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Hi Ladies!

I'm going to be having back surgery this coming Tuesday (lumbar fusion). I think I'm going to have a pretty lengthy recovery time, and I was wondering if you would share some ideas with me for movies to rent or books to read.

My favorite types of movies/books are well-written romance and comedy. I also like the type that have great character development and interaction. I like books/movies with interesting twists and turns. I'm not into horror or violence at all. (I have learned to close my eyes if the movie otherwise is great like Dances With Wolves or Slumdog Millionaire.)

Some of my favorite classics have been Casa Blanca, Wuthering Heights, Anne of Green Gables, Jane Eyre.

I'm particularly fond of movies set in the '20s, '30s, and '60s.

During most of the 80s and 90s, I was part of a religious group that frowned on fiction, so I missed a lot of the movies put out during that time.

Books I've read lately include Water for Elephants, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

Most of all, I'd really appreciate your T&Ps as I go through this surgery.

Thanks and sorry I rambled on and on . . .

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wrenegade,

Didn't read it as "rambling"! Best of luck with your surgery. Make sure you follow doctors' orders. I had cervical fusion surgery and felt so good afterwards that I overdid it! Make sure you watch the movie Water for Elephants - I loved the book and the movie was better than I thought it would be. I haven't had a chance to read in so long, I am not the one to ask! Most of all, though, keep us posted on your recovery.
Susan

Many prayers for you.

Movies:
The Quiet Man - John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara
On Golden Pond - Hendry Fonda, Kathryn Hepburn
Murphy's Romance - James Garner, Sally Field
Mama Mia - watched it last night by myself so sang and danced too!
The Proposal - Sandra Bullock and that cute guy

I liked the old musicals like Singing in the Rain.

OH! Do a search for "1950 Movies" and you'll find a list of best movies from that decade! Here's the link for 1950s:
http://movies.toptenreviews.com/list_d1950_2.htm

Or do a search of your favorite actor/actress and find a list of their movies.

I like the Diana Gabaldon "Outlander" series. There's some bare skin in it, but you can just flip the pages.

If you have an eReader like Kindle or Nook, look at BookBub. They post daily specials - many of them free. I've got more books on my Kindle than I'll ever get through. I don't download every single free book offered. I check the reviews first. So far, I've only deleted two from my Kindle that I thought were just unreadable.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KeepYouInStitches,

You definitely have our T's & P's. Good luck with your surgery and recovery.

A book series I have enjoyed is the Elm Creek books by Jennifer Chivarini. They are even quilt related. Most librairies have them.

I read another quilt related series that only has about 5 books and I think they are by Emilie Richards.

I don't really watch that many movies so I don't have any suggestions there.

Do you do any kind of hand work? Like embroidery, cross stitch, knitting or crocheting? Those are good recovery activities too.

Good luck with surgery and recovery. Ditto to following orders and taking care of yourself.

I love the old westerns. John Wayne, Joel McGray, Gary Cooper, Randolf Scott, and Audie Murffey etc.

The old Doris Day Rock Hudson comedies---Pillow Talk, Lover Come Back etc. Doris Day and Cary Grant in That Touch of Mink. Rock Hudson and Gina Lollabridgeta in Come September. Also had Sandra Dee and Bobby Darrin in it. As a teeny bopper enjoyed the Troy Donahue movies.

Disney movies like Apple Dumpling Gang and Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, both with Don Knotts and Tim Conway. Not just for kids. Other Disney movies like Candleshoe (with Helen Hayes, David Niven and Jody Foster). Some of the Haley Mills movies like Moonspinners and Parent Trap. Saw them as a youngster and still enjoy them. Haven't seen The Truth About Spring with Haley and James McArthur in a very long time. James McArthur was also in Swiss Family Robinson.

Since you like Casablaca, have you ever seen To Have and Have Not? Was on TV not long ago. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall. Some violence, but not graphic. These are 1940 movies. Bogey and Becall were also in Key Largo.

