Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
ABOUT BOOKS AND READING
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What are U reading these days? (PART SIX) (2010)
Jenni wrote: "I just finished Ella Enchanted, and am now reading The Woman in White. I'm loving it so far!"I Netflixed the "The Woman in White" DVD last July:
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Woma...
I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
Wiki says that the novel, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins "is considered to be among the first mystery novels and is widely regarded as one of the first (and finest) in the genre of 'sensation novels'."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Woma...
Jenni wrote: "I just finished Ella Enchanted, and am now reading The Woman in White. I'm loving it so far!
"
I read The Woman in White a couple of years ago, and throughly enjoyed it too. You might be interested to know that a book out now,
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale is a detailing of a true murder story that took place around the time of Wilkie Collins writing. Besides telling the story, and whodunit, the story gives a good history of the beginning of the investigating detective. Good combination.
"
I read The Woman in White a couple of years ago, and throughly enjoyed it too. You might be interested to know that a book out now,
The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale is a detailing of a true murder story that took place around the time of Wilkie Collins writing. Besides telling the story, and whodunit, the story gives a good history of the beginning of the investigating detective. Good combination.
Pontalba wrote: "You might be interested to know that a book out now, The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale is a detailing of a true murder story that took place around the time of Wilkie Collins writing. ..."Pontalba, thanks for telling us about Kate Summerscale's book. The GR description says: "_The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher_ is a provocative work of nonfiction that reads like a Victorian thriller..."
Wiki indicates that "The Suspicions of Mr Whicher" was also known as 'The Murder at Road Hill House".
An online encyclopedia says: "Jonathan 'Jack' Whicher was an English detective. He was born in 1814 ... and died in 1881. ... He rose to the rank of Detective Inspector and was renowned for his investigations. His failure to solve the 1860 'Road House Mystery', damaged his reputation..."
FROM: http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/C...
Sounds like a good amount of research on the part of author, Kate Summerscale. She's quite a good detective herself.
Pontalba wrote: "Jenni wrote: "I just finished Ella Enchanted, and am now reading The Woman in White. I'm loving it so far! "
I read The Woman in White a couple of years ago, and throu..."
Oh thank you for the suggestion! I think my arm might just be twisted into reading it! :)
It's great to hear that Kingsolver has a new novel out. my wife and I are big fans.
I must admit, of all the books of hers I've read,"Prodigal Summer" was one I put down halfway through. Just wasn't doing it for me---it's Pam's favorite though---so far, I feel "The Poisonwood Bible" was her masterpiece.
Arnie wrote: " It's great to hear that Kingsolver has a new novel out. ... ---so far, I feel "The Poisonwood Bible" was her masterpiece."The Poisonwood Bible is one of the Kingsolver books I have read. The Goodreads description goes into detail about the story. It states that: "in her treatment of Africa and the Africans she is at her best, exhibiting the acute perception, moral engagement, and lyrical prose that have made her previous novels so successful."
Jenni,
I was on the fence for a long time about reading the Whicher/Summerscale book, but finally came down on the affirmative side, and am happy I did. It dragged in the middle a bit, but the latter half was definitely worth the mid-book slump.
I was on the fence for a long time about reading the Whicher/Summerscale book, but finally came down on the affirmative side, and am happy I did. It dragged in the middle a bit, but the latter half was definitely worth the mid-book slump.
Talking about "being on the fence" about reading a book, I was dragging my feet while reading Leslie Caron's Thank Heaven: A Memoir (2009), but when it became overdue with no chance of renewing, I forced myself to finish reading it... at 25 cents a day overdue fines! I'm glad I did. It's a grand and eloquent telling of her life and all the wonderful experiences she's had.I liked what she said near the end of the book, on p. 271:
====================================================
"I wasn't anxious about my looks anymore; what the public expects to encounter in an actress past seventy is the sum of her experience, not her beauty."
====================================================
What a wise insight! It's about time people started to accept aging and stop trying to cover it up. How else to teach wisdom?
