Ready to Read

The Help

2011-07-08T22:14:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for a good book,(and you still check this blog) read The Help. A friend told me about it and then I saw a movie is coming out in August so I finally got it from the library. Good stuff. :)

A Must Read

2011-02-05T20:32:00.002-05:00

If anyone is in the market for an awesome and easy read try this one!!!

The Message by Lance Richardson

I would love to hear your thoughts about this one. All I can saw is WOW!! It's hard to put my thoughts into words!! Awesome Book!

So...what's the plan?

2011-01-06T15:41:00.000-05:00

It's a new year ladies. Holidays are over. Life has resumed to normal(let's hope) and it's time to start reading again! What's the plan?

Suggestion~ Among the Hidden

2010-11-18T12:01:00.003-05:00

Hey all! Long time so post! Ha ha!

If you're looking for an easy read here is a suggestion.

My 12 yr old has a hard time with reading comprehension and his teacher suggested this book to us because she said " it will keep his attention and it's just a good read". She thought it would be something that he would like enough to be able to understand

I just read 16 chapters in the past hour and I'm really liking it so far.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

November

2010-11-01T09:16:00.000-04:00

So I just barely finished Three Cups of Tea. I hope to actually be able to respond to Tiff's questions eventually. But...we never discussed The Hunger Games in October. Did anyone read it? I also realized that November was my month to pick a book. Are we on track to keep reading? It seems we have lost a few readers right now. What's the status with everyone?

Three Cups of Tea

2010-09-23T13:19:00.000-04:00

Hopefully everyone got a chance to read the book. I really enjoyed it. One of my favorite things about reading is learning about something new or different and I definitely think this book did that for me. I didn't love the writing style but I loved learning a little bit more about a different culture and country.

I think this book would be great to discuss in person. There is a lot to think about and therefore talk about. There were a lot of really good discussion questions to choose from, so I'm just going to post a handful of the ones I like to get the thoughts flowing. So you can answer them or just expound on anything you thought/liked/disliked.

1. There are several times in the book when things seem to serendipitously come together for Mortenson -- like stumbling upon Korphe when he was lost and receiving a $20,000 donation from an audience of two. Do you believe these are the result of divine intervention or just fortunate coincidence?

2. Mortenson hits many bumps in the road—he’s broke, his girlfriend dumps him, he is forced to build a bridge before he can build the school, his health suffers, and he drives his family crazy. Discuss his repeated brushes with failure and how they influenced your opinion of Mortenson and his efforts.

3. Why do you think the villagers in Korphe were so excited about getting their own school? What is unique about having a school, as opposed to other things Mortenson could have built, like a hospital or community center?

4. What did you learn about the culture in Northern Pakistan? Did anything surprise you?

5. The authors write that “the Balti held the key to a kind of uncomplicated happiness that was disappearing in the developing world.” This peaceful simplicity of life seems to be part of what attracts Mortenson to the villagers. Discuss the pros and cons of bringing “civilization” to the mountain community.

6. Mortenson claims that building schools in this region is a more practical response to terrorism than war. Do you think the book makes a solid case for that claim, and why or why not?

7. Did the book change your views toward Islam or Muslims? Consider the cleric Syed Abbas, and also the cleric who called a fatwa on Mortenson. Syed Abbas implores Americans to “look into our hearts and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people.” Discuss this statement. Has the book inspired you to learn more about the region?

8. Comment on Mortenson's decision that CAI schools should emphasize increasing girls' enrollment. "Once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search for work in the cities. But girls stay home, become leaders in the community, and pass on what they've learned. If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls."

Status: Three Cups of Tea

2010-08-26T15:23:00.000-04:00

Is anyone reading Three Cups of Tea? Just thought I'd check. I'm half way through and really enjoying it.

The Sugar Queen

2010-07-31T09:52:00.001-04:00

Here's just a couple questions. I will post more!

1. What has Josey hungered for throughout her life? What transformed her from a difficult child into a woman who hides her cravings?

2. Why does Margaret want to prevent the arrival of unexpected visitors? What fears are captured in her peppermint-oil ritual?

August Book

2010-07-19T19:20:00.001-04:00

I'm leaning toward Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. My other choice would be Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner.

Has anyone read either of these books? Any thoughts or preferences?

Septembers book

2010-07-13T23:24:00.002-04:00

I know September is still a ways off, but I wanted to choose a book that might have a long wait for you at the library. There are over 700 people waiting for it here. In fact, I would love to choose the first two books of the trilogy. The third and last installment is coming out in August. They are quick reads. Let me know what you think.
I don't mind just reading the first one, but I think you'll want to know what happens next....

Hunger Games
Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins.

More Discussion

2010-07-13T20:31:00.000-04:00

If you're up for more discussion, here is one more question:

"There was a big difference between needing things and wanting things—though a lot of people had trouble telling the two apart—and at the ranch, I could see, we'd have pretty much everything we'd need but precious little else" (pg. 134–5). How might this description refer to Lily's life as a whole? What effect did growing up without much have on Rosemary Walls, whom we learn more about in The Glass Castle?

Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Story

2010-07-06T20:05:00.000-04:00

Question #1~ Let's break down the title of the book. First off, why do you think the book is called Half Broke Horses? Do you think this has more than one meaning? If so, how? Secondly, why do you think Jeannette Walls adds "A True-Life Story?"

Question #2~ I LOVE this question and would love to really hear your thoughts on this...
"Helen's beauty, as far as I was concerned, had been a curse, and I resolved that I would never tell Rosemary she was beautiful" (pg. 119). Examine Lily's relationship with her daughter, Rosemary, and, in The Glass Castle, Rosemary's relationship with Jeannette. How does each generation try to compensate for the one before? How does each mother try to avoid the mistakes or pain imposed upon her by her own mother?

Take a minute to answer these questions and I'll come back with a few more later.

For July

2010-07-06T09:09:00.002-04:00

Well, I think I am the only one still reading Half Broke Horses so if the rest of you want to move on I picked The Sugar Queen for this month! If you guys are ready to read great if not then we can wait and read this one in August!

Half Broke Horses

2010-06-11T21:51:00.000-04:00

Hello, everbody!

I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing? I know we are all at crazy points in our life, but I sure hope we can keep this going.

For June's selection, I've picked Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Story by Jeanette Walls. I had the chance to read a couple of weeks ago and really enjoyed it. I can't wait to discuss it with you! Let me know where you all stand this month. Do we need two months again? Let me hear what you think!

another thought-

2010-06-08T20:08:00.003-04:00

Just wondering what you think: How did reading Rick Bragg's account of his experiences in Haiti change your perception about the country in light of the recent tragedy there? Or did it? His thought that cataclysmic events were on their way: was it premonition? Or would saying so mean the devastation was an act of God?

Rick Bragg: Childhood Memories

2010-05-17T09:03:00.003-04:00

Ready now? I found a ton of insightful questions that would be intriguing to discuss. I'll start with a few that have to do directly with Rick and his early background. Don't you love how this guy loves his mama?

Bragg describes a memory of himself on a gunny sack that his mother is pulling through a cotton field as she works; at three, he "rides the back of the six-foot-long sack like a magic carpet" [p. 23]. How does this particular image sum up his mother's love for him? Is his mother's devotion to her sons' welfare out of the ordinary?

Although many aspects of his family's life were ruled by poverty, Bragg was immersed in the traditions of the pinewoods, where self-reliant people were adept at music, building, and handcrafts, where "likker and religion flowed together" [p. 34]. Are certain elements of the life he describes enviable? Do you get the impression that his memories of childhood are colored by nostalgia? To what extent do you think nostalgia plays a role in the memories and experiences of everyone?