One of our favs lately was Second Hand Lions with Michael Caine, Robert Duvall and Haley Joel Osmond. A little language, but not too bad. Haley Joel was struck by Mom's bf in it. A cute movie.

Go to Amazon.com and put any of the actors names in the search box and lists of movies will come up. Make your own list and take to your library to see what they have on hand.

Like I said, I like old movies. Do you Turner Classic Movie channel? They play a lot of the old movies.

ETA: KYIS listed some good ones!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Strings,

Sorry about the surgery, but you're right to line up your "treats" now for the recovery time.

I like old (romantic) movies, too. Have you ever seen Rebecca or Waterloo Bridge? What about Gaslight (a psychological thriller, but great story, and guess who the maid is)? Mrs. Miniver is good, too, but a coping with war-time England story, not a love story.

Fun 60's-era movies...Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, With 6 You Get Eggroll, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, Yours, Mine, & Ours... I'm sure I'll think of many more after I post!

Older comedies... Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream Home, the book or the movie, and The Egg & I (ditto). Way fun! Arsenic & Old Lace and Sitting Pretty, too -- cute movies.

I like most Merchant-Ivory (movie) productions - A Room With a View & Howard's End come to mind. Good stories & lush scenery/sets. (ARWAV has very brief male n-u-d-i-t-y, if that wouldn't be your cup of tea.)

Before I had surgery once, I bought a bunch of old 40's & 50's magazines from eBay. What fun that was reading them! Even the ads were interesting.

I know it's not a fiction book or movie, but if you can find any Jane Watson Hopping cookbooks at the library, those are good reads, too. She tells all about life "way back when" and weaves family-type stories between the recipes. She takes you back & sets the scene for the seasonal recipes. They're really sweet books.

Good luck with your surgery & recovery!

Good luck with your surgery. Hope your recovery time is quick and not painful.

I really enjoyed "The elegance of the hedgehog" by Muriel Barbery.

About the best book I ever read is "Skallagrigg" by William Horwood, but you will probly not find a copy easily unless you ebay - $5 for several copies on there. Its the story of a handicapped girl on an epic quest. There is some violence in it because it deals with life in a British Institution in the early 1900's but if you can get past that, its an amazing book.

John Irving is also a favourite author, some of his (notably the Cider House Rules) have been made into movies too.

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis is another real page turner, but its partly set in the middle ages and the black plague parts are a bit graphic.

The name of the wind by Patrick Rothfuss is another great - kind of a Tolkien style of book, I read the sequal recovering from foot surgery and got totally lost in reading it

D ick Francis is a wonderful author for a quick read, a bit of violence in some of them, but primarily mysteries set in the british horse racing world.

I can't really recommend old time movies or romance novels lol but if you want to explore something outside your regular genre then those would be my top picks

Jane_Kiwi

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jane_Kiwi,

Wanted to wish you well on you surgery. I hope your recovery is fast, painless and complete. We will be sending good wishes your way.

As far as books, my favorites are mysteries, whodunnit's stuff like that - always try to figure out who did it and I never can!!

I'm not much into movies, but I guess my favorites would be musicals - like The Music Man, How to succeed in business without really trying (not sure if they made that into a movie or not).

Wishing you the best during surgery and for your recovery afterward.

Musiclady

quote:

Originally posted by Musiclady:
How to succeed in business without really trying (not sure if they made that into a movie or not).

Musiclady

Sure was a movie, with Robert Morse as the lead, along with Michelle Lee and good ol' Rudy Vallee. My school put on that musical, and I had the dubious pleasure to be in it. I'll never think about a coffee break the same way...that was a silly scene for us to act out!

They revised it on Broadway with Matthew Broderick & John Laroquette (sp?) -- Dan from Night Court -- but then the lead changed to a Jonas brother. I think it closed? But it'll probably resurface again sometime, somewhere... The costumes from that period are fun, though. I remember 60's dresses very well!

