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Library Bookshelf

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

Previous topic - Next topic

Tomereader1

MaryC, so glad to know someone else uses "BookBub".  Isn't it neat?  Do you also do "Book Gorilla" - - basically the same offerings depending on what you sign up for. Or I guess you could use different "preferences" for one or the other.  I use mostly fiction, "mystery".  The Robert James Waller is the author of Bridges of Madison County, etc.

maryc

oops!   Guess I was looking at the author's name in a dim light.....Robert James Waller....not Walter! :-[ I had read that he also wrote The Bridges of Madison County.    I noticed that because my brother has often mentioned that movie and that he liked it.   

I will check out the other book offer site that you mentioned Tomereader.    Sometimes I feel as though me  preferences aren't too accurate with those place but when I look to change them don't really find choices that fit so I just read the offerings and take 'em or leave 'em.    The book that I'm reading just now called The Last Four seems like a simple Western and I can almost picture John Wayne as the hero.   BUT,  I will finish anyway.   I'm sure that some of the story is based on truth but is a little far fetched in the telling of the outcome.

I wonder is anyone here watched Little Women on Sunday evening.   Debby and I both watched it and were a little disappointed.  I'm not much for action movies but I had a hard time staying awake to see this through. 
Mary C

CallieOK

maryc,  I felt the same way about "Little Women".  Too much like a syrupy Hallmark movie for my taste.  Maybe that's because I remember Kathryn Hepburn as a peppery Jo,  Elizabeth Taylor (in a blonde wig) as Amy and Margaret O'Brien as Beth.
I wondered if all the freckles on "Beth's" face were real or makeup.
Even so,  I'll watch the other episodes to see what they do with the rest of the story.

I'm currently reading "The Hypnotist's Love Story" by Liane Moiriaty (sp?).  A hypnotherapist's boyfriend is being stalked by a former lover he rejected.  The therapist has just discovered the ex-girlfriend has been a patient under another name.  Can't quite decide if I "like" it - but it's holding my interest and I'll keep reading to see how it all turns out.

MarsGal

I'm reading Peter F. Hamilton's The Reality Dysfunction , but I don't think I will get to finish it. It turns out that it is 1239 pages or there abouts.  Not only that, it is part of a trilogy with the other two being over 1000 pages each. The description sounded interesting. It is a future history of two very advanced tech and bio-tech civilization groups, Edenists and Adamists and their conflicts. Somewhere in all of this, I just discovered, according to Wikipedia, is that the core plot is about the souls of the dead coming back to possess the living, and the living fighting back. Ugh! In that case, it doesn't sound like I care to finish that part anyway. Still, Hamilton's writing has an appealing flow to it that I like.

Marilyne

Does anyone have any final thoughts or comments on The Winter Garden?   I see that they have pretty much wrapped up the discussion in SL?  I thought the descriptions of, The Siege of Leningrad, were well documented, and that Hannah did a great job of telling it like it really was.  She didn’t hold back, but presented everything in a realistic way.  I was fascinated by the prolonged siege, and immediately did some research online, and learned that it was every bit as bad, or worse, than what was depicted in the novel. That part of the story was a real eye opener for me. 

The brief storyline of Vera/Anya getting together with Evan, wasn't explained to my satisfaction?   It’s hard for me to believe that Vera could later, give birth to Meredith and Nina, and then proceed to ignore them.  I would think or hope, that the girls would have given her a new start, and that she might have been grateful to have a chance to raise a new family?  Instead, the girls paid the price of Vera’s guilt and heartbreak.  Evan took over and raised them, but why didn't he ever explain to them what was wrong with their mother?

As for the ending of the story?  I’m sure I’m not the only one who could see what was coming?  The trip to Sitka, was going to reveal something big, but it wasn’t going to be from their visit with the Professor.  When they went to the cafe and met the waitress, it became clear.  I had forgotten that Vera and Sasha had planned to move to Alaska, when the War was over!

MarsGal

Marilyne, I think we are pretty much done with Winter Garden now. We pretty much have come to the same conclusions you did. The only thing I haven't looked into (yet) is where the evacuees were to be taken. Some, I believe, were sent to Siberia. I'd like to know a little more about that, but it really wasn't part of the story.

There is now a question whether or not we will read The House of Seven Gables next. A couple of the gals want a feel good or upbeat book next; they don't want anything that might be depressing. I am looking into it in case PatH asks for suggestions. 

CallieOK

Marilyne,  I agree with being able to figure out the ending of Winter Garden. 

