THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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Archives - Member Introductions
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PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR FELLOW JAMES MASON MEMBERS!
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Marius, Glad you mentioned Tobias Smollet - his books are quite fun! in a Cervantes like manner- with a British accent
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haha not sure but pretty sure George Sand counts
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Ballard a favorite of mine too
here is some info I found - for those unfamiliar with him
James Graham Ballard (15 November 1930 – 19 April 2009) was an English novelist and short story writer. He was a prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction, but his best-known books are the controversial Crash (1973), an exploration of automobile-accident sexual fetishism, and the autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun (1984).[1:] The latter was based on his boyhood in Shanghai, where he was born in the International Settlement, and on his internment by the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second World War. Both novels were adapted into films, by David Cronenberg and Steven Spielberg respectively.
The literary distinctiveness of his work has given rise to the adjective "Ballardian," defined by the Collins English Dictionary as “resembling or suggestive of the conditions described in J. G. Ballard’s novels and stories, especially dystopian modernity, bleak man-made landscapes and the psychological effects of technological, social or environmental developments.” [2:]
Ballard was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June 2006, from which he died in London in April 2009.[3
Marius wrote: "Stuart wrote: "Hi all I am Stuart. I am biased to sci fi, fantasy and darker fiction. So it's the likes of J.G. Ballard, Pullman and Kate Atkinson for me, among others."Ballard and Pullman are ..."
Mervyn Peake I still need to read. The others I certainly revere.
I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Arch.
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Glad to have you as a member Arch!!!
Rick wrote: "Glad to have you as a member Arch!!!"Thanks Rick. I have been on her for a few days, but just haven't introduced myself yet.
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you might find the polls and author forums interesting as well as the photo section
again- Welcome Arch!
Hi, My name is Liz and I am from NYC. I read a wide range of stuff, British Classics, Contemporary, Memoirs...and such. Thanks for the invite Rick.
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my pleasure Liz- just so happy you are a member of our Group!
Hey Liz. If you don't mind my asking, what memoirs have you been reading? I have a number of people in my critique group who are writing memoirs and so like to refer them to examples of great stuff. So far "Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight" is my favorite, even edging out "The Liars' Club."
I would also like to thank Rick for the invite to join this group. My name is Aliyah Burke and I write romance. I am an avid reader and will read just about anything I can get my hands on. Just need to figure out how to survive with less sleep so I can get more reading done.Happy reading,
~Aliyah
ps: Happy holidays to all.
Hello, I'm Amy from the Washington DC metropolitan area in the US. I joined a day or so ago... I was looking at some book page (don't remember what book), and saw the picture of James Mason on the right side of the page. So I clicked on the picture and found your group. How could I not join a group with such a fabulous name, lol?I read a variety of stuff; mostly literary fiction. Sadly, most of the British books I've read are in the humorous vein; I suppose I should branch out.
Glad to be here! :)
Thanks for the welcome.Happy reading,
~Aliyah
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Glad you liked the name I chose! love Humorous Brit Lit too- PG Wodehouse, Ngaio Marsh ect
welcome Amy and Aliyah
Hi all, I'm Paul, from the UK, 56, married with 2 grown-up children (oxymoron?), working in education as a soon-to-be teacher of adult literacy, ad hoc IT support, creator of learning resources and crowd control. I'm also one of the three directors of Blind Samurai Films - a company that produces our own film scripts, short pilot films, designs web sites, edits and proofreads manuscripts, produces short videos and corporate webisodes and creates book preview videos. I read - mainly SF, horror, thrillers and fantasy. I write - guess what? Mainly SF, horror, thrillers and fantasy.
Recently had a couple of short stories published in the anthology Ménage à 20, Tales with a hook.
I'm currently working on editing my 4 full length manuscripts, creating another 3 short stories, producing a book trailer, reviewing and editing several things from GR members and enjoying the Christmas break (?)
Yes, I am cooking the Christmas and Boxing Day meals. It was either that or do the washing up afterwards :)
My blog is here.
Rick did invite me a while back but I declined. He persisted (thanks, Rick) so I've finally succumbed and here I am.
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so glad you finally joined Paul!!!!
Merry Christmas! I wish everyone best premises, the best of health, good fortune, great jobs, and everything good and wonderful for 2010.
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SAME TO YOU!!!! WHAT A SWEET THING TO POST ILYN!!
Thanks for the invite. My name is Susan and I'm an English Major who one day hopes to write/publish a novel. I'm working as an intern at a small press in the US (Ridan Publishing) which has taught me a lot about the "book business" - facinating stuff. I look forward to participating in your group discussions.Susan.
