Goodreads Ireland discussion
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What Are You Reading
message 2501:
by
Paul
(new)
Jul 17, 2014 01:20PM
Susan, if I get a chance at the weekend i'll take a photo if a decent cloth bound book, put it on a fileshare and post it.We've one or two nice ones.
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Theresa, the joy of reading is all that counts.
Theresa - if your better half is an engineer and interested in buildings, DC is a great place to visit. The monuments etc are really stunning. I order used books but am fussy as well. If it's a hardcover, I don't buy ex-library, or hardcover books that I;m not sure aren't former library books. There are some "new" copies sold that are less than the Amazon price. I try for very good or good copies.As far as Northern Ireland fiction, I recently read Ghost Moth by Michelle Forbes and you can see my review. Jennifer Johnston lives in Derry though she was born in Dublin. She is marvelous. I will think of more.
About the topic of Irish fiction being depressing, I am weary of the topic as someone in my book club who I dislike started a huge broohaha on that topic and it was totally off the wall. In a follow up conversation, when she wasn't present, I said that people who wanted happy happy should read Maeve Binchy. And I have read Maeve and like her but it is very unreal.
Trelawn wrote: "I've started reading The Mangle Street murders.It's the first in a new series and sounded right up my street. It's a Victorian crime/mystery featuring a detective duo. But after 40 pages I'm not su..."I'll be interested to see how if you like it as you continue, Trelawn. It's in the "new book" area of my local library, and I considered borrowing it.
Barbara, if they find Irish fiction depressing why are they in the group? Isn't that an Irish fiction group? I like Maeve too in small doses and found her earlier work much better than the happy books she wrote later.
I agree about Maeve Binchy - my favourite of her books is Light a Penny Candle which imo, was totally different to most, if not all, of those that followed.But her books are like comfort food to me. Very gentle. I love her. Sad loss.
I loved Light a Penny Candle and have a copy on my shelves.
Susan wrote: "Barbara, if they find Irish fiction depressing why are they in the group? Isn't that an Irish fiction group? I like Maeve too in small doses and found her earlier work much better than the happy bo..."Thank you Susan, my point exactly! I'd say those feeling this way in the group are what I call "shamrock Irish" - that is Irish Americans who have idealized Ireland and their vision has little to do with reality. But don't disturb their make believe version. Though this is a bit of a tangent, there is very very little knitting yarn made in Ireland. Irish sheep are raised for meat and their fleece is not suitable for knitting and is used for carpets. A few years ago an American woman who was about to make her first trip to Ireland said she was going to buy loads of Irish yarn. When I told her what the actual situation was, she basically called me a liar. Oh well. I am sure she was disappointed when she wasn't able to find what she 'imagined' and may have blamed me. Oh well.
I found it quite ironic when I went to the Aran islands and picked up some Aran wool to find that it's imported. They also import all the stone to build the old traditional Walls even though along the coastline of the islands it's full of rock. Strange but true.
Seraphina wrote: "I found it quite ironic when I went to the Aran islands and picked up some Aran wool to find that it's imported. They also import all the stone to build the old traditional Walls even though along ..."From where do they import the wool, Seraphina?
She didn't say cathleen, I picked up a jumper that was really soft and she told me they were imported machine made sweaters. That's why they were so soft.The proper Aran sweaters are hand knit and have a heavy scratchy feel to them.
Then we did the bus tour and the driver told me they had imported the stone to make all the beautiful walls around the island. It's interesting to see even small islands like that know how to play up the tourist industry.
Having finished the excellent 'Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets' yesterday, and after seeing that Theresa had enjoyed 'Let the Great World Spin' this week, I've made a start with Colum McCann's debut short story collection, 'Fishing the Sloe Black River' today, and 50 pages in, can see why his star has risen so far over the last 20 years since it was originally published. It's the only book of his that I haven't read, and it shouldn't take me too long to get through.https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Given the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WW1 in a fortnight, I'm also listening to a monster of an audiobook on the subject, 'Catastrophe 1914: Europe Goes to War' by Max Hastings. It's a little weighty content wise as well, but hopefully over the 20+ hours it takes to listen to, I'll learn a little more than I presently do about the early days of the conflict.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Allan wrote: "Having finished the excellent 'Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets' yesterday, and after seeing that Theresa had enjoyed 'Let the Great World Spin' this week, I've made a start with Colum McCan..."I'll be curious to see what you think of Colum McCann's short story collection. I'm teaching a new (to me) class in the fall, and I've included Transatlantic in the reading list.
