Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775157 times)

Steph · « **Reply #5240 on:** January 09, 2014, 08:58:28 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

Katrina had so many problems. The hospital was constantly under siege because they had drugs in there.. and people wanted to use it as a refuge and the nusing staff was overwhelmed with no air, no electric, no water ( except bottled). I feel for them.. I also feel that hospitals should not be at the mercy of a corporation.. Too long for decisions.. and then some of their staff seemed to believe that although they did not help. the nurses could perform miracles. That bothers me the most so far.. The nursing staff and doctors are human beings.They performed heroically, but the over 300 pound humans who cannot walk or help to be moved. What where they supposed to do. I got so disgusted at the wife, who seemed to think there was some sort of miracle just for her. Bah.

marjifay · « **Reply #5241 on:** January 17, 2014, 01:52:42 PM »

I'm reading QUARANTINE by Jim Crace. First book by Crace I've read. Fascinating.

A strange re-telling of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus is depicted as a young naive, obstinate lad. The major character, however, in a group of several men and women, is a harsh old bully (the devil?) who beats his wife and intimidates others. As the story starts he is dying, to the relief of his his long-suffering wife. But along comes young Jesus, sees the ailing bully, and, obsessed with healing, touches the old man's eyelids and says "be well." Oops.

The writing is magnificent and puts you in that barren windswept desert in ancient Palestine so well, that as you read you almost find yourself covering your eyes from the dust, brushing away flies, looking for shelter.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #5242 on:** January 18, 2014, 09:30:09 AM »

Ah the joys of reimagining..

marjifay · « **Reply #5243 on:** January 19, 2014, 09:49:31 AM »

Well, this book (Quarantine) challenges your brain, and I need that (LOL)

Marj

ursamajor · « **Reply #5244 on:** January 19, 2014, 04:06:23 PM »

I before E except when eight feisty neighbors seize surfeit of weighty heifers

How about "Neither seize the weird foreigner on the heights"?

We used to have a neighbor that applied to.

marjifay · « **Reply #5245 on:** January 19, 2014, 04:30:43 PM »

Very good, Ursa. LOL

ursamajor · « **Reply #5246 on:** January 20, 2014, 08:56:53 AM »

Alas, not original. The neighbor was a peculiar Dutchman who spent a lot of time hiking in the Smokies.

Steph · « **Reply #5247 on:** January 20, 2014, 09:27:24 AM »

Word play. I remember way way back in Latin in middle school. that I learned that English makes no sense as far as grammar goes. Latin was wonderful..

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #5248 on:** January 20, 2014, 12:40:57 PM »

Couple of months back I read a Jim Crace - The Harvest - interesting - since I have seen it on lists as a mystery which completely baffles me - a period piece of what happened to folks on all stratum of the farm as farming changed to machines with fewer tenants required who were kicked off the land that they and their families had been living on for hundreds of years - often hoboing and squatting in nearby woods - then owners who die leaving the spouse, man or women dependent on the good will of the next in line who may not know the land much less the particular farm.

Steph · « **Reply #5249 on:** January 21, 2014, 09:00:55 AM »

Have started Defending Jacob, which is my f21f February selection. Not very far, but the narrator is most peculiar indeed..

pedln · « **Reply #5250 on:** January 21, 2014, 09:59:14 AM »

I read that some time ago, Steph. Don't remember a whole lot from it. My notes say depressing and tedious.

marjifay · « **Reply #5251 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:21:17 PM »

I read Defendng Jacob sometime ago. Found the first half of the book rather boring with all the annoying psychobabble dialogue. It finally began to get interesting when the trial started. Not a bad read -- I'd recommend it.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #5252 on:** January 22, 2014, 09:36:53 AM »

I guess I am so puzzled by his refusal to look at his son..His wife looks, he doesnt. I am convinced that he will make sure someone else suffers.. The son does not seem real at this point. More that he is more worried about himself.

