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Trelawn
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Jul 21, 2014 10:55AM
It sounds amazing Fiona, we'll definitely have to make a trip there soon.
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while we were there it was full of Commonwealth Games buzz. There was a great vibe around the town with the build-up.
Emma wrote: "Odd that America uses whiskey yet Canada uses whisky. Funny how differences in language develop."Not so odd, Emma. Canada is part of the British commonwealth so favors that spelling. Americans with the largest Irish heritage in the world would favor that spelling.
Fiona, you are a much better reporter than Declan. You really gave me a flavor of Edinburgh. Sorry, Declan. I know when I was there our tour guide was a passionate Burns man. He was also a big fan of Robert Bruce. We Americans were surprised and he said that's because we watched Braveheart. He didn't come off well in the movie. It's terrible my history knowledge came from Mel Gibson.
In between a dentist appointment and Opthomologist appointment today I had to kill time. That always gets me into "trouble". I had a small bag of books and CDs to donate to the library store - 9 books and 7 CDs. I came home with 6 books - so still a net loss:)The Whisperers by John Connolly
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Fleece Navidad and Dyer Consequences by Maggie Sefton
A Question of Honor by Charles Todd
All Mortal Flesh by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Not bad for $8.50 plus tax and most are in like new condition.
Barbara, I love reading about your book buying exploits, because they always put my buying into perspective and make me feel a little better!For my sins, I finally managed to make it to the library today to pick up Jeff Dudgeon's book on Roger Casement, which incidentally is a brick at 660 pages, while the Deirdre Madden novel that a lot of the group have enjoyed reading, 'Time Present and Time Past' came in the post.
The Black Diaries
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Fiona wrote: "Susan wrote: "Declan, after the excitement of the group meeting, I noticed there have been few details on the trip. What did you see?..."Declan gave a good summary of it. But the holiday was bril..."
That sounds like a fabulous trip, Fiona :) So glad you both had a wonderful time :)
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@Barbara. The Whisperers is part of the Charlie Parker series and I think it's a strong volume. I really hope you'll enjoy it.
@Allan. It really does seem like a brick if a book, but after reading Dream of the Celt it seems like a lot of pages are needed to tell Casement's story.
@Allan. It really does seem like a brick if a book, but after reading Dream of the Celt it seems like a lot of pages are needed to tell Casement's story.
@Cathleen. We really.did have a wonderful time. Edinburgh comes highly recommended.
Theresa wrote: "That was good value Barbara, and one of your books features a librarian who knits. Books and yarn on the same page, LOL."Not only that but after the library, I went to the yarn store. Two things I don't need more of - yarn and books. I needed one thing - specific knitting needles - for my camp. I bought 2 skeins of yarn, the needles and a Knitting Traditions Fall 2014 http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/pi...
Allan wrote: "Barbara, I love reading about your book buying exploits, because they always put my buying into perspective and make me feel a little better!For my sins, I finally managed to make it to the libra..."
My copy of This is Ireland :Ulster and the City of Belfast by Richard Hayward came in the post today. It was published in 1950 and has charming illustrations by Raymond Piper. I took a few photos:
The cover
A sketch of Queen's University, Belfast
Carrickfergus Castle Be sure to read the commentary above the sketch. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Barbara, I got my copy last week and meant to post about the illustrations but forgot. You got the cover, which I didn't with my copy. I've already read the couple of paragraphs about Carrick, but look forward to reading the rest. I was looking for the books on the other three provinces when I was second hand book shopping the other day but didn't manage to find them. No doubt my desire for completion will make me buy them eventually!
Allan wrote: "Barbara, I got my copy last week and meant to post about the illustrations but forgot. You got the cover, which I didn't with my copy. I've already read the couple of paragraphs about Carrick, but ..."I was fortunate to get a copy from Vermont in 'near fine' condition. I paid $22 with shipping but I feel it was worth it. Most trade paperbacks (I forget what they are called there but they are the large format ones) are now running around $16.
