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2024-11-19, 22:20:05
Oldiesmann: Welcome Barb. If you have any questions, let me know. Things have changed quite a bit since this site was first set up years ago

2024-11-18, 23:50:56
BarbStAubrey: Aha looks like there is a limit - since last here when I was living in Austin I moved to Magnolia near my son - still reading up a storm... need to find the reading group

2024-11-18, 23:48:31
BarbStAubrey: Oh my has this site changed - I was part of this back when we were all SeniorNet and then the big change and the split - for a time I posted howevr I focused more on Senior Learn - only a few of us left and the few talk about this site and so I've rejoined

2024-10-30, 14:13:51
JeanneP: March of 2016, Send me a EMail to gmjeannep2@gmail.com and see if I can get back. I canstill bring my first start up showing.

2024-10-30, 14:11:08
JeanneP: Going to try and sign up again today, Start as a new member because it is impossible for me to get in for the past few years, Will not even show me how to do it the way we did many years ago. All messages i get if i do manage to just read just starts me in

2024-09-21, 20:44:54
MaryPage: miles

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MaryPage: miles

2024-08-25, 18:00:45
MarsGal: Hi, Lloyd!

2024-08-25, 17:01:34
Lloyd Hammond: hellow  everyone

2024-08-25, 16:52:57
Lloyd Hammond:  :hb3:8


Library Bookshelf

Started by Marilyne, March 29, 2016, 03:20:53 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Marilyne

The rain has ended for now, and has been replaced this morning by a heavy blanket of fog . . .  "The cold white ghost of the sea".   Very fitting description, but always makes me shudder a little to look outside and see nothing!

Younger daughter came by over this past weekend, and brought me a book she received as a Christmas gift.   Where the Forest Meets the Stars,  by Glendy Vanderah.    She said it's either fantasy, time-travel, or a mixture?  Sounds interesting enough, that I may finally do some reading in the next couple of days. 

Mars -  Sounds like you're pretty well  settled into your apartment, and that you made some real changes in your TV viewing?  I'm curious as to how you like your new streaming/internet set-up?   I'll have to look that up and see what it consists of, as we also have Xfinity?    Most likely you haven't had time to do much TV watching or reading the past couple of weeks, what with your move and all.

Joanne and Callie -  Have either of you read anything worth recommending?  I'm going to try to get away from doing so much News watching on TV, (or internet).  There are a WHOLE LOT of important news stories the past couple of months, so it's hard for me to stay away from checking  on the many different situations that are constantly changing.

MarsGal

Marilyne, let me know how you like the book. I have eyed it a couple of times but have not committed to getting it yet.

I am getting a few paragraphs at a time read on Ann Lecke's newest book in the Imperial Radch universe, Translation State. As usual with other Radch characters in and around the Imperial Radch Empire, the characters are often very strange and different from our upbringing and society. I've skipped a few bits pertaining to one character's upbringing because it is a bit too distasteful to me, but otherwise, the story is rather interesting. So, the main character is sent off to find, if possible, a fugitive from two hundred years ago, an assignment that no one really expects to bear fruit. I'd call it an mystery adventure. Oh, but there is a pending treaty lurking in the background that may or may not be influenced by the results of this search for the fugitive who is most likely dead by now. Compounding my confusion and dislike, is that Lecke subscribes to the use of alternate pronouns to describe beings. But I suppose if the being is strange enough, male or female may not apply. It confuses me a bit, especially since there doesn't seem to be a standard or consensus for pronoun usage among writers just yet on the subject of non-binary people/beings. Well, for me, it gets in the way of the story.

Okay, on to streaming. I noticed that the ads on YouTube are lengthier and often more difficult to bypass than before. Annoying. I looked around a little but didn't find anything very interesting. The Peacock stream that I thought I was getting free, apparently isn't. I tried that, but it wanted monthly sub fees.  That doesn't stop them from reminding me that it is ready for me to activate. Their free stream (Xumo?) doesn't have anything I ever heard of or am interested in, but I will keep checking. Freevee is there, but I hear Amazon (did you know that channel it Amazon? I didn't) is degrading the free version's video quality and removing Dolby sound from the free version. Does that mean they will have a pay version of FreeVee? Can they even call it FreeVee if they start charging? Amazon has been making some really strange changes lately.

