Book Club @ MCL

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

2011-05-19T09:10:00.002-04:00

We read and listened to Ms Didion's book, the Year of Magical Thinking and both book clubs praised the book and were amazed at the the words and "the music". I am a fan of Joan Didion and she can do nothing to alter my devotion to her. That may sound over the top...but, I have been a fan since the first book that I read by her; Play It As It Lays. And, I have looked forward to anything and everything she writes. I have to admit that her nonfiction pleases more than her novels. I read her when I was a young woman and now I am old...I feel we have aged together on this planet.
I am looking forward to her next book; Blue Nights.
I have read other bloggers that hold her in high esteem (as I do) and some bloggers who think she is "cold" and" icy".
Obviously, I do not agree with the latter blogggers. I do not know of any other author who gives so much of herself and yet, does it truthfully and boldly. Perhps some think that is "cold" but that is the best journalism/writing.
"the question of pity...".

The Book Thief...It stole our hearts.

2010-03-15T16:02:00.003-04:00

The Evening Club loved this book! It is a joy to read. We loved the characters and the way the book was written.

It is unfortunate that it is considered a Young Adult (YA) book. It is shelved in the YA area of the library and adults very rarely browse there.

It was made YA because it has a 13 year old protagonist. The Book is for all ages...and mostly for adults.

We decided to get the word out about this book...It is a book for everyone to read.

We fell in love with Mama and Papa and Rudy and Leisel and, Max. This story is about Germany during Hitler's reign and we see Germany from the eyes and heart of a young Christian girl. It could not have beeen told better.
I wonder what the Morning club will say about this book....to be continued...

Eat, Pray, Love....Elizabeth Gilbert

2009-10-30T16:18:00.003-04:00

It has been awhile since I have posted. I am glad to be back.

Ms G ilbert's book was chosen for the book club because it has never stopped being on the best seller list (now on paperback best sellers), the reviews were very favorable, all the libraries owned copies and, Julia Roberts was going to play her in the new movie.

Now that it has been read and discussed, I think Julia will bring more dignity and grace to the role than the role will demand.

The Evening book Club was torn...some liked the romance...and the rest of us want to tell Ms Gilbert that even though it is a book about her...IT IS NOT REALLY ALL ABOUT YOU!

In Cold Blood

2008-07-11T16:05:00.004-04:00

The book clubs' discussions for Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" were hot and heavy...so much to talk about. We discussed Capital Punishment, Good and Evil and Nature vs. Nurture...and then we got into the heavy stuff.
We agreed that it was Capote's finest and that he was able to weave a tale of murder without it (the tale) being sensational or prurient.
I had forgotten how good he was. His last decades of his life were not happy or productive. We wondered if the murders helped to bring his drug addiction out of control.

Liar's Club

2008-05-08T11:25:00.002-04:00

Both book clubs have discussed The Liar's Club by Mary Karr and thought the book well written and worth reading. Most of us were upset by the violence and bad parenting in the children's lives and had a difficult time reading about the sexual abuse.
Even so, Mary's parents were creative (her mother) and wonderful storytellers (her father).
We pondered the title and wondered if maybe Mary Karr was a full grown member of that club now.

Independence Day by Rchard Ford

2007-12-07T16:24:00.000-05:00

The Morning book club has just finished discussing "Independence Day" and most of us were pleased with the book. I had to admit that after 100 or so pages, I felt like screaming, "Where's the plot"? But, after 200 more pages, one is deeply immersed in the book and the plot less beginning has a point. There is method here! Ford does not let us connect with Frank Bascombe until he begins to have connections with others in the book...when he begins to live and not merely exist.
Some of the members will move on to the next book in the trilogy...I am not sure I will.

Lillian Hellman and cake

2007-09-27T13:19:00.000-04:00

Our September evening book club meeting celebrated our discussion club's 10th anniversary with a delicious cake and musings about our "history".
We discussed "Scoundrel Time" by Lillian Hellman and we decided that a discussion of the McCarthy Hearings was politically apropos. Interestingly, one member did not know of the House Committee on Anti-American Activities and learned a lot from our animated discussion.
Hellman appeared before the committee (scared but brave) and was one of the few who did not list her friends who belonged to groups that might be considered "un-American".
We all wondered if we would have been as brave but, we were sure she chose the correct path.
Her famous quote was appreciated and applauded: "I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions."

