Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084343 times)

PatH · « **Reply #200 on:** November 07, 2009, 09:20:56 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

winsummm · « **Reply #201 on:** November 07, 2009, 09:22:55 PM »

I've read about half of them. not too bad as in 1984. . .

PatH · « **Reply #202 on:** November 07, 2009, 09:26:40 PM »

Quote from: pedln on November 07, 2009, 09:16:10 PM

Oh my, they obviously have not yet met THe Bee Season and should be include the latest Russo in that list?

Sorry, Pedlin, I don't think the Russo is heavyweight depressing enough to include. In fact I'm finding it somewhat funny.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #203 on:** November 07, 2009, 09:36:20 PM »

I've read six or seven.

PatH · « **Reply #204 on:** November 07, 2009, 10:48:07 PM »

I've only read 2. Some of them I've been avoiding for years because I knew how depressing they would be.

Gumtree · « **Reply #205 on:** November 08, 2009, 02:41:59 AM »

PatH - I'm surprised you've only read two -

I've done seven and think the really depressing one was Cormac McCarthy's The Road - some of the others were trying and they're certainly not light weight but I don't recall finding them depressing.

PatH · « **Reply #206 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:46:49 AM »

Gumtree, the two I've read are "The Bell Jar" and "1984", and while they are hardly upbeat, they wouldn't make my 10 most depressing list. I've deliberately avoided Ayn Rand because I have a poor opinion of her philosophy, and some of the others because I knew how much they would depress me.

ginny · « **Reply #207 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:47:24 AM »

Golly moses, no Rabbit? I may write them, the first two Rabbit books are something that would send a happy saint into the depths of despair and cynicism.

Jackie, would you please repost that link to that book review you did, the woman's blog? I can't find it anywhere.

Steph · « **Reply #208 on:** November 08, 2009, 09:45:19 AM »

Ginny, I am with you. Rabbit was the most depressing excuse for a man I have ever seen.
Ayn Rand.. When I was young and did not think of philosophy, I read her. They are great books on a simple level, horrid books on the philosophy involved.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #209 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:25:45 AM »

Ginny: Can you describe the blog a little? I post lots of links. Was it the one where I got 6 new titles for my reserve list, maybe?

winsummm · « **Reply #210 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:00:50 PM »

the Boleyn Inheritance is very depressig but ends not exactly well but with the death of the evil henry the eight and one of his wifes still around to tell the tale.

pedln · « **Reply #211 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:11:30 PM »

Is it a sign of the times? Until last week I'd never seen an Amazon ad on TV -- lots of email, but no TV. Now there are Kindle ads springing up all over the place.

Watched CNN (King or Kurtz?) interview Ken Auletta about his book Googled this am. Did you know that at one time Google considered buying the NY Times? They want good content to be available for their searches, and of course the NYT is one of the best sources for lots of stuff. Auletta said that from his interviews with Google execs he deduced they didn't really know much about the publishing industry. Has anyone read Googled?

mrssherlock · « **Reply #212 on:** November 08, 2009, 03:49:36 PM »

Ginny: Check this one to see if this is what you were looking for: http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/

mrssherlock · « **Reply #213 on:** November 08, 2009, 04:22:48 PM »

This book sounds like it would be a good nominee for the old "House" discussion group from SN: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/d/mark-z-danielewski/house-of-leaves.htm My library has it so it's on my reserve list now.

salan · « **Reply #214 on:** November 08, 2009, 06:15:24 PM »

I've read 7 of the 10. Some are memorably depressing and some I don't remember as being that depressing. Maybe it was the age/stage of my life I was in when I read them.
I agree with Pedln about Russo's Cape being depressing, but I don't think he qualifies for the top 10. I just finished reading Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. It's another depressing book, and reading it after just finishing the Cape I am really ready for something light, funny and happily ever after---any suggestions out there? I can't take any more "downers" right now~
Sally

ALF43 · « **Reply #215 on:** November 08, 2009, 07:35:42 PM »

Salan, if you want to laugh, you must pick up Janet Evanovich'es newest Stephanie Plum novel.
Loony, zany and always amusing is she.

salan · « **Reply #216 on:** November 08, 2009, 08:44:17 PM »

Thanks Alf. It's been awhile since I've read Evanovich. I always enjoyed her books and they did make me laugh. I think I have one on my bookshelf just waiting to be read!
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #217 on:** November 09, 2009, 07:41:13 AM »

Googled?? is the name of the book. Will track that one down. I love to google.. Learn stupid things, but its fun.. And when MDH or I have been ill, it helps to point us in the right direction to look.. Use it to track all of his meds when they were playing around with them.. Helpful. I dont like Wikopedia since I have found a lot of misinformation in it.

