Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775094 times)

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4880 on:** July 23, 2013, 12:50:36 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

The weather map showing the overall till the middle of August shows a lot of heavy rain to continue along the east and we get the hot and dry that has become our Alma mater

Steph · « **Reply #4881 on:** July 24, 2013, 09:00:24 AM »

Our handycouple.came and fixed my roof leak yesterday ( I hope, I hope) and promised to come back soon to fix my car port.. It is built sort of intoa hill and the hill is collapsing on the front of it.

maryz · « **Reply #4882 on:** July 24, 2013, 02:07:03 PM »

Oh, dear, Steph. That's not a good thing. I hope they get there in time.

Steph · « **Reply #4883 on:** July 25, 2013, 08:54:57 AM »

They will, I just have to nag which is not a favorite thing of mine. It is mostly on the sides, so other than the driveway turning red from Georgia red clay, it is not dangerous, but messy.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4884 on:** July 27, 2013, 02:44:30 PM »

I am reading Mary Alice Monroe "Time is a river" at the moment. Little slow but best I have until tomorrow. Some waiting at the library.

Aberlaine · « **Reply #4885 on:** July 27, 2013, 06:21:41 PM »

I just finished Mary Alice Monroe's "The Beach House". I enjoyed it so much I'm going to reserve "Sweetgrass" from our local library. Thanks for bringing up Ms. Monroe's name.

salan · « **Reply #4886 on:** July 28, 2013, 03:25:15 AM »

Aberlaine, I loved Sweet Grass; but then I haven't read an Alice Monroe book that I didn't like!
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #4887 on:** July 28, 2013, 09:41:21 AM »

Spent two house yesterday cleaning at the Humane Society. Felt wonderful after.. so I will go back on Saturdays. Hm, seems as if I need somewhere to use up energy..

maryz · « **Reply #4888 on:** July 28, 2013, 10:39:37 AM »

Glad you had a successful day, and have found a new outlet for your energy.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4889 on:** July 28, 2013, 05:56:55 PM »

Steph. Good of you to do that. I love all animals but if I spent 10 min inside a humane soc. I would have the biggest allergy attach. Specially if theyhad cats in.

Steph · « **Reply #4890 on:** July 29, 2013, 08:35:49 AM »

This time of year, they are knee deep in kittens. Plus the mountain people are not into neutering their cats.. So they simply take the kittens to the shelters and swear they found them in their barn with no Mamas..Hmph..

ginny · « **Reply #4891 on:** July 29, 2013, 08:52:33 AM »

I imagine working in a shelter gives you a whole new perspective on things.

We actually did find a kitten in our barn, somebody's cat had had a litter, in our barn of course, and one kitten fell thru a very small hole somehow in the loft which was for the electrical, down onto a shelf and rode a box onto the barn floor. Despite that he was fine. Despite our attempts to the contrary, the mother came back for the others but left "Buzzy" as we now call him, behind, so we "adopted" him pretty much by default.

I'm told by those who like cats and the Vet that he's beautiful. We're not cat people at all. He's neutered and he likes to ride on golf carts and help out with anything mechanical but he's also a pistol who doesn't mind biting/ attacking for no reason with no warning the hand which feeds him, (he's a true barn cat despite being socialized as a youngster) and that's not the kind of behavior we're used to, so it's been sort of a rocky road. Especially when it's time to put his flea/ heartworm meds on him. But he's happy and amazingly healthy, and we put him up in the barn at night so the wild animals don't get a shot at him.

I never have understood the mentality of people who will see what appears to them to be a farm and put out all manner of young animals thinking that the farmer for some reason will be happy to take them in and care for their unwanted pets. Taking them to the shelter is much kinder for the animal because they really don't have a chance in that situation.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4892 on:** July 29, 2013, 09:10:42 AM »

Ginny, Twerp was a bitey cat too. I never could break him of it. I blame it on the fact that he was not fully weaned; his mother got out of the house and got run over. One of my co-workers took in his sister but she never mentioned having a problem, so who knows.

JoanK · « **Reply #4893 on:** July 29, 2013, 03:26:20 PM »

Have either of you watched "My cat from Hell" on Animal Planet? I don't know if the tips he gives are actually useful, or not. He has toys he uses with bitey cats that simulate going after prey, and tire them out. And modifies the environment, so they can have their own place. (often looking down on everyone).

Frybabe · « **Reply #4894 on:** July 29, 2013, 04:12:50 PM »

Twerp had his crows nest. The little stinker liked to go for my hand rather than the toy. When he got older, he pretty much ignored toys. Oh, but did that cat ever have the biggest purr box I ever heard. I think I saw one of the Cat from Hell shows.

ginny · « **Reply #4895 on:** July 29, 2013, 05:07:18 PM »

Oh no I haven't seen the Cat From Hell except in person.

