Books Books and More Books

What Did You Think? Enders Game

2009-05-04T22:30:00.001-07:00

I actually liked this book. I was very skeptical at first, but then I couldn't put it down.

I was surprised by the ending. I don't know why I didn't figure that out sooner. I was also surprised and sad when I realized he actually killed those two boys.

I felt sorry that his life was lived all for someone else. He was never free from the time he was born until the war. I do think he had freedom in the end. But after living such a screwed up life, I don't know if that was even possible.

I don't have time to review the whole book right now, but I'd love to hear what you all thought.

Anybody read? Comment now!

Enders Game

2009-04-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

This month we are reading, "Enders Game" by Orson Scott Card. This is not my typical read, but I have a trusted friend who says she loves Orson Scott Card (as an author) and this is her favorite Orson Scott Card book. (Thanks April, if you are reading this).

Here's some more info (from Google):

"Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut—young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.

Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If, that is, the world survives."

Click here to preview this book.

"The Ladies Auxiliary" discussion.

2009-04-04T06:24:00.000-07:00

Hey book club friends, are you out there? I'm feeling like this group is slowing dying off. What do you think? Do you think we should continue this? Let me know.

For now, if any of you read the book this month, I thought we could answer 1 or 2 (or more) of these questions to get some discussion going.

1. The novel opens with an almost pastoral description of Memphis's Jewish neighborhood, typologically evoking a "city on the hill" image. How do the themes that imbue this first scene set the tone for the rest of the book?

2. Find a passage in which a Jewish ceremony is described. In what ways does Mirvis show the myriad, even contradictory, meanings that it contains for each of its participants?

3. The use of the first-person plural pronoun for the narrative voice emphasizes the collective, uniform nature of the community. The story is told not by any one member of the community but by a chorus. How does Mirvis play with this voice to emphasize moments of dissension or doubt? At what points is the voice the least omniscient?

4. What did you make of the seeming role reversal between mothers and daughters, with the mothers portrayed as na•ve and the daughters as more perceptive and worldly?

5. What do you think will happen after the end of the novel? Will Batsheva stay? To what extent will she be integrated, if at all?

6. How do you imagine Ayala to be five or ten years after the end of the novel?

7. This book, with its independent, proud heroine, could be read alongside Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (even down to the strange apparitions in the sky). How do they both explore issues of tradition, tolerance, belief, individuality, and forgiveness? In what important ways do they diverge?

8. What characters did you identify with most? Was it always Batsheva?

9. Do you think Yosef's doubt about Judaism predated Batsheva's arrival? Or did it grow out of their conversations?

10. Was there ever a point where you agreed with those who thought that Batsheva had "crossed the line"?

11. How and where does Mirvis blur the division between religious faith and small-town provincialism?

12. Do you think it is possible to carve out a space for individualism within an orthodoxy? Is what Batsheva attempts even possible or, in the end, do you have to choose one over the other? (Perhaps think of other stories--Voltaire's Candide, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Henry James's Daisy Miller--in which someone presents a challenge to an established order.).

13. What do you make of the vision in the sky that ends the novel? How can it be read along with the opening scene of the novel?

Here's some of my thoughts:

I liked this book. I felt like I could relate to each character. I think that is why it is such a likable book, because the author helped you relate to the characters even the ones who were not to so nice.

I loved hearing about the Jewish Orthodox religion. It is so fascinating to me and I can actually see similarities to the LDS faith.

The character that I enjoyed the most was not not Batsheva, although I do wish I could be more like her. I really loved Mimi. I thought she was good hearted and a great balance between the characters. She was somehow able to remain friends with everyone and follow her faith without making anyone mad.

As sad as it is, I did sometimes agree with the women in the book about Batsheva. Sometimes I felt like she absolutely crossed the line. I think if are going to host a party at your house as a responsible youth leader, you don't let the party get out of hand. I felt like sometimes she was trying so hard to be their friend, that she lost some of her authority.The party was a mistake and sounds like quite a disaster. Although, I do not blame her for the runaway, that was bound to happen anyway.

