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Domestic Goddess: Pollock Fillets seasoned with Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper, Bush's Best Brown Sugar Hickory Baked Beans, Green Grapes and Chocolate Chip Cookies that my husband prepared.  Sorry about the previous type error with my last post.

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Library Bookshelf

Started by Marilyne, March 29, 2016, 03:20:53 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

maryc

My DD Debby keeps  bringing me books!!! :thumbup:    Her linedancing class is held in a lovely little Episcopal church in her town and they have a library bookshelf.   One of those take and give things.    Anyway she reads a book and then passes it on to me.   I'm halfway through a comfortable little story called A Miracle For St. Cecilia's by Katherine Valentine.    Yesterday she brought another called The Crossroads Cafe by Deborah Smith.   Meanwhile one of the Book Bub offerings was Idaho.  http://www.emilyruskovich.com/   I was intrigued by the title and writeup so bought it.    I have just started that one and it is intrigueing to say the least.   You will get an idea of the subject from the website.   
Mary C

Marilyne

maryc - I'm so glad that Debby lives close, and comes over to see you often.  I know that you're so very lonely, and missing Al, every minute of the day.
I read the review you posted on Idaho, and it definitely sounds like my kind of book. I plan to put in a request at my library today.

FlaJean

“Idaho” sounds really good, Mary.  I got it from Amazon for my Kindle app for $1.99.  I still have some money left from a gift card from my son and wife for my birthday.  I have two books to read before I get to it.  I just have not been reading as much lately.  Don’t know why as there certainly is not much on TV that interests me.  I am so tired of the HGTV shows and just not into the latest TV offerings.

maryc

FlaJean and Marilyne,  I'll be interested to know your thoughts on Idaho when finished.


Marilyn, I am fortunate to have my daughter so close by. She is in the midst of the Community Choral group's Easter concert series  but today she came by to have corn beef dinner with me after the concert.  We have these nice little frequent visits that are good.   She and I are applying to be substitutes for the Home Delivered Meal program sponsored by our County Office on Aging.  We will try as subs to see how it suits us then maybe take a regular schedule.  We've thought of it for a while. 



Mary C

Marilyne

maryz - In case you happen to look in: If I remember correctly, you're an artist . . . so I think you might enjoy the book I recommended a couple of days ago, called Vanessa and Her Sister, by Priya Parmar.  Vanessa, is Vanessa Bell, artist/painter, and her sister is writer, Virginia Woolf.  It's historical fiction, but based on true facts, and real people.  The story revolves around The Bloomsbury Group, a gathering of well known (real) London artists, writers and intellectuals, in the early years of the 20th Century.  All wealthy and talented, and living what was then called the "Bohemian" life, in London.  Fascinating reading!

FlaJean - I'm also getting tired of the HGTV shows. Some that I really liked for a long time, have become annoying and repetitious.  I wish they would stop all the endless renovation shows!  Too many of them, and they're all alike!  The only shows we enjoy now are the ones that we record in the middle of the night, that are not shown here in prime time - Log Cabin Living, Buying Alaska, and one that takes place in Montana. (can't remember the title?) Some the "buying the beach" shows I still like, because I love seeing the various beaches around the US, Bahamas and other places. 

maryc

I have to wonder what keeps HGTV going with those flip house shows   They are so similar and who want their home to be just,like everyone else's with "open concept and an island in the kitchen". The open concept is nice in way but my experience #for what it's worth) is that there is no place for quiet conversation with everything in one big space.  When the Family is all together it's bedlam.  I sound like a crabby old lady! :(   When I am alone I usually have the Easy Listening music on low and just read.  I did enjoy the Alaskan shows with Al but even those were reruns many times.
   The book I mentioned earlier called Crossroads Cafe is turning out to pretty good.  It is a large paperback and quite dog eared...well read!😏  I'll see if there is a review that I can post for your information.
Mary C

FlaJean

Just finished reading “the Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women” by Kate Moore.  A most interesting story that I had to take in stages.  I would get so angry at the lack of humanity in the company and their lying that I would put it aside a day.  Then I would go back to the story and marvel at the brave women who fought for their rights ‘though they were suffering terribly.  The book is well sourced and had photos and end notes.  Below is a short blurb.

“Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" are the luckiest alive â€" until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.”

maryc

That reminds  me of the movie Who Killed Karen Silkwood.   There was another one earlier about a woman who campaigned against her employers because of unsafe working conditions.  It's scary and you have to think that all of our modern miracle products are like a Pandora's Box, and the lid is open and no turning back.


My book review is here.http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-b-reviews/the-crossroads-cafe-by-deborah-smith-2/
Mary C

maryz

Marilyne, thanks for the recommendation.  I'll check it out.  I haven't painted in about 5+ years, but I still love art.  I read very slowly now, so it might be a while.  ;)
"When someone you love dies, you never quite get over it.  You just learn how to go on without them. But always keep them safely tucked in your heart."

Marilyne

maryc - I agree that the HGTV new or remodeled homes are almost all exactly alike.  The open concept idea for the main living area and the kitchen is something I would never want.  In most of the remodels, anyone walking in the front door, can see all the way into the kitchen!  You would have to have your countertops, (and that ever present island), uncluttered and standing tall at all times. An island in the middle of the kitchen would never work for me.  It looks to me to be a huge obstacle, and I would be bumping into it constantly - especially the four corners.  Also spilling things from island to sink or counter, would be a problem for me. 

It is hard to understand why all buyers want exactly the same thing for they kitchens?  Nothing that shows any individual personality whatsoever!  Never any curtains or blinds on the windows.  Never anything colorful or attractive sitting out to add a little color.  The same cold, gray stainless steel appliances in every kitchen. The same cold granite countertops. Oh well, I don't need to worry, as I won't be getting a remodeled kitchen any time soon! ;D

FlaJean - I've seen The Radium Girls, recommended on a number of book sites.  I plan to read it . . .  even knowing how upset I will get, and how sad I will feel, reading about those poor women.

FlaJean

MaryC, I finished “Idaho”.  I wish the author had made some things clearer in regards to the children.  Surely there would have been newspaper clippings or more in-depth reporting,  especially in a rural area with not as much news.  I admired Ann but I didn’t agree with many of her decisions.  However I think she made the right choices at the end.  (Did you understand the relevance of bringing back Elliot later in the book?  I didn’t think that fit in, but maybe I just missed something).  The story was intriguing but not sure I would read another by this author.

MarsGal

I've just finished the last of the Red Sparrow series, The Kremlin's Candidate, by Jason Matthews. The last half of the book was a real rollercoaster/nail-biter. The book had more description and less dialog, especially in the first half, which left me a bit impatient. The ending was good (appropriate to the situation) but it left me feeling sad, haunted, almost like being in mourning. As your read the series, you may find yourself hoping for the best, fearing the worst. The series ending is a mix of both.

A word about the movie: Again, it was good, but did not strictly follow the first book. Jennifer Lawrence was excellent. The critics were right about a passionate spark being missing between Dominika and Nate in the movie. A shame, because that passion was a major force in the books, especially the first two.

maryc

Hi FlJean,  I haven't finished Idaho yet.  I got started with The Crossroads Cafe and have been pushing along to get that finished before next week.  It is a large size book and I would rather be reading the ebook when Debby and I go to visit our son....easier to pack.   I do agree that this author has a way of telling the story that makes me want to tell her to get to the point.  I keep feeling that there is something that I'm just missing.  I'll respond more to you when I finish.
Mary C