While many African-Americans--from Frederick Douglas to Maya Angelou--have given us their stories of growing up poor and black, the segment of society disparagingly called "poor white trash" has produced relatively few writers. Does this book change your view of the large segment of whites who live in rural poverty?

April/May

2010-05-05T00:59:00.000-04:00

Whaddya say we continue All Over But The Shoutin' through May?? Since most of us are trying to read it, I say we finish it and discuss it this month (May) and then move everything else back a month.

What do you guys think?

Wanna talk about it?

2010-04-28T20:07:00.003-04:00

Anyone get a chance to read April's book? It feels like we're getting back into the swing of things, and so I decided not to post any discussion questions until I'm sure that at least one of you was able to read it.

The book was divided into three sections. The first told about the author's childhood and was quick reading. The middle was a little disjointed, based on travels of his journalism career. The last section was as powerful as the first and tied everything together. Rick Bragg won a Pulitzer prize for feature stories written as a New York Times correspondent. It's easy to see how that is possible- he's a captivating writer who loves his mama. It's very endearing.

Put this on your "to-read" shelf if you didn't get a chance to pick it up. If you did pick it up, let's discuss.

I'll stand by.

May's Selection

2010-04-19T18:01:00.000-04:00

I hope no one minds that I'm going to ask for a vote for May's selection:

The Joy Luck Club

One True Thing

Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel

I personally haven't read any of them, but I want to read all of them. One True Thing has a little sex/language in it but not much from what I hear. Half Broke Horses is by Jeanette Walls (The Glass Castle- still my favorite Book Club book) and is about her Grandmother. Joy Luck Club- well, a classic, really.

Let me hear what your vote is!!

For April then

2010-03-28T20:11:00.004-04:00

Ok, so this is a little risky because I haven't ever picked a book without reading it first. My mother-in-law let me start a book her book club was reading and I devoured about 50 pages before leaving town. She wouldn't let me take it with her because her club hadn't discussed it yet. I loved what I read and am clamoring for more so I'm going to roll with it...

If it turns out lame, blame Wanda in Rexburg.

It's called All Over But the Shoutin' and the author is Rick Bragg.

Roll Call

2010-03-25T22:44:00.001-04:00

I think it's time for a roll call so we can update our list on the side and get a schedule for the upcoming months.

If your here, let's hear ya shout!! Please! If you follow along and read the books but never say anything, it's time to speak up! We need you!

just curious-

2010-03-25T19:09:00.001-04:00

Is there a March book? Did I miss the memo?

2010-02-10T19:53:00.001-05:00

Sorry to all about February's book. I have been engrossed with the new baby. Should we just skip it?

A Girl Named Zippy

2010-02-04T09:23:00.002-05:00

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel
I like this description of the book found on goodreads: If you look at an atlas of the United States, one published around, say, 1940, there is, in the state of Indiana, north of New Castle and east of the Epileptic Village, a small town called Mooreland. In 1940 the population of Mooreland was about three hundred people; in 1950 the population was three hundred, and in 1960, 1970, and 1980, and so on. The book that follows is about a child from Mooreland, Indiana, written by one of the three hundred. It's a memoir, and a sigh of gratitude, a way of returning. I no longer live there; I can't speak for the town or its people as they are now. Someone has taken my place. Whoever she is, her stories are her own.

When I picked up this book I didn’t know much about it. And after just reading “Left to Tell” I was assuming it would be another dramatic story. It seems to me a lot of memoirs are like that. They tell a sad tale or traumatic experience. But after reading the first 20 pages or so of this book, I realized it wasn’t going to be that type of memoir. I really started to enjoy it and found myself laughing out loud at many of the stories she told. I liked that it was told in a random order and not chronologically. I thought Haven did a good job of focusing on the good traits of her family members instead of focusing on the negative or bad habits they had. For example (this is random) through almost the whole book I pictured her mom as a tiny/small woman but by the end finally figured out she was really over-weight and quite large. I liked how they were all short random stories but sometimes it felt disconnected and nothing was pushing me through the pages to finish it. The best part was all the laughing I did. It’s nice to laugh when you’re reading, especially when other people are around to hear you.

Questions
1) I read an autobiography and a memoir

2) For me, it’s hard to say. I think an autobiography is more authentic in the sense that it is written by the actual person that experienced the things written about. But sometimes they can be biased or exaggerated. But a biography is more authentic because it is straight up true researched facts, it's like history.

3) I don’t know. I feel that I haven’t read enough biographies to have an opinion. It seems like I always read auto-bio’s and the people are still alive. It’s hard to say which one is more accurate. I think you can argue both ways.

4) I like that they are true. Peoples lives are so interesting. There is so much to learn and understand about other people and how they lived life and handled experiences. It’s exciting to read a good story and realize that it actually happened.

5) I would have said they’re boring. But after reading several, I don’t think I’d say that anymore. I guess it depends on which ones you read.

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

2010-02-03T19:54:00.002-05:00

I read American Lion by Jon Mecham. I'm glad I got to finally read this book. When it first came out, I heard an interview with the author on The Daily Show and I wanted to read it. But, it was pretty long and I was nervous because I really have a tough time with biographies/autobiographies.

This book was interesting to me because I love history and politics. I knew nothing about Andrew Jackson before reading it so I was excited to learn about a president and the times he lived in. I absolutely loved the book. It was so well-written. History can be SO dry. But, Jon Mecham is an excellent writer. He is the editor of Newsweek. How he wrote this book while being the editor of Newsweek is beyond me. Anyway, he won the Pulitzer prize for biography for this book.

So Andrew Jackson was an interesting man. He was an incredibly important president. I didn't realize how close our country was to falling apart because South Carolina was threatening to secede over the principal of nullification. South Carolina disagreed with Congress and felt it had the right to nullify a federal law. If they didn't get their way, they were ready to cede from the union. Andrew Jackson refused to let this happen. In fact, Lincoln used Jackson's writings to support his position of keeping the union together prior to the Civil War. It was so interesting to see how close the U.S. as we know it could have fallen apart.

He was orphaned when he was young and felt that the nation was his family. He had a fierce loyalty to his country. He was also the first president to be considered a man of the people. He was also the first president to be considered uneducated because he didn't graduate from college. He was married to a woman he loved dearly and she died shortly after he was elected. He was terribly broken-hearted.

He did many good things but he also did some things that were not right. He owned slaves. He believed in removal of the Indians to allow for expansion. He thought the Indians were a threat to the union because he thought they would depend on foreign countries for support.

My favorite story about him was an assassination attempt on him. The man had two guns. Miraculously both guns didn't fire because it was too musty in the catacombs of the Capital. Jackson was furious and went after the man and started beating him with his cane. Jackson was a fierce man. He had been in a duel once to protect the reputation of his wife and a bullet got lodged in his arm. It was removed until many years later.

I think overall, it was such an interesting perspective on politics and government. There was even a fair share of gossip threatening to bring down important men. It was interesting to see the parallels to modern day politics. Many people thought it was the end of the world when Jackson was elected because he wasn't like the previous presidents - from the old influential families, wealthy, educated. But, he was so important to our history. He was by no means a perfect person. He did things to protect our country and keep the union together.

Left To Tell

2010-02-03T17:19:00.003-05:00

Left to Tell: Discovering God amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza
This auto-bio was about Immaculee Ilibagiza and how she survived the Rwandan Genocide. Immaculee’s family was brutally murdered during a killing spree that lasted three months and claimed the lives of nearly a million Rwandans. She and seven other women huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor while hundreds of machete-wielding killers hunted for them.

