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Rey · 05-12-2011, 12:46 PM

(05-12-2011 11:18 AM)Bageleth Wrote: (I've been watching a lot of "Gilmore Girls" lately, and that show makes me want to at least visit or live in a small town in Connecticut or somewhere like it).

Lori here used to watch that show. Funny how the magic of television can create the illusion of a small Connecticut town. I say illusion because that show was all filmed on the Warner Bros Studio backlot in California. You know that square, and the gazebo and everything? That was also the town square in the Dukes of Hazzard, ha ha, plus a bunch of other TV shows and movies. You want to see a quaint town square that is real? Watch the movie Groundhog Day, that square is about ten miles from where I live.

Oh wait, this is the book thread, sorry about that. Currently I am reading the book "Once Upon a Town" by Bob Greene. It is the true story of the North Platte Canteen, which was a train station stop in Nebraska during WWII. Many troop trains were moving through there, containing a lot of newly trained young soldiers on their way to fight in the war. These troops were all very nervous, not sure what was in store for them, and a lot of them, sadly, were never going to make it back. The good people of Nebraska volunteered to set up a stop where they provided a good meal, cakes and other treats, music, and even a dance with a girl. Kind of a thank you for what the troops were going to do, and a happy send off.

I like books like this. What do you know, it is a book that is not about a murder. Sometimes I look through the fiction section at the library for a book that is not about a murder (and its solving), and it can take a long time finding one. Undecided

***Bageleth*** · 05-12-2011, 03:23 PM

There's a local author here named Bob Welch, who wrote a book based on his childhood called "Where Roots Grow Deep: Stories of Family, Love, and Legacy". That was just basically a good book

I know that the Gilmore Girls set is an illusion, but it looks so cute!

***Boomer*** · 05-12-2011, 06:45 PM

Found a couple of books tonight at the local Half Price Bookstore. Hopefully we can get some reading in this month. Did have some trouble finding a couple of titles so I may have to go to Barnes n Noble or even order online. Also found Powells Bookstore online, but am a little confused by their listings.

**Scythe Matters** · 05-13-2011, 03:38 AM

Finished both of my books. The Help was fantastic, I highly recommend it. The book on Rush and Philosophy was mostly good, though I disagreed with a few premises. But what's a bit of philosophy without some disagreement, eh?

Next up... um, not sure. Maybe some John Irving or Terry Pratchett (yeah, I know, that's quite a spread, there!).

**BrianW** · 05-13-2011, 11:45 AM

(05-12-2011 12:23 PM)boomer Wrote: I think I'll take a pass on THAT name. That might require a linguistic specialist. I'm just a lowly land surveyor! I'll put that on my list and see if Barnes & Noble might have that title! Thanks Brian.....I think??

Lowly? I was a surveyor assistant (mostly residential & Subdivisions) for a couple years and loved it. Fresh air, exercise, math, drawing, landscape and wildlife observation. Wish I was still there; had trouble though, separating the needs of expansion with pristine forest. Perhaps that's something best left for the rants thread. Anyways, I also suggest "The Havana Room" by Colin Harrison. First rate literary mystery that does involve land dealing/surveying knowledge.

***Boomer*** · 05-13-2011, 01:50 PM

Well, speaking of "Subdivisions"....I do some design work as a consultant to a developer in our area. Neat work, but sometimes a bit monotonous. I prefer the getting out and seeing things up close and personal. Like hiking half a mile up a section line and finding a niche of morel mushrooms. That always makes my day. Or seeing an eagle nesting above my survey line. NEat things like that are real treats. As for the books - I am developing a list on my smartphone so that when I go back to the book store I can look them up! Unfortunately our library was flooded in 2008, and if I read a good book I keep it anyways.

**BrianW** · 05-13-2011, 03:00 PM

(05-13-2011 01:50 PM)boomer Wrote: Well, speaking of "Subdivisions"....I do some design work as a consultant to a developer in our area. Neat work, but sometimes a bit monotonous. I prefer the getting out and seeing things up close and personal. Like hiking half a mile up a section line and finding a niche of morel mushrooms. That always makes my day. Or seeing an eagle nesting above my survey line. NEat things like that are real treats. As for the books - I am developing a list on my smartphone so that when I go back to the book store I can look them up! Unfortunately our library was flooded in 2008, and if I read a good book I keep it anyways.

I've had a coyote run by my station, swooping owls, stood face-to-face with a young bull moose with only a chain link fence between us. Fun being out in the woods, until the transit line takes you through a swamp and you get to feed the mosquitoes and leeches. Or chopping down 2' DBH white pines with a machete. May I refer you back to my earlier post about Fire Season?

**Scythe Matters** · 05-14-2011, 03:14 AM

I went with John Irving and A Widow For One Year.

***Bageleth*** · 05-14-2011, 10:10 AM

I just started reading "Let's Roll" by Lisa Beamer. The first chapter had me in tears.

**BrianW** · 05-17-2011, 05:45 PM

The Cut by George Pelecanos, award-winning writer/producer of The Wire. George came recommended highly by visiting mystery authors and for good reason, he's damn good at telling a story. Not so much a mystery, just good writing with real people trying to make their way though life. His novel, The Night Gardener was one of my favorites a few years ago.