Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
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What are you reading these days? (Part ELEVEN (2015) ongoing thread for 2015
Nina wrote: "... People can experience different things; they can even grow. But they cannot change. Not in a significant way." ...Nina, that's a profound thought. Something to think about.
I disagree, if I'm understanding the quote out of context, meaning people stay true to their nature & nurturing. Many change in very significant ways either internal or external. An example of the former is addicts/alcoholics who get sober. Generally, anyone who overcomes a major issue, such as women who break away from abusive relationships must change significantly in a very basic way or the behavior will be repeated. It's not easy & many fail. Some might not really change, but shift to other, more socially acceptable ways with the same fervor.
External situations are even more diverse, but often change people. Some get worse, others better. Prisoners are often examples of this, but people who move to & live for long periods in a different country with different customs also change a lot, especially if they learn the language.
Jim, the quote I mentioned was a German talking about his nationality/the German mindset so to apeak to an Italian young girl in her home that was presently occupied by the Germans. She felt her life would never be the same; even after the war ended and the German finally left. He disagreed with her. But, obviously he was wrong. I agree with your examples of peoples lives changing under those circumstances you gave as examples but wondered if that thinking was somewhat like the South portrayed in the Watchman book of the people like Atticus who resisted any change...
Nina, I haven't read The Life of Pi myself; but Barb got a copy some time ago (as a gift from our oldest daughter). For whatever it's worth, she didn't like it either, and doesn't recommend it.
Some people are more open to new ideas than others. I was just reading an article on the new EM drivehttp://www.sciencealert.com/independe...
which may well rewrite large portions of physics yet again. This is what I like about science. When facts come along that don't fit, hypothesis are formed & portions of theories are rewritten to fit them. Some disproven theories are still used because they tend to fit the world we live in just fine only breaking down at micro or macro levels. Newtonian physics is a good example of this. Einstein & others have gone on to prove his basic equations wrong or incomplete, but they work just fine for most of us who aren't dealing with quantum physics or running about at near light speeds.
Things are a lot messier when dealing with cultures, individual & mass psychology, & nurture versus nature. We're complicated & so is the world. We're rationalizing beings, not rational ones. Facts that run against cherished beliefs often don't fare well. If a person has eye trouble & grandma told them that carrots make their eye sight better when they were little, they'll often choke them down by the pound even though it's fairly common knowledge that it was a hoax dating from WWII. That's why pseudoscience & religion do such a bang up business. They appeal to our emotions on a level cold facts can't. No one is fully free of it, but some can do a better job than others. A lot depends on the stimulus for a basic change, though.
I totally agree with your last sentence. Makes sense. So much these days doesn't.
Werner wrote: "Nina, I haven't read The Life of Pi myself; but Barb got a copy some time ago (as a gift from our oldest daughter). For whatever it's worth, she didn't like it either, and doesn't recommend it."Guess I am not the only one.
Jim wrote: "Some people are more open to new ideas than others. ... That's why pseudoscience & religion do such a bang up business. They appeal to our emotions on a level cold facts can't...."Interesting post, Jim! Here's a good quote related to that idea:
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"When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity." -Dale Carnegie
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I like that quote very much. Says it all.
I just finished listening to And Thereby Hangs A Tale by Jeffrey Archer. It was 15 general fiction short stories, 10 of which may be based on true events. The stories were quirky, sometimes moving, other times funny. I gave it 3 stars, but you might like it better since it's definitely not my normal sort of read. Here's my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I liked all of the Jeffery Archer books that I've read. I haven't read all of them but especially liked, "Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less," and "As the Crow Flies," also one about a mountain climber that I didn't see listed and can't remember the title. It was supposed to be based on a true story.
Jim wrote: "I just finished listening to And Thereby Hangs A Tale by Jeffrey Archer. It was 15 general fiction short stories, 10 of which may be based on true events. The stories..."Thanks for posting, Jim and Nina.
I sent that Archer book that I mentioned being so good to my grandson so I'll find out the title and post it. It was a can't put it down kind of book.
Abandoning---temporarily, I assure you---my usual science fiction books; I am reading an interested non-fiction book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets.Since I often read mysteries and thrillers, I thought reading a true-crime, non fiction book about police work would be interesting.
So far it is very interesting. A bit dated in the technology---but human nature does not change. It won two awards in the mystery field---both the Edgar Award and the Anthony Award.
Sounds interesting, Mary. I sometimes wonder how much good the technology really is? From the bits I've read & heard on the news, not really a lot in most cases. Some cities are years behind on testing even straight forward things like rape kits that the samples go bad. It's all a lot more expensive & time consuming than it seems on TV, too.
Mary JL wrote: "Abandoning---temporarily, I assure you---my usual science fiction books; I am reading an interested non-fiction book, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets. ..."It certainly is a problem that must be addressed. I hope they suggest solutions.
How about in movie theaters and schools among other disasters?
I think the book, "The Perfect Son," is one of the best books I read so far this year. I think if I say anything about it, the beginning will be spoiled. You misht just want to try it. Very character driven.
Jackie and I are finally doing our long-postponed buddy read of the last volume in Stephen Lawhead's Bright Empures series, The Fatal Tree. She started before I did, since it took an unusually long time for my copy to arrive by interlibrary loan; but now that I've started, I expect to catch up before long.Barb and I also started on a new "car book" just before leaving on our trip to Fulks Run: Poul Anderson's Operation Chaos. This is one that was recommended to me years ago by a Goodreads friend (I think Steven Harbin, though my memory about that is hazy by now), and I was lucky enough to snag a copy from BookMooch some time ago.
Werner, enjoy your buddy-reads!
The title of the book you and Jackie are doing is appropriate as our lovely old pine tree right outside my kitchen window is slowly dying. It is now my Fatal Tree. We are so sad to be losing branches one by one.
