Julie -2012 Book List

[julie]

Hi there Kat

Yes, I remember reading about the Tour in several books back in the day when the boys got to do such a thing. I think the girls got to stay home and embroider pillowcases or some such thing so they'd be better marriage material .

I'm certainly glad things have changed on that level . I suppose now a girl can do pretty much anything she wants ,with no pressure to get married or conform to the standards of being married at a decent age ,or being considered "past prime" or some such hokey idea .

Thanks for stopping by .

[pontalba]

Hey Julie, meant to say, I have a book about clutter around here somewhere...lol People that live in glass houses can't throw stones. However, part of it is about the Collyer Brothers.. Wowee. Talk about a waste. Did you know one of them died under a mass of junk that fell on him? ewwwww. Poor fellow. You know, I wonder about mental illness with those guys. Has to be some in there. How could no one step in and interfere in some way?? Boggles the mind.

 

 

Hah, lol, girls stay home and become marriage material. Good thing marriage doesn't depend on sewing, I'd never have married. Can't sew a button on, to tell the truth. hee hee

 

I'd have been an Old Maid for sure back in the day. :D

[julie]

Hi Kat

Yea, I think the brothers had some form of mental illness. I'm not very well schooled on all the different ones,but they must have had possibly Agorophobia to some extent. The one stayed in constantly as he grew older,but he was going blind and unable to navigate alone . The other went out,but only at night .Both seemed to be fairly normal in their younger years,but as time went on, they both developed these odd quirks. Yes, they were definitely hoarders to the extreme, They had tons of junk removed from the house when the authorities finally got in there to extract them. Yes, one did have a heap of junk fall on him and crush him . I'm the exact opposite of a hoarder,whatever that is called. I hate clutter and usually tosss out something each week to keep the clutter down .

I'm with you, if my sewing skills would have caught me a man, I'd still be looking for one .

I bought a sewing machine when I was young,but had no patience with it . And if our shirts need buttons, I'd rather throw them away than sew a button on .

[julie]

Wildflower: An Extraordinary Life and Untimely Death in Africa by Mark Seal

 

This book was an interesting story set in Kenya ,and told the tale of Joan and Alan Root, who met and married very quickly . They both loved Kenya and all the wildlife there . They had a good head for business,and also were very strong believers in keeping Africa the way it was as long as possible . They started a business,having safari groups come over ,and they took them to the areas where the animals lived to take photos of them ,instead of allowing them to hunt and kill them .

They also began filming the different animals from their natural habitats,. They filmed from the ground, then by plane, and eventually by hot air balloon. They had a lot of adventures, but also many mishaps along their travels, several times endagering themselves to fillm the animals and teach the rest of the world more about them .

They became celebrities of a sort,and began meeting famous people . They were the ones who took Diane Fossey to the area where the gorillas lived so she could begin working with them. They were also friends with the people who were in the "Born-Free story " ,,about the lions.

Their films became popular and were shown around the world, one even winning an award in Hollywood .

They led charmed lives for many years ,then things started to unravel,and it all ended up in a great tragedy.

I'll leave it at that, rather than giving away any more of the story.

This book shows how a place can be so beautiful,but yet it can also have an ugly side of greed ,hate ,and even murder . 4 /5

Edited August 4, 2012 by julie

[chaliepud]

That's a great review Julie, I think that one will be hoping on my wish list!

 

How are you doing now?

[julie]

Thanks Chalie

I think I need to reword it a bit . It sounds a little disjointed on my second reading ,so will try to go in and make it sound a little better .

I'm starting to get some of my steam back,slowly. I get frustrated that it's taking so long,but the docs said it'd be 4-6 months til I felt back to normal .

Thanks for dropping in . How are you doing ?

[poppyshake]

I think the girls got to stay home and embroider pillowcases or some such thing so they'd be better marriage material .

I'm certainly glad things have changed on that level.

... and yet here I am Julie embroidering pillowcases etc and scrubbing pots I can't claim to be doing it whilst my husband is taking the grand tour though .. unless they're showing him around the factory again

Hope you're feeling a lot better .. I know it's frustrating (and really .. you have met someone more impatient just not in the flesh ) but try not to rush things because your body needs repair time.

 

Great review of Wildflower .. I feel I've read about them before somewhere but can't think where.

