I'm another who comes here and reads the posts, ------ but ----- I'm not a good reader, ---never was.  But I can read a tech manual and spot mistakes (if there are some). Obviously not from me but my son is a reader. He also is a big customer of "Great Courses". If I made a crazy guess I would say he has all of the Great Courses History Items.
Thinking about it now, I think my problem is that I read everything like I'm reading a Tech Manual. I read every word,chew it up, and digest it. Not reading thoughts.   Hard to teach an old dog new tricks     

Happy 4th to everyone.

Thanks, gang. I like to post what I am reading in case there is anyone out there that is interested in the book or author even though they might not respond. Since these are my opinions, you all may or may not agree with my assessment of a book. That is okay. I do like to point out when I think an author does a good job of developing his characters, when the editing is not up to snuff, and my pet peeve, the misuse of pronouns. My latest in the latter category is the use of they and them for a single gender-neutral/alternative person. Surely, they can come with something better to use than a well-established plural pronoun to denote a single (pick your letter) person. Speaking of which, they have added so many letters that I have no clue what some of them are for. 

Rammel, the most technical SciFi book I ever read has to be Neal Stephenson's Seveneves. It is a tome with lots of technical and design descriptions regarding building an off-world habitat and the means to get to it. An impending worldwide disaster looms and the scientists, engineers, botanists, etc. are on a deadline to develop and build this habitat in an effort to save/preserve human life. It was so technical that I had to read it slowly to digest it all. The span of the book is 5,000 years. Some of the decendents of the original seven female survivors return to Earth to discover that some humans survived the impact and its aftermath by living in deep mines or in undersea habitats. Stephenson did not grace us with a follow-up book telling their side of the story. Seveneves is supposedly going to be made into a movie with Ron Howard directing. I am having an incredible amount of difficulty finding any info about its status.

MarsGal -  Even though I may not respond, I always enjoy reading your book reviews, and have read a few of your recommendations over the years.  "Seveneves",  sounds like a good story, but  maybe too long and detailed for me at this point in time.  I'll wait for the movie . . . If Ron Howard, is producing it, then I'm sure it will be a good one.    I agree with you on the new pronoun changes, as to gender.  "My latest in the latter category is the use of they and them for a single gender-neutral/alternative person."   It's gone a bit over-the-top for me too, and I'm also having a hard time remembering what the various letters of the new gender-alphabet stand for . . . can't keep track of all the changes and variations.

Rick - You might enjoy reading some of the new style detective novels that  are very popular now - especially with men readers.  Look online for lists of books by John Grisham, Michael Connelly or James Patterson.  Many have been made into good movies.  Patterson has branched out in recent years,  and now does non-fiction also - focusing on controversial or political subjects. 

im about halfway through "Seldom Disappointed", a memoir by  Tony Hillerman. He writes as if we're having a conversation and I'm particularly enjoying the descriptions of his growing up years as a poor farm boy in Oklahoma during the Depression.

Will confess I skimmed through his WW2 experiences although I may go back and read more of the details, which arent gory descriptions.

I'm at the point at which someone read an assigned artice he wrote and suggested he could be a journalist; he had never considered writing anything...much less making a living from it.

Very interesting story.

Callie - I copied and saved your list of "Summer reading", that you posted last week.  "The Palace Papers", and "Vanity Fair Diaries" sound good for me.  I think I'll skip the Beach Books this year.  I like Mary Alice Monroe, but have read enough  of her novels, for now.    Of the Southern writers, my all time favorite is Pat Conroy. "The Prince of Tides", is my #1, followed by "The Great Santini".  After Conroy, I like Anne Rivers Siddons. I still have a ragged and faded old paperback around here, of "Peachtree Road".  Love that story.

MarsGal - I read online, that HBO has dropped production of, "The Time Traveler's Wife".  No more episodes to even finish out the season.  Apparently many other viewers, besides me, felt the same way.  I gave up on it after the first two episodes . . . a chaotic mess, IMO.

