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By the way, Cathleen, I live 2 1/2 hours north of San Fraancisco so that's where it gets warm. It ws going to SF that I got a respite. You know the old Mark Twain saying, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in SF."
24C is perfect weather to me and I am glad you got a perfect farmers tan, Allan. It made me laugh just thinking about tanning in 24c weather.

Dear Susan,
That Twain line made me chuckle. People here always quote his "If you don't like the weather in New England, wait a few minutes..." That seems to be true, too.

You must live in a beautiful area. We were out there for our summer vacation a few years ago. We flew into Oakland and then drove north, through Petaluma to Ukiah and then over through Boonville (is that the Russian River Valley?) to Mendocino and then south to SF. During our time there, we wandered around towns like Ft. Bragg and Westport, Bodega Bay, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa. It was striking that it was in the 90s when we were in Ukiah, and then once we drove to Mendocino, it was in the high 50s, foggy and misty. I loved every minute of it. There's so much beauty and so much to see and do. And then SF--that has to be one of the coolest cities, ever! :)

I remember visiting Alcatraz and watching the mist crawl under the Goldengate Bridge and into the bay. It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen. I could have watched it for hours.

Cathleen wrote: "Dear Susan,
That Twain line made me chuckle. People here always quote his "If you don't like the weather in New England, wait a few minutes..." That seems to be true, too.

You must live in a bea..."
You were almost at my house. I live 20 miles north of Ukiah and most people come through Willits to go to the Coast. Mendocino is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. It looks like your neck of the woods. It has that New England feel. They make a lot of movies there like "The Birds", "The Russians are Coming" and episodes of "Mystery She Wrote".
I agree with SF being cool. SF and New Orleans are my two favorite US cities. I haven't been to Boston since 1968 so I plan to visit there again. I hear wonderful things about it.

What a great combination!

I love reading books with a strong sense of place. I think Dawes book is for readers interested in Belfast of the time or in Dawes. When I saw him at Queens I realized I had seen him lecture several years earlier at Catholic University about the eccentric poet Padraic Fiacc.
I just googled the flim Good Vibrations and had to add Belfast and punk to get results that weren't about the Beach Boys. It looks like this film is a big hit. I am going to send this info to the contemporary Irish arts group as they have a series called Irish Popcorn. They show recent Irish films and documentaries, for free in the lobby bar of a Washington hotel. They also have film festivals from time to time.

I am dying to see the film and sent more info to my friend in charge of the film series. Glenn Patterson will definitely sell it for him as the organization had Glenn here a few years ago. 'Hooleygan' is available here on kindle for about $12, and I found one copy of'It Makes you Want to Spit' for $63 but I am not planning on buying it. Fascinating.

Allan - Thanks for the recommendation. My husband loves anything to do with the punk scene and I love things that remind me of home. I'll have to get a copy of the DVD when I go home in September - as I'm not sure it'll be readily available here in Bogotá!

Allan wrote: "Caroline-I'm glad you saw the post. I can't recommend the film enough, as you can probably see!

I've added a few YouTube clips below that are related either to the film or directly to the subject ..."

Over the top Allan! I will check these links out. I've already emailed my friend Dennis 3 times today about getting the film to show here. I know they have ways of getting the films.

Writing in the book! horrors! I have an old copy of A Place Apart in paperback but just ordered a second hand hardcover. But I won't write in either:)

Allan wrote: "Caroline-I'm glad you saw the post. I can't recommend the film enough, as you can probably see!

I've added a few YouTube clips below that are related either to the film or directly to the subject ..."

I showed my husband the trailer and he said Great - when can we watch it. I had to break it to him that it will be a couple of months before we see it. I don't see it coming to the multiplex near us in Bogotá any time soon.
Allan - is there something you are not telling us, did you invest in this movie??? You are doing an excellent job of selling it.

I cringe when I see people writing in books. I take some adult ed classes and several of those people write all over their books. I have to look away.