Thanks rick for inviting me to this innovative group. As in Catch-22 I would say that "I pledge my allegiance to this group."
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wonderful to have you all as new members!!!!
I'm Cat and I live Huddersfield, the hometown of a certain James Mason! I am an avid collector of Mason memorabilia from books and movies to intage posters, lobby cards and my pride and joys, original signed contracts, lunch tickets and other bits and bobs!
I have lurked around the site for a while and this group and the friendly, interesting discussion finally prompted me to join so I'm really looking forward to joining in the conversation. I have pretty eclectic tastes and a real soft spot for MR James and Conan Doyle, though the book that I return to again and again just has to be Lolita, which I first read about fifteen years ago and still has a cherished place on my shelf.
I have lurked around the site for a while and this group and the friendly, interesting discussion finally prompted me to join so I'm really looking forward to joining in the conversation. I have pretty eclectic tastes and a real soft spot for MR James and Conan Doyle, though the book that I return to again and again just has to be Lolita, which I first read about fifteen years ago and still has a cherished place on my shelf.
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welcome to the Group- nice to meet another Major Mason fan! was he not superb in Lolita? That is one of the questions in the polls section- also take a look at the pictures I chose!
Rick wrote: "welcome to the Group- nice to meet another Major Mason fan! was he not superb in Lolita? That is one of the questions in the polls section- also take a look at the pictures I chose!"
It was Lolita that turned me into a bit of an uber-fan; I have had a look through the polls and had to nod approvingly at your chosen pics!
It was Lolita that turned me into a bit of an uber-fan; I have had a look through the polls and had to nod approvingly at your chosen pics!
I'm very honored to be invited here, and to be among such wonderful readers and authors. I love meeting new people and I'm an avid reader myself.I'm a Canadian suspense author, with 3 bestselling novels:
Whale Song: A Novel (2007 edition) is currently out of print and only available for a LIMITED TIME as a Kindle on Amazon. Plans are in the works for future editions as this much-loved, critically acclaimed novel has a wide adult and YA audience. "Whale Song is deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart...a beautiful, haunting novel," says NY Times Bestselling novelist Luanne Rice.
The River is a rapid-paced thriller about stem cell research, cloning and world domination--with a twist. It is available in trade paperback and as e-books at Kindle and KoboBooks.com.
Divine Intervention is a paranormal suspense that has been compared to J.D. Robb's In Death series and novels by Kay Hooper. It has a special appeal for fans of Ghost Whisperer, Medium and CSI. In the first of the Divine series, CFBI Agent Jasi McLellan and her team of psychic agents search for a serial arsonist who is leaving a trail of blazing corpses behind.
I recently wrote a romantic suspense under the pen name Cherish D'Angelo. My novel Lancelot's Lady placed #3 Most Popular in the Dorchester Next Best Celler contest. Though it is yet unpublished, plans are underway and I expect to make an announcement sometime this year. For now, you can read the first few chapters of Lancelot's Lady on my website at http://www.cherishdangelo.com.
I was born in Vancouver, BC, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, but now live in Edmonton, Alberta. Writing is my passion! Writing stories that my characters urge me to and hopefully ones you will love is my goal! I can't imagine doing anything else. :-)
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com
I am the author of historical fiction framed within the Holocaust called Jacob's Courage (2007, Mazo Publishers). A retired university administrator; I was also published for nonfiction in 1986. Jacob's Courage is a tender coming of age love story of two young adults living in Salzburg at the time when the Nazi war machine enters Austria. This historical novel presents accurate scenes and situations of Jews in ghettos and concentration camps, with particular attention to Theresienstadt and Auschwitz. It explores the dazzling beauty of passionate love, powerful faith and enduring bravery in a lurid world where the innocent are brutally murdered. From desperate despair, to unforgettable moments of chaste beauty, Jacob’s Courage examines a constellation of emotions during a time of incomprehensible brutality.I enjoy British literature and I look forward to some engaging discussions here.
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I shall put Jacob's Courage on our Group Bookshelf
Please look at our AUTHOR FORUMS- and let me know if you would like one!
Hi book world! I don't want to frighten anyone, but I am a author, but more importantly I am a reader and lover of books. My fav. is european historical fiction, but I read and review all types of genres. My book is Dandelions In The Garden-It's about the 16th century blood countess, Elizabeth Bathory. If you're interested, check it out when you get a moment.
When I'm not writing, I'm reading other works both new and classic. I love book discussions, opinions and clubs.
Currently I'm reading, 'The Book Thief,' and it's got me thinking about soul collecting and the paranormal. Ah yes, the paranormal...did I mention this is a fascination of mine?
