Libros al azar de la biblioteca de Esta1923

The Green Hills of Earth por Robert A. Heinlein

London in the Age of Chaucer (Centers of Civilization Series) por A. R. Myers

The Yiddish Policemen's Union: A Novel (P.S.) por Michael Chabon

Yellowlegs por John Jr. Janovy

The Treasure Houses of Britain por Gervase, ed. Jackson-Stops

Ordinary Lives; Voices of Disability & Disease por Irving Kenneth, ed. Zola

The Classics Reclassified por Richard Armour

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amigos: michaelbartley, mrgrooism, sonyagreen, TheresaWilliams

Autores de LibraryThing: John Caris (JCaris)

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Reseñas64 reseñasver reseñas

Nubesnube de etiquetas, nube de autores

Etiquetasessays (4), Biography (2), Practical advice on cleaning (1) — ver todas las etiquetas

GruposMade into a Movie, Readers Over Sixty, SF Bay Area Librarythingers, South American Fiction-Argentine Writers, The Green Dragon

Acerca de mí I cannot remember a time when I didn't read. . . and since I am 85 now, that means a lot of books. I've not cataloged all I have but tonite I'm thinking I'd like to single out those I've read many times (how many others re-read?) and to tell (brag) about the authors I've been fortunate to speak to (more than the casual murmer at book signings). I'll do this soon. Meanwhile anyone else who wants to follow suit, GO AHEAD! (I'll try to catch up to you.) Esta1923

Acerca de mi biblioteca Books all over the apartment, and some in storage closet in carport. Many oldold and dear, some I got from publishers when I was "The Book Hustler" on KOSU-fm, Stillwater, OK, many years ago. (Got that job after being interviewed by Susan Stamberg on NPR.) Because I have been a bad lender I fell into being one-who-tells-about and still do that, tho I've lent a few recently (and gotten them back!).

Página principalhttp://www.westgatehouse.com/esta.html

También enFlickr

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Nombre verdaderoEsta Wolfram

UbicaciónWalnut Creek, CA

Correo electrónicoesta.wolfgmail.com

Autores favoritosNo se especificó ninguno

Tipo de cuentapública, vitalicia

Noticias sobre conexionesNoticias sobre conexiones

URLs http://www.librarything.com/profile/Esta1923 (perfil)
http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Esta1923 (biblioteca)

Miembro desdeJun 27, 2006

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Hi, Esta,

I saw your post about the earthquake and thought you might live in the Bay Area. I live in the Central Valley but we inherited my folks home in Vallejo a couple of years ago and frequently go up there for R&R. When My husband retires next summer I'm sure we will be there even more.

I notice you have some M.F,K.Fisher--I really enjoy her writing--she is an alum of the college I want to (ages ago!).

I also notice you are a member of Green Dragon--are you going to the meeting in Pleasanton in October? We are hoping to come up that weekend and attend. He will just have returned from China so it depends on how much time he can give up.

I enjoyed looking at your library and got some ideas of things to read, Thanks.
Hi, Esta

Thanks for the note - I hope it settles on a weekend I'm free.

BTW, staffordcastle and joiedelivre are the both me - I posted while I was in the staffordcastle account, then realized that if someone were to check out my profile/library, it would be better that it was this one, where my F&SF resides!

Looking forward to meeting other active Thingamabrarians - most of the ones I know in real life have pretty much not done anything with their accounts.
Esta, don't cancel on my account, I love your generous spirit! No, I'm like littlegeek, a tiny bit concerned that someone who has harassed the group in the past could show up, but since they can see all of our posts in talk anyway, if they really want to, they will. I can't imagine anyone with that motive showing up. You might invite those you've invited (awkward sentence!) to stop by the Green Dragon and get a feel for the atmosphere? Then they can decide whether or not they would like to join us. I'm really looking forward to meeting you! :)
No biggie. You asked, is all. I think I'm just afraid of some of those meanies over on the scifi thread crashing our party! But really, it's not a problem.
Hi Esta, I'm really looking forward to meeting you too! Whenever we decide on the date. Now I want September to go by very fast.
I absolutely would if I could afford it. Joel is the dearest friend I have whom I have never met, and frankly I like him more than some of my "close" friends, LOL! I'd love to meet you all, but I'll need a major change in life circumstances to be able to travel at will!
I do have a copy of I Served the King of England, but I have not yet read it. As with many of the books I've bought in the last six months, it was recommended here on LT - perhaps by you? Unfortunately, the stack of books I've bought in the last six months is quite embarrassing. To make matters worse, I have been reading library books first because, you know, they want them back. I am looking forward to this one though - if I remember correctly, it's supposed to be funny, satire or something like that. I love those.
Hey Esta thanks for the welcome! strange and Norrell was one of the finest works of fantasy i've read! I'm hungry for more.
Thanks for spreading the word about such an exciting organization. Your neighbor really seems to be doing some good in the world, and you are doing just as much by getting her organization's name out there!