Feast of Love

2007-07-09T15:44:00.000-04:00

The Evening Book Club liked "The Feast of Love" by Charles Baxter very much. We talked about the many characters and the different love feasts. Actually, many sex feasts...not so much love. Or, love as we defined it.
And, speaking about the sex...lots of it. I thought so at least. Not so the group. They were amazed that I thought this book had lots of sex...in deed and word. Maybe they did not really read the book. Or, maybe I am not used to reading so much sex talk and deed in a library book club book. (No, I am not a prude. I was reading Henry Miller at a young age...and, many others in my old age.)
Hmmmm, let us see what the Morning Book Club has to say...

Book Club Chat

2007-05-19T16:38:00.000-04:00

The Evening Book club chatted and next month the Morning Club will chat.
I can only hope that the second chat goes as well as the first one.
So much to say! We talked about books we loved reading, hated reading or want to read in the future.
It was good to talk about our book lives outside the library.
More to come...

"The Story of Lucy Gault"

2007-03-29T11:11:00.000-04:00

One of the members said that William Trevor's , The Story of Lucy Gault, was a "gem of a book" and we all agreed.
Another club member thought the book too sad and did not like to read sad books.
Well, yes, the story of lost parents or lost child are difficult to read but, Trevor's style of understated prose makes it easier to read and he gives the story grace and a very satisfying ending.
We all wanted to see where the story would go: Would Lucy "find" her parents?, Will her parents come back home and find Lucy?
Well, yes and no. But, getting there was well worth the price of sadness.
The morning book club liked the book too and felt it was a story of loss and time and missed opportunites.
I am still wondering why the parents left so soon...without finding if Lucy would be found and assuming she was "lost".

The Plot Against America

2007-01-29T13:53:00.000-05:00

Philip Roth's book, "The Plot Against America" was a hit with Roth fans and non fans (like me). The discussion was one of the best the club ever had. So much to talk about!
The "It Can Happen Here" plot was excellently told. We could not help thinking about politics today...even though Roth said that he was not thinking about current policies in Washington, D.C. Hmmmmmmm.

The Samurai's Garden...a graceful journey

2006-12-21T15:07:00.000-05:00

Gail Tsukiyama's Book was a gentle read. The story contained horrific events (war, leprosy, suicide, etc.) and, yet, still graceful and poetic. It did not make those horrible events commonplace or understate evil or sadness but, perhaps it made things even sadder and more horrific because it was happening in and around daily life.
I will remember and think about Matsu and Sachi for a long time. The young man who narrates the book is an intelligent listener and sensitive to his surroundings.
Some in the book club thought he was too sensitive...one member said a "momma's boy".
I think that sensitivity to some is a female thing. I cannot think that way. Thinking about gender and its definitions makes my head spin.
I want to read more of Tsukiyama's stories.

Master and Commander...Ahoy and Oh boy!

2006-12-12T17:54:00.000-05:00

Patrick O'Brian's sea stories of the early 19th century English Naval Captain, Jack Aubrey, has always been popular with male library patrons. The Aubrey/Maturin (the ship's doctor) novels had loyal fans. Now, saying this, you might wonder why this librarian had never read them since it was and is such a popular series.
Sad to say, I deemed them "men books"...books about war and ships and sails and fighting and macho man stuff.
I was wrong. They are about ships and sails and fighting but, so much more. "Master and Commander" is about friendship, loyalty, love, and all things human.
It is a sexy and witty historical read that most of us in the Evening Book Club enjoyed and will keep reading until we finish all the Aubrey novels.
Some club members complained about the sailing jargon and the need for a dictionary close at hand. (Some of us bought the glossary to the Aubrey books...ok...it was only me.)
I am sorry that it took so long but, glad that I have 21 delightful reads ahead of me.

Grendel...Booewulf.

2006-10-27T11:19:00.000-04:00

Well, Grendel was not scary...picked it for the Halloween read...but, it was more philosophical than evil.
Gendel is the monster but, he is the only introspective one. The Humans fight and kill and spout epic tales of heroism. Grendel thinks they are boastful slugs.
We agree but, Grendel is not a character to love either.
Reading John Gardner's book led me to the saga of Beowulf and that helped me see more of what Grendel was seeing.
The club members did not like the book but, were glad to have read it...one of those books, alas.
More to come when the Morning Book Club meets...

Dubliners

2006-08-04T15:37:00.000-04:00

The Book Club's discussion of James Joyce's "Dubliners" was one of our best Morning meetings.
To all those scared off by "Ulysses" and "Finnegan's Wake", please read this early work by Joyce.
Fifteen short stories but, they connect in many ways: characters, plot, time and place, etc.
Not all the stories are great but most are unforgettable.
"The Dead" is the last story and the longest...and perhaps the best. We all agreed that Joyce brings you the people of Dublin at the turn of century and you nod and grin and know they are true. We share the joy and grief because we are there with them in that place and in that time.
His female characters shine and there is never a condescending attitude. You just know he loves and respects women.
Read this book...we can't help recommending it.

