Book Clubs are Wonderful!

At today's meeting at the library, I felt like Santa Claus. All around the table, each reader had several lists of books that we could choose from to continue our discussions. Many were familiar to me, some not, and all seemed to be beckoning..."open me first!" Book clubs are such wonderful things, forcing us to sit down and actually read, for one thing. They allow us to schedule time for such things as a nice neighborly chat about a good book, that maybe in a more nostalgic time, we wouldn't have to schedule.

Our book for August is Mark Haddon's "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time." I read this when it was first published and it sticks out as one of my favorite narrators. Try it out and hopefully, you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

My Antonia

I am making a return trip through American literature. The last time I focused my attention there was 1991, so the reader certainly has changed. I am surprised by reactions now, how poignant the concerns raised by Willa Cather. I was so in the midst of adolescence during my last reading that I could barely appreciate the way she lovingly describes each day to day moment, knowing that it would all pass too quickly. I never read My Antonia as a young person, but maybe I wasn't really ready for it until now.

BTW, thanks to all for the fabulous Lincoln discussion. I know we could have gone on for hours. This group is one of the most rewarding things I do for the library, and appreciate all of your honest participation in our discussions. You all confirm my belief that literature really does make a difference in how we lead our lives. Thank you!

Hang in there! O Lincoln fans!

I have to admit I did listen to " Team of Rivals." Sometimes a big thick book is more than I can get motivated to finish. I started "Ulysses" twice before I finished it. But like most epics, once finished, I keep coming back to "Team of Rivals." So hang in there, fellow travelers! I am looking forward to our discussion, especially during this election year.

Open invitation

I'm sorry to have missed the discussion on "Silent Spring." Sharon filled me in on what I missed.

Next up is Jodi Picoult's "My Sister's Keeper." Many of my book loving friends are amazed that I have yet to read this author. The great thing about book clubs is that you now have to make time to read at least one item on that ever expanding list headed "I Must Really Try This Someday...." From Jodi's fans I hear this is one of her best, so I am looking forward to it.

On a slightly different vein, I am feeling awfully lonely blogging out here, so I'd like to extend an open invitation to anyone in Owen County to post what you are reading here on this blog...even if it's not what the book club is reading. If we get some good recommendations for the club, or if we inspire you to read something you would have never tried, please post a short note. I'm thrilled that so many of you are coming to the book club, but I know there are more avid readers out there. Let me know if this blog is something we should continue!

Meanwhile, enjoy the coming of spring!

April's book, Silent Spring

I'm ready for a great discussion on The Book Thief, but it's already time to be thinking about our April meeting. Our book for April is Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Even though I classify myself as an environmentalist (armchair, mostly), I have never read this book. So think about Earth Day, and even if we're not spraying DDT around anymore, we still have some environmental issues that we can bring to bear in our discussion.

And hey, even if you are attending our meetings in the library, please feel free to post your comments as you're reading. We'd love to hear from you!

Check out out new title "The Book Thief"

I want to thank everyone who came out to the discussion of Hannah Coulter. I'm sorry I missed the discussion, but I was out at the Owen County Leadership workshop, working on even more ideas to make our community great!

Our new selection is The Book Thief, which is technically classified at a young adult novel, but I feel there is much to be discussed. One great thing I find about reading YA books is that the author generally is very aware of keeping the reader engaged, and the action often happens immediately. Once I got going on this one I couldn't put it down. And you couldn't ask for a more interesting narrator, Death himself.

If you can't come to the meeting on March 7, please join in with your comments here and I will share them, if you wish, at the meeting.

Welcome to BooksatNoon

Hello there, Owen County! Please join our online discussion of our monthly title. This month's title is Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry. I just read it a month ago, and was inspired by Mr. Berry's heartfelt story.