Marilyne

MarsGal - Good morning!  I started reading Where the Forest Meets the Stars, over the weekend.  It's good, but very predictable so far.  I feel like I already know the ending, but maybe there's a twist or an event that will take me by surprise?   For now, I'm enjoying it, and plan to finish it today.

I'm interested in your comments about streaming, and would like to know more about it?
We still have the Comcast/Xfinity bundle . . . TV, internet and land line. I would not want to lose the regular old Broadcast channels - ABC, CBS and NBC, plus Turner, HBO, Showtime, and lots of the sports channels.  The only streaming channels we get are Amazon Prime and Netflix.  Not sure about Peacock but I think we have it?   Isn't it attached to either NBC/HBO??  Also there are all sorts of new News channels, that I haven't sampled yet?  Anyway, the whole thing is overwhelming, and I think that at our  age, we will likely keep things the way they are? Too old to adjust to a drastic change.

MarsGal

Marilyne, I am still waiting to see what my first full bill will look like. They like to tell you how much the basics are, but forget to remind you of all the extras they charge. I don't remember off hand what they will be charging for renting the modem and Xumo box. Still, I am thinking I am saving close to $100 since won't be paying local broadcast and sports fees and the streaming is less expensive than regular cable. I think he said $70, but I could be remembering wrong. I don't subscribe to Netflix, Hulu or any of the other streaming services at the moment.


Tomereader1

Found a lovely book on my Kindle (probably .99Cents)  "beyond that, the sea" by Laura /Spence-Ash It is a WWII, entertwined family story, London parents send daughter to U.S. while London being bombed.I'm not through yet, but it is a charming story!  It is also available through my library as a book or Ebook.

Marilyne

Joanne,  Thanks for the recommending, "Beyond That, The Sea".  I'm always ready for a WWII book or story, and will check to see if it's available at my library.  There are so many books published now that are very good, but most never get the recognition the deserve.   

One WWII book that did get plenty of awards and lots of publicity a few years ago, is "All the Light We Cannot See".  A beautiful and unusual story, with great characters.  It was made in into a movie, that got no publicity whatsoever - good or bad?   It went directly to a  streaming pay channel, and was never heard of again?   I hope I'm wrong, and that someone who posts here has seen it, and will tell us about it?

Mars,  I'm about halfway through "Where the Forest Meets the Stars", and will probably finish it this afternoon.  So far it's been focusing on a good love story, between two of the characters.    The alien child, Ursa, is being well cared for, but of course no one believes her story about where she's from and why she's here. 

JeanneP

It does seem though now that they will print any book good or bad.Lots of new writers do awful ones but the still get on the 99 cent ones on the book clubs, Fact the library put so many on shelves,Not many of the authors of years ago are seen now,
JeanneP

JeanneP

Can anyone tell me where June In Australia does her posting.
JeanneP

MarsGal

#2978
Hi, JeanneP. Sorry, I can't help with June. I do miss our Australian friends.

I am still reading Translation State by Ann Leckie. Less confusion, more interest than earlier in the book. What suddenly struct me the other day is that the "current" situation the characters find themselves in reminds me an awful lot like some of M. C. Escher's drawings, like Relativity Lattice or his series of sphere spirals, or his Drawing Hands. In the case of the book, it is, so far, recursive hallways that turn back on themselves, exactly the same, and yet not. Each rotation is a bit off in time and or space. I think I remember a Star Trek or two that used the idea. I think they used the term out of phase. You were there, but weren't.

Oscar is looking for attention, and I am soon expecting a delivery, soooooo....

Later!
 

Tomereader1

JeanneP:  You can find June Drabek listed in the Members as Junee also.  She is 101 years old now, and in Sydney, Australia.

