Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776247 times)

serenesheila · « **Reply #840 on:** August 12, 2010, 09:58:23 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

JEAN, thanks for the url. I just ordered the first 3 of Dana Fuller Ross's books. I have enjoyed some of the books which you have mentioned liking. My taste in books, is similar to yours.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #841 on:** August 13, 2010, 06:29:57 AM »

Just Jean??? cryptic message..
I decided to read a beach book each evening to help me go to sleep in the motel at elderhostel... So I picked Candace Bushnell... One Fifth.... She wrote Sex and the City.. The book is like the old Cleveland Amory types. All about the rich rich rich.. but easy to just browse when you are tired.. Perfect beach book for anyone still doing the beach.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #842 on:** August 13, 2010, 01:34:34 PM »

I am finding "Independence" enjoyable, perhaps too obvious in what's going to happen in the story. I've also had some problems w/ the "facts" of the story-line. e.g. the wagon train starts on Long Island, goes to Albany, than to Syracuse and all along i'm thinking "why are they going to Albany and Syracuse, they are headed to ST Louis?" Then he takes them from Syracuse to Harrisburg, Pa??? If they went to Albany to get on the Erie Canal, i cld understand, but they don't. There's no explanation for those places, except that the wagon master had an army depot on the Hudson River make a special wagon for him, but surely there were army depots in Pa and a trip from Lng Is to Harrisburg, thru NJ and Pa seems more likely................but maybe i'm just being picky because i know the area, and after all this is FICTION.............(calm down Jean and just enjoy it). .................................jean

mrssherlock · « **Reply #843 on:** August 13, 2010, 01:41:50 PM »

Jean: I would have no clue that the route was anything less than direct to St Louis. I'm going to pay more attention to those details from now on.

Steph · « **Reply #844 on:** August 15, 2010, 09:18:36 AM »

Never read any of the series of Dana Fuller Ross, but I suspect that they needed it for the plot. But you are right. St. Louis was the jump point.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #845 on:** August 15, 2010, 12:57:57 PM »

I just need to stop being so picky and enjoy the book...........i have a tendency to be critical of that sort of thing, i don't know why, i'm not generally critical or judgemental........I think this may have raised it's ugly head because the friend who gave me the books said she learned a lot of history by reading them. I guess i want her history, and others who are thinking the same thing, to be accurate, history being my 3rd or 4th favorite thing............

....jean

Steph · « **Reply #846 on:** August 16, 2010, 06:23:54 AM »

Really good historical fiction is hard to come by.. David Fulmer on New Orleans does an excellent job of a certain era.. I think that Phillippa Gregory is not bad on English history, although a tad romantic. Still she seems to flesh out some historical characters nicely. Janice Holt Giles did a really good job on the American west..

Babi · « **Reply #847 on:** August 16, 2010, 09:11:28 AM »

Louis L'Amour had a reputation for accuracy in his Western novels,
also. He reportedly knew the land well, and what he described was actually there. I felt I learned a great deal from his earlier novels, but
his late ones tended to be more lecture than story.

nlhome · « **Reply #848 on:** August 16, 2010, 12:01:09 PM »

Historical fiction needs a good base in facts, true, but the story is still the thing, isn't it?
I'm not sure about the wagon trains to Independence, but maps and mileage weren't as accurate back then, and there weren't always the necessary supplies in every town, and I believe some of the trains picked up wagons along the way to get enough for the trip. Roads also needed to go where easiest and safest. Someday, maybe in my next life, I will be able to research all these things.

This reminds me of when I was reading one of the Maisie Dobbs mysteries set in England after WWI. One plot involved a "white feather" group - I wasn't sure about the accuracy of that, but a friend who is tied to his computer by his wheel chair spent some time reading up on the white feather society for me, and I appreciated the story line even more.

maryz · « **Reply #849 on:** August 16, 2010, 12:08:27 PM »

And, of course, Tony Hillerman was incredibly accurate in his place descriptions. We have driven over his roads and found his places many times. And the Navajo had great respect for him because of the accuracy and respect he showed in depicting their people and culture.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #850 on:** August 16, 2010, 01:36:56 PM »

I'll post this on mystery also. Steig Larsson's site has a map online showing the locations of various sites he refers to in his stories: http://www.stieglarsson.com/millennium-stockholm-map

The Stockholm City Museum has organized a walking tour to places such as Blomqvist's favorite bar and the hangout for Salender and her friends, both real places. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20100712/ap_tr_ge/eu_travel_trip_sweden_dragon_tattoo_tour

Aberlaine · « **Reply #851 on:** August 16, 2010, 08:22:33 PM »

Steph, I'm reading "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. I don't know if it's historically correct, but it's a great story.

