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 *****