The Ladies Auxiliary

2009-03-03T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hello are you there? I'd love to hear what you all thought of "The Book Thief".

This month we are going to read "The Ladies Auxiliary" by Tova Mirvis.
As always, I've heard great things. Hopefully we can get some discussion going. I can't wait to start reading.

The Book Theif

2009-01-29T21:03:00.000-08:00

I apologize for neglecting this blog. I've decided from now on I am just going to post a new book at the first of every month. You can comment on the book whenever you finish reading it. Feel free to suggest new books as well.

This month we will be reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. I know many of you have already read this or are currently reading this, so bring on the discussion. I love this book and will read it again and again. I can't wait to hear what you think.

Falling Angels

2009-01-09T19:08:00.000-08:00

The book I read was called, "Falling Angels" by Tracy Chevalier. This is the same author who wrote "The Girl with the Pearl Earring," if you have read that.

The book is set in the early 1900's in London. It tells the story of two well to do families and how they cope with the turn of the century and how times are changing. The plot is centered around the daughters of the two families, Lavinia Waterhouse and Maude Coleman. The Coleman's are very modern and the mother Kitty is a forward thinking woman. The Waterhouses are a more traditional sort of family. The two girls become best friends, even though they are totally opposite people. The book goes through an 8 year period and we watch how the girls mature, and how their mothers influence their lives, even when they are distance like Kitty is.

The climax of the book is when Kitty Coleman has an affair and get pregnant. Then she has an abortion-not described in detail thankfully. We watch as she turns inward away from her family and then outward away her family as she joins in the suffrage movement. Her poor choice in neglecting her family eventually leads to prison and then death as she is trampled by a spooked horse in a suffrage parade.

This is a short summary, but the book was really involved. It was an interesting read to see how families cope with deceit and change and the influence mothers can be on their children for good and bad. Maude's mother wasn't very doting, but Maude turned out to be a wonderful young woman. Lavinia's mother gave her everything she wanted and she turned out to be quite a brat really. I liked how the book was written in different perspectives so you could kind of get each person's view on the situation. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

Book of Choice

2008-12-09T11:45:00.001-08:00

From now until Jan 1st, lets all share a book of choice. Read any book you want and tell us about it. Post anytime or email me and I will post it for you.
I can't wait to hear about your book!

The Time Traveler's Wife: Reviewed

2008-11-30T21:35:00.001-08:00

The time has come to tell all about the "Time Traveler's Wife". What did you think? I don't have time to write a lot so if someone else would like to write a response, that would be great!

I enjoyed the story very much. I thought it was unique and definitely drew me in. I could have done without the F-word and detailed sex scenes, but overall I liked the book.

I really liked Clare. I don't know what it was, but she seemed like a good person. I loved how she described her baby. The detailed descriptions made me think the author must be a mother. The things that she went through were heart-wrenching and I think she handled everything pretty gracefully. I was a little confused during the last miscarriage. I read a review that was saying something about time traveling fetuses and now I think I missed something. Anyone understand that?

I was intrigued by the thought of time travel. It would be amazing to be able to go back in time and revisit things, but I would hate it if I couldn't change anything. Plus the parts about being naked, losing feet, getting shot, etc. those are all downsides :). I can't wait to see the movie that is coming out next year!

The Time Traveler's Wife... and Beyond

2008-11-11T13:45:00.000-08:00

I have this book now (finally) but I haven't read it. I'm not sure if any one else has read it either (knock knock, is anyone there?). I've decided to extend this until Thanksgiving.

After Thanksgiving I think we should all read a book of choice and tell about it. If anyone wants to become a blog author, email me at jenmlowryATgmailDotcom. Or if you don't want to do that, but still have a book you would like to share, email me your info and I will post it for you. Then starting January 1st, we will start a new book, which I will reveal sometime in December. Happy Reading.

New Book...Sorry So Late!

2008-10-10T22:19:00.000-07:00

For this months book, lets read

The Time Travelers Wife By Audrey Niffenegger.

I don't much about this book other than it has amazing reviews, so read it and tell us what you think!

