What's up? glad to see you are back in the land of the living!

posted by Kenkwa at 6:34 pm (EST) on Dec 17, 2007

What's up? glad to see you are back in the land of the living!

posted by Kenkwa at 6:34 pm (EST) on Dec 17, 2007

What's up?

Holidays were great - We went down to my parents house about 100 miles away - and unfortunately it is not an antebellum home....your normal ranch style house. Ate like crazy, went to see both of my Grandmothers, came back to my parents home and ate more....then headed back to Columbia so I could finish my Christmas shopping on Friday - there were sales EVERYWHERE....and people as well.

It was nice having four days off. I would like to have had more....guess I'll have to wait til christmas now where I have the whole week scheduled off. The wife is also having surgery done the week before Christmas, so that will have me running around more dealing with the kids, etc. Cooking for Xmas....blah blah blah.

Well I am doing this at work, and they monitor our internet usage, so I better get off this thing.

Currently reading a mystery by Lisa Unger, who is on this Librarything as well.

see ya

ken

posted by Kenkwa at 7:34 am (EST) on Nov 29, 2007

Wow! What a fantastic way to spend a bonus!!!!! The local bookstores have books for the children's orphanages and the poorer schools within the school districts and you've just inspired me to run out and get a few for each of the charities. Great idea! Only, I don't get bonuses, so I'll have to budget it in with the normal pay check vs. the bills!

OK - I do need to ask about Borat and the book! Enquiring minds want to know!

ken

posted by Kenkwa at 7:19 pm (EST) on Nov 13, 2007

Hi Jim

Glad you're feeling better....I am supposed to get a flu shot at work in the next few weeks, I think. They give them out free to the employees, so we'll see. Last time I received a shot, I was in bed for two days feeling yucky....so not sure if I am to that again. But....Two days off?? HMMM Might need to think harder on that one.

I have seen the book you are reading in regards to historical facts being given incorrectly to all of us through the school years. Does not sound boring....actually I might need to find a copy of it. If I remember, I think I saw a copy of it on the discount table at Barnes and Noble (love the discount table!).

Currently reading The Godfather and a collection of short stories by Joe Hill (son of stephen king). Read the Uncommon Reader in an evening...a novella instead of a full fledged novel.

Hope you have a great week in creating "solutions"
for the world! Think you can come up with one that will solve all the ilks of the world???

ken

posted by Kenkwa at 7:51 pm (EST) on Nov 11, 2007

Hiya Jim

Bought a book today and thought of you might liking it. It's entitled "The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett. Pretty much, it's about the Queen running across a bookmobile, and becomes addicted to reading.

Hope you are well!

ken

posted by Kenkwa at 8:44 pm (EST) on Nov 10, 2007

Hi Jim
Yeah! The stalker of old lady writers! That would be me! She was the only writer that I have "stalked" in order to meet. I've met hundreds more, but its because they come to the SC Book Festival or show up in one of the local bookstores to sell their wares. The picture was taken in the lobby of the apartment building on 72nd St in NYC. She was such a fun person to meet, full of wit and sarcastic humor. If you have not read 84,Charing Cross Road, you need to...a booklover's book!

The Presbyterian Books are from the USA Presbyterian church. I believe the main Presbytery is in Louisville Kentucky. I am currently being Presbyterian, as I am a pipe organist, and the position this go around is with the Presbyterian Church. Past positions have mainly been in the United Methodist church, of which was the church I was raised in. The USA Presbyterians are the ones that tend to get in trouble and in the news about their social politics, like ordaining gay ministers, etc. The PCA Presbyterians are the Evangelicals, and the ARP's are considered the REFORMED high-brows, in which the sermons almost require a doctoral degree in theology to understand. Attended an ARP once when I was involved in the church choir...which was excellent but the theology was quite hard for me to swallow. I got bored being away from the pipe organ, so I went fishing for another position.

How did you come across Greg and Steve's book "On a Street Called Easy, in a Cottage Called Joy?" I live in Columbia SC, and Aiken is about 45 minutes away...a very small, snooty horse town, but a nice downtown street to visit from time to time...nice little restaurants, antique stores, bookstores. The house is a riot!!! It very odd looking, has no balance, and it appears to wander endlessly. I met the authors years ago when the book was published at a book signing, and I drive by the home when visiting Aiken. I would love to see the inside of that house.

ken

posted by Kenkwa at 6:08 pm (EST) on Nov 4, 2007

Hi Jim

Thanks for the reply! You're the first person I have spoken to on this Library thing. :-)

The Elizabeth I book actually is a juvenile book written by Helene Hanff, author of 84, Charing Cross Road. I got to know Helene before she died, and as a means of mourning her death, I decided to collect everything she ever wrote....which meant a good portion of her authorsship is for juveniles. If you scan my library under Hanff, you'll see I the collection I have had fun gathering over the years. Actually, last week, I came across one book she wrote for the American Geographical Society...entitled Our Nation's Capitol. I have searched for it off and on for about 5 yrs. Accidentally ran across it on Amazon. Snatched it up for $1.99!!!!

By the way...the picture in my profile is a picture of Helene and I, sitting in her apartment lobby in NYC...the year 1995. She was quite a lady!

Thanks for the reply...hope to hear from you again!

ken

posted by Kenkwa at 5:21 pm (EST) on Oct 30, 2007

Hi Jim

Enjoyed viewing the books you and I share....esp. my favorites, Bill Bryson and David Sedaris.
I just joined this group a month ago, logged all these books, music etc. into the system and have had a ball looking around, comparing my library to others. Your selection so far seemed so close to my favorite books....one interesting question...what is uncensored about The Jungle ?...thought that was quite peculiar.

Ken - Columbia, SC

posted by Kenkwa at 5:54 pm (EST) on Oct 29, 2007