I like that too Joy, my Aunt used to always say that by the time one gained any real wisdom, it was about time to die, and I can almost believe it! :)
That's so true, Pontalba."Youth is like spring, an over-praised season more remarkable for biting winds than genial breezes. Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits."
-Samuel Butler
Ah! But,"No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds.
November!" - Thomas Hood
My family had a saying hanging on the wall---my father brought it home from Germany "Ve get too soon oldt and too late schmart!"
My family had a saying hanging on the wall---my father brought it home from Germany "Ve get too soon oldt and too late schmart!"
Katherine wrote: "Ah! But,"No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds.
November!" - Thomas Hood"
A good comeback, Katherine!
Arnie wrote: ""My family had a saying hanging on the wall---my father brought it home from Germany 'Ve get too soon oldt and too late schmart!'"Ah, yes!
"Old age is a shipwreck." -Charles de Gaulle
"Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats." -Francois M. A. Voltaire
Joy: From Season 2, Doctor Who, "The Girl in the Fireplace". by Steven Moffat.It was nominated for a Hugo Award--scien fiction's Oscar--for Best Dramatic Presentation.
When I saw it, I said--"This is the sort of story I watch SF for--to find occasional gems like this!"
I also second Jackie's nomination of The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances. Seeing that episode will also introduce to Christopher Eccleston, who played the Doctor in season 1.
Like Jackie, I am a dedicated Who fan!
I am currently reading "Gone to Soldiers" by Marge Piercy.So far, quite good--rather detailed but well worth it. I have read many novels of World War II and most are set in the theaters of battle, with occasional glimpses of the home front.
This novels is--so far--entirely about those left behind. AJewish teen refugee sent to safety with relatives in Detroit; a woman journalist; a young woman pilot now serving in the Civil Air patrol and others.
Scanning the paers for wrs news, waiting with anticipation and fear for the postman, and seeing the huge changes in society. Great so far--will keep you posted!
Mary, I forgot about Girl in the Fireplace. Moffett writes some scary scifi. Now that Davies has left, Moffett will be our full time writer on Doctor Who.The Empty Child is the 6 or 7th episode Eccleston appears in. Father's Day from Season One was really good too. The first season was really good, but the next seasons were even better. I'm really looking forward to the new Moffett stories even though I'm in mourning over Tennant's leaving.
Did you see End of Time?
What did you think of Matt Smith?
It's going to be an adjustment for me but I'm invested in liking him, the other option would mean no more Doctor Who for me and I don't think I can live with that. I was sure I wouldn't like Eccleston's replacement, that skinny boy in a suit, but I wound up adoring him! Long Live The Doctor!
PS: Mary, who's your favorite companion? I waffle between Rose and Donna.
Jackie wrote [in Message #44:]: "Yes, he's in Seasons 2, 3 & 4. [re: David Tennant]Here's an episode guide:
http://www.sylvestermccoy.com/newdoct...
Favored episodes are:
The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances (because we first meet Captain Jack Harkness)
Army of Ghosts/Doomsday
The Shakespeare Code
Human Nature/Family of Blood
Blink
Utopia
The Fires of Pompeii
My best and favorite, I watch these over and over:
Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead
The Stolen Earth/Journey's End"
====================================================
Jackie, I must have forgotten to reply to your post (#44) about the Dr. Who episodes.
I've copied and pasted the info to a file for future reference.
Thanks very much!
Mary JL wrote [in Message #68:]: "Joy: From Season 2, Doctor Who, "The Girl in the Fireplace". by Steven Moffat.It was nominated for a Hugo Award--scien fiction's Oscar--for Best Dramatic Presentation.
When I saw it, I said--"This is the sort of story I watch SF for--to find occasional gems like this!"
I also second Jackie's nomination of The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances. Seeing that episode will also introduce to Christopher Eccleston, who played the Doctor in season 1.
Like Jackie, I am a dedicated Who fan!"
=====================================================
Thank you, Mary. I've copied and pasted the "Dr. Who" info for future reference.
Thanks for following up on Jackie's post. Somehow I had missed replying to it.
Mary JL wrote: "I am currently reading "Gone to Soldiers" by Marge Piercy.So far, quite good--rather detailed but well worth it. I have read many novels of World War II and most are set in the theaters of bat..."
