Book Concierge’s Comments (group member since Feb 12, 2016)

Book Concierge’s comments from the Who Doesn't Love a Classic? group.

PM sent!

Thank you, Jerry! I'll invite you to the moderator's group.

AJ ... thank you for stepping up to the plate to help us moderate.

I'll send you an invite to the WDLAC Moderator's group.

Amester wrote: "I'd like to know that as well. I'm in the process of quitting my four (yes, four!) part time jobs and going back to full time work; once I have that settled I may be able to pitch in. Can we have a moderator team? :) "

A moderator team would be lovely. No one person would have all the responsibility. Adding two new co-moderators would be great!

If we do this, we should probably form a private/secret group for just the moderators so we can discuss issues "behind the scenes" more easily than individually private messaging each other.

Lara wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "It might also be a good idea for us to "publicize" the group more among our friends. More members might increase participation."

What do you mean by "publicize?""

Send invites ...
Post about the group in other groups.

The Summer Before the War is set just before (and during) WWI

It might also be a good idea for us to "publicize" the group more among our friends. More members might increase participation.

A little too "new" to be considered a classic, but I feel certain it will endure.

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff– 5*****
In October 1949 Helene Hanff, a single woman living and working in her small New York apartment, responded to an ad placed in the Saturday Review of Literature by Marks & Co, a bookshop in London that specialized in used books. Thus began a two-decade long correspondence and friendship between the reserved bookseller and the irrepressible Miss Hanff. What a delight it is to be allowed to watch this growing relationship, fueled by a shared love of books, and an ability to laugh at oneself and one’s follies. It’s the kind of book I’ll read over and over just for the sheer joy of it.
Full Review HERE

I've never read this ... I don't think. Reading your review, I think I should add it to my tbr.

Lara wrote: "
Did you see the new miniseries they did on this recently? I just watched it. I remember watching the old one a loooong time ago, but I didn't ..."

I missed it (and I didn't see the original mini series either).

Terris wrote: "Listening to:
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne"

I listened to this last year. I loved it.!

R. Brent wrote: "Whoa, just rediscovered this old/new group from Shelfari!

Anyway, I just had to say that I finished Jane Austen's Mansfield Park the other day. Having now finished all six Austen novels in the tra..."

Welcome to the group, Brent. Glad you found us.

Not really a classic, but I think it will become one -

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff– 5*****
In October 1949 Helene Hanff, a single woman living and working in her small New York apartment, responded to an ad placed in the Saturday Review of Literature by Marks & Co, a bookshop in London that specialized in used books. Thus began a two-decade long correspondence and friendship between the reserved bookseller and the irrepressible Miss Hanff. What a delight it is to be allowed to watch this growing relationship, fueled by a shared love of books, and an ability to laugh at oneself and one’s follies. It’s the kind of book I’ll read over and over just for the sheer joy of it.
Full Review HERE

Well, I'm pretty familiar with Goodreads, and also belong to the Moderator Support Group which is VERY helpful. (It's a private group, so you have to request membership, but all you have to state is that you are a moderator and which group you moderate.)

Anyway ... I can help with any organization needed. But just don't have the time to run the group.

Senor Vivo and the Coca Lord by Louis de Bernières – 4****
Dionisio Vivo is a philosophy teacher, whose letters to the editor about the effects of the coca trade on the people of this unnamed South American country have attracted the wrath of the local drug lord. This is a fun romp of a satire, full of magical realism and totally outrageous scenarios. I laughed aloud in many places, and cried out in dismay in others. The language de Bernières employs is nothing short of delightful. The reader who can suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride will find much to enjoy.
Full Review HERE

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa – 5***** and a ❤
A beautifully elegant gem of a novel. The slow way in which the Housekeeper, Root and the Professor get to know one another is framed by his lessons on the poetry of mathematics. I liked how Ogawa used the Professor’s and Root’s love of baseball to frame their growing friendship. It is a story about love (not to be confused with a “love story”).
Full Review HERE

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – 4****
Early in his career as a writer, Hemingway lived in Paris with his wife and infant son. This is his memoir of that time, when he was young, curious, and soaking up atmosphere with a sponge. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have shared even one afternoon with these young writers! There is immediacy to Hemingway’s writing that just draws me into the world of his work. I thank Hemingway for letting me live vicariously through his memories.
Full Review HERE

Lysistrata wrote: "Hello, everyone! Karin dropped a link to this group on the classics group on Leafmarks, so I thought I'd join up here now that LM is closing.

I'm a recent college graduate from the unbearably hot ..."

Welcome, Lysistrata! I have my AC set to 68F at night ....

NOT a classic ... but a gothic novel - a "book about books"

The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – 4****
Wow. The plot is intricate and compelling, the characters complex and interesting, and the writing is simply wonderful. And, of course, we have the marvelous Cemetery of Forgotten Books. This is a dark, gothic novel full of mystery and intrigue. At heart it is a story of man’s struggle against his baser instincts. Although there are many twists in the plot, Zafón keeps some major surprises for the ending. Dan Stevens is simply marvelous performing the audio version.
Full Review HERE

Lovely book reminiscent of Jane Austen ...

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson – 4****
What an absolute delight! Simonson’s writing reminds me of Jane Austen's novels. Simonson sets her story in a small English village, whose residents would prefer that time stand still notwithstanding major outside influences. The villagers are left reacting to changes that make them very uncomfortable. Against these global events, however, is the very personal story of these characters; this is where Simonson shines. She has a great gift for dialogue and for creating a social structure that draws the reader into the small dramas of life that give her work universal appeal.
Full Review HERE