Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 774974 times)

Steph · « **Reply #4120 on:** December 20, 2012, 06:21:49 AM »

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

All are gone for the holidays, but will make a note and try that when they return. An excellent idea and I would rather a student that needs it gets the money.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4121 on:** December 20, 2012, 06:18:04 PM »

Such places as Office Depot have people that will come out and set up and show how things work. They are expensive though.
The computer classes at Jr. Colleges will give you names of Students who are usually very good. Some libraries know people also. Just ask who runs their computer room if they know anyone. Senior Centers also have retirees there who know a lot and will help.
My new computer is still down in Texas with SIL. He will be coming up and will take care of it. Up until then this one with XP is running great.

salan · « **Reply #4122 on:** December 20, 2012, 06:36:11 PM »

Okay, it's official. Today is my birthday and I am 70 years old. I can no longer say that I am in my 60's. I can't help but wonder where all the years have gone.......
Sally

JoanK · « **Reply #4123 on:** December 20, 2012, 06:48:26 PM »

Happy birthday!! you share a birthday with my son.

Oh to be 70 again!

Steph · « **Reply #4124 on:** December 21, 2012, 06:15:57 AM »

Oh Sally, I was 75 yesterday. We share a birthday.
No Jeanne, where I live Office Depot wont come to your house, neither will all six of the computer repair people listed in the phone book.They all want you to bring it in. I want it at home where I can make notes and not contend with a large noisy atmosphere.After the holidays will try the community college.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4125 on:** December 21, 2012, 07:37:51 AM »

Happy birthday Steph and Sally for yesterday!

Steph, another option re the computer may be a retired person. My mother has a guy in his 60s who will come to the house and sort out her computer issues - she says he is really patient and talks her through everything, she can call him if she forgets what he said or it doesn't work, and he charges her £20 per visit (which is so much cheaper than these dreadful shops that are staffed by people who don't want to know unless you're under 30 and have the top of the range everything.)

Rosemary

MaryPage · « **Reply #4126 on:** December 21, 2012, 08:12:06 AM »

Oh, Steph! HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday, and I am mortified that I missed it. hugs and kisses to you from Maryland and Happy Years Ahead!

MaryPage · « **Reply #4127 on:** December 21, 2012, 08:16:36 AM »

Happy Birthday, Sally! You are sooo young! I got married for the last time when I was 74. He turned out to be the Love Of My Life, and I had known him for 51 years when we married. I married for Old Friendship Love and he was dreadfully lonely and needed me. Was I ever surprised to find myself falling head over heels! Then I lost him. Well, better to have loved, and all that. He let me know I was the Love of His Life, as well. So, see what you might have ahead of you! I'll be 84 my next birthday, so you see, y'all are just a bunch of kids!

Babi · « **Reply #4128 on:** December 21, 2012, 08:47:25 AM »

CONGRATULATIONS TO SALLY AND STEPH FOR ANOTHER BIRTHDAY
IN GOOD HEALTH, CONTENTMENT AND PROSPERITY!

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4129 on:** December 21, 2012, 10:23:03 AM »

JeanneP, when that new computer finally gets to your house, what operating system does it have? My new one has Win7, and I can tell you I sorely miss my WinXP.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4130 on:** December 21, 2012, 10:24:43 AM »

Happy Birthday Sally and Steph.

JoanK · « **Reply #4131 on:** December 21, 2012, 05:01:01 PM »

STEPH: HAPPY BIRTHDAY. dec. 20 produced a lot of good people.

Dan points out that it's considerate of the world to wait til the day after his birthday to end. Looks like the world may be even more considerate and hang on for a few years.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4132 on:** December 21, 2012, 08:11:41 PM »

Tomereader

It had W8 but I had my SIL who is in the computer business put w7 on it for me. He can Put 8 back on later If I think I want it. I just did not want lots of the things that 8 had gone to. I still have WXP pro on this one and my laptop. Laptop I never use. He put lots of other things on that I needed and some others he took off.