"Where I Was From"...I wish I knew!

2006-07-28T15:46:00.000-04:00

Joan Didion I now know you are from California but, the discussion club decided your book was from hunger.
What a disappointment! Your latest book, "The Year of Magical Thinking" was exquisite. A book I would readily suggest others to read. I should have waited for the book to get some "age" and chose that one for the club.
This book was chosen because I thought Ms. Didion could do no wrong. Well, I was wrong. This book, most of it articles from The New Yorker magazine, was put together haphazardly. The "chapters" were strung together with no thought of clarity or continuity. Did the publishers not see this? What about her editor? Was Ms. Didion forced to do this or did she think this book was a good read?
Oh my...the morning club will read this soon and I will have to bear it.

"Unless"

2006-05-25T13:38:00.000-04:00

The Evening Book Club agreed that the author's illness and subsequent death was a theme subtley woven throughout the book. Carol Shields had breast cancer when she wrote the book and died after the book was published.
We talked about the place of daily life in all its tediousness in a book about a crisis that befalls a family...in this case, a daughter who drops out of college and goes begging on the street.
We discussed the definitions of "goodness" and "greatness". Shields' book talks alot about those words and we decided that what or who was great depends on who is bestowing the honor.

How the Irish Saved Civilization

2006-05-05T11:04:00.000-04:00

The most interesting part of our discussion of Cahill's book was the concept or definition of "nonfiction" and "fiction". How do we believe what the author tells us? Are the footnotes enough? How much of his beliefs are given as FACT?
Is this interest in fact or fiction a product of the memoir debacle seen lately in the media? Hmmmmmm.
Most of us liked reading about Irish Catholic history. I will certainly want to know more about St. Brigid.

Tattooed Girl redux...and more.

2006-05-05T10:03:00.000-04:00

The Morning Bookclub may have some Joyce Carol Oates fans but, no one was a fan of this book. Soooo, I was not alone this time.
The morning people were shocked and disgusted by events and characters and did not think the book's ideas justified the trip to yuckville.
Some members did not show up because they did not want to finish the book. That makes me wonder about the role of the "book club".
Liking or disliking the book is not what a book club is about. A book club is about discussion...discussing YOUR reaction to the book, the author, the characters and, yes, maybe the plot.
One of the best things about a book club is hearing opinions of members that may be radically different from yours and listening to insights into the book that did not occur to you.
Two things a book club member does: talk and listen. Not so hard you say?
Some of us are shy and have trouble speaking up. Hopefully, when they attend more meetings, they will feel at ease and "trust" the group.
The most difficult of all for many members (and I include myself), is to LISTEN.
Well, our next book is "How the Irish Saved Civilization". I will keep you posted.

Oates' Tattooed Girl

2006-03-25T13:56:00.000-05:00

We were a group of fifteen last Weds. discussing The Tattooed Girl by Joyce Carol Oates and I was the only member who thought that the author was over-rated and the book not worth the time.
The Majority Opinion: Oates is a great writer of wonderful prose. She allows the reader to see the seamy, evil and violent side of life and understand the characters who inhabit that life.
Minority Opinion (very minority): Oates glories in the most foul and her characters do not make sense or can we make sense of them.
The Morning Book Club will discuss this book next month...will I be the lonely voice again?

Under "Under the Volcano"

2006-02-24T14:59:00.000-05:00

What a book club we are! We proved Weds. night that we are ready to meet any challenge. And, Lowry's book is quite a challenge. Most of us actually finished the book. Whew! And, the ones that did not, will endeavor to reach the end.
Many wonderful descriptions of Mexico in the book and, especially, the best description of what goes on inside the mind of an alcoholic...a very bright but, destructive alcoholic (is there another kind?).
Under the Volcano is on every best books list. Because it tries? Because it is a one-of-a-kind? Because it will make book clubs read it?
One reviewer describes the book as "dense". That is an understatement. I ached for a break in the chaos. Any small slice of comedic relief would do...but, no...his slide to enivitable death is ongoing and he takes us along for the dizzying ride.
I wonder if the Morning Book Club will climb out from under and want to discuss this book? I will let you know...

Four Souls...A book club favorite!

