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Book Discussion Board

Welcome
to the Shamrocks & Stones Book Discussion Board.
We will have guided discussions of selected books.

Please post with respect.
Literary critique is acceptable; bashing of authors and board members is not

"Choose an author as you choose a friend." A. Helps 1813-1879

Lymond's Chess Board S&S Pub S&S Bairns Bookshelf Shamrocks & Stones Website

Crow Lake discussion starts
November 8th

Crow Lake Discussion - Day 1 -- Lil, 21:52:27 11/07/09 Sat [1]

River on the Gaspe Peninsula

Setting and Location –

Crow Lake is a book set in the wild terrain of northern Ontario, Canada. Let’s talk about a few things related to the setting and location of the story and its impact.

1) Is there an advantage or disadvantage to placing this story in a fictional town rather than one of the many small, northern lake-side towns in Ontario?

2) Matt & Kate, lying on their bellies, staring along the shoreline and into the creature-filled water of the ponds has left an indelible image on Kate’s mind; strong even after 20 years. Is there any incident or place that has painted an unforgettable picture for you?

3) What do the ponds symbolize in this book? What do they represent to Kate and Matt especially?

(Thanks to Denise for contributing to some of today’s questions!)

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-- celtgirl (), 10:19:56 11/03/09 Tue [20]
I think I have a crush on Thomas Cromwell, not words I thought I'd ever be saying in my lifetime, but there you have it- I do. I had one of those sleepless nights last night and as 'Wolf Hall' was at the top of the deck, I got reading and reading and reading and then it was 6 AM.

I think this book is brilliant, and the prose is wonderful-the descriptions aren't full, but what there is is beautiful and makes me stop, go back and re-read to really savour them.

Hilary Mantel fully deserved her Booker win- I've only read a couple of the other entrants, but this book is in a league of its own.

Anyone else reading 'Wolf Hall' right now?

Last edited by author: Tue November 03, 2009 10:21:58 Edited 1 time.

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Replies:
- Still waiting.... >:-( (NT) -- Sallie, 18:04:43 11/03/09 Tue
  - How the heck can it take that long, I think Amazon has started using Canada Post's little blind mule for deliveries. (NT) -- celtgirl, 18:35:01 11/03/09 Tue
- Well, dang, I was hoping I could wait on this one...but maybe not! Maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list...I went on a book spending spree this week (one for DH the other three for me! *g*). I'm going to have to go write down all the recent suggestions and add them to my TBR on Goodreads.com. (NT) -- Lil, 18:39:50 11/03/09 Tue
- That's quite an endorsement, Cindy! Something tells me I absolutely *should* read this book. I'm scared it will change my opinion of Thomas More (okay, I know he wasn't as wonderful as the guy in 'Man For All Seasons' but old Catholic memories die hard) and am not sure I event want to be persuaded to think differently about Oliver Cromwell! =) I belong to an online book club that reads only Man Booker prize-winners, and am guessing this will be on the reading list soon; will probably wait until then, only because the TBR pile is practically overflowing! Clearly this must be quite a book to receive such a positive report from cg. (NT) -- E, 06:30:34 11/04/09 Wed
  - Yes, her portrayal of More, may make you wince somewhat, E. (NT) -- celtgirl, 07:46:13 11/04/09 Wed
- I've started it as well, Cindy, and will admit that it took me a bit to get into it but now that my ear is attuned I'm loving it. She is able to cover so much emotional ground with very few words and her portrayal of Wolsely, Anne, King Henry and Cromwell are from truly unique perspectives, I've read a LOT of fiction with these characters and can honestly say I'm seeing them in a light I haven't before now. At least you're not being forced to admire Oliver Cromwell :) (NT) -- Carla, 06:30:59 11/04/09 Wed
  - I really couldn't go there- admiring Oliver Cromwell is not something I could ever do. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:00:26 11/04/09 Wed
    - (Oops, looks like I got my Cromwells confused.) (NT) -- E, 08:23:30 11/04/09 Wed
      - There does seem to be a profusion of Cromwells :) (NT) -- Carla, 10:13:06 11/04/09 Wed
        
        They were distantly related somehow, I think I heard that while listening to an interview with Hilary Mantel. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:27:58 11/04/09 Wed
        
