Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085010 times)

JoanK · « **Reply #960 on:** February 06, 2010, 06:54:37 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

I was amazed, living in Beer Sheba, a small city in Israel, to find an excellant English language bookstore. It provided me with reading for the three years I was there.

FlaJean · « **Reply #961 on:** February 06, 2010, 10:03:47 PM »

Quote from: nlhome 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.

I saw a lecture on C-Span II (around a year ago) that was talking about people not reading books like they did in previous years. They had charts, etc., showing the difference in book sales and the decline in both book sales, book dealers, and publishing houses. I figured they must know what they're talking about, but it doesn't seem that way in our little town.

Steph · « **Reply #962 on:** February 07, 2010, 05:48:00 AM »

I read the same sort of material.. but I also feel that our library and most of the libraries that I have gone to are full of people. Possibly because libraries fill a number of functions nowadays.. I note in the one I am going to currently.. Many more people in line to check out have DVD's and the computer area seems to always be full.

jane · « **Reply #963 on:** February 07, 2010, 08:55:29 AM »

I think that both are true...people are buying fewer books. If you're out of work, who can afford $32.95 for a book? Therefore, people are using their local libraries [and, perhaps like me, making good customers at the HalfPriced Books used bookstores.] I know that the circulation is up and so is computer use at our local little library. The same is true for the libraries in our area of the state...large or small. People are also attending the children's programming with their children...asking first the cost...and looking astonished when the librarian says "no charge. Please come join us." They are.

Some libraries are also offering free e-downloads to people's I-Pods or I-Phones, etc. and I"m sure those with those devices are enjoying that service of their tax dollars at work.

jane

nlhome · « **Reply #964 on:** February 07, 2010, 11:25:04 AM »

Libraries are becoming community centers around here - because of the service as Jane mention, also because Medicare, Social Security, Job Centers, etc., are urging and in some cases requiring people to access them over the internet or phone. In our area, low income persons are getting ride of their land line phones and turning to cell phones with limited minutes, so they cannot afford to sit on hold for an hour to apply for benefits. The library computers are in big demand. Also, libraries here have job training and job hunting materials and computer programs to help people update their skills.

What amazes me is the number of persons using the reading room (newspapers and magazines) and prowling the stacks. All ages.

Gumtree · « **Reply #965 on:** February 07, 2010, 11:33:26 AM »

Hello everyone - just touching base and catching up after several weeks absence -

So many interesting books and authors I've never heard about. Too many to even make a list.

I read Possession years ago and loved every word. The discussion on SN was before my time so missed that. Maybe we could do it again ... such a literary tour de force.

My DH gave me Byatt's Whistling Woman when it first came out - I didn't read it when I found it was part of a series - trilogy or quartet? - and intended to read the others first but never did. Must do.

Joan Grimes: The bookshop in Oxford - was it by any chance Blackwells? I used them for years when I wanted something unavailable here. Their service is second to none. Not only do they go out of their way to find an item but they do it with a smile. They also have fast service - their record time was 5 days from the time I placed the order with them in Oxford UK to when it was delivered into my letterbox in Western Australia. On top of that they didn't take payment the instant I placed the order but sent an invoice with the goods for me to pay in due course. Reminds one of the Charing Cross Road novel.

The talk about the demise of the book crops up from time to time but I must say that our libraries are always full of people in the stacks, working on computers, reading in the lounge areas and studying at desks. Whenever I go into a bookstore - new or used - there are heaps of people selecting their stuff - sometimes it is so crowded it's hard to get a coffee or find a table to drink it at. And when I leave with an armful of new reading there are often long queues at the checkout - they're all buying books so the inference is that they're reading them too. Long may it continue.