Eat, Pray, Love

2008-10-04T19:55:00.001-07:00

Anyone read this book? I did, amazingly. It is the only book I have read in months. I thought it was pretty good. It was inspiring although I don't necessarily agree with her on all points.
I thought it was sad that she had to go through a terrible divorce (by her choice) just to find herself.
The part I liked the most was when she was in Italy. She made me want to go there and eat my heart out.
The part in the Ashram was a little slow for me, I found myself wanting to skip through some of it (but I didn't). I did think it was interesting how so many religions really actually believe the same things, they just call it something different.
I couldn't believe how her friend wouldn't buy a house. It really was unbelievable that she could want more money! She should have been grateful for the money that she had already received. I guess that is the nature of a third world country though. Very sad.
The way she described the beaches in Indonesia made me want to go there as well. I even went online to look at pictures. Looks like a beautiful place.

Sorry this is short and scattered, I didn't have time to write an in depth review.

What did you think?

My Antonia

2008-09-08T14:01:00.001-07:00

I haven't finished reading this so I will have to comment about it later. What about you? What did you think?

I've decided for next months book will be "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have heard many great things about this book and it seems like a quick read (which is always good when you have kids running around).

The Birth of Venus

2008-08-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

I really liked this book. I thought it was a good picture of what life was like for women in Florence during the fifteenth century. Dunant is very skilled at painting great word pictures and making things come alive off the page.

I thought the relationship between Alessandra and Cristoforo was very unusual. It seemed to me that they were perfectly matched, but I knew there was something wrong with the whole scenario. However, Alessandra's ability to hold her head up was something that impressed me a lot. I think if I had been given the news she was on my wedding night, I would have curled up in a ball and not left my room for a few weeks. Alessandra was a great strong character. She really was passionate about things that interested her. I cheered her on through the whole book.

The relationship between Alessandra and the painter was wonderful. I knew as soon as she saw him that they were going to fall in love. I loved how they were portrayed as so different, but yet so right for each other. The only thing that bothered me was that we never learned the painter's name. However, when the painter finds Alessandra at the convent and tells her that she has no idea how long he has been looking for her, I cried. It was such a beautiful moment that attested to their true love.

Overall, this was a great book with really developed characters. I enjoyed reading it a great deal and will probably read it again.

New Book

2008-08-05T19:40:00.001-07:00

I have to admit that I didn't read the book for last month. I was so busy, although there is never a good excuse for not reading. So, did anyone read? I love to hear your thoughts.

As for this month, Sara H. suggested that we read "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. This one has been around for a while, so I'm sure your local library will have it. Check it out and then get on here and share!

Zippy

2008-06-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

I love this book. It is one of my favorites. The writing style is so simple and beautiful. Haven Kimmel is a talented author and I would recommend all of her books to you all. I pull this book out whenever I need a good laugh, or a happy cry for that matter.

My favorite part of this book is Zippy's relationship with her father. You can tell that they had an extremely special bond. The chapter where she gives him the dog for Father's Day always makes me cry; so does the letter at the end. The story seems really kind of choppy, but it works together well too. I really appreciate that this book is a memoir of a happy childhood, instead of a recounting of really tragic circumstances.

Although Zippy seems self centered, she really is just a kid trying to figure out her place in the world. I think it is hard for her to see other people's perspective, but she is constantly trying to figure out how she fits into their lives. She has a good heart and really takes care of those she loves.

The Birth of Venus- JULY BOOK

2008-06-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hello readers! For July we are going to read the novel The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. The reviews for this book have been favorable and it was a New York Times Bestseller, so I have hopes for it. My name is Heather and Jen was kind enough to let me select the book for this month and I hope we all enjoy it! Happy reading everyone.

Zip

2008-06-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

I finished this today. I am the third person to mention it...now has anyone else read it? Don't be shy, add your comments!

I had a hard time getting into it at first. I thought it was just a bunch of rambling, as if she just threw some memories in here and there. As I read on, I realized that there really was structure to it. Things connected and I think more than anything, past just the stories, each chapter revealed more and more about her personality and her families. I loved reading about her adventures in the small town, but I think the points she was trying to get across were much deeper than just a short book of memories.