[chaliepud]

Thanks Chalie

I think I need to reword it a bit . It sounds a little disjointed on my second reading ,so will try to go in and make it sound a little better .

I'm starting to get some of my steam back,slowly. I get frustrated that it's taking so long,but the docs said it'd be 4-6 months til I felt back to normal .

Thanks for dropping in . How are you doing ?

 

Glad to hear you're on the up Julie, it's great that you're improving, albeit slowly.. I'm well thank you, school holidays and Steve came home yesterday so busy busy busy, We go on our hols next Thursday so reeeeeaaaaallly looking forward to that..

[julie]

Hey Poppy

Nothing wrong with embroidery. I was just trying to make a scenario of how things used to be -- the young guys would be off on a grand adventure,while the young ladies stayed at home,trying to make themselves into good "wife material" . I'm not saying doing that is bad, it just seems a bit unfair .They have to stay home and behave properly while the men go out "catting around" .

I'm just glad things are no longer like that. Not a very fair system at all, do you think ?

 

 

 

Chalie

Are your kids just now getting out of school for summer break ? How long do they get off ? Our school kids here got out the 3rd week of May and go back the 3rd week of August .

Are you guys gonna get to take a vacation someplace or spend some family time at home together ?

Either way I hope you enjoy every minute of it !

[chaliepud]

Chalie

Are your kids just now getting out of school for summer break ? How long do they get off ? Our school kids here got out the 3rd week of May and go back the 3rd week of August .

Are you guys gonna get to take a vacation someplace or spend some family time at home together ?

Either way I hope you enjoy every minute of it !

 

They finished school on the 20th July so we've had about 2 weeks already, visiting friends and local theme parks and so on.. They go back to school on the 5th Sept so our hols are definitely shorter than yours, thankfully!! On Thursday we go to Barcelona for a couple of days and then board a weeks cruise around the western Med, can't wait!!

[poppyshake]

Hey Poppy

Nothing wrong with embroidery. I was just trying to make a scenario of how things used to be -- the young guys would be off on a grand adventure,while the young ladies stayed at home,trying to make themselves into good "wife material" . I'm not saying doing that is bad, it just seems a bit unfair .They have to stay home and behave properly while the men go out "catting around" .

I'm just glad things are no longer like that. Not a very fair system at all, do you think ?

'catting around' :D .. what a great way to put it Julie. It must have been frustrating back then especially for women who wanted more from life. I guess there were those that just wanted to be creditably married and comfortable but there must have been lots of others that wanted to see the world and have adventures of their own. Wouldn't they be surprised to see what we get up to today?

 

Hope you have a great time chalie on your holiday

[julie]

Chalie

Yes, we do have a long summer break for the kids. They have talked about shortening it and having a longer break sometime else during the year,and also of making a longer school year with less time off ,so not sure if they will ever switch it or not .

It sounds like you have some really neat trips coming up ! Can't wait to hear all about them .

 

 

Miss Poppy

Yea, I agree. I have often wondered what people like my Grandma's age would think of the world now and of how much things have changed . She was born in 1890,so she witnessed a lot of neat things in her lifetime,but she has been gone now for about 30 years . We've had lots of new things in that time frame. Or if you'd go back to HER mom's life, wow, she would be totally amazed. She got so scared of lightning,she'd hide under her bed. Wonder how she'd handle TV's . computers, cell phones,etc ?

I'm really glad things have advanced now and ladies have every opportunity that men do. It's kinda neat that I have as many lady Docs as men Docs -- in fact, 2 of my surgeons were ladies . I'm glad we can achieve anything we want in today's world .

[pontalba]

My grandmother was born in 1890 too, and she was what was politely called "hell on wheels", cussed, did what she pleased, and didn't marry till her mid-twenties. She broke her engagement to my grandfather 4 times, at least. Guess he figured she was worth it. They were married over 60 year, till his death, so I guess it worked.

[pontalba]

*waving* sending

[julie]

HiYa Kat

 

I'm waving back,can you see me ?

 

Your Grandma sounds like she would have been a lot of fun .My Grandma didn't have any outstanding traits like that. She was just pillow-shaped like a grandma is supposed to be,and cooked really good food. That's about alll I remember of her . She was pretty traditional,and didnt do anything heroic, except raise a huge family and SURVIVE . She lived to be 93,so was made out of good stuff at least .

