Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084944 times)

JoanP · « **Reply #920 on:** January 31, 2010, 04:53:17 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

Babi, there haven't been too many titles brought to the suggestion box in a while - which is why we have opened it for suggestions now. Please everyone, do check out the list - we depend on the suggestions and the vote to select the best for group discussion. This method has worked well in the past...

If you see anything missing from this list that would make for a good discussion, please post here:

SUGGESTION BOX

pedln · « **Reply #921 on:** January 31, 2010, 07:34:29 PM »

I have been on a journey this afternoon, perhaps more than one. Some time ago someone recommended Louise Penney’s Brutal Telling, her latest in a series of novels about Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and the people of Three Pines, Quebec. A mystery, wonderful. I have just now finished it. It led so many places, including the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia, and an introduction to Canadian artist Emily Carr. In fact, Penney’s title comes from an allusion to something in the life of Emily Carr. There are lots of layers in this book.

So of course it was necessary to Google, and while looking for biographical info on Carr, I happened onto a delightful autobiographical page by Susan Vreeland. (see link below). No doubt many of you participated in the discussion of her Luncheon of the Boating Party, led by Joan Grimes. And did you perhaps also read Girl in Hyacinthe Blue? Vreeland’s 2004 novel The Forest Lover is about Emily Carr, and of course is going on my “to read” list. The question is when. Vreeland also has another novel coming out, In Tiffany’s Shadow, about the woman who designed the floral shades in the leaded glass.

Do read the link. You’ll feel like you’re better acquainted with a friend. Of course, I love her already because she minored in library science, and as a child, told her neighbor that she wanted to major in the Dewey Decimal system.

Susan Vreeland

After being on hold for several weeks the library now says The Book Thief and A.S. Byatt’s The Children’s Book, and a Bernie Gunther by Phil Kerr are all now available. If the sun shines and I can get out of my snowy driveway. Which one to start first?

joangrimes · « **Reply #922 on:** January 31, 2010, 08:29:23 PM »

I have actually met Susan Vreeland in person. She spoke at the The Birmingham museum of Art and had book signing there. She is very charming and is a wonderfu speaker.

Joan Grimes

Judy Laird · « **Reply #923 on:** January 31, 2010, 09:13:01 PM »

Sometime ago there was a book talked about here called Roses. I thought it sounded good and put it on my Kindle. I was reading Help stopped to check out Roses and could not put it down. A really good book IMHO

Steph · « **Reply #924 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:21:05 AM »

Aha.. the Mexican Train person who got me hooked on the on line version. I still dont understand what I am doing, but it is fun.. Judy, you are a dirty bird..
Reading a memoir of a man who had a lobotomy at age 12.. hard to believe.

pedln · « **Reply #925 on:** February 01, 2010, 09:19:21 AM »

So SHE's the guilty one. I don't understand it either, Steph, and have resolved to not touch it in 2010.

Babi · « **Reply #926 on:** February 01, 2010, 09:25:30 AM »

PATH, I've seen so much mention of "Roses", by Leila Meacham. It is popping up all over the place. I would think that would be a good
addition to our suggestion box.

serenesheila · « **Reply #927 on:** February 01, 2010, 06:45:17 PM »

I am now reading "Roses". I want to second this nomination.

Sheila

Judy Laird · « **Reply #928 on:** February 01, 2010, 07:22:18 PM »

Dirty bird Steph?? O.K. I will take the blame. Lots of luck to you Pedln is you think you can stop.

I am glad to see some of you are reading Roses I loved it .

PatH · « **Reply #929 on:** February 01, 2010, 08:41:57 PM »

Quote from: Babi on February 01, 2010, 09:25:30 AM

PATH, I've seen so much mention of "Roses", by Leila Meacham. It is popping up all over the place. I would think that would be a good
addition to our suggestion box.

Not guilty, Babi, I wasn't the one who mentioned it.

ginny · « **Reply #930 on:** February 01, 2010, 08:49:27 PM »

I mentioned Roses and the Louise Penny's Brutal Telling, I'm so glad so many like them.

What's your final verdict, Callie?

Steph · « **Reply #931 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:06:09 AM »

I may break down and buy Roses. It seems universal.

salan · « **Reply #932 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:36:56 AM »

Me too, Steph. I have requested that my library buy it, but I may not be able to wait. It sounds like the kind of book that I am in the mood for.
Sally

Babi · « **Reply #933 on:** February 02, 2010, 09:30:27 AM »

Not you, PAT. So many other[ people have said "Roses" is so good
I thought it might be a good nominee for the Suggestion Box. I haven't
read it myself,..yet. Would someone who had read it care to place it in
the suggestion box?