        I Googled it and apparently Oliver is Thomas' great-great-grandnephew through Thomas' sister Catherine. (NT) -- Carla, 16:57:45 11/04/09 Wed
- What page are you at, Cindy? (NT) -- Carla, 16:59:16 11/04/09 Wed
  - Pretty much smack in the middle- page 325. How about you? (NT) -- celtgirl, 17:21:29 11/04/09 Wed
    - Page 225. Life and a sluggish brain keep getting in the way. Come inside for a comment >>> -- Carla, 18:14:41 11/04/09 Wed
      - I know>>>> -- celtgirl, 18:30:33 11/04/09 Wed
        
        So funny >>> -- Carla, 20:03:38 11/04/09 Wed
- IT FINALLY ARRIVED!!! I can't wait to get started. :-) (NT) -- Sallie, 08:41:44 11/05/09 Thu
  - Oh good!!! I still wonder what sort of round the continent tour it went on these last several days though. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:45:02 11/05/09 Thu
  - Excellent! You will LOVE it, Sallie. (NT) -- Carla, 19:03:11 11/05/09 Thu
Because none of us have enough books on our TBR shelf, here's another one that looks very interesting. It's up for three of Canada's most prestigious literary prizes: The Governor General's Award, The Giller Prize and Rogers Writer's Trust Prize. -- Carla, 18:34:50 10/31/09 Sat [8]
"The Golden Mean" by Annabel Lyon

What would it have been like to sit at the feet of the legendary philosopher Aristotle? Even more intriguing, what would it have been like to witness Aristotle instructing the most famous of his pupils, the young Alexander the Great?

In her first novel, acclaimed fiction writer Annabel Lyon boldly imagines one of history’s most intriguing relationships and the war at its heart between ideas and action as a way of knowing the world.

As The Golden Mean opens, Aristotle is forced to postpone his dream of succeeding Plato as the leader of the Academy in Athens when Philip of Macedon asks him to stay on in his capital city of Pella to tutor his precocious son, Alexander. At first the philosopher is appalled to be stuck in the brutal backwater of his childhood, but he is soon drawn to the boy’s intellectual potential and his capacity for surprise. What he does not know is whether his ideas are any match for the warrior culture that is Alexander’s birthright.

But he feels that teaching this startling, charming, sometimes horrifying boy is a desperate necessity. And that what the boy — thrown before his time onto his father’s battlefields — needs most is to learn the golden mean, that elusive balance between extremes that Aristotle hopes will mitigate the boy’s will to conquer.

Also at stake are his own ambitions, as he plays a cat-and-mouse game of power and influence with Philip, a boyhood friend who now controls his fate.

Exploring a fabled time and place, Annabel Lyon tells her story, breathtakingly, in the earthy, frank, and perceptive voice of Aristotle himself. With sensual and muscular prose, she explores how Aristotle’s genius touched the boy who would conquer the known world. And she reveals how we still live with the ghosts of both men.

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Replies:
- It looks really good, it's that last line that gets me- 'how we still live with the ghosts of both men.' (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:42:44 11/01/09 Sun
- Oh, see this is why I need a kindle....all these book recommendations that sound so good but I just don't have the space for lots of books. My bookshelf is full and no room for another one! Thanks for sharing Carla, This looks very interesting. (NT) -- Lil, 12:22:39 11/01/09 Sun
- That does sound good. Why won't anyone pay me to stay home and read? All this working is interferring with my reading!!!!! (NT) -- PeggyB, 19:34:05 11/01/09 Sun
  - Not to mention cooking, laundry and ferrying the kids around! (NT) -- Carla, 05:21:29 11/02/09 Mon
- Ohhhh that sounds like a wonderful read. Ummmm...can I buy extra time somewhere/ :) (NT) -- Tracy, 06:40:57 11/02/09 Mon
  - None of us can until after the holidays! (NT) -- PeggyB, 08:02:37 11/02/09 Mon
- It looks fascinating (especially the cover!). (NT) -- E, 06:31:40 11/04/09 Wed
Books & Technology -- Lil, 19:50:47 10/28/09 Wed [11]

Barnes & Noble has recently introduced its competition for the Kindle. It's called the Nook and its got some great features. Color screen, 2 week book lending, free book trials, PC and iPhone readers and some gorgeous covers designed by Kate Spade.