Edited August 7, 2012 by julie

[julie]

An Idiot Abroad : The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington

 

I have always like reading travel narratives ,and my favorite has always been Bill Bryson's ,mainly because they were so funny . I think Bill now has some competition . I have no idea how I stumbled across this book, but found it and the videos on amazon,so got them all and have been trying to read along as I watch the videos .

The point of this whole idea was for Karl to travel to the 7 Wonders of the World to see them in person and report back what his impressions of them were . He had an itinerary to follow,which ended up being much more than just a trip to each of the wonders. They actually tossed in several other interesting things for him to do and EAT along his travels .

This reminds me a little bit of the TV show Amazing Race,as they also travel to many well known destinations ,and have challenges along the way that are something to do with local customs. It's more of a challenge, done in teams trying to out-race each other to the finish line.

Karl has them beat . He isn't on a race to beat anyone . He'd never win because he isn't a fast-moving person,but his mind and sense of humor are very sharp and his comments are just hilarious. I like just watching the expressions on his face. The book has several photos ,and in each one, his face is the most notable thing in the picture.

He has to go on many hair-raising adventures and seems to be a good sport about most of them,even though some are extremely challenging-sounding to me .

If you like to be an armchair traveler and see the world without ever leaving your chair,then this book is for you . Very well done and is good for a laugh on every page . 5/5

Edited August 9, 2012 by julie

[karen.d]

An Idiot Abroad : The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington

 

I have always like reading travel narratives ,and my favorite has always been Bill Bryson's ,mainly because they were so funny . I think Bill now has some competition . I have no idea how I stumbled across this book, but found it and the videos on amazon,so got them all and have been trying to read along as I watch the videos .

The point of this whole idea was for Karl to travel to the 7 Wonders of the World to see them in person and report back what his impressions of them were . He had an itinerary to follow,which ended up being much more than just a trip to each of the wonders. They actually tossed in several other interesting things for him to do and EAT along his travels .

This reminds me a little bit of the TV show Amazing Race,as they also travel to many well known destinations ,and have challenges along the way that are something to do with local customs. It's more of a challenge, done in teams trying to out-race each other to the finish line.

Karl has them beat . He isn't on a race to beat anyone . He'd never win because he isn't a fast-moving person,but his mind and sense of humor are very sharp and his comments are just hilarious. I like just watching the expressions on his face. The book has several photos ,and in each one, his face is the most notable thing in the picture.

He has to go on many hair-raising adventures and seems to be a good sport about most of them,even though some are extremely challenging-sounding to me .

If you like to be an armchair traveler and see the world without ever leaving your chair,then this book is for you . Very well done and is good for a laugh on every page . 5/5

 

Great Review! I saw his programme 'An Idiot Abroad' and I thought it was hilarious. I must try and get hold of this book.

[julie]

Hi Karen

Glad you enjoyed the review,and the program was so funny,wasn't it ? They now have a second season of the show , which I bought the videos of,but it also has a book about it,which isn't due out til Sept 20th I think,so will wait to watch the videos when I get the book . I have the other one on my Kindle,but if it was a "paper book" I'd be glad to share it with you .

Thanks for stopping by ..

[vodkafan]

Hi Julie how are you feeling?

I am surprised you like the Idiot Abroad series (I haven't read the book) because I thought they might not appeal so much to anybody not English. Glad you enjoyed them though.

[julie]

VF

Thanks for asking, I am slowly getting back to normal ,(if I ever WAS) .. getting more energy as time goes on . Wish I could say I have the energy of a 20 year old again,but that would be asking for a miracle . I'll settle for being as good as I can get for a 54 year old .

 

as for The Idiot Abroad, yes, I really enjoyed the book and the videos . I didn't understand a few words he used ,but it was easy enough to get the picture of what he meant . I have always liked the English humor .. Very different than here . Ours has reached a level that is usually way off color, maybe just due to my age . This was done mainly in good taste ,although a little of it was on the edge,but not bad . I haven't been that entertained for a really long time . I'm saving the other videos to watch when the book is out here,which I have already ordered. (Sept 20th is the release date ) .

 

Thanks for stopping by ..

[julie]

In the Kingdom of Men -- Kim Barnes

 

This book was a real surprise . I'm not sure exactly why I purchased it without knowing what it was about, other than it had lots of good Amazon reviews,so sometimes I am sucked in by them,even though I don't know much about the book .