Declan wrote: "@Cathleen. We really.did have a wonderful time. Edinburgh comes highly recommended."Maybe I'll see it in the not-too-distant future. I've already begun a "campaign" about our next year's vacation. :)
Cathleen, did you go to Texas this summer?
@Cathleen. If you go the Edinburgh it might be the excuse we need to go back.
Declan wrote: "@Cathleen. If you go the Edinburgh it might be the excuse we need to go back."That would be terrific!
We'll have to make it happen, so.
In that case, regardless of when our next trip is, Theresa, I think we should meet up.
Theresa wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Theresa wrote: "That was good value Barbara, and one of your books features a librarian who knits. Books and yarn on the same page, LOL."Not only that but after the library, I wen..."
theresa - I'm guessing the Snowflake scarf is in one of the books I bought:)
Wow this group is covering lots of miles to meet up. I'd even be tempted to go to Edinburgh but it's basically 2 days of travel, there and back. How do those jet setters manage?
When you get back to Ireland, Barbara, you'll have no shortage of people to meet
Declan wrote: "When you get back to Ireland, Barbara, you'll have no shortage of people to meet"I hope it's sooner rather than later:) Actually my last two trips were only 18 months apart.
@Theresa. Then we'll have to make it happen.
@Barbara. Sooner or later, it doesn't matter. We'll be dying to meet.up with you.
When you get here, Theresa, the coffee's object on me. :)
Very true. I wonder what going through Scottish Customs will be like. I don't think they'll be part of throw EU if it goes ahead. I think they'd need to apply for entry.
Theresa - you are right about quickly moving conversations! I have been on the phone an hour and a half because my landline doesn't work:) But I will say that the agents at Verizon are very nice. sigh. Still on hold.As to recently bought books, I just bought a copy Orange Rhymes With Everything by Adrian McKinty for 1 cent plus shipping. I also got via Paperback Swap : Seek the Fair Land by Walter Macken,Holy Pictures by Clare Boylan and Cal by Bernard MacLaverty.
More books, Barbara! I suppose you can justify adding to the TBR pile, given the rate you're getting through books at the present time. I see that you've almost reached your 100 book reading goal already! I hope you didn't have to remain on hold for too long after your last post...Theresa, which Ferriter books did you buy? I still haven't started either of his books that I bought, yet am tempted to buy 'Occasions of Sin', his history of Sex and Society in Ireland, which I think would be a very interesting read.
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@Sara. That makes perfect sense. I'd imagine there's be huge focus on mass production.
Allan wrote: "More books, Barbara! I suppose you can justify adding to the TBR pile, given the rate you're getting through books at the present time. I see that you've almost reached your 100 book reading goal a..."Theresa - those are some good choices. I have a tendency to buy non-fiction and then let the books linger on my shelves. I think it's the habit of an academic - we use books for reference more than reading.
Allan - I read over 100 books last year but didn't push up my goal. It's fun for me to see how soon I can meet my goal. I have several books I put aside and didn't finish and want to get some of them read - Open Veins of Latin America, We Need New Names, A Journey with Two Maps: Becoming a Woman Poet, Arcadia and more. I have the unfortunate habit of not finishing kindle books and non fiction books. Being in 2 book groups and of course the GRI reads keeps me busy. but if I want to read books on my shelves I have to keep at it.
My problem with a reading goal is my inclination to cheat. If my goal was to read 100 books then I would cheat and read little books, under 300 pages. This is why I am an addict to everything- smoking, food, books. I just have problems with discipline. Hats off to you, Barbara.
I mix it up Susan. I read a few 600+ books so dont feel guilty about books less than 300 . Theres a page count in the challenge as well so can't hide from it.
Susan wrote: "My problem with a reading goal is my inclination to cheat. If my goal was to read 100 books then I would cheat and read little books, under 300 pages. This is why I am an addict to everything- smok..."Susan - perhaps it's my strict Catholic upbringing that won't allow me to "cheat". But if someone reads a 500 or 600 page book, they should be able to guiltlessly count a 150 page book:) Oh I just saw Paul said this exact thing!
