Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086082 times)

maryz · « **Reply #2440 on:** September 08, 2010, 02:16:58 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!

Suggestion Box for Future Discussions

I had a few days of panic when our speaker for the Friends of the Library Annual Meeting (in November) cancelled for family health issues. She did have a suggestion for a replacement, and I contacted her. Kerry Madden graciously agreed to come to speak to us, and I'm breathing easier again. She writes mainly for young adults. A recent book is a biography called "Up Close: Harper Lee". This is a great choice here in our area, so I'm thrilled that we're getting Ms Madden. I have her book ordered from the library, and should have it in a few days. You might check out some of her books for your younger reading friends (if not for yourself).

Steph · « **Reply #2441 on:** September 09, 2010, 05:57:42 AM »

Considering the number of books written, I had assumed that Dana Fuller Ross was either a writing team or a contract writer. Who knows. They were very popular in my used book store since many people were trying to complete the series and several of them are quite hard to find.

Frybabe · « **Reply #2442 on:** September 09, 2010, 06:46:43 PM »

Too bad about having to archive the Story of Civilization discussion group. I was hoping that Trevor or Brian would take up the "baton".

JoanP · « **Reply #2443 on:** September 09, 2010, 07:17:14 PM »

I can't blame them for feeling intimidated by the idea of how many more volumes? Robby has left big shoes to fill. Story of Civ will reside in the archives - and can be resurrected at any time...

MaryPage · « **Reply #2444 on:** September 09, 2010, 07:47:32 PM »

Did Robby die, or quit? I had not heard about this. However, I have met him a number of times, and would really like to know.

JoanP · « **Reply #2445 on:** September 09, 2010, 09:07:56 PM »

OH, gee, Mary Page...Robby did neither. I guess you haven't read his posts in the Story of Civilization. He took on a second responsibility in his community on top of a full schedule of seeing patients every day. Reluctantly he asked that we put the discussion in hibernation until his schedule lightens.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2446 on:** September 09, 2010, 10:11:04 PM »

Goodness Robbie is such an inspiration. Sad nobody could take up the reins. I am sure if Mal was still with us she would have done it. Such an intelligent lady.

I am reduced to audio books pretty much as my arthritis makes it very difficult to hold a book for any length of time. I am into fantasy at the moment. I pass on any audio books to my dyslexic but so intelligent granddaughter who although she is an avid print reader she gets tired because of her disability and at bed time loves an audio book. Of course I censor them first!

I read the funniest book recently about the British Royal family who in the fantasy have been removed from the throne and exiled to a walled and guarded council estate. The dogs talk in this book as well and although there is much humour in this book there is also a warning about political extremism and political correctness taken too far. For instance in the book stepladders have been banned as being dangerous to human life. The dogs dialogue is utterly hilarious. Particularly the Queens dogs and those of Charles and Camilla.

The book is called Queen Camilla by Sue Townsend. Its totally tongue in cheek but very entertaining and also a warning about political correctness and extremism which so easily could get totally out of hand.

Carolyn

kiwilady · « **Reply #2447 on:** September 09, 2010, 10:14:25 PM »

MS Sherlock I have left S&F and you will know why. The other day was the last straw.

Carolyn

MaryPage · « **Reply #2448 on:** September 09, 2010, 10:30:21 PM »

Carolyn, I am distressed. Would offer you comfort, but I am completely in the dark. You feel like an old and dear friend, albeit you are a generation younger than I. Love to you.

maryz · « **Reply #2449 on:** September 09, 2010, 10:34:56 PM »

Carolyn, I have problems holding books, too - which is why I got a Kindle. They are only available from Amazon, so I assume you could get one there in NZ. It's ever so much easier to hold, and you can change the size of the print to suit.

John says there have even been aftershocks in the Hawkes Bay area of North Island. Were those felt in your area?

kiwilady · « **Reply #2450 on:** September 09, 2010, 10:46:11 PM »

Mary - I would not be able to afford the downloads. I know they are a good idea and maybe our library will have free downloads in the future like they do in some other cities overseas. When this happens a kindle will be on my wish list!