Octavia · « **Reply #5253 on:** January 22, 2014, 11:00:11 PM »

I've been wanting to read Life After Life for quite a while. So glad it has the thumbs up, Winchester Lady. I see Carol under your name, I thought you were Jackie, or was that someone else.
Has anyone read Ferney?
Ferney and Gally are time travelling lovers, who keep meeting up, in different era's, and different ages. Ferney is 90 I think, and Gally is a young married when they meet this time. He has to convince her they've been lovers for centuries.
It's taken James Long 14 yrs to write a sequel, The Lives She Left Behind . I'm dying to get my hands on it, I loved Ferney, but I did read a review that sounded a little disappointed. However I have a review that calls it a worthy successor, romantic, heartbreaking and gripping. I have my fingers crossed for the latter.

salan · « **Reply #5254 on:** January 23, 2014, 06:28:28 AM »

I just finished Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg. It started off a little slow, but picked up pace. I really enjoyed it. I am reading The Husband's Secret and am finding it a little tedious. I am 2/3 of the way through and hope it picks up.
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #5255 on:** January 23, 2014, 09:04:26 AM »

Still working on Defending Jacob. I am now in the trial stage.. I just have problems dealing with the Dad who is the narrator and completely self obsorbed.

marjifay · « **Reply #5256 on:** January 23, 2014, 09:17:33 AM »

I've never read the book Ferney, Octavia, but wasn't it made into a movie? I can't remember the name of the movie, but I loved it.

I just found the movie I was thinking about, but it's not from the James Long book, it's from a play by Craig Lucas, PRELUDE TO A KISS. It's about two young lovers, played by Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin. An old man at their wedding kisses Meg Ryan's character and they trade souls. I'm going to watch that movie again from Netflix. Will also get the James Long book, Ferney.

Marj

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #5257 on:** January 23, 2014, 08:50:39 PM »

I've been wanting to read Life After Life for quite a while. So glad it has the thumbs up, Winchester Lady. I see Carol under your name, I thought you were Jackie, or was that someone else. Has anyone read Ferney?

Octavia--I am Carol...I don't think I've heard of a 'Jackie' on SeniorLearn. I hope you like Life After Life...It certainly stays on your mind for a long time once you've finished it. It's funny you mentioned Ferney. Several years ago after reading good things about it on a lot of blogs, I bought it..but I didn't stick with it. I had completely forgotten about it. But now after hearing you mention it, I think I'll give it another try. My reading tastes have changed a lot in the past few years.

Octavia · « **Reply #5258 on:** January 23, 2014, 10:09:32 PM »

Sorry Carol, I know there was a Jackie, but possibly she was on SeniorNet. I seem to think I saw her on the GoodReads site.
I haven't seen a movie called Ferney, but then I don't see many movies since BigPond scrapped their postal movie service.
Right now I'm rereading Penelope Lively's book Ammonites and Leaping Fish(A Life in Time).
I love running my finger around the Ammonite on the cover, because it's raised up, and has 3 different sensations.
She is quite amusing, in that understated English way.
"So this is old age, and I am probably shedding readers by the drove at this point.'
We old talk too much about the past; this should take place only between consenting contemporaries. Boredom hovers for others.'
We must beware that glassy smile of polite attention. They are searching for an exit strategy.'
Boy, I've seen that look quite often on the faces of my offspring.

Winchesterlady · « **Reply #5259 on:** January 23, 2014, 11:07:05 PM »

I love Penelope Lively. Dancing Fish and Ammonites has been on my Amazon wish list for some time, but won't be released in the U.S. until Februaty 6.

Steph · « **Reply #5260 on:** January 24, 2014, 09:09:44 AM »

Ah Yes, my grandchilden simply refuse to believe that their parents and I did not always have computers, wireless phones..etc etc.. Past their memory span. I , on the other hand wish that tech stuff would slow down a bit and let me catch up

marjifay · « **Reply #5261 on:** January 24, 2014, 11:29:48 AM »

I know what you mean, Steph, LOl. I can't keep up with all the new technology. I still have trouble getting the messages from my land-line telephone.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #5262 on:** January 25, 2014, 08:57:45 AM »

I got a new car yesterday and they were all upset with me, when they said, they would program the blue tooth, etc and the radio.. I said.. forget it. I dont use the phone when driving and I rarely use the radio except for books on cd on long trips. I am obviously not up to date. I got a lot of ... oh yes, My Mother is like that. They cautiously inquired and I admitted that no, I neither have nor want a smart phone..