JoanK · « **Reply #934 on:** February 02, 2010, 03:05:55 PM »

What is it about?

CallieOK · « **Reply #935 on:** February 02, 2010, 03:13:37 PM »

Ginny, I can see the possibilities of an interesting discussion about Roses. However, I might find myself playing "devil's advocate".

mrssherlock · « **Reply #936 on:** February 02, 2010, 03:21:12 PM »

I'm on the Roses bandwagon, having added my name to the waiting list at my library. While you're waiting you might like this tale, coincidentally also laid in Texas:

I suppose Sandra Brown writes Chick Lit; I haven't read her before but having just finished Rainwater I can heartily recommend it. The setting is Depression Era Texas where a widow and her son live in the boarding house her mother started and left to her. This is a small town where everyone knows each other's secrets. When the town doctor visits Ella and introduces his cousin who is looking for a place to stay, the widow solves her vacancy problem. Rainwater, a youngish man her own age, is dying, says the doctor, but doesn't want anyone to know. He wants a quiet place to live out his few remaining months. The quiet is shattered when her son throws a tantrum like no tantrum I've ever witnessed. It seems Mr. Rainwater has a hand with children; his calm and respect help soothe the child and he settles down again. This story is told in the meek tones of the widow. Gradually Mr Rainwater's influence and observations help her deal with her son, who has what we now know is autism. Rainwater's life in this town is short but very telling, no one will ever forget him. Nor will I. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/sandra-brown/rainwater.htm

JoanP · « **Reply #937 on:** February 02, 2010, 04:01:31 PM »

It seems the bandwagon is gaining momentum here for Meacham's Roses. *read this link to learn more about the book - a big one, over 600 pages...

Serenasheila posted the title in the Suggestion Box a few days ago, but I think you need to let people know about it if they are to vote for it for a future group discussion.

JoanK · « **Reply #938 on:** February 02, 2010, 06:14:33 PM »

Thank you. I love that your review is from Powell's Books. I've never been there, but the Portland contingent of my family keeps telling me how great it is.

Steph · « **Reply #939 on:** February 03, 2010, 06:14:17 AM »

Powells is a good book store, but I also liked several in Seattle as well. The northwest seems to have some truly good bookstores and that is always fun.

PatH · « **Reply #940 on:** February 03, 2010, 07:57:30 AM »

Quote from: Steph on February 03, 2010, 06:14:17 AM

Powells is a good book store, but I also liked several in Seattle as well. The northwest seems to have some truly good bookstores and that is always fun.

Which bookstores in Seattle? Just in case I get there some time.

I know a good bookstore in Pasadena--Vroman's. It's one of those serendipitous places where you find things you weren't think9ing of or didn't know existed.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #941 on:** February 03, 2010, 10:06:29 AM »

Northwesterners do read, a lot. Maybe it's the weather.

pedln · « **Reply #942 on:** February 03, 2010, 10:39:16 AM »

And unfortunately, one of the best book stores in Seattle is either closing or going elsewhere or some such. At any rate, Elliot Bay Bookstore is leaving Pioneer Square.

I like Third Place Books, and I think there are two. One in Ravenna, which my daughter takes me to whenever I visit, not far from her house -- good food and good books. The larger one is in Bothell (?) I love it, but have only been once, used and new books, lots of food.

Downtown on Pike (?) or Pine (?) is a mystery book store. And the University Book Store is very good.

JoanK, I'm with you -- have never been to Powell's in Portland, but I'd sure like to go. But, as I get East more than West, I will happily ensconce myself at the Strand whenever in NewYork.

bellemere · « **Reply #943 on:** February 03, 2010, 12:04:54 PM »

Seattle sounds like heaven for book lovers! We are losing our independent bookstores here, one that I particularly like is just hanging on. They are not doing coffee, but have great author nights, a Shakespeae discussin group, a Mystery Book Club, anything they can think of to draw people in.

ALF43 · « **Reply #944 on:** February 03, 2010, 12:07:24 PM »

Well, it won't just be the independent book stores that will be closing it will be the entire existence of books, in general. Our ipods, ebooks, audio books, etc. will discocurage authors and publishers. It is sad.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #945 on:** February 04, 2010, 12:53:10 AM »

We're supposed to be going to see Sweet Honey in the Rock and have dinner at City Tavern in Phila. on Sat, but listening to the weather report, it sounds like we're going to be shoveling 12 inches of snow instead. How are all of you who live south and west of Philly doing weather-wise?

