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."

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.

Comments on December's Selection:

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

The Glass Castleby 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.

Comments on November's Selection

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

The Children's Hourby 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.

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 WINEby 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 DOBBSby 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."

November Selection

We were scheduled to read The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls for November. Unfortunately, the book is still so popular there will not be any copies available so we will have to postpone that title. At October's meeting I will present another kit or we can plan to discuss Maisie Dobbs or Dandelion Wine for Nov. I will put in a request for the BCTG kit for "The Glass Castle" and we will fit it into the schedule when it is available.

Note that you can now use the widget on the right labeled "Books To Consider" to add to the list of books the group might want to read in 2009. Simple click on the wrench icon in the lower right of that section and type the title and author in the "Add to List" Box; then click "Save." Your title will be added to the list. If you return to the blog you may have to refresh the page to see your addition.

If you know of group members who want to be added to the member list, please give me their email addresses so I can add them as "author" which will allow them to post to this blog.

Janine