Member: scarletslippers

Well, Helen, I think 'once a poet, always a poet.' (I, for instance - and it's pretty much the same thing, consider myself a non-practicing classical pianist. It's still there; I just don't tap into it right now.)
You wrote, "When in doubt, I'll use the perfect tense." Good deal! The one exception is sum, esse where the Romans preferred the imperfect unless they actually meant something that had once existed but did no longer. Aeneas says, "Troia fuit," and that's a great sadness for him. Otherwise, they apparently thought of "he was" the way you were thinking about how she disliked her teacher. (I guess. I wish I knew more about the language as a language, but not enough to do anything about it yet. I'm sure there are people here who do!)
Lindsey Davis is good - does good research. I just find her novels a little cozy, which I seem to equate with cutesy. Saylor does at least equally good research and throws in passages from Cicero from time to time. The protagonists of both are recognizably modern men wearing togas, but I find that easy to forgive for a good mystery.
Once again, too much information! I'll calm down and maybe clam up eventually.

posted by LizzieD at 8:58 pm (EST) on Sep 22, 2009

Oh how I love Virago green! I don't even remember which I read first, but it was probably Molly Keane.
As to Latin ---
"When it comes to the past, I think my problem is decided whether 'He walked to the station' is a completed action or an ongoing one (completed? assuming he reached his destination). And a sentence such as, 'She didn't like the teacher' - is that ongoing (I presume so, unless she suddenly started to like the teacher!)?" I believe that the Romans would see your two examples as perfect tense. If they meant to indicate imperfect, which they used less frequently, they would say, "He walked to the station every day" and "She disliked her teacher the whole year." Otherwise, they would use perfect.
I don't know the texts that you mention, but that has no significance at all.
You are a published poet! Now I am truly envious. I read poetry with great enjoyment, but I've never caught the creative wave that produces it. (Well, once I wrote a decent Haiku, but I don't believe that counts!)
I, Claudius is such a good book that I can't even mention it without wishing to reread it. Very dangerous! I'm sure that it was the impetus for my reading Suetonius and Tacitus too. A quick look through our books in common turned up no Steven Saylor who writes better mysteries set in ancient Rome than Lindsay Davis, I think. His protagonist is Gordianus the Finder who spends the first 5 or 6 novels in the series as a part-time employee of Cicero. These are darker than the Davis ones and, therefore, more appealing to me. The first is Roman Blood......
Off to swim!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 1:31 pm (EST) on Sep 21, 2009

Helen,
Isn't Latin a grand, muscular, lovely old language! And aren't the ancient Romans endlessly fascinating! I'm a sucker for social history.
I'm not sure that you were asking for help, but the teacher leaps in where more sensitive minds might stand back. Use the perfect for the simple past. It can also be used for present perfect (I have seen her every day this year), but more often it's just completed action in the past (I saw her yesterday).
Use imperfect (I'm sure that this is what you meant) for habitual, incomplete actions in the past. I think that translations are very helpful for understanding: I used to see her every day; I kept on seeing her every day until I finally asked her name; I was seeing her every day for awhile, but then she stopped coming. I wonder what text you are using and whether anything on my old website would be helpful. I'll look to see whether it's still available and let you know.
I'm pleased that you think that my library is interesting! It has been a work in progress for 40 years anyway. I envy you all those Viragos! I also so see some unfamiliar names among your favorites that I will have to check out. Great! More books to buy!!!! (I don't know Helen Dunmore, Jane Gardam, Lesley Glaister, or Lavinia Greenlaw; I'm about to find out!) AND I'm off to check out your author page. So, well-met!
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 10:48 am (EST) on Sep 21, 2009

This is twice tonight that I've found one of your reviews and hunted the book at amp. (Belinda and Marriage) I have ordered the latter and look forward to it. Thank you very much!
(Oh! If you should ever find anything in Latin puzzling, I'd be happy to take a shot at it with you.)
Fellow Virgoite,
Peggy

posted by LizzieD at 11:48 pm (EST) on Sep 19, 2009

Nice answer!!
Thanks for hearing me!!!

posted by AuthorsandExperts at 12:02 am (EST) on May 11, 2009

Hi, What types of books you likes..

posted by AuthorsandExperts at 7:46 am (EST) on May 4, 2009

I must confess I've never read Anthony Trollope, but have read several books by the contemporary Trollope; I think she is a descendant. Why can't I remember her NAME? My wife and I both love her books - and so does my mother. - Tim (Is it Joanna?)

posted by TimBazzett at 4:56 pm (EST) on Apr 29, 2009

Hi, Helen - Was reading your review of Paul Scott's STAYING ON, an old favorite of mine, although I've never got around to reading his Raj Quartet. If you like detective fiction, try Anne Argula, a new name on the PI Noire scene, with an unusual heroine, the menopausal Quinn. I'll say no more, but I loved all three books, even though I don't normally read mysteries. - Tim Bazzett, Reed City, MI, USA

posted by TimBazzett at 9:54 am (EST) on Apr 27, 2009

Ah yes, Murun was wonderful wasn't he! Thank you for dropping in, good luck with the O U ...