Thanks for the info! She seems like a wonderful, dedicated lady-
Thanks!
LOL, well, I DO know that, but I guess I must have missed a typo to incur your wrath, heee heeeee! Where did I screw up, so I can go in and edit it?
Hi, Esta, I had a look at your profile, I am impressed... You are well-read indeed. I am not familiar wth Ebenezer LePage yet.
The Horse of Pride is a classic, in my opinion. I would love to read your review... and yes, I might write one too.
Thank you for your comment - the first one I get.
Wishing you a lovely day.
Esta,

Again, thank you! Because of your excellent help, I feel as if I am getting a handle on this thing. Have I mentioned that I love it madly?
Hopefully in a few days I can explore the vid/pic/music apps. I can hardly wait! believe me, I will let you know if I ever manage to get a vid up on my blog, lol

So funny.... in so many ways I am old fashioned.... but I just cannot imagine life with no computer....

You have been wonderful... and that is one reason I love computers so much....
so many nice people to meet.

k
oh! and ps

I see! the edit thing is great! Thank you!
Hi Esta, re My Illegal Self, I think Carey deliberately left it open ended. We just don't know if he was allowed to stay or not. What we do know is that there was a whole life lived beyond the pages of the book, and that our narrator is very much an older self talking about a particular episode. I think though that there's a hint that he wasn't -- he runs back for the hug, and that's what he gets to keep -- the memory; the life-change; the love. I fully expect some kind sequel, but it wouldn't suprise me on the other hand, if Carey decided to leave his readers hungry. Maggie
Hi Esta -- Have we California Green Dragons set a meeting date? I checked the thread, but the last post was in march (I think), so I'm not sure anything was actually organized. I'd be happy to drive you if it's a day I can go -- I live in Richmond and could easily pick you up somewhere on the BART line.

Liz
Hi Esta,

About my review of Earth Abides, I'm a librarian. That's a review I wrote to entice patrons into reading the book -- or let them know if they will like it. Did you think the annotation was accurate? Got anything I should have put in that I didn't? I tend to really like apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic science fiction. Do you like that same type of novels, or just Earth Abides?

Karen
Hi Esta,

Well, of course you haven't read "The Damnation of Theron Ware", it was "book of the year" in 1896, and you're far too young to remember the fuss :D

Seriously, I think the title - which was never the author's intended title - puts people off. It suggests the work is contemporaneous with the settling of the American colonies, that the book is riddled with the anachronistic dialect of Cotton Mather, and that a bit of heavy lifting is involved. Perhaps retitling it "Dude! Reverend T Is Hitting on the Catholic Hottie?" would work better in today's marketplace?

I enjoyed your Flickr postings, as did my 14 year old granddaughter. My enjoyment was informed by Miro and Dali, hers by the myspace artwork of Mexican experimental bands like error.error and lalala4a. But it's all the same...the many roadsigns on the paths up the mountain to God.

I'm glad the review was of some use. Let me know if you like the book.

Peace,
Ganeshaka
You're quite welcome Esta! Thanks for the poem. I've met one literary figure myself so far in my lifetime, Kurt Vonnegut, back in the early 90s, and when I have more time I'll share it with you. It's a humorous encounter, which you'd expect from a man like Vonnegut.

Ciao,

"Lola"
Hi Esta,

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I noticed your review of "Lucky Jim" and absolutely love the fact that you wrote to Kingsley Amis and he personally responded to you. I hope you still have his note -- it might be worth something (though if it were me I could never sell a gem like that). What a treasure! Please hurry and begin "bragging" & boasting some more on all the other authors you've had the good fortune of meeting over the years -- now's not the time to clam up, Esta. Your fans are impatiently waiting. Your literary experiences in radio would undoubtedly make fascinating reads for librarything's audience...what better place to share your recollections than here? Look forward to reading more from you.

Warm regards,

"Lola"
Hi Esta

So nice to hear from you! It was AMAZING meeting Helene. That picture was taken back in 1995, and I have cherished the memories of meeting Helene very much, esp. after her death.

The Night Climbers was an interesting read. As you might have noticed, I have such eclectic tastes in literature!!! I am happy reading anything! WEll almost anything.

Good to hear from you - must sign off - cooking dinner. Hope to chat with you soon.

ken
Thanks for the encouragement. It's not that I hate "A Canticle for Leibowitz", it's just that it came highly recommended here on LT and I guess I expected more from it. I don't really get what all the fuss is about, but this might be one of those books that come together at the end, so I think I will finish it. I'll let you know how it turns out.
It is always fun to meet someone new on LT with whom one has something in common. I note that the ten titles that we have in common happen to be ones that are particularly interesting! They each happen to hit an particular interest of mine.

