Gardener's Group discussion

After browsing over the other book thread, I noticed a lot of people mentioning favorite rereads so thought it might be good to add a thread for that. (Let me know if this already exists somewhere and I missed it!)

My two favorite books are Peace Like A River by Leif Enger and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I used to have several copies of each so that I could always loan one out (and not have to worry if it didn't come back) when talking good reads with friends.

My favorite re-reads are oldies--Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov. Still enjoy it after all these years.

And I re-read a lot of Rex Stout and Agatha Christie too--very relaxing, no brain strain at all.

I know, not deep, introspective, intellectual. What can I say?

My all time fave is "To Kill A Mockingbird" which I reread every summer. I have fave authors such as Pat Conroy, Dana Stabenow, Elizabeth Peters, James Lee Burke and Diana Gabalden and will periodically reread one of their books as it feels like visiting an old friend. Some other books I have reread several times over the years are "The Wheel of Fortune" and "A Farewell to France" and "Tanamara" all three of which are old books but marvelous stories.

In no particular order; Under Milk Wood, Lord Clarke's Civilization, Bernard Levin's Conducted Tour, Theroux's travel tomes, Tom Sharpe's Indecent Exposure.... Jeffry Bernard's Low Life..... all old friends and comforting to revisit.

Oh, this is great! So many books I haven't read. I, too, really like To Kill A Mockingbird and keep meaning to reread it. Fahrenheit 451 is good every ten years or so to see what else has come true...

Gabi wrote: "I re-read Nora Lofts until I finally knew every one off by heart! I started reading her before I was married and we hit the 40th anniversary mark last year. I still re-read my Anne McCaffrey and Al..."

You're thinking of the correct Elizabeth Peters. Sometimes I like to read for pure fun and that's how I view her books. I've also developed quite an interest in Egypt which has lead me to read historical fiction about Cleopatra and Nefertiti. I'd also like to read something about Tut.

Elizabeth Peters actually has a PhD in her subject, so her facts are usually pretty accurate I have found. There is a companion book, Amelia Peabody's Egypt, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66..., which is quite fascinating about the times and places in her books.

That sounds interesting, Miss Jessie. I haven't done a lot of reading about Egypt but it sounds fascinating. I might just give it a go.

I enjoy Truman Capote's stories and reread them frequently. A Christmas Memory and A Thanksgiving Visitor are my favorites. I also reread Jane Eyre and Hamlet from time to time.

I have been reading your posts on books about Egypt with great interest . That is a subject that greatly interests me and I have read quite a few. I read that Stacy Schif book on Cleopatra and the Moran book about Selene, Cleopatra's daughter. Much earlier I read some of the books of Joyce Verrette but I think I read them out of order and they were mostly romance novels ( or so they seemed to me ). Margaret George wrote a book about Cleopatra too I think and Wilbur Smith has a trilogy with an Egyptian theme that I enjoyed. Now you ladies have me interested so I am going to have to look these books up again. In the seventies I went to see the King Tut exhibit the first time it was allowed out of Egypt and I was absolutely enchanted . I saw it in Toronto at a private viewing made for a group of very wealthy senior citizens ( I was a chaperone / assistant ) and about five years ago I saw more of the collection in Chicago the second time it has toured the U S. It still strikes me speechless ( my husband would tell you that doesn't happen often:-) I would love to go to Egypt and see the pyramids etc..but it does not seem like a safe place for anyone anymore. I will have to settle for reading more books with the Egypt theme..

I was fortunate enough to see the exhibit in Chicago the first time it caee, and in 1999 I went to Egypt/Israel and saw the stuff in the Cairo Museum (which figures heavily in the Peabody series BtW). Incredible stuff, better displayed in Chi actually but still.

The pyramids were what blew me away though. You are right though, I want to go back very much but it doesn't seem likely anytime soon and maybe never, given the religious extremism in the area.

Viki wrote: "I have been reading your posts on books about Egypt with great interest . That is a subject that greatly interests me and I have read quite a few. I read that Stacy Schif book on Cleopatra and th..."

