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
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Comments on the February 2009 Selection
Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our February 2009 selection:
Old School by 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.)
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.)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Comments on January 2009 Selection
Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our January 2009 selection:
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."
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Additions to "Books to Consider" for 2009
I've added some items to the list of "Books to Consider" for 2009 which you'll find on the right side of the blog. You might want to check them out before our next meeting.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Comments on December's Selection:
Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our December selection:
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Marie: “It was hard to read but I'm glad I finished it.”
Judy: “I would recommend it, but had to sit it down at times.”
Brenda: "An excellent memoir, such a negative experience told in such a positive voice."
Sue: “If you think you had a dysfunctional childhood, you need to read this book and I think it will change your mind.”
May: “If you think you were poor growing up, read this.”
Janine: “This book ought to be depressing but is somehow quietly triumphant.”
Rose: “It was hard for me to believe until I heard the author in person.”
Ann: “The book made me uncomfortable and depressed.
Marie: “It was hard to read but I'm glad I finished it.”
Judy: “I would recommend it, but had to sit it down at times.”
Brenda: "An excellent memoir, such a negative experience told in such a positive voice."
Sue: “If you think you had a dysfunctional childhood, you need to read this book and I think it will change your mind.”
May: “If you think you were poor growing up, read this.”
Janine: “This book ought to be depressing but is somehow quietly triumphant.”
Rose: “It was hard for me to believe until I heard the author in person.”
Ann: “The book made me uncomfortable and depressed.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Comments on November's Selection
Comments from the Book Discussion Group at DeSoto Library regarding our November selection:
The Children's Hour by Marcia Willett
Marie: “A very interesting family.”
Judy: “I really enjoyed the book and hated to see it end but I found the switches between past and present confusing.”
Brenda: "All loose ends are tied up in a bow—a gift to read."
Sue: “The book combined many love stories with mysteries. Good book.”
Jane: “It was hard keeping up with all the characters but I liked the book.”
Janine: “I was sad when the book ended.”
Rose: “I enjoyed it very much and I will read more of her books.”
Ann: “Title deceiving. True confessions at seaside: who begot who.”
Georgianna: “The denouement is crowded into too few chapters and seems contrived. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it enough to check out a couple more books by the same author.
Marie: “A very interesting family.”
Judy: “I really enjoyed the book and hated to see it end but I found the switches between past and present confusing.”
Brenda: "All loose ends are tied up in a bow—a gift to read."
Sue: “The book combined many love stories with mysteries. Good book.”
Jane: “It was hard keeping up with all the characters but I liked the book.”
Janine: “I was sad when the book ended.”
Rose: “I enjoyed it very much and I will read more of her books.”
Ann: “Title deceiving. True confessions at seaside: who begot who.”
Georgianna: “The denouement is crowded into too few chapters and seems contrived. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it enough to check out a couple more books by the same author.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Comments on Dandelion Wine and Maisie Dobbs
We discussed two selections at this meeting: DANDELION WINE and MAISIE DOBBS.
The question was asked: “What comment would you like to make about these books?”
DANDELION WINE by Ray Bradbury
Georgianna: “I read part of it and kept waiting for something to happen.”
Sue (Wanda): “Nice, easy read."
Jane: “I enjoyed it. It reminded me of my childhood—a lot of things I’d forgotten about.”
Janine: “A lyrical hymn to childhood. There’s no real plot, just lots of vignettes that remind you what the world looked and felt like when you were 8 or 10 years old. A very relaxing, happy read!”
MAISIE DOBBS by Jacqueline Winspear
Georgianna: “I liked that Maisie and her mentor were both decent people.”
Brenda: “An excellent read; a historical romantic novel plus a mystery.”
Sue (Wanda): “Nice to see a strong female character for WWI and the beginning of the Depression."
Jane: “Thought it was a good book. I’d like to read another.”
Marie: “I could relate to a lot of things that the veterans had to say."
The question was asked: “What comment would you like to make about these books?”
Georgianna: “I read part of it and kept waiting for something to happen.”
Sue (Wanda): “Nice, easy read."
Jane: “I enjoyed it. It reminded me of my childhood—a lot of things I’d forgotten about.”
Janine: “A lyrical hymn to childhood. There’s no real plot, just lots of vignettes that remind you what the world looked and felt like when you were 8 or 10 years old. A very relaxing, happy read!”
Georgianna: “I liked that Maisie and her mentor were both decent people.”
Brenda: “An excellent read; a historical romantic novel plus a mystery.”
Sue (Wanda): “Nice to see a strong female character for WWI and the beginning of the Depression."
Jane: “Thought it was a good book. I’d like to read another.”
Marie: “I could relate to a lot of things that the veterans had to say."
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