Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775109 times)

Steph · « **Reply #5040 on:** October 09, 2013, 01:28:40 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

MaryZ, yes I am back inFlorida, but thus far,not happily. But life seems to be straightening out.. Songs of Willow Frost.Hmm, made a note.

jane · « **Reply #5041 on:** October 10, 2013, 11:03:08 AM »

Nobel Prize In Literature 2013: Canadian Author Alice Munro Honored With Prize
Posted: 10/10/2013 6:59 am EDT | Updated: 10/10/2013 7:36 am

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/10/nobel-prize-literature_n_4076481.html

JeanneP · « **Reply #5042 on:** October 11, 2013, 09:01:21 AM »

Just finished. "Hotel at the corner" think will buy that as a keeper.cant wait to read his "song of willow frost." No library seems to have it yet. The seem to have slowed down on buying new books.

Steph · « **Reply #5043 on:** October 11, 2013, 10:32:15 AM »

Yes, it has not hit my paperback swap club either.. Darn.

pedln · « **Reply #5044 on:** October 11, 2013, 10:46:22 AM »

Shades of too many books. I found I have three Alice Munro collections on my shelves and have dabbled a bit in each, but not completed any. I did not read the one from the discussion this past summer, but have it in one of the books -- "The Bear Came Over the Mountain." I just saw somewhere that it has now come out as "Away from her," which is the name of the film based on the story.

My town is going crazy over the filming of Gone Girl. They'll be here about six weeks, good for business, and they like us and we like them. They've used a lot of community folks as extras, some that I know. And, the other day the Book Gorilla (Amazon) had the Kindle version for less than $5, so I bought it. Now just to find the time to read it and see which group I'm a part of here -- the likes, or the not likes.

Steph · « **Reply #5045 on:** October 12, 2013, 09:03:57 AM »

Glad your town is making money and having fun with the film crew. I am an anti gone girl.. I hated it.

JeanneP · « **Reply #5046 on:** October 12, 2013, 02:52:55 PM »

Was a long waiting list for gone girl.my name came up to download to my Ipad but I just let it go. Will wait for the movie.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5047 on:** October 12, 2013, 04:28:31 PM »

I just hated GONE GIRL, as well. Will not see the movie. Funny, but it seems to be a book that inspires absolute hatred or great admiration and even love.
Me, I just could not stand the people. I like to read about people I can relate to. When I am following what is going on in someone's head, I like it to be the thinking of someone who is at least trying to be a decent human being.

pedln · « **Reply #5048 on:** October 12, 2013, 08:18:12 PM »

That's interesting about being on the waiting list to download, JeanneP. I assume this was at your library. Are they limited in how many times they can download a certain title?

salan · « **Reply #5049 on:** October 13, 2013, 04:37:59 AM »

My library also has waiting lists for certain books to be downloaded; as well as a limit on how long the book can be kept.
Sally

jane · « **Reply #5050 on:** October 13, 2013, 09:11:50 AM »

My small town library belongs to a consortium of libraries in NE Iowa and there are also only so many digital copies of books available, and so a wait list. This is also common with print books. There are only so many available and one has to wait for her turn.

At one time the big publishing agencies tried to make it so that only 26 people could borrow a digital copy before the library or library group had to buy that digital "license" again. I don't know if this is still the case or not.

jane · « **Reply #5051 on:** October 13, 2013, 09:20:13 AM »

Here's part of what I found this morning:

The elephant dinosaur in the room

Once you get past the technical hoops of connecting your library to your e-reader, you’ll figure out fast that publishers have decided to force libraries to treat e-books like paper books, so only one person can check them out at a time. The library can only check out as many copies of an e-book as they’ve purchased or licensed from publishers. Seems like an antiquated way of going about things, right? It gets worse.

Publishers also decided that since e-books don’t wear out the way paper books do, they need to put limits on how many times a title can be lent before the library has to buy a new copy. For some publishers, the e-book “wears out” after 26 uses. Other publishers put a time limit on it, allowing a library to loan an e-book for a year before having to renew what amounts to a license fee. The publishers that still allow libraries to buy an e-book and loan it out forever without restrictions often charge a very high price for each book.