JeanneP

My TV connection not working to day and so I got a movie to watch. "Lady Bird" Did well on some Awards. So will watch it tonight
Comcast suppose to be out tomorrow. Yesterday my WiFi and internet down. They did that over the phone.  Comcast seems to be having a lot of trouble these days.
Also now my Face book since last week is acting strange. Guess they are in trouble also.  I am beginning to think that Technology is trying to get to big to fast. Each trying to outdo the other.
JeanneP

maryc

Jeanne, You certainly are having your troubles with techie stuff. My brother told me tonight that he is having such problems with Facebook that he can't do much of anything. All he has been getting is advertising.  He just likes to keep up with his family that is scattered across the country and it is an aggravation.Good luck to you.
Mary C

Marilyne

FlaJean - Yesterday I started reading The Radium Girls.  I feel exactly like you do, that it's hard to read about how clueless everyone was in the beginning!  Even when the first symptoms started to appear, the medical community didn't know what was wrong . . . then, when the companies did find out, they wouldn’t admit to it, and kept the facts hidden.  It is a shocking story, and I feel so bad for those young women. I'm only about half way through the book, so I'm hoping that there will be some reckoning and compensation for the families of these doomed women.

Mary and Jean - I also have Idaho, so I'll read it next. I'll be thinking about the comments you have both made about the different characters, and will be watching for them.

JeanneP - I hope you liked Lady Bird?  I thought it was very good, and very true to life.  As I mentioned before, you will see yourself in some of the sequences between mother and daughter.  I think it's my favorite of the movies that were nominated  this year.  I have finally watched them all and I like Lady Bird and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, the best.

MarsGal - I still haven't received notice from my library, that any of the Red Sparrow books I ordered are in yet.   

MarsGal

Same thing happened to me with The Martian. I recommended that on to the library because I knew that Ridley Scott had bought the movie rights. I read the book before the rush which came when the trailers started showing up. As for Red Sparrow, it had been on the shelf a little while before I picked it up. I found out about the movie before they even had the actors lined up, but after I read the first book. They were real low key about the movie until shortly before it was released, so now you see the book rush. I was lucky. I didn't have to wait too long for number three, but I had to make sure I had if read by the due date because there are people waiting behind me.

Now I'm reading Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds now. It is a sequel to The Prefect. They are set in the Revelation Space Universe, but are not a part of the main series. I am quite happy about the sequel because I like the main character and several of his side-kicks. Thanks, Mr. Reynolds! More, please.

JeanneP

Looks like a stay home read and watch films all weekend. We had 2 days like summer and now back comes the snow. Very cold out.I started watching Lady Bird. Got sleepy and so it is still in my DVD player.  Will start it over I think later today.
Doubt I even get out of PJs today.
JeanneP

Marilyne

After finishing The Radium Girls, I was left with such an empty frustrated feeling.  Even though the situation occurred long ago, and was financially settled decades ago, the money could never make up for the suffering and the deaths of all those innocent young women . . . most of them in their twenties.  A tragic situation, and a sad time in our history. 

I have two books here to read that I haven't picked up yet.  I think I have to recover from The Radium Girls, before I start something new..  The books that will be waiting for me are Idaho, and The Girls at the Kingfisher Club.  I think I'll watch TV for the remainder of the afternoon . . . probably something easy and without controversy, like HGTV.

FlaJean

Just my personal opinion, Marilyne, but “Idaho” was also a little frustrating for me.  I really could not understand or relate to the characters.  You might want to read something heart warming and light before reading “Idaho”.

JeanneP

The Library did get "the Radium girls" In Large Print. Couple of people before me but doesnt take long to get.. Seem I have not been getting any really good books this past month. It is so hard now to find ones by favourite authors.
JeanneP

maryc

Last night I wrote and posted something about the book Idaho but apparently it didn't make it here.    I've thrown in the towel on that book.  I just couldn't struggle with it any more.   The author seemed to me to spend a whole lot of time on things that didn't seem to have too much to do with the story.   Maybe I gave up too soon but it just made my brain too tired.   All of that time in the prison with someone named Elizabeth (???)  and then more pages about the little girls playing dolls and all the detail about that was just the last straw for me.   I already had a book from Hoopla on my Kindle and that was easy to get started.   The catchy title of this one is Flat Broke with Two Goats by Jennifer McGaha.  This one is back in North Carolina just like Deborah Smith's Crossroad's Cafe that I just finished.   This book is listed as a Memoir of the author.   I agree with FlaJean that this book is a downer and I wouldn't recommend it unless you really enjoy dark stories.   
Mary C