I am cleaning my bookshelves and cleared 30-40 books. Some I will donate to be sold by my library (a tax deduction for me) and some I have posted to swap. I already have about 12 books to mail out for swapping. And I am putting all Irish lit in a box to mail to a friend who is an English professor.

I am trying to organize my piles for my summer reading. Yikes! If I read a book every day, it'd just put a small dent in my piles. And I have a few more books coming in the mail - more yikes!

Re: hoarding. I used to love collecting CDs and books and filling my shelves with them. Over time, having left a lot in my old house and selling others when money was tight, it just became less important.

Just finished Vanishing Ireland Vanishing Ireland: Recollections of Our Changing Times with its evocative photos of auld wans,

and hope to soon begin Whoredom In Kimmage: The Private Lives of Irish Women which promises a tart perspective [ intentional pun ].

Wow, the Whoredom has a wide variety of views. Let me know if it's good or if, as one reviewer, said it's just the narrow viewpoint of an American author.

Has anyone heard of the Northern Ireland writer, Cristina McKenna, and if so, what do you think of her?

I think she was nominated for a group read, previously. For the life of me I can't remember who put it forward.

I just did some checking, and The Misremembered Man was runner up to 1Q84 for last year's July monthly read.

Thanks. I did some checking and it seems like she writes romance type books which aren't my cup of tea.

Susan wrote: "Wow, the Whoredom has a wide variety of views. Let me know if it's good or if, as one reviewer, said it's just the narrow viewpoint of an American author."

Hope to get further into it. Re: an alleged Yank viewpoint, the same could be said of C McCann's view of New York. Am hoping his TransAtlantic carries less flavor of what's P.C. right now in the Irish view of the States. Thought the street-priest in Let the Great World Spin was overthetop in that sense. ---But as usual, I digress!

Allan wrote: "I'm just in the process of finishing Headhunters by Jo Nesbo, and am really enjoying Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon on audiobook.

I was going to start Transatlantic later, but have decided to..."

A novel set on Rathlin Island? How cool is that. Please share what you think of the book when you're done. I may have to add that to my groaning to be read list, Allan.

Allan wrote: "Cathleen-I wasn't as fussed on Bateman's 'Turbulent Priests' on my second reading-I think having read so many of his books, his formula is maybe just a little too familiar to me now, and possibly a..."

Thank you for your comments on your second reading. I'll hold off on it, then. My list of summer reading is starting to get ridiculously long; I always have wildly optimistic expectations of how much I'll actually be able to read. I think I mentioned I had ordered some Jennifer Johnston books earlier. Holy cow. I cannot believe she does not have an American publisher. We are missing a great writer in the US by not having her books widely available. I've read one, (The Captains and the Kings) and I'll start the next soon. Her writing style reminds me a little of William Trevor's, and he's one of my all-time favorites. I'll have to think more about why I think they're somewhat similar. It might be the way she's able to turn over episodes and people that we would reactively slot into a certain category, and her writing shows those small, precise details that flip our assumptions on their heads. Just brilliant writing.

Hi Allan, I haven't read any Brian Moore, Bernard McLaverty or Maurice Leitch--more for my list :) For William Trevor, I'd recommend starting with his short stories. Cheating at Canasta and A Bit on the Side were both published relatively recently. If you feel like starting with a novel, then Love and Summer is a recent one; I just read it a few months ago.

William Trevor's The Disappearance of Lucy Gault is on our bookshelf. Although I had a serious problem with the books major plot turn, I can safely say he writes beautifully. Some of the scenes in the book are genuinely heart-breaking.

Allan wrote: "Cathleen-I hope you enjoy the book-I actually recommended it for the last Irish quarterly read thanks to having enjoyed it so much-it was critically acclaimed in UK and Ireland, and was a bit of a ..."

Cathleen and Allan - I just got The Light of Amsterdam this week. Oh, my pile is growing and instead of doing things on my long list of academic work for the summer, I am reading. Not enough hours in the day...

