Crossroads discussion

Is anyone familiar with The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander? I saw it hyped as Michelle Obama's favorite book of 2015. Since I am not familiar with the first lady's tastes, that doesn't tell me much.

Denizen wrote: "Is anyone familiar with The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander? I saw it hyped as Michelle Obama's favorite book of 2015. Since I am not familiar with the firs..."

It looks like it might be good.

Denizen wrote: "Is anyone familiar with The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander? I saw it hyped as Michelle Obama's favorite book of 2015. Since I am not familiar with the firs..."

Not my style but looking at her author page I think this is a great title : The Venus Hottentot: Poems

Either there are some great books being released this month or I am having a weak-willed morning as the Amazon best of February list added 4 books to my TBR. Quite a variety - literary fiction, travel, Brazilian thriller, and futuristic fantasy. What's not to love?

Denizen wrote: "
."

They all look good. I had better stay off that page.

Have easily ordered these , sourced from my TBR list...

,
REALLY like this GR feature.
7 previously ordered are shortly to be delivered.

Lesley wrote: "Have easily ordered these , sourced from my TBR list...

, [bookcover..."

Enjoy! Looks like some good reading.

The High Places: Stories is byFiona McFarlane whose book The Night Guest I absolutely loved...

Lesley wrote: "The High Places: Stories is byFiona McFarlane whose book The Night Guest I absolutely loved..."

It was a good book, I read it in October in time for Hallloween

Booknblues wrote: "Lesley wrote: "The High Places: Stories is byFiona McFarlane whose book The Night Guest I absolutely loved..."

It was a good book, I read it in Oct..."

Yes, I noted you called it 'gothic'...Not a word I had thought of, at the time.. I think I might re-order...Pity her new one is short stories...

Lesley wrote: ".Pity her new one is short stories..."

I feel the same way aboaut short stories, but others love them. Adam Johnson has a book of short stories that I think won the National Book Award last year and I so loved The Orphan Master's Son that I am tempted to order it.

Booknblues wrote: "I feel the same way about short stories, but others love them. Adam Johnson has a book of short stories that I think won the National Book Award last year and I so loved The Orphan Master's Son that I am tempted to order it. "

I was thinking of reading it as well.

Booknblues wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Have easily ordered these , sourced from my TBR list...

,
Just started reading The Decendants and have been notified the other two are awaiting collection. So blessed

Lesley wrote: "Have easily ordered these , sourced from my TBR list...

, [bookcover..."

Kavalier and Clay is on my TBR, definitely a bridesmaid. I found Orphan Train just so-so. I haven't read The Descendents but loved the movie!

Denizen wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Have easily ordered these , sourced from my TBR list...

, [bookcover..."

Kavalier and ..."

I am about 1/2 way through [book:The Decendants|13149233] and am thrilling to it.. The pace is fast, but the characters so real...

Just listening to our ABC RN 'Books and Arts , Daily" and thrilling to listening to a new Ozzie of Kenyan extraction : Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (the above link says : No authors found. ) The books name is Dust , link also not found..

BUT it does show up and have been able to TBR it..(??)

Wonderful , interesting interview on RN with the author of The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian David Dyer.. Mostly non-fiction but he apparently chose to call it a novel to be able to put forward a psychological theory. Another for my TBR list..

Lesley wrote: "Wonderful , interesting interview on RN with the author of The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian David Dyer.. Mostly non-fiction but he appa..."

Sounds good. I am still fascinated by the Titanic.

Booknblues wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Wonderful , interesting interview on RN with the author of The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian David Dyer.. Mostly non-fict..."

an' me.. 'nother book just discussed .. 'The Painted Ocean'.. a while before it's released..

Lesley wrote: "Just listening to our ABC RN 'Books and Arts , Daily" and thrilling to listening to a new Ozzie of Kenyan extraction : Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (the above link says : No authors found. ) The books nam..."

It came up for me when I searched for just the last name. Dust has been on my TBR for some time. I believe it showed up on some list or another posted on Shelfari Crossroads. My why notes didn't get transferred so no record of where I found it and what I found interesting. It's on my shortlist (which is also too long to be realistic.)

Denizen wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Just listening to our ABC RN 'Books and Arts , Daily" and thrilling to listening to a new Ozzie of Kenyan extraction : Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor (the above link says : No authors found. ..."

Thanks Den, yes I tried a few things and it did come up.. I have currently exceeded my reserve list at the library, so this will have to stay on the TBR list for now.

'Life Matters' on our ABC RN had a fantastic interview with a couple who, after a tragic accident, the now wheelchair bound wife, and the rest of the family, raises a fallen magpie chick, and reduces her depression. Cameron Bloom, the husband co-authored Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family

Lesley wrote: "'Life Matters' on our ABC RN had a fantastic interview with a couple who, after a tragic accident, the now wheelchair bound wife, and the rest of the family, raises a fallen magpie chick, and reduc..."