Marilyne

Heading for another storm today, so here's hoping that this will be the last big one for the Winter of 2024.   The weather man (meteorologist) on the local news last night said the snow fall in the High  Sierra's  from this storm will be epoch.   Up to eight feet of snow will Fall!  He said "Not inches . . . FEET"!    No snow here of course, but it will be a cold storm, with North Winds.

I still have the last quarter of "Where the Forest Meets the Stars", to read.  Yesterday wasn't one of my better days, so most of the things I planned to do, didn't take place.  I ended up going to bed right after dinner.

Mars -  Your mention of M.C. Escher, made me remember when back in the 80's, my daughter had a bf, who was an excellent artist, and could look at an Escher drawing and copy it in every detail.    I do like that style of art.  I'm a fan of Rockwell Kent, who had a similar style,  and illustrated so many books back before Escher.    Makes me stop and think  - are there any artists who are known for book illustrations in  todays world?   I don't think so, except maybe for children's books.

JeanneP -   Junee usually posts in "Norms Bait and Tackle" when she comes to S&F.   Mostly she posts messages on Facebook, so you can find her there.  Junee is amazing!  She will be 102, in August! 

MarsGal

Marilyne, I am not familiar with Rockwell Kent. I'll have to look him up.

I finished Translation State and am now looking about for my next read. IMO, Translation State was not among Leckie's best. The ending fizzled.

Marilyne

#2982
Good morning to all book lovers, and movie watchers too.  :)    I finished Where the Forest Meets the Stars,  a few weeks ago, but neglected to come back here and give my "book report". 

It's listed as being in the Sci-Fi genre, and that idea is what pulls you into the story.  However, there are many different "themes" going on as well.  The main characters are all interesting and likable, except for one.  This isn't a book that will become a best-seller or win any awards, but it was a good story.  I liked it. 

As for movies:  I keep saying that I plan to watch all of the Academy Award nominees, but so far I haven't seen any of them.  Always something going on in the evening. (mainly hockey playoffs)  The only one I've seen that got a few nominations is Barbie, which I liked very much.  A movie with a  positive, uplifting message that I think most women can relate to.

They are all available now on the various streaming or pay-per-view TV channels. 
I'm looking forward to seeing them all, but especially interested in Oppenheimer  and  Killers of the Flower Moon.  If anyone looking in has seen any of them - let us know what you think? 

MaryPage

Found you! I've been looking for posts about books read.  I'm not terribly adventuresome with computers, so it takes me a while.  As far as I can remember, I am an original with Senior Net.  I am into dementia now, and have read tons of books (and seen their movies when and if they were made), and now have forgotten all of them!  Even my beloved Jane Austen's.  Have you noticed they are writing a myriad sequels to her books now?  Hallmark is even making movies of these sequels!!

Tomereader1

As MaryPage said "Found You". I am like you, Marilyne, want to see the Oscar nominated movies, but I'm such a cheapskate, I won't pay-per-view.  If I'm going to pay, I'd rather just go to the movie theatre and see it like it was supposed to be seen.  I know the streaming folks often cut or shorten the movie, and I don't like that one bit.  In the theatre, you can enjoy the Dolby sound and the larger than life picture.  I have within a couple of blocks a theatre, but I'm not even sure they are open anymore.  I used to go on the special Saturdays when the Metropolitan Opera had their showings.I really miss that. As for books and reading I'm still reading, on my Kindle and real books.  I want you to know that I am not a "book banner", but as relates to my face-to-face book clubs, I have not been in several months.  I would check out the selections, and darned if I didn't find, within the first few pages, scenes or language that absolutely put me off; and I am also not a prude. So, I would return the books to the library and not show up for the meetings.  Since I was an original member of that group, I know I am being looked upon unfavorably, but hey, "id est quod id est". Guess I'd rather read a Kindle selection, that may not be classically written, than read something that offends me, even it is someone's "literary selection". 

