Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our December 2009 selection:

A Year Down Yonderby Richard Peck

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Sue: "Yes. Easy, relaxing read."

Maye: “Yes. Nice short story, easy to read, a lot of life lessons for all ages.”

Jane: “Yes. I thought it was a good book. It was a fast read.”

Janine: “Yes. Great, funny, enjoyable read."

Ann: "Yes. Easy read. Enjoyable.

Rose: "Yes. I enjoyed it very much."

Marie: "Yes. I would recommend it."

Judy: "Yes. I would recommend it. It was funny. You feel like you've met some of these people."

Brenda: "Yes. It had strong characters. I didn't always know where it was going. There were lots of surprises."

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our November 2009 selection:

The Tender Barby J. R. Moehringer

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Sue: "Interesting but a little long. [Large Print version]"

Vickie: “Yes. I'm not finished but I'm enjoying it.”

Jane: “Yes. It was different. I did like it. I laughed at some of the funny things.”

Janine: “Yes. This book make me laugh out loud several times. I especially enjoyed his view of his world as a child."

Ann: "Yes, but I got so mad because he was wasting his life. Here he is, a very educated person, and he was just blowing it."

Rose: "Yes. I don't recommend too many books to my daughters but I'd recommend this one."

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our October 2009 selection:

The Orchardby Adele Crockett Robertson

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Georgianna: “Yes. It's sad that she put out all that effort and wasn't able to keep the orchard. It was a book that you had to keep reading once you picked it up."

Sue: "Yes. A hard-working woman that shows what someone can accomplish when she puts her back and mind to it."

Vickie: “Yes. I would recommend this to a reader. Her determination and never quitting despite the hardships she went through was incredible.”

Jane: “Yes. I thought it was a very good book, a true story of an amazing woman.”

Janine: “I was amazed by the woman's determination to tackle tasks that required a variety of new skills. I especially enjoyed learning all about the mechanics of operating an orchard and about beekeeping."

Judy: "I thought it was a good book and very timely considering the economic crisis we're in."

Ann: "Yes. I admired her independent nature and perseverance as she struggled to save the orchard."

Marianne: "Yes. I felt bad for her. I wanted her to save the orchard."

Rose: "Yes. I really liked it. It brought back things my Mom and Dad had told me about the Depression era."

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our September 2009 selection:

Shugby Jenny Han

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Marie: “Yes, I enjoyed the book but probably would only recommend it to a young person.”

Georgianna: “No. I didn't like the book. It was sad all the way through. You don't want to think that Jr. High is like that buy you know it is. I hated the end. That kid's not going to write to her and then she'll be disappointed again. I hated her nickname. I thought it was a shame when she had such a beautiful name. The author wrote too well."

Sue: "Interesting easy read. Brings back memories of Jr. High. I was much more interested in Shug's parents' store, being an older female."

Vickie: “Yes. I would recommend this to young girls but also to adult women. I found it very inciteful.”

Jane: “The book was okay but I thought Shug was too self-centered.”

Janine: “I thought the author did an amazing job of capturing all the insecurities of early adolescence.”

Brenda: "It brought back the preteen years."

Ann: "This describes how pre-teenagers think and how they get subjects so mixed up in their minds."

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our August 2009 selection:

A Tree Grows in Brooklynby Betty Smith

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Marie: “Yes! The best yet!”

Georgianna: “Yes.”

Sue: "Yes. A sad period in our history but a very good book."

Vickie: “Yes. I would highly recommend it, especially to older teens and up.”

Jane: “Yes. I thought it was a really good book. I'm surprised I've never read it or seen the movie.”

Janine: “It captures a time and place in a way you won't forget.”

Brenda: "Yes. Excellent description of Brooklyn in the early 20th century."

Ann: "Yes. Should be read by all, just like To Kill a Mockingbird."

AUTHOR VISIT AT GARDNER LIBRARY

Author Sally GoldenbaumWednesday, Sept. 30 • 6:30 p.m.
Do not miss this evening edition of the Gardner Afternoon Adult Book Group when we will visit with local mystery author Sally Goldenbaum. She will talk about her writing and her books, featuring her newest Seaside Knitters title, Patterns in the Sand. Her books will be available for purchase or bring your own for Sally to sign. No registration is necessary.

Gardner Neighborhood Library
137 E. Shawnee St.
Gardner, KS 66030
(913) 856-7223

Directions
When traveling south on Interstate Highway 35, take Gardner exit #210 (175th Street exit). Turn right onto U.S. Highway 56/Main Street in Gardner. Turn right onto N. Elm Street, which is the fourth traffic light from the exit. Turn left onto E. Shawnee Street. The Gardner Library is on the left side of the street.

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our July 2009 selection:

Life on the Mississippiby Mark Twain

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

The collective vote of the 8 members attending the meeting was an emphatic "No!" Only one member actually read the book in its entirety. All felt the book was much too weighed down by factual content about the Mississipi River and steamboat piloting. The general feeling seemed to be that only those aspiring to become steamboat pilots would find the book worth the time investment to read it.

Janine Myers, Facilitator

Author Nancy Pickard to visit Edgerton Branch on July 14

Author's Visit: Nancy Pickard
Tuesday, Jul. 14 • 2:30 p.m.

Do not miss a visit of the nationally known Kansas mystery writer Nancy Pickard. She will talk about her latest mystery novel, The Virgin of Small Plains. Book will be available for purchase or bring your own for Nancy to sign. No registration is necessary; everybody is welcome.

