Comfort Reads discussion
Travel and Other Cultures
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Multicultural Comforts
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Chrissie, I'm glad you've never had to use the bracelet, but I hope you find it, and, if you don't, you really won't get another? It might be lifesaving someday, though I'd guess they'd figure out your medical situation pretty quickly. Hopefully. And hopefully there never will be need!And, the good news that if your current book isn't working for you, you can read another. (Oh, I so wish you had a good nearby library though!!!)
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Yes, I have books everywhere...... Thanks you guys. I have sent you both messages too.
Chrissie, I'm messaged you with 2 ideas, but it's so hard to recommend books to others. At least for me it is.
You know, I think one of those books is already here on our shelves but not the other, so I'll mention them here too/again:The one I think I've mentioned before and is probably shelved is a very humorous book of biographical essays, especially as regards a love of reading, books, words: Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
and the one I think I've never mentioned in this group and is an "atypical" comfort read (not unusual for me) is a wonderful historical fiction book: Anya. I reread that one several times, but not again for quite a while. by: Susan Fromberg Schaeffer
The following book of interviews of German immigrants to America, collected by Ursula Hegi, is a book that I find both comforting and emotionally draining, Tearing the Silence: On Being German in America. Above all, it makes me feel that I am not alone, and that some of the feelings and problems I have had as a German immigrant in Canada are not simply "my own problem" (or laughable). I don't find the book delightful, but comforting in the way one says, "well, I'm glad that I am not the only one, I am glad that my feelings are not silly." The only thing that would have made this book even better would have been if Hegi had included some interviews with more recent immigrants (people like me, who immigrated to North America in the 70s and later).
Gundula, I can see why you'd find that book comforting. Maybe there will be another more recent compilation.
Lisa wrote: "Gundula, I can see why you'd find that book comforting. Maybe there will be another more recent compilation."I do find it comforting, but not in a way that is delightful, but in a way that justifies and explains my feelings, reactions and problems I have had as a German immigrant.
Gundula wrote: "I do find it comforting, but not in a way that is delightful, but in a way that justifies and explains my feelings, reactions and problems I have had as a German immigrant."Feeling understood and being validated is extremely comforting, yes.
Gundula, the book by Ursula Hegi lloks fascinating. I have read an historical fiction by her and it was great! I think it was Stones in the River. I have written messages and then deleted them both here and on the poll thread..... I was so happy Gundula that you too see the value of having just two shelves "foreign affairs " and "multi-cultural". This is simple and really groups two very different kinds of books. Persoanlly I would entitle foreign affairs "political science" instead. More detailed divisions will cause trouble. Where do you put Turkey - Europe or Asia? I do not like Hawaii with North America. You read about Hawaii to read about their culture and it is very different from the US. Where do you put the Polynesian Islands? Then you also have the problem -is it the auhor's nationality or is it where the book takes place? There are other groups centered on particular countries. Here I go again, writing and writing and then I feel like deleting the whole thing....... You are going to have troubles with areas. What is the essence of the discussion? What are people looking for? Is it a book about just India, just Pakistan, just Poland or is it the different cultures and how they compare? Another problem - border lines change. Look at the countries I have picked. Are you going to clump all the "Soviet" countries together? Now I am stopping or else I will delete this again! I vote for just two shelves: foreign affairs(political science) and multi-cultural(cultures).
Chrissie, I agree with everything you just said about listing areas. And, what about fictional places?! ;-) The changing of borders is a huge, huge issue, yes.
Lisa, I am worried about the problems that will arise.....
Chrissie wrote: "Lisa, I am worried about the problems that will arise....."Well, nothing has been decided yet. We're just brainstorming and getting member feedback. Hopefully, it will all work out okay.
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, the book by Ursula Hegi lloks fascinating. I have read an historical fiction by her and it was great! I think it was Stones in the River. I have written messages and then deleted them both..."I was thinking of recommending the book to you, but the book is not really not historical fiction, but rather a selection fifteen interviews with German immigrants to the United States (and a great introduction by Ursula Hegi). Maybe I will recommend it to you and you can take a look. You're right about Stones from the River being an excellent novel, I loved it (and I think I might add it to the shelves, as both historical fiction and multicultural).
Gundula, I have looked at the book about the German immigrants. I am still pondering whether to add it. I am very picky and only add what I REALLY think I might read. Have you read The Master Butchers Singing Club. It is about German immigrants in the US. Excellent, but I have not liked others by the same author. Some of the Indian ones I simply didn't have the faintest idea of what was going on.
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, I have looked at the book about the German immigrants. I am still pondering whether to add it. I am very picky and only add what I REALLY think I might read. Have you read [book:The Master..."Thanks for the recommendation, Chrissie, I just added the book to my to-read pile.
I added the one you told me about too. You and I are bad for each other, or at least for my wallet. I am sending you a message.
Chrissie wrote: "I added the one you told me about too. You and I are bad for each other, or at least for my wallet. I am sending you a message."Good one, Chrissie!! You should see when my boyfriend and I go to Indigo's (big bookstore), we always get some rude comments about the amount of books and the type of books we buy/like. Frustrating
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Gundula, Sometimes I just don't understand people. Wow is right.
One time we thought of just leaving the books and walking out, but we wanted the books, so we said nothing but we did give them a dirty look.
Honestly Gundula, they must have been morons!!! You work in a bookstore and complain about someone buying too mant books. That takes the cake.
Chrissie wrote: "Honestly Gundula, they must have been morons!!! You work in a bookstore and complain about someone buying too mant books. That takes the cake."I think they are maybe trying to start a conversation, but it sometimes sounds like an interrogation to us (sort of, like, why are you buying books on literary theory, biology and children's literature). And, you know, I don't always want to tell complete strangers what I'm reading and/or why I'm reading it.
Oh well, maybe they were in their own way being freindly??????? I wasn't there, how would I know! Me I don't mind telling anybody pretty much anything. Some days on is just not in the mood!
Chrissie wrote: "Oh well, maybe they were in their own way being freindly??????? I wasn't there, how would I know! Me I don't mind telling anybody pretty much anything. Some days on is just not in the mood!"I generally don't mind either, but as you say, it depends what mood I'm in. Also, a question like "Wow, what an interesting selection of books" is friendly and sounds like someone is interested, a question like "Why are you buying so many philosophy books, are you an academic or something" sounds rude.
Gundula wrote: "Also, a question like "Wow, what an interesting selection of books" is friendly and sounds like someone is interested, a question like "Why are you buying so many philosophy books, are you an academic or something" sounds rude."Exactly! I agree. I suspect the speaker didn't have very good people skills, or perhaps they were having a bad day.
Just wanted to say I'm loving this thread! Great idea :-) And, Lisa and Lee, you ROCK! Thanks for all you do as moderators here. I know I am not able to participate in the group as much as I'd like to, but it is surely a comfort knowing Comfort Reads is here and I love dropping in when I can :-)
Kathryn, I'm so glad you're a member. It's nice knowing you're here, even if you don't post constantly. Thanks for the compliment, but actually so much of this group's success is due to the atmosphere all the members have created with their participation. I find it a very comforting group!
Comfort Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
The Master Butchers Singing Club (other topics)Stones from the River (other topics)
Tearing the Silence: On Being German in America (other topics)
Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader (other topics)
Anya (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Susan Fromberg Schaeffer (other topics)Anne Fadiman (other topics)
Amy Tan (other topics)
Amy Tan (other topics)
Amy Tan (other topics)
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I'm sorry about your bracelet but I'm glad you've never had to use it. Maybe it will turn up down behind the bed or something.