe]

There was mention, also, of plastic bullets which have only been used in Ireland.

What amazes me that some folks think it is entirely okay to steal and destroy property like that. The victims have absolutely nothing to do with the initial excuse for the riots and don't deserve the damage done to their businesses and persons.

On another note, I picked up a copy of The Choir from the library yesterday afternoon and will be starting on it this afternoon.

[MaryPage]

Rubber.  Rubber bullets.