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!
Thanks for the invitation to join this group, Rick. I’m looking forward to interacting with the other folks here. First, please allow me to introduce myself. I’m Lisa Lipkind Leibow, the author of Double Out and Back (Red Rose Publishing), which takes the reader on the roller-coaster ride of infertility treatments as seen through the eyes of three women. I’m a recovering attorney-turned fiction writer. My work has also appeared in Pisgah Review. I live and write in Northern Virginia with my husband, three sons, a clumber spaniel, and two red-eared sliders. You can learn more about me and my writing at http://www.LLLeibow.comI’m not only a writer, but an avid reader as well. I read a wide variety of books. However, I’ll focus this message on some of my favorite English Literature, since that is the mainstay of this group. I love classic works by Charlotte Bronte, Virginia Woolf, and of course, William Shakespeare. I’d also like to mention a few contemporary English authors whose characters live on for me, long after the last page is turned: Phillipa Gregory (The Other Boleyn Girl), JK Rowling (Harry Potter Series), and Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones’s Diary). Finally, while I’m not sure it counts as literature, since my exposure to it is via television and movies, but I’ve been known to judge people by how well they “get” my references to Monty Python. Love, love, love that “British humour.” – “She turned me into a newt!”
Anyhow, I look forward to being part of this group.
Best to you,
Lisa
Welcome: Robin, Beth, Fiona (I'm a Tweety Bird fan too), Terresa and Gary.
Rick, I love The Glass Palace. It's a book to be slowly savored. I know a few other people who would probably be interested in this group.Arch, thanks for the welcome!
Hello and thank you for the invitation to join! I'm writing full-time these days, having "retired" from my day job two years ago. Funny, I'm working harder than ever! My debut novel, Soliloquy, was released by The Wild Rose Press just before Christmas and what a journey I've enjoyed - this last month in particular!
I'll probably reveal my age here, but my husband and I used to stay up until midnight the one night a week Monty Python was broadcast in the U.S. I read across virtually every genre - love, love, love books! I re-read favorites when I'm on overload and I think of Lord Peter as a personal friend.
Look forward to the discussions and discovering new friends and new books! Janet Fogg http://www.janetfogg.com
Mod
read in January, 2010
Reed said:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
"I read this book in two sittings. It's one of those books that you just don't want to put down because you have to see what will happen next.
This story is about a guy who takes his family camping and his youngest daughter is kidnapped and...more I read this book in two sittings. It's one of those books that you just don't want to put down because you have to see what will happen next.
This story is about a guy who takes his family camping and his youngest daughter is kidnapped and killed through no fault of his. I cried as I read the account of what he felt and thought when it was all going down. It's just too easy to picture something like that happening to your own family. How could anything ever be the same? He describes their family going through life afterwards as best as they can but there is always what he calls "The Great Sadness" hanging in the background.
Then one day God sends him a note telling him to meet him in the shack where his daughter was killed way out in the Oregon woods. He doesn't know what to make of the note and is afraid to show it to his wife for fear that it will upset her. Is it a cruel prank? Is it the killer taunting him? Is it really from God?
Initially, there is so much sadness and it can bog down in attempting to explain the nature of God. But,this is a book about emotional healing and the author adeptly transitions from the inexplicably tragic to the sublime love of God. If you have ever lost someone dear to you or suffered a severe injustice, you MUST read this book. It can change your perspective. It can mend your heart
Hi, I'm Carolyn from Carmichael, California (say that 5 times real fast). I love Josephine Tey, Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie. And of course James Mason. :)
Mod
Welcome to have you as a member Carolyn
Big fan of Poirot and Whimsey here!!
Hi, everyone! I see that this thread is where the action is ... I'm LeAnn, and I'm currently waiting on responses for two partial submissions to agents of my first novel, An Ordinary Drowning. I also have a few queries out and thought I'd try the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest again. More information about my two finished novels can be found in my author forum (thanks, Rick, for making me an "author").I read a lot, mostly novels (my favorite), but lately a lot of history, which I love. I've set myself the goal of writing a review for everything I read, but I'll confess that the romance novels I burned through recently only got stars. I like the classics best, and Shakespeare is probably my favorite writer, although he's best watched rather than read. I look forward to seeing what everyone is reading.