Publishers just don’t seem to like the idea of e-book lending at all. Despite all of the data about how libraries help with book discovery and lead to greater recognition for books, and more sales, publishers and other people in the book business still balk at the idea of people getting access to books for free.

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/e-book-library-lending-broken-difficult/#ixzz2hbk8NVO1

Steph · « **Reply #5052 on:** October 13, 2013, 09:20:48 AM »

Libraries pay a lot more for digital books.. than we do..

jane · « **Reply #5053 on:** October 13, 2013, 09:27:29 AM »

When I was still working, libraries used to (I don't know current pricing) pay a lot more for magazine subscriptions. Since so many people used them, the publishers would charge a lot more.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5054 on:** October 13, 2013, 01:31:23 PM »

Interesting that Libraries will not take as a donation a used copy that is only a week old after I read it - that could be one more source that does not cost them - do they really think a publisher would visit each branch to assure they only had copies of the magazines they send.

jane · « **Reply #5055 on:** October 13, 2013, 01:38:46 PM »

The libraries here accept books and magazines that are donated, as long as they meet the guidelines established by the Board. Our library has a room to sell copies of books they no longer need and old magazines are set out for free. [The Library used to be able to let the Friends sell the books; Atty General said NO...these are bought with public funds and cannot be given to a group who sells them and then controls "public funds $$." So...we have a coffee room with shelves to sell these multiple copies no longer needed, etc. and people can donate to either it or to the Friends collection which then is offered for sale 2x a year.]

Accepting things for either addition to the Library or for the sale room is determined by the Librarian, according to the guidelines as I said above. Magazines/books put out by various religious sects are often not accepted, nor are books/magazines that are of no benefit to anyone in a public library setting (books on raising hogs from the 1940s and full of mold from being in someone's attic or basement, for example).

Every library, of course, has its own governing board and guidelines. You might want to ask to see the guidelines for accepting donations.

CallieOK · « **Reply #5056 on:** October 13, 2013, 02:24:55 PM »

My library will not take National Geographic magazines, no matter how good shape they're in. The library says it gets overloaded with them.

The current issues of available magazines are displayed on rack. Back copies of the current year on a shelves behind the racks. I don't know what happens to them after that.

The FOL sale often includes books that have been culled from the library collection because they are "no longer available". This decision is based on the number of times the book has been checked out over a certain number of years.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5057 on:** October 13, 2013, 03:13:58 PM »

I used to try to donate my copy of House Beautiful and House and Garden - even tried to donate my copy of the British published House and Garden that by virtue of mail was always two months late by the time I received it but no acceptance - never knew to ask the guidelines but it appears donations are not part of this cities support - to drive clear out to the Library in Burnet, just under an hour away, in order to donate seems like a lot of donation

jane · « **Reply #5058 on:** October 13, 2013, 04:26:08 PM »

National Geographics are, often, a problem. People sometimes want to donate years and years of them...and want a paper from the Librarian so they can take a tax donation. In this day and age, they're worthless, generally. Kids can get all they want in content from the internet. There might be nursing homes or shelters that might be interested in them for their waiting areas or for craft projects.

nlhome · « **Reply #5059 on:** October 13, 2013, 07:22:28 PM »

Our library doesn't usually accept magazines as donations, unless it's actually a subscription; however, we have a spot in the vestibule where people can put magazines out for others to take for free, and it's a good way to recycle them.

As for book donations, even if the book is free, there is a cost to process and catalog books, so a book definitely has to be one the library feels is of value to the patrons.

