SEPTEMBER'S SELECTION

With September approaching fast, the next selection has a tie in to the month.  It deals with September 11th, and a boy's search to find answers.  Could the possible clues that are available, help him in his search?  Read with us and find out.

September 15th, 2012

9:00 AM

@ The Library!

I see the moon and the moon sees me...

Many people saw different things in the book club selection for August.  Some saw confusion; some saw history; some even saw a simple story with generations of Indian women.  Whatever was seen, it brought out a discussion that we have never done before. 

Aside from the confusion of who was speaking when (some were confused, others not) this book first brought about Indian life.  It made everyone think of just how much were the indians treated, and most felt not so great.  But, a deeper question was also asked.  If they weren't treated the way they were, and the white men took the land, would we be the America we are today?

It really is an eye-opening sort of read when you think of it. At only a little less then 200 pages, it may not have been the best all around read, but the book is really worth one for a interesting talk, and a historical biographical lesson.

Club was: August 18th, 2012
*** out of *****

Some Books Can Be Ruff!

We've all had that special pet in our lives, or most, that have really made an impact.  Dixie, Dean Koontz's beloved rescued golden retriver, was his.  In "A Big Little Life," Dean recalls funny stories, and memorable moments from this dog's big...but little life.

The club shared moments or pets that have been involved in their lives.  The question came up however, how 'real' as in human-like is a pet?  Does it act almost human?  A fair split had said that yes, they have a human characteristic soul, and others were believed in that pets have a soul of their own.

No pet is more important that another.  It just so happened, that Dean Koontz had this pet dog, that became larger than life.  It was a good read.  It brought out a healthy conversation for about an hour and a half of pet stories, and things that were liked and disliked about the book.

No matter what type of pet you have, you always have a story.  All pets have a story.  This is Dixie's story.  No matter if you are a cat person, a turtle lover, a hampster chaser, or of course a dog lover, this book makes you apprecaite the near human things that are touching our lives.  The club seemed to enjoy the book as well.

**** out of five.

GOODBYE AGAIN

Again, we say goodbye to you.  We lost you, you came back, and now you are leaving again.  This time, I don't think you will return.  Thank you again, for a few more discussions that you had in you.

I say Po-tay-to you say Po-ta-to...

June's book club selection was an interesting read amongst our members. I think a general consensus was that it was slow at the beginning of the story.  While reading journal entries isn't everyone's cup of tea, this is how most of the book works, but it does work for this type of book.  It's a series of entries during World War I, and it is really more of a history lesson.  The members did enjoy the book, as a whole I believe.  But, like I said, it was slow at first.  Once you start reading the book, and progress through the pages, it is like a little history lesson.  This is rumored to be made into a film soon.  I think that it will make an interesting movie.

*** out of *****  Good read!

                                                    DID SOMEONE SAY "GUERNSEY"?

There's SNOW Business Like Book Business

Who wants to think about that white stuff in May?  I'm not talking about powdered sugar.  S-N-O-W is more like it.  I don't know about you, but at the cold weather scare, taking a chance of reading a book with snow, and snow in the title, was scary to say the least.  But...needless to say, May was safe, and so was it's selection from the club.

In what was a surprising read, Blink went beyond it's expectations.  You never know what might happen when you read an "independent" published book.  Not saying that there all bad, but sometimes you dont get the quality of a good read.  That is because when it's self published, anyone can put it out there.  But, this is not the case.  This book kept our attention; made us think; and was story driven.  The bonus was also, we think, that he is local, and Pennsylvanian.  References were made to lead some to believe that there was a "Grove City" area feel to the book.

Always try a local, or independtly published author sometime.  You never know what sorts of gems might be out there, and what you are truly missing in the book world.

MAY'S SELECTION:
**** out of *****

He Ain't Heavy...She's My Sister

April's book club brought us back to the former building that we used to have book club in.  In an interesting twist, Fat Man's opened up again after being closed for a few months.  A club member had asked if it was ok to try it there again, and we gave it another try.  It wasn't bad.  It was like welcoming a new friend back from vacation...ALMOST.  We don't have the convience of having a back room anymore, but it seems like we are in our own little area when we met.

What do you do when a child ends up missing?  What happens to everyone?  Can you watch them all crumble?  What will the glue be to fix them, if any?  A very interesting book that I think tackles these situations well.  You can't imagine going through that these characters went through.  It's a tough situation, but again, it's a book that makes a poignant remark.  All of the members seemed to like it again.  I don't think there was much groan about the book.  It was an interesting read, and a good discussion.