CallieOK · « **Reply #5263 on:** January 25, 2014, 10:10:29 AM »

Good for you, Steph! My car is three years old and I still don't know - or care - what some of the buttons are for.

Dana · « **Reply #5264 on:** January 25, 2014, 12:44:37 PM »

Just finished reading Kinfolk by Pearl S Buck and enjoyed it very much. I now have read a series of her books chronologically going through from before any revolution (The Good Earth), though various periods of turmoil, the end of the empire, the Japanese invasion and this one, post Japs, prior to communism. All fascinating for the stories and information on Chinese culture and I love that she's always got one or several wise and superior women running everything magnificently behind the scenes. I remember as a teenager being rather overawed by PSB's women and Simon De Beauvoir's depiction of the ideal woman which looking back on it (and I could be wrong because memory is so deceptive) seemed to have something in common....possessed of an innate ability to always behave with dignity and do the right thing so that life flows for all around them. I used to think that there were actual women like that.............!

nlhome · « **Reply #5265 on:** January 25, 2014, 02:24:50 PM »

I disconnected the Bluetooth in my car. I wasn't comfortable with it. I just have regular radio, but even with that, I do enjoy the fact that not only the station but often the city and/or the weather (Public Radio) or the title and artist for the songs are displayed (commercial radio). Basically, I want a car that gets me where I am going safely and efficiently.

salan · « **Reply #5266 on:** January 25, 2014, 06:02:13 PM »

I don't even know what blue tooth is, or how it works. Do I want to know?

I am thinking about getting a new car, too. My Honda crv is only 2 yrs old, but I am not happy with the road noise. Fortunately, I do not use the phone when I'm driving because I don't think I could hear. I also can't hear the woman's voice on the gps & that I do want to hear. I also want one that has an automatic open/close trunk. I am interested in a small suv. Any suggestions???
Sally

MaryPage · « **Reply #5267 on:** January 26, 2014, 08:49:53 AM »

Blue Tooth has been a godsend for my son in law, who has a construction business and gets constant phone calls that are urgent. Because it is against the law to drive and hold and operate a cell phone here in Maryland now, and thank god it is, Blue Tooth enables him to continue to solve problems that come up.
We will be driving along (he driving me home or to work) and the phone will ring. Right away on the same screen that has the GPS, you can see the name of who is calling. If he does not want to speak with them, he can let the call go into his message box. If he wants to, he just pushes a button on his steering wheel and says hello. The conversation is carried on swiftly, as he immediately tells the caller he is driving. He can hang up also from his steering wheel. Great stuff! Cetainly not necessary for you and me, but truly a boon for businessfolk. Oh, he also usually tells the caller that I am with him, and they skip the male trash talk. You see, the downside of Blue Tooth is that whomsoever is in the vehicle can hear the entire conversation.

Steph · « **Reply #5268 on:** January 26, 2014, 09:41:37 AM »

sally,,,, I have a Honda CR-V... the new one and the road noise is non existant. The salesperson said they were much quieter now and he is right. No automatic trunk, but back up camera which I wanted.. It is perfect for my two corgi and I . They have seat belts that work in the far back and I put their beds in and they are content to travel. There is plenty more room and now the two row of seats can be automatic to go down.. Pretty neat.. Yes, blue tooth is great for business, but I do know I am glad they did not have it when MDH was alive. We would never ever have had a moments vacation.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5269 on:** January 26, 2014, 01:21:09 PM »

I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara, the smaller one with only 3 doors. It is a bit 'rufty-tufty' but I love it, as (so far..) it is so dependable and is easy to drive. I generally keep the back seats folded up and throw anything and everything in the back door (which opens out like a house door, not like a hatchback that lifts up.) I would say that it isn't terribly comfortable if you have to sit in the rear seats for a long drive, but for those we use my husband's Chrysler, which is huge and which I am too scared to drive around here - I would never be able to park it, or probably even drive it, through the narrow streets of the small coastal towns like North Berwick.