Mary P - Thank you for your kind words. You are one of my favorite online people too.

On Nov 1 all the four cities and two counties in the Auckland Region will become Auckland City the only good thing about this is that we will have one ginormous library system! My daughter is a librarian in the city where I live and she has been telling me about for instance what is Available at the huge library in the CBD. (Central Business District) She promised to take me in on her day off for a browse and coffee in the cafe next door. Its a very big library and no stairs it has escalators. ( and elevators) We have stairs and elevators in our main library downtown in Henderson near where I live. I am looking foward to a ginormous catalogue online where I can have so much choice to reserve online.

Carolyn

kiwilady · « **Reply #2451 on:** September 09, 2010, 10:49:39 PM »

We live in the Volcano Ring of fire. There are numerous extinct volcanos in Auckland. The nearest big fault line known to us is quite a way from here. We did not feel the Hawkes Bay quakes. We are in danger more from Tsunamis or a Volcanic eruption in the future. (Yikes!)

I feel sorry for Christchurch people. Even the elderly up here are scared. One very old lady was talking to me at the supermarket this morning and seemed to be very concerned about earthquakes. I tried to reassure her.

Carolyn

maryz · « **Reply #2452 on:** September 09, 2010, 11:44:52 PM »

Carolyn, I understand about paying for the books - and I do still use the library. But there are a lot of old books that you can download for free or for literally just pennies. It is wonderful to have our libraries, though.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2453 on:** September 09, 2010, 11:58:03 PM »

I will have a look at our big Whitcoulls and see if they have kindles for sale.

Carolyn

kiwilady · « **Reply #2454 on:** September 10, 2010, 12:02:31 AM »

Ok Whitcoulls have a link to Amazon and it will cost me US $189.95 which is about $250 NZ plus postage they come in 3-5 weeks. Something to think about! Postage is expensive. However I get babysitting money from caring for the girls while Nicky and Ian work. I will try to get one for Christmas. The exchange rate and postage make things expensive when we can't get them here

Carolyn

Gumtree · « **Reply #2455 on:** September 10, 2010, 04:50:09 AM »

Kiwilady: Great to see you posting here - good to know you're safe from the present earthquakes. Our news bulletins are full of the Christchurch quakes and after shocks - and the MUD. Your comment on S&F has me puzzled.

Steph · « **Reply #2456 on:** September 10, 2010, 06:18:15 AM »

Ilove the book review on Queen Camilla and will try Amazon to see if they have it.
The earthquakes sound horrible.. The ground shaking is not anything I would like. I love in hurricane territory in Florida, but truthfully other than 2004, we mostly get wild wild rain inland.
Kindle.. The downloads are so inexpensive and so many freebies. So is ITune with their ebooks.. I have downloaded several free and a Laura Littman for 99 cents.. Fun.

Phyll · « **Reply #2457 on:** September 10, 2010, 09:27:22 AM »

I'm so glad to see you here, Carolyn, and to know that I haven't lost touch with you completely after the unfortunate happenings in S&F. And I'm so glad to know you are safe from the earthquakes. How terrible all of that is for everyone.

I'm considering the Barnes and Noble Nook, which is a reader like the Kindle. However, with the Nook I can download books from my library through their Downloadable Media Program. I do that now and download them to my laptop but it would be so much nicer to be able to carry the smaller reader around with me. Right now I downloaded and am reading David Baldacci's "True Blue". I've just started so I don't have an opinion yet but he is a good writer so I'm not expecting to be disappointed.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #2458 on:** September 10, 2010, 10:32:31 AM »

Carolyn: So glad to see you back here. I have not left S&F entirely but will be wary of discussions with certain people. Mainly I post in Knitting, Library, Music and Cooking. The level of courtesy in SL is rare and deeply appreciated; good caring people.

PatH · « **Reply #2459 on:** September 10, 2010, 10:59:11 AM »

Carolyn, it's good to see you here. If you're into fantasy now, you should check out the sci-fi and fantasy discussion. Jackie is one of the mainstays. This:

http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=81.840

will get you to page 22, the current one, and you can backtrack if you feel like it.

