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Talking about Books 16th August
Hi All
first thanks to Mary for the hospitality!
and we were 18!!!

I try to put together the references of books we were talking about.
Please feel free to add if I miss something.

But before let me thanks all of you for coming and sharing the pleasure of reading :)
And on Saturday 8th of September, if you are around, I'll be very happy if you join the party I'm organizing in Nyon (see the activity posted on Glocals as Party - Live Blues & Jazz).

have a great weekend and see you soon :)

Davide

From Nick:
The first book I quoted was "Cider with Rosie" by Laurie Lee
The book I said I really enjoyed was "Knowledge of angels" by Jill Paton Walsh
The last book I quoted was "Library" by Matthew Battles
All the quotes can be found at http://www.impudent.org.uk/food-for-thought.htm
Also the library I mentioned can be found at http://www.thelibrary.ch/

Nathalie shared the book 'Bird by bird' by Anne Lamott

From Beatrice:
The Cloven Viscount
by Italo Calvino
"If only I could halve every thing like this," said my uncle, lying face down on the rocks, stroking the convulsive half of an octopus, "so that everyone could escape from his obtuse and ignorant wholeness. I was whole and all things were natural and confused to me, stupid as the air; I thought I was seeing all and it was only the outside rind. If you ever become a half of yourself, and I hope you do for your own sake, my boy, you'll understand things beyond the common intelligence of brains that are whole. You'll have lost half of yourself and of the world, but the remaining half will be a thousand times deeper and more precious."

From Olga:
The author I mentioned yesterday was Ayn Rand. She wrote three novels : "We the Living", " The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged ". "Atlas Shrugged" is her best-seller, hilosophical book with some unforgettable characters and some interesting ideas about freedom, love, integrity, defence of capitalism. It's recommended to everybody for reading.

Mary K read from "The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana" by Umberto Eco.

From Rasha:
THE PROPHET - by Khalil Gibran:
This book which is Gibran's masterpiece, has become one of the beloved classics of our time. Published in 1923, it has been translated into more than 20 languages, and the American editions alone have sold more than 9 million copies. Gibran considered THE PROPHET his greatest achievement. He said:"I think I've never been without THE PROPHET since i first conceived the book back in Mount Lebanon. It seems to have been a part of me ... I kept the manuscript four years before I delivered it over to my publisher because I wanted to be sure, I wanted to be very sure, that every woed of it was the very best I had to offer."
The Chicago Post said of THE PROPHET: " Cadenced and vibrant with feeling, the words of Khalil Gibran bring to one's ears the majestic rhythm of Ecclesiastes. ... If there is a man or woman who can read this book without a quiet acceptance of a great man's philosophy and a singing in the heart as of music born within, that man or woman is indeed dead to life and truth."

The Complete chapters I read parts of yesterday-

1. On Love:

Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love. And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with great voice he said:

When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself, He threshes you to make you naked. He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor, Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God." And think not that you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself. But you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

2. On Marriage:

Then Almitra spoke again and said, And what of Mariage, master? And he answered saying:

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

ANYWAY .... The Paradoxical Commandments; Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World: by Kent M. Keith.

" The Paradoxical Commandments do not focus on popular symbols of success like wealth, power, and fame. Instead, they focus on meaning - the meaning you can get from loving others, doing good, being honest, thinking big, fighting for underdogs, building, helping others, and giving the world the best you've got. Each action you take can be enough, in and of itself, whether anything else follows from it. When you live the Paradoxical Commandments, each action you take will be complete, because each action will bring its own meaning.... When you live the paradoxical life, you will find personal meaning in a crazy world. You will make a difference. You will change lives. One of the lives you change will be you own." - From Anyway.

The Commandments:

* People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
* If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
* If
The text you are quoting:
Hi All
first thanks to Mary for the hospitality!
and we were 18!!!

I try to put together the references of books we were talking about.
Please feel free to add if I miss something.

But before let me thanks all of you for coming and sharing the pleasure of reading :)
And on Saturday 8th of September, if you are around, I'll be very happy if you join the party I'm organizing in Nyon (see the activity posted on Glocals as Party - Live Blues & Jazz).

have a great weekend and see you soon :)

Davide

From Nick:
The first book I quoted was "Cider with Rosie" by Laurie Lee
The book I said I really enjoyed was "Knowledge of angels" by Jill Paton Walsh
The last book I quoted was "Library" by Matthew Battles
All the quotes can be found at http://www.impudent.org.uk/food-for-thought.htm
Also the library I mentioned can be found at http://www.thelibrary.ch/

Nathalie shared the book 'Bird by bird' by Anne Lamott

From Beatrice:
The Cloven Viscount
by Italo Calvino
"If only I could halve every thing like this," said my uncle, lying face down on the rocks, stroking the convulsive half of an octopus, "so that everyone could escape from his obtuse and ignorant wholeness. I was whole and all things were natural and confused to me, stupid as the air; I thought I was seeing all and it was only the outside rind. If you ever become a half of yourself, and I hope you do for your own sake, my boy, you'll understand things beyond the common intelligence of brains that are whole. You'll have lost half of yourself and of the world, but the remaining half will be a thousand times deeper and more precious."

From Olga:
The author I mentioned yesterday was Ayn Rand. She wrote three novels : "We the Living", " The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged ". "Atlas Shrugged" is her best-seller, hilosophical book with some unforgettable characters and some interesting ideas about freedom, love, integrity, defence of capitalism. It's recommended to everybody for reading.

