Yes Book Club There is A Book Selection

To get into the festive spirit, it seems tradition to be to pick a Christmas book for the month of December. This year is no exception. First made into a motion picture script and moive, it then was made into a novel by an author named Valentine Davies.

It paints a picture of a little girl named Virginia, who wants to write Santa, and is a somewhat believer in Jolly Old Saint Nick. Those of you who seen the movie know, and those that haven't seen the movie...read the book FIRST! Then see the movie. I don't want to give things away.

Also:

Book club went well with I believe 12 attending the Outsiders book discussion. I was surprised that many had not read The Outsiders before, but I was happy to bring the book to the surface for them all.

The "Insider's" Scoop

For the month of November, I have the pleasure of picking the next selection in book club, and it is also our 75th book. Yep, can you even imagine that? 75 books ago, was about 6 people, sitting around, talking about the book of the month. Now, it's an average of 12 people, and the discussions are lively every time. I am very happy with the group.

Back to my book selection. I have decided to do another first in our club, not only for myself, but for the club as well. In all of my selections, I have never picked a woman author. I thought, since it's book 75, why not make it something different for me, and different for the club. It's different for the club, because we as a book club, have never read a young adult novel. But what a young adult novel to pick?

Why not pick, the first ever "catagorized" young adult book. That's right readers. We are doing "The Outsiders," by S.E. Hinton for November. I do enjoy this book. It's not in my top three favorite young adult books, but definately in the top ten. You have to have the first young adult novel in your top ten favorite young adult novels. It's a must.

So, I am excited to share this book with book club. My favorite genre of books is young adult, and I am pleased to be the first one to select a young adult book. I hope everyone enjoys it. Discussion questions, and other things such as movie info are ahead, so you can read along with S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders." As always...HAPPY READING!

THE MOVIE

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USUDlMBR-dQ

Take a sneak peak at the movie by going to the link for "The Time Traveler's Wife" starring Eric Banna and Rachel McAdams.

"Time" for Discussion Questions!

1. In The Time Traveler's Wife , the characters meet each other at various times during their lifetime. How does the author keep all the timelines in order and "on time"?

2. Although Henry does the time traveling, Clare is equally impacted. How does she cope with his journeys and does she ultimately accept them?

3. How does the writer introduce the reader to the concept of time travel as a realistic occurrence? Does she succeed?

4. Henry's life is disrupted on multiple levels by spontaneous time travel. How does his career as a librarian offset his tumultuous disappearances? Why does that job appeal to Henry?

5. Henry and Clare know each other for years before they fall in love as adults. How does Clare cope with the knowledge that at a young age she knows that Henry is the man she will eventually marry?

6. The Time Traveler's Wife is ultimately an enduring love story. What trials and tribulations do Henry and Clare face that are the same as or different from other "normal" relationships?

7. How does their desire for a child affect their relationship?

8. The book is told from both Henry and Clare's perspectives. What does this add to the story?

9. Do you think the ending of the novel is satisfactory?

10. Though history there have been dozens of mediums used for time travel in literature. Please cite examples and compare The Time Traveler's Wife to the ones with which you are familiar.

Have Wife (and book) Will Travel

This book seems to be an interesting read, as it surrounds a couple who loves each other very much. She has to love him, for putting up with what happens.

A different concept of a book, it does make you stop and thing what if this were happening to me. It couldn't, and is not humanly possible. But, we all know in the literary world, all things are possible.

A woman is married to a man, who can time travel back and forth though different periods of his and her lives. What would you do if you couldn't control yourself from traveling back and forth through time? Would you want to? How would you live with something like that? Many thoughts like these and more, come up while reading and trying to comprehend a book like this one.

Part romance, and part fiction, it really challenges the spirit of how much can you love someone, and what lengths will you go to hold onto that love. If you are ready to suspend disbelief, and sit back, and have a good read, this book is for you.

The book will be discussed on October 17th, 2009 @ 9:00am, at Fat Man's. Please join us. Look for book info, discussion questions, and other fun stuff up until the new book club date.

CLIVE ALIVE!

Clive Cussler's book was alive and well on September 21st, as ten of us came together to discuss "The Chase." It seemed to be a book, everyone said they might not have read, or that it was a nice break inbetween the crying books, and the not so happy. It was one last trip for the summer until you have to get out the fall coats, and put away the cargo shorts.

It was a interesting read, and it kept you going throughout. A few, they read it in a couple of days. Someone said it was the beat of a moving train. It started out slow, and then kept getting faster and faster.