Marilyne,  I'm not finding "Vanity Fair Diaries" as interesting as "The Palace Papers" - probably because I'm not as interested in magazine publishing as I am in The Royals.  I did find/am finding both of them a bit repititious (sp?), though.
Am beginning to find the same about "Seldom Disappointed, too. 

Oh, I like Mary Alice Monroe, Anne Rivers Siddons and Pat Conroy, too.  The movie version of "Prince of Tides" that was produced and started Barbra Streisand irritated me because it was mainly about HER - not the relationship between the brothers (as I recall).

Noticed in today's paper that the Recommended Summer Reading list included "The Summer Place" by Jennifer Weiner.  I just finished it and liked it - although I almost had to make a diagram to keep up with the various relationships.
[/size]

Callie - I very much agree with you as to Barbra Streisand, ruining the movie version of,  "The Prince of Tides"!  I remember that she bought the movie rights from Conroy, and then proceeded to rewrite it.   What a disaster it was.     I love the book, but try not to even think about the movie!

I've read a number of novels by Jennifer Weiner, and like them, so will now get,  "A Summer Place".    I love the titles of her earlier books . . . such a clever play on words, and each one sounds intriguing.

Catch up time. I have not listened to my audio book for a few days now, so I am still on the Ukranian history.

Meanwhile, my last library read is done and back to the library. It was Christopher Paolini's To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. Well written, but a bit overly lengthy. It has what I would describe as a "women turns into a (maybe god-like) superhero" type theme, but it creeps up on her, so you get to read the gradual transformation and discoveries along the way. I was a little disappointed that she didn't get to revert back to herself since there was a budding romance involved.

My newest library read is Becky Cooper's nonfiction True Crime book, We Keep the Dead Close. It is about an unsolved murder at Harvard University back in the late sixties. Very interesting.

I still don't quite have the hang of downloading from Overdrive on the Kobo, so while trying to get Mick Herron's latest Slough House book to download, I accidently unborrowed it. So, now I have to wait another 14 weeks for it, look like. Sigh! I was looking forward to it.

I finally sat down the last two days to do a little reading.

Right now, I am reading The Grey Lady (1895) by Henry Seton Merriman (penname of Hugh Stowell Scott). The first few chapters serve to introduce the characters and their various situations. So far, the characters are the nasty upperclass lady (the grey lady of the title), twin brothers (both seamen), a Majorican gentleman living in Barcelona, a young lady living in Majorica whose father just died, and her uncle (also a seaman). The story so far is mild. Librivox says it is "A tale of romance, greed, blackmail, secrets, Spain and ships." I like the writing style.

Having just finished the audiobook about the Ukraine and surrounds, I decided to listen to The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. I read it years ago and have wanted to reread it. The cover to my paperback came off and I haven't glued it back on yet. It is a lengthy book, so the audio version suits, especially since I was able to borrow a download to listen to.

I also just started the 4th volume of The Wayward Galaxy SciFi series.

I am expecting Powers and Thrones by Dan Jones to become available from my e-library within the next week.

Update on  Seveneves

A feature film adaptation of the Neal Stephenson sci-fi novel Seveneves is picking up steam, and it's got some serious clout. Per Deadline, Ron Howard has signed on to direct the film, setting his Apollo 13 screenwriter William Broyles Jr. to pen the script while Brian Grazer will produce.

That's a formidable team for any adaptation, but Seveneves has some serious promise and marks a significant tonal changeup for the Oscar-winning A Beautiful Mind director.

The novel, which hit shelves last year, begins with humanity in dire straights as a catastrophic event renders Earth uninhabitable.

The world's nations subsequently band together to devise a plan to ensure humanity's survival, which involves sending pioneers into the far reaches of outer space.

But then the book jumps 5,000 years into the future, with the progeny of these pioneers now spanning seven distinct races and three billion strong.

They set out on an ambitious journey of their own—a return to Earth.

https://collider.com/seveneves-movie-ron-howard/#:~:text=A%20feature%20film%20adaptation%20of%20the%20Neal%20Stephenson,pen%20the%20script%20while%20Brian%20Grazer%20will%20produce.