Lucy

posted by murunbuchstansangur at 4:46 pm (EST) on Apr 20, 2009

I am inspired by your collection, and your words.

posted by AuthorsandExperts at 12:01 am (EST) on Apr 20, 2009

Hello! I just read your review on A. N. Wilson's _The Victorians_ and I totally agree with you! The book tells the readers more on his character than the age of Victoria. But still I think the book is rather informative if we were to sieve his prejudice aside.

posted by hansel714 at 2:56 pm (EST) on Mar 22, 2009

Hi, I just joined this site. Are you a writer too?

posted by AuthorsandExperts at 11:31 pm (EST) on Mar 13, 2009

Well, it's that "particular charm" that makes me like it.

posted by Lodhi at 8:49 am (EST) on Mar 6, 2009

I agree with you about Agatha Christie. You know they've done up her place by the Dart river?

posted by Lodhi at 8:09 am (EST) on Mar 5, 2009

"To laugh often and much; to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

posted by theoldman at 8:54 am (EST) on Feb 7, 2009

Hi! I noticed we have some shared favourite authors/books on LibraryThing, and my curiosity was furhter piqued by the similarity of our usernames 'scarletslippers,' 'theredshoes') -- and then I find out your elljay shares the name of a Sylvia Plath heroine, too. So I thought I'd say hello.... altho I couldn't leave a comment at elljay, oh dear. I'm the_red_shoes, over there.

posted by the_red_shoes at 3:59 am (EST) on Jan 25, 2009

I see, by a cursory check, that we have many, many books in common, although not always the same editions. Like you, my obvious self indulgence is detective fiction. I'd like to join up as friends, if you wouldn't mind.

posted by bohemima at 7:48 pm (EST) on Dec 31, 2008

I wanted to thank you for your excellent review of Clarrisa. I am definitely going to read this book!

posted by tomcatMurr at 10:08 pm (EST) on Sep 21, 2008

I do have to thank Virginia Woolf and Emily Holmes Coleman for enabling me to approach something like [Novel on Yellow Paper] with an open mind!

posted by aguntherc at 2:05 pm (EST) on Sep 1, 2008

Thanks for your review of Novel on Yellow Paper. It inspired to finally take Stevie Smith off the shelf and give her a try.

posted by aguntherc at 3:49 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2008

Just wanted to say that I have been reading your LJ page, and am really impressed with your reviews. You choose some really interesting stuff to read, and have a really engaging style of writing. I look forward to reading more!

posted by zibilee at 7:34 pm (EST) on Jul 20, 2008

Hi H, looks like I'll have to wait to change my name as the function is temporarily disabled. You were right, this thing is addictive. I'm hoping to get the books all listed by Easter. I spent hours listing books today when I should have been preparing for tomorrow!
Michelle

posted by driftwords at 10:08 am (EST) on Mar 9, 2008

Hello Helen

I'm another LibraryThing nut and author. Strangely, I have a friend also called Helen Kitson visiting this weekend. She's a university librarian in Leicester.

BR -- Dave

posted by dmstraker at 10:32 am (EST) on Feb 15, 2008

Ha, I found you after you gave up your vitals on LJ. I had no idea that you were a writer yourself! I do like your website and am especially fond of that photograph of your relatives reading. It's perfect.

- Imani

posted by Bahiyya at 12:09 pm (EST) on Feb 7, 2008

Thank you Helen.

Johannesburg has been atypically cold for this time of year, so I'm off to bed with Umberto Eco's "On Ugliness". I hope it will not induce nightmares of any kind.

Kind regards,
Celeste

posted by CelesteM at 6:11 pm (EST) on Nov 29, 2007

Dear Helen,

I am quite envious of your collection. Please may I add you to my list of interesting libraries?

Kind regards,
Celeste

posted by CelesteM at 5:09 am (EST) on Nov 28, 2007

Hi scarlet slippers

I have just found you via the Virago Group, and have really enjoyed perusing your blogs. Love the photo of your mum and grandparents, what a great family heirloom :)

posted by framheim at 7:02 am (EST) on Sep 20, 2007

Hi
Thought I'd say hello as we share so many novels. Happy reading
Anne

posted by anne2simpson at 4:04 pm (EST) on Sep 10, 2007

Mutually interesting libraries, hmmm. I must say, that if I were to enter your actual library I probably wouldn't leave it for at a least a few years. I feel covetous.

posted by citygirl at 8:11 pm (EST) on Sep 6, 2007

That's a lovely photo of you! The haircut is fabulous. Very Louise Brooks!
I was just thinking of you the other day, and wondering how you are. I hope you & your family are well, and that your writing is going well, too :-)
Becca x

posted by swanbreast at 12:36 pm (EST) on Aug 23, 2007

Yes Helen,

I too often find it odd that books I really like get rated differently by others - especially others that I have alot in common. I read the Elizabeth Taylor book on holiday - after Joseph Conrad and another classic. I just could not get excited about it - but perhaps was a bit too harsh. Interesting to hear you like her - perhaps I need to give her another try.