It seemed to be a book that would please anyone who wanted a fun adventure book. The only thing that seemed to be negative about the book, is that he could have cut things out about the cars. If you have read the information on Clive Cussler, or read any of his books, you will know that he loves classic cars, and likes to insert the cars into the books.

It was a book that was enjoyed. Not a whole lot to discuss on it, but what was said was very positive. If you read this book, and you like it, a sequel of sorts will come out in December, and will have the same character in it.

Book club rating: ***1/2 out of *****

In just a week we will discuss Clive Cussler's book "The Chase." Here is a video with information about Clive.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2qZoY5a704

SEPTEMBER'S ADVENTURE!

The next selection and September's choice for book club is "The Chase," by Clive Cussler.

I don't recall, in our 73 books chosen so far, that we have read a real "adventure" type of a book. Mystery is thrown into Clive Cussler's books, and we have read that, but the new part is the idea of an adventure thrown in as a bonus.

Made famous by his Dirk Pitt character, Clive as written numerous books with that character in them. He's also written Numa Files books, Oregon Files, children books, and more. He is also a Doctor.

This is from the web site www.clive-cussler-books.com

Clive Cussler introduces an electrifying new hero, the tall, lean, no-nonsensedetective Isaac Bell, who, driven by his sense of justice, travels early-twentieth-century America pursuing thieves and killers . . . And sometimes criminals much worse.
April 1950: The rusting hulk of a steam locomotive rises from the deep waters of a lake. Inside all that remains of three men who died forty-four years before. But it is not the engine nor its grisly contents that interest the people watching nearby. It is what is about to come next….
1906: For two years, the western states of America have been suffering an extraordinary crime spree: a string of bank robberies by a single man who then cold-bloodedly murders any and all witnesses, and then vanishes without a trace. Fed up by the depredations of “The Butcher Bandit,” the U.S. government brings in the best man they can find – a tall, lean, no-nonsense detective named Isaac Bell who has caught thieves and killers from coast to coast. But he has never had a challenge like this one. From Arizona to Colorado to the streets of San Francisco during its calamitous earthquake and fire, he pursues what is quickly becoming clear to him is the best criminal mind he has ever encountered, and the woman who seems to hold the key to the man’s identity.
Using science, deduction and intuition, he repeatedly draws near, only to grasp at empty air, but at least he knows his pursuit is having an effect. Because his quarry is getting angry now, and has turned the chase back on him. The hunter has become the hunted. And soon, it will take all of Bell’s skills not merely to prevail…

ENJOY SEPTEMBER'S BOOK! HAPPY READING!

CHIT CHATTIN ANN

The book club on Saturday August 15th, met and discussed Ann Brashares' book "The Last Summer (Of You & Me)." The consensus seemed to be that the book was well written, and liked, but it was on the teeter of non-believable for some.

It was said that the mid 20's girls, didn't act the way the girls one reader knew. True. Some don't, but I felt that the characters were all too familar, and that they were realistic. Girls growing up with no parental supervision, and having the money thrown at them, would deffinately act that way.

The writer of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" series, did ok for her first go round with an adult book. The young adult books are percieved well in the literary world, but do have that ho-hum suspend reality of disbielf, sort of what "Summer" had.

I believe that the club enjoyed the book as a whole, but a few things were bothersome for them, such as another book dealing with death; the little unrealistic parts; the book themes as well. I do think that all in all, we enjoyed reading the book.

*** OUT OF 5

AUGUST'S SELECTION

The Breakfast Club will be reading "The Last Summer (Of You and Me)" for August. It's written by the author of the popular young adult novel series "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Ann Brashares. This is her first adult novel, and if it's anything like her others, it will be a good discussion book.

The book was chosen by someone who has never chosen before. It's always fun to pick your first book, and your second book, and your third book...ok, you get what I am trying to say.

As a reminder, book club for August will not be on the fourth Saturday of the month, but the third. Usually for August, during the Homecoming, we have the book club the fourth Saturday. But, it will be held on the regular third Satuday on August 15th.

Here's what amazon.com posted what the book is about:

Riley and Alice, two sisters now in their twenties, and as fiercely different as they are loyal, have spent every summer at their parents’ modest beach house on New York’s Fire Island. Each year, they return to the house and community they have known since they were children—and to Paul, the boy next door. But this summer marks a season of change: budding love and sexual interest, an illness, and a deep secret force all three to confront the increasing complexities of their lives and friendships.

