Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
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What are you reading or what books have you read or heard about? (Part TWELVE) Ongoing general thread.
message 1851:
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Linda
(new)
Feb 14, 2018 04:05AM
Jim, I haven't heard of either Sue or Rachel. I am interested in anthropology. You read such interesting and wide variety of books.
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Nina wrote: "We're watching Masterpiece Theater's "Victoria," now."Victoria was a good show. Clothing not as fancy as in the "Reign."
Did you know Victoria had 9 children?
Linda wrote: "Jim, I haven't heard of either Sue or Rachel. I am interested in anthropology. You read such interesting and wide variety of books."They're more environmentalists, not anthropologists. Hubbell is very into bugs. I'm not, but still really enjoyed her journeys with them. Carson kicked off the modern environmental movement with Silent Spring. It's a must-read for all, IMO.
I do like a variety of books. It's wonderful that the library has so many, especially in audio. It's a great way to learn new things & go to far off places while doing mundane chores. Lately, I've been honing my skills on the scroll saw while listening. Life is too short not to multi-task!
:)
I need to check out Victoria's bio as I didn't know how many children she had; just like my son who also had nine.
Jim wrote: "Linda wrote: "Jim, I haven't heard of either Sue or Rachel. I am interested in anthropology. You read such interesting and wide variety of books."They're more environmentalists, not anthropologis..."
Ok. Bugs. I don't mind watching a documentary - usually Discover channel - about bugs. Interesting. As long as the bugs are not within reach, I'm fine!
Nina wrote: "I need to check out Victoria's bio as I didn't know how many children she had; just like my son who also had nine."Your son has 9 children? Wow!
Two girls; one in Africa working over ten years and with six children as missionary type to help Africans do for themselves; seven sons, twin boys. Most live in CA.
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb was as disappointing as his Soldier's Son trilogy. Great world, interesting magic system, but his writing doesn't do a thing for me. I gave it a 3 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
American Military History: From Colonials to Counterinsurgents by General Wesley K. Clark was an excellent find from The Great Courses. It's on sale for only $35 & is a great overview from a different perspective than I'm used to. He knows his trade & its history. Great insights & well balanced. I gave it a 5 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished reading for our book club selection this month, "Orphan Train," by Christina Baker Kline. It was very good. One of my good friend's grandmother was on one of those trains. I didn't even know they existed until the past few years. Interesting true history. I recommend that book.
Today went by my daughter's house and had to navigate her treacherous ice coated drive. We made it without falling but it was touch and go literally for a while there. I am hoping for spring thaw.
Glad you're OK, Nina.
More freezing rain and sleet predicted tonight and tomorrow night but we are staying inside. Even gave the bird feeders extra tonight before the storm. Poor birds. They do have nice bushes and trees to stay in, however.
I just finished The Late Show which introduces a new cop to Michael Connelly's police procedurals & the Harry Bosch universe. It was pretty good, but a bit disappointing since she is just Harry with boobs. Great ending, though. I gave it a 3 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Spell Blind by David B. Coe was a really good urban fantasy & mystery thriller. I gave it a 4 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Watched a really good movie last night, "Megan Leavey," and it is based on a true story. Main character is young woman Marine and the other character is her German Shepherd that accompanies her into battle in Iraq. It is not all about war scenes but human feelings. I would give it ten stars.
A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans is a surprisingly good first novel & first of a trilogy. The trilogy is all published, a huge plus. On the face, it looks like a pretty typical fantasy, but it has some surprising nuances. I gave it a 4 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fighting the Flying Circus by Eddie V. Rickenbacker is his autobiography of being the WWI Ace of Aces of the fledgling US flying forces. It was an interesting fast read, quite a different take on that war than any other I've read. I don't think I'd have had the guts to fly one of those death traps much less fight in one. Pretty incredible. I gave it a 4 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
His name is so familiar to me. I must read your review. I am glad to see your message as I was worried about you after seeing the news with Louisville tornado and flooding; although I guess you are closer to Frankfort. Hang in there.
Louisville is a mess & the tornado was south of us, I think. I'm north & 450' above Frankfort, so neither are a direct problem for us, thankfully.
Glad you're safe, Jim.
Jim wrote: "I just finished The Late Show which introduces a new cop to Michael Connelly's police procedurals & the Harry Bosch universe. It was pretty good, but a bit disappoint..."The Bosch series is one of my favorites. Three seasons on Netflix, have you watched?
Haven't read The Late Show yet. Thanks for letting me know about this book.