Barbara wrote: "Allan wrote: "Cathleen-I hope you enjoy the book-I actually recommended it for the last Irish quarterly read thanks to having enjoyed it so much-it was critically acclaimed in UK and Ireland, and w..."

I know. I wish I could read more quickly! I'll be interested what you think about it after you read it. I really liked it a lot.

Cathleen wrote: "Hi Allan, I haven't read any Brian Moore, Bernard McLaverty or Maurice Leitch--more for my list :) For William Trevor, I'd recommend starting with his short stories. Cheating at Canasta and A Bit..."

Cathleen - Brian Moore is a must read. Of course his most well known book is The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne. It's useful knowing that he has a series of books set in the wilderness of Canada and maybe US that may not be what you (and I) are looking for. On the other hand, The Emperor of Ice Cream is on my shelves after my summer session at Queens in 2009 but I haven't read it yet. Maurice Leitch is on my to read list but I (my bad) thought he was Scottish as he was on a reading list for a summer course of U of Edinburgh on modern lit from Scotland and Ireland (a course I still hope to do). I should reread Bernard McLavarty as I have several of his books but there's so much to read that I haven't gotten to. I loved his book Grace Notes and after remembering that will put it on my to-read list.

I just finished Astray by Emma Donoghue. I have heard a few mixed reviews of it. It is in MHO a very feminist book. Some of the stories left me unimpressed, but others , particularly the final story, were very moving. What was fascinating, and appealing to my academic side, was that Donoghue based each story of some historical event. Sometimes there was very little known about a specific person or event she writes about so she invents. This made the book much more interesting. Her afterward is very interesting, and she tells us her own story, and what the title Astray means. It is interesting that this is an afterwards not a forward - but better for it. In the end I think this book has sold based on her reputation after writing Room. All of the stories had been previously published in various places, so this was probably her publisher's effort to get another book out there by her. I forgive her for that as publishing is a hard business, and a writer's life is even harder.

Allan - I think the 2 novels I mentioned in my last post - The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne - by Brian Moore and Grace Notes by McLaverty. But I think after finding this review of The Emperor of Ice Cream it may be more appealing.
Here is an edited version of the review I found on Amazon:

Not surprising for those familiar with Moore's novels, he comes storming out of the gates with a lighthearted sort of tongue-in-cheek contempt for religion (specifically Roman Catholicism) right on the first page, where young Gavin Burke is having an imaginary dialogue with the icon of the Divine Infant that stands watch over him from its perch on his bedroom dresser. Gavin no longer believes in God, yet he remains in dread of God's vengeance for the fact of this unbelief...The scene is Belfast Ireland, early stages of WWII. Seventeen year old Gavin enlists in the war effort to escape the responsibility of continuing his education and getting "a real job." This is a great spin on one of Moore's oft-recurring themes... a young man struggling to make a go of it, and making wrongheaded decisions as he does so!...
The central drama is within Gavin's consciousness and in a bitter conflict between him and his father...
Those who know about Moore's own upbringing will see that there is much autobiographical content in this novel.
A word about the title. It is borrowed from a Wallace Stevens poem.

I also have a Michael McLaverty book on my shelfLost Fields. As I keep saying, too many books and not enough hours in the day. It would be easy (and justifiable) to teach a course just on Northern Irish writers!

