Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776157 times)

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1440 on:** January 30, 2011, 04:30:05 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

MaryPage, I agree - I love DE Stevenson. I have read quite a few of her Mrs Tim books and also Katherine Wentworth. I first read her because someone in the B Pym society suggested that she wrote similar books - in fact I don't think she does at all, but I like them very much.

I can't remember if I mentioned before that I went to a tea arranged by Persephone Books last summer in Edinburgh? It was at one of my favourite cafes, Annabelle's in Sciennes Road, and the speaker was DE Stevenson's (?great) granddaughter. She was lovely and told us all sorts of anecdotes about DES - including the fact that she was quite intimidating and used to dictate her novels whilst lying on a chaise longue smoking exotic cigarettes in a cigarette holder.

The other people there had come from far and wide - there were a group of ladies from somewhere in the US doing a DE Stevenson tour, and the woman sitting next to me had come from one of the more remote Scottish islands just for this event. Annabelle's provided the most delicious scones, jam and meringues. It was a glorious summer's day, and afterwards I walked back across The Meadows into town, and felt that there could be few afternoons as perfect as this one.

Rosemary

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1441 on:** January 30, 2011, 05:46:28 PM »

D.E. Stevenson sounds like Miss Read - another favorite who writes about English villages and cottages.

Alf it would be some discussion wouldn't it - lots of heavy topics to chew on - but the mystical overlay is just glorious - I was reading so many Native American authors back a few years ago and learned that the Native American story blends the past, present and future as one so that it can take a minute while reading to even realize that to us that would be the past or the future -

I am noticing the sooty footprints as the past made part of the present but more the author has a way of viewing creation and life as an attachment to the land and the natural cycle of life is related to the unseen wheel of life that holds this story together - it is just such a lovely read - it has been a long time since I want to linger over every page rather than rush to see what happens next or how does this fit the question in my head - even more so than reading N. Scott Momaday or Leslie Marmon Silko - the story telling almost reminds me more of the poet Joy Harjo.

With quotes from Joy Harjo like these -

Quote

"But I imagined her like this, not a stained red dress with tape on her heels but the deer who entered our dream in white dawn, breathed mist into pine trees, her fawn a blessing of meat, the ancestors who never left."

"She had horses who liked Creek Stomp Dance songs. She had horses who cried in their beer. She had horses who spit at male queens who made them afraid of themselves. She had horses who said they weren't afraid. She had horses who lied. She had horses who told the truth, who were stripped bare of their tongues."

"All acts of kindness are lights in the war for justice."

Steph · « **Reply #1442 on:** January 31, 2011, 06:05:44 AM »

Too mystical for me I am afraid. I gave up on the Joyce Carol Oates. She does go on and on.. and I was not in the mood for that type of book.. I picked up The Palace Diaries, which someone here recommended. I am not too far. She is a bit full of herself at this point, but hopefully it will improve.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1443 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:31:24 AM »

Do not care for the mystical, either; but sure do love Miss Read and Dorothy Emily Stevenson! Both very simple, a thing is a thing is a thing writers. Each owns a sense of what is lovely, both to look at and to think on.

Never thought before about these two authoring similar books. Guess, in a way, that is true. But each pen speaks with its own sounds and colors. Stevenson is much more complex than Miss Read. Miss Read is much more poetical than Stevenson. Both are great on romance. No, not the bodice-ripping, sex-ridden horrors filling the shelves under "Romance" here in the States these days. None of that from these ladies!

ALF43 · « **Reply #1444 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:44:45 AM »

The beauty of this novel is the way the author weaves the Indian mystique into the lives of our characters. I loved it as well Barb and agree with you about the lingering on the pages. It's one of those books that make you smile as you soak up the words and ponder life. Great book!!! The image and characteristics of the trees and the solidarity of a triangle are blended in each chapter.

Babi · « **Reply #1445 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:53:43 AM »

Quote

viewing creation and life as an attachment to the land and the natural cycle of life

Don't you find that true for many peoples and cultures that live close to the land? Native American, African, ..even the generations of farmers that lived on the land. I particularly see
that view in the Navajo religion and culture, but that may be because I've read more about
them than any of the others.