She was what I would describe the typical youngest child. I liked how she made herself seem like a selfish child who never did any good deeds, but she really did help people. One of my favorite parts was when she stayed after with her friend for private band lessons. She didn't know why her friend needed her, but she had this mature instinct. I saw that a few times, she was very in tune with people's feelings. Another example of this was when she got the dog for her dad that he loved for 14 years or whatever. She may not have been typical, but I bet she has made and kept a lot of friends.

A Girl Named Zippy

2008-06-17T18:36:00.000-07:00

I finished the book today. Anyone else finished? I really liked this book. I actually listened to the book and The author read the book so that was even more fun. What I didn't like was how it jumped around a lot I know that it was just a bunch of her childhood stories, but she jumped around so much with her age and grade in school, sometimes it would take me a second to understand what was going on. I also wish we could know more about some of her reaccuring characters and friends. I would have liked to know what happened to some of them... Like Rose and Julie (I think those were her friends names:)? I listened to the book on my MP3 Player and I am really bad with remembering names so I can't remember some of the character names.) I also would like to know who she is as an adult, like what has she done with her life? Does she still live there? Etc. I actually think that my sister Jen could write a book like this and it would be so fun to read. I Really like this book and she is a great writter she made me want to know more. What did everyone else think?

A Girl Named Zippy

2008-06-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

This month, Sara, has chosen a great book for us to read.

It is called "A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana. By Haven Kimmel

I've heard this is a fantastic book and I am excited to read it.

It was a New York Times Bestseller and it was one of "The Today Show" book club books.

Let's start the summer off right and read!

Did You Read?

2008-06-02T10:08:00.001-07:00

Because I didn't. I am so sorry that I am the most horrible book club member. This month flew by and now it is June. When did that happen? I did rent the movie last week so I would at least know the story, here's what I thought.

I thought it was a cute story, very predictable. My favorite character was definitely the dad. He treated the women well. I liked his humor and that he was always nice to Edith, even though she was a servant. My least favorite character was...Edith. I know you thought I was going to say the cousin. The cousin was a wicked girl, but again very predictable. I hated how Edith wouldn't stand up for herself. She let other people influence almost every decision she made. That drove me crazy. This is just what I got from the cheesy "Made For TV" movie. Anyone actually read the book? I'd like to hear more.

The Inheritance

2008-05-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

I hate to admit it, but I didn't recently read last month's book. I have read it before, but I couldn't find my copy and excuse, excuses... What did you all think?

This month, Amanda is going to choose the book. She gave me a few options, but her #1 pick was The Inheritance, By Louisa May Alcott. So, that is what we will read. Have fun!

The Secret Life of Bees

2008-04-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that I finally read the book for Book Club. I always have good intentions, but never finish the books. I did read The Secret Life of Bees. I really liked this book. I would recommend this to other people. I felt like it took a long time for Lily to finally tell August who she was and for her to find out August's connection to her mother. I know a lot of things were happening in that time, but I was just so anxious to find out how and if August knew her mother. Then I thought when she did find out the book ended very quickly. I wish we could have read more and been able to see more of her life living with August after T. Ray let her go and she didn't have any more secrets. I was so happy that Lily ended up with a better life though and even though things didn't change with how her mother died and I felt bad that she was still the reason her mom died. She was able to have "closure" I guess and she was able to move forward in life without T. Ray holding her back. The whole story over all was great. It was fun. I am so excited for the movie to come out. I was told it comes out in October. I can't wait to see who they picked to play the characters and see how well they portray them and how similar it was to my imagination.

You Choose

2008-04-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

Hope you are all enjoying "The Secret Life of Bees," by, Sue Monk Kidd.
I was thinking that it would be a good idea to rotate who chooses the book. That way we get a variety of different types of books and everyone gets to add some input. Comment here if you are interested in selecting a book to read and I will add your name to the rotation. Thanks!

Book of the Month: April

2008-04-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

Let's read The Secret Life of Bees. I haven't read it in a while and I think it is a good one. Thank you, Sara, for the suggestion. Now go to the library right now and start reading!

