Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 909764 times)

bellemere · « **Reply #4360 on:** February 01, 2013, 09:01:32 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

thanks for all the recommendations. got my list made out and just to balance all the wonderful Anglophile humor, I added David Sedaris: when YOu Are Engulfed in Flames. Will see what I can find in Nook downloads or large print paper \backs.
I have just been declared legally blind. Today, a social worker is coming to explain some of the things I am entitled to. Turning in myh driver's license after 62 years was really tough. Now I am Miss Daisy and Husband has to get a little black cap. I still have a great deal of useful vision, but my condition is a deteration of central vision due to macular degeneration. So reading, my second life, can get more difficule, and using a computer requires a magnifier, and even then, can be tough to read. Some twent-somethings have also decided that cream colored letters on a pale blue background are to be used for onscreen texts instead of strong contrast black on white. Grrrrrr!
I know my futre lies with audio books, so I am re-reading some of my wonderful books before that stage.: V.S. Naipaul, John Cheever, Alain deBotton, Alice McDermott, Frederic Morton, Rebecca West, and the wondeerful historian,
Barbara Tuchman. fon
t know how many I will et through.
This from William Wordsworth:
"What tho the radiance that was so bright
Be taken now forever from my sight,
Though nothing can recall the hour
Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower,
We will not grieve but rather find
Strength in what remains behind."
Intimations on Immortality, Wordsworth

Babi · « **Reply #4361 on:** February 01, 2013, 09:42:41 AM »

BELLE, I am so sorry to hear of the change you are facing. I have often thought that I was fortunate to have
lost my hearing rather than my sight, since so many things I love to do depend on sight. To me, your loss
seems the harder to bear. It is fortunate, tho', that there are now so many options to allow you to enjoy your
favorite books by simply listening. Thank goodness you will retain some 'useful vision'; while your husband is
driving 'Miss Daisy', you can still enjoy the scenery.

marcie · « **Reply #4362 on:** February 01, 2013, 10:33:55 AM »

Bellemere, I'm sorry about your vision changes. Do you know that you can change the colors you see on your computer screen. I don't know what operating system you are using. Here is information about Windows XP at http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/access_cpanel_overview.mspx?mfr=true

High Contrast is designed for people who have vision impairment. High contrast color schemes can make the screen easier to view for some users by heightening screen contrast with alternative color combinations. Some of the schemes also change font sizes for easier reading.

There is information about changing the page and font colors for the Internet Explorer browser at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Internet-Explorer-9-accessibility-options

bellemere · « **Reply #4363 on:** February 01, 2013, 10:57:48 AM »

Just had viit from fery informatie social worker. She is setting up appointments with a a computer consultaning engineer to come to the house and gie my guidance about adaptin my present computer or purchasing a new one in the nest year or s. Also an rehab person to help "organize kitchen " " (hahaha) and help with cooking and household tips. I am eleigible for the loan of adigital and free audiobooks, from their catalog. Hope it's rt reading maine, special for low vision \I am still reading everything but very small print. and I love my Nook.
I also can have the local newspaper read to me every day if I want, over a special radio. So, I can't despair. I a I have Windows m
sure many of you have problems and are finding ways to deal with them. At least I am getting a lot of help.
I will try the sugested link. My operating system is Windows 7 with a magnifier and special adaptations, but not anything to improve contrast. Hopefully the computer engineer visiting next month will help.
eanwile I have a vacation to look forward to after just haveing my gall baladder removed , by a Robot yet
Call me the Bride of Frankenstein.

maryz · « **Reply #4364 on:** February 01, 2013, 10:59:22 AM »

Bellemere, I'm so sorry about your vision problems, but love your great attitude. I, too, hate the new "style" of white/light letters on dark (or not dark enough) background. I just skip those things and go on to something else. I have found that if you highlight ("select") the passage you want to read, it'll change the colors to what will sometimes be easier to read. Or I can copy-and-paste it onto a notebook or word page, it'll show up in black-on-white and be easier to read. I know you'll find others ways to cope.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4365 on:** February 01, 2013, 11:19:50 AM »

Bellemere, I am so sorry to hear that your vision has deteriorated so much. Your social worker will have some or all of these links for you to try, but here they are anyway.