PatH · « **Reply #2460 on:** September 10, 2010, 11:10:38 AM »

Quote from: mrssherlock on September 10, 2010, 10:32:31 AM

The level of courtesy in SL is rare and deeply appreciated; good caring people.

I've always been impressed with the culture of courtesy and caring and tendency to say things that make people feel good about themselves that existed first on the old site and now here. It was kind of spelled out in the ground rules on the old site, but rules aren't enough. It takes a bunch of people who think that way to make it work.

bellemere · « **Reply #2461 on:** September 10, 2010, 02:06:00 PM »

Thanks nto the person who sent the link to the long article about violence and grace in the writing of Flanner;y O'Connor. It is cerrtainly very comjprehensive and I will have to take the time to read in properly. It somewhat reminds me of The Amish Project:" my daughter - in -law's play. Violence and grace occuring together. The last words of the play, spoken by Rachel as one of the murdered schoolgirls, were: "God is here. Can you see him? Keep looking." Very thought provoking.
Incidentally , I don't believe Rachel will be making any films Her name is Rachel Siegel; she left New York to settle down in the Berkshires with my son. This part of the country is loaded with great community theaters, and Rachel is able to do something every summer, be a teacher and a mom in the winter. Seems to be working out well. She is great at all three roles, especially "mommy" having managed to nurse baby George all through the run of the play.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2462 on:** September 10, 2010, 04:49:35 PM »

I wonder if those of us who read widely are more tolerant because of this. I see no reason to resort to personal abuse if one disagrees on an issue. We can state our opinions and then agree to disagree.

I was taken to task on facebook too because of something I posted by an S&F member and I notice that someone who has been stalking and pouncing on me in S&F has now joined facebook a day or so after the S&F debacle the other day. I have set my privacy to try and protect me but have mailed Dapphne for advice to make sure this person cannot see my postings.

My niece was truly shocked by the comments I got from two people on Facebook both S&F members. She phoned me. She said these people are trying to stop you speaking your mind.

Yes it is true I have never ever been taken to task on my opinons by any bookie! My opinions may be somewhat radical compared to many Americans but I grew up under Democratic Socialism so I will have different opinions about many things. We downunder do not consider having these opinions out of the ordinary.

salan · « **Reply #2463 on:** September 10, 2010, 06:59:22 PM »

I am curious. What is S&F?? Sounds like something I don't want to be a part of.
Sally

kiwilady · « **Reply #2464 on:** September 10, 2010, 08:21:22 PM »

Its an online community for over 50s. Most of the people there are lovely but there are a few who are not. I unfortunately was bullied there by one person no matter where I moved. It was better for me and everyone else If I removed myself entirely. I don't need the stress and upset these days.

Now I just want to "get on with my life" and put it all behind me.

Carolyn

kiwilady · « **Reply #2465 on:** September 10, 2010, 08:22:55 PM »

Has anyone read "Three cups of tea" and would you recommend it.

Carolyn

PatH · « **Reply #2466 on:** September 10, 2010, 08:37:06 PM »

We discussed it here; it's in the archives. YES, I would strongly recommend it. It's a remarkably well-told description of a remarkable man and his accomplishments. It will definitely hold your interest.

JoanK · « **Reply #2467 on:** September 10, 2010, 08:45:08 PM »

Yes, and yes, I would recommend it highly! We discussed it here a year or two ago, and it was a great discussion.

I'm sorry you had trouble in S&F. But if it brought you back here, then some good came out of it.

I'm in the Classical Music discussion there, and the people there are great! And they just started a discussion on birds! But it only takes one bad apple!

mrssherlock · « **Reply #2468 on:** September 10, 2010, 08:49:19 PM »

This is the second person I know who's been chased away from S&F and it was the same "charge", politics. There must be some anxiety there for someone to so fear open discourse.

kiwilady · « **Reply #2469 on:** September 10, 2010, 08:55:55 PM »

Well at least we have this forum where people are considerate and civilized in their discourse.

