Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084673 times)

Gumtree · « **Reply #520 on:** December 19, 2009, 11:06:53 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!

Everyone is welcome!

Suggestion Box for Future Discussions

Babi: You're right, Neville Shute was an Englishman - he migrated to Aust and became very Australianised. He wrote a lot of books about this country as well but most of them are very dated these days. Have you read any more recent Aussie writers ??

Here's another link to Aussie lit.

http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/lit.html/#authors

Gumtree · « **Reply #521 on:** December 19, 2009, 11:14:06 AM »

Rich7: I've heard about Burton as an explorer and as the translator of Arabian Nights etc - he keeps cropping up as a reference but I haven't actually read anything written about him. I'll put the Rice book on my TBR list.

Bellemere : A justly proud grandmama I'd say.

Gumtree · « **Reply #522 on:** December 19, 2009, 11:42:00 AM »

Ginny: Haven't heard of A Place to Call Home so can't comment.

I'd forgotten about the breadfruit plants Bligh took such pains to distribute - didn't breadfruit really take off in Hawaii? Cook also took great pains to distribute plants and animals to assist islanders with their diet. I think he was responsible for releasing rabbits in NZ though not in Australia where the rabbits thrived and have been a plague ever since they were released.

I'll try for the Robert Harris Imperium - after enjoying Pompeii so much I'm just in the right frame of mind for it.

I'd better have a look for Bulwer Lytton's Last Days of Pompeii too. Love the family home. Strange how I always get the Bulwer Lyttons mixed up. One was Viceroy of India during the Great Famine of the mid 1870s - some say he was responsible for it but it had already started before he was appointed -though his administration may have contributed to the severity and length of the famine.

Lytton Strachey who transformed the art of the biography with his warts and all Eminent Victorians which included a somewhat scathing look at Florence Nightingale - not at all the saint she was once purported to be - was actually named after the Viceroy who was a friend of Mr. Strachey? in India.

Australian novels - Whenever I'm asked which is my favourite I can't decide but two writers always surface - George Johnson's trilogy My Brother Jack written around 1950 and Henry Handel Richardson's Fortunes of Richard Mahony also a trilogy written around 1900. Both give a view of Australian life during different periods. But there are heaps of contemporary novelists writing today whose work is not to be sneezed at.

My Best Book of 2009 ? I'll have to think on that.

Gumtree · « **Reply #523 on:** December 19, 2009, 02:09:24 PM »

It didn't take much thinking about - My Best Read for 2009 was definitely Paul Scott's The Raj Quartet - comprised of The Jewel in the Crown, The Day of the Scorpion, The Towers of Silence and A Division of the Spoils.

This has been my best read in a long long time. The sequence of novels is a multilayered exploration of universal human themes. Its focus is the end of the Raj in India and all the ramifications of colonialism and imperialism. Paul Scott's writing is superb in its complexity and its subtlety and the sheer elegance he brings to the English language.

I read somewhere that the Quartet was among the 100 best ever novels written and I'd second that. I will never be able to thank Traude enough for hosting the discussion of the last three titles and Ginny for the Jewel...it was a never to be forgotten experience.

We hope to read the coda to the Quartet, Staying On sometime during 2010. I can't wait.

nlhome · « **Reply #524 on:** December 19, 2009, 02:15:27 PM »

I think my favorite book of the year, because it was so different from what I usually read and I enjoyed it very much, is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
n

JoanK · « **Reply #525 on:** December 19, 2009, 03:00:28 PM »

RICH7: WELCOME BACK!

mrssherlock · « **Reply #526 on:** December 19, 2009, 03:49:21 PM »

I have heard of Burton's search for the Nile and his writings.A story about his wife destroying some of his works after his death because she thought they were obscene. The book sounds like a possibility for a discussion.
PS: I was late finding this site also, somehow missed hearing about it. The good news is that you are here and so are many of our old bookie friends.

Frybabe · « **Reply #527 on:** December 19, 2009, 04:38:19 PM »

I remember reading a book about Burton and his wife(?) long ago but I don't remember the title or author. He is a fascinating person maybe even intrepid, outrageous.

My favorite read of the year has to be Carol Goodman's books. I would be very hard pressed to name which one though. She writes so beautifully.

PatH · « **Reply #528 on:** December 19, 2009, 06:30:40 PM »

Carol Goodman gained a number of new fans by her graciousness to us, which started us reading her books. Many of us have become hooked on her.

