Books
sthurner

sthurner

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” Francis Bacon

I am a retired English teacher, now an artist, and always a reading omnivore.

I belong to a neighborhood book discussion group, and participate in a couple online book discussion groups. Shelfari is where I keep my...more »
  • Janesville, WI, USA
  • member since October 2006

sthurner’s last login was 3 days ago. show recent activity »

Books I'm reading

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • Auntie Social

    Auntie Social says

    Just dropping in to say Howdy! Hope you are having a wonderful summer and have a happy Independence Day.

    posted 7 days ago. ( send a note )
  • tapbirds

    tapbirds says

    Earlier this year I read the autobiography ("Your Land and Mine") of Dr. Edgar Wayburn, one of the founding presidents of the Sierra Club. I was surprised at how many times Stegner was mentioned in his book; obviously Stegner was quite involved in the conversation movement.

    Thanks for the recommendation on Stegner's collection!

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • tapbirds

    tapbirds says

    Hi Sharon:
    It has been quite some time since we last corresponded; I trust all is well? I noticed that you just read & rated a Wallace Stegner book, "Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs" - - I assume you would recommend it? I have been intrigued by Stegner since reading "Angle of Repose" and the surrounding debate around authorship. But would also like to read more of his "environmental" writings - - would you could consider "Bluebird" to be representative of his environmental interests?
    Best wishes,
    Scott (tapbirds)

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Ron W

    Ron W says

    All I can say is "Wow." You have read over 2,000 books! I read 50-60 per year and I thought that I was well-read. Good job!

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Jassafari

    Jassafari says

    Just writing to say:

    HELLO!

    JASS!

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Judy S

    Judy S says

    Miss being your friend and checking your shelf and reviews. Saw elsewhere that you had been to Peru! We are going to China for three weeks soon.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Jassafari

    Jassafari says

    Thanx for the befriending!

    JASS!

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • mjacobs

    mjacobs says

    Hi Sherry, I have indeed been to the Antwerp Zoo - at least once a year since grandson Linus has discovered the place! This summer he (4 years old) told his mum and dad that he thought it was time for him to make a long yourney, for instance a long train journey with his grandma, for instance to the Zoo... The train journey from Ghent is only 50 minutes, but quite an adventure for him. He's asked me to take him ago just 2 weeks ago...
    And as a child I used to live only 10 miles from Antwerp, I went to high school there, my family has been living there - alas, we were a small family, and most of them are gone.
    I used to love our visits to the zoo. It has changed a lot of course, there are not so many animals any more but they have a lot more space, and the company has started a new zoo in the countryside, where the rest of the animals are. There there is lots of room, they have tried to create "natural habitats" for the animals and have joined in breeding programmes (Planckendael). It's a lovely place to take children: there is a big island for the gibbons, i.e., and they do very well there, and always put on a wonderful show climbing, jumping, just being gibbons.

    That book about color was recommended to me by a collegue who loved it, but it's been on my "I'm reading" shelf for several months now. It's not that I do not like it, I just don't feel like reading on :-)

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Chaska  (formerly Kitty Blu)

    Chaska (formerly Kitty Blu) says

    Did you love it? Where all did you go? I went last May for two weeks and also the year before.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Book Dreams

    Book Dreams says

    I see that you read Johnny Got His Gun. I read it in high school, during the Viet Nam war and it had a PROFOUND impact on me. I've never forgotten it. Pretty intense.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Auntie Social

    Auntie Social says

    Hi! It has been a long time since I have written to ANY of my friends and I want to apologize to you. One of my New Year's resolutions is to stay better in touch with everyone. I have admired your blog on several occasions. You are really a talented person. Hope spring catches up to you in Janesville soon and that the river stays in its banks this year.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Howard N

    Howard N says

    I see that we have over 200 books in common. And I am also a retired teacher. I saw your review of Bang the Drums Slowly, which is one of my favorite books.

    H

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • mjacobs

    mjacobs says

    Hi Sherry, Thanks , I'm fine again, after a serious flue a few weeks ago. I hope you are well too.
    I did read The Graveyard Book a few months ago: another book for youngsters, not too scary, but still thrilling enough to keep going well after your bedtime, so perhaps it's better to stick to Pooh. I had a look at your shelves yesterday to see if I shoud add something to my wish list. I was tempted by Evidence of Things Unseen, but I'm still hesitating if it would be my kind of book.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • ZORBA THE BUDDHA

    ZORBA THE BUDDHA says

    Hi,Sherry.

    I went through your coherent profile..iI appreciate the precision;aptly echoing the wisdom you have gained wid your age and reflecting the clarity of your purpose being here..Though I had to be patient enough to go through your exhaustive shelf n will take few more days to complete..You had your whole life's reading experience behind you, so kindly give me some referals for mysteries, fictional biographies, non fictions or the books you feel bore an impact on you butressed wid the perpetuance they left on you..May be I just read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch recently so kindaa interested in getting some succinct feedback form the right persons available in the online viscinity..

    Regards,
    Vinay.

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • unfinished woman

    unfinished woman says

    What's the pedestrian book by James. I usually love her. Is it her new one? Saw you comment on Sharon's page.

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • breid

    breid says

    Hi, Sherry. I obviously haven't been doing a good job keeping up with Shelfari, but I appreciate this note. I'm in Edmonds, teach in Everett. Thanks for writing! Bethany

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Breath on the Wind

    Breath on the Wind says

    I hope you don't mind. I was creating a profile and used Bacon's quote, then thought to check if it is used elsewhere. Yours came up. Since it is slightly different (usage not the quote ;-) I went ahead. B

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Book Dreams

    Book Dreams says

    From your list, Sherry! And I see you will be reading The Matisse Stories. Very appropriate, considering what you've been up to lately. It's one of my favorite short story collections. Hope you like it. (Champagne chilling at your house?)

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • stephanie n

    stephanie n says

    I haven't worked my way through all of Rice's stuff yet. I loved Interview with a Vampire, but I found myself restless in Memnoch the Devil so I haven't picked up anything else by her. You recommend The Vampire Lestat? I just looked up Vampire Tapestry, and it seems to have pretty favorable reviews; I think I will go check it out. I'll add Stuck in Neural and Feed to my "need to read list." I LOVE Shelfari! I've got so many books on the waiting list now! I'm so excited!

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Judy  C

    Judy C says

    Hi! I occassionally add books that I read long ago and that's the case with Little Women but I'll March on my list (ever growing longer) of books for the future. I haven't been writing reviews but as I read those of others, I see great value as a reminder to myself, if nothing else. I'm going to start!

    Let's see. I should recommend a book for you. I read lots of books that are set in Africa or Asia, fiction and non-fiction. One that I read recently and liked very much is Oracle Bones by Peter Hessler. He also wrote River Town which I have not read about his experiences teaching English at a Chinese university. Let me know if this fits within your range of interests.

    posted 6 months ago. ( send a note )