Although its getting rave reviews, people in the business world fear that the Nook will be the end of Barnes and Noble and not do what the Kindle did for Amazon, which was expand their business. The premise is that B&N are already struggling to keep their brick and mortar stores open and an e-reader will start to close the doors to stores.

Bookstores have evolved over time - small individually owned stores taken over by the B&N type super stores now being taken over by online ordering and ebooks.

I personally am considering an e-reader like a Kindle or a Nook. Do you have one? Do you want one? If you have one now or want one, would you still purchase "real" books?What do you think about the evolution of bookstores and their connection to this new technology?

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Did you know? -- Lil, 21:26:21 10/18/09 Sun [27]

That October is National Reading Group Month! National Reading Group Month is an initiative of the Women's National Book Association (WNBA).

"National Reading Group Month salutes reading groups. It fosters their growth and promotes the love of literature. It's an opportunity for reading groups to reflect on their accomplishments and plan for the future — the perfect time to join or start a group." - http://www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org/

The organization even puts together a list of recommended books for groups. Their list this year is:

2009 Selections

Appassionata by Eva Hoffman
The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James
The House on Fortune Street by Margot Livesey
Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal by Julie Metz
While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
Cost by Roxana Robinson
Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie

(Of the list the first that really jumped out at me was The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte.)

I wanted to share this to raise awareness. And to recognize each of you for promoting literature. So Happy National Reading Group Month to all Shammies! *g*

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Replies:
- Ha!! Well Happy National Reading Group Month to you, too!! I'll have to check out those books. (NT) -- Noelle, 09:04:02 10/19/09 Mon
- Have to admit that 'The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte' were the first thing that leaped out at me too, Nalana. (NT) -- celtgirl, 09:10:42 10/19/09 Mon
  - I hope they have it at the library. I was a bit overzealous with my book purchases this weekend. :-) (NT) -- Sallie, 10:36:42 10/19/09 Mon
    - I apologize for my 'book pushing' Sallie, I just knew you had to read 'Wolf Hall' and felt it had to be NOW. I abjure any responsibility for additional purchases though. :) (NT) -- celtgirl (), 10:53:28 10/19/09 Mon
      - I can hardly wait to read it, Cindy! I hope Amazon ships quickly (though I imagine they are a bit bogged down by my myriad weekend orders). (NT) -- Sallie, 11:56:57 10/19/09 Mon
        
        Mine should arrive in the next day or so- I hope I haven't raised my own expectations too high, because I haven't been this excited about a book in awhile. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:23:32 10/19/09 Mon
  - I was just checking amazon today for the Charlotte Bronte book and came upon another book by the same author which looks like a must have, too, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James. It got good reviews on amazon, as well. (NT) -- Noelle, 14:52:51 10/20/09 Tue
    - Noelle, you're not helping my addiction issues. ;-) (NT) -- Sallie, 15:11:24 10/20/09 Tue
      - I think you infected me with your addiction, Sallie. I just requested 'The Little Stranger' from the library, it looks like a great atmospheric read for this time of year. (NT) -- celtgirl, 15:19:20 10/20/09 Tue
        
        I enjoyed that one, find Sarah Waters writing to be very good. (NT) -- Elaine, 10:08:47 10/26/09 Mon
- Ooo, I too was attracted by the Bronte diaries one. Anyone here read it? Summary inside >>>>>>>> -- PeggyB, 09:14:05 10/19/09 Mon
  - Oh dear. I think I may have to have this book, along with Wolf Hall. (NT) -- Carla, 14:04:03 10/20/09 Tue
    - Yes, you need 'Wolf Hall'. Get thee to the bookstore woman, and then we can talk about it. (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:51:55 10/20/09 Tue
      - Okay, you book pushers should be happy now, I've just bought "Wolf Hall," "The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte" and "The Other Queen" by Phillipa Gregory just for good measure. At least I got "Crow Lake" from the library :) (NT) -- Carla -- the book addict, 10:18:17 10/21/09 Wed
        
        My work is done, I may rest now. :) Got my copy of 'Wolf Hall' today too. (NT) -- celtgirl, 10:31:49 10/21/09 Wed
        I don't think they've even shipped mine yet. (But thankfully, my North & South DVD is on its way.) :-) (NT) -- Sallie, 12:45:02 10/21/09 Wed
        