JeanneP · « **Reply #5060 on:** October 13, 2013, 09:42:04 PM »

There wasa longer waiting list for "gone girl " for the book . I decided to get on the I list. That didnt take long. They then e.m you when can download.you have 3days to do it and 2weeks to read. I was out of the mood. So cancelled and next person can have it. One can reorder.
It is quite a expense for the library. I have noticed the drop in reg. new books on the shelves. Specially in LP that I prefer to read. I mentioned it to them the other day and they explained part of the reason. I can see another change coming one day. Will be no more Free libraries cards for people out of the city if part of their taxes not going to them. I pay for my card . Have for last 15 years prior to that it was free. I do get a senior discount. I am 2ft outside the city limit.

Steph · « **Reply #5061 on:** October 14, 2013, 09:09:42 AM »

Our county stopped funding magazines, so the Friends of the Library took this on. We ordered over 50 magazines for the library ( regular prices thus far). We have a small comfortable reading area with the magazines and newspapers and it is really being used. The friends are happy about finding a useful way to donate our hard earned funds.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #5062 on:** October 25, 2013, 06:14:05 PM »

Just finished The Spirit of Covington by Joan Medlicott. It turned out to be one of my favorites of the Covington series. A lot of drama, well-written drama and a lot of her excellent writing of women's thinking and emotions.

I got another of JM's books at the library, but not a Covington book. I've just started it, but she is writing a great story of a woman who is recently widowed and the emotions she is having, including refusing to say "My husband died", but instead "when/since he left". The title is Come Walk With Me.

Jean

MaryPage · « **Reply #5063 on:** October 26, 2013, 08:49:33 AM »

I read the first 4 of the Covington series. The Spirit was number four. There are 5 more in the series waiting for me on one of my bookshelves: the one in my private bathroom! Aunt Dimity is in there, as well. Let's see; I have read 10 of her and have 7 more to read, on these bathroom shelves. I call both the Covington and the Dimity comfort books, and I only buy them when they come out in paperback. Life is just too short, and I am very avaricious regarding the books I want to read.

Steph · « **Reply #5064 on:** October 26, 2013, 08:55:50 AM »

not fond of the series, but the stand alone sounds interesting.

pedln · « **Reply #5065 on:** October 27, 2013, 11:22:33 AM »

Jean, the new Joan Medicott that you speak of, about the recently widowed woman, sounds very timely. This article appeared just this week in the New York Times.

No husband No friends

Several years ago we read the first in the Covington series on SeniorNet. Being reminded of it brings back memories of Lorrie, who was the discussion leader.

Steph · « **Reply #5066 on:** October 27, 2013, 11:34:58 AM »

Found the Medlicott on my swap club, so its on its way.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #5067 on:** October 27, 2013, 01:14:50 PM »

Steph - you might enjoy Come Walk With Me, or you may hate it. There is a lot of musing about being widowed which you may identify with, or may not wish to be reminded of. But i do think of you since Claire sells her house in Long Island and moves to a condo in - where else - Fla!. At the "moment" she is driving to the Asheville, NC area!! Altho, she is going via Brunswick and Savannah, which seems to be out of the way to me.

I do like how insightfully JM writes about human thoughts and emotions and she writes very natural humor, just as it hapoens in our lives, not contrived in the keast.

Jean

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5068 on:** October 27, 2013, 03:01:06 PM »

OH boy do I recognize that - only I did not sell I simply converted my house into a bunker that I really cannot afford to stay here - then on top I have to live in secret because when folks learn it was a divorce at age 60 for the horrendous reason that no one wants to hear, they have a quick judgmental assessment of me so that isolation moved from being a middle name to a first name - I have only two old friends where as none from my early life can talk to me without expressing disbelief in the truth and my newer friends are in their own private bunker so like moles we stick our heads up to see the seasons change - I try to keep breathing fresh air by working but my aging energy loss is keeping me more encased in my bunker rather than out mixing with those who could benefit from my expertise. Sheesh

I keep searching for courage and examples of how others live a full life - and this morning hoping to see Washington Week in Review that I missed Friday night I was early and our local PBS had a great show about living bold that it turns out the show has a currently active web site - Lots of folks living full lives featured on the web site.
https://growingbolder.com/

MaryPage · « **Reply #5069 on:** October 28, 2013, 06:32:25 AM »

Sending you a big, long hug, Barbara.