Steph · « **Reply #1446 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:41:38 AM »

Hmm, I live in Florida and the only thing our Indians seem able to accomplish is casinos, alligator wrestling and not obeying Florida laws.. The current chief married an anglo , had two children, divorced and now refuses to pay child support. Says Indian law does not make him. So I dont think he is particularly close to nature,but really close to money.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1447 on:** February 01, 2011, 07:06:57 AM »

Ouch Steph - I guess every culture has those who live on the dark side from the Irish to the South African. If your chief of police is Seminole the tribe has an interesting history having been a part of the Creek nation and escaped into the Everglades during the Red Stick wars and to escape the Trail of Tears. Fascinating the Creek nation had red villages and white villages - the white Village was a peace village and regardless your anger or crime if you were in the white Village no one could or would touch you where as, the red villages were all about war and where the warriors for the Creeks lived and trained.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1448 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:32:20 PM »

Alligator wrestling? What on earth is that and why is it allowed?

There is a similar issue here with gypsies/travellers. They say they cannot have toilets in their vans because their culture sees it as unhygienic. One of Madeleine's friends lives on farm, and at one point some travellers pitched up there. Her father (who is a really nice man) said the detritus they left behind for him to clean up was appalling. On the one hand, the gypsies are certainly persecuted and villified in this country, but on the other, they do sometimes seem to bring some of it on themselves.

R

Judy Laird · « **Reply #1449 on:** February 01, 2011, 02:39:20 PM »

Barb I had sooooooo much fun when I clicked on the url you put up of good books. On the books from people who had already read that books were pages and pages of books that looked just like plain fun. On each title I clicked on Kindle books and they were all there on the kindle. Thanks much.

Steph · « **Reply #1450 on:** February 02, 2011, 06:17:37 AM »

Alligator wrestling.. It is a sport for tourist to watch. There are tricks to it, I am sure, but they wrestle a medium size alligator and sometimes have the marks to prove it.
Seminoles.. used to be a proud tribe who retreated to the everglades and lived then as one with nature. Now.. not so much.. Casinos have changed the way they live and the way they have become political.
There is also a smaller tribe down here, but darned if I can remember the name..
Still reading the Palace Diary.. Some is fun.. some is gossip.. and some is sort of sad.

ALF43 · « **Reply #1451 on:** February 02, 2011, 08:49:16 AM »

Steph and Rosemary- Alligator wrestling, cock fighting, dog fighting (thank you Michael Vick) are just proof that "you can't fix stupid."

The big shots get into the circle of other "idiots" and try to show their prowess against the animals. It tends to make you cheer on the animal- not the fool.

Steph · « **Reply #1452 on:** February 03, 2011, 06:02:25 AM »

Cock fighting is beginning to pop up here in central Florida. We are told by certain latinos, it is part of their culture.. My answer is pick on something your own size.. But no... they do that too.. It is like drag racing on major roads inOrlando. Dangerous beyond belief..but it is happening and it is so hard to catch them. Just recently one of the maniacs who killed another kid with a car when drag racing got off. Noone would testify.. That is sad..

Babi · « **Reply #1453 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:54:14 AM »

ALF: HEAR! HEAR!

Steph · « **Reply #1454 on:** February 04, 2011, 06:08:44 AM »

Still sloging through the Palace Diaries. I like it, but h ave changed it to my bed book since it is slow going with all of the enthusiasm.. I am up to the breakup of the royal couples and the first siting of Camilla..

ALF43 · « **Reply #1455 on:** February 04, 2011, 08:52:27 AM »

I, too, have just plodded thru one Steph, The Fall of the House of Walworth a crazy true story of murder in Saratoga Springs, NY (where my daughters both live) in the 19th century. Blah-blah. I bought it with the hope that it would include more the history of the town than it did. Oh well.

