Great Help discussion

We had such a great discussion last night. Abby--thanks for sharing your personal connection to this book, and for digging up the civil rights timeline.
Did everyone get their questions answered? If you want to continue the discussion, post a comment!
I know it seems incongruous, but I've put a photo of Berlin at the top of this blog post, sent by Lisa who was in Berlin to see the events around the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Looking forward to hearing more about this, hopefully at our next meeting.
Helen, we missed you, but appreciate your thoughtfulness in staying home when you weren't feeling well.
I'm looking forward to next month and The Girls from Ames. Stay tuned for more info on that evening.

The Help

I just finished reading The Help--and can't wait to discuss it. Per our leader Abby's request, please come prepared with at least one or two questions that you really want to talk about. We'll put them in a bowl (or hat, or whatever), and pull them out to discuss.
See you next Monday.

Book group wisdom from Nancy Pearl

Who wouldn't want to hear what our local reading guru has to say about book groups? Lynne recently heard Nancy speak, and shared her notes:

Best books for book groups:

• Those than have an ambiguous ending (such as In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O'Brien, the Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, The Little Friend by Donna Sartt, Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood and In The Woods by Tana French)
  
• Books where the main character has to make a difficult decision
• Unhappy books

Great ways to start a book discussion (hint, not by asking "how did you like the book?")

• Why did the author choose to write this book?
• What would you do if you were in the place of the main character?
• What's the significance of the title?
• What would the book be like if told from a different point of view?

She suggests that everyone come to book group with one question they really want to discuss, and all the questions get put into a bowl--presumably, they are then plucked out and discussed!

Reasons people stop coming to book groups:

• There is a monopolizer
• It's too hard for people to jump in and join the discussion

A few more thoughts: Nancy is a big fan of mini-series; I'm interpreting a bit here, but I think she means that she's a fan of tackling several books on the same topic, or perhaps by the same author
She suggests book groups look at different genres, such as science fiction (The Dispossessed, The Hungry Games, Ender's Game) and graphic novels (Mouse, The Photographer, Persepolis)

Finally--love this quote from Nancy: "Book clubs will change the world and make it a better place."

Who knew that's what we were doing??

Classic Reads

I have been busy reading Twilight, loaned to me by an co-worker, very excited that our book group has included this. So here's the question we can ponder when we discuss it--will Twilight make it into the annals of classic children's (or teen) literature?
But, what I really want to know--what should we consider reading as our classic pick. It's a little bit overwhelming to consider one book from among the classics. At our last meeting, I was pretty vocal about what I don't want to read: anything by Joseph Conrad, Thomas Hardy or James Joyce. But that's pretty unfair of me (maybe some of you are huge fans of these authors!). I do think we need to narrow this in some way: say, by gender (female versus male author), century (19th, 20th), length (!). Other ideas?
We could choose from some arbitrary list of "best classics" like this one: http://www.essortment.com/all/literaturenotes_rdlb.htm

I'm going to throw out a few titles I'm interested in:
The Great Gatsby
Of Human Bondage
Madame Bovary
Rabbit, Run

Jess Walter Event - October 28th

Hi All,

Just found out that Jess Walter, author of Citizen Vince (our October pick) will be reading at Elliott Bay on October 28th. He's out promoting his latest "The Financial Lives of Poets". Could be a fun book club evening.

Book list posted

I've just posted our 2009-2010 book list. Let me know if any corrections are needed. And be thinking about a "classic" to read in February. I'll put the one I've been wanting to reread out there --Of Human Bondage. Other ideas?

Book events coming up

I'm very excited--Seattle's book fest died a few years ago, but the idea is being revived by a group in Columbia City. They've already lined up about 50 authors and 80 exhibitors for a new Seattle Book Festival. It'll be Oct. 24-25 at the Columbia City Events Center. It's going to be just a block from the new light rail stop in Columbia City--so here's a chance to try out the light rail, and get your fill of books. Save the date.

And--here's another event. You might have missed Paul Farmer's visit to Seattle earlier this summer. But Tracy Kidder, who wrote the book about Farmer, Mountains Beyond Mountains, is coming to Seattle this fall. He's going to talk about his newest book,
Strength in What Remains. He'll be here Oct. 12, 7:30 at Town Hall. Tickets are a very modest $5.

Helen's Picks

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (The Tennis Partner)
I read this in March when it first came out. It's a big, beautiful epic of a book that spans 50 years in the lives of twins born in an Ethiopian hospital mission to a nun, who dies in childbirth. Everyone I have handed this book off to has loved it. The blurb on the back cover says it all “This book has everything: nuns, conjoined twins, civil war, and medicine.” (Conjoined twins that are separated at birth...so nothing at all like "The Girls").