Steph · « **Reply #5070 on:** October 28, 2013, 08:55:21 AM »

Barb,,,NOOOOO.. Please please promise me to leave the bunker. embrace a new world..stick your chin out and go ahead.. It is terribly terribly hard, but I can attest that it is worth it in the end.
Asheville, yes, an alternative way to Asheville would be Brunswick and Savannah, then go west from there. Not a straight path, but a pretty one. I love Savannah.
I have air..... tile laid, grouted... stupid oven door fell off, so someone is coming to look at it today. I suspect I am now a top member for the Home Warranty community to never insure..
I ordered the book, because there are so many ways to be a widow, I am always looking for ideas on how to set up the rest of your life.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #5071 on:** October 28, 2013, 04:02:18 PM »

I'm liking Come Walk with Me more as i get into the book. I'm more then half-way thru. JM writes wonderful questions that her characters ask of themselves which this reader can't help but ask of herself. I love that. Not that i have answers, mind you.

Barb, as i said to Steph, you might like this book, or you may hate it. I'm surprised to read your post since in your other postings you sounded as tho you were very busy and involved. Perhaps that's one of the nice things about SeniorLearn, we only need to speak to issues we want to and can stay in our "p.j's" while doing it. If you want to, i hope you find something to lead you out of the bunker.

Sometimes those stories about people doing "amazing things" can be more depressing then uplifting, at least to me. It seems as tho they meet the right people or have the right circumstances emerge when they need them. Actually if there is one thing that i'm not sure i like about JM's books, it's how often that happens to her characters, i.e. The Covington women and their circumstance, (who of us would not love to have such good health and 2 such friends, and their independence and freedom to make choices) but of course, authors have to move the story along.

Jean

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5072 on:** October 28, 2013, 06:33:19 PM »

ah and yes while out and about you can still be in your bunker as if peering at the world - it is all covered over so as not to elisit unwanted concern or attention. And when there is nothing pressing as there can be for a few weeks in a row each month my Wednesday night dinner with my one dearest friend gets me out of my bunker - been working on this and finally - it took so long - got past all the unexpressed anger and rage (no place to release so I ended up turning on my self) -

Forgiveness - I have never been able to wrap my head around this so I have been letting God take care of that one but at least now that he is dead I do not have to pick the kids up from their entanglement - never did any bargaining but spent years and years in Therapy and 12 step programs and, and, and, in addition to reading and learning everything I could including books on the use or mis-use of power and tons on renewing a sense of God that works -

Took me over 20 years to accept there was nothing I could do and that I was not incompetent for not seeing signs - I learned part of the sickness is to be secretive and act in stealth. The thrill of conquest fooling other family members keeping them in the dark.

I was able to forgive the owner of the brokerage who fired me after I had to tell my manager since I was in such bad shape I was not coming to office meetings and planned on being in a center in Canada for a month. Took me awhile to accept that in the mid 80s it was still a taboo subject affecting the companies reputation and the sensibilities of the other agents. Also, forgave old friends, who I realize since many had their girls in the Girl Scout troop he led for them to acknowledge what happened scared them so much they had to make believe I was making it up. Still struggle with my sisters not wanting to accept reality. Since I was a substitute mother for them I am sure they feel vulnerable but I keep thinking come on we are supposed to be adults now. Ah so... more work for me...

I continued to work and was doing pretty well till about 4 years ago with first Temporal Arthritis and then the injury to my leg that actually injured my spine - being housebound again and the whole thing came pouring back - this time there is enough written help that is making it much easier. I am actually in an emotional stronger place so that I was able to uncover many many ways I am my own worst enemy - my daughter and I have gone through hell again as she is also in a place where we can work on stuff since both boys are away at collage - not fun but again we are really getting someplace. Lots of tension that we tried to hide all these years as she was being a Mom. Daughters do not want to believe that their mom was blinded or did nto pick up on hints and then ingrained without realizing are all the lies told to her - we are all raw it is like an atom bomb that goes off in a family.