PatH · « **Reply #529 on:** December 19, 2009, 06:57:00 PM »

Rich, I'm so glad you found us. I think that when this site rose from the ashes of the old SeniorNet everyone tried hard to contact as many people as they could, but without the old rosters it was a pretty chancy thing who anyone had contact info for.

I first learned about Richard Burton from Alan Moorehead's "The White Nile" many years ago. Indeed, an interesting person--looks like I ought to read Rice's book.

If you are interested, we are going to discuss Rudyard Kipling's "Kim" in January. The prediscussion is

Here

Aliki · « **Reply #530 on:** December 19, 2009, 07:27:34 PM »

Quote from: JoanR on December 17, 2009, 06:38:42 PM

Mabel - I hold down the control key and rotate the wheel on my mouse forward. That enlarges the text. Do the opposite and it grows small again. Shades of Alice in Wonderland!!

JoanR, I did try it when I copied an article on a tv show and it worked wonderfully well. I have also used the control key with a plus or minus sign with success but the connection seemed faster with my mouse wheel.

Hello all...I will be in and out (definitely to try to be in with Cranford) as much as possible but would like to ask a favor of all of you.

My oldest daughter has been having tests for the past month or so and she has been diagnosed with cancer. Jan 11 she will be having a complete hysterectomy and honestly we, all of our family, are at sixes and sevens. It's just not an easy thing to get one's head around.

All prayers and positive thoughts and meditations will truly be appreciated.

Thank you all...aliki

serenesheila · « **Reply #531 on:** December 19, 2009, 08:32:44 PM »

Aliki, I am putting your daughter on my daily prayer list.

My favorite books this year were "The Forgotten Man", and the "Worst Hard Time". Both are about the Great Depression. I found them fascinating. Partly, I think, because of the financial situation this past year. In "TFM" the entire book is about the farmers in the plains states. The didn't allow the land to lay fallow, so that it would renourish. I had not known that many farmers stayed for the entire decade. I thought everyone left and came to California.

TWHT deals with the average man, during the depression. I have heard about the depression all of my life. But. I never really "got it". I was born in 1934, and my parents, and all of my grandparents talked about surviving, until after WWII.

Happy Holidays, everyone.
Sheila

serenesheila · « **Reply #532 on:** December 19, 2009, 08:35:56 PM »

OPPS......I got those two books, backwards. "The Worst, Hard Time", is about the Dust Bowl. "The Forgotten Man" is about the common folk, during the Depression.

Sheila

PatH · « **Reply #533 on:** December 19, 2009, 08:54:47 PM »

Gumtree, no one who read Captain Bligh's journal with Marni on the old site could ever forget the breadfruit. The idea was to provide a cheap source of nourishment for slaves in the West Indies. It was a pain to keep the saplings alive in a crowded ship's hold, and of course the mutineers immediately threw them all overboard.

Later, someone else brought breadfruit to the West Indies, but the slaves refused to eat it. Since we learned that the fruit has to be fresh and properly treated to be edible, I'm guessing that the slave owners didn't bother with such niceties.

winsummm · « **Reply #534 on:** December 20, 2009, 03:34:26 AM »

so much good reading here. I look up some on the Kindle and read their samples. Carol Goodman hooked me for sure. I read ALL her books. this is a great place.

Claire

rich7 · « **Reply #535 on:** December 20, 2009, 05:03:00 AM »

PatH, JoanK, and Gumtree,

Thanks for the "welcome back."

Yes, a lot of Burton's works were burned by his wife after his death. Much of her actions were motivated by religion. She was a fervent, preachy Catholic (a somewhat persecuted minority in Victorian England, despite laws otherwise), and she was never quite sure that he had rejected Islam, although he told her that he had. They say that if you walked through their house, her end was full of religious statuary, rosaries, and crucifixes. As you approached his quarters, the Christian imagery waned and crescent moons and arabesque mosaics began to dominate the walls.

She claimed that, after his death, he appeared to her three times and told her to burn his manuscripts.

Neville Shute. I remember his novel "On the Beach" had a profound impact on me in my teenage years. For a long time I thought that the expression "the world will end not with a bang, but with a whimper" that Shute used in that novel was his own words, but in later years, I learned that he was quoting T. S. Elliot.

Rich

Babi · « **Reply #536 on:** December 20, 2009, 09:16:02 AM »

BELLE, how lovely. You should see the big smile on my face for your
granddaughter! Ah,yes...coming back to snow and ice is going to be a
bit of a shock, isn't it?