Mod
Hi. I am new to this group. I found you because I am a huge fan of James Mason and was searching the internet one night for more of his films and recordings. So if anyone would like to share James Mason movies with me, let me know. I am also recently into reading classic novels. I own a coffeeshop in Utah and my friend started a little book nook there. So I just started grabbing these old books off the shelf and reading them. I am almost finished with Random Harvest by James Hilton--help me out group--I love this book, can anyone reccommend another classic romance like this one?Thank you, Andrea
Hi, thanks for the invit Rick. Hi all. I'm Mike, live in Nashville (the real one) and am retired from my "long term" day job on disability. I have written on and off for years, but hadn't tried to get published. Once "retired" I put more time into it and was beginning my search for an agent when my wife became very ill. She was ill for several years, the last 2 bed fast so my writing went on the back shelf for the last few years. Jeanie passed away last Aug. so I'm now beginning again, slowly. I have a completed fantasy (I suppose it would be classified "Urban Fantasy") on a disc, with several other books of several types and degrees of completion (one on it's final rewrite others in the idea only stage and several in between). I am presently working on what I suppose might be called a "thriller", a spy/fi type. We (my grown daughter who has moved in apparently worried about leaving the old man alone) are going to be moving in the next month or two after which I plan to resume my "several years old" search for an agent.
I look forward to seeing all your opinions and thoughts on different novels. Feel free to check my book list and tell me how "all wet" I am in my reviews.:)
I tend to read eclectically, heavily weighted toward fantasy, but not to heavily. Try to keep several books at a time going, usually with one audio i can have on when my hands are full with something else.
I look forward to getting to know you all. (Or "y'all" since I'm from the American south)
Mod
Mike- welcome! I-like many members- read more than one book at same time- always a current thriller and a classic- as a writer- let me know if you would like to have an AUTHOR FORUM- you seem to have a very interesting writing background!
Maybe in time. Like I said, life in transition right now. Trying to decide where to move and then will be settling in a new place. And then trying to get a lit. agent interested...oh joy.
Thanks.
Hello All! I'm Alycia. I recognize some familiar faces here. Thank you Rick for the group invitation. I enjoy a variety of different genres, looking at my bookshelves here, I look scatter-brained, but that's ok. I do love classics as well. Send recs my way, I do love them.
Hi! I'm Katie. I read a little bit of just about everything and a lot of children's books. That's my big focus - literature for children. I'm looking forward to being here, since it seems like there are a lot of interesting discussions going on! Thanks for inviting me, Rick.
Hello everyone, I'm Kimberly. I'm a full time student working towards a Major in English, and then I plan on getting my Masters in Literature. I love British Literature (obviously, or I wouldn't be here). I'm pretty pleased with myself, I managed to get my hands on a copy of the leather-bound Sherlock Holmes Collection, just came in the mail today.
Hi. My name is Tressa. I read all kinds of books, but really love horror and bizarro. I'm a mod at another group, work full-time at a public library, and am married with a 5 1/2-year-old son. I hope I have enough time to dive in here. I'm just getting my feet wet now.:-)Thanks for the invite, Rick.
Thank you, Rick, for the invitation here. I am happy to join!I am Lori and I have been an avid reader as long as I could pick up a book and an avid writer since about 8. In my "normal" life I am a paralegal, Navy wife and mom to an almost 14 year old boy, an almost 17 year old cat and 2 dogs. In my "spare" time I pen a book review blog and work on my first novel.
I love old movies, particularly those from the 1930s, a decade I would definitely visit with a time machine, along with Jane Austen's English countryside - - and enjoy reading time travel stories (although not science fiction in general), paranormal, suspense, mystery, thrillers, and certain types of nonfiction, like true crime and old Hollywood.
Hello Rick, and group members! I Thank you for having me on this incredible classic group. My name is Regulo Zapata Jr., and I live in Gilroy, California/USA. I'm new to this group. So please bear with me as I get to know everyone!
James Manson has always been one of my favorite film actors and have enjoyed several of his great movies!