Meh... It was okay

2008-04-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is hilarious! I was seriously trying to remember why this book showed up on hold for me at the library! Well, now I know. I did read it. Honestly, not my favorite. I did like the author's writing style, but I agree that she took too long explaining/dwelling on non-important ideas. I thought both Dr. Henry & Norah had some serious issues that reflected onto Paul. I really feel sorry for the kid. Makes me want to be a good parent (although David really thought he was being good) so that my kids don't have to deal with all of my baggage.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2008-04-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

I'll have to admit that I didn't finish the book, although, I have read it before not too long ago so I still remember the story. That being said, here's what I thought:

The people in this book were seriously emotionally bogged down. Dr. Henry couldn't even come to terms with his past (granted not always an easy thing), and so he destroyed his marriage and his family. His way of "protecting" Nora destroyed everything he had worked so hard to achieve. I really didn't like Dr. Henry in this book. His idea that tossing his daughter aside and then lying to his wife that she died would save everything really made me upset.

Nora suffered a terrible grief. When I first read this book, I was appalled at her behavior. But now, since I've had a child, I can't imagine how she made it through the day. Still though, she was pretty selfish and took some serious risks to feel better, ie driving drunk with her son in the car.

Overall, this is a very thought provoking book. I always wonder what I would do if my child were born with Down Syndrome or another mental handicap. I agree with Jen that Phoebe was better off with Caroline. I think Caroline took care of her in a way that the Henry's wouldn't have been able to. She had the most stable mind to deal with child that needed so much attention.

I like this book, but it is a little depressing. My favorite part is at the end when Paul and Phoebe are at David's grave. I think that seen really shows how one decision can affect the lives of all the people you love.

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

2008-04-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

Any thoughts on The Memory Keeper's Daughter?

I thought it was a pretty good read. It seemed a little long at times. I enjoyed her writing, but I kind of got sick of how descriptive she was, such as taking a whole page to describe a leaf or something. Moving on, about the story: I thought it was interesting how David gave Phoebe away to avoid having his wife feel the grief of having a child who could possibly die young and yet she still felt grief. I think as a woman, whether your child dies at birth or ten years later, it still hurts and will always be a part of you. Something the good doctor just didn't understand. To be honest, I think Phoebe was better off with Caroline anyway. I think she was a good mom, a little overbearing, but who wouldn't be? The Henry's had too much baggage even before the babies came, they wouldn't have put the time into Phoebe's schooling as Caroline did (if they even kept her). What do you think?

Any requests for next month?

Dear John II

2008-03-01T09:48:00.000-08:00

I got the book yesterday and was able to read it today. I know it is already March 1st , but close enough right? Are all of Sparks books the same? I've only read this one and "The Notebook", but both seemed similar. It wasn't a terrible book, but I agree that I won't be adding it to my list of favorites.

My favorite character was probably Tim. He was sincere, mature and understanding. I don't have any idea why he married Savannah when he knew she was so desperately in love with John. I think that what John did for Tim was noble, but it made me sad that he sold all of his dad's precious coins.

What should have happened is that Tim should have died, John should have left the army in 2007 only to come back and find out that Alan has also suddenly died as well. Then John and Savannah get married and make passionate love for the rest of their lives. The end.

Next Month

2008-02-28T18:38:00.000-08:00

I haven't read the book. I am still waiting for my copy, hopefully I will get it read by the 29th. Sounds like it is an easy cheesy read. I think next month we should read "Memory Keepers Daughter". What do you think? Let me know if this book is too hard to find and we will read another one.

Dear John

2008-02-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

So, I read the book. I'm not sure that I liked it. Of course, I was mostly mad that first John reupped his enlistment, but I understood it. Then I was really mad that Savannah didn't wait for him. I wanted it to work out so badly, so I was disappointed with the end.