As I currently live in a rural and agricultural area, I also like the Suzuki because it is a bit higher off the ground and has no trouble ploughing through mud on the road, snow, floods, etc (though I would not drive it through swift running water, too many people have been caught out by that in the UK in recent years.)

My parents-in-law decided to go down to a very small Toyota Aygo because it is exempt from road tax - they have regretted it ever since as the car has a boot so small you can't even put a small suitcase in it, and the roof is so low even our heads touch it (and I am only 5'4"). They asked my husband to go with them to choose a car and he specifically said they should not buy an Aygo and suggested another car, but they insisted on going ahead - and now - typically! - my MIL keeps saying she wishes he hadn't talked them into buying it.....we grit our teeth and smile :-)

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #5270 on:** January 27, 2014, 09:06:24 AM »

My sinus are screaming blue murder. Hot....cold.... dry..... wet.... Ugh.. I just wish the weather would settle down for a while.. I am reading a most interesting book that I found in a thrift shop.Geisha, a life by Mineko Iwasaki with Rande Brown. A true story of a geisha in post war Japan.. Very interesting. great pictures and descriptions of Kimono and how important they are in dress.. I do recommend it.

maryz · « **Reply #5271 on:** January 27, 2014, 10:42:25 AM »

Steph, how does that book compare to Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha? That one is fiction, of course, but very well researched.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #5272 on:** January 27, 2014, 03:47:44 PM »

I loved Arthur Golden's book. We have bought the DVD of the film from a charity shop but not watched it yet - has anyone seen it? I was also fascinated by the importance of kimono as the wealth of the geisha house. That book you are reading sounds very interesting Steph.

We too are having very unpredictable weather - one day torrential rain, next day sunny but freezing (though not early as freezing as some of you are having...) I'm going into the city tomorrow so predictably it's set to pour down all day :-(

Rosemary

maryz · « **Reply #5273 on:** January 27, 2014, 05:18:56 PM »

Rosemary, the movie is gorgeous! Arthur Golden was born and raised here, so this was one of the places where there was a small early showing.

Steph · « **Reply #5274 on:** January 28, 2014, 09:11:58 AM »

This is the Geisha or Geika as they are called in her area. She is married, retired and still alive, so I am finding it fascinating. Her descriptions of what it takes to become one and all of the ceremonies surrounding her debut, etc. are truly fascinating. I had read Memoirs and loved it, so this one attracted me when I saw it.

maryz · « **Reply #5275 on:** January 28, 2014, 11:22:20 AM »

You convinced me, Steph. I've just gotten it for my iPad.

MaryPage · « **Reply #5276 on:** January 28, 2014, 02:51:59 PM »

I read at least one of those, cannot remember the author, I think it was just called Geisha. I think the one I read was written by the actual geisha, but maybe not. Maybe it was just "told" by her as the narrator. Anyway, this is the thing, and this is why I even insert myself in here: I saw a DVD of a movie of the same story. Seems eons ago now. Bummer, the lights are SO dimming in my memory banks!

maryz · « **Reply #5277 on:** January 28, 2014, 04:30:41 PM »

MaryPage, the movie was made from the novel, Memoirs of a Geisha.

Frybabe · « **Reply #5278 on:** January 28, 2014, 04:50:32 PM »

I've seen the movie. The book is still in my mega-TBR pile.

Steph · « **Reply #5279 on:** January 29, 2014, 09:22:01 AM »

I just put Memoirs of a Geisha on my netflex queu... I loved the book and have finished the new one I was reading.What a fascinating, but restrictive way to live.

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775157 times)