Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion

If I like an author, I try to read most of his/her books. I enjoyed most all of the books by the English writer, Anita Brookner. I enjoyed her clear, elegant style of writing. You can see her books on my book list.

Robert B. Parker's "Spenser" detective series was a favorite of mine. Lawrence Sanders' detective stories also stand out as favorites. Ian Fleming's James Bond series was a hoot. Loved it. Cheered him on!

Other favorites come to mind: Graham Greene; Dorothy Gilman (amusing light style); Anne Rivers Siddons; Anne Tyler... as I look as my book list, I realize how many authors have enriched my reading life. -Joy

My favorite author is Ayn Rand.

I remember reading Ayn Rand's _The Fountainhead_ years ago. I was so impressed that, as I read, I copied 10 pages of different quotations from the book. I still have them with my booknotes.


I tried reading _Atlas Shrugged_ but couldn't get into it.

I feel good when I read The Fountainhead, so I have read it almost a hundred times. My family demands privacy, so the dedication page of Reason Reigns reads: "To Roark-1, Roark-2, and their Father". Roark is a second/middle name.

I love Atlas Shrugged.

Is there a special quotation from _The Fountainhead_ which you'd like to share, Ilyn? When I find my notes in my files, I'll post one of the quotes from book which resonated with me.

Roark's courtroom speech (movie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc7oZ9...

Roark's courtroom speech (text): http://www.nasonart.com/personal/life...

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The man-worshippers, in my sense of the term, are those who see man's highest potential and strive to actualize it. The man-haters are those who regard man as a helpless, depraved, contemptible creature - and struggle never to let him discover otherwise.

- The Fountainhead

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The creator's concern is the conquest of nature.The parasite's concern is the conquest of men.

- Howard Roark, The Fountainhead

Favorite scenes:

The opening scene of Part IV of The Fountainhead, between Howard Roark and the boy on the bicycle:

"... Don't work for my happiness, my brothers - show me yours - show me that it is possible - show me your achievement - and the knowledge will give me courage for mine."

Then the boy saw Monadnock Valley.

"Who built it?"

"I did."

"What's your name?"

"Howard Roark."

"Thank you," said the boy.

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The Ellsworth Toohey - Howard Roark dialogue:

[background: Toohey understood Roark's greatness. The desire to destroy, not admiration, was Toohey's response to the good. He actively planned and acted to destroy Roark.]

"Mr. Roark, we're alone here. Why don't you tell me what you think of me? In any words you wish. No one will hear us."

"But I don't think of you."

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A Henry Cameron - Howard Roark scene:

"But I never notice the people in the streets."

"Do you notice what they've done to me."

"I notice only that you weren't afraid of them. Why do you ask me to be?"

"That's just why I am asking it!" He leaned forward, his fists closing on the desk before him. "Roark, do you want me to say it? You're cruel aren't you? All right, I'll say it: Do you want to end up like this? Do you want to be what I am?"

Roark got up and stood against the edge of light on the desk.

"If," said Roark, "at the end of my life, I'll be what you are today here, in this office, I shall consider it an honor that I could not have deserved."

Thank you, Ilyn.

My pleasure, Joy.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

I will. Ilyn. See the following post to see what I'm going to do today. (g)
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

Stephen Sondheim is one of my favorite lyricists/composers.