Steph · « **Reply #852 on:** August 17, 2010, 06:00:44 AM »

Tony Hillerman.. Oh me, when we went to his part of the west some years ago, we found we could actually trace the steps in the novels. It was so neat.. He is such a good writer..
I am now reading The Boleyn Inheritance. I have always been intrigued by Anne of Cleves, so picked this up. Interesting portrayal of Anne and Mary Boleyn, the widow of George is a main character. Of course the Duke of Howard is one of the manipulators.. And Henry is already a monster..It is good thus far. Its my go to bed book and excellent in that it is episodic..

Babi · « **Reply #853 on:** August 17, 2010, 08:38:29 AM »

Good points, NL. The most direct route wasn't always the best or the
safest way to go. And some cities(?) were gathering places for folks headed West.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #854 on:** August 17, 2010, 11:44:21 AM »

Authors who write about the west always attract my attention. Ivan Doig has gained a permanent place on my TBR list; I will read whatever he writes. Whistling Time was the first of his books I read, a story about four boys growing up motherless in the Montana of 1909-1910, one hundred years ago. The story starts when their father engages a housekeeper whose newspaper ad reads: "Doesn't cook but doesn't bite either." Great characters, sense of place strong, engaging plot. Next I picked up two, one in which the housekeeper's brother from Whistling Time stars, and the other about WWII called The Eleventh Man which features the 11-man undefeated football team starting line at Treasure State U of 1941 who enlist to a man when war breaks out. The principal, captain of the team, is plucked from the air corps just after he gets his wings to become a roving correspondent for the fictional military news service whose initials, TPWP, becomes known as Teepee Weepy. His assignment? Follow the stories of his teammates who are serving in severasl different branches of the military scattered all over the war front. I was 6 when Pearl Harbor was bombed so my memories are those of a child; the writing seems to me to be real, as real as fiction can be, and I've gained a new respect for those who leapt to the defense of their country. This is a tough story to tell and it is tough reading. It has the same authenticity, to me, as the best WWII homefront movie, IMO, "The Best Years of Our Lives". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036868/

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #855 on:** August 17, 2010, 12:32:09 PM »

Did I ask here (or was it another of my groups) if anyone had read
anything by:

http://www.craigallenjohnson.com

mrssherlock · « **Reply #856 on:** August 17, 2010, 02:48:54 PM »

I haven't yet read him but his first book is now on my TBR list. Thank you for the mention.

Steph · « **Reply #857 on:** August 18, 2010, 05:54:17 AM »

Almost done with Wally Lambs book. It has wandered all over creation. He really has two books in one. Dont know why his editor did not enforce that.. Interesting in parts, but not in others.

Babi · « **Reply #858 on:** August 18, 2010, 08:49:21 AM »

That first book cover looks familiar to me, TOME, but I can't say I
remember reading it. The title doesn't ring a bell, either. Maybe I read
another book that had a Western looking fellow with a rifle slung over
his shoulder.

JoanK · « **Reply #859 on:** August 18, 2010, 03:22:25 PM »

I love Tony Hillerman, too. Interesting that when PBS filmed some of his mysteries, I found that you didn't get as good a sense of the country from seeing it as you did from reading Hillerman's descriptions. You feel every bump in the road.

maryz · « **Reply #860 on:** August 18, 2010, 03:56:48 PM »

We went to an Elderhostel that included a section on Hillerman. The speaker was a Navajo. They truly respect Hillerman and the way he depicts their culture and history. And they realize that he makes the landscape and weather characters in his stories.

Babi · « **Reply #861 on:** August 19, 2010, 08:03:54 AM »

I'm reading a new book..almost finished...that I'm not sure how to classify. It's titled "The Tower, The Zoo and The Tortoise", by Julia
Stuart. The tower is the Tower of London, the tortoise is Mrs. Cook,
reportedly the oldest tortoise in existence, and the characters are the
Beefeaters and their families who live in the tower. All I can tell you is
that I've thoroughly enjoyed it.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #862 on:** August 19, 2010, 11:50:38 AM »

Babi: Sounds like fun. Is it fiction? I've put my name on the reserve list.

Babi · « **Reply #863 on:** August 20, 2010, 08:18:47 AM »

Oh, yes, JACKIE, it's fiction...but the Beefeaters really do live in the Tower. And old as it is, it's not the most comforable place to live.

Steph · « **Reply #864 on:** August 21, 2010, 06:03:11 AM »

I remember our guide who was a retired beefeater telling us that they lived in the tower and the legend of the ravens who also live there. Interesting but was never sure he was telling the truth. Sounds like he was.