That sounds interesting. I always like a good animal tale.

29 books offered as Daily Deals today and a better-than-usual selection.

So which one am I tempted by? Into the Wild.

Denizen wrote: "29 books offered as Daily Deals today and a better-than-usual selection.

So which one am I tempted by? Into the Wild."

I have quite a few of those already. My niece loved that series, so I am tempted as well. I like cats. :)

Booknblues wrote: "Denizen wrote: "29 books offered as Daily Deals today and a better-than-usual selection.
So which one am I tempted by? Into the Wild."

I have quite a few of those already. My niece loved that series,so I am tempted as well. I like cats:) ..."

I'm quite a fan of Le Guins Catwings series. Have you read those?

Denizen wrote: "
I'm quite a fan of Le Guins Catwings series. Have you read those? "
No, I will have to look those up.

Booknblues wrote: "Denizen wrote: "
I'm quite a fan of Le Guins Catwings series. Have you read those? "
No, I will have to look those up."

They're written for early grade school. i enjoyed reading them with my daughter.

ABC RN had a great interview with Elizabeth Strout about her award winning re Olive Kitteridge. They were also talking about the new book, My Name Is Lucy Barton which sounds good, too.

The Strays Emily Bitto also sounds really interesting, likened to : https://www.nla.gov.au/event/the-live...... Lesley Harding, Kendrah Morgan

Modern Love not showing in GR list.

ABC RN : Hear art historian Chris McAuliffe talk about these little seen slates by a very young Sidney Nolan. They're on show at the University of Queensland Art Gallery. He's joined by novelist Emily Bitto who discusses how the Heide circle and Nolan's love affair with Sunday Reed has inspired her writing. http://www.abc.net.au/…/we-who-love:-...

Lesley wrote: "ABC RN had a great interview with Elizabeth Strout about her award winning re Olive Kitteridge. They were also talking about the new book, [book:My Name Is Lucy Barton..."

Elizabeth Strout is next in my queue for audio.

SOOO many leads to follow... (love it!!)

I added The Strays to the TBR. I found the link to the Heidelberg School of painters interesting - enjoyed the paintings shown.

Denizen wrote: "I added The Strays to the TBR. I found the link to the Heidelberg School of painters interesting - enjoyed the paintings shown."

I also love the stories of the Heide Group.. VERY bohemian... Alex Miller , as you know is one of my favourite OZ authors and has written Autumn Laing supposedly with some crossover...

On my favourite radio program ABC Books and Arts Daily I only heard a bit of this as I had a Royal Flying Doctor appointment .. :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p... but as Julian Barnes is a favourite of mine, might be worth a look . It's called : The Noise of Time . (book:The Noise of Time|25912206]

GR QA : Marianna This book is written in the rhythms of Shostakovitch's music. If you let the waves of music sweep over you, you'll get the rhythm and appreciate the book. It is beautifully written, but requires some background knowledge of the Stalinist era in the Soviet Union (perhaps that's what's holding you back from loving this book).

Lesley wrote: "On my favourite radio program ABC Books and Arts Daily I only heard a bit of this as I had a Royal Flying Doctor appointment .. :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p......"

It does sound interesting, Lesley. The QA you excerpted leads me to believe it will work well for audio. The Sense of an Ending was an excellent audio selection.

Denizen wrote: "Lesley wrote: "On my favourite radio program ABC Books and Arts Daily I only heard a bit of this as I had a Royal Flying Doctor appointment .. :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p......"

LOVED The Sense of an Ending.. More and more, I realise I 'like' a book if the rhythm , pace, and delicious sentences, is stimulating LIKE music!!

Lesley wrote: "On my favourite radio program ABC Books and Arts Daily I only heard a bit of this as I had a Royal Flying Doctor appointment .. :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p......"


Lesley, I looked up Royal Flying Doctors. Very cool. Just how far do you live away from people?

Lesley wrote: "On my favourite radio program ABC Books and Arts Daily I only heard a bit of this as I had a Royal Flying Doctor appointment .. :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p......"

Interesting, and it makes total sense given where you live. Another plus for airplanes!

While my dad didn't fly to patients regularly, he did used to sometimes fly by float plane to make house calls at logging camps back in the 1960s (in BC, Canada; I had to come back and edit to add Canada--for a moment I forgot that the entire English speaking world doesn't associate BC with my home province. where I live now they first think of a college sports team, so I ought to know better).

Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "On my favourite radio program ABC Books and Arts Daily I only heard a bit of this as I had a Royal Flying Doctor appointment .. :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p......"

