"Old Books, Rare Friends" by Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern

*****

Leona Rostenberg and Madeleine Stern together wrote "Old Books, Rare Friends".  The New York Times describes these ladies as an "..institution."  They are two literary sleuths that share a passion of rare books and writing.

The book, "Old Books, Rare Friends" took me awhile to read. Not because it was boring but it's not light reading.  You can tell by the picture above that I found many passages that I wanted to go back to read again. At first I had a hard time remembering which lady was which so I put a sticky note on the picture of them to remember who was who. (Madeleine on the left, Leona on the right)  And again - this was not a fast read. For me anyway!

These two friends traveled the world finding rare books for their business "Leona Rostenberg, Rare Books" and doing research.

Rostenberg and Stern are renowned for unlocking the hidden secret of Louisa May Alcott's life when they discovered her pseudonym, A.M. Barnard, along with her anonymously published "blood and thunder" stories on subjects like transvestites, hashish smoking, and feminism. Their book is "Louisa May Alcott: A Biography".

These ladies led an interesting life and were able to fill the pages of "Old Books..." with the stories that made them who they were. I am always so impressed to read of lives that went above and beyond convention and made their lives what they wanted - not what was expected of them. - Which in those days was to get married and raise a family.

At one point in the book, Madeleine shared about a man that seemed to be crazy about her. She talked of him kissing her in the park, dancing the "Merry Widow Waltz" and he would sing to her as they danced. She added that she hadn't heard from him for ten days. "I could be mad about him. How I wish I could see him again! To love and be loved are, after all, what we are made for. It is better to be happy than to be interesting (Farewell adolescentai). Growing, I learned, could be painful." But the Great Depression was just beginning and Madeleine soon came to the realization of what was really important to her.

These two women witnessed first hand so much of the history I've only studied and read about. They write how this history touched their lives.

Leona Rostenberg died in March 2005 at the age of 97.  You can read more about Leona HERE.   Madeleine Stern died in August 2007 at the age of 95.   You can read more about Madeleine HERE.  This link also lists titles of all the books they've written.


I am a lover of books. So for me to be able to read a book about books, about others that love books even more than I, about those same book lovers researching and writing about authors... Well, this was a very good experience for me.

I will admit, this book is not for everyone. But I loved it. The 5 star rating is because I enjoyed it so much. It's wordy, it's detailed and it's about books!

Tuesday's Tips for Book Clubs

Sometimes, especially if your book club has been meeting for a while, it's hard to think of which books to read. Here are some suggestions of where to find books:

• Many times, we found books just browsing through our local bookstore. After book club we would head there just to browse and continue visiting!
• Many magazines offer a couple of book reviews in each publication.
• Web sites - Google "book suggestions for book clubs"
• Amazon, Barnes and Noble - many online bookstores will give you ideas (these include synopsis)
• Read a classic. Many we haven't read since childhood, so it's fun to get reacquainted.
• Visit an author you enjoy - see if he (she) has a book you haven't read yet.
• Join online book club info web sites. ie:
•  http://www.book-clubs-resource.com/online/ 
•  http://www.readinggroupchoices.com/ (one of my personal favorites, I've won several free books from this website)

• Blogs are a good place to find reviews. Just google "book review blogs" 

I'm sure you have many HUNDREDS more ideas on where to find books. 

Leave me a comment about your great idea for finding books!

or

Leave a comment on my Facebook page  All About Books.

I would love to hear where you find books for your book club!

        

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

 

 

*****   

Mary Ann Shaffer, who passed away in February 2008, worked as an editor, as a librarian, and in bookshops. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was her first novel. Her niece, Annie Barrows, says she grew up in a family of storytellers.In her family there is no such thing as a yes-or-no question. Even asking someone to pass the butter without a story was unheard of. To Annie, her Aunt Mary was the best of the storytellers. She wrote this book and soon became ill. The book's editor requested some changes that required some rewriting, Mary Ann knew that she didn't have the stamina to undertake the re-write so asked her niece, Annie - the other writer in the family to do it for her.

     Shaffer said the seed for this book was planted quite by accident. She was traveling to England to research another book - on a whim, she flew to Guernsey and was fascinated by the history and beauty of this island.

     Shaffer has done a fantastic job of making this Island real and come alive. It begins in 1946 when Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger. A founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. A tale of Guernsey during the German Occupation.

     You can tell by reading the book that the author is a lover of books. Maybe that's what made the book so special to me.  Juliet says,"That's what I love about reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive - all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment." 

     My copy of this book has many many flags where I've marked things that I wanted to go back and reread. The quote above is one but probably my favorite is:

      "I thought I was in love. In preparation for sharing my home with a husband, I made room for him so he wouldn't feel like a visiting aunt.  I cleared out half my dresser drawers, half my closet, half my medicine chest, half my desk..... Now my flat was meant for two instead of one.

      On the afternoon before our wedding, Rob was moving in the last of his clothes and belongings while [I was out]. When I was through, I tore home, flew up the stairs and threw open the door to find Rob sitting on a low stool in front of my bookcase, surrounded by cartons.  He was sealing the last one up with gummed tape and string.  There were eight boxes -- eight boxes of my books bound up and ready for the basement.

     He looked up and said, "Hello, darling. don't mind the mess, the porter said he'd help me carry these down to the basement." Looking toward my shelves he said 'Don't they look wonderful?'

     ...there were no words! I was too appalled to speak."

     I could go on with their conversation - but I won't. He left. She unpacked the books. There was no wedding! I love this woman!!!! Especially when she says, "It wasn't a windy day; my hair always looks that way. Naturally curly hair is a curse, and don't ever let anyone tell you different." Juliet Ashton is a woman after my heart!!

     The book is written as letters. It's a wonderful book. Easy to read - enjoyable. I encourage you to pick it up and read it. It is fun for everyone!

I highly recommend this book.