Don't forget that you can, if you don't have already, get voice recognition software to use instead of typing in messages and documents.

Talking books:
http://www.afb.org/section.aspx?sectionid=42&topicid=182&documentid=2096

Library of Congress: I thought they had large print books, but I guess not - audio and braille.
http://www.loc.gov/nls/

Amazon to the rescue? Link to Large Print Store at top right of page.
http://www.amazon.com/Visually-Impaired-Books/b?ie=UTF8&node=14264821

Bookshare looks interesting but they require proof of disability and you may need special software (something that reads DAISY format) to view the books. Anyone familiar with this group?
https://www.bookshare.org/

I noticed that many state libraries have web pages to their visually impaired programs.

That should get you started.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4366 on:** February 01, 2013, 01:22:42 PM »

Bellemere I am sorry - loss is hard but the loss of sight ouch - thank goodness there are services to make the transition easier and thank goodness you have a driver to make life less confining. I can see how the nook would be an asset with the large letters it allows - organizing a kitchen I would never have thought of but now it makes sense - praying this transition is a comfort and you continue to fill yourself with the books and travel that are important to you.

Steph · « **Reply #4367 on:** February 02, 2013, 06:46:28 AM »

My husband recorded talking books in Florida,. so I know that you can request particular titles if you have interests that are specific. He recorded several cookbooks and at least two books on growing roses..
Splendor in the Grass. Does anyone else remember that movie.. Ah,, so romantic and tragic for us in the 50's.. I am sure the current crop of teens would laugh and laugh and laugh.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4368 on:** February 02, 2013, 11:41:21 AM »

Belle, my deepest and sincere sympathy with your sight situation. I, too, have had my hearing go, but can still see. Not as I would wish to see, and yes, those tiny letters and/or white on pastels or black drive me right up the wall.
I have many friends and one relative with the macular degeneration. I am just so sorry.
And I applaud your list. I am still fervently of the belief Rebecca West's Grey Falcon and Black Lamb is the best book ever written about Yugoslavia and one of the best travel books EVER.

pedln · « **Reply #4369 on:** February 02, 2013, 04:38:11 PM »

Bellemere, I'm so sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis, and can only wish for you that the progression will be very slow. As many have said, your attitude is wonderful, outstanding, and except for driving, I have no doubt that you will continue to do most of what you wish.

salan · « **Reply #4370 on:** February 02, 2013, 05:30:30 PM »

Steph, I loved Splendor in the Grass. Cried my eyes out...so romantic. No doubt I wouldn't have the same reaction today. Some things are better not being revisited. I also loved "Love Story".
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #4371 on:** February 03, 2013, 06:26:34 AM »

BelleMere,, I am so very sorry.. Being a widow, the idea of not driving is terrifying. I do not like in a place where there is public transportation.. Would have to go to an assisted living center, since they are the only places I know that have their own little buses.. Some of them have independent living as well.
I loved a lot of movies I saw in my teens and 20's..Nowadays trying to stay away from violence is hard..I wondor what our grandchildren will be like with all the violent games and movies..

Babi · « **Reply #4372 on:** February 03, 2013, 09:08:47 AM »

I liked Rebecca West very much, but I had never heard of "Grey Falcon and Black Lamb",
MARYPAGE. Thanks for mentioning it.

I hear you, STEPH. I am so fortunate that my younger daughter lives with me. Otherwise, I
would be in precisely that predicament now. Her own health isn't great, and the day may come when
I will find it necessary to swap my space and privacy for a narrow bed and half a room, shared with
a stranger. However, with any luck, I won't last that long.

marjifay · « **Reply #4373 on:** February 03, 2013, 03:08:12 PM »

I bought Rebecca West's (nonfiction) Black Lamb and Grey Falcon after reading Robert Kaplan's very interesting book about the Balkan region of Europe, BALKAN GHOSTS, which he recommended. However I've yet to read it as it's length is 1100+ pages. One of these days....

