Hello from upstate New York

Marilyn · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:57 am Post subject: Hello from upstate New York

Hi.

Just finished reading the first one hundred pages of "Out Stealing Horses" and wished I had someone to dicuss it with. So it was off to Google to locate an online book group.

I've been thinking about joining a group for some time now. I am a sixtish female, living in real upstate New York. I am a retired high school English teacher with a variety of interests.

Completed reading Russo's "Bridge of Sighs" a few days ago--so anyone out there reading either "Bridge of Sighs" or "Out Stealing Horses"? I would love to hear from you.

Marilyn

Ophelia · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

Hello Mmorgan, and welcome! Smile

I haven't read either of the books you mention, but I 've just checked Russo's Bridge of Sighs on amazon and it certainly sounds interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Sighs-Richard-Russo/dp/0375414959/ref=sr_ 1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200068692&sr=1-1

Did you enjoy reading about ficticious Thomason, N Y, to some extent because it reminds you of the history of the place where you live?

I hope you'll soon feel comfortable around Booktalk, and I look forward to hearing from you on our forums.

Marilyn · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:47 am Post subject:

I certainly do not feel comfortable navigating around booktalk. I really don't know what I am doing.

"Bridge of Sighs" is typical Russo. I've read all of his books. His books are character driven; that is the characters meander around the landscape taking their sweet time to reveal themselves.

In answer to your question about Thomaston--yes, setting does remind me of where I grew up--small upstate town. And also, the characters remind me very much of people I knew who wandered the strets of my hometown.

Ophelia · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:01 am Post subject:

Mmorgan wrote:

jales4 · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:47 pm Post subject:

Hi Mmorgan,

You seem to be doing fine. You've already provided a few great book recommendations, so I hope you stick with it until you are comfortable with the site.

Are you interested in reading any of our upcoming fiction or non-fiction titles?

Jan.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:37 am Post subject:

Welcome to BookTalk. Smile

I lived in Canandaigua when I was around 9 years old. I believe that is in upstate New York too, but I'm not really certain.

book crazy · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

I live in Auburn, NY about an hour away from Canandaigua in the Fingerlakes region. I just joined today. I love self help personal growth books. Looking for a book club like that. Just finished Riches Within by Dr. John Demartini, and theKey by Joe Vitale.

Ophelia · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:05 am Post subject:

Hello book crazy,

I haven't read the two books you mention, or other books from about self growth, but I've just checked Riches Within at amazon.

It seems to me that the link between it and what we are doing at Booktalk is this: we choose books because of the knowledge they bring and the potential for discussion they have; for example The Lucifer Effect, by Philip Zimbardo, makes you reassess what you know (or thought you knew) about human nature and society.

A work of fiction, like Conrad's Heart of Darkness, though chosen for its literary value, leads to the examining of aspects of our history, and as the author puts it the darkness within.
So this leads, in some measure, to personal growth, as would other examples of human endeavour-- I hope.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject:

Marilyn, please feel free to ask questions if you need help navigating the site. I've tried to make the forum descriptions as clear as possible, but I might be falling short in this area. I suggest you skim the list of available forums and read the descriptions. This would be a good start. Then, just start posting and learning as you go. Over time it will all fall into place I'm sure.

Oh, and welcome to BookTalk!

Chris OConnor · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject:

I've just had the birthday module installed so you're the first person I get to say this to...

Happy Birthday Marilyn!

HBD

tarav · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

Happy Belated Birthday!
I hope you are feeling more comfortable navigating through BookTalk. It is just like anything else--the more you do it, the better you get at it. It was new to me once too(see my member intro thread title)!

Marilyn · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:34 am Post subject:

Thanks, Chris, for all the support and pep talks. I'm leaving for vacation for a week, and when I return, I plan to spend some concentrated time looking around this site--and hopefully, joining a conversation or two. I have read both the books, "Thousand Splendid Suns" and "Heart of Darkness"--but time has a way of erasing the details. Recently, I completed reading the 2007 Man Booker Prize--"The Gathering". Has anyone out there read this?? It was a good read and lends itself to a thought provoking conversation. I've just started reading "The Reserve" by Russell Banks. This, I guess, suggests I just read fiction--not true, I read lots of nonfiction also.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I was surprised and cheered.
Marilyn

Ophelia · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:35 am Post subject:

Hello Marilyn,

Lovely to hear from you again.

Have a great holiday, and then I'll be looking forward to discussions with you.

Marilyn · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: "The Reserve"

Hi again,

I'm back from vacation so thought I'd give this another whirl even though I don't really know my way around yet.

I just completed reading "The Reserve" by Russell Banks. Anyone out there read this book? I seem to read books no one else is reading and many of the books under discussion are books that I read previously. Yes, it is a bit frustrating. About "The Reserve"--I found it very annoying; it was a book I couldn't put down and yet it seemed Banks couldn't quite decide what story he wanted to tell. After I finished the last page, I picked up the current issue of The New York Review Of Book and was surpeised to discover a review of this very book. After reading the review, I could see more clearly why I found it so annoying; the review ended with the words "disappointing novel". Although I must admit, there was something about it that got me hooked and still continues to haunt me. I had previously read other Banks books, but this one was quite different.

I'm still wishing for conversation about "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Petterson. I noticed that the book will be issued in paperback at the end of April--so maybe there is hope??

The April/May Cormac M. selection "No Country For Old Men" is his only book I have not read--but I did recently see the film. Anyone else seen the film? What did you think? Perhaps, I will read the book although I usually read books prior to viewing the films.

Marilyn

Ophelia · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:08 am Post subject:

Hello Marilyn,

Occasionally a book may draw responses immediately, but the best way is to suggest it in the "Fiction Books Suggestions and Polls" thread, and follow the guidelines there on how to make a convincing case for this book.

The Reserve is the right length, why don't you suggest it?

http://www.amazon.com/Reserve-Russell-Banks/dp/0061430250/ref=sr_1_1?i e=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205308442&sr=1-1

Also, have you explored our other forums?
You may find some topics there that you'd like to discuss with us.


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