Theresa - I am being quite determined in my reading this summer. Once I go back to work, I feel like I have no time. I may be able to get through one book and an audiobook a week when I am working. Also I have taken a cue from Allan - listening to Audiobooks while do things around the house - and in general, turning off the TV and reading instead.
Fiona wrote: "I read over a hundred books last year for my GR reading challenge. I aimed for the same this year but I don't think I'll reach it."I know a good number of people in this group read 100 books a year, but I still think that's a staggering amount and my hat is off to you, Fiona, and everyone else who's read 100 books in a year. :)
I agree with you cathleen, 100 books is a phenomenal amount of reading. My target is 40 and I don't think I'd achieve much beyond that between the monthly reads, work and everyday life.
Here is the difference between you and me, Seraphina. You work at a demanding job, have a young child and are planning a wedding. I, on the other hand, am retired, my youngest child is 32 and I have lots of time on my hands. I think you do remarkedly well for all you do. My hat is off to you.
I have probably doubled the number of books I read every year since I joined Goodreads. In the past I had little idea of what to read except mysteries. Then I joined the first of a few Irish Lit reading groups and that got me to broaden my horizons.
I do most of my reading on the hour busjourney to work and in bed at night. So even with the kid running around my reading doesn't suffer too much
Thanks, you guys make me feel better about my reading now :)
It's definitely tough finding time Jamie Lynn. In the year after the little man was born I took ages to finish a book. It's really only since I joined GI this year that I'm back in a good reading routine. I read mostly at night but I'm getting through books better now. I think the page counter helps. You feel like you're making good progress. Plus i've gotten some great suggestions from other GI members. Even being able to discuss books with other readers helps.
What a lovely thing to say, Theresa. We have enjoyed you joining the group.
There hasn't been much book chat in the group for a while, so I thought I'd share two books that I've received / purchased today. The first was the book Sara posted about before her visit to Detroit for her conference. It arrived in really good time, and considering the fact that postage was only £1 more than from Amazon UK, I might use Amazon US more frequently from now on, given that I much prefer US editions of books, and they have a better choice.
A Detroit Anthology
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The second book is one that I saw in Waterstones last week, and was intrigued by, given its subject matter. It's a translated novel, set in East Germany, and comes recommended by Anna Funder, whose non fiction title on the country I thoroughly enjoyed.
In Times of Fading Light
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Interesting books. The Anthology sounds good.
Speaking of non fiction, anyone read anything great lately? My boyfriend is heading away for a few days and generally reads non fiction of murder mysteries. I haven't read alot of non fiction recently and don't read mysteries so wondering if anyone has any recommendations that I could pick him up??
Its years since I've read non fiction murder mysterys. I used to read a few.I bought Trelawn one last year based around a set of murders nearly the same time as Jack the Ripper. Not sure how good it is though
The Thames Torso Murders
That should read non fiction or murder mysteries lol. But thanks Paul, I'll have a look at the reviews
Sorry, I thought of both. Murder Mysteries just really aren't my thing to be honest. I read very few. The last I read was a fantasy novel called Drakenfeldwhich was a locked room murder mystery in a Greco roman style world setting but if fantasy isn't his thing its a no go. My non fiction is generally history so not sure what he's interested in.
Its an interesting debate on US versus UK editions. I know quite a few Americans on Fantasy forums who lament the difficulty in getting better looking UK editions and vice versa. Sometimes a case of the grass is greener but I have seen some very high quality US editions of books.
Re hardcover editions, the owner of No Alibis always recommends ordering US editions because their quality of manufacture is apparently better-he went into the technical aspect of it one day, but to be honest I glazed over!Re paperbacks, I also prefer the aesthetics of the US editions. Their covers are often different in design, but they also feel different, in the material that they use. The typeface will also often be different in a US edition. It seems to me sometimes that the US publishers have more imagination in their design.
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