Mary, Thanks for the recommendation of Gone to Soldiers (1987) by Marge Piercy.
Below is an excerpt from the description:
====================================================
"Marge Piercy has woven a tapestry of World War II, of six women and four men, who fought and died, worked and worried, and moved through the dizzying days of the war."
===================================================
Sounds like a good one.
Jimmy Durante used to say: "What a revoltin' situation this is! Well, I've got a situation... and although it's not revolting, it's a bit troublesome, readingwise.I HAVE TOO MANY GOOD BOOKS GOING AT THE SAME TIME!
I was going along fine, switching between Life of Pi and Magic Kingdom for Sale--Sold, great stories. Then the library notified me that my requested book was in: Sarah's Key. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. NOW the library has notified me that another requested book has finally come in: The Help. (I've waited a long time for these books to come in!)
I'll need to speed up my reading and spend more time at it, if I don't want to drown in good books! This is what they call: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING!
Oh Joy! The troubles that good books cause! :) I'm going to read The Help soon! (Along with Magic Kingdom and quite a few others.)You're enjoying Sarah's Key? Let me know more! I loved it!
Jenni wrote: "... You're enjoying Sarah's Key? Let me know more! I loved it!"Jenni, I'm hooked on _Sarah's Key_. Right now I'm worrying about her brother.
I think I'll move through the book quickly. It's the kind of easy prose that moves right along and doesn't tempt me to copy quotes. However, I couldn't resist copying this one:
"When I was with them, I never felt ... [words meaning 'out of place':] ... I felt like myself. And I loved that about them." (p.71, lge prnt)
Jenni wrote: "Sarah's Key moved quickly for me! (I managed to read it in one day, which is quite rare!)"BRAVO!
In _Sarah's Key_ the chapters alternate between the WWII war era and the time sixty years later. We watch as a reporter tries to find out more about what happened during the July-1942 round-up of Jewish people in France. We also watch the actual round-up as it is happening. The alternating views keep you reading as the suspense builds up. I'm on page 127.
Joy, thanks for the tip about Leslie Caron's Memoir. I have always admired her; not just for her looks since seeing her the first time in one of my all time favorite movies: "Lille." And I love the quote about aging. nina
You're welcome, Nina. I know you'll enjoy the book. Leslie Caron mentions so many people and places I'm sure you will recognize, especially because you're so well travelled yourself.
I am still reading Marge Piercy's "Gone To Soldiers" It is quite good and I will finish but have been busier at work.One thing--she focuses on a core groups of ten characters and switches viewpints from one to another. So, I read a bit faster when certain characters are 'on screen' as such; and find some of the chapters regarding other characters not as gripping.
Plus, it is 800 pages--will be on this book a while. But unless she drops the ball later on in the book, so far it's getting 4 stars from me!
Hang in there, Mary!How did you hear about Gone to Soldiers? I see that it was first published in 1987.
Joy: Found "Gone to Soldiers" just browsing in a used bookstore, reading back s of books that looked good.Prior to Goodreads; I just would browse until something looked good. And this is quite good.
I see. Every once in a while you get lucky choosing books that way. I once found an autobiograpy entitled I Passed This Way (1979) on a display table in a store like Walmarts! I loved it. I think the title is great! I regret the day I gave it away.The author, Sylvia Ashton-Warner, (1908-1984) was a "New Zealand writer, poet and educator. She spent many years teaching Māori children, using stimulating and often pioneering techniques which she wrote about in her 1963 treatise Teacher and in the various volumes of her autobiography."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_A...
More about her at: http://www.nzlf.auckland.ac.nz/author...
PS-I once took a course at Silver Bay Conference Center about Journal Writing. Sylvia Ashton-Warner was featured as someone who advocated journal-writing. I think we even had a booklet by her on the subject. It's strange that I can't find anything about that online.