I really, really liked this book. Have you ever read an auto-bio and while you read you wonder if the person will survive their ordeal and then you have to remind yourself that they have to survive because they wrote the book. That’s how I felt reading this. I was thoroughly amazed at what she experienced and how she survived. My favorite part was when she forgave one of the men who killed her family... incredibly inspiring. The spiritual aspect of it all was very touching. I needed to read the words in this book. It touched me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I loved how Imaculee was so committed to God. I need to be more like that. You can read more of my thoughts on the book here.

Biographies/Auto-biographys

2010-02-03T13:26:00.003-05:00

Let me first start by saying I LOVED the bio month!!! Thanks Anna. I am a slow reader and most of the time it takes me the entire month to finish one book and sometimes even longer but this month (or last month I guess it is now) I read 4 auto-biographies!!!!
I have to say i'm quite proud of myself!!!! Ha ha!

Fat Girl
A child called It
The lost boy (sequel to A child called it)
A little bit wicked

Fat Girl was ok. Easy read and it kept me coming back but I think only because I wanted to finish it. It was good but not GREAT!
All about a woman and her struggles bit being overweight her entire life.

A child called it was probably the hardest book to get through that I have ever read. So sad!!! (has anyone read it)? This story could not have been told any anyone else and had the same feeling, although, the authors brother has written a book based on his version of their family and life that I fully intend to read. It will be interesting to hear a different perspective! The lost boy was easier to read but still a sad story.

A little bit wicked by Kristin Chenoweth was just fun!!! She's totally hilarious and you get to see different sides of he that obviously you can't see or know when your watching her on tv or in a movie. She talks a lot about her faith and her family. She's pretty open and tells it like it is which I wasn't expecting but loved.

I recommend all 4 books but for sure the last 3!!!

Onto Anna's questions!!!

1. I guess I think auto-bio's are more authentic because a person writing about themselves obviously knows every moment, situation, hard time, good time, every story!! A biographer can hear those things but cannot fully know how the person they are writing about felt in certain situations or at certain times. ( i hope that made sense)

2. I'm torn on this one. I do think that a biography is probably more accurate if written while the person is alive but I also think that once somebody has died, the author might right things that maybe he/she wouldn't have written if they were still living. Things that, that person might not want written about.

3. I just love getting to know about people. Their circumstances, ideals, life in general. It's interesting to see how different someones life can be from your own.

4. So far I don't have any issues that I dislike. I've always stayed away from bio's because I assumed they were all boring but after reading Amy Grant's book some months ago, I have been hooked!!!

I'm not very good at answering questions so sorry if my answers don't make sense!!
******************

I'm not so sure I really have any questions to ask but, what kind of bio's do you guys like to read. Famous people, just the everyday person that writes about their life?

Biographies!

2010-01-31T08:42:00.004-05:00

For some reason I thought there as an extra week in January. I apologize for my late posting!

Please post the name of your biography and tell us a little about it. Tell us something in particular you enjoyed about the person. Tell us about one of your favorite parts of the book. If you read two (Haley, Tiff, I think you guys both read two books). I'd love it if you left a separate post about it so that we can comment on it too. I'll post separately about my biography.

Here are a few questions in general about biographies:

Did you read an autobiography or a biography? Do you think one is more authentic than the other?

Do you think biographies are more accurate if they are written while the person is alive or some time after the person has died?

What do you enjoy about biographies/autobiographies?

What do you dislike about biographies/autobiographies?

January book(s)

2010-01-05T00:27:00.002-05:00

Okay my friends, January is upon us. Time to start reading a biography (or auto-biography) of your choice. I am reading "American Lion" about Andrew Jackson and so far I love it. I want to hear what the rest of you have chosen so leave a comment. When it comes time for discussion, I'll be keeping the questions general so we can all participate no matter what book was read.

January

2009-12-17T15:27:00.002-05:00

My book club here in Indiana is doing an interesting thing in January. We are each reading a biography of our own choice. I thought it was fun because we get to choose our own and I think the discussion could be quite fun. What do you guys think? For me, biographies are sometimes pretty hard to read but I thought it would be easier by choosing one that you have seen that you thought would be interesting.

Thoughts and Questions

2009-11-18T11:11:00.020-05:00

"A regular Chagall," my uncle said. I turned in my chair and looked up at him. "No" I said. "My name is Asher Lev."

THOUGHTS
Why do we read; because we have to, for entertainment, to pass the time, to understand, to grow, to challenge our thoughts? I love a book that has great characters/story and pushes my thoughts beyond what I would normally think about. A great book drives your mind to conceive thoughts or ideas and then develop your own perspective on things. And it does this while enveloping you in a great plot or story so you don’t realize you’re forming new knowledge in your brain until you finish and reflect.

I think My Name is Asher Lev has touches of this. Probably not the best book I’ve ever read but I really enjoyed it. It made me think and re-evaluate my perspective. I like that. It also challenged what my brain already thought about certain subjects. It forced me to learn about a culture I had no previous knowledge of. I was more curious about the Jewish culture and religion so of course I had to “Google” it all. And I learned and had a better understanding.

For the first 50 pages or so, I couldn’t put the book down. I was intrigued. Then I took a little break, picked it back up again a week later, and from that point forward wasn’t able to put it down. Not because I was dying to find out what happened but because I was curious. So my curiosity propelled me through it.

I liked that the story started when Asher was very young and followed him to adulthood. I enjoyed seeing how his and his parents thoughts and feelings coupled with all their life events shaped who they were. I never felt that Potok was pushing an agenda on me or trying to change my view about any particular thing. He did a good job of leaving space to contemplate the ideas and themes he presented.

Below are some questions to get your brain thinking. Or just share any thoughts you had on the book. I hope everyone got a chance to read it or is still finishing it up.

QUESTIONS
1. Once, when Asher is very young, his father asks him, “You have nothing better to do with your time, Asher? Your grandfather would not have liked you to waste so much time with foolishness.” Asher responds, “A drawing is not foolishness, Papa.” What are his father’s and the Jewish community’s reasons for such negative attitudes? What roles do you think art, literature and music play in the Christian life?

2. What do you think is the significance of Asher’s “mythic ancestor”? How did his understanding of the mythic ancestor inform his art?

3. Asher accuses his father of having “aesthetic blindness” while Aryeh accuses Asher of having “moral blindness”. Aryeh poses the question: “What if you had to choose between aesthetic blindness and moral blindness? What then?” What would you choose and why?

4. Why does Asher remain an observant Jew?

5. What is Potok saying about tradition’s relationship to faith in this novel? How does this apply to the way Christians’ view tradition and faith in your experience? Can one be a faithful Christian and break with certain traditions?

6. How do you feel about the Brooklyn Crucifixions?

December

2009-11-02T07:51:00.001-05:00

Hey guys - it looks like I was up to pick December's book but let's be honest - December gets so crazy! Can we skip December and move the rotation down a month?

November

2009-10-26T19:52:00.008-04:00

I narrowed my choices down to three but can't get past that. I want to read them all so I am having a hard time choosing one... I'm indecisive. If anyone has an opinion, let's hear it. Otherwise I will be forced to pick one myself. Thanks!

The Help
By Kathryn Stockett

Peace like a River
By Leif Enger

My Name is Asher Lev
By Chaim Potok

Hatchet- things to think about

2009-10-18T18:34:00.004-04:00

Here are some questions. Answer all or them or any of them you want.