Citizen Vince by Jess Walter (Every Knee Shall Bow)
I attended a "good summer reads" event earlier this summer and Nancy Pearl raved about this book. (An older book so maybe the group has already read) It's about a life time criminal who is put in the witness protection program and moved from NY to Spokane into a new life as a donut maker. The book begins as 'Vince' becomes aware of the 1980 election between Carter & Regan. Described as a comic, political, crime novel and was an Edgar winner. I told Nancy I was pitching this to my book club and was there anything else I needed to know? Her response:

Nancy Pearl

Just that it's one of the few mystery/thriller that really make for a good discussion - like why it's called Citizen Vince, how it ended, whether Vince is admirable or not - all that kind of thing. Also, there's an interview I did with him a few years ago - if you google seattle channel jess walter you could watch it. As I recall, he made some very interesting points. Let me know if they select it. Also - maybe he's one of the authors who will talk to book clubs? I don't know if that's the case or not. but wouldn't it be fun? He's great.


Two other books I would like to throw out for consideration:

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (Amy & Isabelle)- linked short stories revolving around a retired Maine school teacher (Olive). Described as a novel set in stories. (won this year's Pulitzer)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - set before the Civil Rights movement, it's the stories of the black ladies' maids that every white family had working for them in the south. Two friends have read and raved about it.

Notes on books from Lynne

I'm half way through a book that I am thoroughly enjoying, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. It has received lots of attention lately. Has anyone else read it? This fictional story takes place in 1946 and is composed of letters, including those between an English writer and a number of inhabitants of the island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. This island was occupied by the Germans in WWII and through the letters we learn about their lives during the occupation. (The Literary Society was formed on the spot when friends were caught outside after curfew.) From what I've read and what I've been told, I think this would be a great September book. It's also a little more uplifting than the other two I suggested (SEE BELOW!).

The Last Town on Earth, by Thomas Mullen (fiction) is about a small northwest Washington lumber town during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic. It was a very interesting read, given the recent Swine Flu scare. It was also interesting to read about early attempts to unionize during WWI.

Little Bee, by Chris Cleave is also a fiction book about a 16 year old Nigerian orphan, Little Bee, who meets a British couple in a brutal experience on the beach in Nigeria and later reconnects with them in London. I found the descriptions of the treatment of illegal aliens very interesting and the contrasts Little Bee sees between the two worlds are fascinating.

Books for September

I've added books to the list at left, for consideration for September. Please send me your vote via email ASAP!

Paul Farmer at UW

I heard yesterday that Paul Farmer, subject of the book by Tracy Kidder, Mountains Beyond Mountains (which we read--was it last year?) will be speaking at the University of Washington on June 18. I'm sure you remember his book. I'm planning on going (it's from 6-7:30 p.m.). If anyone wants to join me, let me know.

We had a great discussion about Edgar Sawtelle (and Lynne, thanks for the Hamlet briefing--definitely helped). We moved our next meeting date to June 15 and Amy has volunteered to host (and also lead). Looking forward to seeing everyone then.
I've heard from Brenda who says this book, "Brief Encouonters with Che Guevara" by Ben Fountain was one her group read this year, and was her fav. It's a collection of short stories. I've added it to our list for consideration.

Prep work for Edgar Sawtelle

Some of you might know that our next book, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, was an Oprah Book Club selection. As a result, there is a lot of info about the book at the Oprah Web site. Check out this link for a Q&A with the author, video webcast and more.

Confederacy of Dunces

I think a few of you were around when we read and discusssed A Confederacy of Dunces. It was a very memorable discussion for me, since I went into it really disliking the book--and came away thinking it was one of the most subversively funny books around.
If anyone else is a fan, you might want to note that Book It Repretory Theatre is going to stage it as part of the theater's 20th anniversary season. It's scheduled for Sept. 16-Oct. 11.

Many thanks to Ann for hosting our meeting last night. We missed the expertise of Amy and Lisa when questions arose about the role of the Haggadah in Jewish life. Is it simply a prayer book or something more?
Abby will be hosting our May meeting (note the change) and we will discuss the Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Start reading now--it's a long book, though it goes quickly.

Distracted!