Yesterday and today. Yesterday when my husband was sawing dead branches from the pine tree along came a huge hawk chasing a bunny ready to catch him when he couldn't get past my husband's ladder and so bunny scooted off to safety, I see this bunny each morning when I am feeding the birds. This morning I go out to get the paper and it's nowhere in sight then I look at the bird bath on my front walk/it's concrete and a very pretty tile bowl on top. The birdbathe was all broken up on my walk. Something knocked it over in the night..Who knows who(the shadow knows) are any of you old enough to remember those lines spoken over the radio?
Yes, Nina I remember those lines from "The Shadow"! :)
I've got a lot of the Shadow episodes. Archive.org has a few dozen. You can download them or listen to them online here:https://archive.org/details/RkoOrsonW...
I'm about ready to kill some bunnies. Every year I have one nesting in the garden below my shop, but this year she & her babies seem determined to tease the dogs to death. Last night one youngster kept hopping up to graze under my bedroom window where Pip keeps watch from the foot of my bed. This drives him into a frenzy which he voices loudly, so all 3 dogs go tearing out of the house. Generally one of two of them need to jump on me first. Grrr.
I do know the feeling Jim. I can't have hibiscus bushes on my front walk as the bunnies chomp off the stems and leave them lying. Grrr!
Thanks for the "Shadow" tip. We'll try it.
I have just started a book I know I will like. The author, Paula McClain also wrote the populare, "Paris Wife." the book is titled "Circling the Sun," and it's a novel based on Berly Markham's life as an aviator and her life in Kenya. She was the other woman in Denys Finch Hatton's life in Kenya who she shared with Karen Blixen. I did really like the movie, "Out of Africa," and that is why I think I'll enjoy this one.
My begonias disappeared! They were in full bloom in their barrel planter in our front yard. Next thing I knew, they were gone. I suspect a deer had them for dessert!
Try putting moth balls around in your garden, Joy. The critters hate the smell & they just turn into nitrogen to fertilize the soil.
I'll try that next time I try to plant cyclmens as the bunnies ate all of mine.
Just got a recommendation, "False Impressions," by Jeffery Archer. Supposed to be about Art. I like that author.
Jim wrote: "Try putting moth balls around in your garden, Joy. The critters hate the smell & they just turn into nitrogen to fertilize the soil."Would that work on deer?
Nina wrote: "Just got a recommendation, "False Impressions," by Jeffery Archer. Supposed to be about Art. I like that author."I tried reading Archer's short stories in his book, And Thereby Hangs A Tale. I didn't enjoy the stories I read. I found them dry and too filled with uninteresting twists. In order to reach the "surprise endings", you have to read through too many explanations about the various paths the characters have to enact in order for the reader to reach the surprise ending.
The moth balls seem to work on deer & rabbits, although I can't say for sure what eats my plants. I'd guess both, though. Can't see a rabbit eating small Rose of Sharon bushes nor deer trimming some of my flowers.Sorry you didn't care for Archer's 'Tale'. I only gave it 3 stars, but it kept me engaged. I listened to it while doing chores, though. I don't think I would have bothered reading it.
I'll try listening to the audio version of And Thereby Hangs A Tale. I have the CDs from the library.PS-THanks for the mothball tip.
PS-I just thought of another reason I didn't enjoy Archer's short stories. His characters aren't likable. It's no fun reading about dishonest people who get away with their crimes.
Considering his history, he probably just knows dishonesty better.;)
Jim wrote: "Considering his history, he probably just knows dishonesty better. ;)"I looked up his history. I see what you mean. :)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey...
I really liked Jeffery Archer's,"Paths of Glory." And also "Not a Penny More..." I could hardly put down "Paths of Glory," and the characters in it were good. I also don't like books if I don't like the main character.
Hi everyone and happy Friday! I am reading My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh. It's very good - compelling!
Nina wrote: "I really liked Jeffery Archer's,"Paths of Glory." And also "Not a Penny More..." I could hardly put down "Paths of Glory," and the characters in it were good. I also don't like books if I don't lik..."Nina, maybe Archer's novels are better than his short stories. Do they have many twists or surprise endings?
Cori wrote: "Hi everyone and happy Friday! I am reading My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh. It's very good - compelling!"Hi Cori. Happy Friday to you too. I love it when a book is compelling. Thanks for telling us about My Sunshine Away.
Archer's writing reminds me of Irwin Shaw's. Remember Rich Man, Poor Man? That was an excellent book. After reading it, my MIL gave me Kane and Abel to read & I found it similar. That was back when Marg & I first got married, so the memories are a bit vague, though.
Jim, I do remember the title, "Rich Man, Poor Man", but that's all I remember.Tonight I watched a Netflix DVD of the movie, "Anywhere But Here", which Nina mentioned here in May. I'm glad she mentioned it because I enjoyed watching it. Thanks, Nina!
"Anywhere But Here" (1999) Stars: Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149691/?...
"A mother and daughter search for success in Beverly Hills."
Wonderful acting and a poignant story. I see that it was adapted from the book of the same name. Anywhere But Here by Mona Simpson (1986).
PS-Netflix description:
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"Bored with small-town life, flighty Adele leaves her husband and heads for Hollywood with her daughter, Ann, reluctantly in tow. While Adele dreams of making her daughter a movie star, the grounded Ann marches toward adulthood."
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/26009713...
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"Rich Man, Poor Man" was also a miniseries. I remember liking it & thinking it was well cast. If there were differences between it & the book, they were minor enough that I no longer remember them. I think you'd like it, but there are some sad parts. Actually, it's pretty sad overall. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Ma...
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Nina, I remember hearing that opinion about Life of Pi. It was something to puzzle over.