I think more of an in-depth discussion was expected because the book dealt with the cruelties of a particular event in modern history and its effect on the main character.
Kristen Hannah may set her books during troubled times but she is, after all, a writer of "popular novels".
Most writers of that kind of fiction don't "analyze" the characters' angsts very much and usually wind up all the conflicts  quickly in the last chapters.

That's what happened in "The Hypnotist's Love Story".  I could tell what was going to happen long before the last chapter but kept reading to see how the author got to that point.

I started "My Exaggerated Life" by Pat Conroy as told to Katherine Clark but didn't get very far before I'd had enough about his abusive father,  abusive treatment at The Citadel etc. etc.     

Now reading "Enchantress of Numbers" by Jennifer Chiaverini,  "a novel of Ada Lovelace (Lord Byron's wife)".   She has just left him because of psychological abuse.
   
What is it about this abuse theme?   ???  As the old saying goes, "Same song, next verse, could be better but......"    <sigh>

Lots of Domestic Duties to do today.  Think I'll spend my free time watching my recording of The Wedding. 

Tomereader1

Another portrayal of The Siege of Leningrad is shown in the movie "Enemy At The Gates", which is more of a "war"story, but outlines some of the hardships of the Russian soldiers, as well as the populace. When a soldier fell, others were quick to take his coat/shoes/rifle.

MarsGal

I am reading two books, well actually I paused The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton to read the book that just came in, Kurt Vonnegut's The Sirens of Titan. It is much shorter. I am enjoying both.

Marilyne

MarsGal - The only Kurt Vonnegut I've read, is Slaughterhouse-Five, and I think that was back in the 70's or 80's?  I remember liking it, but at the time I don't think I understood what he was trying to convey.  Now, I know I would like it a lot more, so may read it again. 

My dil gave me two books for Mother's Day, but I'm not sure that I'll read either one.  I started, Into The Water, but after a couple of chapters, I wasn't liking it much, so closed it and started the other one - The Wife Between Us.  So far, not so good, on that one also.  Both books are "thriller" style, which is not my favorite genre.  "Water", is written by Paula Hawkins, the author of, The Girl On the Train.  I didn't care for that book at all. . . started it, but never finished it.  "Wife", seems to be along the same lines.  The caption on the cover says, "Fiendishly clever - In the vein of Gone Girl, and Girl on the Train."   Psycho-dramas, or psychopathic characters seem to be very popular now, but not with me.     

MarsGal

Marilyne, I am almost finished with The Sirens of Titan. What a strange, creative mind Vonnegut had. I think Titans hits on all four cylinders taking pot shots at war, religion, people who follow the herd, lemming like, without thinking for themselves, and the idle, dissipated rich.

I keep hearing how Slaughterhouse Five is so good. Maybe I'll give it a shot; I just didn't think I would want to read a WWII, time-travel science fiction, but looking at a synopsis, it appears to be much more than that.

SCFSue

Marilyne, I hated the book Gone Girl.  The female character was just so evil--very difficult to read about the things she did and managed to get away with.  I can usually deal with plots that are scary, but that one was totally disgusting. (IMO!)

Sue

Tomereader1

Did anyone here watch PBS's "The Great American Read"?  Do visit their site and check out the books that were on "their" list.  All my "true" favorites were not listed.
It will be repeated twice more during the night and early morning hours (don't know about your local PBS).

maryc

Just finished another book from Book Bub specials.    This one is Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers by Sara Ackerman.     I bought it because the title caught my attention and it turned out to be  pretty good.   The story is set in Hawaii shortly after Pearl Harbor.   For a light quick read, I would recommend it.
After I finished that book I went back to reading High Plains Tango by Robert James Waller.   It is light reading as well.   Yesterday I was at the library for another errand so couldn't resist browsing the stacks.    I picked up another book by Elizabeth Kubler Ross and David Kessler.   This title is Life Lessons and it starts out well.  It deals with living  life to the fullest.   Another that I brought home and have read a little is For One More Day by Rich Albom.   This is one of his books that I hadn't read.

