Greatest global online bookclub in town

I read the Sunday Philosopher’s Club (Isabel Dalhousie), or tried to which is more like it. I just couldn’t get any interest in the story OR the characters. I’ve often said I’m not much into the philocophical and this tale tended to go in that direction. I sent it back to booksfree.

I also got 44 Scotland Drive, which “drolly chronicles the lives of residents in an Edinburgh boarding house—is episodic, amusing and peopled with characters” ……., and I wasn’t too taken with this one either.

The other series of books of his which I tried was Portugese Irregular Verbs and the two sequels. I did read them all (I bought them with birthday money) and was not impressed with them either. “…Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld, professor of philology and author of PORTUGUESE IRREGULAR VERBS, a scholarly tome of 1200 pages, only 200 copies of which have been sold and even fewer of which (if any) have been read. (Von Igelfeld’s female dentist uses her copy as the perfect step stool for reaching patients.)” He is such an INANE character that I wondered at his stupidity and how he got to be a professor!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as I’m concerned, Precious Ramotswe is his best character.

I plan to read or listen to this book eventually but maybe the author should start writing about something else. I did read a book of his earlier writings and didn’t really like it. I could have just been me.

I read this one, too, Leah, and I agree with your statement even though I did basically enjoy the story. The books are good, the characters are really the story, IMHO. But I think he has fallen into a rut. He put far too many explanations of who the people are and those of us who have been faithful to the stories surely remember who is whom!

I don’t know what the solution is – the end of the series maybe?

Sorry, I don’t know whether this is a first novel by Roiphe. The book was loaned to me by a neighbor and I’ve since returned it.
Currently I’m reading Alexander McCall Smith’s latest, “Blue Shoes and Happiness.” They’re amusing, if you don’t read them too frequently!

I have that feeling sometimes, too, Darlyne. I know this blog is for books but we don’t hear much about that either, do we?

C’mon folks.

I hadn’t posted because I thought I was “hogging the blog”.

I walked uptown to my hair cut place yesterday and got a much needed haircut. It is close to the library so I stopped in to see if they had anything more interesting than I had. I tried for the Tender Bar and it is due the 31st and they will let me know when it comes in. They have it on tape. In the meantime I am enjoying a Picot’s novel. It is upstairs and I can’t remember the title. I am listening to a Janet Evanovich which I hadn’t read. I hadn’t read one for a while so am enjoying it. They are all pretty much the same but enjoyable in small doses.

Jan, Oh My Stars was good but got a little pollyianish, (is that a word?) toward the end. The first two of her books that I read were probably that way too but I can’t remember. I went for my walk this morning and it is a good thing because we are expecting thunder storms.

No – not the TV program…just the length of time it has been since ANYone posted.

Tsk tsk tsk!

I’ve been passing through here to see but I can’t keep silent any more; I’m surprised I keep my keyboard quiet THIS long!

Cloudy and misty today, 65° at the official temperature site (Lebanon High School), but my thermometer says 71. And it feels like it, plus being somewhat humid. I don’t need the AC yet however, which is lovely.

#1 son is coming over tomorrow afternoon/evening. His boss has a yearly bar-b-q and lives just about 1 hour from me. He has to come thru Lebanon to get there, so will stop in going and then stop and stay coming back. He’ll go home on Sunday.

I gave Abby (my dogsitter and Ebony’s favorite person) the nice cozy dogbed and I can see another nickname for her should have been ‘dirty dog.’ She loved to lie in the dirt (it’s cool, y’know) and does it show on this carpet. Abby said she’d give me back the bed if neither of her dogs would lie it; but apparently one of them is. She still has the bed. She has nice dogs so that’s fine.

I grocery shopped and have everything put away and now – it’s time for lunch. I’m ready!

I must try this author. I keep seeing little notes I have written in my three-ring binder with the titles of her books, but for some reason I haven’t checked any of them out. This one sounds good.

Thanks for the suggestion Jan. I have heard of Branson and it might be a good spot. I am sure we can find tons of information from a travel agency or on the web. I guess it will depend on how easy it is to get there. We have family in TX, WI, VA, and NJ and who knows where the grandchildren will be by that time? It is going to take some organizing.

I just finished my third Lorna Landvik book, Oh My Stars .Violet Mathers grew up in the great depression. Her Mother left and her Father mistreated her. She was so deprived of love that she had a tree that she hugged and pretended that it hugged back. She was a talented seamstress and learned to sew her own clothes, using table cloths she got from yard sales etc. On her 16th birthday she had an accident at the factory she was working at and lost her right arm. She leaves home, meets up with a couple of musicians and Violet becomes part of their quest to make a new kind of music together. One of the musicians is black. They become successful, traveling around and playing in ND and MN in small taverns and other places. They camp out at night. The story goes on, one of the musicians is shot and Violet moves in with his family as does the other parts of their band. By this time they have followers. There are problems as at this time a black is not accepted in many places. There is much more to the story –too much to go into here but I recommend this book. I am waiting to get Landvik’s Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons but it had been checked out

Sounds like a book I would enjoy, Leah. Is this a first novel?
I don’t recognize her name. Thanks for the review.

I haven’t attended one, but different friends have told me that
Branson, Missouri is a great place for a reunion like you are planning. There are cabins by a lake and a good place to fish.
Of course lots of terrific shows and most of the entertainment is appropriate for families. Restaurants with reasonable prices, buffets, etc. If you think this might be a spot you’d consider, I’ll try to get the name of the lodging facilities.
Let me know.

