All About Books discussion
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What are you doing right now? Part 2
Thanks everyone! I40 in AZ was closed earlier this morning (when we left) due to ice and accidents but westbound is now open. I’ll be glad once we get out of northern Arizona! You take your chances traveling in the winter.
Pam, I’d no idea Arizona had snow storms. My husband and I are dreaming of going to the Grand Canyon next winter. Although only the southern rim is open then, I think it would be magical to see in snow and fog. We planned to fly to Phoenix and drive up to The Grand Canyon. Maybe we need to rethink our plan.
Joan- Oh yes, northern AZ gets snow storms! Not as bad as other parts of the country, though. They have skiing in Flagstaff. The Grand Canyon is beautiful with snow. I used to live in AZ and visited it frequently but never after a snow! I wouldn’t change your trip. Sounds fun! Just west of the GC is the Grand Canyon caverns on Rt 66. It’s interesting to visit, too!
No snow here in the north of Scotland - but it's crisp and cold and right now I'm sitting at the window, waiting for a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The sky is clear and starry except for a ribbon of cloud that's hugging the hill and hiding what looks like light in the distance. I haven't seen the Northern Lights yet this winter, so I'm hanging on, hopefully!
British author Rosamunde Pilcher, who wrote the award winning novel The Shell Seekers, has died aged 94 after a short illness. link: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainmen...
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I was wondering if anyone could provide some insight into how publishers/authors chose book covers for their books. I know you shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover” but seriously! I find it annoying to see the same version of a cover on several different books. I actually enjoy a beautiful book cover! Anyone else influenced by book covers?
Kelly wrote: "I was wondering if anyone could provide some insight into how publishers/authors chose book covers for their books. I know you shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover” but seriously! I find it annoyin..."I'm not usually influenced by book covers, so much so that I very often buy ebooks instead of paper books, so I pay no attention to the cover at all.
I once knew a graphic designer who was responsible for choosing book covers for an important Italian publisher - I know he selected the most adequate pictures/photos for each and every book, and I think he did a good job of it since that publisher's covers are really beautiful IMO.
Kelly wrote: "I was wondering if anyone could provide some insight into how publishers/authors chose book covers for their books. I know you shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover” but seriously! I find it annoyin..."I like a nice cover and even the TV/Film tie-in covers are getting better.
Some covers are really beautiful and fascinate me but then the book is disappointing (The Essex Serpent I am looking at you!)
What I find really frustrating is that I would be willing to pay good money for Pride and Prejudice with a lovely cover but even the special editions out there are so meh.
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Same here!
I know that when I am browsing in the library or bookstore I am drawn to books with interesting covers - and some covers signal the book isn’t for me. For example I read one that was a Jane Austen adaptation set in a religious community, part of a series with similar covers- never again!
Just got off the phone from a phone interview (for retail). I was just returning their call from after submitting my application, didn't expect a phone interview right away. It went ok though, and I am waiting to hear back from them about an in-person interview.
Beth wrote: "Just got off the phone from a phone interview (for retail). I was just returning their call from after submitting my application, didn't expect a phone interview right away. It went ok though, and ..."All the best!
Stjepan Krešimir wrote: "Pondering on what I’ve read on scatology and anality of the character of Martin Luther and the protestant church that I read about in Brown's "Life against death" - and I'm doing that while sitting..."So, are you saying that this book is saying that Luther was full of dung? Or is Brown's book full of dung?
I’m continuing my decluttering and organization project! Tackled papers today. It’s a never ending battle. My daughter and 2 year old grandson are moving in with us for awhile so I’m trying to make room.
Bluegrass Pam wrote: "I’m continuing my decluttering and organization project! Tackled papers today. It’s a never ending battle. My daughter and 2 year old grandson are moving in with us for awhile so I’m trying to make..."Wow, good for you for decluttering!
Karin, scatology is a preoccupation with dung. Makes me wonder!
B the BookAddict wrote: "Karin, scatology is a preoccupation with dung. Makes me wonder!"Yes, that's why I was asking. It is a study of dung as well. There is a real field called forensic scatology, for one thing--I don't know that any one person is officially a forensic scatologist, though, outside of fiction. It is also important in medicine and biology. It can also be called coprology.
And geneticist study the DNA in fossilized poop to figure out what the poopers were eatinghttps://news.nationalgeographic.com/n...
