THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. Orwell volunteered to fight with the Catalons/Republicans during the Spanish civil war. He did not see a lot of fighting, fortunately, but he saw a lot of what war is like and took it all down in vivid detail. I decided to read this for two reasons, first, I've decided to study the Spanish civil war because we get a very one-sided account of it, I believe, and two, because we are now involved in our own war, which I have fictionalized as my little novel, Crossing Over.

Paul wrote: "Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. Orwell volunteered to fight with the Catalons/Republicans during the Spanish civil war. He did not see a lot of fighting, fortunately, but he saw a..."

You're right we seem to be involved in our own war. Especially with the recent events in Washington.

Let me say this... For me, an older man who has seen a few things in his life, and who has had the value of a good education, which, sadly, most Americans have not had for forty or so years, I am seeing things that trouble me greatly. And because of this, because I'm paying attention to the world around me, little distractions, little entertainments, can no longer keep my mind off of what is building. I have hundreds of books in my house and have read half of them. But it is getting harder and harder to keep my eyes on the page as the storm builds. This is why I'm reading Homage to Catalonia, and will read other historical works about the buildup to war and war. Yes, we are in the fog of war now. There are a lot of psyops operations, positioning, skirmishes, reconnaissance probes, that is, paramilitary groups seeing how far they can push the envelope of allowable 'speech,' determining which politicians are on their side. Some people are frightened, and they should be. Some people are laughing and think it's all a lark, fun. But as happened in the American Revolution and the French Revolution, eventually there is an incident that triggers the pent-up rage the aggrieved feel, and the violence bursts forth unstoppable. Sad to say, I believe we are very close.

Paul wrote: "Let me say this... For me, an older man who has seen a few things in his life, and who has had the value of a good education, which, sadly, most Americans have not had for forty or so years, I am s..."

Fingers crossed that things settle down.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

Fighter Pilot by McScotch aka William MacLanachan.



Originally published in 1936, this is the author's account of his experiences as a British fighter pilot on the Western Front during 1917.

Prodigal Son by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz

Pianos and Flowers: Brief Encounters of the Romantic Kind by Alexander McCall Smith

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

The Light of Days: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos by Judy Batalion

Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust by James Comey

Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Exit by Belinda Bauer

Absolutely brilliant book almost finished and one of those that you hate to see Ende

Scribbles of the mind



I honestly go over it to remind myself that it is okay if our feelings didn't set foot where we wanted them to.

The Last Exit by Michael Kaufman

Paul wrote: "Let me say this... For me, an older man who has seen a few things in his life, and who has had the value of a good education, which, sadly, most Americans have not had for forty or so years, I am s..."

Paul wrote: "Let me say this... For me, an older man who has seen a few things in his life, and who has had the value of a good education, which, sadly, most Americans have not had for forty or so years, I am s..."

I tend to agree with you. There has always been people, who feel that they have been disenfranchised, that will use the Constitution, religion and whatever else that they can think of, to settle scores and anything else. Yes, Americans are not the learned people that the rest world assumes. In fact, we are not much different that some of the countries that we look down. Having said that, Americans have proved it. Like the founding fathers said ---- enemies, foreign and domestic. The domestic one were apparently around in 1776, too.

I've started a new folder for this topic, starting 2021. Please add your comments to that folder.

Just got done reading last few weeks

On Libby App
Get Even by Gretchen McNeil I am readlly loving her books Cant wait to read another one from her

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson I found this book on the boring side

We All Fall Down by Natalie D. Richards Another book I really loved But IMO One Was Lost & Six Months was better book

Amity by Micol Ostow I though this book might be like amityville horror boy was i wrong this book was bloody awful

The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani This book was so good but also very sad too

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus Okay of a book but I think Her One of Us Is Lying and One Of Us Is Next books is better

The Cabin by Natasha Preston Okay of a book but some part of it was very boring and I found myself skipping some pages

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager OMG this book was so good and I was total shock how it ended i wasn't expecting it! Will read more from them!

Now On To Library books I read
A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton Gonna give this series a reread

1st Case by James Patterson Really loved this book But I mostly love all JP Books

The Guest List by Lucy Foley OMG I was so glad when my library finally got this book in I really loved it Will have to read The Hunting Party soon I know Libby App has it but my Local Libray don't so I be reading it on that App

The Girl Before J.P. Delaney Another great book from him. I am really becoming a fan of his writing

To Tell You the Truth by Gilly Macmillan Another great book From Gilly! I just wish my library have more books of her

Monsters Among Us by Monica Rodden Lady work at the library said I might like this book and lets just say she don't know what she talking about. This book was so damn boring


Confessions on the 7:45 Lisa Unger I really loved this one too I was shock how it ended