Buzzy has his run of the farm, plenty of game to chase and plenty of high places of his own, he's got the entire interior of the barn every night, and he does think it's his. I dunno. If I can catch the program I will, tho, but give me a dog every time.

Steph · « **Reply #4896 on:** July 30, 2013, 08:55:50 AM »

I love both cats and dogs, but generally have dogs.Used to have cats as well. Dogs tend to be more companionable, at least my corgi are .They like to be nosy and check out everything. I like volunteering at the shelter and like the grown cats and kittens for fun. I also dont want to work with the dogs since I have two at home and dont like to expose them by being with any dogs that are ill.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4897 on:** July 30, 2013, 03:19:28 PM »

I never had cats but there are some beautiful breeds now. What I like about cats. Their faces. All seem to have a smiling one.

What I hate to see now in the Pet stores and places are the toys for both dogs and cats. Lots of them are animals like Squirrels.Rabbits, stuffed dogs and cats. Birds. all kinds. My friend buys them for her dog and it goes mad tearing them apart. Hate it to see a Squirrel outside or a bird.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4898 on:** July 30, 2013, 03:45:39 PM »

I think we have become confused about our Pets - in one breath we want well-mannered, loving companions dependent on us as if they were almost a child and in the next breath we remember they are animals with strong instincts to survive in nature therefore we think we should allow the pets to exercise their survival and hunting skills.

What gets me is the millions of pets cooped up all day indoors with only a brief evening walk when the occupants come home from work. Dogs especially should have a good run several times a week if we care at all about the animal rather than what the animal does for us.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4899 on:** July 31, 2013, 07:47:22 AM »

Barb, I agree - I am home all day with my animals, and if I even go out for a couple of hours, I feel guilty leaving the dog (though these days I think he just goes to sleep till I come back) - but I have a friend who is a dog walker, and she says most of the dogs she takes out are left in pens all day by owners who work long hours - she is the only person they see during that time. I feel that these people should probably have stuck to cats. I do have neighbours who are both out all day but they pay for their bearded collie to go to 'doggie daycare' every day - it costs them a fortune, but I feel it is at least responsible pet-ownership, as the dog is collected every morning at 10 and returned at 4, having been walked, had a good romp with the other dogs at the centre, and generally had a great time - she is a beautiful, well-socialised animal. The female owner is a teacher, so does not work during the long school holidays, and the man is an offshore engineer, so he too is home for weeks then away for weeks, so they do have the dog home full-time when they are there.

Our weather has been so hot lately (by our standards anyway) that it's not been possible to walk the dog during the middle part of the day, but we have been taking him to the beach in the evenings when it's cooler, and which he loves.

My Siamese are just lying around in the conservatory soaking up the sun.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #4900 on:** July 31, 2013, 08:47:21 AM »

My dogs get walked every single morning..The old lady at 15, a short walk since she starts to pant and lag, but the younger male, we do a mile and a half up and down hills.Then during the day they go out several times for pee breaks, etc. However having grown up with a kennel owning parents, every single dog had a run as well as an inside comfy spot, beds, puffy blankets and toys.. Also a radio on all day in the kennel. They really mostly slept, inside if cold or wet and outside on the raised platform during the day. My Dad had two large play yards, but unless you went in with them, they simply walked around a bit. My younger dog loves to play and so we play throw the ball( toy) several times a day. The shape of the toys is really for the humans. The dogs love the noise they make and if they are furry or not..Doggie day care depends on the dog. For my older one, it would be pure pain, she is not social..but my younger likes it up to a point.He is not overfond of pushy dogs.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4901 on:** July 31, 2013, 01:14:19 PM »

So funny, my dog does NOT like any of her toys that make noise= squeaks. The two toys she loves best are ones that I have tried to find duplicates for, but unsuccessfully. One is a ball, Ha! started out as a tennis ball-type, only it has the fuzzy part on half, and smooth rubber on the rest. She has chewed that until it is split until it is hanging by practically a thread. I have searched and searched- - no joy! She has several sizes of tennis ball type, could care less.
The other favorite toy is a plastic "foot". Time was it had a squeaker, but previous dog chewed off one toe, and we took the squeaker thing out. Current dog loves to chew on this foot! Vet said to get her some rawhide "bones" to help keep her teeth clean, and she does love to chew on those, till they're so small, I'm afraid she'll swallow it, and I toss it and give a nnew one. Pets can be as stubborn and opinionated as kids or seniors!