Frybabe · « **Reply #218 on:** November 09, 2009, 08:54:09 AM »

Just finished Preston and Child's Reliquary. While I liked Relic, I think Reliquary was a bit too drawn out. I was impatient to be done with it. I was surprised at who was "leading" the Wrinklers.

marcie · « **Reply #219 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:55:35 AM »

Frybabe, I read Reliquary long ago and I can't remember how I thought it compared with Relic. I do think I was surprised at who was leading the Wrinklers. I enjoy the Preston & Child books, especially the character of Agent Pendergast. You've got a lot more of the series to read!

Frybabe · « **Reply #220 on:** November 09, 2009, 02:13:27 PM »

Yes, Marcie. Lots more to read. I hope we are done with the lily business though. I read Desolation Point a while back, but I don't remember Pendergast being FBI in that one, nor do I remember him being such a walking Encyclopedia or expert at everything. Maybe his character has mellowed since Relic? Of the major characters in Reliquary, and aside from Pendergast, I liked Mephisto, and Hayward and Carlin the best. I had vivid visions in my head of what Hayward and Carlin looked like. Think the woman cop in Police Academy who liked firearms and the big guy (Bear?) in Armageddon. What a combo.

marcie · « **Reply #221 on:** November 09, 2009, 03:46:14 PM »

Frybabe, did you mean to say you read "Deception Point" by Dan Brown? Pendergast isn't in that one but I enjoyed that book too. Pendergast is similar to Sherlock Holmes. He's a Renaissance man who is a genius who can do almost anything.

LOL re your combo. I think you'll like what becomes of Hayward in the later novels.

Frybabe · « **Reply #222 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:57:09 PM »

Ok Marcie, you got me. I think my brain needs a tuneup. I am getting things mixed up. I meant Ice Limit but Pendergast wasn't in that either. Ginny was talking about the Pendergast series while I was reading it, so I guess the name stuck more than the names of the characters in Ice Limit. At any rate it was reading that and Ginny's praises which got me to reading Relic and Reliquary. I am not a big "horror" story fan so that is an accomplishment. Heck, I only ever read one Stephen King, Misery, and I won't watch the movie.

I do like how Preston and Childs write. Lots of detail, but it doesn't usually bog down the action.

marcie · « **Reply #223 on:** November 09, 2009, 08:56:53 PM »

You're right, Frybabe. Pendergast isn't in all of the Preston & Child books. I've read the others also and I agree that they provide lots of details AND action.

ginny · « **Reply #224 on:** November 10, 2009, 07:51:41 AM »

I used to love, in the back of the books, how they'd tell what real fact or situation they were talking about, just loved that. I disliked Reliquary initially, found it too far out there, too fantastic, then i read the back of the book when I finished it and nearly fainted. NOW I'd like to reread it.

I was disappointed when that custom of putting the real information in the back of the books stopped, or did it? It did in the Pendergast series.

I'd like to say if Pendergast is as all knowing in the latest one Cemetery Dance, if I could get past the first few pages, IS he, Marcie? He seems to be taking on an other worldliness. The one in Tibet springs to mind. I like him, tho. He's getting reminiscent of Shelock Holmes brother Mycroft, in some ways.

Steph · « **Reply #225 on:** November 10, 2009, 08:21:01 AM »

The Wheel of Darkness is a tibetan one.. I am reading this since Ginny is so enthusiastic about the duo.. Not sure how to take Pendergrast at this point. A bit on the " I am too smart for words at this point"

Frybabe · « **Reply #226 on:** November 10, 2009, 08:31:25 AM »

I was going to order Cabinet of Curiosities but decided I wasn't up to reading another serial/ritual killer book just now. But then, I went and ordered a bunch more of Henning Mankell's Wallander series. Not that I needed more crime books, mind you.

I also ordered the complete works of H. Rider Haggard. It is used, so I hope it is still available. I have no clue where Dad's old book went. It only included She and King Soloman's Mines.

Also ordered a book on Welsh genealogy.

Got another bookshelf together and am busily deciding how to best populate it. Still have lots of books residing in stacks on the floor. I really got carried away buying books this year. The good news is that my sisters and Mom get to read them free.

Babi · « **Reply #227 on:** November 10, 2009, 08:50:07 AM »

I'm sure they appreciate it, FRYBABE. I know I would.

marcie · « **Reply #228 on:** November 10, 2009, 11:10:29 AM »

That's great that you share your books, Frybabe.

Ginny, Pendergast lost some points for me in "Wheel of Darkness." That book was very weird. He's ok in "Cemetery Dance" but isn't as much a part of the book (until it comes time to solve the case in the end!) as other characters are.

Here is an interview with Preston and Child when Cemetery Dance was published: http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/2009/05/interview-with-douglas-preston-and.html. It has a few background "facts" that are included in the book.

ANNIE · « **Reply #229 on:** November 11, 2009, 06:49:38 AM »

Lest we forget, http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/taps.html

We are getting ready to attend the Vets Day celebration at the elementary school where two of our grandchildren attend. They have added a new feature, coffee and donuts before the ceremonies. Ralph didn't expect to be here this day so its a double celebration for him. He's a Vet and he's alive!! Thanks to many prayers from all of you and a heart pump. Wow!!