Jill(mwo)
Glad you approve! I didn't want to make anyone mad at me, but I weary of people complaining about things that are available as a privilege. Especially when said things are free. Thanks for the note! I'm happy to make your acquaintance! :)
We probably don't share books only because I have more books that I haven't entered than entered. A year ago I bought one of those scaners to make it easier to scan books into my library. Still haven't touched it, heee heeeee!
I just received messages from the people who run library thing stating that inappropriate comments were made to you using my login. I, the real person behind mclark, did NOT make the comments. I don't even know at this point what was said. My students in the school I teach in sometimes use my login in order to add books to my list. Obviously that will have to stop because they changed everything on my account and were inappropriate using my name. I'm trying to find out what really happened here, but I am so very sorry if you were hurt in the process.

Michelle Clark
I was hoping it was clear that the story is self-contained. We are left to wonder if Esta indeed gets to draw the Dragon. I say yes, she does!
Hope you like the story!
I just love his writing! When I finished, I closed the book and sat there for about ten minutes. I am going to get to another soon.

-Jim
Esta:

I started Fly Away Peter this afternoon, and just finished it. WOW! I understand your being haunted by it! The insanity and wastefulness of war!

This was my first by Malouf, and I have five more to read. I can't wait.

-Jim

PS: My review is up.
Ha, I have a couple hundred on my list already, it's a matter of picking one!, And now you have added a couple more ;P

I was just surprised when it seemed to come out of the blue is all. Thanks for the suggestions.
Just curious as to what prompted you to post those suggestions on my profile? I started looking at some of those authors and I might have to try a couple.
Sorry! I have just discovered Malouf via a friend in Australia, so I havne't read it yet. I think I have six titles, but I bought them all last week at a super bookstore I visited in Knoxville, TN

Stay tuned, I am going to read one shortly.

-Jim
That's a fair question, considering your previous experience!

I work for LibraryThing, and on my first day, Tim and Abby talked about how much they liked you. That was at the end of February. Since then, your name has popped up several times, and I noticed that a gentleman I spoke to at the Philadelphia Book Festival (who then set up a LT account) had a greeting from you. I'm impressed with your inclusiveness and community spirit - something I hope to be like.

So, I'd like to keep up on what you're reading.

Cheers,
Sonya
Someone has offered to be a "friend" and I accepted the offer. Just what happens technically when I have a friend? Besides having her on my friends list, of course.
That sounds like a beautiful edition of ALICE, I'm going to google it and see if I can find any pictures...
You're more than welcome, I think it's great that technology gives us the freedom to express ourselves artistically in pretty much any way we want... AND that there's an audience out there to see it.

Keep up the good work :-)
Indeed, it does seem to have a bit of a lull. It used to be a lot more active then that. Oh well.
Thank you for your response. There is a publicity e-mail address on the back cover of my copy; I'll use that if I can get around to it. Was your bound copy full of typos?

I could be quite happy with a list of DVD's. They seem to be pretty hard to shop for, my collection of 71 notwithstanding (I'd be happy to send you an excerpt from my Access file if you want it). We have a group at church; one other fellow brings versions I have not seen listed. I shop mostly at BN.COM but drop into the Met's shop from time to time, excruciating as that might be.

Robert
Thank you for the note. I hope it didn't sound like bragging in my original posting about it. I was really ignorant on the whole ER etiquette. I don't think you are bragging. I think it is cool, and that you must have written one heck of a review!

Ferris
Hi Esta,

Thanks for your comment about Death of a River Guide. To answer your question, I absolutely loved the book. Flanagan writes beautifully, and I liked the intertwining stories of past and present. Flanagan's protagonist comes to understand a sense of his own history and how that has affected his present. On the downside, this was a pretty dark book.

Thanks for visiting my blog Literary License (www.litlicense.blogspot.com) to look for the review. Because I read so many books, I do not have time to review them all on the blog, so that is why this book is not on the blog.

Gwen
what do you mean?
(Sorry: I have now re-read your message properly.)
It's interesting how little you can tell about "Kleinzeit" from LibraryThing, which offers a range of curious tags (including both "american fiction" and "british fiction"!). I'm certainly curious, and will look out for a copy. But I think my next will have to be "The Lion of ...", which we have, but I've never opened.

I found "Fremder" hard going, elusive, and actually rather unsettling.
I'm glad to have discovered Hoban. He is one of the most versatile novelists I have encountered. (I guess you mean "The Mouse and his Child": you actually wrote "Elephant" - perhaps thinking of Kipling - which is an interesting substitution that reminds me of some great jokes...

Q: How do you know if you've got elephants in the house?
A: GREAT BIG holes in the skirting boards.)
Hi,

Ti-Coyo is described as "an immoral fable" by the author. It's irreverent really, but not that much considering it's French.