Ron Howard is working it...   should be great!!

Sounds like they are going to skip a lot of the technical details of building a space station and concentrate on the more human interactions. I think the return to earth part took up far less space in the book than the efforts to get into and stay in space. Good. The book was very long and hard and technicals were a bit hard to get through. I am looking forward to seeing the movie.


In the book, the space stations/colonies were not that far out in space relatively speaking. They sat at stable LaGrange Points in relatively close proximity to the earth and sun. Here is an explanation of Lagrange Points which even shows where the James Webb is located at the L3 point. https://www.space.com/30302-lagrange-points.html#:~:text=Lagrange%20Points%3A%20Parking%20Places%20in%20Space%201%20Structure,Mainzer%20told%20Space.com.%203%20Lagrange%20point%20science.%20

It has been at least three weeks and not a peep from anyone here. I've been busy with the kitchen remodel so my reading slowed down considerably for a while. Now I am able to get back to it. No new books, just trying to get the ones I am reading/listening to finished. Powers and Thrones is huge (and, so far, is very interesting). Since I wasn't going to get it finished by the time the library wants it back, I bought the audiobook version. Now, the library just let me know that the compendium edition of William Kent Krueger's Cork O'Connor series is ready for me to read. I am looking forward to reading them.

Not a peep from me, but I do look in here. Unfortunately I'm not a reader. I can read a Tech manual (and find mistakes) but other reading usually sends me to lala land.

My reading has slowed down, too.  I can't seem to stay awake long enough to finish more than a page, or even a paragraph.   

Mars - Thanks for waking us up this morning.    Sad but true, most comments in this discussion never get responses, and it's the same in Bait & Tackle.  Too few members left who still respond or offer their 2 cents worth.    Some members look into S&F every day, but haven't posted a message in years.   

I want to remind everyone that this Library folder also includes television shows and series, and movies.  So some of you who have a difficult time reading, can talk about any movies you especially like, or that you recommend.

I still read, but not even close to as much as I used to.  Issues with my eyes are getting worse, and also, trying  to get into a comfortable reading position in a chair, is almost impossible.  I can watch TV okay from a recliner, but can't read in a recliner.    Also I
I've never been able to read in bed. 

My dil gave me a book for my birthday, that I plan to start reading over this long hot weekend:  Things We Never Got Over  by Lucy Score.  It looks good, but unfortunately the print is small, and the book is very thick, so it will take some patience.      As for TV/Movies - I did watch a pretty good one a couple of days ago during the day.  It was an oldie, starring  Michael J. Fox, called  Bright Lights - Big City.  It was a drama, that came out around the same time as Back to the Future.    He was such a good actor!  Just a shame that his career was pretty much ended because of Parkinson's. 

Well, Hello, Ms. Marilyne.  Here is my two cents (you know, in your heart of hearts, that I am reading every post that occurs in Seniors & Friends, but just lurking for the most part. If I don't post anything, don't hold it against me.  I may just be trying to collect my thoughts; for that, I use a very small bucket! For anyone who watched any of Downton Abbey and loved Hugh Boneville, he has a new made for TV movie out, either Netflix or Prime, in which he is an absolute MONSTER. You will not love him in this.it is a scary, horror type movie which I don't normally watch, mystery, yes, horror NO. Netflix has a neat documentary for those who love and have cats: The Mind of a Cat. Interesting. Reading:just finished "Pony" by R.J.  Palacio, who wrote "Wonder". It is thundering and the sky is very dark gray. Looking to get some more rain. I finally managed enough green grass(weeds) to cal the yardman back out. Of course, he had to get a $25 "upcharge" for the grass having grown since our deluge earlier in the week. I wouldn't let him attempt mowing since it was dry hay and a fire hazard to mow. In the health arena, I got some food poisoning last week, never been sicker in my life. Now I'm hoping that this post will keep the wolves from my door, LOL. Wishing you all good health, good reading, good TV and some good meals along the way.

What a wonderful surprise to see all the posts this morning.