Good luck with your surgery! I'm 4 weeks out with my new knee, and I've been reading the V*rgin River series by Robyn Carr. The main characters from one book turn into supporting cast for following books, which I love. She has a website which will give you the order of the books and synopsis.

Wren, hope the surgery goes well. Don't over do things too soon.

No one has mentioned my all time favorite movie which is Out of Africa, with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. Sense and Sensibiity is also another good one. We recently saw The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel and loved it.

As for books, most of the books by Barbara Kingsolver are wonderful. Pigs in Heaven and The Bean Trees both have a continuing cast of characters. Animal Dreams is a stand alone. Prodigal Summer is a stand alone novel. Poisonwood Bible is a stand alone novel.

I just read a book called "She's Come Undone" and can't remember the author at the moment. Not always fun to read but a wonderfully written book that, all told, I enjoyed reading.

Folks have named a lot of good movies and books.

Take care.

Sending T & P's.

Did you ever see the movie "Stage Door"?

Great characters, good story, made in 1937. Katherine Hepburn and many other BIG names but when they were younger and new. Lucille Ball is in it, too, but earlier in her career. Wonderful movie.

I second Holly with the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr. There must be 18 books by now and each one is better than the previous one. Good luck on your surgery.. Your buddies here will keep you in mind.

Movies:

The Notebook
Somewhere in Time
a laptop to keep us updated

Wishing you good luck for your upcoming surgery.

Good Luck with /Surgery, Ps for skilled physician hands.
Have you ever listened to books on cds? There are a lot of them at our library and they are quite varied in their content.
I agree with the Robin Carr books they are great. I like series books and the ones I'm reading now are:Joann Ross Shelter Cove series.Romance books that are located on the coast of Oregon. Like the Virgin River this series has characters who are Vets. Another series is by Thomas Kinkade about another small town on the east coast. The kind of town that his paintings portray. If you like mystery/romance/comedy books you might like Janet Evanovich books. I think there are about 18 books in that series and I know our library has them on cds. Grandma Mazur is just a very funny senior citizen who goes to anyones funeral and helps( Stephanie the main character) solve the crimes. Good wishes to you for a successful surgery.

T&P's being sent your way. I recently saw the movie and read the book The Help. Almost pee d my pants laughing.

Good Luck with your surgery and recovery. I listen to audio books from the library while I'm working around the house, quilting, yard work.... Just this week Hoda from the Today Show recommended the series of books from Emily Giffin. I'm listening to Heart of the Matter right now and it's very good, I'm sure to read more from her.

I am sending good wishes for your surgery and a wishing you a quick recovery. I think the Downton Abbey series from PBS is out on CD. It is wonderful and you would enjoy it.

I have been reading the Miss Julia stories by Ann Ross. Miss Julia is a southern lady and a real "hoot". The stories are so much fun. Nothing heavy just a fun read.

The Mitford Series by Jan Karon is wonderful. Have read them twice and could read again. Best if read in order. At Home In Mitford is the first one.

Hope you have good sucess with your surgery.

Wishing you a good recovery.

If you like well-written, then Diana Gabaldon is a simply amazing writer. The Outlander series, as mentioned, is an action-packed historical romance series that has PLENTY of great twists.
I had to find an on-line support group to get me through this book.....I just couldn't contain my excitment at times - no lie!
Hope all goes well for you.

T&ps go out to you....I've written down the suggestions so far, looking at knee replacement in the next couple months to ground me also.. Just watched a Hallmark movie "The Lost Valentine", excellent....light romantic movie "Serendipity" which I can't believe I hadn't seen before!! My favorite slapstick movie not mentioned: "it's a mad,mad,mad,mad world" ..."We bought a zoo" movie is great....ditto on some of the books, Janet Evanovich series has me laughing so hard I cry TV Series on CDs--NCIS and Bones..not too gory and nice eye candy. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Here's a list of movies from the 80's & 90's you might not have seen. Entertaining, not necessarily great movies.
Tootsie, Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Crocodile Dundee, Rain Man, Pretty Woman, Ghost, Mrs. Doubtfire, Field of Dreams, Stepmom, Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias & Mr. Holland's Opus.
After my surgeries, I often found my attention span too short for reading, so check with your local library for movies you haven't seen.
Try to have a couple books, some handwork, several different activities ready for whatever you are in the "mood" for during recovery.
Good luck.