HAPPY READING!

These are what the books for May, June, and July look like

Merry Month of May...and June....and...well...July

So I apologize for the delay, summer has kept us all busy with different things. Espically summer reading, and added traffic to the library.

May's book selection was Fatherhood
June's book selection was A Child Called It
July's book selection was The Last Lecture

May's book was all about Dad. Fatherhood gave a good discussion on father's and parenting in general. Even if you don't have kids, you can appreciate the things that you might have done to dear old daddy.

June's book gave a good discussion on how foster care operates, and how do we treat each other as human beings. It brought an emotional connection, but it is always appreciated when the book is chosen for a specifc purpose. It's appreciated when it's not.

July's Last Lecture just happened on July 18th. The person who picked it had a personal connection with book. Her husband was diagnosed with Cancer, and the book had came out a few month's before. He tried to read it, and got through about half of it. He decided that he wanted to write his own letter or "lecture" if you will. He ended up not getting a chance to finish it, but he did get some done. She shared the letter with us, and that was nice that she wanted to share it with us all.

There wasn't a person who said that they did not like the book. It is a great feel good book, that there is something that everyone can relate to. Thanks for the book choice MA.

What's in store for the "Last" book of this "Summer"? See the next post.

COSBY MONTH OF MAY

It took almost 70 books to have our first ever "celebrity" author added to the infamous list of bookclub. All the other people have been famous for being authors. Bill Cosby was famous before he became a writer, more so being a comedian.

It's exciting to add him to the list of book choices. For the month of May, the book club will be reading "Fatherhood" by Bill Cosby.

~Bill Cosby started out with doing stand-up comedy rountines. Millions of fans would come out to see such shows.

~He got his own television show, appropriately called "The Cosby Show." Oddly enough, his last name was Huxtable on the show.

~He was given an honorary doctrine from college, and some refer to him as Dr. Cosby.

~His most recent book is called "Come on People: On the Path from Victims to Victors."

~An important fact about Cosby, is that he was born in Pennsylvania.

The month before Father's Day, this book will surely bring back memories of your childhood, and make you appreciate your own father. If you are a parent, you can appreciate some of the stories he tells of being a parent. They don't make comedy books as well crafted as Bill Cosby's books, or should I say they aren't as popular as they used to be. The only people that come to mind with book popularity and are comedians, would be people such as: Jeff Foxworthy or Chelsea Handler.

So, I invite you to read "Fatherhood" by Bill Cosby for the month of May for The Breakfast Club.

The next meeting date is: May 16th, 2009 - Fat Man's - 9:00am

HAPPY READING!

Inhale & Exhale

Saturday, April 18th, 2009 the book "Just Breathe" was discussed by our bookclub. I myself was not there, due to a commitment, but heard some of the following:

The concensus seems to be that the book is an interesting read, about a woman trying to deal with a divorce among other problems. She is also a cartoonist.

It was said that everyone liked it except a few. And I am not sure the reason why it wasn't liked by those members. Everyone can't always like the books.

Since I wasn't there, and we don't have a secretary persay, that's all I know. It was a enjoyable and readable book. If you are in search of a good read, the ladies will enjoy. I am told that it isn't very "man friendly" but that doesn't mean we can't read it...right?....am I right ladies?

APRIL'S CHOICE!

Susan Wigg's book "Just Breathe," will be the selection for April 2009. The club will take place on April 18th, 2009 at Fat Man's.


Amazon.com writes this about "Just Breathe:"


Bestselling author Wiggs (Snowfall at Willow Lake) keeps her romance reputation going with this feel-good story of a wronged woman who gets out on her own and gets going. Sarah Moon, a comic-strip writer, is happily married to Jack Daly—until she comes home to find him entwined and naked with a business associate he had badmouthed to her just hours earlier. After five years of marriage, including months of infertility treatments because of Jack's cancer, infidelity is the last straw, and Sarah pack ups and leaves Chicago for her hometown of Glenmuir, Calif. Sarah uses her comic strip, Just Breathe, to vent her frustration and relieve her stress. The character, Shirl, is undergoing fertility treatments, getting a divorce and moving back in with her mom. (Comic strips open each section of the novel). And in Glenmuir, lo and behold, Sarah's dreams come true. She finds out she's pregnant, and begins a friendship with her high school nemesis, Will Bonner, who's now the town fire captain and a single dad whose lonely daughter reminds Sarah of herself as a young girl. Wiggs takes serious situations and weaves them into an emotionally wrought story that will have readers reaching for the Kleenex one moment and snickering out loud the next.