Nah Viki, Egypt is safe and fine - especially these days (assuming one keeps away from demos). To see King Tut in Egypt was a childhood dream come true. Having some properties in Egypt (and an Egyptian wife) plus living in Kuwait gives a different Mid-East perspective than portrayed by much of the media; i.e. it is the unusual that hits the headlines. I have lived and worked on and off in Egypt for the past 25 years and never had an iffy moment. The Brotherhood certainly made a mess of things over the last year but even last year when I left Egypt the only problem I had was petrol queues that now its Bye bye Mursi, has been rectified. I was never in any personal danger. 99.999% of Egyptians welcome foreigners are basically friendly, some chance their arm at prices - but do with absolute locals as well. Sadly here are some areas of London I feel more circumspect about...

MissJessie wrote: "Elizabeth Peters actually has a PhD in her subject, so her facts are usually pretty accurate I have found. There is a companion book, Amelia Peabody's Egypt, http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/66..."

I'll have to look for that one.

Interesting conversation surrounding the current unrest in Egypt. The media certainly has a lot to answer for when depicting what's going on in other countries. Thanks for the insight Harvey.

Cheryl S. wrote: "Interesting conversation surrounding the current unrest in Egypt. The media certainly has a lot to answer for when depicting what's going on in other countries. Thanks for the insight Harvey."

In addition to American news stations, I like to listen to BBC news for a different perspective on things. A steady diet of American press can skew one's perceptions.

For balance (maybe) I always read Drudge, CNN and the DailyMail (London). That about covers conservative and liberal, I think.

Despite their tabloid tendencies, I actually like DM the best; I get better and more US news there than from US sources.

Print-wise, the Wall Street Journal suits me pretty well.

MissJessie wrote: "For balance (maybe) I always read Drudge, CNN and the DailyMail (London). That about covers conservative and liberal, I think.

Despite their tabloid tendencies, I actually like DM the best; I get ..."


I like Drudge, CNN and WSJ, too. The more sources the better.

Under Milk Wood. Aloud. I like to do all the voices. Being from the Valleys I have the right accent and intonation, so it reminds me of being a kid.

Any of the Finn Family Moomintroll or The Borrowers series.

Eduard de Pomiane's magical, impractical and charming Cooking in Ten Minutes which is purportedly about fast French cooking in the days when cigarettes were still considered elegant and relaxing and microwaves simply didn't exist. But it's really about being French, relaxing and long slow lunches by oneself.

Petra X wrote: "Under Milk Wood. Aloud. I like to do all the voices. Being from the Valleys I have the right accent and intonation, so it reminds me of being a kid.

Any of the Finn Family Moomintroll or The Borro..."

Ah yes! The voices! Having heard Richard Burton in the flesh it needs an ACTIVE read:)

Just on the subject of media - being a bit of an Arabist - plus my better half naturally scans the Arabic channels, it is sometimes surreal reconciling what all the channels and agencies are broadcasting... not to mention the hysteria that ordinary folks can generate entirely on their own! :))

Harvey wrote: "Just on the subject of media - being a bit of an Arabist - plus my better half naturally scans the Arabic channels, it is sometimes surreal reconciling what all the channels and agencies are broadc..."

You are so right about the hysteria, Harvey. Sometimes the general public seems to thrive on it.

I frequently consider any connection between what's on the news (mainstream anyway) and what is actually happening to be coincidental.

I watched a little bit of CBS the night the verdict was announced in Florida, maybe 5 minutes. The talking head actually said words to the effect that "Trevon's parents are left without the JUSTICE they sought".

I don't care which "side" anyone favored, that was an an inflammatory statement which of course was the intent. And ignores that the defendant got the justice HE sought.

Had he said "verdict" it would have been accurate; justice, no.

Incredible. And so offensive I turned them off.

Harvey , it's great to hear that Egypt is not as unsafe as the popular media portrays it . I used to love to watch , " Chasing Mummies" on the History channel with Zahi Hawass, outrageous as he was. He truly seemed passionate about taking care of Egypt's antiquities. I read that 18 items were looted from The Cairo Museum( only two of them were from the King Tut exhibit reportedly) and 70 items were broken during the riots. Then I read that he was relieved of his post by the Prime Minister after Mubarek was sacked. I wonder if we will see him again.

I've re-read Little Women several times over the years and will likely keep doing so in the future! I adore that novel. I've also read To Kill A Mockingbird several times over the years, as well as The Help.

Jo wrote: "I've re-read Little Women several times over the years and will likely keep doing so in the future! I adore that novel. I've also read To Kill A Mockingbird several times over the years, as well as..."

"Little Women" was one of the first books I ever read on my own and remember wanting to be Jo.

I loved Little Women and Jo (who was Louisa Alcott) very much.