Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776280 times)

serenesheila · « **Reply #1840 on:** April 23, 2011, 08:17:13 PM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

I have given up the Christian concept of God. So many terrible things have been done in the name of religious beliefs. I do believe there is a God. But, I also believe that each culture sees God a bit differently from the concept of other believers. If there is an afterlife, I think we are all in for a big surprise!

Sheila

MaryPage · « **Reply #1841 on:** April 23, 2011, 09:47:54 PM »

I agree with that concept, as well.

The human animal has an instinct to believe stories as told it through the years from infancy. Once upon a time we sat around fires and stories were told from memory, with lapse of memory filling the gaps with chunks of imagination on the part of the story teller. So it was these stories changed, evolved, grew with the times. This was eons before written language was invented and carved into stone and wood (the wood not surviving to us!), before paper was invented and inks discovered, and writing taught to a very few: usually scribes whose duties were religious or financial.

Very, very few of us have time and training to research what has been written down. If we did, we would discover truths in history that would astonish and dismay. Much of what we believe to be true is invention. I am not one to wish to convert anyone to my way of belief, my belief number one being that that is wrong and hurtful, so I will write none of the astonishing facts here. There are simply heaps of books, all well researched and documented, out in the libraries and bookstores now. I say again, get and read Vincent Bugliosi's "Divinity of Doubt: The God Question."

Steph · « **Reply #1842 on:** April 24, 2011, 06:17:47 AM »

I agree Babi..The current trend seems to be mega churches who are always actually the creation of one person.. They are not religon as I understand it, but the cult of personality.
Faith.. people have faith so many different ways and always hold it dear.
Some of the most inspiring people I have ever known as rarely conventional religous..

jeriron · « **Reply #1843 on:** April 25, 2011, 07:52:10 AM »

I have just started reading the "Covington" series. I downloaded the first on to my IPad. I'm enjoying it.

Steph · « **Reply #1844 on:** April 26, 2011, 06:21:28 AM »

I read one of the Covington, but it was a little too too idealized for me..

jeriron · « **Reply #1845 on:** April 26, 2011, 12:56:17 PM »

Stephanie

What do you mean by "idealized" ?

I'm reading the first one and I'm finding I can relate to how they feel losing their husbands. Maybe it's because I recently lost mine. I don't think I will read all of them but I know I will finish this one.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1846 on:** April 26, 2011, 04:27:07 PM »

Jeriron - I really like them, but I know what Steph means - although they have all had troubles, these are all miraculously resolved by one of them inheriting a huge country house - which is then miraculously transformed into something out of Homes & Gardens by a band of willing, able and reliable local tradesmen. Somehow there are no real financial issues, and everything in the garden is lovely, as they say.

I like books like this when I am in the right mood, as they are so comforting, and I do think Joan Medlicott develops the characters well - I did care about them and want to know what happened to them next - but I don't think they would be everyone's cup of tea.

Having said that, I really do think I will treat myself to the rest of the series. Has anyone got a list of them in order?

Rosemary

jeriron · « **Reply #1847 on:** April 26, 2011, 04:38:55 PM »

http://www.fictfact.com/search/?q=Joan%20Medlicott

I kept thinking they sure got a lot of work done on that house for the money they had to spend. My daughter doesn't want to read any books if there isn't a happy ending.
At this point in my life I wish I had a couple of friends that I could do that with.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1848 on:** April 26, 2011, 04:58:32 PM »

Thanks Jeriron.

I agree entirely with your daughter, I am not interested in anything but happy endings these days. I too find the Covington set-up very attractive, but even when I think of my closest and dearest female friends, I am not sure that we could put up with one another at permanent close quarters. However, I suppose you learn to compromise and in return you are surrounded by supportive friendship and people with whom to share things, which would be well worth it.