The major thing that bothered me was that Savannah couldn't just be happy with her decision. She made her choice to marry Tim, but then as soon as she saw John, it was like oh? I'm married? I forgot. I was a little perturbed that she couldn't let it go. I was impressed by John's willingness to let her go, it was very impressive. And Tim was so nice about everything. It was almost as if he expected Savannah to cheat on him with John if John ever came back (even though nothing happened really)...I really couldn't understand that character. The ending was really sad, I was so heart broken for John because he lost the two most important people to him in the space of two weeks. His dad was a really interesting character. He was probably my favorite character in the book because he was just so good and constant.

Overall, it was a good fast read, but it won't make it onto my favorite book list. What did you think?

February

2008-02-03T18:59:00.000-08:00

I hope you are well on your way to reading Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.

I really enjoyed Kite Runner and hope you all read it. If you haven't, then you should!

I liked the first part of the book because it seemed very believable. I was very mad, of course, about the attack and his reaction to it, but I understood that he was young and scared. I started feeling like the book was a little bit cheesy when he went back to Afghanistan. All of the events that transpired from that point until the end of the book seemed a little over the top. The irony was too much, especially the part with the sling shot. The fact that there really wasn't American parents waiting to adopt and how it just so happened that his wife couldn't conceive, etc. It just fit together a little too well. I just need to remember that it is fiction, just a story for entertainment purposes. All in all I really loved the book and I am excited to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Did you read? What did you think?

New Book: Kite Runner

2008-01-02T14:21:00.000-08:00

Sorry I am a day late. Since there was a lack in voting(one person voted twice) and there was such a close number of votes. I am just going to choose the book for the next couple of months. I decided to start this year off with "Kite Runner". I have heard great things and they just came out with the movie. Next month we will read "Dear John" and go from there. Have fun reading...all 3 of you.

Voting

2007-12-22T10:10:00.000-08:00

I have added a Poll to vote for the books you want to read. You are allowed to vote for more than one. This way we can get an idea of what other books people want to read so we can maybe plan for the next couple months. If this doesn't make sense, maybe Y'all can clarify in the comments.

Book on the Way

2007-12-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

I have decided that since it is such a busy time of year, we should start our new book on January 1st. How does that sound to all of you? I will post a survey in the upper corner to vote on the book sometime this week so keep checking back and get ready for January!

Did you read?

2007-12-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

Hello all you book clubbers. Did anyone read Pride and Prejudice? I have to admit that I am a terrible person and did not read this month. In fact, I didn't read any books this month at all. I did watch the movie, the one with Keira Nightly. It doesn't give this story justice, they cut out too much and add too many lines that could have been left unspoken. I still enjoyed it none the less.

Any ideas for next month? Feedback feedback! We need your feedback!

Pride and Prejudice

2007-11-16T10:57:00.001-08:00

I'm very excited to read this month's book selection, "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen. How about you? Are you Jane Austen fans? Maybe when we are done we can all watch, "Becoming Jane," and the A&E version of "Pride and Prejudice" (my favorite!). Well, get going, I really want us all to read this one and share thoughts!

Library

2007-11-13T19:05:00.000-08:00

I am suggesting a few more books "Love In the Time of Cholera," "Pride and Prejudice," (It's a classic!) "Eat, Pray, Love," and "Kite Runner." These are in addition to "Atonement," "A thousand Splendid Sun," "Dear John," and "A Thread of Grace." Check out your library and see if any of this are available. Anyone else have recommendations. Any preferences?

Finally Read...

2007-11-12T19:57:00.001-08:00

I finally finished the book from last month: Three Cups of Tea. I found it extremely interesting. I really don't pay attention to the news or the war, or anything going on in the middle east, and I found his perspective enlightening and inspirational. Holy cow though. He married one awesome woman. There's no way I would let my husband be gone that much for any cause. Am I awful or what?

I concur about reading older books. Outside In had a huge waiting list at the library, and I'm not one to buy books I haven't read before, so I didn't read. I'm ready for another one though... sorry. No suggestions as of yet. I'll try and think of one. And, I just checked our library for the Cholera one. No dice. They don't even have it. Is it new?

New book?