I'm also the author on the book called Desperate Lands: The War on Terror Through The Eyes of a Special Forces Soldier.
Please...stop by and join me at the (Authors Forum - Regulo Zapata Jr.) for Questions and Answers!
I look forward to talking to you soon!
Thank You,
Reggie
Regulo Zapata Jr.
James Manson has always been one of my favorite film actors and have enjoyed several of his great movies!
I'm also the author on the book called Desperate Lands: The War on Terror Through The Eyes of a Special Forces Soldier.
Please...stop by and join me at the (Authors Forum - Regulo Zapata Jr.) for Questions and Answers!
I look forward to talking to you soon!
Thank You,
Reggie
Regulo Zapata Jr.
Mod
leatherbound Holmes- a true treausre!!!
Mod
I am Lori and I have been an avid reader as long as I could pick up a book and an avid writer since about 8. In my "normal" life I..."
Lori- I also love the 1930's movies- who are some of your favorite actors?
mine- Mischa Auer, Thomas Mitchell, Rags Ragland, Zasu Pitts, Edward G Robinsonand John Garfield and Wayne Morris
Mod
so sorry about your wife- I pray she is at peace
Hi Rick,These are my fave 1930 actors and actresses, in no particular order:
William Powell
Jimmy Stewart
Clark Gable
Spencer Tracy
Cary Grant
Joan Crawford
Myrna Loy
Norma Shearer
Jean Harlow
Kay Francis
Carole Lombard
Bette Davis
:)
Mod
These are my fave 1930 actors and actresses, in no particular order:
William Powell
Jimmy Stewart
Clark Gable
Spencer Tracy
Cary Grant
Joan Crawford
Myrna Loy
Norma Shearer
Jean ..."
all great stars- love em all!
I tend togo for the character actors
as far as starts
Jimmy Stewart
Cary Grant
Peter Lorre
Jean Harlow
Warren William
George Sanders
Marie Dressler
Warren William was definitely an underrated actor, I think. He excelled in both good guy and bad guy character parts. Did you know that he also invented an early type of RV trailer? He wanted to save time getting ready in the morning and so made his on-set trailer portable!Love Marie Dressler! She was a gem. I think my favorite role of hers was Carlotta Vance in "Dinner in Eight". How about you?
You left out some of mine:William Powell
Myrna Loy
Carole Lombard
I love the Thin Man movies and My Man Godfry (the 36 version, remakes stink)
Mod
same- here final line to Jean Harlow in DINNER AT EIGHT is a gem!!
Warren William died too young at 54- really liked his LOne Wolf movies with Eric Blore
also love
Fred Clark
Paul Douglas
Warren Hymer
May Robson
Ed Brophy
Charles Coburn
Sydney Greenstreet/Peter Lorre
Laird Cregar
Mod
William Powell
Myrna Loy
Carole Lombard
I love the Thin Man movies and My Man Godfry (the 36 version, remakes stink)"
agree totally
did you know that my ALL TIME MOVIE IDOL - MISCHA AUER- WHO PLAYED CARLO- was nominated for BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR-1936- FIRST YEAR AWARD WAS GIVEN
WALTER BRENNAN WON- AS HE DID IN 38 AND 40 - LOVED HIM TOO
La-cho-chon-ya!Oh that's the title to, I thought it was just the words.
:)
Poor Carlo. That was a hard part to pull off in the face of all the other talent around that story.
Mod
Oh that's the title to, I thought it was just the words.
:)
Poor Carlo. That was a hard part to pull off in the face of all the other talent around that story."
yes- the Gorilla scene with Alice Brady and Eugene Pallette- Alan Mowbray and Franklin Pangborn were also in that film
Mod
Oh that's the title to, I thought it was just the words.
:)
Poor Carlo. That was a hard part to pull off in the face of all the other talent around that story."
Mischa Auer is the reason I became a fan of old films- saw him as a child in his final film THE CHRISTMAS THAT ALMOST WASNT- so taken- i researched him inthe library- no internet then! and got hooked on all 1930's character players
I'm not sure it's totally true, but I'd say most of my favorite movies are from the 30s and 40s.