Marj

MaryPage · « **Reply #4374 on:** February 03, 2013, 04:23:06 PM »

It is a very easy and interesting book to read, and does not seem nearly as long as it is. The history is mind-blowing. It was written pre World War Two, and will make you want to go on and read other books about what happened there during and after that war. I have probably given it as a gift a dozen or more times.

Steph · « **Reply #4375 on:** February 04, 2013, 06:18:53 AM »

Rebecca West is an interesting author.. I read it many years ago, but her premise was sound.
Did I say I finished The Red Tent and my Learning Co. series is here. Not for the next two days, but hopefully by the end of the week, I can start it.

Babi · « **Reply #4376 on:** February 04, 2013, 09:14:54 AM »

I was interested in reading the Rebecca West book and checked to see if my library had it.
(They didn't.) But after reading that it is 1100+ pages long, I think I'll let it slide.
The "Pillars of the Earth" that I'm reading now is quite long, but it's not a library book
and I'm taking my time, savoring it slowly. My only complaint...one of the characters is
so horrible he must be demented, and I'm surprised someone hasn't killed him already. I
would, and consider it the equivalent of shooting a rabid dog.

marjifay · « **Reply #4377 on:** February 04, 2013, 04:55:19 PM »

I really liked Pillars of the Earth. Wasn't that whole Hamleigh family the pitts? Have you seen the BBC TV mini-series of it, Babi? Very good. Matthew Macfadyen was wonderful as Prior Philip, as he was in the BBC mini-series of Little Dorrit where he played Arthur. I wasn't able to get thru Dickens' book of Little Dorrit, but loved the mini-series.

Marj

bellemere · « **Reply #4378 on:** February 04, 2013, 05:27:20 PM »

Thank so much for the support and sugestions.
I also have had Rebecca West's Black Lamb Grey Falcon on mhy to read list for a lon time, somewhat intimdated by its length. but I just finished Catherine the Great, almost that long. Maybe audeio boods will have it. My latest re-read in hardcover books from long ago is The Great Huner, by Cecil Woodham Smith, a heart wrenching account of the Famine Years in Ireland. Unbelievable portrayal of man's inhumanity to man, the more so because it is written in a scholarly manner, not sensationalism. When she describes a lineup of 26 ships in the St. Lawrence River , filled with starving plague ridden Irish emigres awaiting entrance to Canada, it made me shudder. Maybe one of the reasons I do not have a warm fuy feeling about the English aristocreacy. Queen Elizabeth's apoloy last year was long, long overdue. So you can uess I am enjoying the chauffeur on Downton Abby.
Now I am doubling up: an novel by a new young writer, (under 40) by Daniel Alarcon, on my Nook, and some of my Graham Green favoirites, The Power and the Glory and The Human FActor in print. I am going to load up my Nook for vacation with Far From theTree and one or two of the light works hou hafe all suggested.
I am so lookin forward to that Mexican sunshine!

Steph · « **Reply #4379 on:** February 05, 2013, 06:09:06 AM »

I love my Florida sunshine, but disliked Mexico intensely.Wish I hadn't, but there it is, one of the very few countries that I will not go back.
I am getting there with Dearie.. The author is a nitpicker, but I do love Julia,and am now when she is coming into her own..
Busy week, but I read before bed.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4380 on:** February 05, 2013, 06:45:06 AM »

Yes, I read The Great Hunger some years ago, and the one thing that stands out from the experience is that you will never, ever look at this world the same way again. Our awfuls are so much MORE awful than our imaginations can imagine.