I know loads of people who loved 'The Thirteenth Tale' so please don't let me put you off. I am one of few who did not like it - however I really did not AT ALL.

Thanks for the great recommendations for Persephone books - I am rushing to their internet site immediately. And thanks for adding me to your interesting libraries - I hope you don't mind if I do the same?

Cheers, and thanks for the thoughtful reply.

Karen

posted by kiwidoc at 3:44 pm (EST) on Aug 4, 2007

Hello Helen,

I am passing through your profile page and interested in your library.

Just discovered Persephone Books and ordered two - a little uncomfortable to the pocket book as I live in Canada, but I will give up coffee instead!!!! Do you have any great recommendations as I would like to buy a couple more..........they are such sweet books. Virago books also appeal. Nice to meet you.

Cheers, Karen

posted by kiwidoc at 1:10 pm (EST) on Aug 4, 2007

Yes, perhaps SimmPenguin would be better.... I'll have a Life on Mars book to add in to my library in a few days. ;-)

posted by SimPenguin at 2:56 pm (EST) on Aug 3, 2007

Hello Helen,
thanks for addimg my library to your list!
I am very interested in women writing as well (much more than books written by men, I am afraid), and am always striving to improve my collection and broaden my knowledge. It will be a real pleasure to "take a stroll" through your library.

Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 9:43 am (EST) on Jul 17, 2007

Hi Helen,
wow, we have a lot of poetry in common. Love to pick your brains about those I'm not familiar with. What's Eva Salzman like? Recommended book for introduction?
Cheers,
Joanna

posted by joannasephine at 4:43 pm (EST) on Jun 27, 2007

Your link to flickr is not working at present - I have had the same problem with my link.

posted by tmcarew at 12:42 pm (EST) on Jan 30, 2007

Hey,

Well it seems that I share 34 books and counting, from your library... ;-)

Thomas

posted by shepline at 5:16 am (EST) on Jan 25, 2007

Hi Helen,
happy you, to have 'The Lighthouse' still ahead of you! I thought it was a real feast.
Wrote down in my notes 'the suspense was killing me' and I can't tell you more without giving too much away, but set time aside - you might not want to do much else!
Personally, I can't wait to re-read it, only it's way too early. I am always hoping 'she will publish at least one more, please!'
Thanks for your take on the editions. I will go back and 'clean up', but it will be a while.
Happy reading to you!
Claudia

posted by leseratte at 11:25 am (EST) on Oct 5, 2006

Hi there,
and thank you so much for yor reply!
I immediately got myself two books by Peter Lovesey from the library (A. Fraser seems harder to get) and will let you know what I think before long.
The 'mystery' about "A certain justice" was solved by me putting in the correct edition. Now I share the book with you and a lot more people. Which answers that question, but raises new ones. If you have the time, I would appreciate your comment: Is the right edition really as important as to determine if you share a book with someone or not?
I have a lot of books that I would not find listed by amazon.com, because I either bought them in some other country or a long time ago or second hand. It would mean hand-entering at least 50% of my books, and if this is how it should be done on this site, I'd do it, but it would take a long time, so I'd like to hear your take on this.
By the way, I read "The Children of Men" not long ago. It was a pretty good dystopia, and I rated it 7-8 on my private scale (with 10 being the best, and rare!) Rather different from her other books, and not a must-read though.
Thanks again,
Claudia

posted by leseratte at 8:18 pm (EST) on Oct 4, 2006

Hi there,
I am only starting out listing, but so far whenever I add any, I still share the most titles with you (more due to your amount of books than mine!)
One thing I noticed from looking at your profile is that your favourite crime writer is P.D. James, and I can only say, same here. A rather close second is Ruth Rendell, and I am forever looking for authors I might enjoy about as much, with not much luck (I have read almost all their books, even if I don't own all of them.)
Anyway, there is one book by P.D.James, that I am sharing with only one reader, so I know you don't have it listed. If you also haven't READ it, I would like to draw your attention to it.It is called 'A Certain Justice' and it absolutely mystifies me why no one has it. It's as good as any of her other books. Maybe you have an opinion?

posted by leseratte at 9:00 pm (EST) on Sep 30, 2006

PS you might be interested in Charity Shop Swap - UK.

posted by artymiss at 12:16 pm (EST) on Sep 19, 2006

Ha! I see you found the VMC group. I was just about to tell you about it! Now we need someone to start a Persephone group...

posted by artymiss at 12:13 pm (EST) on Sep 19, 2006

Hi,
and thank you for joining the Virago Modern Classics group!

Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 8:40 am (EST) on Sep 19, 2006

New name! You nearly had me fooled there.
Lovely picture

posted by dovegreyreader at 12:51 pm (EST) on Jun 17, 2006

Errata corrige: the correct title is "Exiles at home" and not "Strangers at home"
Paola

posted by aluvalibri at 1:17 pm (EST) on Jun 6, 2006

There are quite a few Aussies in the Virago Modern Classics. One of my favourite books is "Cindie" by Jean Devanny (she was actually from NZ). If you have the chance read it, I am sure you will enjoy it. That is the book that actually got me interested in Australian lit and made me wish to learn more.
There is also a very interesting book by Drusilla Modjeska entitled "Strangers at home", which is all about Australian women writers.
By the way, I visited Persephone books and I love it! I can already tell that I will buy A LOT of their books. Fascinating selection.....
Till next time.
Paola :-))

posted by aluvalibri at 1:14 pm (EST) on Jun 6, 2006

P.S. You are on my watch list too!!
Ciao

posted by aluvalibri at 8:12 am (EST) on Jun 6, 2006

Thanks a lot for the info on Persephone Books, I will look into it immediately.
Have you read any Australian authors (women, of course)? Beside Miles Franklin, who is probably the most famous, I like Jean Devanny, Eleanor Dark and Katherine Susannah Prichard quite a lot. Unfortunately, they are not easily found in the US, so....thank God for internet and Ebay!!!!
Another site I use quite a lot is bookfinder.com (but I am sure you know that).
Nice "talking" to you :-))
Paola

posted by aluvalibri at 8:12 am (EST) on Jun 6, 2006

I see with great pleasure that I am not the only one who loves the Virago books. I am writing this note because I saw that we have 46 books in common (no little thing indeed!).
I hardly ever get rid of any of my books, but that is because, so far, I have been so lucky as to buy almost always books I really like. I am as happy as a kid in a toy shop when I go to a bookstore, especially one of those old used bookstores, dusty and mysteriously smelling. One of my next trips will be to Hay-on-Wye, I know.
In the meantime, I keep buying books.....

posted by aluvalibri at 8:45 am (EST) on Jun 5, 2006

Yes, we're now up to 5! Terry Pratchett is best in small doses I think and the later ones are better. The Watch ones have a nice 'crime' element to them so they're my favs. Struggling with my Pride and Prejudice. I looked inside and it's a 1967 'Pan' paperback. Think I ought to treat myself to a nice new one. ;-) Not that I would throw the old one away...

posted by Caffy at 9:14 am (EST) on Apr 18, 2006

PS The Music collection is basically the result of being a child of the 50's and 60's, bit of money in the 70's, whilst the 80's and 90's passed us by in a blur of poverty stricken child rearing!

posted by dovegreyreader at 12:22 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2006

I decided to add the music, well tagged,so that I can split it off if need be but also to have a log of exactly what we have. God forbid it should ever go up in smoke but we wouldn't have had a clue!
The journals are about setting up a reference library for myself,years worth on the shelves and no idea about the contents. I'm really pleased with it so far but have masses more to do.

posted by dovegreyreader at 12:14 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2006

I have a handful of the SF titles (The Incomer, Spaceship Made of Stone, Female Man, another Joanna Russ, Chinks in the World Machine), a few Janet Frames, The Colour Purple and others that are in London & will be catalogued in June. I've just written a short article about "what ever happened to...?" But they're still publishing, right?

posted by deliriumslibrarian at 3:15 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2006

Any UK Women's Press books (black and white stripy spine editions)? I collect the SF... and have some old Virago editions as well.

posted by deliriumslibrarian at 2:35 pm (EST) on Apr 16, 2006

I thought it would be mostly Virago books - but it isn't. Hopefully I'll finish cataloguing over the weekend and all will be revealed.

posted by artymiss at 10:55 am (EST) on Mar 14, 2006

Update - so far I am about half way through cataloguing. At the moment we share 119 books. We are twins! (as our icons prove).

posted by artymiss at 1:25 pm (EST) on Mar 13, 2006

Okay, this is my librarything acct, NOT myprivatecodex. If you wanted to keep tabs. :)

posted by daykeeper at 1:34 pm (EST) on Mar 2, 2006

Tee hee! :D

posted by artymiss at 4:23 pm (EST) on Mar 1, 2006

there is someone with over 50 (dovegreyreader)!!! i didn't even know they published that many *pouts in corner*

posted by artymiss at 1:28 pm (EST) on Mar 1, 2006

23 persephone books!!! *pouts*

posted by artymiss at 1:23 pm (EST) on Mar 1, 2006