Mary K read from "The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana" by Umberto Eco.

From Rasha:
THE PROPHET - by Khalil Gibran:
This book which is Gibran's masterpiece, has become one of the beloved classics of our time. Published in 1923, it has been translated into more than 20 languages, and the American editions alone have sold more than 9 million copies. Gibran considered THE PROPHET his greatest achievement. He said:"I think I've never been without THE PROPHET since i first conceived the book back in Mount Lebanon. It seems to have been a part of me ... I kept the manuscript four years before I delivered it over to my publisher because I wanted to be sure, I wanted to be very sure, that every woed of it was the very best I had to offer."
The Chicago Post said of THE PROPHET: " Cadenced and vibrant with feeling, the words of Khalil Gibran bring to one's ears the majestic rhythm of Ecclesiastes. ... If there is a man or woman who can read this book without a quiet acceptance of a great man's philosophy and a singing in the heart as of music born within, that man or woman is indeed dead to life and truth."

The Complete chapters I read parts of yesterday-

1. On Love:

Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love. And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with great voice he said:

When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself, He threshes you to make you naked. He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor, Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God." And think not that you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself. But you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

2. On Marriage:

Then Almitra spoke again and said, And what of Mariage, master? And he answered saying:

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

ANYWAY .... The Paradoxical Commandments; Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World: by Kent M. Keith.

" The Paradoxical Commandments do not focus on popular symbols of success like wealth, power, and fame. Instead, they focus on meaning - the meaning you can get from loving others, doing good, being honest, thinking big, fighting for underdogs, building, helping others, and giving the world the best you've got. Each action you take can be enough, in and of itself, whether anything else follows from it. When you live the Paradoxical Commandments, each action you take will be complete, because each action will bring its own meaning.... When you live the paradoxical life, you will find personal meaning in a crazy world. You will make a difference. You will change lives. One of the lives you change will be you own." - From Anyway.

The Commandments:

* People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
* If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
* If
giglio6973Aug 17, 2007 @ 14:40
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Re: Talking about Books 16th August
Post 1
thank you for this long message, I am sorry I could not come and do hope to be there next time !!!
H?l?ne
The text you are quoting:
thank you for this long message, I am sorry I could not come and do hope to be there next time !!!
H?l?ne
milonguera, Aug 17, 2007 @ 16:19
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Re: Talking about Books 16th August
Post 2
"A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide" by Samantha Power

It is a real interesting book and actually a real page turner, though on a horrible gut-wrenching subject. A bit too focused on the US at some times, but historically interesting, and a good insight into how US policy work (or more exactly does not work) regarding this highly important question. The "never again" has continuosly been proven wrong and this books help examine why this is the case.
The text you are quoting:
"A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide" by Samantha Power

It is a real interesting book and actually a real page turner, though on a horrible gut-wrenching subject. A bit too focused on the US at some times, but historically interesting, and a good insight into how US policy work (or more exactly does not work) regarding this highly important question. The "never again" has continuosly been proven wrong and this books help examine why this is the case.
LNA__, Aug 17, 2007 @ 16:41
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Re: Talking about Books 16th August
Post 3
yes! books from all over the world ... but common language is english :)
The text you are quoting:
yes! books from all over the world ... but common language is english :)
giglio6973, Aug 18, 2007 @ 02:33
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Re: Talking about Books 16th August
Post 4
It reminds me of a prayer I've read a long time ago.
When we read this text at the beginning of the day, it helps to have a nice day.
Thanks
The text you are quoting:
It reminds me of a prayer I've read a long time ago.
When we read this text at the beginning of the day, it helps to have a nice day.
Thanks
Gentlesmile, Aug 19, 2007 @ 10:10
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Re: Talking about Books 16th August
Post 5
Man Walks into a Room
We Have to Talk about Kevin

I'm sure these books mean something to the person who brought them to share with us. Please let me know so I can get them back to you!
The text you are quoting:
Man Walks into a Room
We Have to Talk about Kevin

I'm sure these books mean something to the person who brought them to share with us. Please let me know so I can get them back to you!
MarmarK, Aug 19, 2007 @ 21:15
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Re: Talking about Books 16th August
Post 6
and Dina read from the opening passage of JD Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye.

Claire talked about "catfish and mandala" by Andrew X Pham.


The text you are quoting:
and Dina read from the opening passage of JD Salinger's novel Catcher in the Rye.

Claire talked about "catfish and mandala" by Andrew X Pham.



giglio6973, Aug 20, 2007 @ 17:22
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Re: Talking about Books 16th August
Post 7
I went to the UK for the weekend, and whilst in a bookshop - where else - I noticed a book recommended to me by Lee at the last meeting.

The book "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks. It is about the plague year in Eyam, a small village in Derbyshire that suffered from an isolated plague outbreak in 1666.

I hope to have read it by the next meeting.
The text you are quoting:
I went to the UK for the weekend, and whilst in a bookshop - where else - I noticed a book recommended to me by Lee at the last meeting.

The book "Year of Wonders" by Geraldine Brooks. It is about the plague year in Eyam, a small village in Derbyshire that suffered from an isolated plague outbreak in 1666.

I hope to have read it by the next meeting.
Flutty, Aug 21, 2007 @ 23:47
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