I've finished reading Sarah's Key and have now begun reading The Help which is currently at the top of the Best Seller list*. I have to give it priority over the other books on my current reading shelf because I probably won't be able to renew it at the library. Someone else will no doubt be asking for it.Below is a link to my review of _Sarah's Key_:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
* Here's a link to the current NY Times Best Seller list for Hardcover Fiction:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/24/boo...
_The Help_ is set in Mississippi. It's the story of the interactions of the black maids and the white women for whom they work. Different chapters are narrated by alternating characters. I'm on page 60 and it's hard to tell where the story is going. The story seems to have a slow, but interesting, build-up.
The chapters narrated by the black maids are written in dialect, as is the dialogue. Takes getting used to.
Joy, I have The Help in my TBR stack, I was fortunate enough to find a lovely hardback copy at a recent Library Sale. I'd been torn about buying it new on account of my already huge to be read stack, but the copy was so cheap, and so new looking I had to. :)
I'll be interested to see how you like it.
Dialect is a funny thing, it can make or break a story.
I'll be interested to see how you like it.
Dialect is a funny thing, it can make or break a story.
Yes, Pontalba, those library sales have such great bargains!The dialogue in John Steinbeck's _Grapes of Wrath_ turned me off because the dialect in parts was so hard to read. I never finished the book, mostly because it was too depressing for me. The dialect was the last straw!
The dialect in _The Help_ isn't as hard to deal with, thank goodness.
As I've said, I'm currently reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Now I know why it's at the top of the NY Times Best Seller listing.It starts out slowly, yet keeps your interest. You wonder where it's going at such a slow pace. The setting is Mississippi and we're watching as the black maids interact with the white women for whom they work. We're seeing things from the maids' point of view, and, in alternate chapters, from a white woman's point of view.
I'm on p. 156 and now the story has picked up its pace. The characters have been well developed and I'm hooked. I've been drawn into the story.
In a nutshell, the author, has skillfully presented a story which shows (not just tells) the indignities and injustices which black people have faced. You become deeply involved with the characters. I can't wait to see how it all turns out.
I just finished "The Help". Had to finish it tonight, as I couldn't wait any longer to see what happens, even though it's almost 2 o'clock in the morning. The result exceeded the expectation. Five stars from me.
Katherine wrote: "I just finished "The Help". Had to finish it tonight, as I couldn't wait any longer to see what happens, even though it's almost 2 o'clock in the morning. The result exceeded the expectation. Five ..."Katherine, that's good to hear. I'm more than half way through the book (The Help). It gets better and better!
Ohhh you guys are making this hard for me! I've been trying to hold off and not buy the book as a friend is reading it, and is going to let me borrow it. However, she's been reading it since December, and is still less than 100 pages into it. The public library has about 50 hold requests for this book. So now I'm trying to decide if I should get the ebook or the hardcover... ebooks is more convenient for me, but if I get the hardcover, I can let a friend borrow it. What to what to do! :)
Jenni wrote: "Ohhh you guys are making this hard for me! I've been trying to hold off and not buy the book as a friend is reading it, and is going to let me borrow it. However, she's been reading it since Dece..."Jenni, whatever you do, you won't be sorry. It's a great read.
Does anyone know if it's come out in paperback yet ( _The Help_ )? I don't see it on the paperback best seller lists. It's at the top of the hard cover best seller list at the NY Times. See the lists here:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/be...
I don't think it's in paperback yet. I'm pretty sure it's hardcover and ebook only right now.
I am still reading "Gone to Soldiers" and it is still quite good. Not even halfway thorugh yet--busy with other commitments.But I keep returning to it with pleasure.
Wouldn't The Help make a great movie! nina
Nina,I'd be willing to bet you money that it will become a movie. :)
Mary JL wrote: "I am still reading "Gone to Soldiers" and it is still quite good. Not even halfway thorugh yet--busy with other commitments.But I keep returning to it with pleasure."
Well said, Mary. That's how I always feel about a good book. As you said: "I keep returning to it with pleasure." It's so nice to have something to look forward to... especially when all else fails. Just curl up nice and cozy and let yourself be drawn into the world of the story once again.
Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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Thanks! I've just added Ever to my TBR list. I've also heard that The Two Princesses of Bamarre is quite good.