2007-11-12T19:32:00.000-08:00

Has anyone read the selection for this month? I did and it is not so great so you might as well cancel your hold at the Library so we can start a new one. Can you believe it has almost been a month? I get the feeling that if our book selection is unavailable at the library, then people won't read it. Is this true? If so, maybe next month we can pick an older book that will be more readily available. As for new books has anyone read "In the Time of Cholera"? I saw it at Costco and it looked like a good one. Feel free to share your thoughts about "Outside In." Don't be shy.

Book of the Month: Outside In

2007-10-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

This month we will be reading: Outside In, By: Courtney Thorne-Smith. It won the reader poll by a whopping 50% of the votes.

Get your reading glasses on and put that library card to good use. Comment whenever you like but we will start a new book on Nov. 15. Also, you can always comment on a previous month's book, I know some people aren't finished, but we would still love to hear what you think.
Have fun!

Reading Rocks!

2007-10-11T15:55:00.001-07:00

Hello! Is anyone reading this months book selection? If so I want to hear what you think! So start leaving some feedback. I put a poll in the upper right corner where you can vote for the next read.
Here's summaries of the books so you can make a better decision:

Atonement, by Ian McEwan:
We meet 13-year-old Briony Tallis in the summer of 1935, as she attempts to stage a production of her new drama The Trials of Arabella to welcome home her elder, idolised brother Leon. But she soon discovers that her cousins, the glamorous Lola and the twin boys Jackson and Pierrot, aren't up to the task, and directorial ambitions are abandoned as more interesting preoccupations come onto the scene. The charlady's son Robbie Turner appears to be forcing Briony's sister Cecilia to strip in the Fountain and sends her obscene letters; Leon has brought home a dim chocolate magnate keen for a war to promote his new "Army Amo" bar; and upstairs Briony's migraine-stricken mother Emily keeps tabs on the house from her bed. Soon, secrets emerge that change the lives of everyone present...

Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks:
It's a touching story of young love that lasts a lifetime. The main character, John Tyree, first met the love of his life, Savannah Curtis, on the beach in North Carolina. At the time, John was home visiting his father while on a short leave from the military. Savannah, a college student, was in town with some of her peers working on a Habitat for Humanity project.

The two were an unlikely pair from the beginning. John was somewhat of a rebel who ran off right after high school to join the Army, while Savannah was a pure, hardworking, Southern girl. But, as they say, opposites attract. From the beginning, theirs was a powerful bond that unfortunately was always separated by time and distance. John had his obligations to his military duty and Savannah had her obligations to completing her education.

However, the two remained very committed to each other, despite their distance, until the unexpected events of September 11th changed everything, not only for the world, but also for this young couple's future.

Outside In, by Courtney Thorne-Smith:
On the outside, Kate Keyes-Morgan seems to have it all: a starring role on the hit television series Generations, a handsome husband who is also her manager, a model-thin figure, and a career that, after an earlier slide, is finally back on track. At the age of thirty, Kate knows what it’s like to have the tabloids turn on you, and she never wants it to happen again. Thank goodness her husband, Hamilton, is there to manage her every move—even if the strict dieting and morning weigh-ins are becoming more than she can manage.

But when Hamilton leaves her for another actress on Generations, the ruthless diva Sapphire Rose, Kate suddenly finds herself in charge of her own life. Now she must decide whether she’s ready to stop playing by the Hollywood rulebook and discover who she really is. With the help of her wise-cracking friend and tough-love makeup artist, Paige, and Michael, a high-powered film agent who secretly dreams of becoming a novelist, Kate begins to question her role in an industry that venerates appearance, money, and fame above all else, and that applies ceaseless pressure on women to always be thinner, younger, and more beautiful, at any cost.

A Thousand Splendid Sun, by Khaled Hossieni:
The story covers three decades of anti-Soviet jihad, civil war and Taliban tyranny through the lives of two women. Mariam is the scorned illegitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman, forced at age 15 into marrying the 40-year-old Rasheed, who grows increasingly brutal as she fails to produce a child. Eighteen later, Rasheed takes another wife, 14-year-old Laila, a smart and spirited girl whose only other options, after her parents are killed by rocket fire, are prostitution or starvation. Against a backdrop of unending war, Mariam and Laila become allies in an asymmetrical battle with Rasheed, whose violent misogyny—"There was no cursing, no screaming, no pleading, no surprised yelps, only the systematic business of beating and being beaten"—is endorsed by custom and law. Hosseini gives a forceful but nuanced portrait of a patriarchal despotism where women are agonizingly dependent on fathers, husbands and especially sons, the bearing of male children being their sole path to social status. His tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, but also a lyrical evocation of the lives and enduring hopes of its resilient characters.