Jean

Steph · « **Reply #946 on:** February 04, 2010, 05:56:44 AM »

I loved the mystery book store in SEattle and they even ship. They have old,new, rare, etc.. There used to be a great mystery bookstore in Cambridge.. Kates.. heavens knows if it is still there. Robert Parker used to always use it as his place for his new books to debut.

PatH · « **Reply #947 on:** February 04, 2010, 08:16:43 AM »

Quote from: pedln on February 03, 2010, 10:39:16 AM

And unfortunately, one of the best book stores in Seattle is either closing or going elsewhere or some such. At any rate, Elliot Bay Bookstore is leaving Pioneer Square.

Turns out they're moving, not closing.

http://www.elliottbaybook.com/

JoanR · « **Reply #948 on:** February 04, 2010, 08:44:05 AM »

So glad to hear that they aren't closing! Whenever I visited my Seattle sister, we would spend a lot of time in the Elliot Bay Bookstore. You could have lunch there too. Sadly, my chances of going cross-country are rather dim now.
At least we have the Strand in NYC and here in Huntington there is Book Revue - a fine independent bookstore. I remember that when we had a "books" get-to-gether in NY, Carol Goodman told me that it was a big favorite of hers. I've been watching for the publication of her new book, set in New England, but so far can't see anything about it. I've looked on her web-site too. I really enjoy her books - she gets the atmosphere of a place down perfectly.
Does anyone have any info on the new book???

Frybabe · « **Reply #949 on:** February 04, 2010, 11:20:17 AM »

Carol Goodman's Arcadia Falls is due to release in March. I noticed that there are a few advance proofs available on the used market now. I could have sworn last fall I saw something about a collaboration between her and her husband for an urban legend type book, but I haven't run across anything about it recently.

JoanR · « **Reply #950 on:** February 04, 2010, 12:07:55 PM »

Thanks, Frybabe!!!!

marcie · « **Reply #951 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:17:17 PM »

Thanks, Frybabe! I was able to put an early hold on Carol Goodman's new book at my public library.

joangrimes · « **Reply #952 on:** February 04, 2010, 10:33:42 PM »

I have always loved bookstores. When my children were growing up and we would be traveling , my kids would say to their dad<" There is a book store daddy;don't let mother see it."

Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #953 on:** February 05, 2010, 06:07:43 AM »

WhenTim and I were on the road in the RV .I always looked up each town where we stayed in the yellowpages.com and found the bookstores.. Then I could set the GPS and we could drive by and decided which ones to visit. I will miss that.

FlaJean · « **Reply #954 on:** February 05, 2010, 02:51:51 PM »

Everyone says people are reading less and I'm sure that must be true, but our local library is always full of people (including children) checking out books since our new library opened a couple of years ago. Also Barnes & Nobles opened a large new store and it has plenty of people looking and buying and enjoying their new cafe every time we go there.

JoanK · « **Reply #955 on:** February 05, 2010, 03:11:20 PM »

When Dick and I traveled, we always tried to stay the night in a college town, because there was always at least one good bookstore.

pedln · « **Reply #956 on:** February 05, 2010, 04:27:36 PM »

Same thing here, Flajean, on both counts. Maybe the people who are reading are just reading more.

nlhome · « **Reply #957 on:** February 05, 2010, 09:25:17 PM »

FlaJean, Why do you think so? Our library is full of people, and circulation is up. Sometimes "people" just say things because they want them to be so.

joangrimes · « **Reply #958 on:** February 06, 2010, 12:52:43 AM »

When Theron and I traveled we always visited every book store we could find. When we traveled in Europe we carried and empty bag that folded up and went into our big bag to have something to bring the books back that we bought. I always visited Foyles in London and many other book stores there. I especially liked the Famous book store in Oxford and I have forgotten the name of it. In France I bought all kinds of books. We would always go to WH Smith's English book store and many French book stores. I love Fnac where one could buy all kinds of French books, videos, DVDs, cds, audio tapes etc. The French use a different video format called Secam which will not play on our vcrs. I bought one that would play their videos. That way I could buy the tapes of things that I had seen on French TV. They also had many tapes for sale that had been converted to VHS. I used to know alot about all these things but I have forgotten most of it.

Steph · « **Reply #959 on:** February 06, 2010, 06:21:34 AM »

I loved the American bookstores in Paris and Italy. They had such a wild variety of books that I had not heard of.
I also discovered in Germany, that the release date is different in Europe. Found a paperback of a book I wanted to read and bought it. It was not in paperback for another three months when we returned home.
Yes, our county library system plans on closing one of the smaller libraries. Not because they dont do numbers, they do.. But because the county has no money. Florida depends way toomuch on money from developers. Poor economy to build on.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084944 times)