Nina wrote: "Two girls; one in Africa working over ten years and with six children as missionary type to help Africans do for themselves; seven sons, twin boys. Most live in CA."Once again I must say Nina, you have a very interesting family.
I've been reading magazines - free from Amazon Prime - on my Fire Kindle. As I've mentioned tried to read the last few Book Club selections but not my cup of tea. Maybe the next selection? I'll let you guys know. I am going to look for "The Late Show" purchase if necessary.
Linda, I tried the Bosch series & couldn't watch it. They mixed the books together in weird ways & it hasn't been long enough for me me to forget the details. The acting & all was good, but I kept thinking that things didn't happen like that. Too distracting.
Two movies I liked recently; "Gifted," and "Skipper." You might check them out.
Watched another good movie last night, "All Saints," based on a true story and the actors were the real people that lived in the town. Perhaps I liked it as there was a gully washer depicted. It is comforting to at least see rain even if it is on the TV.
Thanks for posting, Nina.
Spycraft: The Secret History of the CIA's Spytechs, from Communism to al-Qaeda by Robert Wallace was great. The reality of spying & the issues the techs face in real life was as good & often as exciting as any novel. I gave it a 5 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Wondering if you are experiencing the snowy weather they keep talking about on TV.
Yes, we got almost a foot of snow.
Jim wrote: "Linda, I tried the Bosch series & couldn't watch it. They mixed the books together in weird ways & it hasn't been long enough for me me to forget the details. The acting & all was good, but I kept ..."I can understand. I generally end up liking the books better than the movie. In particular if I've read the book first and saw the movie afterwards.
Joy H. wrote: "Yes, we got almost a foot of snow."17 inches here (18 inches last week) or could be vice versa. Last night to this morning another 6 inches.
Spring? Spring!! Where are you!!!!!!!!
Nina wrote: "Two movies I liked recently; "Gifted," and "Skipper." You might check them out."Will check these 2 out.
I mentioned earlier how much I liked the book, "The Tuscan Child," by Rhys Bowen and noticed recently that it was posted on Facebook with over four hundred likes. It is truly a good barely can put down read.
Nina wrote: "I mentioned earlier how much I liked the book, "The Tuscan Child," by Rhys Bowen and noticed recently that it was posted on Facebook with over four hundred likes. It is truly a good barely can put ..."The Tuscan Child BY Rhys Bowen
Must be a good one,
This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All was really interesting. Libraries are so important, underfunded, underappreciated, & need to evolve so much that it's amazing that they're able to do so. They do & this is a very good overview of the amazing people that are making it happen. Plus the author gets into how they need to evolve & a lot of the issues they face. I gave it a 4 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'll forward this to my children's librarian daughter in case she hasn't seen it. Thanks, Jim for posting it.
Book club selection this month is "Lilac Girls" by Martha Hale Kelly. Takes place in 1939. Three main characters: one from Poland, one from NYC and one from Germany. Cover states "Inspired by the life of a real World War II heroine, this powerful debut novel reveals an incredible story of love, redemption and terrible secrets that were hidden for decades."
I'm up to page 66 of the 476-page book which is an introduction into the 3 different characters.
Sounds promising.
The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson is truly a classic of SF. It had been far too long since I read it or saw the movie, so I'm glad I gave it another go. The story was truly masterful. I gave it a 5 star review here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In Dubious Battle by John Steinbeck was another 5 star read earlier this week. It's especially timely now with all the talk of the economic divide & the 1%. I'd like to beat my English teachers who managed to turn me off this author with The Red Pony. His writing is fantastic, yet I wouldn't try another book by him for over 2 decades because of early trauma. Anyway, here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thanks for posting, Jim.
I'm not near done with the "Lilac Girls" and library called me yesterday to advise me that the next book club selection has arrived. Oh dear! Book Club meets on the 11th. Doesn't seem like enough time to read one and go on to the next book.
(Going away again - to Clayton NY 1000 Islands where we used to keep our boat. Great sunsets. Going on Easter Sunday as the next day is my birthday. Coming home Tuesday as its bowling night. Only a few weeks left to bowling then the bowling dinner.)
Happy Birthday, Linda!
Happy Birthday and sounds like a perfect spot to celebrate.
Thank you Joy and Nina for the birthday wishes. Hoping to see a nice sunset on the St. Lawrence River. If not, will be nice just walking along the park area looking at the River and relaxing with my honey.
Happy birthday, Linda. Don't know how I missed that.
I am re-reading, "Prince of Tides," and Pat Conroy has a magical touch of words but I had forgotten the very grim premise.
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