I bought my first copy from a schoolmate whose family were emigrating to Canada. This happened over 40 years ago when I was 15 or 16 years old. It was a thick paperback (Corgi Giant to be exact) which included the sequel "Son of Ti-Coyo", another delightful story.

The years rolled by and the book went missing. Until I sourced a copy over the Internet in a second hand book in New York. I don't rember the name of the store but I now have a hardbound copy of Ti-Coyo.

I happened to mention the story to my younger brother, who comes up with "I've got it!". And sure enough within a few days I'm back in possession of my original battered copy.

Keep in touch.

Charles
Hi,
Thanks for stopping by. I think it takes about two weeks for the hormone levels to register on a home test kit. The way the author jumps topics made me wonder how much time elapsed, I'm not sure it's the next day or just another day.I was wondering if there might have been a question about who the father might be, since Olivia spent November sleeping with both men, and the baby was born in August. I wish the author had filled in more of the blanks, maybe it's because she writes so many short stories. I've ordered some of her older books since I heard they fill in the earlier years of some of the characters.
Enjoy your books,
Mel
Just paste the entire link address into a comment for me!
:o)
Hi Esta and thanks for your suggestion. I haven't read Dancing At The Rascal Fair--guess I'll have to remedy that soon. I've heard Ivan Doig read a couple of times (the last time when he was on a book tour for [The Whistling Season], but I haven't spoken to him. It's fun to hear from someone else who enjoys his books!

Janet
Thanks for the thought. Today, with internet book-finding, everything is possible. I will read some Hrabal and pass idiosyncratic judgment on your taste!
:)
Hello Esta,

Thank you for the message. I just logged-in to LT today,and read your message.
Yes, i'm using a Macbook for a year and just last month I've "upgraded-it" to a Macbook Pro which came with a Leopard OS CD (but i haven't install it on my Pro, due to the fact that there are still some applications which doesn't support Leopard yet).. so, i'm still using Tiger OS for now and it's still great though..
I have a book about Leopard coz i would like to know and learn all about it :), sometimes i feel i know nothing about..everything, and feel "the urge" to find out and study them myself !

I always love reading since my childhood, i guess it's becoz i saw my parents (especially my mom) always had a book in her hands (in English or Dutch). And since i'm an Indonesian, i don't know any single word of english at the time. And my mom didn't always have the time to explained to me about her english books that i've interested in.
So, i made a "vow" that I had to learn and be able to understand or speak english. And...voila ! now i can understand (most) of english words (i can understand english more than i can speak though..).

I love reading so much, it's just sad that english books/magazines in Indonesia is still expensive for some, as i know that there are so many good books/magazines out there (whether they're stories, knowledges, literatures, biography etc).
I also "teach" my 3 kids to love reading as i do..(i took them to bookshops everytime i went out with them, at least twice a month.. and we could spent hours there reading and choosing which books we're going to buy). My youngest son (8 yrs) loves reading almost as much as i am, but sadly the other two not as much.

Well, hopefully they will eventually :)

Have a nice weekend

Marie
HELLO eSTA, tHANKYOU FOR THE lHASSI RECIPE. iS THAT MALAYAN? oops caps lock was on!1
I plan to try it soon. I also make a lovely mango salad with fresf diced mango ,half a small sweet onion diced very finely, all mixed together and dressed with sour cream or plain yoghurt if you want to be 'good'. Season with salt and pepper and a sprinkle of chopped chives. The Nam Doc Mais are picking now ,common name banana mango. They arte my favourite. Bye for now, CHris H
Hi Esta

How very right you are regarding Anne Tyler's early works. Dinner at the Homesick Resturant is a gem...
Ever so many thanks! -- Hugh
Glad to know we're "neighbors!" I would have to reread [The Mudlark] to review it, since I barely remember it -- it's been on the shelf a long time! If it's as charming as you say, I'll have to add it to the TBR pile.
LOL! *blushes*