Thank you Phyllis; that is a lovely and comforting thought and much appreciated.

I posted yesterday in the a.m.. and then didn’t come back to this blog until just now.. only to find the sad news about Ebony. Jo, I am truly sorry and send the sympathy that such a loss deserves. All of us here feel as if we have known Ebony for a long time. Because we are the GGOBIT family, she was part of our family too. Best, Phyllis

Jenny, for heaven’s sake – you aren’t intruding by any means. Good grief already!

Leah, that book does sound intriguing, thanks for the review.

“Lovingkindness” by Anne Roiphe
Annie Johnson is an accomplished contemporary woman. Widowed early, she worked hard for herself and her child and has given her daughter a feminist upbringing. Suddenly she learns that 20 year old Andrea, no stranger to drugs, abortion and other elements of contemporary life, is in Jerusalem where she has joined an ancient rigidly religious sect and is seeking an arranged marriage.
What’s more, Michael, the young man Andrea is betrothed to, comes from a similar background: his father is a successful physician in Cleveland and his wife is also a professional. Annie travels to Jerusalem to see her daughter and evaluate the situation for herself. Here she also meets Michael’s parents, the Roses, as well as the staff of the yeshiva where Andrea is staying. Needless to say, the Roses are adamantly opposed to Michael’s actions. How all of this is resolved makes for a warm and revealing book, a real page-turner.

Hi — thanks Jo — pardon the non-book intrusion! I was just checking the blog and see this post!

We’re hoping to have a reunion over the fourth of July weekend in 2007. We have family all over so the location is not going to be perfect no matter where we go — although probably easier if it’s midwest or East. So if there is a good spot we’d consider anywhere.

The perfect spot is a big retreat house with at least 10 bedrooms, with at least some with their own bathrooms, and a shared livingroom and dining room with dinner and breakfast provided. We have had reunions at a place like this in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, but it was a church retreat center and we don’t have access to it any more. It was not fancy at all but it was super great having the meals prepared. I would love to have a place like this on a lake in a mountain. Needless to say, we haven’t been able to find anything even remotely like this, so we’re open to anything.

Jenny (Darlyne’s daughter)

Where is the reunion? You write to Jenny but ask if any of us – are you meaning Georgia somewhere? I may be a bit dense this morning.

I s what I mean, although weeding in December might be interesting. I have to be more careful about the title of these posts.

Jenny, the blog master has asked me to ask if any of you know of a place for a good family reunion? It would be good to be not too far from an airport and we are looking for something that would keep the young adult grandchildren interested. We could do cabins but would like a restaurant close by or any resort type place. Even some camping facilities near by would be nice. I think some of you have had reunions like that over the years I have communicated with this book group and would appreciate any suggestions. She is starting to plan for next summer around the 4th when people can probably get off summer jobs etc.

Thanks.

I took that book with me on the plane but didn’t get very far. I think I am on page 77 and will probably finish it but you are right Jan, I have read better books by this author.

Jacky, Please say Happy Birthday to Joanne from me.

I am finally about 2/3 of the way through this book. I think
the last time I mentioned it I was about ready to quit reading it.
I hung in there and find it has been worthwhile, though not
one of my very favorites. I find it disconcerting that one of the characters attending this reunion/wedding is an author and
all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of a totally different story (the one she is currently writing). Then just as suddenly out of it and back to the current story. It is kind of a gimmick, I guess, but not one that I feel is an asset. Not as good as most of Anita Shreve’s books.

I almost feel as if I knew Ebony from reading about her in your posts over the years, and am so sad for you, Jo. No doubt you will get another pet, but there is no such thing as “replacing” Ebony.

Yes, I knew Joanne Mondry, Jacky, and I know she was one of Darlyne’s best friends. Tell her hello from me and Happy Birthday if she remembers me. Indeed you are a very good public speaker – I remember I was impressed at the last H.S. reunion I attended, although I didn’t really know you then.

It is good to hear from you, Jenny. I hope others who were in our AOL book group will eventually find their way over here.
I keep GGOBIT in my favorite places and come to this spot after I read my e-mail.

I know what a large vacuum the loss of a pet/friend leaves. Our girls had two Siamese, the first one for 13 years and the second almost as long. I missed their greeting as I unlocked the kitchen door for many months after they were gone. Animals have such unconditional love.

I will find a PD James, also the Tender Bar, but our two distant daughters and families are coming for Memorial weekend, I enjoy the visits very much but it surely cuts into reading time. Wed a group of friends are taking our long time high school English teacher to a lake restaurant for her 76th birthday. She taught all of our kids in Jr High here in Oslo, and was a wonderful teacher. Her bd was in April but we were under water at the time. Darlyne and Jan know Joanne Mondry.

Yesterday I gave a report in church on our being delegates at our yearly assembly. I enjoy public speaking, since taking the first section of Toastmasters. This international club helped me overcome my fear of being in front of a group, and helped with organizing and writing thoughts.

Again, my sympathy, Jo.

Jacky

so sorry about ebony, its always hard to lose a pet. i also feel sorry about the pains poor BARBARO has to suffer. Ebony was agood companion to you, JO and it took a lot of courage to do what you done
i thank you nice ladies for letting me know that i was missed and i will write more often now.