Babi · « **Reply #865 on:** August 21, 2010, 09:37:47 AM »

Yep, he was. The ravens are messy and bad-tempered, but TRADITION! prevails!

Judy Laird · « **Reply #866 on:** August 21, 2010, 03:04:55 PM »

For all of you who remember Jon Lamaitta died yesterday morning.

Sorry about the spelling of her last name.

She was active in the early years and I am sure she was at the Chicago trip.
She has veen sick for a long time and this is a good thing.

Their are memorials at both Senior and Friends and at Norms site on Yahoo.

Aberlaine · « **Reply #867 on:** August 21, 2010, 05:02:21 PM »

I'm now up to my eyebrows in books. I'm reading two - The Other Boleyn Girl and Zeitoun - and have five on my two mp3 players. I think I've overdone it on the audio books, but they last forever. I never have to return them to the library, only erase them.

I'm also waiting for "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" in audio format. That's my book club selection for September.

Steph · « **Reply #868 on:** August 22, 2010, 09:19:35 AM »

My September book club is The Lost Symbol.. I am staggering around in the beginnings, but oh me, does he have to have such drama in the villain.. Sigh.. and a cut off finger.. Think this one is not going to be a favorite of mine.

Babi · « **Reply #869 on:** August 22, 2010, 11:11:36 AM »

"The Lost Finger." Forget that one,..got it, thanks!

JoanK · « **Reply #870 on:** August 22, 2010, 02:49:31 PM »

Was it here that we were talking about how to repel ants? After not seeing an ant since I moved to California, suddenly I'm overrun with them, an aftereffect, I'm told of the termiting that was done last month.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #871 on:** August 22, 2010, 05:22:09 PM »

I only just now read, sprinkle 20 Mule Team Borax around the perimeter of the house, or inside, along baseboards. Keep your pets away from it. I'll go back and find the article, and post it here about multitude of uses for borax.

Steph · « **Reply #872 on:** August 23, 2010, 05:56:35 AM »

Pets and small children.. No Borax..
I am reading at bedtime, a Phillipa Gregory..This one on Anne of Cleaves and Katherine Howard.. It occurs to me.. What did Henry VIII have that would cause a sore never to heal and smell horrible. Need to find a decent biography of him. Possibly that will make the issue clearer. I get the weight,,but both of women go on and on about the horrible smell from a sore.

MaryPage · « **Reply #873 on:** August 23, 2010, 06:33:16 AM »

This is what I found on line, and right from the Brits themselves:

The sores – varicose ulcers, which began on his left leg when he was 36, and later affected his right – may have been caused by the restrictive garters he wore to show off his calves. They never healed, and increasingly restricted his mobility.

He was horribly overweight, and had, so they say, malaria and many other conditions and diseases. You can google just

Henry VIII sore leg

and get a lot of information.

JoanK · « **Reply #874 on:** August 23, 2010, 03:41:55 PM »

Thanks for the borax tips. I think my grands are old enough thatthey wouldn't get in trouble with it. But I'd rather use something non-toxic. I remember man6y tips (red pepper?). If I could remember which discussion it was in, I could find it. Does anyone else remember?

mrssherlock · « **Reply #875 on:** August 23, 2010, 04:41:40 PM »

One of our Aussie buddies mentioned a series about English country life as exemplified by one family, the Cazalets, before and during WWII. Elizabeth Jane Howard, wife of Kingsley Amis, has a deft touch in juggling the lives of this family which consists of father, mother, four adult children, their spouses and children, plus servants and satellites, i.e., one wife's sister and family plus the children's female tutor, and so on. Reading the first book, The Light Years, I've become enamored. Happily there are more Howard books for me to read.

MaryPage · « **Reply #876 on:** August 23, 2010, 04:59:25 PM »

I know I mentioned THE CAZELETS in here some weeks back; but I'm from Virginia and living in Maryland and not one of the Aussies.

I adored the books and the mini-series. I own both the videos and the DVDs. I watch them over and over. I passed the books to a granddaughter, who loves them as well.

joangrimes · « **Reply #877 on:** August 23, 2010, 05:14:38 PM »

Well I always heard that henryVIII's terrible stinking sores were caused from syphllis from which Henry suffered...Joan Grimes

maryz · « **Reply #878 on:** August 23, 2010, 06:15:55 PM »

Joan, that would've been my guess.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #879 on:** August 23, 2010, 07:02:04 PM »

I've heard a chalkline words to stop ants..............jean

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776247 times)