I just downloaded The Apothecary's Daughter and Deadly Sanctuary on my Nook.
I am reading a witty and zany story, Are you there, Vodka, by Chelsea Handler and yesterday I picked up cassette tapes of The Olive Tree (someone here recommended it.) Now if I could get a minute today I would start to enjoy one of these choices.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GINNY!

joangrimes · « **Reply #1456 on:** February 04, 2011, 06:10:00 PM »

I Read "The Apothecary's Daughter" on my Kindle... I enjoyed the book..
Joan Grimes

Steph · « **Reply #1457 on:** February 05, 2011, 06:42:30 AM »

Read a new author for me.. Beverly Lewis. She writes about the Amish with gentle reminders of their life. A bit too "Oh how wonderful to live with no electricity, etc" but the story was nice..Not an author I will keep reading however. If you want to know about the lifestyle of the Pennsylvania Dutch,, this is a good and accurate depiction.

Babi · « **Reply #1458 on:** February 05, 2011, 09:19:54 AM »

I picked up an early 'Deborah Knott' at the library yesterday, started
reading it, and realized I already had. I really need to ask my librarian
how I can access the list of books I've already checked out previously.
(sigh

ursamajor · « **Reply #1459 on:** February 05, 2011, 09:24:18 AM »

Most libraries don't keep such a list. Then if the FBI wants to know if you've been reading about how to build a bomb they can't divulge the information because they don't have it. Privacy issue.

Let me know if your library does keep a list.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1460 on:** February 05, 2011, 09:54:23 AM »

Our libraries definitely keep such lists. Sometimes when I have been borrowing books for Madeleine, I have mentioned to the children's librarian that I'm not sure whether or not she's had them out before, and she's been able to check - I find it quite handy.

By the way - to whoever recommended the Lois Lowry book "The Giver" for Madeleine, I got it from the library and she really enjoyed it - thanks.

Rosemary

ALF43 · « **Reply #1461 on:** February 05, 2011, 03:21:54 PM »

Thanks JoanG. I hope that I too will enjoy the Apothacary's Daughter. As soon as I finish 3 Seconds I will start that one.

Steph · « **Reply #1462 on:** February 06, 2011, 06:29:41 AM »

I was considering downloading The Apothecaries Daughter, Tell me if it is worth it.

jeriron · « **Reply #1463 on:** February 06, 2011, 08:46:38 AM »

Well I haven't read it but it's still free for the Kindle on Amazon. So you really can't go wrong for that price.

Babi · « **Reply #1464 on:** February 06, 2011, 09:28:48 AM »

URSA, when you sign up for a card at my library, you are offered
the option of having a list kept of the books you check out. I
asked for it, but I haven't used it so far. I'm just assuming it's
still there. I hope so; It's annoying to trot home with your
priZes and discover you've already read one.

Aberlaine · « **Reply #1465 on:** February 06, 2011, 03:09:10 PM »

I'm reading "Empire of the Summer Moon" by S.C. Gwynne with the reading group here. What an awesome book. If you want to know more about the Plains Indians, this is the book to read. Caution, it is pretty graphic. What they do to their white captives is not pretty.

But as far as I know, the fact are accurate.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1466 on:** February 06, 2011, 09:15:01 PM »

Steph...I did enjoy "The Apothecaries Daughter"... It has been several months since I read it... I usually enjoy books set in England...I wish I could tell you more about it but I can't...It would be worth it to me to download it..JoanGrimes

joangrimes · « **Reply #1467 on:** February 06, 2011, 09:31:37 PM »

Marypage and Rosemary, I love DE Steven
son. However I am not sure that her books are available on Kindle...I will have to check that out...Paul Gallico's books are not availavle in the United States on Kindle...
Joan Grimes

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1468 on:** February 07, 2011, 02:50:04 AM »

Joan, I have had a look - it seems that on Amazon.co.uk at least, you can get Paul Gallico's Mrs Harris books but not any DE STevenson - in fact I was stunned at how much the second hand copies of her books were apparently worth. She is definitely ripe for being reprinted.