I'll be back later. I want to make an attempt at the lawn or weeding before it gets hot again today.

The yardwork went well this morning. It was cooler than the weather forecast predicted. Right now, it is still only 73^o with a nice breeze. I see the weather forecast has been revised down by two or three degrees than what they had predicted earlier. The windows are open to take advantage of it.

Nothing wrong with reading tech manuals, Rammel. Technical writing is a special kind of writing. Technical specs and instructions need to be precise and in correct order, even the simplest instructions that you might believe are intuitive. I took a technical writing class in college. It was enlightening and interesting.

I watched the whole season of Amazon's The Terminal List several weeks back. It was better than I expected. Now I have Jack Reacher in my watchlist, but I haven't started it yet. I haven't read any of the associated books upon which these two shows are based.[/i].

YAY!  Tome appeared at last, and posted a nice long newsy message!  Good to see you here, and also good to see you lurking in "Just Plain Old Music" or "Bait and Tackle".  I think it's a fact, that most of us lurk, a lot more than we actually post.

Although I like Hugh Bonneville, I doubt I will check out his new show on Netflix.  I'm also NOT a fan of horror shows or books!  I've never understood why most people enjoy those graphic, distasteful types of shows, but I'm not one of them.  Watching evil psychopaths prey on innocent people is not my idea of a good way to spend the evening.   seems that most good actors are willing to star in those shows . . . It's all about the money I guess?   Sorry you had a bout with food poisoning!  I can relate, and understand how it can scare you . . . wondering if you're going to survive! Glad you're feeling better, and hope your Labor Day Weekend will include no labor!   

MarsGal - "The Terminal List", sounds like something my husband would like.  He generally likes any show dealing with the military, espionage, etc.  I read some reviews online and it sounds pretty good.   I'll at least watch the first episode, probably tonight, so will let you know what I think.

Marilyne, if you go into Senior Learn, pick The Library.  I have posted about the book we just read in my f2f Book Club.  Title:  Pony by R.J. Palacio. If you don't or can't go to SL, let me know and I will copy my post here.  Fantastic book, fantastic club meeting.

Marilyne, hope that fire in No. California is not near you.  Bet the smoke is getting to your area.  This was at a lumber mill about 50 miles from Oregon border.  Trust you all are okay.

I am not a horror fan either. I have, however, managed to read only a very few of them unless you consider the aliens and monsters, I encounter reading SciFi. In fact, the one I am reading now features several very nasty creatures native to a planet being colonized. They are an element of, but not the main focus of the book. Book I do avoid are those that feature serial killers.

The first three Cork O'Connor series novels are patiently waiting for me to finish the Scifi book. Almost done with it.

BTW, I have a hard time picturing Hugh Bonneville playing an evil person.

Well, Hugh Bonneville in this movie, was evil to the bone!

MarsGal -  Last night we watched episode #1 of The Terminal List. AJ liked it much better than I did.  I liked it enough that I'm willing to watch another episode before I decide if I'll stay with it.  I generally have to become interested in, or identify with, one of the characters, in order to stay with a movie, series or a book.  Only a few characters introduced in the first episode, so I haven't picked one yet.  More as it moves along, so I'm sure I will.

Joanne/Tome - I did go to Senior Learn, and read your post about Pony, by R.J. Palacio.  Definitely sounds intriguing, so I'll plan on checking it out at my library, after the long weekend.  No, we are no where near that raging wildfire, up by the Oregon border.  It looked so sad on TV last night - like the entire town of Weed, will be evacuated.  I'll be watching it on the TV news today.

I like Hugh Bonneville okay in most of shows I've seen him , but my favorite of the older British actors, is definitely Charles Dance!   Oh yes -  he really takes over every scene he is featured in, no matter what part he is playing.    I liked  him in  Game of Thrones,  but it wasn't until I saw him in  The Crown,  where he played Lord Mountbatten, that I really  took notice of him!  He was perfect in  that role I thought, even though he didn't have many scenes!  One of my two favorite scenes in that  series featuring him, was when he went to the bedside of his dying sister, Princess Alice.  Very well done, but his very best scene, and my favorite, was when he spoke at his Burma Veterans  meeting, and recited Rudyard Kipling's poem,  The Road to Mandalay.   I must have scrolled back and watched that scene at least ten times.    Loved it!