        I did notice the release date was different in the US, whereas it's been out in Canada for a little bit now. I have to finish 'The Little Stranger' before I dive in anyway, so I can wait a few days for you. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:49:13 10/21/09 Wed
- Thanks, Nalana. I will be sure to pass the info on to my "real life" book club members. We're doing "Nine Parts of Desire" by Geraldine Brooks, this month. Before she wrote fiction, Ms. Brooks was a foreign correspondent based in the Middle East. The book looks at Arabic and Muslim attitudes towards women and sexuality and how, in many cases, so-called "Muslim" beliefs, attitudes and laws dealing with women come from much older tribal and cultural practices and actually have nothing to do with Islam. (NT) -- Carla, 14:06:36 10/20/09 Tue
  - That's one I'd like to read, too, Carla. Hope I can get Crow Lake finished before Nov. 8. (NT) -- Elaine, 10:07:46 10/26/09 Mon
- Bought 'Out Stealing Horses' some time back, but haven't started it. Must make an effort. (NT) -- E, 08:07:16 10/29/09 Thu
- The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë -- Syrie James, 12:15:45 10/29/09 Thu
  - Syrie, it's wonderful to see you here! I just picked up "The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë" and look forward to getting started. "Jane Eyre" is one of my favorite novels, so it will be interesting to see what experiences in Charlotte's life appear in that novel. (NT) -- Sallie, 13:36:15 10/29/09 Thu
  - Syrie, thank you for stopping by!! I will definitely come by your website once I have the book in hand. (NT) -- Lil, 20:04:34 10/29/09 Thu
  - Oh, how nice of you to pop in and post, Syrie!! I look forward to reading "The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte". I'll be sure to check out your website. Stop by any time!! (NT) -- Noelle, 21:05:30 10/29/09 Thu
  - What a pleasant surprise ~ I recently ordered 'Secret Diaries' and am now headed to your website. Thanks for dropping by! (NT) -- Elaine, 08:07:02 10/31/09 Sat
  - Lovely to "meet" you Syrie. I have ordered the book and will pop by your website. Thanks for visiting us here at Shamrocks and Stones. (NT) -- Tracy, 17:21:04 11/06/09 Fri
Irish Wedding Blessing -- Sharon Thomas, 20:20:59 10/17/09 Sat [3]
Hello,
I am the artist and calligrapher of the Irish Wedding Blessing you have posted on your site. Would you please credit me along with a link to my website, www.heartstringsdesigns.com?
Thank you....If not, please remove it from your site. But I do hope you decide to credit me and then you'll be welcome to leave it posted! Thank you!
Sharon Thomas
Heartstrings Calligraphy and Design

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Replies:
- Welcome, Sharon. I've added your site info below in the appropriate thread. Lovely site you have! (NT) -- PeggyB, 23:42:01 10/17/09 Sat
- Sharon, many apologies for not including the link to your site. It was an unintentional error and I will be more careful in the future. Thank you to Peggy for fixing the mistake. (NT) -- Lil, 08:47:12 10/18/09 Sun
-- Carla, 16:11:44 10/17/09 Sat [4]
I just finished "The Secret Scripture" by Sebastian Barry and it's an amazing book dealing with the nature of memory, grief, forgiveness and redemption. Set in Ireland both in the past -- between the 1930s and 1950s -- and the present, it takes the form of two journals or scriptures, one written by Roseanne Clear, a woman who has been entombed in a mental hospital for almost 70 years, and the other by the chief psychiatrist of the hospital who is trying to find out how and why Roseanne came there in the first place. Their writings come together in the end in a completely unexpected manner.