Gotta love spell-checkers! Technically speaking, it is a word and I did spell it right. Hee he. Thanks for noticing ... that's a rather embarrassing typo. ;-)
You can use this sequence. Find the file address for the flickr pic (i.e. http:// etc.) and where you want to post it enclose the following in s -> img src="http://etc"
I would be honored to see a list of your YA literature books. I am currently reading The book Thief and can't put it down!
Thanks for dropping by my accounts on both Flickr & LibraryThing. Sorry your email bounced. The address posted is the correct one.
I write a blog over at http://randomwonderer.blogspot.com/ . I wonder about mostly books, technology, life's purpose & how to cope with an empty nest.
Thanks for the birthday greeting and photography compliment. I'll be sure to check out your pics.
Esta, thank you for your note and your question. When I asked you to join my friends list, it was because I respected your library and your comments both to me and on your profile. I certainly would not use anyone's information on any other web site. I actually never even thought of that until you brought it up. My main intested is in exchanging comments about common interest in reading. Of course when we read, we sometimes find something that touches our own life and it can be important to share that too. For example Rules for Old Men to Live By, it is both a excellent book, but it caused me to think of my aging. When we read, we read from our own history. At any rate I hope this answers your question.
Michael
Esta, thank you for the correction, yes they are the books I mean. I loved both of them, the Poncey book is the better one but Old Filth was good, I could see that being done as a Masterpiece Theater. Anyway thanks for your comments and your e mail. Happy Holidays
Michael
Thank you for your kind reply to me, it was much appreciated!
Hi, I read most of your reviews, I've not read any of those books, but several sound very interesting. Good work on the reviews. :)
Thanks for the encouragement.
No problem, might have been a temporary glitch, I liked the limerick by the way.
Thank you. I've found Anthony Adverse and others of his at Abebooks. Too many books; too little time.

Robert
"I cannot remember a time when I didn't read..."

That's a beautiful, wonderful line right there. I thank my parents often for instilling in me a love for books and reading, not just as a ways and means, but as an essential part of a fullfilling life.
Well, we don't have a formal process, but the publisher will be checking the page on LibraryThing for each book, to see when the reviews have been posted.
Oh, that's fantastic news! Thanks for letting me know, I'll go try and find it myself!

Abby
Thanks for your comment regarding Timothy Findlay's books. I'll watch for them and be sure to add them to my bookshelf. My reading habits are very eclectic - I tend to go in intense spurts in varied directions where I will grab every book I can find in the used bookstore or on the local bookseller's shelves and read until I nearly go blind. Then I'll find something in one book that sends me off in another direction so I focus on that for a while. I guess it's sort of an ADHD type of reading! Recently I've been reading a lot about Australia and the penal colonies and the early settlements there. Who knows where my reading will take me next. I have a voracious appetite and only since I started keeping track have I understood how much I read. In the past year, I have accumulated 11 bankers boxes full of books that I've read. They are sitting downstairs waiting for me to enter them into LT which I've been sadly neglecting.
In any case, thanks for the recommendation, I'll be looking for the Findlay books. I appreciate your suggestions.
Yes, I kept "The 79 Squares." It made a HUGE impression on me, and continues to influence my thinking to this day. It definitely holds up well to the passage of time. I had my husband read it a few years ago, and he loved it as well. I wonder if anyone else around here has it? Maybe I'll go search.
Esta, thank you for the recommendations. I will add them to my shopping pile and let you know how I get on.... Alison
I know songs??!!! I ~LIVE~ songs. Hand me that giutar!!!!
I've worked out maybe a thousand of them, and at lest half of them seem to be pretty close to right.
Glad I could abate your sleeplessness.
WHL
Dear Esta

Many thanks for your comment. My apologies for the belated response. Life has been a little busy and I haven't been getting to the LT site as often as I would like. I have shamefully to admit that Russell Hoban is a complete gap in my reading. I have never been introduced to his work, hence his absence from my library. Where would you recommend I start?

Oh dear, I can see that to be read pile growing ever higher!
Esta: I guess I have missed Shute's No Highway. Most Shute books I've read are related to aviation, which was my career. Thanks for your post.
Dear Esta, I was first attracted to your posts because you, like me, use your date of birth with your user name. At least I am assuming it is you year of birth.

Thank you for the kind comment. I have enjoyed looking at your library and reading various things you have had to say. I just enjoy Librarything.com a great deal and you are part of the reason.
Esta,
Thank you for the birthday wish. This year was decidedly pleasant compared to past ones.
Esta, thanks so much for the Malouf recommendation. I have placed it on my TBR list.

Sean
Esta,
Yes, I am a Hugh Laurie fan. However, I have never seen that show. I've recently heard about it from the threads around here, and I'm seriously thinking about ordering the series from Amazon. I did just get his book (apparently he's multi-talented). I hope to start it soon. Until then, I'll just have to settle for House reruns.
Hi Esta, I'm flattered by the comment. Goodbye to a River is one of my most prized intellectual possessions. The book is very special to me. I haven't heard of John Janovy. LT and wikipedia don't have much to say. I did find a website by him (http://bsweb.unl.edu/labs/janovy/books.h...). I'm interested. My library has Vermilion Sea, so I requested it. Hope I can fit it in my reading list somewhere. Cheers,d.
Generally prefer non-fiction for that sort of thing, and it was over 20 years ago, and made to read it, which is never good.
Esta,

I do have or had "Back in Keith County". Thanks for the suggestion and sorry for the belated reply. I don't really visit the Library Thing much.
Hi Esta,

Thank you for the movie recommendation of "Funny Bones". I've placed it on my Netflix queue. Looking forward to watching it! :)
Dear Esta,

I find it always amazing the paths that lead us from one place to another. You once posted a poem for me,
and now I find you again after finding Theresa Williams today. Art is Life.