I am glad I can keep up with so many of our old SNetters in this place.

Carolyn

mrssherlock · « **Reply #2470 on:** September 10, 2010, 08:59:30 PM »

And I am very glad we can keep up with you here.

MaryPage · « **Reply #2471 on:** September 10, 2010, 09:56:09 PM »

I adored THREE CUPS OF TEA by Greg Mortenson, and truly believe everyone on this planet would benefit from reading it.

He has come out with an easier to read version for 8 to 12 year olds now, and also a picture book for the younger crowd. Both quite wonderful.

Finally, his sequel debuts next month: STONES FOR SCHOOLS.

roshanarose · « **Reply #2472 on:** September 10, 2010, 09:58:07 PM »

kiwilady - What terrible seismic activity in Christchurch - such a beautiful city. I have visited NZ twice and recommend it to everyone who wishes to travel. My fondest memory is looking across Lake Taupo to the three volcanoes in a row. That day we drove up to Mt Ruapehu. Waitangi too sticks in my mind as an awesome place. The spiritualism of the Maori is quite tangible there. Also loved being able to look into a crystal clear stream and seeing big fat trout swimming around in abundance. Not a fisherperson to be seen, which was as it should be.

JoanP · « **Reply #2473 on:** September 10, 2010, 10:07:36 PM »

For the loyal and committed followers of the Story of Civilization discussion, you will be happy to hear that a volunteer has come forward to continue the discussion until Robby can return. Isn't that marvelous! Do drop in and post your thoughts...

kiwilady · « **Reply #2474 on:** September 11, 2010, 12:20:27 AM »

Thank you for the lovely comment on my homeland by one of our posters. I love my homeland with all of my heart and despite it becoming one of the most expensive places to live in the world I cannot imagine ever leaving my island home. I feel so bound to it I suppose in a spiritual way as you say.

I will reserve Three cups of tea through our library service.

Carolyn

Steph · « **Reply #2475 on:** September 11, 2010, 05:48:32 AM »

I signed on to S&F, but dont really ever go there. But It does sound like the old Seniornet.. I vividly remember our women only discussion, where we got some idiot man who decided he needed to keep these women in line.. And the politics discussion was toxic as well. I decided not to post where a lot of males with a need to dominate would post.

Mippy · « **Reply #2476 on:** September 11, 2010, 07:03:40 AM »

Good morning, everyone!

Shall we all take a moment ... whenever we are able to ...

to

REMEMBER 9/11

Babi · « **Reply #2477 on:** September 11, 2010, 08:51:00 AM »

We had "Three Cups of Tea" as a discussion book here, MARYPAGE. It was an inspiring book. My library, I'm pleased to say, has the children's
version, too.

Quote

I decided not to post where a lot of males with a need to dominate would post.

I remember we ran into that problem in the Religion site, STEPH. I love
to be able to discuss the subject with temperate minded people, but the
whole thing bogged down with three men fighting the same battle with the same arguments...endlessly.

I'm currently reading a new Anne Perry in a different setting. Byzantium/Venice/Rome in the 13th century. Engrossing, as Perry always is. It's titled "The Sheen on the Silk".

I remember, MIPPY. One of the most horrifying days of my life...indeed
of our entire history.

Frybabe · « **Reply #2478 on:** September 11, 2010, 10:39:25 AM »

Kiwilady, there are only a very few discussions on S&F that I participate in, the Classical Music discussion is the most important to me. I have read the mail in the political discussion a few times but never participated because of the rampant bashing and ad hominem attacks. It seems several people in that discussion thrive on spiting flames at each other instead of having a reasoned discussion of the issues. I only know of one person who was actually banned from S&F for his outrageous and risque shenanigans.

JoanK · « **Reply #2479 on:** September 11, 2010, 02:37:13 PM »

I will have to get "The Sheen on the Silk". I really like Anne Perry.

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Author Topic: The Library (Read 2086082 times)