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Replies:
- I am going to have to look this one up at my library, Carla, a few people have recommended it to me now. Speaking of the Booker Prize, I just ordered 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel, which was this year's winner. Can't wait to get my hands on it, as it's about the court of Henry VIIIth from the POV of Thomas Cromwell. (NT) -- celtgirl, 17:14:43 10/17/09 Sat
  - That looks very good, Cindy, I have to say I was sorely tempted myself. Let me know how it is. (NT) -- Carla, 17:16:59 10/18/09 Sun
- Carla, between you, Cindy and Sallie, I may never have to pick my own books again!! You all have the best recommendations. :-) Thanks for sharing this. (NT) -- Lil, 11:55:59 10/18/09 Sun
Required Reading -- PeggyB, 09:12:24 10/17/09 Sat [4]
Prompted by celtgirl's mention of "Alice" in the Pub

I have a mental checklist of books that I feel I really must read. I'm sure I'm not alone in this, and curious what books other Shammies consider "must reads."

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Replies:
Crow Lake delayed .......... -- PeggyB, 01:15:41 10/15/09 Thu [12]
We've officially pushed back the discussion of Crow Lake until November 8. It will be a quick, one week discussion.

In the meantime, feel free to discuss books in general.

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Replies:
The Next Few Months Around the BDB.... -- Lil, 09:19:14 10/11/09 Sun [10]
Hello all!

I think the cobwebs are finally starting clear and I'm really here in the U.S. again. *g* I have been brainstorming about the BDB and what we can do over the next few months to keep things going without interfering too much with the holiday's and all the activities, planning and commitments that go along with them.

My goals are to keep activity going here, get more ideas about books to read for next year, have some fun and maybe even discuss a book or two.

I would first like to start off with getting a headcount of those who have a copy of Crow Lake and who had planned on participating in the discussion. Have you read it? Do you have a copy TBR? If we have enough people I have a plan to do a mini-discussion over a week's time. No work on anyone's part except for coming by each day to discuss the questions posted. It won't be in chapter order though so you'll need to read the whole thing by the discussion's start (dates to be determined).

Anyway, I just wanted to drop a note to all. I believe, and I know others feel the same, that this book discussion board is an important part of S&S and I'd like to see it continue to be an active part of the happenings around here.

Thanks for reading my public service announcement! *g* And I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

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Replies:
Crow Lake Book Discussion -- Lil, 22:46:17 10/06/09 Tue [13]

Well look at me I'm so organized I already had the dates pulled together! Woohoo! *g*

So for those of you interested in being a part of, and hopefully taking a section of the discussion to lead, here's the schedule:

Crow Lake

Oct 18 - 24 Prologue – Chapter 6 (Denise)
Oct 24 - 31 Chapters 7 – 12
Nov 1 - 7 Chapters 13 – 18
Nov 8 - 14 Chapters 19 – 24

As you can see Denise, has kindly volunteered to do the first week. If anyone else is interested in leading a week's worth of discussion (or splitting with someone else), please let me know. You can post your interest/preference here.

Thanks!!

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Replies:
- I can do the 2nd (or any) week. (NT) -- Elaine, 03:24:58 10/07/09 Wed
  - Thanks E! (NT) -- Lil, 12:45:28 10/08/09 Thu
- I'm thinking this discussion isn't going to get off the ground. What do you think? (NT) -- E, 08:21:22 10/09/09 Fri
  - Not much response, eh?? Maybe this should be postponed to a later date? I won't be here for most of the discussion so that would be one body out of the picture. Perhaps sometime next year would bring more interested persons to the discussion? (NT) -- Denise, 11:54:57 10/09/09 Fri
    - I won't be participating in any book discussions for a bit, simply because I need to focus on finishing my own book here and a book discussion is just a way for me to distract myself, which I'm already very good at. Sorry I can't participate, though. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:15:49 10/09/09 Fri
    - We're all terribly busy these days. Perhaps it's for the best. (NT) -- E, 13:02:04 10/09/09 Fri
- I'm fine with whatever - honestly I'm very busy. So unless someone's dying to discuss this I think we should postpone. (NT) -- Lil, 16:27:31 10/09/09 Fri
  - This doesn't seem to be the best time for most of us. Why don't we just drop it for now. Maybe sometime early in the new year. What do you think? (NT) -- E, 17:14:39 10/09/09 Fri
    - I'm swamped with reading material right now. I'm going to Surrey in a couple of weeks, and feel I MUST have Echo finished before that. Sorry. Maybe November???? (NT) -- PeggyB, 08:34:01 10/10/09 Sat
- Hi Nalana! Sorry, I forgot to check the board this week. I don't mind helping out but would like to take later chapters as I haven't started to read it yet. I now see that it may be postponed, so I'll go with the majority I guess. (NT) -- Tracy, 17:01:26 10/09/09 Fri
  - Thanks Tracy! I appreciate you volunteering. It looks like its a bad time so the board will probably be in limbo until after the holidays. No worries, though, I'll be hitting you up to help out in the new year! *BG* (NT) -- Lil, 19:28:22 10/09/09 Fri
    - Sure! I'd love to help out. Let me know whatever you need help with girl. Thanks so much for organizing the discussions and the great amount of time and energy involved I appreciate it. (NT) -- Tracy, 07:29:28 10/10/09 Sat
Crow Lake -- E, 10:31:17 10/05/09 Mon [5]
Are we still planning to do this discussion? If so, I'll volunteer to do some chapter summaries.

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Replies:
Regarding An Echo in the Bone -- PeggyB, 19:22:15 09/28/09 Mon [10]

The 7th book in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series was recently released in North America. I realize that many folks on the S&S boards will be reading this book and want to discuss it. We are unlikely to have a structured discussion of this book on the S&S boards; I'm sure that such a discussion will take place on the Ladies of Lallybroch boards.

Ad hoc discussion of Echo is welcome on this board, with the following guidelines:

1. Please put spoilers "inside" your posts (as with any new release).
2. We will be having a structured discussion of Crow Lake in October/November. Please do not interrupt that discussion with posts about Echo.
3. If you need an outlet for discussing Echo when this board is otherwise occupied, Ladies of Lallybroch has a special board for Echo, CLICK HERE (note: there is no connection between S&S and LOL)

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Replies:
- I started reading it last night, had to finish up 'The Girl Who Played With Fire' first- so far I'm going slowly, but that might be mostly due to falling asleep every time I tuck in with a book. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:45:52 10/06/09 Tue
  - I know what you mean, Cindy, I thought I'd never finish Time Traveler's Wife, but finally did, now my slate is clear for Echo...but I've only read a little bit so far. Gotta step it up if I'm gonna finish before Surrey! (NT) -- PeggyB, 22:52:55 10/07/09 Wed
- I got to about page 55...already cried twice! But that's as far as I got...kept nodding off on the plane and haven't had a chance to look at it since I got home. (NT) -- Lil, 22:47:33 10/06/09 Tue
  - The beginning >>>>>>>>>>>> -- PeggyB, 22:54:22 10/07/09 Wed
    - No, you're not in CRS mode, I think this is the first time she's used chronological overlap in such a direct way. I'm about 200 pages in now and quite enjoying it. (NT) -- celtgirl, 07:23:52 10/08/09 Thu
- Im about 300 pages in and enjoying it too. Can only read in short bursts at present though *g* Question from p238>>> -- Sheila, 22:19:17 10/09/09 Fri
  - Sheila>>>> -- celtgirl, 07:01:27 10/10/09 Sat
  - Sheila > > > -- Lady Diane B, 12:24:07 10/10/09 Sat
- I don't know why it took me so long to get into "Echo" -- usually I have it finished within 24 hours of buying it! But I just finished it Thursday, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but did feel that the beginning was a bit slow. (NT) -- Lady Diane B, 12:22:31 10/10/09 Sat
Prompted by Sallie's facebook post ............... -- PeggyB, 19:29:09 09/12/09 Sat [4]

Sarah Dunant has written three books of historical fiction set in the Italian Renaissance. I haven't read the most recent one yet (Sacred Hearts), but greatly enjoyed the first two. Great reads if anyone's looking for a suggestion.

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Replies:
- I can second the recommendation of Sarah Dunant. I didn't know she had a new one out, but I loved the first two. (NT) -- Carla, 11:11:16 10/06/09 Tue
- I looked for these to take to Ireland, but they were sold out...that's a good sign I guess! *g* I'll have to add these to my TBR list...that thing gets longer and longer! (NT) -- Lil, 22:48:39 10/06/09 Tue
- I went looking for these yesterday at BJ's Wholesale and no dice. I'll have to order them online. (NT) -- Noelle, 18:42:46 10/07/09 Wed
Suggestions for Future Book Discussions -- Elaine (), 08:16:10 08/18/09 Tue [7]
I've happened upon two very interesting books, both of which seem ideal for deep discussion. The first one is called 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett, and it takes place during the early days of the Civil Rights Era in the 1960's. The story is told through the eyes of one white woman, and several black maids who work for white families in a Jackson, Mississippi town. Fascinating and layered.

The second one is called 'The Film Club: A Memoir' by David Gilmour. A man allows his son to leave high school early (the boy was failing) under the condition that he watch 3 films per week with his father, a movie critic, film aficionado and novelist. This book might be particularly interesting to our Canadian readers, as the author is an actual Canadian film critic and writer. While I haven't read this book yet, the description of it (from a reliable source) is very intriguing to me as a reader and as a parent.

Anyway, just throwing out some ideas for y'all to consider.

Last edited by author: Tue August 18, 2009 08:17:41 Edited 1 time.

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Replies:
- Oops, I just remembered that we try to keep our book discussions on a Celtic theme. Totally slipped my mind. Well, if nothing else, maybe you'd like to read them for your own enjoyment. (NT) -- Elaine, 08:19:18 08/18/09 Tue
- King Hereafter! It's a stand alone DD. (NT) -- FranS, 22:01:44 08/27/09 Thu
- Has anyone read the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael by Ellis Perry? I just got a copy of the first one on a friend's recommendation. It is about a crime-solving monastic set in 12th century England. (NT) -- Elaine, 04:52:40 09/04/09 Fri
- I just finished an intriguing little book, "Now and Then", by Jacqueline Sheehan, that has a theme of time travel to Ireland of 1844 from 2008. I have to admit, the book was a little ham-handed in some areas (particularly the description of time travel, which seemed to be to be a pretty rough way to go, especially if you couldn't swim!). But it was a quick read, and it's definitely airplane-worthy! Sorry I've been MIA -- now that both kids are in college and my husband has gone back to school, hopefully I'll have a little more time to play. (NT) -- Lady Diane B, 20:43:55 09/05/09 Sat
  - Hi, welcome back! (NT) -- FranS, 22:51:00 09/05/09 Sat
  - Hi there! So nice to 'see' you! (NT) -- Denise, 06:25:08 09/08/09 Tue
Irish Book Comments -- Tracy, 18:43:00 08/12/09 Wed [11]
Hey Shammies,

I am just wondering if anyone has read Michael Collins' book called A Path to Freedom or Tim Coogan's book called Michael Collins: The Man Who Made Ireland? I have a couple of gift certificates burning a whole in my pocket and would like some feedback on these books or I'll happily take recommendations for other books either about Ireland or by Irish authors.

Oh and how about an update on The Sisterhood of the Travelling Irish Book? Where has our book travelled to lately?

Thanks,
Tracy

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At the risk of being hit with rock-filled socks, I sure do hope Gabaldon's newest addition to her series will be better than the last few. I still contend the series should have ended with Voyager, when they made it safely to American soil. -- Elaine, 17:15:34 08/10/09 Mon [22]

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Spamming -- PeggyB, 20:32:44 07/07/09 Tue [4]
Ugh, this page has fallen victim to the spammers. I will see what happens over the next few days, but if the spamming continues, I will enable the captchas for those not logged on to Voy. Sorry.

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The Granny: Chapters 5 - 8 -- Lil, 13:35:08 06/22/09 Mon [11]

- Trevor continues to work on the mini-paintings for Maria. She still has no idea they are from Trevor.

- Trevor attempts to attend what he finds out later was Maria's going away party, but it turned away.

- Cathy & Mick marry in August.

- Soon after the wedding, two of the Browne boys move out - Rory (who had come out of the "wardrobe") and Simon (who moved in with his girlfriend Fiona).

- Trevor graduations with top grades and takes a job in London.

- July 1981: Agnes celebrates her 49th birthday with a few organisms. *g*

- Cathy is pregnant, but we learn her marriage to Mick is abusive and unhappy.

- Dermot and Buster conduct a little Breaking & Entering and come face to face with a lion! *g*

I had one question. At the beginning of Chapter 6 there is this statement:

"Agnes Browne's six living children were now all adults. It seems incredible that in their adulthood five of the six should still be living at home. However, this is not unusual for an Irish mother."

What does this comment insinuate about the Irish culture?

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