Marilyne


MaryPage -  Good to see that you found us!   This used to be a busy group with lots of messages, but now they are sparse.   Just a few of us left who post here,  so we welcome anyone and everyone who enjoys a good book,  a movie, or who wants to recommend a TV show.    I did NOT know that sequels to Jane Austen's books are being written!  What a shame.  :(     I did read somewhere that yet another Pride and Prejudice movie is in the works!   That's okay by me, as P&P is my favorite of her books. 
Hope you return soon and tell us what you are reading or watching on TV?

Joanne -  The channels that stream movies, make it a point to tell you that all movies are uncut and shown exactly as they were in the theater.  I think some of the old movies that were,  or are still shown on the old UHF channels like AMC, are butchered something terrible.  I would never watch those either.   If you have Amazon Prime, you can go there and see lots of the Oscar winners from recent years, that are free.   The new ones from this year, that you have to pay for,  are anywhere from $5.95 to $9.95.  Much cheaper than a theater ticket.   We also have Netflix, but don't watch it as much as we do Amazon or HBO.           

MaryPage

I have been totally enjoying the sequels of Jane Austen's six books as written by well-known authors of today.  They use her sense of humor and writing style, and stick closely to the settings to ascertain they stay in the correct time period.  The truly astonishing thing is how many authors have chosen to do these books, including one of my British favorites, P.D. James!

As for what I watch, well, other than lots and lots of news, I tend to stream stuff on PBS.  I did all of Hotel Portofino, and have just begun the 9 seasons of Endeavor.  And yes, I love Doc Martin, too!
I watch those shows as they are offered on my telly.

MarsGal

MaryPage I am so happy to see your post here. TomeReader it has been a while, I think, since your last post. It is always nice to see you pop in again.

TomeReader, my sister has seen numerous Metropolitan Opera and Broadway offerings at the movie theater. The only one I remember seeing was the Wagner's Ring Cycle, but that was on TV. Being a fan of the Nibelungen legends and history, and a long-time Wagner listener, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I've been reading some of David Drake's short stories. And listening to Far Pavilions. I can hardly belief that I still have about 40 hours to go. Such a long book.

Sue, is giving me one of her bookshelves. It is just like my other two mission style folding shelves except that it is four-tier rather than my three-tier. I think there is just one tote bag of books to bring over from the house and then my clearance guys will take the rest to one of the charity shops or to the library.

MaryPage

The following is made up of comments on fragments of comments just reread.  I remember clearly, now someone has mentioned Brits sending their children over here for the duration of World War II (for safety), knowing several of these. It was great fun knowing them.  Also, Rockwell Kent was a GREAT illustrator.
 
We really relished his work back in the day.  I no longer can bear to read any Science Fiction, Fantasy, or any of that ilk.  I have no idea why this is, but it is.  I was a Huge Fan of these when in High School.  As for my streaming, I find most of the shows I enjoy are on PBS.  Because I spend so much time there, I contribute to them once a year.  In return for my contribution, they issue me a free passport to stream any of their shows whenever I choose.  I do this all the time, and use no other method or incur no other expense.

MarsGal

I am not familiar with Rockwell Kent, MaryPage. I did a quick look-up of his art and was delighted to see that he did some block printing. I did a few of those back in my high school days. Linoleum blocks were so easy to carve. I also managed to carve several small blocks of wood for block printing. The State University Museum at Plattsburgh, NY has what it says is the "most complete and balanced collection" of his works in the US.

 

Marilyne

MaryPage, glad you remember Rockwell Kent.     He was an  extremely interesting man, besides being a great artist. Probably his illustrated version of Moby Dick, is one of his most recognized works of art.  There were dozens of other familiar books as well, and many that I would like to look at.  So many things I want to see, and so little time left!

I used to watch PBS a lot, back a few years ago, but not so much now. I spend most of my TV time watching news channels, or movies.  I especially favor Turner Classic Movies - 1930's through the 1980's.  A couple of days ago, I watched Picnic, from 1955 .  I had seen the movie way back then, but had forgotten that it was adapted from a Broadway play, by William Inge.   It was better than I remembered - probably because I'm old now, and can  relate better to the characters.  Yes, the storyline seemed very dated, but it was filmed in 1955, and that was a long time ago!   People were different back then.  It starred Kim Novak, William Holden and Rosalind Russell.  She was so good!  I hope she won an Oscar that year for Best Supporting Actress?  I'll have to look it up and see?