Marilyne, Terminal List gets better after the first episode with lots of twists. It is a bit on the violent side though so don't get too attached to most of the characters. The second season promises to be interesting too.

I am enjoying Iron Lake very much. On checking the Minnesota state map, I discovered that there is a real Iron Lake in the upper area near the Canadian border. It is a very long, narrow lake just below Route 92, the Old Gunflint Trail. That whole area is more lakes than ground. Must be a great place to feed the mosquitoes.

The audiobook, only a few hours long, that I just finished was comprised of poems and a short bio of Li Bai (aka: Li Bo), a poet who lived in the 6th century. The guy must have been a heavy alcoholic. Many of his poems are about or mention drinking or being drunk. I think it would have been nice to hear them in Chinese because the English translation loses all poetic rhythm. Now, what to listen to next, back to Powers and Thrones in audio this time, or something else. Lots to choose from.

Well, I goofed. Here I sent the vol. one compendium comprising the first three Cork O'Connor books thinking that I could put a hold on the third book for a little later. I started it but it wasn't holding my interest right now and I was almost out of time with people waiting behind me. I put a hold on the single edition of Purgatory Ridge and will have to wait 13 weeks to read it. The compendium edition I had would have had me waiting 14 weeks. In the meantime, I discovered a prequel (Book 18) which I got right away. Yea! This book starts with Cork just beginning his office as Sheriff with more lookbacks into his childhood, etc. Actually, I like this one, called Lightning Strike, better than Purgatory Ridge.

Currently listening to more of Powers and Thrones and another of John Scalzi's Dispatcher series. The Dispatcher and its sequels are only a few hours long. The books follow a guy (the Dispatcher) who is a licensed killer who often works with hospitals and the police. Because of some odd quirk, in this world, people can under certain circumstances be killed with their consent, after which the body disappears and pops back to life somewhere else in good health. There is a big market for it among those suffering grave injury or disease, and of course on the shadier side, criminals and others on the run.

Done with Lightning Strike already. Hardly put it down. Now I am reading a rather quirky, odd and pretty interesting SciFi called Dogs of War by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Think Dick and Jane, "See Spot Run". The text is mostly written as if a dog had written it, complete with whines and wanting so badly to be patted and here those words, Good Dog). The "dog" in question is one of several bioform weaponized creations. He and his squad get cut off from communications with their Master forcing them to think for themselves which is very hard on a dog who lives to please his master and follow his masters' instructions. The other three members of this experimental multi-form squad are a huge bear, a distributed intelligence in the form of a bee swarm, and a dragon, not the kind with wings, think more like snake with lots of teeth and I think is read a retractable fin on its back. I am already just about half-way through the book.

Mars - "The Dogs of War" sounds intriguing, but probably would give me nightmares, and empathy for the poor dogs, just wanting to be dogs.  In reality,  abandoned, lost or stray dogs actually do learn to think for themselves, and follow the best course in order to survive.

I just started reading, "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo".  All reviews are intriguing . . . guessing which famous woman, inspired the title character?   I haven't read enough yet to form an opinion, but I'm sure I'll have one before long.   It's getting harder every day for me to read because of eye problems and inability to get  comfortable in any of the chairs around here.   So it will likely be a while before I finish.

Marilyne -  I'm "on Hold" for "The Seven Husbands....".  Interesting that reviews are guessing which famous woman was the inspiration.  I'd guess Elizabeth Taylor.

I'm currently reading novels by Gail Godwin and J. Courtney Sullivan.  Not sure what "genre" these fall into - but it isn't Sci Fi, Horror nor "chick flick"  (currrently referred to as "Beach Books"; guess the "chick" term is now verboten  ).  I like drama and conflict but prefer a gentler tone.