Right now I am reading a book (The Bookman's Tale by Charles Lovett) which is about an Antiquarian bookseller who is trying to track down a Victorian watercolor artist who painted a portrait of a woman who looks like his dead wife. He wants to know who the artist is and how his wife (for whom he is still grieving) came to be painted 100 years before she lived. Wrapped up in all of this is another mystery, which becomes the prime focus, in which a supposed original copy of a book in which Shakespeare wrote notes in the margins having used it as a basis for A Winter's Tale. Both are intertwined. I am following the bookseller/antiquarian through the steps he is taking to locate the artist as well as authenticate the book. There is also a general overview of restoration of books and bookbinding. Art and books are two subjects I enjoy. I am finding the book hard to put down.

I'd love to read that one! Books are a passion of mine.
When was it published?

Bubble, it was originally published in 2013. I don't think the Hardback is in print anymore, but you can find it used. Amazon has it on Kindle, in paperback and on Audible. I assume, though I haven't looked, you can easily find it elsewhere.

I don't know if any of you have read Tony Hillerman's books about the Navajo reservation in the "Four Corners".  He received award from the Navajo for his realistic portrayal.  They are mystery books but you learn so much about the Native American culture.  I read all of his books.  His daughter has continued the series and have written three.  Her name is Anne Hillerman and her writing is very similar.  I know many don't like series books, but I do.  I enjoy getting to know the characters and the ways in which their lives evolve. 

FlaJean, we not only read all of Hillerman's books, we spent several trips in the Four Corners area, following his roads and stories using the AAA Indian Country map for a guide.  The scenery is always a character in his novels.  We loved every minute of it.

FlaJean,  I also like series.

Jodi Thomas has several - all set in Texas.
After certain characters are introduced in #1 of each series, the following ones will center around one of those characters - usually in a different place and with different experiences.

I've enjoyed the Harmony Series  (first one "A Place Called Harmony" - then 5 more books),  the Whispering Heart Series (first one, "Texas Rain" introduces the McMurray family then 6 more center around various members of the family) and the Wife Lottery Trilogy  (as you may have guessed, first one "The Texan's Wager" introduces the 3 women and tells one story; #2 and #3 are about the other two women).

Unlike so many authors,  JT doesn't have a "set" formula.  The plots and story lines are not similar.

The Bookman's Tale. I think I will look for it also.  My kind of stories.

Good. I just checked my library on line and see that they have. The Bookman's Tale in on LP.  so ordered.

Callie,   You spoke of the Harmony series of books.    I've enjoyed  some of Philip Gulley's Harmony books.  I notice that there are several writers using the same series name.  I wonder which one you were speaking of.   

MaryZ, what an adventure you had in following those roads and stories.  That is beautiful country.  We've driven across the country several times and really enjoyed the scenery in that area.  But I wouldn't want to live there with that wind and blowing sand.

Mary,  I'm speaking of the Harmony series by Jodi Thomas, all of which take place in and around a small west Texas town by that name.    I had read the series by Phillip Gulley before I discovered the "other" one. 

When I was taking some writing courses (eons ago ),  I learned that titles are not copyrighted - or, at least, weren't at that time.  I guess that's why there are two.

Lisa Wingate has also written several series that I've enjoyed.

I just finished  Slow waltz in Cedar bend by Robert James WAller.   Very good. As good as his Bridges of Madison county. Found 3 other books by him.

FlaJean - we loved our many trips out there and had some great adventures. And I have pottery, Navajo rugs, photographs, and wonderful memories. But, like you, I wouldn't want to live there full time.  For this Tennessee gal, there's not enough green - although the other colors are spectacular.

JeanneP and Bubble, let me know how you like The Bookman's Tale when you read it. I just finished. A really great read for me, good ending. The scenes are mostly in North Carolina and England (Kingham, where the author lives part of the year). Charlie Lovett is himself an avid book collector and a member of Grolier's Club which is mentioned n the book. I had never heard of the club before, only knowing Grolier as a publisher of encyclopedias. Their Book of Knowledge set was a favorite of mine when I was young, as was the accompanying set, Lands and Peoples[/i].

MarsGal - Now I'm curious about The Bookman's Tale!  The title reminds me of The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood.  I remember years ago we had a discussion on "Handmaid", here in this folder. (or maybe it was way back in Senior Net?)  It was a very strange story!

I'll be watching to see how you all like it, but in the meantime, I'll request it at my library.   

Marilyne, I actually liked the movie of The Handmaid's Tale better than the book. The book was written like a diary, where as the movie was a smooth progression. I was surprised to see Robert Duvall in the movie, and noticed that for quite some time I didn't see anyone list it in has part of his cinematography.  Odd! Anyway, the movie didn't get the publicity that it probably deserved. George and I ran across it playing at an old out-of-the-way movie house. He mistook it for a Shakespeare play, as I recall, until it started.

One of the gals over on SeniorLearn is reading The Bookstore on the Corner which she likes a lot. She calls it a fun read. It is on my TBR list now, but for now I just downloaded Carlos Ruiz Zafon's second of his "The Cemetery of Forgotten Books" series which began with Shadow of the Wind. This one is called The Angel's Game. Zafon now has four books in the series.