Steph · « **Reply #4902 on:** August 01, 2013, 08:48:38 AM »

Just finished an Elizabeth Berg.. All about four friends who make a road trip.. A bit too .. boyfriend oriented, but interesting in some ways.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4903 on:** August 01, 2013, 10:30:18 AM »

Yes I read it - I think during Memorial Day weekend - cute and I liked how they could live well, all in the same house and how they were supportive of each other pushing each other to face what was difficult. I was amazed at how she could leave her home with everything in it and just take a couple of suitcases - not sure that I could do that.

I went through a phase of about 6 weeks of reading what I call Beach reading and one that I thought was a interesting was - Calling Invisible Women: A Novel by Ray, Jeanne - it puts a smile on your face -

I am sure it must have started off as the take off on how moms often say they feel invisible just providing meals and clean clothes etc. however, in the story these women really become invisible and unless dressed no one can see them - They have shape and size for instance in bed and the women the story is centered around no one in her immediate family realizes she is invisible including her overworked husband, a physician - they do have a good marriage but he, as her children when they are home from college do not look at her as she serves meals etc. The only ones who realize is her best friend but not her best friend's teenage kids and her mother-in-law - a Yoga teacher who urges her to keep up with her class. Wearing leotards her form can be seen.

Then there is an ad and there is a group of invisible women who meet every week at a hotel - they leave their clothes off in a locker and hold a tissue so others in the group know someone is there using the hotel ballroom for their meeting - of course not paying and if there is a set up after another earlier meeting they help themselves - if the cleaning crew comes in they drop their tissue and get out of the way.

What is more fun is hearing how they use their invisibility - one woman flies of course passing all inspections - gets into cabs while it is taking on a new passenger and she attends opening art exhibitions in New York - another is a teacher and she rides the school bus invisible and successfully stops the bullies - it ends up that they find invisible women all over including the mother of the boy her beautiful college age daughter is dating - she instigates a public out cry after one of them finds the cause that is a combo of three of the most popular drugs for women today - of course they invisibly get into the board room during meetings and talk to one of the scientists in his office with the express purpose of getting the pharmaceutical company to pull at least one of the drugs.

The whole thing is full of shake your head up and down how we sometimes do feel invisible with these outrageous and fun ways these characters use their invisibility.

After reading I wondered what I would do if I was invisible - the idea of travel never crossed my mind till I read it in the story and that sounded good. I really have no desire to be like a fly on the wall and to attend board meetings on Wall Street and whisper ideas that were beneficial to the middle class would be fine except I still imagine their understanding of money and investments is beyond my scope. I ask folks now what they would do if they were invisible and most just ponder and smile but I still have not heard any interesting or original idea.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4904 on:** August 01, 2013, 01:05:37 PM »

Sounds like a fun and thought provoking read Barbara.

Jean

JeanneP · « **Reply #4905 on:** August 01, 2013, 01:18:01 PM »

Now I think most dogs and cats have a great life. Pampered.well fed. Taken for walks. Some even get to sleep with owner in King size beds. They love life. Most of mine did not care for the outdoors, big yard or not. They have been bred down to this now . No longer want to roam out looking for food . Fighting to survive.
.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4906 on:** August 01, 2013, 02:05:27 PM »

Sad isn't it to think we would control a breed to our emotional needs - however, I see so many of the young professionals with dogs that are only given a good walk on the weekend - maybe they too are bred down but they are usually large dogs so i think again the animal is owned to fill the owner's needs rather than the owner seeing to the animals heritage to be an animal.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4907 on:** August 01, 2013, 07:56:18 PM »

I think animals are like us humans. We adjust to things. The more comfortable the better. The sure liv e much longer now. Use to be about 7 years. Some of ours made it to 15 years.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4908 on:** August 01, 2013, 08:31:28 PM »

I love both dogs and cats, though dogs a bit more. Would not be able to handle a dog now, but could be happy with a cat. My lease calls for no pets, so I just enjoy my granddogs and cats now. Every week I spend a night or two at my daughter Anne's house, and she has 2 dogs and 3 cats. So I am not really without.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4909 on:** August 02, 2013, 05:43:46 AM »

MaryPage - I think that is the best way, - similar to what so many people say about grandchildren! I could certainly do with handing this nutty spaniel over to someone for a few days a week. he was up and barking like a lunatic far too early this morning, and even after a walk and his food, he still saw fit to bark the village down just because I went into the garage without him (I should add that Anna was in the kitchen, so he wasn't even Alone...)

Rosemary

JeanneP · « **Reply #4910 on:** August 02, 2013, 07:27:25 PM »

Still having problems with your new dog. Maybe he needs a Animal Trainer. I have one across the Highway that barks constantly. I can hear it from here. At least 600 ft away. Would hate to be their
neighbour

Steph · « **Reply #4911 on:** August 02, 2013, 09:23:43 PM »

Socializing with dogs helps them a lot.. A dog park if they can handle it, if not, a classfor basic manners.
One of those days.. I did not get on until tonight since I was so busy all day.

nlhome · « **Reply #4912 on:** August 05, 2013, 04:51:48 PM »

Barbara, I read that book about the invisible women also and enjoyed it. Interesting premise.