Mod
I LOVE The Thin Man movies! They are just brilliant and the first one is what made me fall in love with William Powell.As far as character actors go, I also enjoy Melvin Douglas. Not terribly well known outside of us movie buffs but he was very good with comedy.
And most definitely the originals are so, so much better than remakes. Case in point, besides those that Mike added - - one of my absolute faves "The Women". The 1939 version is perfection. The 1956-ish remake is painful trash and the 2008 remake was ho-hum.
Very few remakes are any good, I can't think of any...but I said "very few" just to cover my bets.You mentioned To Kill a Mockingbird. That movie and book both sort stand alone in my opinion. I've said before put in a corner and forced to name either or my all time favorite movie or book, I'd say To kill a Mockingbird.
Mod
and ley us not forget SZ Sakall and Edward Everett Horton the greatest character actress of them all
THELMA RITTER(Tho she debuted in 1947)
Hello everyone, My name is Gregg Seeley and I am a published author of a super humorous children's book BIG Bobby Boom! and the Marble Mayhem which is gaining in popularity with the 9-12 readers in all parts of Canada. I am happy to be in this group and wish everyone, great success in what they desire.Big Bobby Boom! and the Marble Mayhem
My name is Alicia and I am an amateur writer. I don't really write mysteries and rarely read them but I give just about every book a try. I love classics like George Orwell, Charles Dickens, Ayn Rand...the only book I found rather dull was Moby Dick but it was really only the descriptions of whales that bored me. The actual story was good but it was always interrupted by the whale descriptions. I don't believe I have read any British authors but I wouldn't mind checking any out.
Alicia, you have read at least two British authors! :-) Both George Orwell and Charles Dickens were British.
Thanks for the invite, Rick! Very pleased to find this group - not least because I think James Mason was tres cool! I write historical romance for a living and I'm a complete Brit-o-phile. I was lucky enough to live there for a couple of years in the mid-80s and I've been back several times since. Looking forward to getting to know your members!
Hi Everyone- and thanks Rick for the invite! I'm a fairly avid reader of all sorts of literature, especially mysteries with psychological elements. I used to read a lot of science fiction and some fantasy in the first half of my life, but find it has become too unsubtle for me, or involves series which are too long but not enthralling enough for me. The last fantasy series I read was the first Stephen Donaldson one, which I loved. I also enjoy non-fiction, mainly based around science and maths, eg Uncle Tungsten by Oliver Sacks. I don't write fiction but have written a lot of scientific articles and university external study teaching materials and done some professional editing for paper and electronic media. I hope to contribute something or other here and gain some reader friends!
Hi, I am disabled with Cerebral Palsy, I have many hobbies I like doing and reading is one of those. I was 27 when I found out that I am Dyslexic, I found that out while I was at my local collage doing a IT Course which I am please to say I passed. While I was getting help with my dyslexic I was asked to do an English exam too again I passed and I was told if I read more, it will help. Now I am 42(2009) and have a book on the go most of the time. I even keep a database of the books I have read so does that class me as a high tech bookworm LOL.
I have writen a story about what I have managed to achieve and over come with my disability and one day love to try to get it published.
The Authors I like to read are James Patterson, Clive Cussler, Kathy Reiches, Dan Brown and I do like to try other Authors too.
Sorry if I write anything on the web site and spelling and grammar is not very good but I hope you all good bookworms will understand.
Thank you and happy reading to you all.
Hello, all. I'm Bertille. I reside in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean and have enjoyed reading from childhood. I grew up on British literature including Dickens, Shakespeare and Charlotte Bronte. I like gaining perspectives of the world by reading so I now include authors from other regions of the world in my repertoire and have written my own novel - Trini Melange - which encompasses the multi-cultural society in which I live.
Mod
Hi everyone and thanks to Rick for the invite. This seems like a great group to join. My name is Diane and I live in Wisconsin. I work for a public library where my main focuses are working with teens and genealogy research. I enjoy reading a variety of genres but mostly teen fiction, classics (my favorite book is Jane Eyre), and pretty much anything with a good story.
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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 ..."
you are in the right place to learn about British Lit-
btw- The Glass Palace was supurb!