Just came from my bookgroup - only 2 of us had read the book! (And it wasn't a book I particularly even wanted to read - Ender's Game - I am not into sci-fi!) The group picked a year's worth of books last year one time when I wasn't there - I had a class - and I said, when I saw the list, "I don't like Sci fi" and they all said, "Well, we tried to pick stuff from several genres." So as we go around the room to see who has read it, they are all saying, "I didn't read it, I don't like science fiction." Sort of annoyed me!
I had high hopes for my book group - and they have really not been realized. Maybe the best thing is to just go around talking about books with people - seems about as effective as the book group has become! I think I probably need to pick a bunch of English majors - the group seems more into "popular fiction" and I really would like to discuss literature.
Anyway, my pick for January - which I will host - is Death Comes for the Archbishop. I'll let you know how it turns out! (the discussion, not the book!)
And I do need to get going on my book blog - I'll keep you posted on that too!!
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I loved Death Comes for the Archbishop. Maddy had to read it for her 10th grade honors english class and we had a good discussion on it. I am trying to read and re-read a lot of classics. There is a book group here but I have not been able to attend the last two meetings. The last book they read was a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. I am not much into sequels written by a different author so I wasn't too bummed to not be able to go. This month is After the Applu: Women in the Bible. I look on Amazon.com and the rest of the title was lust and love in the bible. It is not quite how I picture the women in the bible. It might have been really interesting to read it but I didn't have time to get it from the states. I might just go so that I can hear the discussion. There are a lot of Christians at post who are active in their respective churches. The next book Borderland: A Journey through the History of Ukraine is one that I will definitely read. I am going to have Hannah bring it back with her at Christmas time. I have heard a lot of good things about that book. The last one that they have advertised is The White Guard, a Russian author, writing about the Ukraine and the time before the revolution. I am excited to read that as well. I will let you know how the book group is. Axel loved Enders Game but I haven't read it and I like SciFi but have not had a desire to read that. I think that I am a little bit more into Fantasy. I want to read the entire Narnia series.
I can definitely see a kid liking Ender's Game - although little Harry liked it - and that was as an adult. He thought my students would like it, but it's a little too "wordy" for them. I have a pbs video on Willa Cather that a friend in the book group gave me to check out - I'm looking forward to that. I wanted to watch it as a group and then read the book and discuss but we have one outspoken member who said, "Oh, that would be too much like school." (as if there is anythng wrong with school!!)
I love Willa Cather and have always wanted to read Death Comes for the Archbishop. I did my 11th grade research project and she is very fasinating. Tell me how it goes.
Love Willa! She has always been a favorite. I also liked Ender's Game. It was a hit at our bookgroup.
Barbara, I think I will read Death comes for the Archbishop next. I haven't read it. (though I have read other Willa Cather and really enjoy her writing) This way I can discuss it with you online, I have to admit that I miss my old book club, because now when I have read something interesting I don't have any one to discuss it with. Especially with Melissa gone. Though I do sometimes talk about books to Jeff, it's not the same if he hasn't read it. (He does read, just not as much as I do!) Right now I have restricted myself to the Book of Mormon until I finish it!
I really liked Ender's game and the sequels (all of them). But though many children like Ender's game, the sequels are all a little more adult in theme: death and aging etc. But there is a parallel novel called Ender's Shadow that is from the eyes of the little boy that saves Ender in the last battle of the book. (I can't remember his name and don't want to go all the way upstairs to find the book.) I think I liked Ender's Shadow more. It seemed more complete. Anyway, sorry that you didn't like it as well. I really enjoyed it - but I like fantasy and some types of science - fiction. (BUt I tried reading planet of the Apes and just wasn't that into it.) ANother favorite was Journey to THe Center of the Earth. Good luck with your book club. Perhaps I'll read Death comes for the Archbishop and join the discussion that seems to be forming.
Let's all read Death Comes for the Archbishop - and we'll discuss it in January - on my blog if I don't get the book blog up and running!! (Some thing to look forward to!)
I need more time to read.
Alice... Narnia = great, quick reads. I had a roommate who went through a phase of wanting to read them out loud to me.
Betsy's inlaws here: Vickie says you should read "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult.
Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for her sister, Kate, By age 13, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that Kate can fight her leukemia. Now Kate needs a kidney...
Note - this is an adult novel, and there is a little bedroom activity.
mom - i don't think you need to start a separate book blog. i think you can use your current blog.
however if you really feel the need, then by all means go ahead.
i think it would be nice to read death comes to the archbishop. I do enjoy Willa - I think Amy read a bunch of her as well.
as for jodi picoult - i have a few friends who LOVE her - i however have never read her.
our book club did enjoy time traveller's wife. also technically sci-fi, but also a beautiful love story. a very good read, a tad racy, but an excellent concept.
as for Narnia - fab-o-lo! and a quick read to boot. alice -you'll love them. although i didn't really like The Last Battle as a child. As an adult, I might feel differently.
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