I'd heard a bit about Burton, RICH, (including the explanation that he
wasn't the actor Rchard Burton), but I haven't read his biography. I read
or hear about such persons, and wonder how they cram all that into one
life? (Well, for one thing, I assume they had money to travel on and no
kids to raise!) Makes lovely escapist reading for the rest of us,tho',
doesn't it?

WOW!, GUM, that is a long list of authors. I could have read some of them without ever noticing the author was Australian. I don't usually take serious note of a new author's until I've read their first book and
decided I want to read more. I noticed the writer of the link complained
that Australian writers don't get much attention. You can be their local
press agents for us. Who would you say are the top contemporary Australian authors right now?

ALIKI, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, and she will certainly
have my prayers. On a positive note, I believe her chances for a complete recovery are good. I know how upset you must be. I've
found it much easier to deal with a sickness in myself than in one of
my children.

Gumtree · « **Reply #537 on:** December 20, 2009, 11:18:35 AM »

Rich Neville Shute's quote is from Eliot's Hollow Men - the world will end not with a bang, but with whimper' has been taken up by many over the years. I saw a news item one time detailing how one of the vatican's upper echelon quoted it - sorry I can't recall the context.

I think Shute's On The Beach had a profound effect on many of us at the time - it gave us pause to consider.

Gumtree · « **Reply #538 on:** December 20, 2009, 11:42:05 AM »

Babi: WOW what a question to ask - who are the top contemporary Aussie authors...

I guess it all depends on what one likes to read - here a few well known and successful ones -

David Malouf - Richard Flanagan - Peter Carey - Kate Grenville - Helen Garner - Thomas Keneally - Tim Winton - Robert Dessaix - Geraldine Brooks

And I shouldn't forget Markus Zusak who wrote 'The Book Thief' which we plan to read here in 2010

There are so many others around too - Maybe Octavia might care to add to the list.

ALF43 · « **Reply #539 on:** December 20, 2009, 12:19:25 PM »

Gum- is Zusak an Aussie? I love that book and hope that you will be joiningus for that discussion.

JoanK · « **Reply #540 on:** December 20, 2009, 05:01:42 PM »

ALIKI: you and your daughter will be in our thoughts and prayers.

marcie · « **Reply #541 on:** December 20, 2009, 06:02:10 PM »

It's good to see you here, Rich. I haven't read about Richard Francis Burton. He sounds like he led a fascinating life.

Bellemere, how wonderful that your granddaughter has written and illustrated a book for children. Did she write it in Spanish and Quechua herself?

Persian · « **Reply #542 on:** December 20, 2009, 08:08:05 PM »

It's really delightful to be back in The Library again and catch up on some of the reading materials already enjoyed and those planned for the New Year. Best Holiday wishes to all.

Mahlia

marcie · « **Reply #543 on:** December 20, 2009, 10:14:28 PM »

It's good to see you, Mahlia.

I wish you and everyone a wonderful holiday season.

Gumtree · « **Reply #544 on:** December 20, 2009, 11:05:34 PM »

Quote from: ALF43 on December 20, 2009, 12:19:25 PM

Gum- is Zusak an Aussie? I love that book and hope that you will be joiningus for that discussion.

Yes, ALF He sure is an Aussie -His grandparents were displaced due to WWII and ended up here - he lives in Sydney and likes to go surfing - who doesn't eh? The Book Thief is captivating despite its subject matter.

Babi · « **Reply #545 on:** December 21, 2009, 08:39:50 AM »

GUM, I've jotted down your list so I can check to see which ones my local library has. I read Zusak's "Book Thief" and Geraldine Brooks "The People of the Book" and "March", and greatly enjoyed all three.
I've just located a branch of the county library not too far from me,
so my available resources have been wonderfully augmented. I should be able to get my hands on most anything I like, now.

bellemere · « **Reply #546 on:** December 21, 2009, 08:58:06 AM »

Yes, Marcie, Emily wrote the book in Spanish and Quechua. She is fluent now; started getting interested in learning Spanish when we first took her and her sister to Mexico on a vacation.
I reserved two books from the NYT "Notable " list and they turned out to be huge tomes, the kind of book I would have loved to immerse myself in when I was younger, but now I am intimidated by all those pages of closely spaced type. I may "sample" them judiciouioly. One is "Dancing in the Dark" about the culture of the depression; and one is"Every Man Dies Alone," a true story by a Geman author, about a couple living in Berlin during the 30'a and 40's who resisted the Nazi regime and paid with their lives.
The comments on Richard Burton havd me intrigued. More and more I am turning toward non-fiction these days.

marjifay · « **Reply #547 on:** December 21, 2009, 09:33:17 AM »

Was just reading the interesting posts about Sir Richard Burton, the explorer. I'd just put a biography of him on my TBR list which I found at Amazon. I believe he is the man whose books I read in grade school which were recommended so highly by our school librarian.