APRIL'S SELECTION
*** 1/2 out of *****

Makes the Book Club Sing

As the title states "Bel Canto," or "beautiful singing" in Italian, it was an interesting read, but was it a beautiful ending?  I am not going to say anything about the ending, because I want you to read it, but I can tell you it was very thought provoking, and very discussion worthy.  While at a "dinner" party, guests are taken hostage by terrorists.  Amongst the guests are different people from different faccets around the world.  It was unusual sitting at a "dinner" party ourselves (ok..breakfast table) with all of our different personalities, and discussing this choice.  I picked it, because we having really discussed terrorism much.  It was also, to me, and interesting and suspenseful read, once the book got started.  I felt as though the member liked it, but the consensus was the beginning.  It felt slow at times, but JUST at the begining.  Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read.  Thanks to Mary Ann for the cinnamon rolls, and the location.

Club: *** 1/2 out of *****

Book 103 Tease

"Life, true life, was something that was stored in music."

"There was nothing more to want, than the privilege to sit and listen."

Oh Lawyer, you Devil!

This book was very interesting to begin with, due to the fact that even though it takes place in the early 1930's, or around that time period, it still parallels today, over 80 years later.

It's a story of a women who is charged with the murder of her father in a small town in Virginia. As all press seems to do, they get wind of the story, and it because national news. People don't know where to point fingers next, and to tell the truth, who is lying?

Sharyn McCrumb, really captures that whole aspect of how the media can bend things, and tell a story that people WILL believe, even though some thing may not be true. She also paints a great picture of the mountains of Virginia, where the simple life should quite stay the simple life, but the media get ahold of it and there peace becomes a problem.

It has an interesting end to it all. I think most were very involved with it. They liked how it read pretty quick, but that they enjoyed the story that was being told.

**** of 5

A New Begining...a Birth!

It is true. We all have them. From the minute you are born, actually, you have one. I'm not talking about fingers, or a cell phone. I am talking about a birthday!

This book was 101. I new 100 cycle if you will, and ironically it was "The Birthdays," by Heidi Pitlor. It's a unique story, that has numerous family members meeting on an island to visit, but ends up being much more than that.

Plus, all the imediate woman in the family, are with child.

At the family gatherings, something happens, something shattering in fact, that will change the course of there lives. What is this event that happens? You'll have to read the book to find out.

The club was plesantly surprised I think at how well them enjoyed this book. It sparked interesting discussions such as births, their children, and what would they do in the characters positions.

**** out of 5

You look good for 100!

When you start a book club, you never know how long it will last. You always hope that people will want to come and discuss a book each month; you hope that people will want to get together, and comraderate with each other; you hope that the art of reading isn't dead. Every month, we get together, and validate that this is all still very true, and holding steady very well.

As a group, there are approximately 13 of us, that get together each month, and give each other's selections a try. This makes me happy, and proud, to be part of such a great group of readers. Knowing that they are willing to try, if they want, a book that they might not want to read, but eventually will love. Or, it can be the opposite. They will read a book they really don't like. Either way, it's a learning experience, and we enjoy doing it.

That said, we celebrated in December our 100th book!!!

The book was "The Lock Artist" by Steve Hamilton.

The book was a mystery of a boy who was an excellent lock picker, a theif if you will, that didn't speak. It was interesting to read the book in the idea that he didn't say anything on the outside, but so poetic with what he did for a living...steal.

It was a nice choice for our 100th book. Everyone seemed to like it. It kept your interest, and it had a good story. Two things that are sometimes important when you are reading. ;)

It goes to show you that you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends locks...wait...oh nevermind!

**** out of five

Triva buffs: What was book 50?

Listen...do you want to know a secret?

I have something to tell you. It's not a secret. It's something that I have been wanting to tell you for a little while. It's...it's...a confession.

PLEASE READ THIS!

Ok, read anything, but this book really opened you up to how our legal system can, and does work. It's literally about a confession from someone who committed a crime, but did they really commit the crime? Were they forced to confess and are completely innocent?

The pieces are put together as the book progresses, but it really comes to a big conclusion towards the end.

I think the book club enjoyed this book. Whether or not they truly liked a legal thriller, it seemed that it opened everyone's eyes up to a new perspective, and it REALLY got us talkings.

**** of of 5

It's About Time...Tick Tock

How do you classify a miracle? How do you decide how long it may last? You can't. This is a story of a miracle that takes as long as you want, and lasts as long as it can give.

It's all about second chances, or first chances if you will. It's really putting things in perspective in the long run.

The book club liked it I believe. Jason Wright became a two-peater in the book club, with the first choice being "Wednesdays Letters."

Believeable to a certain point. But it feels like that was Mr. Wright aims for. It feels he writes like a little above ordinary.

*** out of 5