1. In the beginning of the book, the author seemed to repeat himself quite a bit. I was totally annoyed by this. Was anyone else? It seemed to stop by the end of the book or maybe I just got used to it but it drove me crazy!!!!

2. Put yourself in Brian's place. Do you think you could have landed the plane safely, having learned the little amount that the pilot taught before he died?

3. Do you think you could have lasted in the wilderness for 43 days, and starting out with only a hatchet, been able to figure out a way to live in your surroundings? Do you think the experience would change you?

4. How might the story have been different if Brian had dropped the hatchet in the process of swimming to shore right after the plane crashed into the lake?

5. How does Brian's attitude towards his mother and "the Secret" change during his time in the wilderness? Why do you think it changes?

6. How do you think the story would have changed if Brian had found the survival pack in the beginning? If this were you, do you think you would have remembered it sooner?

7. Silly question: it seems like all books now day's are being made into movies? Do you think this would make a good movie? why or why not?

Thanks for Playing!!! Hope you like the book!!!

Hatchet

2009-10-12T19:51:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I finally have been able to read!!! Yeah!!

I just finished this book is anyone else reading???

I have some questions but I don't want to post them until people are close to finishing...

Colonel Brandon

2009-09-27T17:07:00.003-04:00

Let's hear your thoughts on Colonel Brandon...
How did you feel about him. What were you rooting for concerning him and his future? Any thoughts?
Many critics say he was a dull, boring man. Willoughby says he is “the kind of man whom everybody speaks well of and nobody cares about; whom all are delighted to see and nobody remembers to talk to."
Admirers claim he is a hero in flannel waistcoat.
What did you think of Marianne marrying him afterall?

Sense Versus Sensibility

2009-09-22T13:14:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to discuss this book! Please, please share all of your questions, thoughts, and insights!

Here is question #1--- It seemed to me that the book was all about {sense} VERSUS {sensibility}. What do you think is the difference between the two words? (I never realized there was a difference.)

Here is question #2--- Who do you identify the most with- The passionate Marianne or the reasonable Elinor?

Hatchet

2009-09-11T15:51:00.003-04:00

I figured I would post this so Jo could start reading (if she wants) since she is already finished with Sense and Sensibility ...

Don't let the title freak you out!!! I picked this book because when Mitch was in 3rd grade I used to go to his class and read with the students. One of the students was reading this book and I got to read it with him once a week. Well, things changed and I got new students to read with and didn't get to finish the book. I could never remember the name of the book after that and for 2 1/2 years now have been so bummed that I haven't been able to finish it!!!!

I took Ali to the library this week and we were looking for adventure books for her for school and the librarian happened to pull this one out for us. I still didn't remember the name of it but started reading the about the book and realized this was the book I had been looking for!!! yeah!!!! i'm so happy i finally found it!!! hopefully, it's as good as I remember it being!!!

September's Book

2009-08-28T12:48:00.004-04:00

Tiffany and I are switching months for this rotation. So I'm now choosing the book for September. My choice... [drumroll please]...

Sense and Sensibility
by Jane Austen

It shouldn't be too hard to get a hold of, right? I can't wait for this read! Hope you all have lots to say about it.

What would you do?

2009-08-25T10:56:00.003-04:00

If you found yourself in Ruthie's shoes- a husband out of work and no income coming in. Do you have a hobby that you love as much as Ruth loves baking cake? Would you be able to make money with that hobby?

I read a few book reviews on this book and some critics called it "predictable" and others said "unpredictable." Which camp are you in?

Well, let's eat it!

2009-08-15T22:39:00.003-04:00

Ok, for all girlies who did their book club homework and read Eat Cake I'm ready to start the discussion:

I loved that this was a love story about a couple who'd been married for a long time. It's hard to find books where middle-aged people are happy in love... with their spouse, that is. That was refreshing. What did you think about the two gigantic trials that Ruth was forced to experience at exactly the same time; facing unemployment as well as having a completely helpless father coming to live at their home. It's that adage: when it rains, it pours. Is it realistic to you that so many things could go wrong for a person all at once? Have you been in a situation where you've been overcome by multiple bad things happening at the same time? How did you handle the stress?

What's your happy place?

August Book

2009-07-16T19:09:00.004-04:00

Hey, friends without faces (and Anna) I just noticed that it's my turn to pick. I'm currently reading a fascinating true story about a boy soldier in Siera Leone that I would love to discuss, but most of the story is about brains leaking out and seeing people die. It's horrible and yet I can't put it down! (Much better than A Thousand Splendid Suns by the way, because it's awful in its gritty realness- not a Hollywood version of war)...

It's called A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah, if you can handle these kinds of gruesome unfortunate events in a story, I recommend it to you.

I have digressed. The fun, witty read I chose for the August selection all is called Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray.

July Book?

2009-07-06T15:27:00.002-04:00

Has anyone chosen a book for July? Who has August?

The Theif

2009-07-01T17:50:00.000-04:00

So…did everyone read the book for June? No? That’s OK. I reread it and began to think that it may not appeal to everyone. I however enjoyed it and read the other two books in the trilogy. Sometimes you just can’t “get into” a book. So I ask you, what makes a book a good book? The plot? The characters? The dialogue? The non-dialogues? How it relates to us personally? What weighs most in your opinion?

For those of you who read the book, why do you think it received a Newbery honor award?

Let’s hear your thoughts.

Walk Two Moons Question (spoilers)

2009-06-23T18:49:00.005-04:00

While camping in the wind last weekend I had the luxury (?) of thinking instead of sleeping for an entire night. I mulled this book over and kept coming back to one key mystery: Why did Sharon Creech decide not to tell us until the end the fate of Sal's mother? And how would the story have been different if we would have known from the beginning what had happened in Lewiston?

Wouldn't the story have been just as good? Or was it that missing puzzle that keeps readers intrigued during the whole book, waiting for that piece to fall in? Sal was very secretive about her family's situation. I was surprised that she didn't tell Pheobe that she could relate to her feelings of abandonment by her mom. Maybe if I had known that Sugar had passed away, it would have made more sense that she didn't tell Pheobe what had happened to her. It definitely wouldn't have helped Phoebe to know that when Sal's mom took off she died!

Maybe Sal wasn't able to say that her mom had died because she hadn't accepted it for herself yet. She was denying it. It took the road trip and the dissecting of Pheobe's story for her to reach acceptance of the reality of her own mother's death and to find peace about her role (or lack of role) in the tragic events that led up to it.

Roll Call

2009-06-17T22:54:00.001-04:00

It's that time again! Who's still here?? Check in and let us know.

(I read "The Thief." Anyone else? Liked it.)

Question 1

2009-05-21T10:16:00.003-04:00

It looks like most everyone has read the book so I'm going to start early with questions.

In the book, there are a few different stories going on. Sal says, "On afternoon, after we had been talking about Prometheus stealing the fire from the sun to give to man, and about Pandora opening up the forbidden box with all the evils of the world in it, Gramps said that those myths evolved because people needed a way to explain where fire came from and why there was evil in the world." How do you think the author uses this idea in the book?

Walk Two Moons

2009-05-08T08:32:00.002-04:00

Hello all. Just a reminder that this month's book is "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech. It's a young adult novel - a Newberry Award winner. It should be pretty easy to find (hopefully). It's also a quick read so I hope everyone is able to get it. I'll start posting discussion questions the last week of the month. Happy reading!