JoanP · « **Reply #966 on:** February 07, 2010, 01:34:10 PM »

Ah, Gum, it must have been our thoughts of you that brought you back into our midst this morning! You have been missed!
Byatt's Possession has been nominated for next week's vote for a spring group discussion. There has been interest in redoing that one here.
Welcome back!

joangrimes · « **Reply #967 on:** February 07, 2010, 01:54:14 PM »

Quote from: Gumtree on February 07, 2010, 11:33:26 AM

Joan Grimes: The bookshop in Oxford - was it by any chance Blackwells? I used them for years when I wanted something unavailable here. Their service is second to none. Not only do they go out of their way to find an item but they do it with a smile. They also have fast service - their record time was 5 days from the time I placed the order with them in Oxford UK to when it was delivered into my letterbox in Western Australia. On top of that they didn't take payment the instant I placed the order but sent an invoice with the goods for me to pay in due course. Reminds one of the Charing Cross Road novel.

Oh yes Blackwells is the book store in Oxford that I love so much.Thanks so much Gumtree for reminding me of the name.I needed to get that off my mind. I have ordered from them too and was so impressed by the service.

Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #968 on:** February 08, 2010, 05:44:28 AM »

We were in Oxford several years ago and that has to have been the bookshop. we went into. It has literally everything. Loved it and had some books shipped.

Babi · « **Reply #969 on:** February 08, 2010, 09:05:59 AM »

Our library is also offering programs for the teens. This time of year
is very slow, mostly because of the weather, I think. But come spring,
and the end of the school year, the library is absolutely flooded with
patrons and my volunteer time doubles to meet the load.

marcie · « **Reply #970 on:** February 08, 2010, 10:43:50 PM »

mrssherlock, was it you who suggested THE BROKEN TEAGLASS? I've just finished it (from our public library). Thank you for the recommendations. I found it captivating. It sounds like the author, Emily Arsenault, is working on her second book. I can't wait!

Steph · « **Reply #971 on:** February 09, 2010, 05:59:45 AM »

I just joined the Friends of the Library and they are having a used book sale the end of the month.. Sooo went searching and am taking them 5 big bags of books. Mostly paper, but also my husbands garden collection and his stained glass workbooks.. Hopefully someone else will get to love them as he did.

Babi · « **Reply #972 on:** February 09, 2010, 08:31:26 AM »

I'm confident they will, STEPH. The books that are kept out longest and
pay the biggest fines seem to be those that people are using to learn a craft, like the stained glass workbooks. Someone will be delighted to
have them.

maryz · « **Reply #973 on:** February 09, 2010, 08:34:03 AM »

Good for you, Steph, for joining the Friends. I'm on the Exec. Council of our organization right now. Our semiannual book sale starts on the 22nd, too. Babi is right - those are the kinds of books that are in great demand. Are you going to be helping out at the sale? They need all the hands they can get.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #974 on:** February 09, 2010, 09:51:30 AM »

Marcie: Glad you enjoyed Teaglass too. I would like to read more from Arsensault.

evergreen · « **Reply #975 on:** February 09, 2010, 03:34:16 PM »

I just finished King Hammurabi of Babylon: A Biography by Marc Van De Mieroop. Hammurabi, who is best known for his code of laws (which were carved on a stone stela that used to be on exhibit in the Louvre and maybe still is ) ruled between 1792 BCE and 1750BCE. The book shows how he dealt with his enemies and expanded his kingdom. I'm always amazed at how much we have been able to learn about the people who lived in ancient times. If you have any interest the history of this part of the world, it's definitely worth reading.

Now I'm about half way through Too Big To Fail by Andrew Sorkin. Sorkin has been a reporter for the NYT for many years. The book presents the Wall Street meltdown in chronological order, with a cast of thousands (not really, but there are so many people involved it's like reading War and Peace). I was surprised at the inter-connectedness (not sure that's a word) among all the investment bank personnel. So many of them seemed to have worked together at some point in their careers. It reads like a novel, and I can't wait to find out what happens next - even though I already know............

I always like to hear what you all are reading, and have learned some good suggestions to put on my TBR list.