Marj

Gumtree · « **Reply #548 on:** December 21, 2009, 09:50:06 AM »

Babi : Go for it !

nlhome · « **Reply #549 on:** December 21, 2009, 10:05:52 AM »

Which discussion was talking about Cranford? I was able to get a copy of the book and am reading it now and find it a welcome break from the holiday activities.

Aliki · « **Reply #550 on:** December 21, 2009, 10:58:00 AM »

Quote from: nlhome on December 21, 2009, 10:05:52 AM

Which discussion was talking about Cranford?

Yes, I'd also like to know that. The PBS series started last night in the Delaware Valley area. I had forgotten how charming it was and I love seeing my 'old friends' who appear in these British productions.

Aliki · « **Reply #551 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:00:49 AM »

sereneshirley, Babi, JoanK et al, thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for my daughter and our family. It's true...it's harder when it is your child. My daughter is taking this the best of all and is planning recuperation in Florida with her younger sister for the winter days and then L.A. with a friend next summer. I love the young!!

JoanP · « **Reply #552 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:56:54 AM »

For those who are looking for the "Cranford" discussion - is you go to the main Books menu page - the index - below the Library you will see the Scheduled and Proposed Discussions. the 4th entry is "PBS: discussions. that's what you need to click.

If you still have trouble following those directions, here's a link to get you right in there.

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=1023.40

CubFan · « **Reply #553 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:57:42 AM »

Greetings -

Cranford discussion is under Scheduled and Proposed Book Discussions - PBS programs - PBS Masterpiedce Classic Cranford.

Mary

marcie · « **Reply #554 on:** December 21, 2009, 12:00:40 PM »

Cranford is available for online viewing through January 10, 2010 at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/cranford/watch.html. In January, many PBS stations will be showing a sequel to the TV version.

Bellemere, that's great that your granddaughter is fluent in several languages... and wrote a children's book!

JoanK · « **Reply #555 on:** December 21, 2009, 03:46:56 PM »

MAHLIA: YOU FOUND US. HOORAY!

pedln · « **Reply #556 on:** December 21, 2009, 05:58:22 PM »

Bellemere, that is a fantastic accomplishment for your granddaughter. Writing the book in Spanish would be difficult enough, but to also do it in Quechua is remarkable. Is she headed for a career in language s or in writing? The nephew of a friend has lived in Africa for years,translating the Bible into a variety of African languages.

For sure, there is certainly a need for people who are strong in languages.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #557 on:** December 21, 2009, 08:32:10 PM »

In the pursuit of Australian literature I found this site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_in_Australian_literature
Another list of books to excite and tempt me with the treasures hidden between their covers.

Gumtree · « **Reply #558 on:** December 21, 2009, 10:40:07 PM »

What is all this interest in Aussie writers? - I'm staggered.

Mrs Sherlock: I haven't heard of some of the authors listed in that site - and some of the others are pretty ordinary to read - and there are lots of good writers not listed - but you'd be fairly safe picking your way through those shown as award winners which are generally worthwhile reading.

bellemere · « **Reply #559 on:** December 22, 2009, 08:29:28 PM »

Thank you for all the kind words about my granddaughter. Her college major is linguistic anthropology. I know what those words mean separately, but what the combination implies is not clear to me. Must remember to ask her.
Now for a question for you all: How old were you when you learned to read? Was it before you started school? How old when you got your first library card and when you were allowed to choose your own books? Can you even remember when you didn't know how to read? Did you read under a blanket with a flashligt when parents told you to put away the book and go to sleep? Did you read the adult books when you were babysitting and enhance you education about the birds and the bees? (Forever Amber) Did you sail through the verbal portion of the SAT exam and blindly fumble through the math section? Can you understand people who complain of being bored, when there are books?
Granddaughter Emily in first grade was writing and illustrating little books, tying them together with yarn and presenting them to her mother.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2084673 times)