Kindred Spirits

2009-04-25T23:16:00.002-04:00

In what ways were Juliet and Elizabeth kindred spirits? What did Elizabeth's spontaneous invention of the society, as well as her brave final act, say about her approach to life?

[I'm going to let someone else start this discussion and I'll pipe in soon. ]

Junes pick

2009-04-25T20:58:00.003-04:00

OK. So I have narrowed it down to four books to choose from. I have read all of them and they are all great. I would easily re-read any of them. Here are the choices. If anyone has any input, speak now or forever hold your peace.

Favorite Society Members?

2009-04-19T20:46:00.004-04:00

Another discussion question...

Which of the members of the Society is your favorite? Whose literary opinion is most like your own?

My answer--- I think my favorite was actually Booker. His whole story just cracked me up. And I got a kick out of his newfound love for acting. And the story behind his drunkeness... hilarious! I tend to like the funny guys. But Isola's literary opinion was most like mine. I'm a sucker for well-written love stories. I especially liked her line...

"Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones."

Let the Discussion Begin

2009-04-16T22:05:00.004-04:00

Feel free to join in as you finish the book. But until then, look out for spoilers...

1) Did you see Sidney's sexual orientation coming?

2) What was your first impression of Dawsey? How was he different from other men that Juliet had known?

...
My responses-
1) Not at all. Call me clueless. I was totally expecting Juliet and Sidney to hook up in the end. When it did come up, I was not disappointed. I just realized that I should've seen it coming.
2) My first impression of Dawsey was that he was a humble country man. I pictured him older than he ended up being. And uglier than I ended up envisioning him in the end. The differences in him and the other men in Juliet's life seems pretty obvious. Dawsey seemed to have it all figured out. He knew what was important in life. He didn't care about the vanities of the world. He was intellectual but without any pomp and circumstance. And he was not chasing after Juliet.

What do you think?

Indecisive

2009-04-11T20:18:00.003-04:00

Please forgive me for changing May's book not once but twice. Originally, I selected "Left to Tell" by Immaculle Ilibagiza. However, since we just read "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and "Night", I didn't think we needed another book about death. "Left to Tell" is about the Rwandan Holocaust. It is an amazing book however if any of you are interested. It's a really quick read and is surprisingly uplifting.

I changed the selection to "Cold Comfort Farm" which has been on my nightstand and my to-read list forever. But, after weeks of trying to read it and it failing to capture my attention, I've given up. I've heard great things about it so I do want to read it but it might not be the right timing. Does anyone else have that problem with books? Sometimes it's all about timing for me. Anyway - I just didn't want to pick a book that even I couldn't finish.

So I am left with my most recent read, "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech. I just finished it today and I am excited to have everyone read it next month. I'm sorry for all the switching. I realize that it defeats the purpose of planning months in advance. Hopefully, it will be easy to find a copy since it is a Newbery Medal winner.

April's Book

2009-04-05T11:11:00.005-04:00

I hope you all have in your possession the book for April: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows.

Here is a little bit about the book:

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.
As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends—and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. Born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its
members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island, the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.
Enjoy!! Stay tuned for a great discussion.

Night

2009-03-19T09:45:00.001-04:00

Is anybody reading or finished with this book yet?

I'm done and will come up with a question or two!!!

How are you liking it???

A thousand splendid heartbreaks

2009-03-07T00:55:00.009-05:00

(Spoiler Alert!)

This book broke my heart a thousand times.

Just like the Kite Runner did.

Does everything have to be so sad? Every time there is a great love or devotion towards anybody it's taken away, either through betrayal or violence or death. And every time this devastating event occurs, even though I expect it, it still cuts deep. Now that's a great writer: someone who can write such a piercingly sad story with so much beauty and intensity that you can't put it down, despite not being sure you can endure anymore.

Did you notice the repetition of thousand? Tiff already referenced her favorite line about Mariam shining in Laila's heart with the radiance of a thousand suns. Also, when Laila's house exploded and she somersaulted through the air with the debris:

A big burning chunk of wood whipped by. So did a thousand shards of glass, and it seemed to Laila that she could see each individual one flying all around her, flipping slowly end over end, the sunlight catching in each. Tiny, beautiful rainbows.

As we know, this happens only a few days after her father tells her of the poem that has been playing over and over in his head, the theme of the book:

"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls."

All those hidden suns in her family's walls explode by a bomb and in the midst of this horrific explosion, Laila can see beauty. With the words of her father's favorite poem in her mind she sees, amidst this tragedy, beautiful rainbows in the shattered pieces of the life that she knew.

I think the whole scene with Laila flying through the glass is the theme of the whole book: seeing hope and beauty in life even when it seems most hopeless. Do you agree?

(sorry, that was longer than I intended. I'm still trying to mull it over and my brain is spinning.)

more...

2009-02-25T09:16:00.005-05:00

Here are two more...

Were you surprised when Tariq returned? Had you suspected the depth of Rasheed's deceit?

Yes... I was shocked. I hadn't even thought of that idea and didn't even think about Rasheed doing something like that. I was so engrossed in the story that I didn't question when the man said Tariq was dead. So when he showed up, I was surprised. And I was even more disgusted with Rasheed. I couldn't stand him. But I loved that Tariq returned and restored some hope into the story.

Even though her life was hard, Miriam wishes for more of it in the end. Why do you think that is?

I think Miriam realized that she did have a good life, even though it was extremely hard. She found love and acceptance in Laila and the children. I think she realized her worth and that she had value and something to offer the world.
I think the things that are hard for us, sometimes bring us joy in the long run. It makes me think of, "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it". Doesn't it feel great when we can give and receive love even during the hard times.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2009-02-23T14:08:00.005-05:00

Did everyone get a chance to read it? I hope so because I think it is a great read. What did you guys think?

One of my fravorite lines
"Miriam is in Laila’s own heart, where she shines with the bursting radiance of a thousand suns."

Question:
Miriam’s mother says: "Women like us. We endure. It’s all we have." In what ways is this true? How do Miriam and Laila endure? How is their endurance different from the ways their mothers faced their trials?

March

2009-02-03T20:16:00.003-05:00

Ok so I changed my mind. I was going to choose The Shack for March but now I can't decide between these two. Has anyone read Night, if not I think it will be the one!!!

March's Selections

2009-01-22T09:29:00.004-05:00

These are the books I was thinking about for March. I know some of you have already read the Alchemist. Do any of these look good to you, or do you prefer one over another???

Let me know.

Mercy, Maud

2009-01-18T17:36:00.011-05:00

I'm halfway through Cheaper by the Dozen. I haven't read it for a few years and I admit it's a little cheesier than I remember, by jingo. The little quip at the end of every chapter is a little too much syrup. And I am suspicious of biographies that dictate direct quotes, since obviously conversations weren't written down exactly as spoken and a little license is given to authors to juice up the quotes- that said...

I do think it's a fascinating look at a family that thrived off innovation for organization, learning and efficiency. I find myself thinking about motion study when I'm hauling laundry around from room to room. All the charts and memorizing Latin and teaching typing is remarkable. They would have made an amazing reality show.

Here is a picture of Frank Bunker Gilbreth, the father of the 12 kids this book is about "with a wire representation of the path of motion for a unit of work" that I pulled off of Wikipedia. (I pictured him fatter.) Wiki also adds that he "was the first to propose that a surgical nurse serve as "caddy" (Gilbreth's term) to a surgeon, by handing surgical instruments to the surgeon as called for. Gilbreth also devised the standard techniques used by armies around the world to teach recruits how to rapidly disassemble and reassemble their weapons even when blindfolded or in total darkness."

My favorite parts of the book are when the authors, two of his children, tell his story without using conversation. It seems more natural for some reason. Anyone else read it yet? Anna, I'm curious about your goodreads rating on this. Please explain.

a book for february

2009-01-16T14:00:00.000-05:00

I like the idea of having a couple choices and letting everyone vote on it. So here are the choices for February's book and lets hear what everyone thinks!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

By Khaled Hosseini

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
By Mary Ann Shaffer

The Poisonwood Bible

By Barbara Kingsolver

Housekeeping

2009-01-11T21:17:00.002-05:00

Hope you don't mind the changes to the look. I just felt like it was time for a change...

Anyhoo... I'm excited for January's book. I wanted to remind Tiff that you have next month and Haley, you have March.

As soon as you know what book you will be choosing, let's post it on the sidebar so we can be getting ready for it.

January Book

2008-12-29T01:17:00.003-05:00

I have been thinking that I want to do Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth for the January book. Don't worry, it has nothing in common with the corny cheap-laugh production Steve Martin starred in. It's a charming story of a huge family in the early 1900's. After reading the horrible example of parenting in the Glass Castle, this is a fun book portraying the exact opposite. It's fun and short, but I'm worried that it's hard to find. I'm not sure it's still in print. I checked Amazon.com and they have several copies available for $3. If it appears too hard to find in local libraries, I'll choose another one. Go ahead and scout it out and report back. I'll check my library tomorrow. If they have it in this podunky little cowtown I live in they should have it anywhere.

December Book???

2008-12-10T20:08:00.001-05:00

Does anyone have a book they want to choose for December????

A Great and Terrible Beauty

2008-11-17T13:05:00.003-05:00

I hope all of you have had the chance to pick up this book. If not... you still have time. It's a quick read (shally just read it over the weekend) - and would fit in nicely with some turkey leftovers.

p.s... does anyone remember what december's book is going to be?

Glass Castle Question

2008-11-01T17:47:00.004-04:00

I just left a comment on the last post but I also had another question I have been considering. Rex and Rose Mary loved being on the run, moving frequently and getting fresh perspectives in undiscovered towns. Why, as Jeannette said, did people get stuck in Welch, West Virginia? The town was run-down, depressed, hard as nails, and economically destitute. After all the moving they did, why did Rex and Rose stay there for as long as they did? It was by far the worst living conditions they'd ever experienced but they seemed the most content with keeping their family there. Why? But then again, trying to make sense out of anything those parents did is impossible...

Do you think it had anything to do with the fact that the kids were starting to get older and were bringing in a little money, and therefore it was easier for them to do nothing there? But if they would have moved, the kids would still have been able to get the same odd jobs in other places that they got there.

Any thoughts? Why were they stuck?

The Glass Castle

2008-10-19T23:22:00.003-04:00

Oh man... oh man oh man oh man. I just finished this book yesterday. I pretty much read it in one sitting because I could not put it down. Depressing. Amazing. Wow. Anyone else read it yet??

I'm going on a cruise for a week so i won't be able to discuss this much this week but I wanted to put in my thoughts before I go. Or at least some of them...

Question: As you read the story, what you were your feelings towards her mom and dad?

My answer: About halfway through, I developed true feelings of hatred towards her mother. I was mad at her dad, furious, disgusted, etc. but for some reason it was her mother that won over my true hatred. She was the epitome of laziness and irresponsibility. How could she make the choices she made when they all so directly affected her four children?? I could go on and on about all the choices that make me cringe, but I won't. But honestly, what do you think it was that made her mother tick? Do you think she had a mental imbalance or was she just plain odd.
Her father tugged at my heartstrings. He was raised in a horrific situation and had no foundation to spring off of. He wanted so badly to give his children the world but he could never overcome the demons of his childhood. And that destroyed him. I do not excuse his behavior in the slightest bit, but I did never actually hate him as I read the story.

Question: Lori grew up to be a little odd but able to lead a completely functional and successful life. Same with Brian and Jeannette. (Marlene- not so much.) Why do you think this is?? Why do you think the older three were able to pull out of the nasty cycle being perpetuated on his father's side? Her parents did something right. What do you think that was?

My answer: Hmmm... I need to think on this a bit. But I can't wait to hear your thoughts!!

One more thing. I loved loved loved this read. It had me at hello! And I have not stopped thinking about it since I finished it. Great pick! I've got next months book checked out from the library and I'm taking it on my cruise. This book club blog is not dying, is it??

P.S. Anybody who comes across cool extras about this story and this woman, feed me! I would love to soak it all in. What a fascinating life.

Some housekeeping

2008-10-16T13:56:00.004-04:00

I don't know if anyone saw the anonymous comments that were left on our blog because I deleted them. They weren't really bad or anything - just annoying. I also changed the settings on the blog so that anonymous comments are no longer allowed.

I put a sitemeter on this blog too. It always makes me feel better to have some idea of who is looking at the blog since we seem to have someone out there who finds it necessary to tell us that this blog is stupid. Anyway - if anyone wants the username and password so you can check the sitemeter, e-mail me at annapshirley at hotmail dot com.

Everyone finished?

2008-09-24T07:21:00.002-04:00

Thank you Jenna for starting our discussion about The Last Lecture. I really like the questions you put out there. They definitely made me think!

I hope everyone enjoyed this book. I couldn't help but cry every now and then, especially when Randy described Jai coming up on stage at the end of his lecture and whispering "Please don't die". I lost it at that point.

The book had so many inspirational points that I probably should be discussing, but one thing has really been sticking with me, so I wanted to throw it out there. Randy references the time he took his neice and nephew for the weekend and poured an entire can of soda on the backseat of his new car to emphasize the point that people are more important than things. While I agree with that statement 100%, I also feel it's important to teach children to have respect for things.

What do you all think about that? How do you simultaneously teach children that people are more important than things, but that you must also respect things?

Not Shy

2008-09-21T00:12:00.004-04:00

All right, so I have a few questions I thought would be fun to ask concerning The Last Lecture. In The Dutch Uncle chapter, Randy speaks very frankly about some personality flaws he had as a freshman in college. He starts the chapter saying, "Anyone who knows me will tell you I've always had a healthy sense of myself and my abilities." This didn't always come across well socially.

I was impassioned about so many things-a good trait. But like many people, I had strengths that were also flaws. In Andy's view, I was self-possessed to a fault, I was way too brash and I was an inflexible contrarian, always spouting opinions.

Andy was a professor who told him it was a shame that "people perceive you as being so arrogant, because it's going to limit what you're going to be able to accomplish in life." Randy said this was the perfect way for him to say stop being a jerk.

The thought-provoked questions:
Is it possible to ever view ourselves completely objectively and see how we are coming across to people?

What personality traits do you have that are simultaneously strengths and flaws?

Have you ever been given "constructive criticism" in a positive way that could have been hurtful if stated differently?

Jenna, shy?

2008-09-08T13:28:00.003-04:00

Hey guys, Jenna posted her thoughts about The Last Lecture on her blog. I don't know if she's being shy or what but read it here. In fact, it's so good, I'm considering a similar post on my blog.

Book for November...

2008-09-05T10:52:00.007-04:00

Since I don't know alot of you or your literary tastes I thought I'd offer up three books for November... and leave the final choice up to vote.

This is a beautiful real life story of three generations of chinese women.

A haunting tale set in victorian times.. kind of harry potterish, but darker.. and with girls.

If you haven't read this, it is fabulous. It is the harrowing tale of a fateful climb to Everest. Definate page turner.

