Library Bookshelf

MaryPage · December 25, 2024, 03:28:27 PM

I got a new walker that is like taking a step up from a model T Ford to a Rolls Royce! Look out World! Ready or Not, Here I come!

so_P_bubble · December 29, 2024, 10:04:16 AM

From CNN

Top Audiobooks in Premium Globally

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One by George R. R. Martin
Icebreaker: A Novel by Hannah Grace
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
===================================
U.S. Top Audiobooks in Premium

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Icebreaker: A Novel by Hannah Grace
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Funny Story by Emily Henry

Marilyne · December 29, 2024, 12:39:11 PM

Bubble -
Thanks for posting the two lists of top audio books. Both MarsGal and Callie prefer the audiobooks, and probably others as well. Have you read, or listened to any books on those lists? Nice to see you posting again here in Library, and hope you return more often.

I received a couple of novels as Christmas presents. One I had already read, "The Paper Palace", and another that I can't remember the name of at the moment? I started reading "Remarkably Bright Creatures", right before Christmas, but had to put it aside with so much activity around here. I hope to get back to it today.

Yesterday afternoon, I planned to watch a couple of my favorite Christmas movies, that I had recorded off of TCM. When I took a look at TCM, I saw that Giant, had just started. I cannot resist that wonderful movie, so I sat there and watched it once again. About two and a half hours long I think? It's also a great book, that I would like to read again some day.

Hope we hear from some of you today, as to movies, TV shows or books that you enjoyed over the holiday?

CallieOK · December 29, 2024, 01:53:55 PM

Marilyne, I prefer e-books that I can borrow from the OKC Metro Library. Audio books are also available for Tablets, computers, etc. but I wouldn't be able to hear them very well.

I'm reading a novel about a ballerina from a small town that's given a chance to audition to what I think is based on the New York City Ballet. I plan to recommend it to Ellen since she used to do ballet and changed to "stage dancing". She's also Nanny to twins whose parents both are dancers with the New York City Ballet.

Haven't thought about "Giant" in years! I enjoyed the movie but haven't ever read the book. Maybe I'll see if the library has it.

I really didn't like the Christmas t.v. shows - even The Mormon Tabernacle Choir "concert", which was mostly a story acted out with dialogue with musical background.

Holiday was busy busy and I'm rather glad to be back on my own time "schedule" - which isn't really!

so_P_bubble · December 30, 2024, 06:27:54 AM

Giant - with the iconic James Dean?
Wow that was so long ago...
it brought back memories of all the photos and papers articles (even in the far away Congo!) when he died so young in an accident

MarsGal · December 30, 2024, 06:58:19 AM

I wouldn't say I "prefer" audiobooks in general, Marilyne, but some audiobooks (and their narrators) are outstanding. I have listened to several books that I would not otherwise read. The right narrator can bring a seemingly dull or flat book to life where I would otherwise given up on reading it. Some of my books are small print and very long, so audio has helped me get through them. The Birth of the West was actually one of them. The print book I have is tiny print and the online library book was taking me too long to read, so I ended up finishing it via audiobook. I never would have picked up the fantasy series by Michael J. Sullivan had it not been for my discovering Tim Gerard Reynolds and his many voices. On the other hand, I wouldn't care to listen to the Liaden Universe space fantasy.

Looking back, I think I am going to have to revise my thinking about not particularly liking fantasy. Besides the two mentioned above, I read all of Tolkien's Hobbit series and seen the movies. Not fond of witches and superheros in general, but I have watched a few movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. Is Shrek a fantasy? Saw that one years ago, and of course, The Wizard of Oz (many times) when I was a youngster.

Going down memory lane again, I see. Well, then. What were your favorite movies as a youngster. Charlie Chaplin? Charlie Chan? Abbot and Costello? Buck Rogers? Roy Rogers? Seen them all, but was particularly big on cowboy movies and TV shows.

so_P_bubble · December 30, 2024, 07:20:38 AM

Gregory Peck! Westerns and adventures...

BarbStAubrey · December 30, 2024, 01:11:48 PM

I used to listen to books on tape when I did any long distant driving - never could settle down to listen to a book while at home - while doing anything I was in and out of the room so I would miss part of it.

The idea of walking around with buds in my ears to listen was not something I enjoyed - I wanted to hear the buzz in the house and the sounds from out of doors - I guess I started to read on my own quite young and that comfort of being in my own space stays with me - I do read a lot of kindle books from my main computer - don't even enjoy curling up in a chair with the kindle.