Steph · « **Reply #4133 on:** December 22, 2012, 06:07:15 AM »

I am slowly pulling up the learning curve on 8. It is interesting and I got the flash player thing solved. Now to figure out how to find a way to write letters with letterheads, etc. No more Microsoft Works.. and the office is way too much stuff on it.
I picked up an really older book by William Price Fox that I had in my library. He makes me laugh and is very very southern. Don't think he is still alive or at least not writing any more.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4134 on:** December 24, 2012, 09:24:58 AM »

Just ran across Jack London's first full length novel. It is called A Daughter of the Snows, published in 1902. London's was early on plagued by accusations of racism.

When reading up on Mr. London, I discovered that he was an advocate for unionization, socialism, and worker's rights. Here, I always thought his novels were about strong, INDEPENDENT types. The only one I actually ever read was Call of the Wild, his third novel.

A Daughter of the Snows (as do others) apparently shows, if not his views, the common views of racism of his day through his characters. In that light, I would be most interested to see how heavy a hand he applies racist comments compared to Earl Biggers Charlie Chan series or even Agatha Christie's portrayal of prejudice against Poirot. And we all know what a stink Helen Bannerman's The Story of Little Black Sambo makes these days and how the publishing powers proceeded to change names to make it politically correct (these days it isThe Story of Little Babaji, version by Fred Marcellino).

I've posted this in the Political discussion also because it may start a conversation on racism in literature over the last century or so.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4135 on:** December 24, 2012, 12:48:30 PM »

I've made the mistake of picking up some "holiday" books that turned out to be what i would call "romance" books. Do any of you have some fiction recommendations that aren't based on a romance between characters. I'm not anti romance, but it seems many "fiction" books have started w/ the male and female protagonists not liking each other, but, of course, are going to get married in the end. I dont have to read the book, i know the story.

I know you all will have some good recommendations for me.

Merry Christmas!

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4136 on:** December 24, 2012, 03:48:36 PM »

A Child's Christmas in Wales -
Capote's, A Christmas Memories -
Christmas in Fairacre's, a Miss Read story -
The Flying Stars (Father Brown), by G.K. Chesterton -
Cricket on the Hearth, The Chimes , Dr. Marigold's Prescription, Charles Dickens -
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (Sherlock Holmes) -
The Thieves Who Couldn't Help Sneezing, by Thomas Hardy -
A Chaparral Christmas Gift, O. Henry -
Dancing Dan's Christmas, by Damon Runyon -
Cooper's Gift: A Lilac Creek Christmas Dog Story, by Dana Landers -
A Christmas Angel, Abbey Farwell Brown’s -
Christmas Day in the Morning, Pearl S. Buck -
The Other Wise Man, Van Dyke -
The Chess Player, Koopman -
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Barbara Robinson -
Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm, Stella Gibbons -
An Irish Country Christmas (Irish Country Books), Patrick Taylor -
An Irish Country Christmas, this time by Alice Taylor.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4137 on:** December 24, 2012, 07:29:49 PM »

Glad to hear there was a Pearl Buck book I had not read. Will see if I can find it. It must go back a few years.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4138 on:** December 25, 2012, 01:38:12 PM »

Thank you, Barbara, i knew i could depend on my SL friends. ........ I've had an upper respiratory infection and my brain has been fuzzy, i just couldn't think, but, of course, some of your list of books i have read and others i have heard of. I'll start down the list, i'll bet some f them are online.

Jean

CallieOK · « **Reply #4139 on:** December 25, 2012, 07:48:00 PM »

Somewhere - someone - mentioned that Ken Follett would be on BookTV today. I was actually watching the time - and saw the program. Interesting fellow!

I've just reserved "Window of the World" at my library. There are only 2 ahead of me; however, the library system has 77 copies!

maryz · « **Reply #4140 on:** December 25, 2012, 08:27:02 PM »

It's Winter of the World, Callie - I'm about 2/3 through it, and enjoying it. Have you read the first one? The Fall of Giants.