Steph · « **Reply #976 on:** February 10, 2010, 06:02:21 AM »

Wont be able to help much in the actual book sale. That is the weekend I have the opera tickets. One of my d-i-l's says she wants to go with me, so I will get to use the tickets and the day before, the widow to widow group is going to a Sondheim.. done by a local group, so hard to tell if it will be fun or not.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #977 on:** February 10, 2010, 12:15:18 PM »

Steph: My experience with amateur productions is that they usually have high standards and the presentation is polished. Plus their enthusiasm is infectious and the audience is carried along on their performances. Nothing like "Waiting for Guffman", that hoot of a movie Christopher Guest made with his favorite ensemble actors.

pedln · « **Reply #978 on:** February 10, 2010, 12:27:56 PM »

What opera will you be seeing, STeph, and which Sondheim?

My grandkids' high school put on Into the Woods this past fall. I'd never seen a Sondheim production and found this amateur production delightful.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #979 on:** February 10, 2010, 05:39:34 PM »

Visitors to the website for Powell's, the famous Portland bookstore, were invited to nominate their most memorable book of the past decade. The winners have been announced. It is pleasing to see how many of these I have read. How about you? What book would you deem most memorable of this young century?

http://www.powells.com/puddly2010?margin=Puddly%20Winners%20Announced

JoanP · « **Reply #980 on:** February 10, 2010, 05:49:20 PM »

Jackie, I just did a rough count - and see about 17 of the 50 titles that we have discussed here on SenorLearn ...some we did on SenorNet. - We'll be doing The Book Thief in a few weeks - it's our March Book Club Online discussion...
Were you surprised to see The Road in first place?

Which on the list were your favorites?

CallieOK · « **Reply #981 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:17:48 PM »

I've read 16 of the 50. Favorite was "Outlander". Close second favorite, "The Help". Others on my Favorites list are "The Red Tent", "Guernsey Literary...Potato Pie..." and "The Kite Runner".
I did not care for "The Life of Pi" or "...Edgar Sawtelle" and didn't finish "Elegance of the Hedgehog".
Still haven't quite decided if I liked "The Time Traveler's Wife".

pedln · « **Reply #982 on:** February 10, 2010, 11:04:26 PM »

I'm usually out of sync with those "best" lists, so was happy to note that I'd read 12 of them. My favorite was the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and I'm glad it made the list. As for impact and depth, my choices for topping the list would be the Poisonwood Bible and Mistry's A Fine Balance, in spite of it being so depressing.

joangrimes · « **Reply #983 on:** February 10, 2010, 11:33:29 PM »

Well I liked the Poisonwood Bible, The Elegance of the Hedge Hog, and The Help about equally... I did not finish the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Dont' remember what happened that caused me not to finish it because I did like it. Oh well I don't finish much that I start anymore.

Joan Grimes

marjifay · « **Reply #984 on:** February 11, 2010, 02:05:09 AM »

Interesting list, Jackie. And fun to read everyone's favorites. I only read eight of the list. Poisonwood Bible and Life of Pi were DNF for me.

My favorites (Not on the list):
SARAH'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay
BOOKSELLER OF KABUL by Asne Seierstad
PEACE; A NOVEL by Richard Bausch
FROM THE LAND OF GREEN GHOSTS; A BURMESE ODYSSEY by Pascal
Khoo Thwe (nonfiction)
FORTY WORDS FOR SORROW by Giles Blunt
DREAMS FROM MY FATHER by Barack Obama (nonfiction)
STALIN; THE COURT OF THE RED STAR by Simon Sebag Montefiore,
(nonfiction)
INFIDEL by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (nonfiction)
A MOVEABLE FEAST by Ernest Heminway (nonfiction - but a previous
decade)

Marj

salan · « **Reply #985 on:** February 11, 2010, 07:32:49 AM »

Jackie, thank you for directing me to the web site. I have read 25 of the 50 and have 5 at home on my tbr shelf. I agree with a lot of the list and didn't care for others. It always surprises me when certain books make the list and others do not. Differences of opinion is one thing that makes life interesting!
There are several books that I really enjoyed that were not on the list: Tortilla Curtain, Memoirs of a Geisha, Turtle Moon, Edible Woman, The Thirteenth Tale, and The Forgotten Garden. I am sure that there are others that I just haven't remembered. The ones that I didn't care for were: Gilead, & The History of Love. There were others that I thought were just so-so. A couple on the list (The Road) I have avoided because they seemed too depressing for me.