More information to come about the book with discussion questions, and other stuff hopefully.

As always...HAPPY READING!

THANKS LESLEY!

This past Saturday, March 21, Lesley Kagen let us call her, and she talked to us from the comfort of her Wisconsin home. A very down to earth person, she is informative in her ways of explaining different things relating to the book field, publishing world, and her own experiences.

Thanks to her pushes, the cover of "Whistling in the Dark," was going to have blond girls, and no where with a red head. She faught to have the picture changed, and with some gusto, they listened to her. She said that people do look at the cover, and notice the tinest detail in the pictures associated with the books themselves.

As for the actual title, Lesley said that we are alsomt all the time "Whistling in the Dark," as in we don't always know whats going on around us all the time, or if ever.

Her book was a fascinating read, that it went along as a sort of mystery, but never did I feel as though I was reading one. She classified her book as "Literaray fiction." Which is sort of blend of genre's of books if you will. She is not really writing a mystery, not really a romance, not really a drama persay, but something that hauls the labors off all different kinds of books.

We all enjoyed listening to her talk about how hard it is to go into the writing business. It's a labor of love when it comes to something like that. It's amazing that, she told us about 14,000 books ( around that number) come out every week. And for her books to really get off the ground is fascinating. They all believed at Penguin, that her books weren't going to become that popular, so they thought. After a fan following, her books became popular, and they way it sounded, they were sorry that they didn't believe in her.

She said it all depends on every last detail. From the book cover, to what is said in the book.

A very interesting book, and an interesting woman to hear talk to us. She is knowledable about what she does. You can tell that she enjoys writing her books and bringing them to life.

We want to thank Lesley Kagen for taking the time to let us call her, and talk to us about her book. It was informative and entertaining for us all. If you are interested in having Lesley speak at your bookclub, contact her. See is shes available. It's something worth having her do if you want.

Next up on the list, it's April's book!

A Few Things to Think About the book from LitLovers.com

1. Sally combines childish innocence with a surprisingly mature discernment of life. You might talk about those opposite qualities—the ways in which they evidence themselves in the book. In fact, just talk about Sally as a character.

2. Do you find the adult characters as interesting—or as well drawn—as Sally and her sister?

3. You might talk about Kagen's portrayal of a 1950's close-knit neighborhood—the kind of community we yearn for as offering a safe haven for growing up. Yet, in Whistling, beneath the surface lurks a darker world. For those who grew up in that era, it seemed a safer world . . . or is that being innocent, naive, like Sally?

4. Were you surprised by the ending?

MARCH'S CHOICE

For the month of March, the choice is "Whistling in the Dark," by Lesley Kagen.

The book is described as the following:

"Funny, wise and uplifting, Whistling in the Dark is the story of two tough and endearing little girls...and of a time not so long ago, when life was not as innocent as it appeared."

What happens with the girls? You will have to read along with us to find out.

I am pleased to say that Lesley has agreed to talk with us as did Susan Richards, and Kate Jacobs. It will be a tri-fecta of writers, which will be exciting to all of us. I hope.

I will hopefully be back with discussion questions or other tid bits. As always readers...HAPPY READING!

Hello Kate Jacobs!

Well readers, we got another treat in February. Kate Jacobs, decided to call into our book club on the February 21st meeting. It was a Saturday morning, at 9:30am Eastern time. Kate was calling from California, which we all know is a three hour difference. So, as she told us, we became her first morning book club. Awesome for us, which we are more memorable that way.

A lot of the book clubbers had questions for her, ranging from how she started writing, to "Friday Night Knitting Club" itself. She talked about herself, her books, and what she might do in the future. Which, if you didn't already know, "Friday Night Knitting Club" is in talks or is being made into a movie with Academy Award winning actress Julia Roberts. Very exciting.

We want to thank Kate for calling in and talking with us. She told me that I was one of only 4 men who have contacted her, over her thousands of emails and letters from women. I am proud to be one of the four. Thank you Kate! She also graciously told us that she would send us autographed book places to our book club, since she talked to us. Very nice, and very cool. As I say, it's an extreme pleasure to have an author talk to our little book club. We are much appreciated by that.

The club seemed to enjoy the book for the most part. They said it was a little confusing to start at the begining, but it got better as the book progressed. In any case, it doesn't matter if you are female, or in my case male. The meaning behind the book is what really hits home. Read the book, and you will see what I mean.