Rosemary

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1849 on:** April 26, 2011, 05:00:28 PM »

Just finished Winter Sea - I had not read a Historical Novel in oh I bet 30 years - the writing was not near as good as some of the light fiction we have been reading or Joan Medlicott but the story was gripping and one scene had my tears flowing like I hadn't cried in years and years over a book for heaven's sake but it does have an exceptionally happy ending.

Patrick Taylor has a really nice series going about rural Doctors pre WWII in Ireland - you will even laugh out loud while reading his books.

And then for pure fun and a feeling of returning to childhood but with a grown up look that is accommodated in these stories, William Horwood received permission from the Grahame family to further the story of Wind in the Willows - There are several books but the one called The Willows and Beyond I found to be particularly wonderful.

Steph · « **Reply #1850 on:** April 27, 2011, 06:20:24 AM »

Did not read the original Covington, this one was later.. By then all seemed to be a bit too pretty for me..
I need strong characters in books.. Not necessarily a happy ending, but some one in the book that I can identify with.. That and a plot.. So many recent books dont go anywhere.. Seems to be the coming thing for young authors..

salan · « **Reply #1851 on:** April 27, 2011, 07:54:00 AM »

I really enjoyed the Covington series. I read them in order and the first several were definitely the best. Steph, sometimes i need "pretty" in my books. Life deals us enough "unpretty" things and the news innundates us with reality. I enjoy escaping now and then. Ever since my husband's death, I am finding the need for "happy ending" books. Steph, this is off the subject; but how are you liking your car. It's time for me to buy a new one and am thinking of the Honda CRV.
Sally

jeriron · « **Reply #1852 on:** April 27, 2011, 09:38:03 AM »

I felt I should start with the first book to get a feel for the characters and how they got to where they are about getting the farm. Maybe I'm not strong myself so I can relate to them.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1853 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:02:43 AM »

Love my serious history reading above all things, yet appreciate the Covington series for restful, comfort reading. I identify strongly with Grace, except I do not cook and cannot imagine ever choosing to live with 2 other women rather than the man I love. Himself and I, while he lived, were most consoled in this life when we could be together in the same place.

Also identify with Hannah, for I am her type of avid gardener. Guess that makes me mostly Grace, but with Hannah's hobby. Amelia and I have zip in common.

jeriron · « **Reply #1854 on:** April 27, 2011, 10:29:50 AM »

I can relate to Grace a lot. But like you MaryPage I cooked back when my husband worked and we had small children But once he retired I retired from the kitchen and he took over because he enjoyed cooking. Now I'm eating frozen dinners because food isn't of much important to me.

Except for when Ron worked we did everything together. Never went out without him so I'm not sure I could live with other women but at this point in time I do wish I had a few to talk to.

The one thing I had incommon with Amelia is feeling I wanted to end my life when my husbands ended.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1855 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:30:33 PM »

Found Medlicott's site with the titles in order - http://www.joanmedlicott.com/

Steph · « **Reply #1856 on:** April 28, 2011, 06:21:43 AM »

Someone asked.. I love the CRV. It has been easy for me to drive.. easy on gas.. comfortable on the longer trips.. has room for my double dog crate in the back with no problems .. All in all a good choice for me..
MDH and I were inseparable for the 21 years of retirement. Before that, he traveled extensively for business and we had weekends and the phone, but that worked OK as well. I love to cook, but do little for just me.. I am embarking on a new plan this week. Have invited several friends for dinner on Friday night.. We are all singles.. I am making a pot roast, since that is something singles never ever fix for themselves.. Will make cornbread as well and one of the others is making dessert.. I think this will be good. Company for dinner.. a nice dinner... Hmm..

salan · « **Reply #1857 on:** April 28, 2011, 06:33:43 AM »

Steph, I was the one asking about the CRV. Thanks for the info. What a good idea about having friends over for dinner. I have 4 other widows in my neighborhood. I think I'll do the same.
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #1858 on:** April 29, 2011, 06:12:57 AM »