This is the curious mind of Charlie Courtland!
Charles wrote: "I am the author of historical fiction framed within the Holocaust called Jacob's Courage (2007, Mazo Publishers). A retired university administrator; I was also published for nonfiction in 1986. ..."Welcome to the site, Charles.
Hi, I'm Mary and I'm new! (thanks, Rick). I love to read and am not too picky though I try to stay away from "chick lit lite" and romance. Also not a big fan of the current vampire lit craze. I love a good mystery/suspense/thriller novel and no one does those like the Brits. My all-time favorite British author is Ruth Rendell, aka Barbara Vine, and I also enjoy the writings of P D James, Kingsley Amis, Reginald Hill, and Elizabeth George (though I'm not sure she counts as a British writer?). Anyway, thanks for having me and I will try to be a good contributor!
Like everyone else introducing themselves, I'm new to the group, invited by Rick. (Thanks Rick!) Unlike many posting here, I am not an author, but I do enjoy reading immensely. All types of literature, from the classics to sci-fi to mystery novels. One of my favorite sub-genres is futuristic dystopian lit (Handmaid's Tale by Atwood, Never Let Me Go by Ishiguru, and The Children of Men by PD James). That's my reading intro in a nutshell! It's nice to meet you all, and I look forward to reading with you all, as well!
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Tammie- you are a very welcome addition to the Group!!!
I'm Robin; born in southern England, but was a child migrant to Australia, where I still live. I read more non-fiction than fiction, but trying to change that. I am not that adventuress with my reading, liking the old classics, such as Oliver Twist, Frankenstein, Grapes of Wrath, Time Machine, Of Human Bondage, Hamlet and The Mayor of Casterbridge. But I do read some Stephen King, The Harry Potter series and HP Lovecraft - to name a few. I want to read Bonte's Wuthering Heights in the near future.
Hi everyone!I'm Beth, a SAHM with two kids, and one cat and one dog. I've loved reading as far back as I can remember and I spend a lot of time on GR and FaceBook (I kind of hate to admit the FB part).Right now I'm reading The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh and I'm also slowly working through the Harry Potter series (slowly only because I'm usually reading 7 or so books at a time).
My husband and I both love all things British so I would love to learn more about British literature.
LOL Fiona, I was going to tell you about this group and see if you wanted to join!!!!!
I'm new here, too. Thanks for the invite to the group.My name is Terresa Wellborn. I'm a writer, librarian, and student of life.
I'm writing my first manuscript (YA fantasy) all the while writing poems, essays, and grocery lists, too.
I also have a blog (The Chocolate Chip Waffle) where I dish on the panic and poetry that is life. My blog is my waffle house, my garden, my song.
Glad to be part of this group!
Hello to all you bibliophiles out there. I am Gary. Many people on this website believe that I am a fictional character,and I don't exist,and they still talk about it,and call it garygate. Whatever! I do exist, that I promise. I live in a small town outside of St. Louis, Missouri. I am an avid reader! It's my number one hobby. I teach 5th grade,and love the kids, hate the politics,and hate how we are ruining American children with state testing,and can understand why most kids hate school.I love to read,and I've dabbled in some writing. Try to get published? Not so sure. Any advice from you authors out there?? I would accept any tips on how to get a good book going,and find someone to publish it. I've actually been working on something, a bit, now and then.
I also love classic literature,and have been told many times that I missed my calling,and should have been a college prof teaching literature at some major university somewhere. I have one room I am moderating on EDGAR ALLAN POE one of my many fav authors. I wish that group was nearly as active as this one.
Anyway, folks, as Charles Dickens so eloquently said, "GOD BLESS US , EVERY ONE!" Well, Tiny Tim said it for him.
Drop me a line sometime. Love to chat about "stuff"!
Just joining! Thanks to Rick for the group invite. :-DI'm an author of multi-genres including SF, suspense, romance and fantasy to name a few. I'm also an avid reader and book lover of just about any genre (as long as it has a great story, I'm game!)
I love classic literature. A lot of the books I heard about growing up but never had a chance to read, I'm reading and very much enjoying now. I'm slowly making my way through and enjoying every minute of it. :-D
Looking forward to discussing some great reads and gaining some new titles!
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I enjoy all the Bronte novels- recommend Anne Bronte too
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hahaah
well tell more of yourfriends about this Group!
the more the merrier Robin!
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My name is Terresa Wellborn. I'm a writer, librarian, and student of life.
I'm writing my first manuscript (YA fantasy) all the while wri..."
best of luck on your manuscript!!!
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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I really enjoyed The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot! Meg