Meanwhile Debby and I have been doing a little research since our visit to Savannah where we walked through the Bonaventure Cemetery.   There I noticed a headstone for Johnny Mercer and we stayed out on an island where there was a roadway called Johnny Mercer Blvd.    Our grandson told us that the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was filmed in Savannah and partly in this cemetery so we started to do a little digging and learned that Mercer was born and raised in Savannah.   She is reading the book just now and we watched the movie last weekend and found that scenes in the movie were done in the Mercer house which was owned by the main character.   It has been an interesting journey down memory lane.   Of course our grandson and his mom are too young to be familiar with the name but it was good for us oldies!   :)   I'm sure that some of you know all this about Mercer but I was quite intrigued. 
Mary C

Marilyne

#1364
maryc - I'm a big Johnny Mercer fan, and I love looking through the Mercer Educational Archives website.  It's divided into different sections, and each one is unique and interesting.  You probably saw it when you were doing the research?
http://www.johnnymercerfoundation.org

As you know, the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, is not about Johnny Mercer.  Just the setting, in his home town, and in the background, with his wonderful music. I bought the CD, and loved all of the selections that were featured.   Rosemary Clooney, singing Fools Rush In,  and so many other  familiar Mercer songs like, That Old Black Magic, Laura, or Autumn Leaves.  I didn’t really care that much for the movie itself, but for me, it was worth seeing for the music!   The book is better . . . lots more history there. I thought it was much more enjoyable than the movie.

Your book selections sound good to me.  I'm looking for some light reading, so will see if I can get
Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers or High Plains Tango.  I like all of Mitch Albom's books - my favorite is The Five People You Meet in Heaven.       

maryc

Marilyne,   Debby thought the book was much better than the movie.   She said that the movie is like a book report on the book!  :)    No I didn't come across the website that you mentioned but will look into it.    I know that the story had little to do with J.M. except that Williams owned and lived in the Mercer house.  You are  probably like myself in relating to Mercer in that I had many of the sheet music copies of his songs and he just seemed so familiar.   It was strange when I spoke of him and the young ones just looked like I was talking Greek.  ???   I'm sorry now that we didn't take a regular tour of the city.   We went on foot with our grandson as our guide.    In Charleston we did take the horse and carriage tour and our guide was so very knowledgeable about the city and history of.    We would have learned more of those things in Savannah.   However our tour guide was good and we enjoyed hoofing it around town with him.   He and his mom have had difficult times with their relationship and she said afterward that it was the best visit she has had with him in some time.   He is a great guy but I think their problem is in her letting go and letting him be his own person.....it is time!!
Mary C

FlaJean

MaryC, when we visited Charleston we drove out to the island that has the only tea plantation in the States.  It was such a nice tour.  I had read about it in a mystery book that is set in Charleston so I looked it up on the Internet and talked my husband into driving to the island.  We both enjoyed it and, of course, I bought a very pretty little teapot and matching cup to remind of my visit.  :thumbup:

maryc

FlaJean,   That must have been an interesting tour.  I know that Debby would have really liked that as she is a tea fancier.   ;)   One year when we were at Myrtle Beach we drove down Rt. 17 where there was supposed to be places where tea and rice were grown at some time.   That whole part of the country is interesting to me after having read some of the books that are written about it.  I would like to stay out there for a time to be able to get around and visit more of the places of interest at a leisurely pace.  I know that there were a few churches that we didn't get to visit and would have liked to.   We did get into a couple of them but between time and our feet and legs giving out we had to limit how many places we went into.
Marilyne,   I've enjoyed some of the youtubes that were referenced in the site you mentioned about Johnny Mercer.    One especially was with Steve Allen where Mercer sang some of his songs.   I always liked Steve Allen and loved to hear him play piano.
Mary C

Marilyne

Tome - I missed the PBS show, The Great American Read, but I'll find it On Demand, and take a look.  The opinions on those endless lists . . . the best books, TV shows, Movies, cars, cities to live in, et al, rarely ever jibe with my favorites. It’s fun to look at the selections though, and then make your own list!  :)

Speaking of . . . yesterday we went to the library, and I forgot my most recent list, which included four books recommended here by MarsGal, Callie and maryc.  Couldn't remember what they were, so I picked out a few from the New Book shelf, that looked good.  The Female Persuasion, Meg Wolitzer - Before We Were Yours - Lisa Wingate, and The Overstory - Richard Power.
I started reading "Persuasion", when we got home, and so far I'm liking it.  Meg Wolitzer, is one of my favorites, although I don't like her as much as I like her mother - Hilma Wolitzer.  She's about 85 now, and still writing.  Her best novel, IMO, is Hearts, written in the early '80's, I think? 

MarsGal

Good Morning.

I gave up on The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton a while back. Now I am reading a four book series by Colin F. Barnes called Code Breakers. It is features a mostly transhuman/posthuman post-cataclysmic society with constant fast action. Ht hasn't gotten tedious, but I am starting to wish for a swifter ending. I am on book three now. There are other books squealing for my attention. Also, I am in the middle of an audio version of Bujold's The Vor Game. part of the Vorkosigan series which I like.