Steph · « **Reply #230 on:** November 11, 2009, 07:41:29 AM »

Oh, so the Wheel is a bit weird.. Glad to know that one. I am sort of staggering along with it. Will look up some of the others after a bit. I also am reading another Beverly Connor. What a spectacular writer. I have a great fear of dark enclosed places, but she makes caving sound like a wonderful experience. Not that I plan on trying.

PatH · « **Reply #231 on:** November 11, 2009, 09:02:00 AM »

Quote from: Steph on November 11, 2009, 07:41:29 AM

Beverly Connor.....makes caving sound like a wonderful experience.

Maybe I should try her. It would take a genius to convince me. Caving plays on all my worst fears, and I wouldn't do it for anything, but I can believe she might make me enjoy the descriptions.

pedln · « **Reply #232 on:** November 11, 2009, 11:51:07 AM »

I'm with you, PatH. First of all, there are caves and then there are caves. Mammoth Cave was fascinating. And once in Tennessee I went with a group to a cave and we square danced, in the cave! But then I went to a cave not far from home with a group, and the first thing they asked was, "You did bring a change of clothes, right?" Well, no. It turned out we were going to crawl through very low places that usually had a few inches of water. No thank you.

But, I'm going to find out more about Beverly Connor. That's a new writer for me.

PatH · « **Reply #233 on:** November 11, 2009, 12:55:18 PM »

Crawling through water in a very low place is exactly the kind of thing I wouldn't care for. I would be sure I'd get stuck and the water would rise.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #234 on:** November 11, 2009, 02:51:15 PM »

There needn't even be water to do me in. Getting stuck are the operative words.

JoanK · « **Reply #235 on:** November 11, 2009, 03:55:23 PM »

I crawled through a narrow place in a cave once and still have nightmares about it. But I don't mind reading about in (on a bright day, with sun all around me!)

Gumtree · « **Reply #236 on:** November 12, 2009, 02:26:12 AM »

Caves are definitely not for me. Not even the easily accessible tourist ones. We have a long chain of caves that stretch for a couple hundred miles just a little inland from the coast. The last time I ventured into one I managed to get down to the first level and then panicked - had to get out immediately by which time I was shaking from head to foot. While I waited for companions to complete the tour I managed to drink four pots of tea down to the last dregs. The tour people said thirst was a common reaction to the panic.

ANNIE · « **Reply #237 on:** November 12, 2009, 07:25:14 AM »

Take this test and pass it on to your more literate friends..

What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895...

Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895?

This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina , Kansas , USA . It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society

and Library in Salina , and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

8th Grade Final Exam: Salina , KS - 1895

Grammar (Time, one hour)

1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.

2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.

3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph

4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of 'lie,''play,' and 'run.'

5. Define case; illustrate each case.

6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.

7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)

1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.

2. A wagon box is 2 ft.. Deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. Wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?

3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs. For tare?

4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000.. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?

5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. Coal at $6.00 per ton.

6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.

7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.. Long at $20 per metre?

8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.

9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?

10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt

U.S. History (Time, 45 minutes)

1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided

2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus

3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.

4. Show the territorial growth of the United States

5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas

6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.

7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton , Bell , Lincoln , Penn, and Howe?

8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.

Orthography (Time, one hour)

[Do we even know what this is??]

1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication

2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?

3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals

4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)

5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.

6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.

7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis-mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.

8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.

9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.

10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks

and by syllabication.

Geography (Time, one hour)

1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?

2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas ?

3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?

4. Describe the mountains of North America

5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia , Odessa , Denver , Manitoba , Hecla , Yukon , St.. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco

6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each..

8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?

9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.

10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete.

Gives the saying 'he only had an 8th grade education' a whole new meaning, doesn't it?!

Also shows you how poor our education system has become and,

NO, I don't have the answers!

ANNIE · « **Reply #238 on:** November 12, 2009, 07:28:28 AM »

This happened yesterday.

You are not going to believe me when I tell you that Cindy Gibbons just called me from the hospital and Ella fell off a curb in a shopping center this afternoon, outside B&N, and broke one ankle and sprained the other. Because she is on Plavix and has much swelling in both ankles, the drs can't operate on her broken ankle for a week. She has to come off the Plavix. She can't walk with a walker either, so, they are talking of sending her to nursing home for the week because Cindy has a really bad back and can't even lift her mom. All this on the day after her 81st birthday. Please keep them both in your prayers.

maryz · « **Reply #239 on:** November 12, 2009, 07:55:03 AM »

What a dreadful accident!!! Thanks for passing along the news, Adoannie.

{{{{{{{{Ella}}}}}}}}}}

News:

Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084343 times)