I ticked the box that says "I would like to see this available on Kindle"!

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #1469 on:** February 07, 2011, 06:15:08 AM »

I tried to reply to this once and promptly lost my connection, so will try again.
I have been experimenting with what is on Kindle, Nook, ebooks and it is wild. In the older books, some you would think are there, are not..Very very odd choices in the free books..
I just finished in real book style one of the Patricia Briggs series of werewolves.She is quite a good writer.. Uses her wolves, vampires, in a real setting and makes it feel quite normal. Quite a feat for fantasy.

Babi · « **Reply #1470 on:** February 07, 2011, 08:43:03 AM »

I couldn't agree more about the Patricia Briggs books, STEPH. She
brings a very different approach to the theme.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1471 on:** February 07, 2011, 11:28:38 AM »

I bought everything D.E. Stevenson ever wrote, and she wrote a lot; but then, as I would read a book, I passed it on to someone else.

Joan's words about present-day value jolted me and I ran to the bookcase holding the Stevenson-type books, and Lo! I own FOUR of her books I had to buy in Large Print in order to get at all, and then shelved for reading in my "old age." Now, for instance?

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1472 on:** February 07, 2011, 02:11:02 PM »

Quote

DE STevenson - in fact I was stunned at how much the second hand copies of her books were apparently worth

Yep and I ordered one of those expensive resales from Amazon and still have not received the book - it is 'used' from an outside vendor so we shall see what we shall see...I expect the read will be worth it though... however, at those prices one of her tomes is enough...

joangrimes · « **Reply #1473 on:** February 07, 2011, 08:43:41 PM »

Quote from: rosemarykaye on February 07, 2011, 02:50:04 AM

Joan, I have had a look - it seems that on Amazon.co.uk at least, you can get Paul Gallico's Mrs Harris books but not any DE STevenson - in fact I was stunned at how much the second hand copies of her books were apparently worth. She is definitely ripe for being reprinted.

I ticked the box that says "I would like to see this available on Kindle"!

Rosemary

Yes
Rosemary all of Gallico's book are available on Kindle in the UK...but not available in the US...

Steph · « **Reply #1474 on:** February 08, 2011, 06:07:16 AM »

I have fallen in love.. Started.. The Sweetness at the bottom of the pie.. Flavia is truly a wonderful creation and he is 70 and male.. Oh me. that is quite an accomplishment. I see he has written or is writing more and I will be on the lookout.. Oh me.. Flavia and her bike.. The castle is a great invention all on its own.. I am up to Flavia and her father while he is in jail and the discussion is amazing. I loved the remark from Flavia mentally that her family is not into hugging or contact.. Talk about a stiff upper lip..

Babi · « **Reply #1475 on:** February 08, 2011, 08:42:13 AM »

You've persuaded me, STEPH. I'll look up that book; hopefully my
library will have it.

Steph · « **Reply #1476 on:** February 09, 2011, 06:10:13 AM »

Oh Babi, it is worth it. I finished it last night and loved it. I cannot get over the fact that Alan Bradley is 70 and this is his first fiction.. He says Flavia jumped out of nowhere and forced him to write about her. It is just a wonderful book.. Does not read like a first book. He has written or is writing two more. I will look up the second one, since it was supposed to be published on the 10 of March last year.. It s been ages since I found a new author I truly enjoy, but I do him.

Babi · « **Reply #1477 on:** February 09, 2011, 09:01:50 AM »

I already checked, STEPH. My library does have it and it's on my list.

Steph · « **Reply #1478 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:06:36 AM »

Finished the Palace Diary last night. It was fun in spots.. She told us a bit more about her love life and drinking habits that I thought necesary, but that is probably my age showing. She puts her teeth out in both Diana and Camilly though.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1479 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:36:35 AM »

STEPH, you have convinced me to buy "Sweretness" for my Amazon. Amazon has two additional books by Alan Bradley, available. All are less than $10. Thanks for talking about "Sweetness".

Sheila

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776157 times)