Eta(edited to add) a few more movies you might enjoy.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wildcatmom,

All versions of The Scarlett p*m pernel.

The Nick and Nora dectective series.

Greer Garson in "Random Harvest" (superb ending)


praying for a speedy recovery!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nancyc20,

I also wish you a quick recovery after this surgery. If you like Harrison Ford movies, I'd recommend Hanover Street. Good romance movie, but twist at the end. Good luck.

bump

Ditto on Somewhere In Time and Hanover Street! I tried to post about the Jan Karon Mitford series but lost that post.

Have to agree with just about all the movies posted. Maybe one or two that I haven't seen.

Don't read as much any more. I did read the Jan Karon Mitford series when I was laid up too. Good reading.

I hope your surgery goes well and you have a speedy and uneventful recovery. It's not fun to be tied down but these books and movies all sound good and will help pass the time. I had to watch some several times because I fell asleep during them.
One old one we loved was the Rare Breed.
Also I just read the Hotel at the corner of Bitter and Sweet. It was very good and I have been told to get The Postmistress. I am happy to learn about bookbub and will explore opportunities there too.
Good luck to you!

I just finished the best book I've read in a long time. It's The Collection by James J Kaufmann. It WAS one of the free ones on Amazon but not now. It's the beginning of a series but I can see they will read independently.

I, too, wish you a successful surgery and speedy recovery. I had back surgery about 20 years ago on my lower back and it turned out well but rehab takes awhile.

I have been reading Janet Evanovich book series about a female bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. Lots of humor, romance and great characters. The series starts, "One for the Money". Then "Two for the show", etc. I think she is up to book 18 on this.

Anyway, I have really like them. Will say some pr*yers for you on Tuesday. Good luck.

Mary

Sorry to be late in posting but two of the best movies are The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock (even if you don't like foorball) and August Rush. Love just about anything black & white. Hope surgery goes well. Do what the doc tells ya & don't over do.

Hugs
Gina

The Proposal with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds is a good movie. A light romantic comedy. Ditto on the movie The Blind Side.

Love the Stephanie Plum books. Think there is a movie out, not sure it got good reviews.

There are two versions of Yours, Mine and Oura, the first with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. Newer one is with Dennis Quaid.

Also love the movie Giant with Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson. Also another Elizabeth Taylor movie is Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Paul Newman. Both from the 50s, I think. Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward in Long Hot Summer.

Again, best wishes on a speedy recovery. Let us know which movies you watched and enjoyed.

Almost forgot The Long, Long Trailer with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. Tammy and the Bachelor with Debbie Reynolds. Also with her, The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Strings,

I just wanted to thank all of you for all of these great ideas!! I wrote down as many as I could and will be on the computer as soon as I'm able. You're the best!!!

Tomorrow is the big day. Going to the hospital at 11:30.

Thank you so much for all the T&Ps. . . means a lot to me!

wren (Karen)

Wrenegade, sure hope you are home and recovering nicely. Do take care of yourself.

Are you able to do any hand work yet? I know when I was laid up, I could do a little knitting. Made caps for a charity, so that made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile.

Thought of two more movies. Comedies. Crumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men. Both have Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon. Really funny guys and movies. Today, ds found Dennis the Menace and that is funny too. Walter Matthau plays Mr. Wilson.

I have been thinking of you and hope you will be back on the boards soon and telling us of your projects.

Wrenegade, hope you are doing okay and recovering. Check in when you can. Would love to hear how you are doing.

Feeling up to some hand work yet? Took me a while to be able to do that, but sure helped pass the time when I got to doing a little better.