Callie,    I enjoyed some of Lisa Wingate's books too.  The Prayer Box and the Story Keeper were a couple of the last ones I read.....both very good.

I just started reading "The bookman's Tale". I don't think it will be my kind of reading. Will try a few more chapters but don't think will change for me.
I just have to many books to read to carry on with one not interesting me.

JeanneP, I agree.  If I don't enjoy a book, I'm not wasting my time on it. 🙁

Jeanne and Jean - I agree with both of you.  There are so many books out there for us to choose from, that I don't like to spend time reading something that I'm not really enjoying. 

Right now, I'm about to give up on, What Dreams May Come, written by the same author who wrote Somewhere in Time.  Because I loved the book and the movie of "Somewhere", I thought for sure I would enjoy "What Dreams May Come".  It's just a bit too fanciful for me, and I'm not relating at all to any of the characters.  I'm about half way through it, and may continue on, but I doubt it.  Too many other books waiting for me on the shelf!

I think I mentioned that What Dreams May Come, was made into a movie starring Robin Williams.  I'm curious as to how he interprets the main character, so I will watch it if it shows up on TCM or Encore. 

Sorry you don't care for A Bookman's Tale, Jeanne. It jumps back and forth in time; some people don't like that (my Mother didn't). There are three main time periods that proceed toward the current day events: following the book through its' various owners, following Peter through his education and his marriage, and following the events leading to the painting of the portrait found in a used book that started the whole mystery off. They all come together near the end. For me, I thought the book got more exciting as everything started to come together.

Mars Gal.  Maybe I will go a little further into the book.

Now I put the DVD of
'What Dreams may do"


' this morning while having lunch. I couldnt find the book.  Not caring for the movie so turned off. thought maybe the book would be better.

MarilynE, I thought Robin Williams died a few years ago.  Is this an older film?

SCFSue

Sue - The movie What Dreams May Come, was released in 1998, so it was made long before Robin Williams died.  When I looked up the information, I found that there are lots of good reviews on the movie.  One said it was a "visual masterpiece"!  Maybe I'll just forget about the book, and plan to get the movie at my library. 

Tomorrow, April 29, is Independent Bookstore Day. You can find a local participating bookstore here. http://www.indiebookstoreday.com/

I posted the following message in the Television/Movie folder a couple of days ago.  Now I remember that all of the discussion on this book, was here in the Library Bookshelf!  
So I copied and pasted my movie "review" below.  Junee responded, and you can see her post in TV/Movies. 

The Light Between Oceans - I've been wanting to see this movie for a long time, so finally rented and watched it today.  I liked the book a lot, but I was disappointed in the movie.  It wasn't bad, it was just very slow and maudlin. Not a lot of dialogue. I thought the first hour dragged along too slowly.  Then it picked up and got much better, but still left much to be desired. They stuck with the story fairly well, except for a few things. Like any other movie made from a book - they have to leave out a lot, because of time constraints.

Junee - I'm wondering if you ever watched it, and if so, what you thought of it?  The lighthouse itself, and the surrounding ocean scenery was gorgeous.  The houses and clothing and people, all had the authentic look of the early 1920's. The actors were all excellent!  The movie was just a bit too hopeless and depressing, but of course the book was too . . . although there was something uplifting about the book at the end, that didn't come across in the movie.

Junee's response on the TV/movie discussion.

I feel the same on" LIght between the Oceans" I just could not put the 2 main actors into their part as I felt they were in the Book. I do find myself doing that when reading the book and watching the DVD close together. I am weird.

For Kindle users, and anyone who would like to collect some of these children's stories:

Betsy-Tacy Treasury
by Maud Hart Lovelace
The Betsy-Tacy Treasury brings together the first four books in Maud Hart Lovelace's classic series: Betsy-Tacy; Betsy, Tacy and Tib; Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill; and Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. Tracing the girls' lives from early childhood to the brink of adolescence, Lovelace illuminates their innocent, mischievous fun and their eye-opening adventures exploring the world around themâ€"from the stories Betsy spins from their neighborhood bench and the sand stores they run in their backyards, to their first experiences at the library, the thrill of the theater, and the sight of their first automobile.

$1.99

Tome - I thought I had read all the children's series books when I was young, but somehow I missed Betsy-Tacy.  The name doesn't ring a bell, nor does the author.  When I was first learning to read, I remember liking The Bobbsey Twins, and there was also a series called The Five Little Peppers.  Then as I got older, I was a huge fan of Nancy Drew and Cherry Ames!  I remember my brother reading The Hardy Boys series. 

Tomereader 1, I read all the Betsy-Tacy books when I was a kid in the early 40's.  I also liked the Five Little Peppers and some of the Bobbsey Twins, but not as much as the others.  I read some Nancy Drew, also, but didn't read many of the Hardy Boys.  Reading was my passion then and now!  My favorites when my kids were young included the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary as well as Ralph S. Mouse.  I went on to become a teacher, mostly primary grades and I shared these books with my first through third graders--and even with some junior high girls who'd never read much of anything.  These girls were from poorer families who didn't own books or have a library card. 

SCFSue