I've been reading Howard Zinn: A Life on the Left by Martin Duberman for the past 2 days. I bought it last week after one of my book group meetings in a local restaurant that has a Howard Zinn room. Zinn taught at Boston University when I was a graduate student there. I became more interested in him when I discovered friends in Ireland were friends with him and exchanged letters. The husband, an American, had been arrested with Zinn at a protest at the British Embassy in Boston. The husband passed away in 2000. It was subsequent to that in around 2002 I met Zinn briefly when he appeared at Politics and Prose, my local independent bookstore. We chatted briefly about our mutual friends. Zinn passed away in 2010. My friend, the wife, still lives in Dublin, and is in her early 80's. She is fairly well known in the city as she and her husband were activists and at many protests including those at Wood Quay, when the Viking ruins were "paved over" with one of the ugliest buildings in Dublin, if not in Europe, the ESB building. They were neighbors with Micheál Mac Liammóir who joined them in protecting their tiny terrace in Dublin 2 from rampant development. I'll be sending her a copy of the book via Kennys and wrote her a letter yesterday to let her know she'd be getting a package from Kennys. Years ago I visited them with an American friend who was a photographer who took some pictures at their house. One day I arrived to visit and found them in the back garden burying an envelope. It was the photos from my friend. But they had no idea what it was and being nervous activists, they were going to bury it in case it was dangerous. I still smile thinking of that episode. I once met Nuala O'Faolain who talked about her late entry into writing memoirs and fiction. I mentioned my friend, the wife, and saying I thought she should write a memoir. Nuala, said "Oh Mrs. R. - yes she definitely should write a book".

Allan wrote: "That's a funny story alright about the envelope, Barbara-I suppose it shows the danger people like your friends must've put themselves in by sticking up for things they believed in. While I may not..."

An even funnier story is the one my friend tells about buying small lamp shades for their wall sconces at one of the Dublin department stores, and the shades melted. So they went to the store for a refund, and the manager refused. So the couple went out front and started marching around, holding up the melted lampshades. Then her nephew rode by on his bike, and seeing them, jumped off and joined them. Then the neighborhood eccentric joined the march. Soon a crowd gathered and they all made so much noise the manager finally relented. Oh the little injustices we face in everyday life. But they never gave up when things were unfair and the way my friend tells the story (she is a true Dubliner) always has us rolling on the floor laughing as we imagine the scene.

Allan wrote: "I've just finished reading two excellent books, in which those in this group may have an interest.

Eden Halt is a memoir written by Ross Skelton that I found out about via the Irish Times review t..."

I've put Eden Halt on my tbr list.

Allan wrote: "I've just finished reading two excellent books, in which those in this group may have an interest.

Eden Halt is a memoir written by Ross Skelton that I found out about via the Irish Times review t..."

Your story of your father's recognizing a person on the book cover just reminds us how small NI really is.

@Allan. I'm tempted to try them both, but I think I'll just add The Son for now. I swore I would't add another book to my to-read list until I got a few more reads under my belt, but the comparison to The Sisters Brothers twisted my arm.

Thanks for the bison plug. I love the story of y
our dad recognizing somebody on the picture of the book. "The Son" is already on my TBR pile. Will I ever catch up. I still have "Eureka St" to read.

I think nominating Eureka St. is a great idea. It will give me the impetus to read it.
For anyone interested in my son's bison bbq business you can go to his Facebook page- Buffalo Boys BBQ Page.

@Allan. No rules were broken. Members are allowed to canvas within the group for their group read nominations. I, on the ither hand, have broken my rule of adding no more books to my to-read list and added Ablutions. :/

@Suan. I think I've found Is he in one of their uploaded photos?

Allan wrote: "Barbara-Carrickfergus even now only has a population of about 35000 I think, so anyone living there would have a pretty good chance of recognising others from the town even in passing. Given the fa..."

Looking ahead to August, it's not too early to think of Eureka Street. It makes me feel OK about not reading it yet as my TBR pile is not teetering, and close to collapse. It doesn't help that I keep bringing books into the house.

Declan wrote: "@Allan. No rules were broken. Members are allowed to canvas within the group for their group read nominations. I, on the ither hand, have broken my rule of adding no more books to my to-read list a..."

You found it alright. He is in one is a white chefs coat, baseball cap backwards and holding a knife. My husband and I gave him the greatest name ever- Jeremiah Johnson. You may be too young to remember the excellent movie with Robert Redford. My son's nickname is Red.