I think part of it is I like to read again a particular sentence that strikes my fancy or I can get lost and have to go back a few pages to piece together where I'm at - starting and stopping a piece of equipment to accomplish that is a pain. Although I must say years ago I listened to the Red October after having read it and I was able to follow the undersea battle a lot easier than even reading it.

Favorite movies - I liked Captain Courageous and then a bit later anything with either Gary Cooper or Kathryn Hepburn - Particularly like Kathryn Hepburn with Spencer Tracy in Desk Set and then Gary Cooper in things like Mr. Deeds Goes to Town or Unconquered and High Noon and who could forget Friendly Persuasion.

RAMMEL · December 30, 2024, 05:50:40 PM

For whatever strange reason I never liked Kathryn Hepburn, but I watched "African Queen" multiple times. Obviously I must have liked that movie.

BarbStAubrey · December 30, 2024, 06:28:51 PM

Rammel I liked her Sas - in the my youth, early adulthood up to and including the 70s being a sassy women was not the thing - a few could get away with it but for the most part you played the part of the good homebody mom or the proper student who did not get into trouble and for sure you never sassed back a teacher or in my case a Nun or Priest. [went to Catholic Schools]

RAMMEL · December 30, 2024, 06:43:02 PM

Quote from: BarbStAubrey on December 30, 2024, 06:28:51 PMand for sure you never sassed back a teacher or in my case a Nun or Priest. [went to Catholic Schools]

My wife went to a Catholic School and related some discipline stories. I went to a Trade And Tech School - all boys. They also had a way of keeping our attention The guys in the Carpentry Shop made a paddle that one of the teachers had, and was rumored to have used. Can you imaging that happening today?

BarbStAubrey · December 30, 2024, 09:14:37 PM

No paddling or hitting or, or, or, at St. Benedict's run by the Benediction Fathers with Dominican Nuns or at St. Simon Stock H.S. run by the Carmelite Priests with some Sister's of Mercy - in both schools it was more about kindness and respect for each other along with honor and respect for teachers, police, parents, etc. etc. Punishment ran along the lines of calling in parents or writing long essays or staying after school. High School we had all learned by then so there was seldom if ever a problem of discipline.

Long deceased the man I married had Irish Christian brothers and yes, there was as they called it then, corporal punishment - the school was all boys both grade and high school - given the times that may have made the difference. Elementary school for me was mixed boys and girls from the Parish in the same classroom and unusual for the times so was my High School.

so_P_bubble · December 31, 2024, 04:46:17 AM

All my schooling was in a catholic school run by the Belgian Sisters of Charity - very strict but very kind too.
But I do remember to this day a remark from one of the nuns.
I have practically no voice range (maybe from the polio?) and singing lessons in primary school were my nightmare. My grades were good in the other fields. The sister in charge of singing class told me "I shall give you a "passing grade" by pity - so your grading card will not look too bad!

MaryPage · December 31, 2024, 07:48:18 AM

Oh, Bubble, I'm afraid my own experience was sadder & more painful.
I was in the third grade. The teacher had set us all to singing together one of the collections of tunes we had all had to learn. Then she set to going around to each little desk and putting her head down with her ear cocked to each child's lips, which were enthusiastically pouring forth in song. When she got to me, she took a moment to listen, & then turned her face to me & said:

"Dear, from now on, just MOUTH the words!"

RAMMEL · December 31, 2024, 08:46:25 AM

Sounds like all those singing classes were dreaded. I can carry a tune very well ----- as long as it is on a piece of paper and you tell me where you want it. But I love nice music.

Marilyne · December 31, 2024, 10:58:01 AM

So glad to see that I'm in good company! Having to sing in the school classroom, in church, or in any group setting, was extremely stressful for me. My secret dream was to be a vocalist with a dance band, and sing all the popular songs of the day. I loved music and quickly learned all the words to every song, but couldn't sing any of them. My voice simply could not hit any note above middle-C.

patricia19 · December 31, 2024, 11:12:21 AM

Rick, thank you. I've learned a new way to describe my singing.

My father had a nice voice, played a harmonica, and juice harp. My mother was one who had a good voice and played piano, soprano sax, harmonica, and accordion. Somehow, none of that passed down to my sisters and me.

We also had what was termed corporal punishment through the sixth grade. the rules were a teacher of both sex was to be present.

MaryPage · December 31, 2024, 03:02:39 PM

I did learn to play the piano, but never went far with that. I suppose because I married young & have never owned my own piano. That is the entire sum of my musical skills, but OH! No one loves music more than I, & opera is my fav. When the family here cave in to my wishes & leave me without a sitter occasionally, I wave goodbye enthusiastically & turn opera on the AI & turn it way up so a gal can actually HEAR it, & sing along with ultimate JOY. They have to run across the room to turn it off & save their eardrums when they arrive home!

so_P_bubble · January 01, 2025, 04:16:18 AM

I cannot sing, but I can boast that I have a very good acute ear. I have often tuned to the right speed my parent's Grundig turntable for those old longplay records . My test record was Grieg's Peer Gynt. I used to put the speed low and increase until I thought it was correct. Then I was putting the speed much higher and decreasing to what I was sure was the correct one. It was always perfect.

I can also tune correctly my kalimba instrument, Now of course you can buy a tuner, which did not exist when natives used to play it in Congo!

patricia19 · January 01, 2025, 08:12:29 AM

Bubble, thank you for your post. Peer Gynt was one of my earliest favorites, first by Ibsen and then by Grieg, I remember first hearing the story in class, and then later by our music teacher.

My father played the kalimba, it was a small wooden box with prongs that you played, or at least he did by his thumbs. He had that and his mouth harp.

so_P_bubble · January 01, 2025, 09:35:22 AM

Yes, that is kalimba. African kids make them with an odd piece of wood and metal tines cut from old cans.

I never knew the story of Peer Gynt - but one of my favorite music. I have to research that.

patricia19 · January 01, 2025, 11:25:39 AM

The moral of the wasted life of a selfish man.

There is another old favorite about a man that leaves his family and comes back after a long period to find they've gone on without him and no it wasn't Rip Van Winkle. I believe this story was older and perhaps European?

Our grade school music teacher would come to our class with a phonograph and play records of various musicals and plays.

MarsGal · January 01, 2025, 03:20:05 PM

Can't think what that might be, Patricia. Thinking cap is on!

to all. Sue has at least two football games to choose from, I forgot to check in on the Rose Bowl Parade. Just now thought of it. I can watch the stream of it this evening. I just loved watching the fireworks from around the world last night. Unfortunately, I misses part of it, coming in on a spectacular fireworks display in London.

Had my pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes. Later, I must decide whether I want the blueberry pie or the cherry pie to go with some ice cream.

patricia19 · January 02, 2025, 02:05:53 PM

I thought this was fitting for the new year;

BarbStAubrey · January 02, 2025, 06:35:18 PM

"aerobooks" - love it Patricia

MaryPage · January 05, 2025, 10:44:33 PM

My Dad graduated from West Point, which makes me an Army Brat. It has long been a mystery to me that I have wound up in the home of the enemy; namely the Navy in Annapolis, Maryland.
But we are all saluting one Midshipman this week with lumps in our throats. His name was Jimmy Carter, & he did us proud: both the Navy & all the rest of us, including those of us who yell for the Army when they take on the Navy at football that one time each year when we truly want to Navy to fail.

BarbStAubrey · January 06, 2025, 12:54:51 AM

Yes MaryPage - we all come to an end and this is one significant soul who is not getting much press - He was a decent man who gave back and showed us how to retire - that in our elder years we are still needed to be productive plus his and Rosalynn's marriage was an example for everyone.

MaryPage · January 06, 2025, 10:35:48 AM

I so wish we could mourn together, a United people in these United States in very disturbing times. Togetherness is everything. We do not have to agree as to every little point as to how we should go about solving our problems. But we can gather together in mutual grief. Every one of us is born to die. There is no escape. We CAN console one another, however. We are all neighbors, and that is what we are taught to do for one another.

Marilyne · January 06, 2025, 11:15:33 AM

MaryPage: Very well said. When the end arrives, it matters not what your political party might have been. Carter had an overwhelming amount of respect and compassion for others, and was a selfless and decent man.

I will watch his Funeral service in DC on Thursday, and plan to see whatever is shown in Georgia. Unfortunately, there will never be another President like Jimmy Carter. Times have changed and the whole World has gone in a totally different direction since he was elected in 1976.

MaryPage · January 06, 2025, 12:35:45 PM

So there IS a law on the books of this country. Now, I so do not know what this stuff means, but here is where it can be found. 4 USC (United States Code?) Ch1 Sect 7. perhaps one of you can find it from that: It declares flags in this country will be flown at half mast for THIRTY DAYS for any President who dies. ANY. It is spelled out in detail in our laws.

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