This list has now given me even more books to put on my tbr list. Oh my, the list is growing tooooooo long!
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #986 on:** February 11, 2010, 10:05:25 AM »

Carmen is the opera. An old warhorse, but I always enjoy it.. It is not a staged opera.. Sort of like a reading with the symphony and singers in front of you. Our opera society went belly up last year and the symphoney is try to help it out with this.
A little Night Music is the Sondheim.. As long as they have decent singers it will work. Just went to another amateur .. 2th Century, an older play by Ben Hecht and Charlie Mcauther..
I was in a lot of amateur groups for years. We just traveled too much since retirement to do stuff like that. Now I have nothing but time.

Steph · « **Reply #987 on:** February 11, 2010, 10:05:52 AM »

wow. hit the wrong key

maryz · « **Reply #988 on:** February 11, 2010, 10:20:53 AM »

Our Symphony & Opera Assoc. couldn't fund an opera season this year either. We don't "do" opera, but are sorry to see that happen. They had a special benefit last weekend to raise money toward renewing a season for next year. We're also in the hunt for a new music director/conductor - always a challenging time.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #989 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:27:06 AM »

The Road was on my short list; my memory is poor for books once they are finished and I go on to something else. I read very fast and the quantity of books I need to keep me satisfied is therefore large. When one stickes iin my memory, which is rarely, it assumes a high status. As an avid SF reader, post-appocolypse stories are familiar, and one sub-genre i seek out, but to have a novelist of McCarthy's stature add his name to that list is a validation of that formerly denigrated category.

Eighteen books on the list were at least started by me. "Pi" puzzled me mightily but I stuck it out, curious why it was getting such rave reviews. There are several more that I will add to my tbr list.

JoanP · « **Reply #990 on:** February 11, 2010, 11:35:09 AM »

Jackie, were those 50 books listed in order of how they were chosen in the Powell's vote? The Road was outstanding - on my "short list" too - but I was surprised that it came in first place - if that is what it did.

Did you see the movie? - I missed it in local theatres. It didn't have a long run at all. Will try to catch it on Netflix - out of curiosity. It is difficult for me to imagine how that book would have been adapted to film...

Weren't you glad you stuck with Life of Pi? By the end I was a believer.

JoanK · « **Reply #991 on:** February 11, 2010, 02:57:05 PM »

I've read 12, also. Most of them through Seniornet. I'm not very adventurous at picking up new novels.

Steph · « **Reply #992 on:** February 12, 2010, 05:59:54 AM »

I am still finding some gaps in my memory since the accident and I decided that I did not remember on several of the books.. I hate the gaps..

Babi · « **Reply #993 on:** February 12, 2010, 09:00:16 AM »

Annoying, aren't they, STEPH. I find the answers will eventually pop into
my mind, apropos of nothing whatever. Some little clerk in my subconscius mind finally gets the file open.

joangrimes · « **Reply #994 on:** February 12, 2010, 11:01:22 AM »

Babi,
That is so annoying isn't it?...It happens to me all the time now..,
Joan Grimes

JoanK · « **Reply #995 on:** February 12, 2010, 03:11:04 PM »

I didn't remember several either. The most annoying -- now if I put a book down for a day, when I pck it up, I can't remember who anyone is.

Steph · « **Reply #996 on:** February 13, 2010, 05:58:25 AM »

I seem to spend some time each day trying to remember various things. Mostly book authors and where the heck did I leave the book down.