I'm now officially a Californian - living in the central valley. A little too far from San Francisco but
still much closer than NYC.

Looking forward to seeing you in Theresa's group - and within your own library.

Cate
Esta, do you have some way of posting the picture of the statue that made you weep? I wish I could see it. I'm excited about your book recommendation, "The Two Deaths..." and have ordered a copy for myself. I can't wait to read it.
I do wish you luck, Esta. I love shorter texts, novellas I guess they're called now. I think it's a shame publishers don't print many of them. There are a few, but not that many. I invited you because you seemed like a really interesting person with a lot to say. Thank you for coming and I hope to see more of you here.
Hi Esta -- I wish I could help you with The Mudlark, but I'll confess, it has been years since I read it and I don't remember it well. In fact, I was confusing it with another (juvenile) historical novel about a young boy, Master Skylark, which is also in my library. Your review makes sense, as far as I can tell. I had no Idea it was based on fact, or that there was a movie made. I enjoyed looking at your library -- we share more than just The Mudlark! (and more than my library would indicate -- I only enter things from time to time, and have many more books "to be shelved," so to speak.) I also noticed that you live in Walnut Creek -- I'm in Point Richmond, not too far away.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but nice to get a virtual conversation going!
Hi Esta -- I wish I could help you with The Mudlark, but I'll confess, it has been years since I read it and I don't remember it well. In fact, I was confusing it with another (juvenile) historical novel about a young boy, Master Skylark, which is also in my library. Your review makes sense, as far as I can tell. I had no Idea it was based on fact, or that there was a movie made. I enjoyed looking at your library -- we share more than just The Mudlark! (and more than my library would indicate -- I only enter things from time to time, and have many more books "to be shelved," so to speak.) I also noticed that you live in Walnut Creek -- I'm in Point Richmond, not too far away.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but nice to get a virtual conversation going!
Hi Esta -- I wish I could help you with The Mudlark, but I'll confess, it has been years since I read it and I don't remember it well. In fact, I was confusing it with another (juvenile) historical novel about a young boy, Master Skylark, which is also in my library. Your review makes sense, as far as I can tell. I had no Idea it was based on fact, or that there was a movie made. I enjoyed looking at your library -- we share more than just The Mudlark! (and more than my library would indicate -- I only enter things from time to time, and have many more books "to be shelved," so to speak.) I also noticed that you live in Walnut Creek -- I'm in Point Richmond, not too far away.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but nice to get a virtual conversation going!
Hi, Esta. I'm curious as to what drew you to Gordon Baxter's Village Creek. Gordon was a local "personality" where I grew up and was a completely fascinating man because of his many talents. I see that we are the only ones who have this particular book in our libraries and that we rated it equally highly. I suppose I'm just surprised that the book sold outside its particular region.
Thanks for the recommendation of "Rules for Old Men Waiting" -It looks wonderful and I've put it on my ever growing Amazon wish list.
Thanks for the comments - I loved Ahab's Wife, too (although I only read it once, I am not a re-reader). It was for my book group and I loved the discussion we had about it. There are 2-3 men in my group and they really thought it was chick-ish. They also thought, and I agreed, that some of the situations were contrived or far-fetched - but I thought, so what, it's still a great story, isn't it?

I, too, was prompted to read Moby Dick because of Ahab's Wife, but I chose to tackle it first. I am not sure what you thought of it, but I really didn't like it at all and can't believe that I spent the time reading the 1,000 + pages (compulsive finisher). I don't think I am smart enough for it - I couldn't see the time wasted on writing 3 pages about rope, for example, but I am sure Melville had a purpose. One of the men in my group read it, too, even though I told him not to bother - he didn't like it either...

Oh well - another day, another book. At least I can say I did it (not much consolation).

Nice to "meet" you - keep in touch!

-Concetta
I would hate it if anyone messed with how I have my books ordered. Of course, right now it's not that easy to find them - putting books in order by color is fun and pretty but not particularly useful ;)

But thank you :):)
Thank you Miss Esta1923, for your poem! And I love your Mac artwork!

I just joined the SF Librarythingers group as we're moving back to the Bay
area this summer! In the early 90's, I worked at Aardvark books on Church & Market!

Let's keep in touch - perhaps we can organize a SF LT group outing sometime!