Sally,, Yes do try. I am so excited about tonight. I do love my car. It is a light blue.. I even conquered the drive through car wash, so that it gets its regular wash and shine..
I am still working On Resilience and Space Doc .. Finished the Denise Swanson..

ursamajor · « **Reply #1859 on:** May 08, 2011, 01:25:18 PM »

What has happened to this discussion? I see no postings after April 29. Have I missed something?

marjifay · « **Reply #1860 on:** May 08, 2011, 02:01:13 PM »

I'm reading AGINCOURT by Barnard Cornwell and loving it! I don't read much historical fiction, preferring non-fiction history, but this is great. Heard about it from reading Margaret Atwood's Robber Bride, where one of the characters loved reading about famous battles. The battle of Agincourt was fought between the English and the French in 1415, when Henry V of England was convinced that France belonged to him. Outnumbered 6 to 1 the English made a brilliant victory. It has some of the most creative cuss words I've ever heard, and some are very funny. I've learned so much fascinating stuff about medieval archery and other weapons. If I were younger, I'd sign up for archery lessons! Now I want to read Shakespeare's Henry V.

Marj
(And I, like F.D.R. and Eleanor, hate war! LOL.)

serenesheila · « **Reply #1861 on:** May 08, 2011, 02:33:27 PM »

I, too, have been wondering about the lack of postings on this site. Surely, someone is readning fiction. However, it it not me. I am into both non fiction, and mysteries. Keep checking this site out, to see if anyone is posting about new finds in the fiction section.

Sheila

salan · « **Reply #1862 on:** May 08, 2011, 07:18:39 PM »

I am reading Cutting for Stone for my ftf reading group. It's very good, so far. Have any of you read it?
Sally

nlhome · « **Reply #1863 on:** May 08, 2011, 08:49:28 PM »

I just finished The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley - an intriguing story. I will be thinking about it for awhile.

marjifay · « **Reply #1864 on:** May 09, 2011, 06:43:33 AM »

I loved Walter Mosley's book Red Death with Easy Rawlings. Have meant to read more of Mosley's books. I'll put The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey on my TBR list. Thanks.

Marj

Babi · « **Reply #1865 on:** May 09, 2011, 09:10:34 AM »

"Agincourt" is one I think I would enjoy, too. It's on my 'someday' mental
listing at present. I read "Cutting for Stone", SALLY, and thought it was
great.
Of course there are a lot of fiction readers, but since so much of it is
covered in specfic genres like mystery and sci/fi, I guess we neglect to
post our reading here as well. I'll try to keep that in mind. Right now I'm
reading another one of those light little whimsies from the 'Beatrix Potter'
series. They are such a nice rest from the heavier stuff.

Steph · « **Reply #1866 on:** May 09, 2011, 08:49:45 PM »

One of my books just now is 97 Orchard St., which is a some true, some fiction account of a single tenement in Manhattan at the turn of the century and each ethnic group and what they cooked and ate when they lived there. Fun.. I have just finished the German group and I think that the Irish are next.

marjifay · « **Reply #1867 on:** May 09, 2011, 09:58:11 PM »

I took a break from the wars in Agincourt and just finished Agatha Christie's Why Didn't They Ask Evans? Very good stand alone. Wish it were part of a series, as I loved the characters Bobby Jones and his friend Lady Frances Derwent and their sleuthing. You love her wit, and her imagination gets them into some great light-hearted adventure. It's such fun watching them figure out who dunnit.

Now back to medieval France and the war!

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #1868 on:** May 10, 2011, 05:59:02 AM »

I l ike Agathas stand alone much more than I do Hercule.. He always drove me nuts.