I was at Seattle University yesterday, talking to some students--and also had a chance to talk with a professor there, who teaches a class on solitude. I am fascinated by the topic, and she recommended a book--which she uses in this class, called "Distracted." I've got this book on order from the library, but here's a review of it from Publisher's Weekly:

In this richly detailed and passionately argued book, Jackson (What's Happening to Home?) warns that modern society's inability to focus heralds an impending Dark Age—an era historically characterized by the decline of a civilization amid abundance and technological advancement. Jackson posits that our near-religious allegiance to a constant state of motion and addiction to multitasking are eroding our capacity for deep, sustained, perceptive attention—the building block of intimacy, wisdom and cultural progress and stunting society's ability to comprehend what's relevant and permanent. The author provides a lively historical survey of attention, drawing upon philosophy, the impact of scientific innovations and her own experiences to investigate the possible genetic and psychological roots of distraction. While Jackson cites modern virtual life (the social network Facebook and online interactive game Second Life), her research is largely mired in the previous century, and she draws weak parallels between romance via telegraph and online dating, and supernatural spiritualism and a newfound desire to reconnect. Despite the detours (a cultural history of the fork?), Jackson has produced a well-rounded and well-researched account of the travails facing an ADD society and how to reinvigorate a renaissance of attention. (June) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

It may be something good for us to consider for next year. I am finding myself so distracted by new media--I'm very interested in what this author has to say (and wish I was a Seattle U student, so I could take that class on solitude!)

New book by Jose Saramago

I just finished reading Jose Saramago's new book, Death with Interuptions. Years ago, we read Blindness. I find his writing style very interesting, with minimal punctuation and run-on sentences. This book was much lighter in spirit than his other books that I've read. I often found myself chuckling at his humor. The story takes place in an unnamed country where all deaths stop at the beginning of a new year. People celebrate until they gradually realize the implications of having no death. We see the reactions of the church, morticians, politicians, mafia and others. We also learn much about the being "death" as she orchestrates this whole experience. I really liked this book and would love to talk with anyone else who reads it. It also might be a great discussion book for next year.

Thanks Paula for hosting and thank you Abby for the delicious treats.  I enjoyed the discusion, even though I didn't love the book.  Thank you all for embracing me into your group.  I look forward to next month.  Linda

Good Discussion!

I just returned home after our meeting. Here's my quick summary: The Other was not universally loved, but it made for a good discussion. If you weren't able to attend our meeting, but read this book, please do weigh in with a comment.
Just a note on another book we previously read: Epithet for a Peach, which is one of my favorites. I recently found out that the author, David Masumoto, has a new book coming out in August, called Wisdom of the Last Farmer.

Thanks for coming everyone

Meeting Postponed

For anyone who hasn't gotten the message: we are postponing our meeting until next week, due to snow! Can't wait for spring to arrive.

New meeting place

Hope everyone has noted that we have a new meeting place for our March meeting. We'll be at Paula's house. Ann is leader and our book is The Other by David Guterson.

The Year of Magical Thinking

I read this book by Joan Didion some time ago. It deals with a difficult topic--the author's coming to terms with life after the sudden death of her husband. The two were unusually close--both writers who spent a good part of each day in each other's company. It's one of those books that's stayed with me for a long time.
The book was made into a play and ran in New York for some time--with the lead played by Vanessa Redgrave (how can you go wrong there!). It's now coming to Seattle. It will be produced by Intiman Theater with a run from August 21-September 20. I think it would be fun to read this book and see the play together. Any takers?

I've been reading a great book--Broken for You by Seattle author Stephanie Kallos. It's definitely fun to have a lot of local references sprinkled throughout the book (as in our next discussion book, The Other), but I also love the characters. This is the author's first book, but I think she's got at least one more out. Is anyone else familiar with her work?

Nancy Pearl Gives ' A Mercy' A Big Thumbs Up

This week Nancy Pearl reviews and recommends 'A Mercy'. This is note worthy since Nancy admits she has never been a big Toni Morrison fan. You can read her review but I prefer listening to it (just double click on where it says listen). http://kuow.org/program.php?current=NP

The Zookeeper's Wife was incredibly moving, as we learned the horrors of the occupation of Warsaw and the bravery of so many as they outfoxed the Nazis. I loved this book. The author,Diane Ackerman and Antonina, the zookeeper's wife, both poetic writers, recounted many comic tales of the furry animals and memorable people to add some levity and magic as in this passage about Antonina's son, Rys and his pet arctic hare named "Wicek." At first, whenever Rys sat down to dinner, Wicek draped himself along Rys' foot like one furry black slipper, instinctively crouching as hares do in arctic windstorms. Then, as Wicek grew large and muscular, he bounced around the house like hard rubber, and at meals hopped from the floor straight onto Rys' lap, thrust his front paws onto the table, and grabbed Rys' food. Naturally vegetarian, arctic hares may resort to tree bark and pinecones at times, but Wicek preferred stealing a horse cutlet or slice of beef, and bouncing away to devour it in a shadowy corner.