Steph · « **Reply #4913 on:** August 06, 2013, 08:11:42 AM »

Hmm, invisible.. As I get older, I see that I am, but not quite sure I care.. I can think of a lot of men who should be invisible.

ginny · « **Reply #4914 on:** August 06, 2013, 08:37:00 AM »

I love it. To me it's one of the benefits of aging. I remember the first time I walked thru an airport seemingly invisible. Loved it and still do. Lovely.

Long time coming.

Of course in Italy everybody jumps up as if on springs in trains, the metro, buses, and offers me their seats, so that lack of invisibility (I don't take the seats) is nice, too. Such a nice change from what was. LOVE it.

On another subject I saw an article saying 40 is the new 20 and showing women in their 40's wearing shorts out and about. The editors of the peace (this is one of those supermarket rags apparently aimed at the 20's set) seemed somewhat astounded that a 40 year old would wear shorts. I was surprised at that. I don't wear shorts, but I live in an extremely hot part of the country. There are plenty of women my age and older wearing shorts, and tank tops in public. I don't. It's just a matter of personal taste.

Perhaps they like to be cool. Sometimes it looks like something else. I'm not trying to look like a teenybopper, but a lot of these women are.. What is your opinion on shorts for women over 70 or is 70 the new 30?

Ive started Rowling's Casual Vacancy, that so many people here disliked, and Under the Dome. The NYTimes did a huge feature Sunday on the King family, Stephen King, his wife Tabitha, and two sons and one daughter in law, and his daughter. I believe they all write. Wouldn't you love to sit at their table one night? Their conversation, recorded for the NY Times magazine, is very literary.

Anybody reading Under the Dome?

MaryPage · « **Reply #4915 on:** August 06, 2013, 09:57:46 AM »

Ginny, you reflect my emotions about dress for the elderly exactly.
And I detest that at age 84 if I refer to myself as elderly there is always a chorus of voices saying: Oh no! You're not old!
And I want to be just terribly rude and say: Like hell I'm not!
But I rather urgently want to be dignified and NOT look like a teenybopper.
And I believe in below the knee in dresses and no shorts. Well, I only wear a dress to weddings and funerals. Otherwise it is slacks; but never jeans. I always try to look well turned out and coordinated.
I cannot BEAR to be walking behind or sitting behind a head of gorgeous long hair and have the owner turn her head around so that I can behold her wrinkled old face. What a shocker! I also feel older people should cut their hair short. A Judi Dench is a great idea. Again, much more dignified. Long hair is for the young.
But I do not judge anyone who feels differently. My reactions come physically from deep within me, but my thoughts are that it is none of my business what choices other women make. Sincerely.

pedln · « **Reply #4916 on:** August 06, 2013, 10:20:38 AM »

MaryPage, I haven't worn a skirt in years, just pants, even some jeans that don't look like the old denims we used to wear. As for shorts -- never, ever. Part of that is because in college we could only wear bermuda shorts, not short shorts, and living in Puerto Rico for ten years -- you didn't see women of a marriageable age wearing them except maybe to the beach.

Last summer was the first time I wore cropped pants or capris, mainly because I didn't know what kind of shoes.

Now that I've lost about 30 some pounds I probably could wear a skirt, but am totally clueless about where the hem should be. Above the knee? Below the knee? Mid-calf? And I've given away all my slips. So, pants and interesting tops for me.

As for hair, I still can't believe, as I watch News and talk shows, that people pay good money to look as messed up as they do. And, as much as I love Hillary, she should cut hers or wear it up.

maryz · « **Reply #4917 on:** August 06, 2013, 10:56:18 AM »

pedln, your skirt length can and should be whatever is comfortable for you - no rules any more. Personally, I like to wear skirts (they're cooler in hot weather) that are nearly ankle length. As for underneath, I don't have a slip, either. I wear petti-pants or light-weight above-the-knee shorts.

And I'll second or third the dislike of long, unconfined hair on older women - as you can tell by my picture. Not that anybody's hair has to be that short, either. Again, though, it's whatever is comfortable for you.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4918 on:** August 06, 2013, 12:20:15 PM »

From my Blog

JeanneP · « **Reply #4919 on:** August 06, 2013, 01:01:34 PM »

Ginny.

When someone gets up to offer their seat ,thank them and take it. It makes them feel good and insults if you don't . Not done very often in USA .even at my age I will give to someone ican see need it and give the Evil eye to the young still sitting.

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775094 times)