Cate
Thank you for welcoming me!:D I've re-read and re-read so many books, its not even funny... I think i've read Pride and Prejudice seven times, The First Princess of Wales three, the Warrior Heir five or six... its kind of crazy. Most people, even bookworms, think im crazy! Do you have that same addiction?
Re: Sky Burial, I don't know really if it's true or not. I did think it was a very evocative book, with lots of "true details", but whether the story happened exactly as portrayed, who can be sure? Even if it's a writer's device, I still thought it was really well done. An enjoyable read, for sure!
Hi Esta. Thanks for your kind response to my opening comment. I found it by accident--I guess I have to check into my own profile to see some msgs. I haven't got the hang of this yet. At first blush the mechanics here seem far less sophisticated than I was used to in the mid nineties, but more probably, I am the one who is far less sophisticated than I was then. Oh well, I'll keep plugging.

Thanks for my only human interaction so far--g
You've been very quiet lately. Is everything okay, Esta? Or am I not leaving The Green Dragon often enough.

Clare
Hi Esta
I did not know there was a movie of The Sound of One Hand Clapping. Shall look it up on Amazon. Have you read Richard Flanagan's other books?
Amanda
Thanks for the comment on my library and reviews! I do try to have fun with this, I just love this site. Keep posting at the Green Dragon, that certainly is a fun place, not what you'd expect at a bookish site, but definitely a bonus! I'm gonna go look at your library now!
Thanks for your message. It's good to have you on the Radio 3 Group. I hope that you will contribute from time to time. Happy listening!
Ere what, which, why, when, wherefore? Thx for looking up from the pages and making contact. :-}
Welcome! I saw that you posted. Sadly, for some reason, the body of your post did not show up! When you get the chance, you can edit it or just repost. Sometimes LibraryThing is a little wonky.

Happy New Year to you too!

Clare
I really do agree with you about Anne Tyler's work. I really love her earliest work and most of her other books up to the last half dozen or so which don't do much for me. I've read them but I haven't really enjoyed one of them in a few years in comparison to how I enjoyed the earlier ones. You know, sometimes I wonder if the author changes that much or if it's me as a reader who has changed. I've had the same reaction to a few other authors and that's what makes me wonder.

Thanks for your note.
Hi Esta,

I just checked my Flickr account today (after neglecting it for too long), and noticed your comment, so thought I'd let you know I'd replied. I took the photo because Whitelaw is my mother's maiden name, and I loved the memorial (I'm sure there's a name for those statue things, but no idea what it could be!). I live quite near the Necropolis too, and it's a fantastic place for photography - even amateurs like me.

Best wishes,
deargreenplace :)
:-)
Hoban fans have a small but friendly if fanatical online presence.
http://www.ocelotfactory.com/hoban/index... is agood place to start
I love your Books for Children and Intelligent Adults category! I'm a bit heavy on the number of children's books I've catalogued. I don't know that they mean more to me than those that I have read more recently, but my memories of them are so lovely that I can't resist lingering. [The Borrowers] and [[Marjory Sharpe]]'s Miss Bianca were characters that I never tired of!
Ah yes, now I see my spelling error in my post--though I protest that it is actually the company’s spelling error and not mine! Flickr, what is that? That is not a word! You’ve heard of a hopeless romantic, well, I am a hopeless pedantic--though that is a adjective and not a noun, but hopeless pedant does not really work in my play on words...but you see, there goes my pedantry again! I must now move on...

I have a basic Flick[e]r account, though I have only uploaded one photo, months ago, and it is marked private, so no one can see it...as I type this, I realize that I am uncertain why I even have an account there. I have considered many times breaking down and paying for a full account, but I have yet to do so.

Not being one to blatantly ignore a "shameless plea for attention," I shall indeed take a look at your pictures sometime, though you may want to update your LibraryThing profile and include your Flickr account in the "Also in" portion of your profile, that way, all of the fine people you meet here on LibraryThing can easily locate you on Flickr too.

Take care,
Ryan
...Answering your note about "Junk Food" by Rubin, Rollert, et al.

It's a very odd, funny, and little-known humor book about cheap and BAD FOOD IN AMERICA. I haven't read the whole thing, but big chunks I recall as wierd and funny. This book marks the official debut of "hampster-on-a-stick."

Thanks for writing. It's fun to connect with somebody over something strange like this.
Hi Esta,

Cool site - the ben frank quote . . .

They that can give up essential liberty for a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Is a real peach - food for thought in quite a few "civilized" countries at the moment.
Thank you for joining!
Yes, I think this website is absolutely wonderful. I have already met a lot of very interesting people. Isn't it great to have a place where everybody else is a bookworm? Where people understand why you cannot get rid of books and, actually, increase your collection whenever you can?
I never thought something like this would ever exist but, lo and behold! it does!!!!!!