Babi · « **Reply #1869 on:** May 10, 2011, 10:18:54 AM »

Ah, another reader who gets annoyed with Poirot. I thought I was all alone.
Mind you, I think I've read them all but I don't think Christie played fair with this
series. So often the key clue was a passing remark someone made, never
referred to again until the grand finale. How can one possibly detect a 'clue' in
that?!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1870 on:** May 10, 2011, 12:32:24 PM »

Babi - I don't think I have ever solved a single murder mystery, whether written by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L Sayers, Donna Leon, Ian Rankin or whoever - for me it is all about atmosphere and setting, and I am so dumb with the clues that I have long given up trying to see whodunnit

I quite like Poirot but I like Miss Marple better.

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #1871 on:** May 10, 2011, 12:55:58 PM »

Of the Poirot I have read, I can say that none of them are as good as the TV productions. The writing seems very simple and not much in the way of background description. I did not read Murder on the Orient Express. Most of what I read were the short stories. Miss Marple is better rounded out, and so was And Then There Were None.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1872 on:** May 10, 2011, 02:51:14 PM »

Put my name down on the list of those who love Christie but are not fond of the Hercule Poirot ones. Murder on the Orient Express was an exception, and I think I would have loved that better had it been a Miss Marple or not of a particular detective. I guess the bottom line is that I flat out did not like Poirot, either in the books or in his many reincarnations.

Steph · « **Reply #1873 on:** May 11, 2011, 06:15:11 AM »

I loved Tuppence and Tommy, but she only used them a few times. They had such verve and Miss Marple made sense..Glad to know that others have the same feelings about Poiret.

Babi · « **Reply #1874 on:** May 11, 2011, 08:56:42 AM »

Oh, yes, Miss Marple is a lifetime favorite. I think...I hope..I haven't missed a
single one of her stories.

jeriron · « **Reply #1875 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:44:31 AM »

OK for those of you that are "Miss Marple" fans below is TCM (Turner Classic Movies)Schedule for today. I have never seen any of the Margaret Rutherford ones so I think I will watch a couple and DVR a couple.

1:30 PM Murder She Said (1961)
When nobody will believe she witnessed a murder, elderly sleuth Miss Marple takes a job as a maid to ferret out clues.

Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Arthur Kennedy, Muriel Pavlow.

BW-86 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format

3:00 PM Murder At The Gallop (1963)
Elderly sleuth Miss Marple suspects foul play when an old friend is supposedly scared to death by a cat.

Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Robert Morley, Flora Robson.

BW-81 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format

4:30 PM Murder Most Foul (1964)
Elderly sleuth Miss Marple joins a small-town theatre to investigate a murder.

Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Ron Moody, Charles Tingwell.

BW-91 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format

6:15 PM Murder Ahoy (1964)
Elderly sleuth Miss Marple takes to the seas to investigate murder on a naval training ship.

Dir: George Pollock Cast: Margaret Rutherford, Lionel Jeffries, Charles Tingwell.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1876 on:** May 11, 2011, 02:37:38 PM »

I ADORED Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple, and had a difficult time adjusting to the plethora of new ones since those old black and white moving pictures that are nearly as old as I!

I have loved all of the new ones, eventually. Here is a list of some of the actresses who have played her. I would have loved to have seen Gracie Fields as Miss Marple; she was a huge favorite of mine. Immortal. I have never heard of Dulcie Gray.

Gracie Fields
Margaret Rutherford
Angela Lansbury
Dulcie Gray
Helen Hayes
Joan Hickson
Geraldine McEwan
Julia McKenzie

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1877 on:** May 11, 2011, 10:10:09 PM »

here is a web site with photos of
every Miss Marple since Margaret Rutherford

marcie · « **Reply #1878 on:** May 12, 2011, 12:51:09 AM »

Barbara, thanks for that link. I can't believe that Disney is completely re-making a version of Miss Marple with Jennifer Garner!! What are they thinking???

Steph · « **Reply #1879 on:** May 12, 2011, 06:13:58 AM »

Jennifer Garner?

Oh me, thats just flat out stupid.. Actually I always pictured Miss Marple as a small delicate lady who wore shawls and smiled a lot..I dont watch the Rutherford or actually any of the others, since I like to retain my image of her.

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776280 times)