Babi · « **Reply #4381 on:** February 05, 2013, 09:05:42 AM »

Beyond belief, MARJ. Regan Hamleigh is as vicious as her son, and she has the brains he
doesn't. I haven't seen the mini-series, but it has CC, I will probably want to see it
after I've finished the book. But tell me....I hope the scenes of William Hamleigh's cruelties
are not graphically portrayed in the series? I really wouldn't want to see that.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4382 on:** February 05, 2013, 02:28:02 PM »

I read Pillars of The Earth and then watched the mini-series with both horror and fascination. My horror was the usual disgust that they simply cannot make the movies follow the books. Once I got calmed down about that, with a "so what did I expect?" kind of attitude, I decided to enjoy the mini-series as a "sort of like the book" parallel story. That worked for me.
So then only last year I finally read World Without End, because I knew the mini-series was coming. Then, because I cannot access the channel that played the series without spending a lot of extra money, I waited and bought the series. Again, and this time I was ready for it, they have changed simply heaps and heaps from the book. Again, I enjoyed the mini-series as a different telling of the stories in the book.
In both cases, the books were far, far superior to the films.

CallieOK · « **Reply #4383 on:** February 05, 2013, 02:46:00 PM »

In both cases, the books were far, far superior to the films. I agree, MaryPage.

maryz · « **Reply #4384 on:** February 05, 2013, 03:53:25 PM »

I think what they probably say is "based on the book", rather than reproducing the book. In any case, I'm sure it was done with the author's okay.

Steph · « **Reply #4385 on:** February 06, 2013, 06:05:41 AM »

Most authors don't care as long as someone throws money at them.. I could not get over how bad One for the Money was..Good book, but the lead was so wrong as to be hysterical.. Interview with a vampire was another one that ruined the book, but Tom Cruise and his ego think he can do anything. Bah.

jane · « **Reply #4386 on:** February 06, 2013, 09:32:54 AM »

I don't know how much, if any, control the author has once he/she has signed to allow the book to be a movie. It's sort of like authors who've sold all rights to a publisher...and the publisher can print/reprint (and often portray as a new work) when it's not...and the author has no say and no royalties.

I guess it all depends on what the contract spells out. Authors may be so thrilled a movie is being made they don't realize what they've signed away.

marjifay · « **Reply #4387 on:** February 06, 2013, 12:16:32 PM »

I thought the BBC mini-series of Little Dorrit was better than the book!

I don't mind if the movie of a book is not the same as the book. They are two different media and I don't expect them to be identical, as long as they are both good. I'm always interested in how the director interprets the book.

MaryPage, don't you belong to Netflix? They have just about every TV mini-series, so you wouldn't have to buy the films. Only $8/month, as you probably know. I feel I get my money's worth way over what I pay for the service.

Marj

MaryPage · « **Reply #4388 on:** February 06, 2013, 08:21:04 PM »

No, I have no desire whatsoever to belong to Netflex. I want complete control over what I want to see and when I want to see it. And owning the DVDs means I can watch again and again and entertain visiting friends and relatives with them and loan them out to family and so on and on. Each of us to our own thing.

An author can refuse to sell their book or books for filming without retaining right of approval over the script. J.K. Rowling had the right to stop anything they tried to do with the Harry Potter movies, and that is why they were so very close to the books. Follett made it obvious in his remarks in the "special features" section of the DVDs of his books that he did NOT retain control.

I rather expect you must get less money up front if you have a say in what is done. But then again, if you get a percentage of the income from the films, it should be a LOT bigger if your fan base is happy with the results than it would be if they are disappointed.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4389 on:** February 06, 2013, 08:24:27 PM »

I am reading a little change from Mystery or Murder at the moment. Weather cold so need cheering up.
Quite enjoying Marcia Willett's "A week in Winter".Pretty old. 2002 but a good Read in Bed book.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4390 on:** February 07, 2013, 03:45:45 AM »

I think JK Rowling is definitely not as money-mad as some successful authors. Of course she has made millions, so is hardly having to worry about the grocery bills, but she has in fact dropped off the UK 'billionaires' list, as she has given so much to charity - I appreciate that that is easier to do when you have so much, but it's amazing how many v rich people seem to panic about preserving their assets to such an extent that this consumes their waking hours.