And so where I understand the reaction of others it is still not something you can say when folks are bringing up their issues as a result of being widowed or even those who divorce - I wall off and that makes me feel isolated knowing I can not be authentic - certainly it explains why I kept Amazon in business - I really could easily insulate my house with books - they are piled high all over - they have been my solace and my barricade.

I did finally un-tape the front door this summer - the excuse really was very plausible - when a norther blows in the wind really does force wide open that door - if I am napping or in bed for the night I only realize when the house is cold. Then I decided the tape helped to insulate any hot air in the summer - ah so how we can be crazy in order to hide.

I persevere and keep working on this - too bad such trauma to learn as much as I have these years and for that I am grateful - I am grateful I have pretty good health and can still have a full life - I am at the point where I am not sure how I want to proceed - they say you are as sick as your secrets and yet, I have learned over and over folks do not know how to handle close up and personal what is uncomfortable and most all of us, including me are tired and turned off by all these exposés written because some are famous and some want to use their experience to be famous - in other words still has the capacity to shock and awe.

I simply see it as some of us are given limbs that do not work or illness that the cure is elusive or eyes that do not work and some of us have family relationships that are sick - we all attempt to cure ourselves -

Steph · « **Reply #5073 on:** October 29, 2013, 08:54:34 AM »

Ah Barb, I agree about counselling. I would not be here and happy(mostly) if I had not gone into counselling.. Anger is such a terrible weapon..

mabel1015j · « **Reply #5074 on:** October 29, 2013, 11:00:59 AM »

Come Walk with Me has lots of family members being quiet about the death of a young brother and the impact on the whole family. Every body was assuming the motivations of other family members who were not talking, all were wrong. We do really see the world from our own tiny perspectives, don't we? That's only natural.

Jane Medlicott also does a nice job in her novels of having women contemplate whether they wish to get married again. In the Covington series Grace ( spoiler alert) decides she prefers just a relationship, not marriage. Claire in CWw/M has to contemplate a similiar decision. I have often said "I am not "training" another husband if anything happens to this one."

Jean

Steph · « **Reply #5075 on:** October 30, 2013, 09:11:41 AM »

it does strike me that long term married people.. might find it hard to try and adjust to someone elses habits.

JeanneP · « **Reply #5076 on:** October 31, 2013, 01:43:08 PM »

I have searched on line at my library for any Joan Medicott books. None showing, yet I thought she had written a lot. Will be over there today and will check further.

Would like to find. "No Husband No friends." Without really noticing it after living single for 47 years. Working big part of them I now realise that all my friends are gone. Lost 7 in just a year and half. Even the ones I worked with last 20 years. have passed. Gotten that I hate to open that part of the paper anymore.

I do fine. lots keep me busy but no longer getting out much. My daughters and family live miles away. I love the area I have lived in all these years. Hate the thought of ever leaving it. Enjoy my home. Like living alone and being a private person. So moving would not be the thing to do. So we have choice. Move or Make a life for yourself that you can still enjoy. Try to stay healthy. busy. And enjoy your time.

JeanneP · « **Reply #5077 on:** October 31, 2013, 02:11:23 PM »

My mistake. I found 3 Joan Medlicott books and ordered them. I was spelling her name wrong. Looking forward to reading them. Did not find. No husband No friend.

Steph · « **Reply #5078 on:** November 01, 2013, 03:00:15 PM »

Got the book on widows from Medlicott.. But today was devoted to a ladies luncheon in my new house area. I live in Kings ridge in the village of Huntington,, all of this is of course in a small town inFlorida.

JeanneP · « **Reply #5079 on:** November 02, 2013, 01:15:48 PM »

Once I found the 3 books and got them from the library I found that I had read 2 of them years ago. This is happening a lot these days. Got to start making a list .

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775109 times)