CallieOK · « **Reply #4141 on:** December 25, 2012, 09:52:04 PM »

Thanks, Mary, WINTER of the World is the one I reserved!

Yes, I have read The Fall of Giants and liked it. (I hope I can remember who is who (whom?) in each family!

Ken Follett said he has the outline done for the third book in the series. It begins in 1961 when the German family finds themselves on the "wrong side" of the Berlin Wall.

I've also read his The Pillars of the Earth and its sequel World Without End.

maryz · « **Reply #4142 on:** December 25, 2012, 10:43:47 PM »

Callie, I didn't have any trouble catching up with who was who.

Steph · « **Reply #4143 on:** December 26, 2012, 11:33:22 AM »

Windows 8 is still being a pain, but getting better. I bought my granddaughter a new laptop, with windows 8 and she even spent all day struggling at 17, so I don't feel so bad with my struggles. Got lots of books for Christmas ...whee.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4144 on:** December 26, 2012, 11:45:28 AM »

I got 5 books for Christmas and a lot of Barnes & Noble gift certificates.

Just finished watching the DVD set of the miniseries of WORLD WITHOUT END that I bought. Well, this is what I have to say: if you were to watch the miniseries without reading the book, I think you would have to observe that it is very well filmed and extremely well acted. I really fell for the actor Blake Ritson, who plays Edward III. The ending they cooked up for this series was way beyond ridiculous, but a story is a story is a story.

That said, the TV series was quite different from the book. They changed just about every little thing they could. Only the bare bone outline of Ken Follett's story remains, and even that is totally changed at the end. Oh well. Follett must have been paid handsomely for it, because he appears in a special feature on the last disc and declares he is well pleased with it. He DOES make the point that the script and his manuscript are quite different things, however. With a huge smile on his face.

Steph · « **Reply #4145 on:** December 27, 2012, 06:31:37 AM »

Possibly the money was enough to cause the smile. I am reading a really old book by William Price Fox, but losing interest. Need to find something to really read. That is my bed book..Remnant Population is not holding me either.. My day book is in the Robert Parker world of Paradise, written by the man who writes the series for tv.. Not bad, but not Parker.

bellemere · « **Reply #4146 on:** December 27, 2012, 11:32:32 AM »

Because of a scheduling error at my Book Club, I find that I must again be the Fuggester for January. I decided to find books from young, under-40 authors, for a change. Here is what I have so far:
Swamplandia by Karen Russell. Wonderful adventure storyu in the Florida Everglades. Central character a "True Grit" kind of girl trying to save her family's Alligator theme park, and save her sister from a disastroud pilgriage. Ms. Russel has always written short stories, this was her first novel and it was runner up for the Pulitzer prize that was never awarded.
Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris. Yount professionals in the 70's at a Chicago ad agency , all terrified of lisning theri jobs. Funny and poignant and makes me realize how the fear of unimployment looms larger for this young generation than it everr did for ours.
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. Love triangle of three people graduating from Brown and going off into the real world Mr. Eugenides, acutally has hit 40 but the book really captures the values of the younger genreration for me: love, religion, career, family. Very good, but critics said not as good as his others. I disagree.
Looking for a fourth . Considering Drinking Coffee Eslewhere by ZZ Packer. Her Arican american parents gave her some long Swhili name with a lot of z's, xso she kept some and dumped the rest of the name. These are short sotries, and i haven't personally read them, amd going by the critics' raves about her use of language, poower of observation, creation of characters marginalized by current society. anybody read any of these authors?

bellemere · « **Reply #4147 on:** December 27, 2012, 11:37:23 AM »

Oh, dear! forgot the spell check, of course I am going to suggest books not fuggest them.

ginny · « **Reply #4148 on:** December 27, 2012, 11:50:58 AM »

Oh heck, hahaha I was quite taken with the title of Fuggester, seems like that's all I do lately, fuggest. hahahaa

JeanneP · « **Reply #4149 on:** December 27, 2012, 12:37:28 PM »

I just don't know what my problem is at the moment. I can't seem to find a good book. Me who is use to reading 2-3 a week. Usually Murder, suspense or a good family story. I need to find a book with a lot of humor in it I think just to get out of the rut. None of my favourite writers seem to have put good books out this past year or two.
Back to library today. See what I can find. I have a couple on the long waiting lists. Do have a few DVD to watch made from books.