Marilyne

Mary and Flajean - With both of you giving Idaho, a thumbs down, that's enough for me. I'm not interested in another sad or hopeless story.  Enough of that going on around me, and plenty of TV shows and movies available, if I want to feel depressed!  So Idaho goes back to the library.  I did start reading it yesterday, and I didn't care for what little I read. 

Today I picked up two more books, so besides The Girls At the Kingfisher Club, I also have Paper Towns by John Green, and A Girl Named Zippy - Growing up Small in Mooreland, Indiana, by Haven Kimmel.  I think I'll read that one first.  There's a picture of an adorable baby on the cover, and it's in large print! :)   

MarsGal

Does anyone remember the big earthquake that hit Yellowstone back in 1959? I don't. Project Gutenberg has has a book called The Night The Mountain Fell by Edmund Christopherson. There are lots of pictures and the narrative looks rather detailed. http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56850

I did a little research on Mr. Christopherson and found that he was a free lance writer, mostly about the North-West and Montana, which he called home. He contributed many travel related magazine and newspaper articles. He died at age 56 in a beach accident in Rio de Janeiro while attending a Travel Writer's convention.

maryc

For anyone who is looking for a light read but with some good messages intertwined, I recommend Flat Broke With Two Goats by Jennifer McGaha.  I found this book through the Library Hoopla system. 
Mary C

Marilyne

Happy Easter to all of our book lovers! I hope you continue to post messages here, and that you keep us informed on books you like or don't like.  I've enjoyed many hours of reading this past year, thanks to your recommendations!

Thank you to . . . maryc - Tomereader - MarsGal - JeanneP - FlaJean - Callie - SCFSue - maryz - and all others who have contributed to this forum! :)

JeanneP

Worrying now about all my books that I bought and they are on my IPad. Most not yet read.

But now a tech problem again.
I think I just blew my IPad. Strange. It did start up . They said like."Slide to power off" Thought I would do that as not done awhile. Turned it back on and nothing. It had 60% power still but just blank. I plugged in to power cord again but nothing works. Was working perfect last night.
Could it be the battery died? I will take it to Best Buys tomorrow and check. Never thought they just did that without some warning.

Hope you all having a nice day...
JeanneP

Marilyne

 I just finished reading the happiest, sweetest, memoir style book, that I have ever read!  It's called, A Girl Named Zippy, by Haven Kimmel.  It's a charming, uncomplicated, witty account of a little girl growing up in a rural town in Indiana, in the 1960's and 70’s.  It's so refreshing to read a happy memoir, where you like all the people in the family, and in the whole town!  You will feel good when you finish this book! :thumbup:

MarsGal

A find in Gutenberg this morning in the Legends category: Robin Hood by Joseph Ritson, http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/56926   This is interesting because Mr. Ritson complied many Robin Hood stories, poems, and papers he found into one book. This edition is richly embellished and as fair number of photos/illustrations. Enjoy!

I discovered this book on Amazon (as far as I know the only place it is available) which have ordered. Song of Praise for a Flower: One Woman's Journey through China's Tumultuous 20th Century, by Fengxian Chu and Charlene Chu, is a biography/memoir. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07791M17S?tag=viglink125204-20 I read some of the excerpt and expect it to be every bit as interesting and wonderfully written as the Chinese Science Fiction that I so admire.

FlaJean

Marilyne, I got “A Girl Named Zippy” from Amazon for my iPad (On the Kindle app) for 1.99.  Will start it soon.  Want to watch golf today and a special about Mr. Mueller tonight, but looking forward to reading it.