Books

Request Friendship
Send Request Cancel

The Literary Hammer

The Literary Hammer

Contribute to The Literary Hammer Blog @ http://literaryhammer.blogspot.com/

More than 270 books from my Shelfari shelves are on sale @ http://www.amazon.com/shops/eye_DEAL_books
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My avatar picture is a literary tattoo of a quotation from... more »
  • East Bay, CA, USA
  • member since December 21 2008

The Literary Hammer’s last login was Thursday, September 10 2009. show recent activity »

Reading Timeline

Previous Button Next Button
     
Plan to Read Reading Now I've Read

Public Notes

  • Emmylou F

    Emmylou F says

    Greetings from my corner of the world. I hope everything is allright with you G.

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • Beautiful Gate of Heavenly Moisture Number Six

    Beautiful Gate of Heavenly Moisture Number Six says

    Hammer time. Hey, I'm on here. But from my phone. Weird.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Emmylou F

    Emmylou F says

    hi! :) i finally got the chance to respond. Despite my openness, it seems that I distinguish between what I want others to view openly and what I want only the intended recipient to read--thus, the double message. ^^

    Wishing you well G.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Jason R.

    Jason R. says

    Greg the Hammer- hey it's been a while. How are things with the job hunt? I know CA must be a tough place to be right now. I noticed that you are reading a lot of historical/ political type books right now. I am reading Pat Conroy's latest novel "South of Broad", which is set in Charleston and partly in San Francisco. I hope to start on "Les Miserables" next- it would be a personal accomplishment to read "Les Mis" AND "War and Peace" in the same year. I am glad fall is here along with football season- I am a big Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs fan- did you get to go to any Giants games this summer? Drop me a line when you find time and let me know how you are...Jason

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Emmylou F

    Emmylou F says

    Hi G! I read your message several days ago but I was bombarded with thoughts so I was unable to send a reply at once. :D

    What I mean is I wanted to ask/comment much at once so I ended up not being able to write anything at all. :D Now that i finally found the time again to visit shelfari, i'll tell you what I thought (in no particular order) and by the way, i don't mean to pry. I just got curious about things so you may or may not clarify. ^^

    1. It's a bit unbelievable to hear news of teachers in US who are finding it difficult to find a job, considering that a lot of Filipino teachers apply for a teaching position in your country.

    2. Why could you suddenly get terminated? I mean, you were applying for a job before (and I believe you didn't have a problem getting hired) but now, you're looking for a job again.

    3. I thought you were divorced or separated, so it was surprising to hear you've not been married. (Don't know why i thought about that.) But being single gives one more freedom, I think.

    4. I'm glad you think of me. I appreciate it. I hope you're always doing well, too.

    5. I wish you luck in looking for a new job. Starts have always been a little bit rough, but they are exciting as you think of new prospects.

    6. etc. etc. etc.

    I'm okay, really busy till Saturday but after that, will have a lighter load for 2 weeks (I am teaching in a trimestral university and it'd be term break soon). So, though, i have several things to accomplish, I am looking forward to having more freetime than usual, and doing some enjoyable things I haven't had the time to do.

    Take care and may GOD bless you. :)

    HUgs,
    Emmylou

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Ann E. M.

    Ann E. M. says

    Hi. Sorry for the late response. I'm sorry to hear about your recent job troubles. It's affecting everyone, including me. My classroom just closed because of lack of enrollment. I was moved to another class and started yesterday. I'm thinking positively and right now, I'm enjoying these new children. I just grateful to have a job - a full time job at that. How has the job search been? Did you find anything? Hopefully, you won't have to leave the teaching field. Been to lots of baseball games? When you have time, you can start the discussion for "Johnny". Am looking forward to it. Talk to you soon. Ann

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Johnie S

    Johnie S says

    One last thing, after I finish the highly entertaining Sookie Stackhouse series, I am going to read every book you recommended about 4 weeks ago. Of course I have read Confederacy already and Mockingbird, but every other recommendation I think may be a good challenge. Okay dude, later!

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Johnie S

    Johnie S says

    Thank you for your kind remarks, it totally made my day! I hope you will find a job soon. Unemployment is even worse in Oregon, it is just difficult times in general. As we trudge along, we shall prevail! Oh, what good Civil War era writers can you recommend? I am suddenly very interested and I know you are like a total genius regarding Southern Literature. Have a wonderful day Greg, my good energy and thoughts are with you on the job front!

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Johnie S

    Johnie S says

    Hi G,

    I just thought I would rub it in that I completed reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. Murakami is brilliant and I am still obsessed with his work. Now I am taking a break from Japanese writers and moving on to the purely entertaining Sookie Stackhouse series. I cannot stress enough how much I wish I were a character in a Murakami novel. My own life is boring by his standards! Hope you are having a great day so far. Peace Out!