CallieOK · « **Reply #4150 on:** December 27, 2012, 12:53:59 PM »

I just returned from the library with my reserved copy of Winter of the World. Those 77 copies are moving pretty fast! Also brought home two Jane Gardam books.
I'm set for the next round of heavy wintry weather....whenever it comes.

<giggling> about bellemere, the Fuggster! Love it!

bellemere · « **Reply #4151 on:** December 27, 2012, 02:56:57 PM »

As they say in New York City, "Fuggestuhboudit!"

Steph · « **Reply #4152 on:** December 28, 2012, 06:31:16 AM »

Ah hah, that is what I thought of when she was going to fuggest us.. I am going to Barnes and Nobel today later , since there are some new stuff out and I also need my day by day book that sits by my computer.. And with the confusion caused by windows 8,. I want to see what or if they have a book about it yet.. I am getting used to it and have discovered that at the bottom of the screen, if you click,, you come up with all the sites you use all the time, plus a fewmore that they want you to.. Interesting.

marjifay · « **Reply #4153 on:** December 28, 2012, 08:46:10 AM »

JeanneP wrote: "I just don't know what my problem is at the moment. I can't seem to find a good book. Me who is use to reading 2-3 a week. Usually Murder, suspense or a good family story. I need to find a book with a lot of humor in it I think just to get out of the rut."

I know the feeling. Went thru about five books recently trying to find one to finish. Have you read THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES by Jussi Adler-Olsen (a Danish author)? Terrific mystery/thriller. I loved the author's wry sense of humor.

Another suggestion for a good humorous book: THE THIN WOMAN by Dorothy Cannell. A young, chubby woman, wanting to impress her relatives, rents a man from a dating service to take with her to a family reunion and introduces him as her financee.

Marj

bellemere · « **Reply #4154 on:** December 28, 2012, 10:51:45 AM »

I got the coolest gift from my daughter whose husband works for Brnes and Noble. It
s a blanket, or "throw" made of heavy cotton knit, black background, white letters all over it, quotes from literature. Like "Call me Ishmael" and "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" Most of them I know but I am having fun treacking down the ones I don't
anyone got "As Gregor Samsa awoke from ......"?

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4155 on:** December 28, 2012, 11:27:06 AM »

FRANZ KAFKA

JoanK · « **Reply #4156 on:** December 28, 2012, 03:53:27 PM »

That blanket sounds wonderful.

Marge: cannell writes ysteries, and "The Thin Woman" sounds like a takeoff on the Thin man. Is TTW a mystery?

marjifay · « **Reply #4157 on:** December 28, 2012, 08:53:40 PM »

No, JoanK, Cannell's The Thin Woman is not a takoff on The Thin Man. But looking back on my notes, I see that there is a mystery. What I remember most, tho,' is the humor in it. I'll have to read more of her mysteries.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #4158 on:** December 29, 2012, 05:51:06 AM »

NO idea why, but Cannell is someone I never am able to finish her books.. Silly.

JoanK · « **Reply #4159 on:** December 29, 2012, 02:32:54 PM »

I've put samples of "Thin Woman" and "Keeper" on my kindle.

My kindle is my TBR pile. I don't know how many samples I have on it: 30 mysteries alone, not to mention the other books. But the samples are free and take up no space! I only pay if I read the sample and decide to finish the book.

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 774974 times)