2006-01-27T16:28:00.000-05:00

Everyone in the Evening Book Club liked this book. Most of us will read more of Louise Erdrich's books...especially if it follows the same cast. Actually, "Four Souls" is the fourth book in the series about Fleur and her family.
We laughed with Nanapush and Margaret and their story of loyality and jealousy.
We happily saw Polly Elizabeth's heart soften and grow to love and be loved.
More than four souls were changed and remade by the end of the book. Erdrich surprises and delights us with all her twists and turns.
Revenge might have driven Fleur at the beginning but, like others in the book, love is the real driving force.
Most of us in the club were thrilled to read about Native Americans and Erdrich's grace and poetry helped us to understand.
Will the Morning book club agree with us? I am betting they will.

Hemingway...The Sun Also Rises.

2006-01-09T15:09:00.000-05:00

Most of the Evening Book Club members liked the portrait of Paris in the 1920s...a time and place that seems so far away but fascinating to most of us.
We agreed that Hemingway is "light" on characterization but excellent on local color.
Males seem to be more fully drawn...surprise!
The Morning Club has yet to have its say...stay tuned.

Jane Smiley: Moooooooo

2005-11-17T09:10:00.000-05:00

The Evening book club discussed Jane Smiley's "Moo" last night and the reviews were mixed. A few thought it funny and interesting. Most of us were not amused and found the many character too many. It is usually a good thing to write a farce about academia but, not over 400 pages worth. Really...let's mooooove on.

Dracula...Boooo

2005-10-28T09:13:00.000-04:00

Actually, the "boooo" is for scarey not because Bram Stoker's book is not a good read. The Evening Book Club members were suprised that "Dracula" was such a fascinating book. Most of them thought the book very interesting, highly imaginative and extremely erotic. And most were glad the book was chosen as October's "book of the month".
Now, we have yet to hear from the Morning Book Club members...be afraid, be very, very afraid.

Ethan Frome...Edith Wharton's Man of Despair.

2005-09-28T12:10:00.000-04:00

Well, I am tempted to say that nothing good happens in this novella, but in saying so I would overlook the fact that true love does happen and makes for a fleeting happiness. That happiness is very, very short-lived.
I read this book when I was young and did not think too much of it. Now that I am older (much), I found it a difficult read. Not because Wharton's prose is murky or dusty. On the contrary. Her writing is smooth, swift and haunting. Responsibility, purpose and the burdens of life choices are only too real when we read this later in life. Sigh.
New England in winter is grand and beautiful. Wharton is at her best describing the land and the people.
Let's see what the club members have to say...stay tuned.

Charming Book

2005-08-25T11:05:00.000-04:00

The Evening Book Club gave mixed reviews to "Charming Billy" by Alice McDermott. No one actually disliked it, but only one person actually "loved it". Something seemed to be missing...a connection to the characters? Or perhaps the book was too charming?
Let's see what the Morning Club has to say...

Nuts and Berries.

2005-07-30T10:34:00.000-04:00

T. C. Boyle was reading about Dr. John Harvey Kellogg in the book "Nuts and Berries" and thought that he would be a good subject to write about. ..a funny subject...a screwy subject...and an interesting one.
He was right! The "Road to Wellville" is full of laughs and the Evening Book Club had a lively discussion about the characters in the book. (And they were truly "characters".)
Boyle makes early twentieth century Battle Creek amusing and very real.
Health nuts beware! The Morning Book Club has yet to talk and laugh about you...

Female Bonding in Antigua - Annie John

2005-06-21T15:45:00.000-04:00

Jamaica Kincaid writes "angry" novels. She was born and raised in a free nation that was once colonized. She usually writes about her frustration with this and what it has meant to her and her people but, this book, Annie John, that we are reading...this one has a different slant. This one is about a mother-daughter relationship. Annie John is angry, frustrated and hostile...hmmm, maybe not so different...

Southern Worlds

2005-06-01T15:03:00.000-04:00

Seems like the Book Club has taken a trip down South and has yet to return up North. The last three books had that region in common (see previous posting) but, the books and the stories took us to different "places". Welty's book was dark and funny but, in Lee's book (To Kill a Mockingbird) we travelled lighter and brighter.
Jones' book, The Known World, takes us into even darker regions...stay tuned.

Welty and Lee...Southern Beauties

2005-05-12T12:21:00.000-04:00

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Two Storytellers...Very Southern...Very Talented
This month the library's book discussion club will read and talk about two books: Losing Battles by Eudora Welty and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.Ms. Welty wrote many short stories and other novels. Ms. Lee wrote only this book. (If you are to write one book, To Kill a Mockingbird seems the best choice.)After reading both of them, they might seem to have only the region (the South) in common, but perhaps our club members will discuss how both books are concerned with Family and how our families instill our values and how we connect with the people around us...or maybe we will talk about how Lee's book, so gracefully written, leaves us with warmth and hope and Welty's book, not an easy read at all, leaves us with dark thoughts and unease.Stay tuned...