Babi · « **Reply #997 on:** February 13, 2010, 09:52:44 AM »

And our all-time favorite....'What did I come in here for?!'

ginny · « **Reply #998 on:** February 13, 2010, 10:41:12 AM »

Hahhaa, I am so glad to see that others enjoy those little moments of huh? Just think of all the good we're doing our brains here, reading, thinking, taking courses, and keeping the old brain perking along.

Did you see that study that showed that when you SIT, your cells flatline? Just like something on a monitor, they flatline, so the object is to keep moving or get up from time to time and exercise the cells, and that goes for brain cells, too, no pain no gain! Or so they say. Some days mentally i feel flatlined. hahahaa

Snow, we have beautiful snow, somewhere between 3 and 4 inches, with a lovely crunch, a really perfect snow, it's gorgeous.

Am just able to get on as it melts off the satellite dish, what a hoot!

Gum SO glad to see you back and I'd love to discuss Possession with you in the group, I know we did it before we need to redo, I think, a redo, hopefully in the summer when i can participate, like June or May possibly.

Meanwhile I've been wondering about my own peripatetic reading habits. I did see the list on Powell's, I wonder about it, but at least those who do the fiction discussions here can say we're certainly au courant as always, with Powell's, for sure. The Road? What, was that a vote or something?

What are you reading?

For my own part I seem to be on some kind of tasting trip book wise, without a lot of "losing" oneself in a book.

For instance, those of you who like the Shopaholic books, did you know Sophie Kinsella was a pen name? Her real? name is Madeleine Wickham, and under that name she's written several books with a lot of wit and panache, "witty and deeply biting novels of modern manners and morals."

I'm currently reading her The Gatecrasher, I love it. It's fluff, ok you might say chick lit, I love it. I see there are 5 others by her one of which I also have. I started The Gatecrasher, about a woman who tries to get ahead by attaching herself to widowers, it's different, very, last night in the snow storm, the perfect book to take to bed in a snowstorm and to get up and read. Have any of you read her in this guise?

I finished up the non fiction Stories in Stone, which is a surprising little book on Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography, featuring examples from the well known (Highgate, Pere Lachaise, Brompton, Kensal Green and the Cimero Monumentale, of Milan), and the not so well known (the Warner monument at Laurel Hill Cemetery, US). The Warner monument features a full size woman lifting the lid of a marble sarcophagus so his soul could be lifted to heaven.

and the Davis Memorial at Mount Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha Kansas, which looks like a permanent family gathering, under a roof, tho all the family present are the couple who have died, in the various states of their lives. Quite innovative.

If you're remotely interested in this subject, this is a good little book, some of the monuments accomplish their purpose, and then some, one in particular sticks in my mind, the Inventor.

I've started a new mystery, a Beautiful Blue Death, so far I like it, roaring fires, bookshelves, detective who does not want to go out in the snow, a Victorian mystery, named as one of the Library Journal's Best Books of 2007, one of only 5 mysteries on the list. The author lives in NYC, a young man who dedicated this book to his mother. I like it so far, has anybody read it?

I guess right now I'm looking for something enjoyable I can pick up, put down and enjoy and smile about, rather than something terribly "deep."

What are you reading, "deep" or shallow or otherwise?

Dana · « **Reply #999 on:** February 13, 2010, 11:11:26 AM »

I found a fascinating book--The Knight, Death and the Devil by Ella Leffland--a novel/biography of Goering. Then I watched the movie about Goebbels' diaries, The Goebbles Experiment, I think its called. Quite by chance I then found The Lost Life of Eva Braun by Angela Lambert in the library. A bit draggy but I'm hooked on the Nazi's right now! Then I watched The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Reifenstahl. Now that's an absolute must. Scub diving into her 90s! Somebody lent me a 2 volume biography of Hitler but I haven't started it yet and don't know if I will.......
I seem to have a habit of getting into topics, usually by chance, and then getting carried away..
The Goering book is really worth reading.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2085010 times)