One of my book Email's featured The Alice Network (forget the author's name, off hand). I need to see if my library has it.

Marilyne

MarsGal - I see on my Off the Shelf list of, "books made into movies", that Fahrenheit 451 has been made into a new HBO series!  It's been about fifty years since I've read it, but I remember enough, that I think I'll enjoy it. You might want to take a look at it, if you like Ray Bradbury. 

I have one more episode to watch of another new, "Book into movie", playing on Netflix.  It's Jamaica Inn, by Daphne duMaurier.  It's quite the bleak, dismal story, as you know if you've ever read it.  The British cast is excellent.  Can't remember any of their names at the moment, but they're all very good.

Marilyne

Tomereader's husband Bob:
Sorry to tell you all, that our friend Tome's husband, Bob, passed away on May 29th, after a sudden illness.  I hope that she is doing as well as can be expected, under these sad and unexpected circumstances, and that she will return to Seniors & Friends when she is feeling better.

CallieOK

I'm so sorry to learn about Tomereader's husband.  My thoughts and prayers are with her.

FlaJean

So sorry to hear about Tomereader’s husband.  This is going to be a difficult time for her and the family.  Thoughts and prayers for Tome and family.

maryc

I'm so sorry to hear about Tomereader's husband passing so suddenly and unexpected.     Prayers for her and her family,   my heart goes out to her.
Mary C

maryc

It has been sooooooo quiet here on the Library bookshelf!!    I finally finished High Plains Tango by Robert J. Waller.    It really wasn't that long of a book but I kept getting sidetracked with other reading.    This turned out to be a good story with a few current issues mixed in.   Marilyne, you mention a book by Lisa Wingate a while back called Before We Were Yours.    It seems like I read this some time ago or else Debby read it and we talked about it.   I wonder if you did read it?   I started another last evening that I got through Book Bub.  This one is Washed Away by Geoff Williams.    I don't think I'll finish this.   It is like a documentary of a huge flood across many central states in 1913 and has just too many statistics for me.  I'm in the market for a new title.   Ideas??
Mary C

Marilyne

#1376
Mary - It's so good hear from you!  I know I've neglected this folder for a couple of weeks, but now that you've given me a nudge, I'm ready to post again!   

I've read a couple of very good books, since I was last here.  I liked The Female Persuasion, very much, and I think that you would all like it as well. It's by Meg Wolitzer, who, along with her mother Hilma, has written some excellent books.  Persuasion is a story about ambitious women in today's world . . . their different families, the men in their lives, etc.  All very different from when we were all young, but fascinating reading. The characters are all likable, including the men.  Nobody is evil, or even mean spirited.  Just normal people in a variety of unique families and situations.

Mary, I'm just now into the first couple of chapters of, Before We Were Yours, by Lisa Wingate.  It's a fascinating story so far, and I know I'm going to love it. A totally different story.  The writing reminds me of books by Diane Chamberlain . . . Necessary Lies, and others, that take place in the South.

Tomereader - I hope you're doing okay, and glad that your daughter lives close, and is there for you.  I'm thinking about you, and looking forward to when you feel like returning to S&F.     

MarsGal

Haven't had too much to say about what I am reading now. We are discussing Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat, but it isn't something I care to read a lot of at once. It is humorous and a bit frivolous.

I am  about to give up on Robert Harris's Conspirata. This is an historical novel about Cicero's year as consul as told by his slave/secretary Tiro. I liked the first book, Imperium, years ago, didn't know it was part of a trilogy until last week. Anyhow, I can't get excited about this volume. Maybe I'll come back to it another time.

The last book I am reading is called Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War. Ghost Fleet refers to our mothballed fleet held in reserve just in case. It is okay, but so far, I am not really invested in any of the characters. The author keeps introducing new characters in different locations during the first surprise attack on the U.S. It is also not a book I cannot put down.

SCFSue

I've been reading a series written by C.J. Box which features a forest ranger in Montana.  My son is a fan and introduced me to these.  If you like mysteries, enjoy learning about the West with rustling and other crimes, I think you might enjoy these books.  I'm going to the library this morning with my son and will bring home 2 more in this series.  Right now I'm rereading a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel, Lady Be Good, which I will finish today and will start one of the new books I check out after lunch with my son.

Sue

MaryTX

Sue, my son is also a fan of C.J. Box and have gotten me hooked on them also.   I have very eclectic reading tastes and I go from a mystery to a romance to a best seller to a biography - whatever catches my eye at the time. 

Since it is very difficult for me to get out of the house now, I check the library's catalog frequently and put books on reserve and my kids pick them up for me. 

Mary

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