Hi Mars!  - I see you just now posted, so will respond later.   
I looked up Picnic and see that it was 1955, not 1958.   

Marilyne


I just started reading a non-fiction book today, that I think I'm
going to like.   Pandemic, 1918, by Catherine Arnold.  It's about the world wide Spanish Flu epidemic, that started towards the end of World War I , in 1918, and lasted approximately two years.   So far I have only read the Introduction, but it has really sparked my interest. The book was published in 2018, exactly 100 years after the start of The Spanish Flu, and a little less that two years before the beginning of the Corona Virus . . . . Covid.     

MarsGal

Here is an interesting interview with Catherine Arnold about her book and why she chose to write about the Spanish Flu Pandemic.

I wonder if she will write a follow up to it comparing COVID and Spanish, similarities and differences in the reactions and handling of each. It is probably inevitable that someone will sometime in the future when the long-term repercussions become clearer.

MarsGal

I am well into, but nowhere near the end of Far Pavilions. it dawned on me that it is starting to get a bit tiresome. The story is still good, but holy cow, I still have 29 and a half hours and, if I counted right, 43 chapters to go. I am getting antsy to read or listen to something else. I may just read this next chapter, which will take me up to Book 4, and then take a break to read something else awhile.

Marilyne

Mars,   Thanks for posting the video interview with Catherine Arnold.  I had a hard time understanding much of the dialogue, but fortunately the closed captions worked.   Now I'm interested in all the other books that she's written, and will likely get a couple of them from the library when I finish "Pandemic".   They all deal with fascinating subjects, but I think I'll start with "Life in Shakespeare's London".

MarsGal

When not listening to Far Pavilions, I am reading a book called The Spy Coast, the first of a new series by Tess Garritsen, author of the popular Rizzoli & Isles series. It is pretty good, so I expect to continue reading the series.

I've also been watching a BBC TV production called The Musketeers. I think I saw it before because the actors, in costume, look very familiar. I do not remember any of the actual episodes though.

Marilyne

I'm struggling a bit with Pandemic 1918.  The story of the beginning of the flu epidemic, and how quickly and easily it spread during WWI, is fascinating . . . however, there is just too much overwhelming detail for me.  On top of that, the print is tiny, and hard for me to read. I don't know if I'll be able to stick with it or not?
One thing that I think is interesting, is why it was given the name The Spanish Flu.

I wasn't aware that Spain, was a neutral country during the First World War, so communications were never shut down there.   They were able to send constant news stories around the world about the progress of the War in Europe, and also updates on the flu epidemic amongst the military,  plus in the civilian population in all the European countries.  The flu began to  be called the Spanish Lady, as it moved quickly across Europe, and finally was just  dubbed The Spanish Flu.  It didn't start in Spain, and Spain's number of cases and deaths were no different or higher than in other countries . . . but Spain was the main source of information, so the name stuck. 

MarsGal

Interesting, Marilyne. I knew Spain was officially neutral in WWI, but I didn't know how the flue got its name.

MarsGal

Morning everyreader!

I've finished The Spy Coast and am looking forward to the next book when it comes out. It is about a small community of retired spies who are living in a coastal town in Maine. Old business crops up and they are back into the thick of things.

My newest read is Daughter of Earth and fire: A Biography of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley by Noel Gerson. Meanwhile, I have also been pecking away again at William Dalrymple's The Anarchy.... I don't know why I keep putting it down for other reads because it is interesting history to me. Well, I do seem to be off SciFi reads for a while. Haven't listened to The Far Pavilions for a week, so I hope to get back to that again sometime this week.

Marilyne


Mars -  You've sparked my interest in "The Spy Coast".  When you said  - "the next book when it comes out is about  a small community of retired spies who are living in a coastal town in Maine."
A retired community of spies, made me smile.  I haven't read anything by Tess Garritsen, but I  read a little about her online, and her books sound good.  I'll see if it's available at my library.