I am currently reading Edna O'Brien's memoir Country Girl. The first part about her childhood dragged for me, but as soon as she got to Dublin and later London, I was captivated. I will definitely finish this over the weekend and am tempted to reread her early books. Speaking of those early books, I have a number of her early books in HC which may be first editions and worth money (at least judging by my first look at ABE). I will be going up to Baltimore in the next couple of weeks to visit a few antiquarian bookshops - one specializes in Irish lit.

@Susan. I love that name. I was never a big fan if Redford growing up (I had my own acting favourites who were more current,) but I loved Jeremiah Johnson. It's one of favourite Westerns of all time, alongside The Sons of Katie Elder and The Unforgiven, and it's definitely my favourite of the epic 70s Westerns.

And Red is such a cool nickname.

@Barbara. I can't even think of book shop in Dublin. It's so strange to think that Irish lit is so popular in the states that there are specialist stores.

They specialize in modern literature and books on the arts, and list a lot of Irish lit titles. So technically they don't specialize in Irish lit, but it an area they are interested in. I had a first edition of the first Harry Potter book - exceedingly rare because no one knew how popular it'd be. They sold it for me for $2000!

Wow, $2000! That's a price made all the more impressive by how large the price while being a huge bargain. You must have a long list of admirers dying to lay their hands on it?

Allan wrote: "Barbara-I think someone got a bargain buying that Harry Potter book off you for $2000, but what a price all the same-had you bought it for cover price when it came out originally? I'm not into my c..."

I saw the NY Times Book review of Edna O'Brien's memoir, Barbara, and I've always liked her writing, so I'll be interested to read what you think of it. I'm not at all sure what her personal story is, so another reason to read her memoir. Just one more book to add to the shelves!

I've just started TransAtlantic this afternoon, and I'm enjoying it. Once I get a little further on, I'll look at that thread. He's a brilliant writer, isn't he?

Cathleen wrote: "Allan wrote: "Barbara-I think someone got a bargain buying that Harry Potter book off you for $2000, but what a price all the same-had you bought it for cover price when it came out originally? I'm..."

Cathleen - I will probably finish it today. There are some who may think she exaggerates certain episodes but it makes for good reading.

Allan wrote: "Barbara-I think someone got a bargain buying that Harry Potter book off you for $2000, but what a price all the same-had you bought it for cover price when it came out originally? I'm not into my c..."

O'Brien's early books are likely to have a primarily feminine appeal but her later books such as House of Splendid Isolation are more universal. I had no idea she had been encouraging to McCann, and that is a great story. Considering what literature the world would have lost if he had given up...
I bought the Harry Potter book at my local bookstore (long since gone out of business) the day after reading about it in the Washington Post. A few months later my son and I went to Brazil for 5 months (I had a Fulbright) and I brought it. I almost left it there, but am glad I didn't. In 2004, I was looking on ABE discovered what it was worth. I was buying a home and knew the money would help with the deposit. The bookseller didn't believe it was a first edition, but after checking, quizzed me as to how I happened to have it.

O'Brien moved to London with her husband and sons. He was, according to her description, a very controlling man - but then again it was the 60's. After her first book was bought by a publisher he told her he hated her for being successful with her writing. They separated and she had limited access to her sons. They divorced and had shared custody. Later discovering some indiscretions on his part, she went back to court and got full custody. Also at least one of her sons said he wanted to live with his mother until he was older.

Allan wrote: "Has anyone read Colin Broderick's memoir, Orangutan? I remember Caroline posting that she'd identified with his frustrations with the writing process, but already, 35 pages in I'm ready for putting..."

Sounds like a load of self-glorifying rubbish, Allan. I can see why you're reluctant to continue reading it. I don't think I'd have your patience, nor do I think I'd have made it as far as 35 pages.

Well, good luck, Allan. I hope your perseverance pays off.