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Post by rumantic on Aug 26, 2011 23:54:52 GMT
thanks kmk and meg...
now all I have to do is figure out how to create my website....*groan*
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Post by kissmekate on Sept 23, 2011 17:57:49 GMT
I'm probably the last person on this planet with an interest in English literature to discover that "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a truly wonderful book. I devoured it over the last weekend and loved it so much. It's so beautifully written - it's amazing how Lee manages to put herself into the head of a young girl - and the subject matter of racism, prejudice and equality is still relevant today, even if the book is set in the 1930s. I loved Scout and Jem, the two kids at the heart of the novel, and I loved their father, Atticus Finch, even more. What a man. Now I'm curious to watch the movie with Gregory Peck, I hope my copy will arrive by tomorrow. (By the way, Meg, one of the next books I'll read will be "My Antonia"  ) |
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Post by megagem on Sept 24, 2011 23:32:30 GMT
I'm so excited that you've discovered To Kill a Mockingbird. It really is one of the best books ever written. I ended up loving so many of the characters: Atticus, Tom Robinson, Scout, Jem, Dill (who says a line that always makes me laugh in the movie: "my lord Aunt Stephanie! You just about gave me a heart attack!"), and Boo Radley of course. I even ended up liking Ms. Dubose a little bit! LOL! I know you'll enjoy the movie. It's so good! Gregory Peck is  as Atticus. Lovely, lovely, gorgeous, wonderful man. I'm so excited to hear what you think about "My Antonia"!  |
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Post by rumantic on Sept 25, 2011 4:25:09 GMT
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all time favs....and I will watch the movie any time it comes on. (I personally like a very very very young Robert Duvall as Boo).
Did you know that Harper Lee was childhood friends with Truman Capote?
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Post by kissmekate on Sept 25, 2011 8:24:46 GMT
It's a perfect novel down to the little things like the characterisations of the townspeople - the gossips, the bigots, the eccentric old ladies -, the games Scout and Jem play, the little scenes between the kids and their father (the last one with Scout and Atticus was just so beautiful  ). I also adored Atticus's way of teaching his kids some lessons for life, letting them think for themselves and make their own experiences. The courtroom scenes are breathtaking, as is the finale. The writing is rather quiet and subtle, not in-your-face dramatic, and all the more impressive for it. Mrs. Dubose may have been a cranky old lady, but I have the highest respect for the decision she made when she knew the end would come soon (I think those who have read the book know what I mean). Did you know that Harper Lee was childhood friends with Truman Capote? I read that on Wikipedia. Supposedly she modelled Dill on him a bit (funnily I had imagined him to look a little like Capote even before I knew that). The DVD arrived yesterday, and I'm very excited to watch it soon. Gregory Peck does look stunning on the cover |
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Post by joyceinva on Sept 25, 2011 17:37:58 GMT
Recently I've been re-reading Jane Haddam's mystery series. If you haven't read any of her stuff, I highly recommend them. Her books are very character driven and she has a good eye for the absurities of our culture.
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Post by rumantic on Sept 25, 2011 17:47:18 GMT
I'm almost done with A Dance With Dragons, so I'm on the lookout for something new! Thanks for the suggestion!
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Post by kissmekate on Sept 26, 2011 7:44:04 GMT
Oh, ladies, could you PLEASE stop recommending books ;D I had never heard of those, Joyce, but they sound promising. |
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Post by kissmekate on Sept 28, 2011 12:21:16 GMT
'specially @meg: I'm halfway through "My Antonia" now and I'm enjoying it a lot. It's a quiet kind of book, but beautifully written. I love the way the author describes nature, the seasons and the hard life on the prairies.
My favourite scenes so far were those about Antonia's father, particularly the last one (what a lovely man - but I think it was the wrong decision for him to go to Nebraska), and the blind piano player.
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Post by francesca on Sept 28, 2011 19:19:34 GMT
I am listening to' the Spy Who Loved Me' at the moment.
The only Bond book told from the perspective of the woman he meets, it is read by Samantha Bond
When I listened to Rufus reading the other books , I did not see him as Bond, but with Samantha reading this, I see Rufus all the time.
Anybody else find the same. or was I just being 'blinded' by his voice.
And I can't get Carly Simon's song out of my head, especially the bit "Nobody does it better"
We all know who that refers to.
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Post by rumantic on Oct 2, 2011 21:31:40 GMT
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Post by megagem on Oct 4, 2011 12:05:08 GMT
White Bear: I'm so excited to hear about what you thought of the whole thing! Did you ever get a chance to get "O Pioneers"? That one ended up being my favourite of the two. rumantic: YAY!!!!!!!!!!  Oh my gosh, I am SO excited for you! Now I'm going to have to find myself a Kindle. Did you ever get the website set up, or are you working on it? Actually, speaking of Kindles, how do they differ from Nooks, and which is the better of the two? I keep hearing good and bad about both so I'm unsure.
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Post by kissmekate on Oct 4, 2011 12:09:30 GMT
rumantic:  , this must feel sooo exciting! I haven't got an e-book reader, though ... maybe I should think again after all  @meg: I actually wrote a review for my literary message board - I can try my hand at a translation if you're interested. I haven't obtained another of Cather's works yet, but I'm sure I will follow up on her books soon. I like her quiet style of writing that conjures so much feeling with so few words. By the way, do any of you bookworms know and use Goodreads? I didn't think much of virtual bookshelves before, but it's quite a nice way to keep track of your own library, plus you can discuss books, post reviews, add your favourite quotes and play little quizzes. And it's international. Nice way of wasting time ;D
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Post by anglophile on Oct 4, 2011 16:19:46 GMT
[quote It also had chapters on several "natural wonders" like Natural Bridge and Luray Caverns, both fairly close to where I live. I'm ashamed to say I've never been to the former and I've only been once to the latter but this book has inspired me to make a trip to both once the weather warms up. [/quote] i'm reading the origins of some threads and finding things of interest. don't know if ambra is still online, but i was interested in the reference to the natural bridge. if you are still there, ambra, or if someone else who knows something about this site is around, please pm me. thanks, anglophile |
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Post by rueful on Oct 4, 2011 18:02:13 GMT
Congratulations, rumantic! You have every right to feel very proud!!! I hope your sales go very, very well!
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)
as Atticus. Lovely, lovely, gorgeous, wonderful man.
). I also adored Atticus's way of teaching his kids some lessons for life, letting them think for themselves and make their own experiences.