So what do you think??

Secret Life of Bees

2008-09-04T00:58:00.004-04:00

For those of us who read The Secret Life of Bees during our last bookclub, I noticed today that there is a movie coming out this fall. It was a fabulous book. I hope the movie is just as good.

PS. I'm only number 237 on the waiting list for this months book The Last Lecture!! I'll have to see if someone owns a copy.

Roll Call

2008-08-24T13:28:00.002-04:00

I'm thinking that we should do a book club roll call to see who's still with us. And maybe we even have some new quiet followers out there! If you check this blog regularly, SPEAK UP! Let us know you're out there. And then we can update our list. If we don't hear from you, then (I propose) we will update the sidebar with the who's picking the book when business and only include the regulars.
So let's hear from you!
(If you are a follower but don't want to pick a book, let us know and we will skip you.)

House and Home

2008-08-22T12:02:00.004-04:00

Ok so does anybody want to talk about House and Home? I'm not sure how many read it.

There was a part in the book where Ellen is talking to Jeffrey in the bookstore and they are talking about the series of book's that Ellen loves. She refers to them as "the equivilent of comfort food". That is how I felt about this book. Obviously not shakespere but and easy read that kept me interested. I didn't love the ending but I still can't decide how I really wanted it to end.
anyway, i just thought it was a fun read and probably would read it again!!

September's Book

2008-08-18T20:18:00.003-04:00

Hi guys! After much difficulty trying to get September's book added to the blog, I had Haley do it. Thank you Haley! What is wrong with me that I couldn't figure it out?!

I've been absent the past two months, but I'm back and will hopefully be able to contribue for the next few months. The book I chose for September is The Last Lecture. Has anyone read this? I'm sure many of you are familiar with Randy Pausch - the Carnegie Mellon professor diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Professors are often asked to give their "last lecture", what they would like to say given it was their last opportunity. This was very real for Randy as his cancer was terminal. You may have seen him on Oprah, or the many UTube videos that are out there. His message is very inspirational. The book was his opportunity to go more in depth than he could during his lecture (he didn't think a 6 hour lecture would have been very popular). Randy died July 25.

Is anyone reading???

2008-08-12T09:39:00.001-04:00

Has anyone started House and Home? It's a new release and was hard for me to find but I finally found it yesterday and am only a few chapters in but am loving it so far!!!

House & Home

2008-08-04T14:57:00.005-04:00

Heidi choose the book House & Home for this month but she doesn't have access to a computer right now so I am posting it for her!!!!

August's Book

2008-07-28T20:00:00.001-04:00

Any ideas on August's Book??

The Hostess

2008-07-14T09:03:00.003-04:00

I would like to draw attention to Jenna's hilarious post about "The Host" on her blog. Now a little background about Jenna and I - we disliked "Twilight". I can only say that I disliked "Twilight" because I didn't read the rest of the series. I think Jenna may have read the series. Both of us did it for book clubs. Now, I'm not saying I won't read "The Host" but I haven't been able to find a copy so I haven't started it. What did the rest of you think about the "Twilight" series if you've read it? How do you think it compares to "The Host" if you've started it?

Last fling with Eat Pray Love

2008-06-30T09:35:00.004-04:00

Okay so last day of the month and so I'm just going to throw out one last Eat Pray Love post. I felt like Elizabeth was so incredibly different from myself yet I found several things in common with her or things that I completely related to. I think my personality is very different from her personality yet there were things that I went through that she described personally. I think that it might be the case with many of you. Do any of you feel like you related or had things in common with Elizabeth? And if so, what?

It should just be "Eat"

2008-06-19T10:46:00.004-04:00

I'm glad that Liz started her book with Italy and not with India. It was much more fun to read about her love affair with her pizza than her profound euphoria during meditation. Because to her, her pizza was euphoric. I breathed a sigh of relief after wading through India (too much thinking to do) and have just started Indonesia. Things are looking up, it's fun again but I miss the days when we were exploring unknown cafes together in Venice.

Book for July

2008-06-18T09:24:00.004-04:00

Okay ladies,

Sorry I have been AWOL lately!

I do have a book to read for July. I have been wanting to read this, and I heard it was a great book.

The book I choose is The Host by Stephanie Meyer.

I heard her talking about this book the other day on "Good Things Utah". It sounded fun. Plus, I loved the Twilight series, and am hoping this is just as good.

I am off to get a copy this week! ☺

Newbie

2008-06-17T19:28:00.003-04:00

Hi! I am Tiffany Kimble. Anna invited me to join the group. But funny thing is I have never actually met Anna face to face. I know Anna through Jo. I am married to Jo’s brother Eric. Anna and I share many common interests and I feel like I’ve known her for years. As for my sister in law, she is one of the most amazing people I know.

Me: I live in Redlands, CA and work full time at the University of Redlands. I don’t have any kids yet, but hope to in the very near future, as in, we’re trying to get pregnant right now! I like to sew and I love nice fabrics. I love anything outdoors; some favorites, backpacking, biking, and the beach. I also love to go shopping, especially if I can get something really great for a good price. You want more… ericandtiffkimble.blogspot.com

Reading: Of course, I love to read. I love to read multiple books at one time. I love something different. I love not knowing anything about a book when I pick it up. Sometimes I like reading something that is unknown rather than popular. I love buying new books. I forget that you can check them out or buy them used. I am always tempted to read the last couple pages of a book. When I give in I am usually mad at myself after. I have a hard time not finishing a book; if I start it, I have to finish it. I enjoy pushing the limits of my own imagination and mind. I have never been a part of a book club and am way excited to contribute to the group! Thanks for the invite Anna!

The NEXT book? Wait!

2008-06-12T09:45:00.003-04:00

I'm still in the incubator stage of learning how this book club works, and so I'm not necessarily qualified to push my way to the forefront, but I'm only like 80 pages into Eat Pray Love and wanting to e-discuss it. What happens now? Do people just post as they feel inspired? Or do we wait for the person who selected the book to begin it? I will observe and learn. But I do have to say I have chuckled my way through this witty book and really like it, despite the few unnecessary F-bombs thrown in just for kicks. Something I read last night keeps repeating itself in my brain: I hope I'm like Rome when I'm an old lady. I love it but I don't really know why.

Also I was thinking about how she is deliberating what to do to pick herself up after the divorce and keeps asking herself, What do you want? I don't think I ever ask myself that. I should more often. Most often my prayerful petitions are for the regular stuff: safety, health, patience, the van to start when I turn the key. But beyond that, what do I want? I almost feel selfish for even considering the question, or maybe the things that I really want I can't have anyway. Like to go back to Hawaii, or to have, say, a new van. Like I would just disappoint myself if I even thought about it at all. Does anybody else feel as stymied by this question as me?

Next Book

2008-06-09T17:44:00.001-04:00

I finished Eat Pray Love and I'm anxious to secure the next book. Is Shally still a part of us? Any ideas yet?

A-mid-book commentary

2008-06-04T21:01:00.003-04:00

I just had to blog about chapter 26 of the book. It's only a page and a half but it is seriously so funny to me. I don't think I'm spoiling anything but I'll be quoting the book so if you don't want to read it - stop here.

I just chuckled when I read that Elizabeth had such problems with the postal system. I lived in Europe so this chapter was so spot on. The mail system in Italy must be the same as it was in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. I never got packages that were sent. I completely gave up on the postal system. The post office workers would make up rules - I swear. Like how one worker insisted that it was against the regulations to use colored pen on the envelope.