Directions to Edgerton Library
When traveling on Interstate Highway 35 south, take the Edgerton exit. Turn right onto Sunflower Road. Sunflower becomes E. Nelson Street. Edgerton Library is on the left side of the street, across from the City Hall.

Contact Info:
Edgerton Library
319 E. Nelson
Edgerton, KS 66021
(913) 893-6720

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our June 2009 selection:

Murder Inside the Beltwayby Margaret Truman

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Marie: “Yes!”

Judy: “Most definitely.”

Sue: "Yes. Interesting view of Washington, D.C., and a good read."

Vickie: “Very surprised by the quality and will definitely read more.”

Jane: “Yes. I'll read more.”

Janine: “Truly surprising. Ties up all the loose ends.”

Brenda: "Up-to-date look at D.C. underworld."

Rose: "Yes."

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our May 2009 selection:

The Soloistby Steve Lopez

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Marie: “Yes. I would definitely recommend the book.”

Judy: “Yes. I thought it was very thought-provoking and interesting.”

Sue: "Yes. It brings to everyone's attention the problems we have with mental health in our society."

Ann: “Read the book before you go to the movie.”

Jane: “Yes. I thought it was well-written and really good.”

Janine: “A very good portait of friendship.”

Georgianna: “I found it fascinating and also thought it posed a lot more questions than it answered.”

Maye: “I learned a lot about homelessness, mental illness and intelligence, all in one person.”

Brenda: "Teaches a real-world lesson."

Rose: "I liked the book. I liked the author. I liked the movie."

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our April 2009 selection:

The Shape Shifterby Tony Hillerman

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Marie: “Yes. I enjoyed reading about North American culture.”

Judy: “Yes. I liked the Navajo background and thought it was interesting.”

Sue: "Yes. It's not his best but is typical Tony Hillerman."

Ann: “I would recommend the author's books. He's the one who got me interested in reading Native American books.”

Jane: “Yes. I liked it.”

Janine: “Enjoyed the Navajo perspective and the background on Navajo rugs.”

Georgianna: “Yes. I think this is an interesting concept that I've read from other authors but they don't have the Navajo slant to them.”

Rose: “Yes, I recommend it.”

Brenda: "I'm glad I've been introduced to Tony Hillerman, the man."

Comments from the March 2009 selection:

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our March 2009 selection:

Kabul Beauty Schoolby Deborah Rodriguez

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Marie: “Not good reading for sensitive people.”

Vicki: “An interesting look into an Afghan woman's life.”

Brenda: "Not quite believable. She [the author] seemed somewhat flippant."

Sue: “An amazing story. Makes you appreciate more being an American woman.”

Jane: “Pretty good book. Surprising.”

Janine: “Revealing look at post-Taliban Afghanistan and the Afghan women.”

Georgianna: “Not going to plan a vacation there.”

Ann: “Entertainable.”

Judy: "Compelling enough to make you want to keep reading."

A Conversation with Tobias Wolff

Janine thought you might find this interesting.

A Conversation with Tobias Wolff
Event Type: Authors and Literary Events
Date: 5/12/2009
Start Time: 6:30 PM
End Time: 8:30 PM
Library: Off-site
Description: Event will be held at the KCPL Plaza Branch, 4801 MainThe Big ReadThe author of Old School, Tobias Wolff, discusses our Big Read selection and his literary career - including his new short story fiction compilation Our Story Begins - with Angela Elam of New Letters on the Air, who will record the conversation before a live audience for later broadcast. One of the few contemporary writers with an assured spot in literary history, Wolff won the PEN/Faulkner Award as well as three O. Henry Awards. He is also a two-time finalist for the National Book Award. Contact KCPL for more information about attending.

http://calendar.jocolibrary.org/evanced/lib/eventsignup.asp?ID=11523&ret=eventcalendar.asp

Comments on the February 2009 Selection

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our February 2009 selection:

Old Schoolby Tobias Wolff

(Old School is JCL's Big Read selection for 2009.)

The question was asked, “Would you recommend this book to someone else?”

Marie: “Now that we've discussed it, I probably would.”

Vickie: “No, too hard to get into. Once I got to the middle I began to enjoy it.”

Brenda: "Yes, with time to reread it."

Sue: “No, I wouldn't recommend it. But I liked the literary anecdotes.”

Rose: “I would recommend it to some people.”

Janine: “The themes were much more complex and deeper than it seemed on the surface. I enjoyed it.”

Georgianna: “I wasn't impressed.”

Ann: “I thought it was dry--very dry.”

Marianne: "No, I didn't like it. He spent too much time talking about the works of other writers instead of telling his own story."

Judy: "I wasn't impressed."

(Note: Integral to our discussion was the full section of the poem from which the book's epigraph was taken: "Elegy for My Father: Robert Strand 1908-1968" from New Selected Poems by Mark Strand, 2007.)

Comments on January 2009 Selection

Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our January 2009 selection:

Various Titles fromThe Blossom Street Seriesand The Cedar Cove Seriesby Debbie Macomber

The question was asked, “Would you recommend these series to someone else?”

NOTE: The characteristics of this series that the group likes are the continuity of the characters and setting, which creates a feeling of community and history, and the relevance of the themes.)

Marie: "I liked the part of how she made you feel like you were there."

Judy: "Yes. I love them all."

Brenda: "I want to read them in order before commenting. I liked the characters."

Sue: “Good reads for women. I intend to read all of them someday.”,

Marianne: "I would have to read another one before I say Yea or Nay."

Rose: "One of my favorite authors. I like all her books."

Georgianna: "Yes. I can't wait for each new title by her."

Janine: “I would definitely recommend both of these series to people looking for gentle, inspirational fiction."