Paola :-))
Hi esta,

The Shimoda book sounds interesting. Not having read it I cannot comment but knowing the Stone Bridge Press as quality publishers of anything on Japan I would think it must be good. Thanks for the tip. I'll get a copy and get back to you on my thoughts.

signature103
Hello Esta,

Thanks for the comment! I stumbled upon Chitra Divakaruni sort of by accident. I was browsing in a used bookstore, not really looking for anything when I saw Sister of my Heart. I think I read the whole thing in one day, I was so engrossed in it. Since then I've read a handful of others by her and still a few more on my shelf to be read. I'd love to see her in person! I'll have to be on the lookout! Happy reading!

Annie
Hi Esta, thanks for your note! Coincidentally, The Living House would be one of the few books that I'd really condone someone stealing from a library. It's such a wonderfully interesting book, but it sort of defies classification so a traditional library system probably wouldn't tend to lead a reader to it, except by chance.

I promise that I didn't steal mine either, though - I met it by chance because I love the illustrator's work so much that I've been buying his most obscure works through eBay and Abe Books. I've read a few curious books as a result, and Living House is certainly the most unusual one.
Regards, Kath.
Esta - Thanks for leaving your note about Moon Tiger, which I agree is a much neglected novel. How long does it take before schools consider something "classic" enough to add to their reading lists? I like your specific reference to the quote about the child fixing his argument on the existence of the "WORD dragon", especially as reading it on its own, it conjures up an image of a beast known as a "Word Dragon", like some vast compendium of the OED and Roget all in one. Now THAT is a beast I'd like to meet.
Thanks Esta, interesting. Was lucky to hear Brautigan give a reading and Q&A here shortly before he moved on to another level.
Hello, Esta -- thanks for the comment on my Hoban books! I've been a Hobanite for years, first through the children's books (I could tell you of a five year old boy and girl in the 70s who listened to a tape recording of Bread and Jam for Frances over and over, and over) and then finally into the others. For years I was drawn to and also put off by Riddley Walker: once I finaly "got into it" I did a lot of recursive reading, to be sure I was getting was was going on. It became one of my all time favorites. Kleinzeit was my next delight, then the Mouse. For some reason, "The Trokeville Way" really captivated me, too. I was at a librarian's conference, reading it in my hotel room, when the Columbine massacre occurred, and the book will always be intertwined with those memories for me. I haven't yet reread it to figure out its appeal, but it's on my list (and my shelf).
As for the website and the Kraken internet group: I was one of the first members! I was part of the group that sent Mr. H. birthday cards and bottles of Scotch for the first couple of years after the group was formed. Work has kept me from being one of the more active memebrs, and distance and budget have of course kept me from the Sympoasyum, but I try to keep in touch with the group. Hoban certainly is gracious. I once received an email thank you for a birthday greeting.
Now I've got to get to work on entering some miscellaneous and some children's books, before I go back to the school year! Best wishes to you -- Jane
So far I have only read volume 1 - volume 2 waits the right mood. I agree it's a great book but I find it less satisfying than I had hoped - maybe Vol 2 will redeem it.
Greetings -- I don't remember what set of circumstances resulted in me reading Possession, since I've never known anyone else who read it, and I've never read any other Byatt books. Maybe it was on sale. But I was absolutely blown away by what she was able to do with the English language, particularly in constructing relatively complicated and realistic-feeling poet characters.
You're welcome. I should have added that once you submit you can also edit if you don't like what you said or how you said it, but you probably figured that out.
Hi,
I noticed your question "How do I post reviews" over in the "What are you reading now" group.

Easily. Select the desired book in your catalog, click the "Edit" button, and you'll get the book information screen. The (I think) second box on the screen is titled "Review." Type in your review, and hit the "Submit" button at either the top or bottom of that screen.

Hope that helps.
Hello Esta1923, and thanks for your comment. The book Fly Away Peter is one I have not read (comes from my partner, though that's not an excuse!) and for some reason I have not been drawn to read David Malouf's books. Is this a good one to start with, do you think?

According to AustLit website, the novel was first titled 'The Bread of Time to Come' from a Wallace Stevens poem, an author Malouf identifies as influencing him the most. When I come across anything that comes close to answering your question I'll get back to you about it.

I notice you have Death of a River Guide- have you read it? If so, what are your thoughts?

Cheers
Thanks for my first comment :)

I agree with you! I think Julian Barnes' work is wonderful. Though I haven't quite read it all, I mean to. I highly recommend A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters.
Thanks for my first comment :)

I agree with you! I think his Julian Barnes' work is wonderful, though I haven't quite read it all. I highly recommend A History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters.
I'll definitely look for a copy of The Sound of One Hand Clapping. I was impressed with Flanagan. And I found a website that had all of the watercolors Gould did. It was fun to see some of the fish that didn't make it into the book! :)

Thanks for the recommendation.
Glad to have been able to help. :-)
Hi there. To delete duplicate listings, go into your catalogue and look on the far right side. You should see a red X. Just click on the red X of the listing you want to remove. Hopefully that helps. :-)
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