Again, thank you Kate Jacobs!

♥FEBRUARY'S CHOICE♥

For the month of February, we will all become familar with a hobby that I have no idea how to do, but I know some of our member's do. They know all about Friday nights...no...kidding...they knit. The next selection in the club is "Friday Night Knitting Club," by Kate Jacobs.

This is what's being said on her website www.fridaynightknittingclub.com:

Praise for The Friday Night Knitting Club
"An absolutely beautiful, deeply moving portrait of female friendship. You'll laugh and cry along with these characters, and if you're like me, you'll wish you knew how to knit."—Kristin Hannah, author of Firefly Lane

"If you are looking for an inviting group of gals to spend a few winter evenings with, pull up your afghan and snuggle in with The Friday Night Knitting Club…[It] makes you yearn for yarn, even if you're not a knitter."—USA Today

"This book's great—worth reading now."—Glamour Magazine

"Knitters will enjoy seeing the healing power of stitching put into words. Its simplicity and soothing repetition leave room for conversation, laughter, revelations and friendship—just like the beauty shop in Steel Magnolias."—Detroit Free-Press
"[A] winning first novel…impossible to put down."—Booklist

"If you like to write or read or knit, your first reaction to The Friday Night Knitting Club may be pure jealousy…Readers will come to root for nearly everyone in the sweetly diverse cast of characters."—Concord Monitor

"What begins as an unlikely hodgepodge of women soon evolves into an unbreakable sisterhood as the characters learn from each other's differences and bond over their love of knitting."—Vogue Knitting
"A Steel Magnolias for the 21st century."—Kirkus Reviews

"Poignant twists propel the plot and help the pacing find a pleasant rhythm."—Publishers Weekly

"A really great story."—Marie Claire

"Celebrates the power of women's independence and is essentially an urban counterpart to How to Make an American Quilt."—New Statesman

So come and read about knitting, friday nights, and a good book. The club will be knittin' away at our book, will you?

The next club will take place on February 21st, at 9:00am at Fat Man's. I will post about the book later.

As always, HAPPY READING!

BIG THANKS TO SUSAN RICHARDS

January's selection was "Chosen By A Horse" by Susan Richards. For the first time our book club got to speak to the author of the book at the meeting.

When searching for information for the book club in January, an email on her website came up. I quickly sent an email to Susan Richards, and asked her for advice, information, words of wisdom that she wanted to give. Sure enough, I got an email back about an hour later the same day, with her saying a few words, and that it would be ok to call her if we wanted. She would be available in the morning for us to talk to on our Saturday mornings, so I wrote her phone number down.

On Saturday, January 17th, we had a lively discussion on the book about a woman's love for a horse, and her life. It was a positive book, that delivered a feel good vibe, but at the end delivered a slight blow, as it wasn't a happy ending, but it is unfortunately a part of life. All in all, the club really enjoyed the book.

We have two members who own horses themselves. It was said that what Susan said was true. The members said highly, that the horse chooses you, you don't choose the horse. One member said that she talked of things, that she herself had only thought of in her head. That she didn't tell anyone, but that it was like she knew what she was thinking. With our horse experts, and our animals lovers, they gave big thumbs up.

After discussing the book, and answering the discussion questions which are available online, it was time to dial up Susan. As never as I was, never calling an author before, I was all ready to try something new. I took my cell phone, dialed the number, and put it on speaker phone. Before you knew it, she was on the other line from Florida, taling to us. I thanked her for taking the time to hear us, and talk to us personally. It's not everyday that an author allows you to call you at home, and talk with a group of readers about your book.

***ATTENTION AUTHORS: Please let your readers and book clubs call you. It is the most gratiflying experience to talk to the person of the book you have just read.***

After letting Cheri (the one who picked her book) talk to her personally, and all of us asking the questions to her, it was time to say goodbye. She was most gracious, and wonderful to talk to. We at our book club, would like to thank Susan Richards, for taking the time to talk with us. It meant a lot, and we are most thankful!!!

After talks about horses, pets, and life in general, the book club came to a close. It was, however (I think) the longest club clocking in at almost 11:00am. WOW!

The rating was more than likely **** 1/2 out of *****. A nice feel good, discussion book. And if you are lucky, and you want to try and have Susan talk to you, she might take your call.

Stay tuned for the next book club book, coming up for FEBRUARY!