I had clients once who had made a killing selling the husband's company. He was very laid back about it, but the wife was completely paranoid, obsessed with the idea that everyone was trying to get their money, and even refused to pay the standard fee for the work I had done for them (as I was not a partner in the firm, it didn't make any financial difference to me, but it certainly coloured my view of her.) It was weird, because unlike JK Rowling she had not come from poverty at all, but she just seemed to spend all her time gloating over (his) money. I don't think she was very happy, didn't seem to have many friends.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #4391 on:** February 07, 2013, 06:21:50 AM »

Stephen King had enormous control over his books and still does.. Robert Parker also maintained a lot of say.. It all depends on what you want or are willing to do.. I fault Janet Evanovich for One for the Money..She thought it would be fun.. Katherine Hegl is simply not a good actress at all.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4392 on:** February 07, 2013, 09:48:17 PM »

Maryz - i know you are watching the TU / LSU game, so am i. It made me wonder - did one of Pat Summit's assisstant coaches get her job?

maryz · « **Reply #4393 on:** February 07, 2013, 10:01:35 PM »

You're right, Jean - we're right here. Pat's 20+ year assistant (and former player) Holly Warlick was named head coach. She was "acting head coach" last season. It was a good choice. Pat's still at all the games and most of the practices - with the title of "Head Coach Emeritus".

Steph · « **Reply #4394 on:** February 08, 2013, 06:37:55 AM »

I wish I liked basketball. I did in high school and college, but on tv.. no.. and the few pro games I have been to were not my cup of tea. Lots of babies, rolling on the floor and acting out for the crowd.

maryz · « **Reply #4395 on:** February 08, 2013, 06:46:09 AM »

Steph, I'm don't really watch the games on TV, either. Women's basketball is different from the men's - same rules, but a different attitude toward the game. It's not all about the power, etc. - more strategy and plays involved. This is the only sport I really pay any attention to.

marjifay · « **Reply #4396 on:** February 08, 2013, 09:55:02 AM »

Girl's basketball is a big thing in the midwest. When my parents moved to southern Iowa, which I hated, I went to a dinkey high school in my freshman year. I had to play basketball, not because I wanted to, but because they were so short-handed they needed every girl. I played one game in their tournament, not knowing the rules or even caring who won. Of course I was fouled out very soon. Have disliked the game ever since. Only time I've watched basketball is when the Harlem Globe Trotters were giving an exhibition. Happily, my parents sent me for the rest of my high school years to a big school in the county seat, where I made friends with non-basketball players.

Marj.

maryz · « **Reply #4397 on:** February 08, 2013, 10:58:34 AM »

Marj, I had to laugh at your post. Our 6'4" grandson got his height very early. He went to a very small high school (70 in his graduating class), so he had to play basketball, too. He really didn't like it either - MUCH preferred soccer - and still does.

pedln · « **Reply #4398 on:** February 08, 2013, 11:26:57 AM »

I like to watch "live" basketball, but don't seek to watch it on TV. When we moved to Puerto Rico back in the 70's it was fun to watch -- and the games were played outside. I don't know what they did when it rained.

Marj -- you were playing 6-player girls rules? These last posts sent me googling to see when Iowa and Oklahoma finally switched to 5 player -- not until the mid 1990's. Wow. Made it hard for girls there to get athletic scholarships out of state.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4399 on:** February 08, 2013, 03:25:04 PM »

Rosemary. The Obsession over money has become a big thing now on both sides of the Atlantic. I have seen families fall apart when lots left or some in family and friendships begin to make lot of it.. That is why Embezzling has become a big thing now. People seem to think money helps with everything.

News:

Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 909764 times)