The following exchange from the book still makes me laugh when I think about it:

"Did someone maybe steal it?" I ask Luca Spaghetti. "Did the post office lose it?"

He covers his eyes. "Don't ask these questions, " he says. "You'll only make yourself upset".

SO FUNNY! I can totally picture one of my Czech friends trying to explain to me to just accept the fact that my packages won't get to me and not to concern myself with it. I love it! Ha! "Don't ask these questions..." I hope everyone can appreciate the pure comedic genius in this small chapter. Read it again if you've already read it because the entire explanation of Catholics vs. Protestants and the post office is hilarious.

YIPPEE! Time for EAT PRAY LOVE!

2008-06-01T22:46:00.002-04:00

Pardon me, Lisa, for budging right in here, but I just have to start out the month by saying that I am LOVING this read. I am halfway through and am just eating up her unique and entertaining writing style. I can't wait for discussions for this book. Hurry up and read EVERYBODY! ;)

Here's another

2008-05-28T13:04:00.002-04:00

I found this question in one of the reading guides:

Discuss the meaning of the scripture on Emma's medallion ("Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life; Proverbs 4:23"). What is the significance of Reese's deciding to give the medallion to Annie?

The Month's Almost Over

2008-05-26T13:03:00.003-04:00

Kars, the month is almost over and I'm anxious to begin our discussion on the book. Any questions? I've got one for you all... It's not a very deep one like you find in the back of books, but still...

What did you think of the ending?
What do you imagine would've been the story if it would've continued for a few more pages?

Also, what do you think the words were that he whispered to Annie's heart?

Room for one more?

2008-05-25T21:43:00.003-04:00

I hope that nobody minds, but Anna invited me to join your book club. I promise I'll read all the books on time and not cause any trouble. Anna is married to my brother and so we were sisters before we were friends, but now we get to be both! Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies and my favorite way of escaping without leaving my house.

I grew up in a protected little bubble called Rexburg, Idaho, had a brief stint in Hawaii while I studied (played) at BYU-Hawaii. I then married my missionary and had a baby in Idaho, Utah, Nevada and AZ. We currently live in a little corner pocket of Phoenix called Maricopa. Here is a recent photo of us on my daughter's baptism day. If you find that you must know more, you can always check out our blog: at-the-copa.blogspot.com.

Thanks for taking me in, guys.

Anyone finished yet?

2008-05-14T18:40:00.003-04:00

I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down once I started. After not being able to read the books the past two months, I really enjoyed getting back into a book. I thought the character development was good and liked the way it jumped back and forth between present time and when Reese was growing up.

I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so I won't go into any more details. I will be gone the last week in May, so I wanted to start this discussion early.

Again, kudos to Karin on an excellent selection.

Two more for good measure

2008-05-06T19:05:00.006-04:00

I agree with Jo and think another question would be fun. I had trouble deciding so here are two:

1. Why does Jacob get so mad about Mr. McGuinity lying about carrying water for elephants? Do you see and similarities of temperament between the young Jacob and the old Jacob?

2. In the Author’s Note, Gruen writes that many of the details in the story are factual or come from circus workers’ anecdotes. These true stories include the hippo pickled in formaldehyde, the deceased fat lady being paraded through town and an elephant who repeatedly pulled out her stake and stole lemonade. Gruen did extensive research before writing Water for Elephants. Was her story believable?

Here are my responses:
1. I can kind of understand why Jacob got so mad about Mr. McGuinity lying about carrying water for elephants. Obviously it was a sensitive topic. Sometimes I feel the same way and get angry over something small because it is something that means a lot to me. I do see a similarity but I see the differences of temperament between the young Jacob and the old Jacob. It seems to me that old Jacob is just what you would picture a 90-year old man to be. Young Jacob seemed to have some control over his anger and put up with quite a lot.

2. I thought the story was believable. I loved finding out that there was some basis in truth.

Whodunnit

2008-04-27T16:24:00.002-04:00

Here is question 2 (SPOILER ALERT):

Who did you, upon reading the prologue, think murdered August? What effect did that opening scene of chaos and murder have on your reception of the story that follows?

My response:
I 100% thought it was Marlena and was completely shocked when I read what really happened. I liked the prologue because of course, I always like to know the ending of books and so it seemed like I was getting a sneak peak. I shouldn't have been so silly to think that the author would give away the ending. It's kind of like when I went on my mission and someone told me about the secret in "The Sixth Sense". She summed it up by saying, "I see dead people, I see dead people, I am dead." So as I'm watching the movie, I'm thinking that it's the little kid that is dead the entire time, not Bruce Willis. Even though I knew the ending, I really didn't. Wow, that was a big side-track. Sorry.

Let's begin...

2008-04-22T23:08:00.002-04:00

So I think that I'll go ahead and start some of the discussion questions since a few of us have already finished the book. Here's the first question:

Water for Elephants moves between a story about a circus and a story about an old man in a nursing home. How do the chapters about the older Jacob enrich the story about Jacob’s adventure with the circus? How would the novel be different if Gruen had only written about the younger Jacob, keeping the story linear and never describing Jacob’s life as an old man?

And my response:
Often, when I read a book from two different vantage points, I find one more interesting than the other. I think that in this book, I was equally intrigued to hear from the younger Jacob and the Jacob as an old man. In fact, I thought the story of Jacob as an old man was so fulfilling. It was like it was the happy ending (which could even be called a new beginning) even though he had to deal with the discomfort of old age. As a side note, I knew I was hooked reading this book when I read the first chapter from Jacob as an old man because it was so spot-on about growing older. I loved that he couldn't remember how old he was. I also thought it brought an interesting perspective because if it just kept the story linear and told about the younger Jacob, we wouldn't see what an impact that time of his life was as a whole.

Status check

2008-04-18T13:24:00.001-04:00

How is everyone progressing with the book? Have many of you finished? I know Haley finished. Anyone else? Are you enjoying it?

April's book

2008-04-01T10:45:00.003-04:00

Say hello to "Water for Elephants" for April's book. I just finished reading it and JoAnna suggested that I pick it for this book club. I don't have my copy any longer because I borrowed it from a friend but I hope you guys enjoy it. It's hard to follow-up after such a well-loved book.

I'll just tell you a couple of the reasons why I loved the book without giving anything away. I loved the character development in this book. To me, I felt like the book was very original and I enjoyed learning about circus life. When I lived in Europe, I thought it was so interesting that small circuses would travel from town to town and that was their life. For me, this book gave insight into an interesting part of America's history during the depression. Hope you enjoy it!

Farewell to a GOOD Book

2008-03-31T08:51:00.002-04:00

The month has come and gone. I hope you all have enjoyed the read of the month. I know I have. Thanks for all the great thoughts and opinions. I had to return my book to the library, and I was disappointed that I had forgotten to copy the quotes that I really loved. So I have none of that to go out with. Would any of you share some of your favorites?

If You Need To Fill Some Time.......

2008-03-25T21:44:00.002-04:00

I don't want to hijack this book club, but I just had to share with you all the book I'm reading. Has anyone else read, I Was a Really Good Mom Until I Had Kids? I've been feeling pretty stressed out about parenthood lately, and this book hits it right on the head. The back cover says, "This book is for you if.....you consider a trip to the dentist your special "alone" time, you would trade your husband for a housekeeper, you routinely refer to the bathroom as the "potty".....", and many more.

If any of you are feeling a little overwhelmed with all your mommy duties, I highly recommend this book. It's a very quick read, and will make you feel a little bit better about the incredibly tough jobs we all do everyday.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled book!