I live in Greenvale, Queensland. It was a purpose built mining town that was closed decades ago and then the whole town was bought and strata titled. I bought my 3 bedroom brick and tile house for $58,000 plus $14,000 worth of renovations.
Our nearest town is Charters Towers, is 205 klms and nearest city, Townsville is 245 klms or 2 1/2 hours drive, away. I doubt if we will continue to get this wonderful fortnightly service (RFDS) for too much longer,as the last year has seen almost the total sealing of our roads . (taken 9 years for the 800 klms..)
Blueberry, there are about 100 people who live here. Many, single older ladies like me, and we love the lack of pollution and safety.. our school (only junior) currently has 30 children, many from the stations, and some travel 100klms a day..

Lesley,

What is a station? Is it different from a town?

Blueberry wrote: "Lesley,

What is a station? Is it different from a town?"

Yes, it's what we call I suppose a 'ranch'.. Sheep or cattle stations, some so large they are measured by klms.. In our area, it's cattle, specially bred for the harsh climate. Most children have governesses and/or do 'School of the Air' .. However, some choose the 100 klm per day trip for the socialisation of 'real' school. ALL kids from around here, go to boarding school from year 6 (about 11-12 yo). Most to our nearest town. Takes 2 1/4 hours on a (now) 'proper' road.

Lesley wrote: "Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "On my favourite radio program ABC Books and Arts Daily I only heard a bit of this as I had a Royal Flying Doctor appointment .. :http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/pro..."

So you'd have to drive 800 km just to see a doctor?

No, the whole length of the road from where I used to live, where my family is Kuranda, (north 395 klms, and the main city (Townsville ) South East, 245 klms where we have to go for hospital and specialists, now, and our nearest town Charters towers, 205 klms south (where my post, groceries and books come from).. so in total they paved 800 klms ( over the 9 1/2 years I have lived here), of single lane to a proper double lane road.

So to clarify : if the RFDS didn't come, we would have go to Townsville to see a doctor, BUT the rescue helicopter would still come and fetch us, in case of emergencies.

However, a giant mobile dental clinic, mammogram van, and 2 -6 times a year, vet, optometrist, and podiatrist, mental health workers, dieticians, and recently, social workers, come here. In election times the pollies also descend, some by car and some by helicopter. See my facebook for photos of the $100 hamburger light plane 'rally'.. (cost of fuel to come here for lunch)..

Wow, all kids go to boarding school? Is it government paid?

Lesley wrote: "No, the whole length of the road from where I used to live, where my family is Kuranda, (north 395 klms, and the main city (Townsville ) South East, 245 klms where we have to go for hospital and sp..."

Okay, that all makes sense. My sister and her husband have done locums (aka locum tenes) in the Canadian far north in the past, where they didn't always have the same doctor, but people who would go up for a while. Or else they were replacing a doctor who went on holidays. Some doctors used to (and still might) go up and down the BC coast visiting local band (we used to say Indian bands, for First Nations people; for any American reader, Canada has ZERO Native American groups, but plenty of First Nations people).

I'm sure whatever your used to is the norm.

Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "No, the whole length of the road from where I used to live, where my family is Kuranda, (north 395 klms, and the main city (Townsville ) South East, 245 klms where we have to go for ..."

Thanks for your interest Karin. I have had two friends offer to review our revamped Turning Points - Key Thoughts: A Workbook to Record Your Personal Journey to Rediscovering Joy, Following Major Life Change Lesley Moseley ,Annabel Muis
and as today is one of two mail days went to post them. I heard there, that the giant dentist van was in town. A tooth they filled last year, needs 'topdressing'.. so went and got a free appointment!!

Lesley wrote: "Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "No, the whole length of the road from where I used to live, where my family is Kuranda, (north 395 klms, and the main city (Townsville ) South East, 245 klms where we h..."

Interesting that it was free, and I've never heard of a topdressing for a filling previously done.. When my dad first moved to the area I was born (okay, he and my pregnant mother moved there together, but this story is about him), the other more experienced doctor was away on a boat visiting indigenous groups up the inlets. A man came in and asked my dad to pull his tooth. When my dad suggested he see a dentist and that he'd never pulled a tooth before, the man told him there were no dentists and that he'd just sit and wait while my dad found a book and looked up how to do it (he told me dad to look it up.) My dad pulled his tooth, but was quite happy when a dentist moved up there a year or two later.

Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "No, the whole length of the road from where I used to live, where my family is Kuranda, (north 395 klms, and the main city (Townsville ) South East, 245 ..."

Karen, We called them the 'old timers', the original settlers of the area. A tough bunch of people. But they sure enjoyed a good joke.

Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "Karin wrote: "Lesley wrote: "No, the whole length of the road from where I used to live, where my family is Kuranda, (north 395 klms, and the main city (Townsville ) South East, 245 ..."

Yes, Karin, it wasn't 'top dressed'.. Dentist laughed at the suggestion , but did something else and 4 fillings and the DREADED clean.. All our needs are free. We have medicare, and are on 'old age' pensions. He was a lovely young (to me) man, also originally from South Africa, so after the session we swapped stories in Afrikaans and Zulu.. Great fun!!