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

    Book-Lubber says

    Hey there,

    I LOVE to cook and LOVE watching cooking shows. I saw "Julie & Julia" today and I have the itch to brew something-up! I tried to get Julia Childs' cook book after I saw the flick and was told it was back ordered for weeks! Can't wait to Cook!

    Bon Appetite,
    Erin

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Ann E. M.

    Ann E. M. says

    Hi G. Just a little note to let you know I'm back. My vacation to the PI and Disneyland was a blast. It was great spending time with my grandma; it was hard leaving her. Also, read three books while I was on vacation. One of them being "Johnny Got His Gun". Wow! That was one powerful novel. I'll go into more detail later and we can have our discussion. How was your summer? Did you find a full-time teaching job yet? If so, which district? Hope all is well and hope to hear from you soon.
    Ann

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Emmylou F

    Emmylou F says

    Dearest G, how are you? I was able to squeeze attending an event last night to my schedule. It was a talk on Relationships: The Power of Harmony, with BK Sheilu, an international public speaker and meditator, an event sponsored by Brahma Kumaris (heard of?). It was such a wonderful experience 'cause for the longest time, the events I have been attending are related to work/academics. With the inspiring talk and the relaxing music, the night was simply uplifting and enlightening. ^^ Never mind that I arrived home so late.

    That's the only new thing about me...The rest, busy time with time with work & studies, is the same. And oh, I presented a report in my anthropology class yesterday about Philippine Folkore: Overview and Analysis. It went well because I was able to read up on it. My classmate even asked me wonderingly if i did read all those books 'cause I consulted a lot of references. :D I guess, that's one of the advantages of being a book lover, I mean reading would never seem to be a chore.

    I am still unable to send you the "novel-like" letter. So i'd send you bit by bit. :D How's it going with you? Take care! :)

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

    Book-Lubber says

    NOTHING happening here at all.... BORING! I did read a good book. "Speaks The Nightbird" by Robert McCammon and then the second in the series of three is "Queen Of Bedlam". The third bird comes out the end of this year called, "Mister Slaughter". I "FAVORITED" SPEAKS THE NIGHT BIRD. EXCELLENT!!

    I decided to represent Texas and Rock the BIG HAIR 80's style....

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Book-Lubber

    Book-Lubber says

    What the 'ell 'ave you bean up too?? School starts here on Aug. 25th. When do you go back to molding snot nosed punks?

    Cheerio,
    Erin

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Johnie S

    Johnie S says

    Thank you so much for your wonderful post! I totally loved Confederacy of Dunces, one of the best written books EVER! I escaped to the coast yesterday, so refreshing. Yes you must break down and get Murakami, I'm obsessed I totally admit it. I cannot stop reading his books, Windup is so wonderful. Your list of recommendations is superb. I will get over Murakami someday and read American writers again. You have lived all over the US, what a great opportunity, how rich. I do love Harper Lee, but Faulkner........I just can't get into his writing. I wish that I could, but it feels like I'm swimming in mud. Maybe I will tackle him at another juncture! Your passion for great literature is inspiring, thank you for sharing it with me ;) What about a doctoral program? I am sure that you were a wonderful professor, although high schoolers need someone to spark that passion too. I luckily had great teachers who inspired me from grade school to the horrendous high school years. One very wonderful Ms. Robbins was so inspiring that I read everything she recommended. Keep it up G, there is the right school out there and they will be lucky to have you. Remember pimping ain't easy!

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Johnie S

    Johnie S says

    It is as hot as Georgia asphalt here, I feel like I am back in the South again only there are more hippies and trees! How goes the job search? Are you having any luck? As soon as I finish reading Murakami (which may be never ;) I may (and only for solidarity) embark on a Southern writers only tour any suggestions?

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • jerry-book

    jerry-book says

    "Washington: the Indepensable Man" was an eye opener. I did not realize without him the Republic would probably have floundered. None of the others such as Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, etc. could have garnered the respect that Washington was accorded. I did not know he had so little education compared to the others.
    Finally, he had an untimely end. His doctors treated his last illness by bleeding him repeatedly. This probably killed him.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Johnie S

    Johnie S says

    Don't hate the player, hate the game homes!

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • jerry-book

    jerry-book says

    I saw you just read Angela's Ashes. Quite a bleak upbringing. Sad the author just died.

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Emmylou F

    Emmylou F says

    Now, I'm the one who doesn't have internet access at home. I transferred to a new place and haven't had my line processed yet. I loved what you said about "Life and Manila treating me kindly." It made me smile 'cause you know, these days, it's simply too demanding for me--have a lot to do, a lot to attend to. And at times, thinking much about things adds to my concern.

    But I am managing fairly well. I could still smile at least and somehow, I still look as young as my pic. Hahaha!

    Just a short note right now, 'cause i am checking papers and computing my students' grades. Just wait till I finish. I'm gonna send you a "novel" like letter.

    Keep well G. Take care! GOD bless you ... ^^

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )