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."