As the Nazis' killings increased, Antonina noted in her diary, Why do animals sometimes subdue their predatory ways in only a few months, while humans, despite centuries of refinement, can quickly grow more savage than any beast?

Zookeeper

Thanks for hosting a great discussion last night. I really loved this book, largely, I think, because of the beautiful prose, and the almost magical elements of the story.
For those of you who weren't at the meeting--I'd love to hear your thoughts on this book.
Our next book is The Other by David Guterson. I heard Guterson recently when he interviewed John Updike during the late author's lecture here in Seattle. It was interesting to see him, but I found him fairly ineffective as an interviewer. He had a set of questions and never veered from them, or followed up on points made by Updike. Of course, that means nothing as far as his writing goes.

Linked to BookBound

I've just linked my site Bookbound to our group's blog. If you visit, scroll down and view under links. If we decide in the future to keep this blog for private use only, I can easily do the same.

"A Poem", by Paula Maratea Fuld

City Trucks

City trucks go thundering
along a city road.
Big trucks, little trucks
many as they go.
With peaches, pears and apples
and other fruits galore.
Delivering to the country folk
and many, many more.

Howdy

Just saying HI from Kansas. Tonight is the Wilson Estates book group meeting. We read "So Brave, Young, and Handsome" by Leif Enger. We enjoyed Peace Like a River so much we decided to read this one. It's not nearly as good, IMO.

Weather here has been amazing. We've had record highs around 70 degrees on and off for the past couple of weeks. It's windy, think Wizard of Oz windy. It's dry as can be with wild fires a real threat.

Enjoy your club. I'll enjoy reading this blog.

It was great to see everyone tonight. Checking to see if I can post without a gmail account.

Books for May and June

I've added our May and June books to the list. We still need a leader for June.

Hope you all had a good discussion

Sorry I missed the meeting tonight. It seems to be the story of my life.

I think the trick to posting is exactly what Virginia suspects - you need a gmail account.

Meeting on Feb. 9

Just a reminder about our meeting tomorrow night at Lynne's house. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
I haven't read any books that aren't on our list--I've been busy going to see all the Oscar-nominated films. I saw The Reader yesterday, based on a story by Bernard Schlink. This is just one of several nominated films based on books. We've read books and then gone to see the movie. I'm wondering if we should think about doing things the other way--reading the books that some of these movies are based on. What do you think?

About Wally Lamb

This note comes via Abby:
A woman from my novel writing class shared this with me today. It’s short and inspirational.
And if you happen to love Wally Lamb’s work like I do, really fun to see what he looks like!

http://www.authormagazine.org/interviews/Lamb_Interview.mov

Aud's In!

I received my invitation to join and since I already have a blogger account, all I had to do was enter my password to get access to post. As Helen pointed out, blogging is addicting....once you create one yourself you'll think of many reasons to start others.
Audrey

The vote

Not everyone has voted yet for our last two books of the year, but we are getting pretty overwhelming support for The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. Mercy is coming in second with only one vote for two others (Saving Fish and Testimony).
Somehow, I missed the whole Oprah endorsement of Edgar Sawtelle. My sister read it with her book group, but I won't prejudice you either way by sharing her view of it.

A new blog

Welcome book group members. I've created a blog so we can all view our schedule, and comment on books we are reading as well as those we'd like to read. You can see our schedule, and also the books that we've been talking about for the rest of the year.
I'd love to have this blog be a dialogue about other books we're reading (aside from the official ones we've chosen), postings about author readings, or anything else you would like to share. I know some of you also have friends who follow our book group. Please invite them to view the blog as well.
I think this blog will also be a great way to keep in touch with our members who have moved away (Laurie and Brenda, I'm thinking of you!).

Right now, I am struggling with finding reading time. As some of you may know, my office location has changed, and I have switched from being a bus-rider to a car commuter. I'm not at all happy about this for a number of reasons (filling my gas tank, adding to the traffic congestion, increasing my carbon footprint), but I admit what I am missing most is my reading time. For the last five years--at least--I have done most of my reading on the bus. I could always judge whether a book was really good, by whether I almost missed my stop because I was so engrossed, or whether the ride seemed interminably long because my book just wasn't very engaging. Though it will mean a pretty long ride and walk, I think I will again become a bus rider as soon as the weather improves a bit.

Tell me what you think of the blog--and please let me know what else you'd like to see me add.