Seraphina wrote: "She didn't say cathleen, I picked up a jumper that was really soft and she told me they were imported machine made sweaters. That's why they were so soft.The proper Aran sweaters are hand knit and..."
Wait a second, there is soft and not so soft wool in Ireland too. Its just the way it is loomed. That store probably wanted to sell cheaper jumpers. I knit my own, with good Irish wool, loomed by real people. And I have purchased real Aran hand loomed and knitted Irish sweater… they are not cheap.
As a knitter, I know they can not be cheap!
Emma wrote: "I think those small islands know better then most how to play to the tourists. Remember tourism has been viewed as the saviour of rural areas in Ireland for years. And the EU have been providing fu..." Absolutely,
But you'd think on the Aran islands you'd be getting a genuine Aran sweater and your not. It's kind of funny.
I read something similar to that on Waterford Crystal. I think it was that some of the crystal is not made in Ireland or something like that. Still, Seraphina, if I bought a sweater in the Aran Islands, I'd expect that it was made there. I'll have to be careful now. How easy is it to get around the islands? Would a mobility scooter work there?
There is a bus tour there Susan. The islands are pretty small. The scooter would work on the island itself but you'd need to check about the ferries, getting on and off the boat. They had the original think heavy sweaters so just check out whatever your looking at first.
I didn't even think about the ferries, Seraphina. Thanks. If I come into Limerick one day, could we have lunch or a drink? How far is it from Dingle to Limerick?
It's about an hour and 40 minutes by car Susan. Of course we could meet, I'll even do a Declan on it and coffee's on me :)
Wow, that's too good of an offer to pass up. :)
@Susan. How could you refuse an offer like that.
@Seraphina. If we make our way to Limerick, or you guys make your way here, we'll have to meet up.
@Seraphina. If we make our way to Limerick, or you guys make your way here, we'll have to meet up.
I don't know much about wool but I do know tp quarry enough rock for a decent sized well would leave its mark on the landscape. I'd dare say that's the reason for importing stone.
Absolutely Declan, I have to prove that it doesn't rain incessantly in Limerick lol. Next time I come to Dublin I will give ye a shout
I look forward to it, Seraphina. :)
And when I get to Limerick I bet the skies open.
And when I get to Limerick I bet the skies open.
Seraphina wrote: "She didn't say cathleen, I picked up a jumper that was really soft and she told me they were imported machine made sweaters. That's why they were so soft.The proper Aran sweaters are hand knit and..."
That's really interesting, isn't it. After having seen one of the islands in March, I can see how it would be difficult to get all of the materials they'd need to support their tourism. Is tourism their largest industry?
Susan wrote: "Wow, that's too good of an offer to pass up. :)"I see more photos in the future :)
Emma wrote: "Cathleen at this point it's their only industry. Any farming or fishing is only subsistence even with the EU funding."So if they want to maintain the island, tourism is it. It was such a beautiful place, I could easily understand that they'd do what they need to do to maintain tourism.
The bus driver was telling me if they need to get a car serviced/nct'd they have to crane the car onto a ferry that only comes once a week to take it to the mainland. It's definitely a different way of life. It is a beautiful place alright
Seraphina wrote: "The bus driver was telling me if they need to get a car serviced/nct'd they have to crane the car onto a ferry that only comes once a week to take it to the mainland. It's definitely a different wa..."I always fall for the romance of rural places like that, islands, out of the way spots. Then when you actually stop and think how much more complicated day to day life is...it gives me pause. I once taught in a rural area of New England (long, long commute!) and one of my co-workers had to plan her shopping trips carefully because the nearest supermarket was 60 minutes away.
Ya definitely cathleen, the bus tour was my favourite part of our trip and we only went on it because we had some time to spare before the ferry back and the driver talked us in to it. But chatting to him about how well planned you need to be to live there and how hard it is to earn a living there did make me think....
I don't think nct's were high on there list of priorities seeing as there isn't too much law enforcement over there lol. But maybe for timing belt replacements and things.