A Thread of Grace, by Mary Doria Russell:
Chronicles the Italian resistance to the Germans during the last two years of WWII. Three cultures mingle uneasily in Porto Sant'Andrea on the Ligurian coast of northwest Italy—the Italian Jews of the village, headed by the chief rabbi Iacopo Soncini; the Italian Catholics, like Sant'Andrea's priest Don Osvaldo Tomitz, who befriend and shelter the Jews; and the occupying Germans invited by Mussolini's crumbling regime. In the last camp is the drunken, tubercular Nazi deserter, Doktor Schramm, a broken man who confesses to Don Osvaldo that while working in state hospitals and Auschwitz, he was responsible for murdering 91,867 people. Meanwhile, Jewish refugees in southern France, including Albert Blum and his teenage daughter, Claudette, are fleeing across the Alps to Italy, hoping to find sanctuary there. Russell pursues numerous narrative threads, including the Blums' perilous flight over the mountains; Italian Jew Renzo Leoni's personal coming to terms with his participation in the Dolo hospital bombing during the Abyssinian campaign in 1935; the dangerous frenzy of the Italian partisans; and the bloody-mindedness of German officers resolved to carry out Hitler's murderous racial policy despite mounting evidence of its futility. The action moves swiftly, with impressive authority, jostling dialogue, vibrant personalities and meticulous, unexpected historical detail. The intensity and intimacy of Russell's storytelling, her sharp character writing and fierce sense of humor bring fresh immediacy to this riveting WWII saga.

Book of the Month: Three Cups of Tea

2007-09-14T15:49:00.000-07:00

The book we will be reading for this month is:

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time.
By: Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

I was hesitant to choose this book because it is non-fiction. It is the book I had in mind when I started the book club, but had decided against it. I went on to Amazon.com to find another book and this book immediately came up on the screen under a category that had nothing to do with it, so I took it as a sign.
I definitely enjoyed this book mostly because of the way it made me feel when I was finished. If you are afraid of non-fiction books, this one will surprise you because it actually reads like a fiction. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
So get your library cards ready to go. If you decide to buy this book, I recommend buying it on Amazon because 7% of the proceeds goes toward the schools.
You can also check out the book

Website.
Read on.

Here's How it Works

2007-09-14T15:11:00.001-07:00

Thanks for the comments. Keep 'em coming! We definitely need lots of suggestions.
I decided that I will choose the first book to get us started After that we will all be involved in the pickin'.
I wasn't sure if you all would want to comment or make posts, I think some people are comfortable just commenting and that is fine, but I will send you an invite to post if you'd like. I just need your email address so you can email me at jenmlowryATgmailDOTcom to give me your address then check your mail, including junk mail, for the invite.
We will read one book a month and you are more than welcome to comment about the book throughout the month. You can also leave links or pictures or any other info that might aid in the reading process, (I always like to do a little research while I read) but whatever you do:

DO NOT SPOIL THE ENDING!

If you do, we may kick you out of the club (just kidding). No, but really, don't spoil it for people who may not have finished the book.

We will start our first book tomorrow, Sep. 15, 2007. We will start a new one on Oct.15, 2007. You are welcome to openly comment about the book and it's contents the week before (the week of Oct 8th).
We can work out the quirks as we go. Let me know if these things work or don't work for you or if you have any better ideas!

Away We Go

2007-09-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

Lets get this club started! I am excited to start reading new books and hearing all of your thoughts. Let me know what suggestions you have like should we read one book a month or two? What are some of your favorite books to read? Also, remember please do not judge a book by it's cover. I hope you will all give every book we choose a fair chance. Even if you don't like the book choice one month, you may love it the next. Input, input please!