 

This is a novel,based on actual events that took place back in the 60's . The actual story line and people were made up,but the situation and settings were true .

This tells the story of a young girl from Oklahoma who has a difficult life growing up,and really never has a father figure until her Grandfather is put in the position that he has to take care of her and finish raising her because he is the only family member she has left . Unfortunately, he is a "Holy Roller " preacher and very strict with her and his religious beliefs ,and seems to take out the past on her,blaming her possibly for the bad things that have occurred in his earlier years .

As lots of these stories go, she ends up getting married at a very young age to a boy who has bigger dreams than living a repeat of his younger years,which was growing up poor and never having hopes of anything better.

He gets a job on an off shore oil rig off the Texas coast, and from there ,he gets an opportunity to get sent overseas to Saudi-Arabia to work over there for the company . They see a drive and hunger in him to climb the ladder in the company and become someone in upper management .

This company actually existed back then and it worked in combination with the Saudi's and Americans .They had a small village built over there ,like a compound with a fence around it for the safety of the families of these men . It was a whole new way of life for both of them,never knowing how it was to live a life with so many possessions,and such a grand lifestyle in one way,but in another ,it was very stifling and wreaked havok in their personal lives.

It was very interesting,because it told a lot about life over there,the different people who live there,and their customs and beliefs . It compared what life is like for the women and how they have such strict guidelines to follow ,but as you read further,you begin to think that the men really have strict guidelines too .

The book does by no means totally bash the country and its people. it also tells of many truly good and kind hearted people who just live very differently than what we do .

As the time goes by, things begin to come unglued and their new lifestyle soon begins to take its toll in many areas.

I read the book in one day,because I kept wondering what would happen next.

I can't really give an answer as to how it all ends, or it will ruin the story ,so let's just say it was a really well told story and gives you an education about life in Saudi Arabia and how living in a constricted lifestyle ends up costing the characters more than you would ever guess.. 4/5

[julie]

The Color of Night -- T . Timmerman

 

This is a true crime story ,written by the victim's father ,who started keeping a daily diary of things that were happening aand feelings he had during this whole terrible ordeal that took place .

It's written fairly well,although it's really not my favorite type of true crime book,because the crime occurred in the beginning pages and you already find out then who committed it ,so the whole book really isn't a mystery .You already know the basic story,so the remainder of the book is all about the details .

There's really no way to give an accurate review of this book other than to give away the whole story to you ,therefore, I'd be just as guilty of giving away the whole story as the author is .

Let's just say it was done as a cathartic thing for the parent ,plus a way to deal with the grief of what it'd be like to have this happen in your own family.

The only "mystery" that I'll give in here is the same one thee family is left with : What happened to the little 1 year old baby girl ? Where is she today ?

That's all I can leave to mystery. It's pretty easy to guess when you hear what a messed-up person the killer was.You really can't imagine him having a conscience or a heart .

I'll give the book 3/5,since the writing wasn't bad,and it must have taken a lot of time and tears to record all of this in memory of a daughter .

[Kidsmum]

Hi Julie, Not been able to get on the forum much with the kids being on holiday but i've been thinking about you & wondering how you're doing.

[julie]

Hi Julie, Not been able to get on the forum much with the kids being on holiday but i've been thinking about you & wondering how you're doing.

 

Thanks very kindly for checking in . Doing much better . Getting some steam back now . I go for bloodwork at the end of the month to see if the thyroid med is at the right level or needs moved up or down .

Got an appt with my kidney doc this afternoon . That's always a little scarey,because he's one that just tells it like it is,and never stops to think he might be scaring me SPITLESS .

Anyhow, that's the latest update healthwise. Thank goodness I've been able to get back into reading again. Trying to keep shoving the books,so I dont have as much time to sit and PONDER things .

 

Thanks for stopping in to check up . Hope you are doing well too .

[Kidsmum]

Got an appt with my kidney doc this afternoon . That's always a little scarey,because he's one that just tells it like it is,and never stops to think he might be scaring me SPITLESS .

 

 

Thanks for stopping in to check up . Hope you are doing well too .

 

Know what you mean Julie , i spent most of last year feeling scared spitless but all things pass

 

Glad to hear your feeling better though & hopefully the kidney doc will have only have good news for you.