My cousin lives right on the ocean in N.CA. and they have to repaint their houses all the time because of the salt air. Same thing for their cars. I can only imagine living on the islands would be even worse.
Susan wrote: "I read something similar to that on Waterford Crystal. I think it was that some of the crystal is not made in Ireland or something like that. Still, Seraphina, if I bought a sweater in the Aran Isl..."Waterford is made in eastern Europe; the corporate entity pretty much went under several years ago. Tours are still conducted at the factory for promotional purposes ( have never done one so cannot say if that'st's a good tour experience). Local, smaller glassworks still exist like Jerpoint Abbey.
...Reading The Hare With Amber Eyes, narrative nonfiction every bit as good as fiction. The title refers to a netsuke.The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss
J.S. wrote: "...Reading The Hare With Amber Eyes, narrative nonfiction every bit as good as fiction. The title refers to a netsuke.The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss"
Thanks for steering us back to the discussion topic.
I could go on and on about Aran knitting (a creation of rural cottage industry schemes to provide work) and Irish yarns. On another social network for knitters, Irish knitters have shared a great deal of information on the history, and the myths about Aran knitting.
I think I was vaguely aware that Waterford was no longer made in Ireland. Well, many tourists, the majority American, will continue to buy "Aran" sweaters and "Waterford" crystal.
Barbara wrote: "J.S. wrote: "...Reading The Hare With Amber Eyes, narrative nonfiction every bit as good as fiction. The title refers to a netsuke.[book:The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Lo..."
About the stitches / distinctive patterns of Aran sweaters; was that really done to identify a drowned mariner's body or is that a myth?
Not sure you are making a different point, Emma. The prior existing corp structure is gone. Here is 2009 article from a quick google: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/... .
This article in 2010 is about a successor entity, following the bk and re-org, that apparently brought in new workers:
http://www.independent.ie/business/ir... .
Btw, the larger 19th century pieces of Waterford and signed, limited edition pieces of Waterford would have collector value since the old biz no longer exists.
And the thread is back to being derailed!
I'm surprised if a thread isnt derailed every few posts;-)Sticking with my recent shorter books I think I'm going to read John Connelly's Novel, The Caxton Lending Library as chatting to Declan today reminded me its a while since ive read his stuff
Trelawn has read it already Jamie Lynn and she loved it
It's a really nice story Jamie Lynn the sort true book lovers will love.
Looking at soon to be released books on a site and myself and Trelawn were both stumped and stopped in our tracks by the following title -The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir Who Got Trapped in an IKEA Wardrobe: A novel
Sounds a bit like The Hundred Year Old Man
@ Jamie Lynn it is. And it's really short so go ahead and balance it on top of your TBR pile :-)
I marked the Connolly book but then noticed it was only 68 pages. Is that a novel or a short story?J.S. I know this is completely off target but... You mentioned a tour company to the Boyne Valley and I can't find the name. Do you remember it?
@ Susan it's a novella. Very short but very good. I think you'll like it.
Susan wrote: "I marked the Connolly book but then noticed it was only 68 pages. Is that a novel or a short story?J.S. I know this is completely off target but... You mentioned a tour company to the Boyne Valle..."
Off target is fine with me. But I digress....
Boyne Valley tours, Michael Fox, see FB at
1. Tours: https://www.facebook.com/BoyneValleyT....
2. M Fox https://www.facebook.com/BoyneValleyT.... I also have his mobile number if you'd like it. Send me a PM or email...
PS) Interesting small hotel in Georgian-era property, co. Meath. You can get a better discount than advertised, if persistent. Has a spa, walking trails. Fab dinners. Bellinter House: https://www.facebook.com/bellinterhouse
Thanks for the referral. The hotel looks lovely. The tour seems expensive. 300 euros? That's a little out of my price range. I do appreciate the information.
Susan wrote: "Thanks for the referral. The hotel looks lovely. The tour seems expensive. 300 euros? That's a little out of my price range. I do appreciate the information."Susan - I looked up Bellinter House on Booking.com and got a price of $293 for 2 nights for a weekend in October - just windowshopping. Oh now I see you were talking about the tour... E300 is over $400 which is quite a lot for many Americans these days when our dollar doesn't go as far.
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