Joan wrote: "And geneticist study the DNA in fossilized poop to figure out what the poopers were eatinghttps://news.nationalgeographic.com/n..."
Ah, archaeological scatology, I see!
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Sorry to hear that, Laura, my heartfelt condolences to you and your aunt's family.
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I'm so sorry for your loss Laura.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, Laura. Losing a loved one is never easy. Hugs.
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Happy birthday Laura! Sounds like you have a nice group of coworkers to celebrate with!
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Happy birthday, Laura! Looking forward to seeing the pic :)
LauraT wrote: "Came back from other two days off from work - I had to go to Sardinia because of the funeral of a really dear aunt of mine - and, as usual, I'm covered by the things left behind!!!"I am sorry for you loss, Laura. Sending a hug.
Happy Birthday, Laura! I'm looking forward to seeing that picture of you and your co-workers. Having good co-workers is so important for a happy day. It's a beautiful day here today. I'm making up a potato salad for dinner and will then head out into the garden.
Did anyone hear the news that Doris Day died yesterday 13th May; she was 97.
B,Just a view days ago I was listening to a c.d. of her jazz & big band pieces. She had a lovely clear tone.
Here’s one of my favorites “There’s Good Blues Tonight”
https://youtu.be/XGH4C0QwB7Y
B the BookAddict wrote: "Did anyone hear the news that Doris Day died yesterday 13th May; she was 97."No, I missed that news! 97--wow!
What does chingonx mean? My google search only yielded a definition for chingon, which does fit the context, & blogs by folks who describe themselves as chingonx - maybe feminists, maybe LBGTQ?
The context, from an essay by poet Jen Hofer:
“traci is one of the fiercest and most brightly-blazing artist/activist chingonxs I know ...”
Joan wrote: "What does chingonx mean? My google search only yielded a definition for chingon, which does fit the context, & blogs by folks who describe themselves as chingonx - maybe feminists, maybe LBGTQ?
T..."
First time I've heard that word - sorry, I don't know how to help, but now I want to know its meaning, too, I'm curious :)
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Me too!!!
Joan wrote: "What does chingonx mean? My google search only yielded a definition for chingon, which does fit the context, & blogs by folks who describe themselves as chingonx - maybe feminists, maybe LBGTQ?
T..."
Joan, see this link referencing chingonx as "nonblack queer mixed xicanx west asian. sad punk/anxious bb siguiendo pa’lante. virgo". link: https://ojo-de-venado.tumblr.com/post...
Makes it as clear as mud!
ARGHH! Those Goodreads Quotes drive me to distraction with their disrespect for knowledge. They just make the s**t up.Today it has a nice quote -“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
GR attributed to Plato - only there is no evidence that Plato ever said/wrote anything similar.
A 19th century minister wrote something similar: “ “Be pitiful, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” (as in full of pity not the modern sense) John Watson aka Ian McLaren
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2010/06...
Interesting, Joan. Maybe someone should address this. Think of all the people who take the quotes as gospel.
Joan wrote: "ARGHH! Those Goodreads Quotes drive me to distraction with their disrespect for knowledge. They just make the s**t up.Today it has a nice quote -“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard..."
I have read the complete works of Plato, and while there is NO WAY I can recall most of his words, that phrase does NOT sound like Plato at all!!! And this goes beyond just the anachronistic thought, too.
Karin, I couldn’t recall any similar sentiment either. As I said, I think Amazon/Goodreads, which is essentially using the quotes to attract traffic for marketing, ought to step up and take responsibility for accuracy. I’m sure someone said that corporations should take responsibility for the quality of their product.
Joan wrote: "Karin, I couldn’t recall any similar sentiment either. As I said, I think Amazon/Goodreads, which is essentially using the quotes to attract traffic for marketing, ought to step up and take respons..."I agree, and they probably have no idea that the quote isn't accurate. This happens often on the internet with many fake quotes.
I’m spending Friday night eating pizza & drinking wine at a pub called the Blue Grasshopper! A friend of mine plays in a Folk and bluegrass band so I came out to hear them. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to a pub since I don’t drink beer. This one has fabulous pizza! I hope everyone enjoys their weekend, holiday weekend for those of us in the US.
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All About Books
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Pam have a great time in Phoenix and Laura enjoy your weekend.