Last Day for Asher Lev discussion

Today is the last day of 2007! It is also the last day for our Asher Lev discussion and I would love to hear more people's thoughts. If you didn't finish the book, go ahead and let us know why. Or if you haven't had a chance to answer the questions, here they are again:

Questions:
1. As a reader, what was your reaction to Asher's last exhibition in the book?

2. What do you think Chaim Potok's message is on living religiously in a secular world?

3. Is there a character you can relate with?

4. Do you have any questions????

You can see the rest of the discussion at this post.

Have a happy new year, J'aime lirers! Don't drink too much sparkling apple cider...

Winter Reading Challenge

I found this exciting little 'contest' for reading this winter. My goal will be to read a book a week (12 total), but hopefully I will read more. I don't want to get overly ambitious and then not be able to do it, especially since I have an infant and will be doing some traveling this winter.

My list is really still a work in progress, but I thought I would go ahead and post what I have, in no particular order:

Majesty's Rancho

The Historian

Clan of the Cave Bear

Clash of the Sky Galleons

Dragonhaven

The Nixie's Song

Go here to check out the contest details or sign up yourself.

Discussion: My Name is Asher Lev

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. I was in an airport all yesterday, so forgive me for not starting our discussion. Before I list the topics, I wanted to extend the challenge of commenting on at least one other person's feedback after or before you give yours.

Questions:
1. As a reader, what was your reaction to Asher's last exhibition in the book?

2. What do you think Chaim Potok's message is on living religiously in a secular world?

3. Is there a character you can relate with?

4. Do you have any questions????

My answers:
1. As a reader, what was your reaction to Asher's last exhibition in the book? Every time I read about Asher letting the "Brooklyn Crucifixtion" paintings go on display, I cringe inside. I can't read the exhibition opening scene with out fidgeting and feeling so uncomfortable. I just want to yell at Asher to just tell his parents. I'm still trying to understand why he doesn't give them a warning - especially his mother. He loves her so much and doesn't want to hurt her, yet lets her come to the gallery not knowing what she will see. Is it because he needs them to confront the situation, as he has? I don't know...


2. What do you think Chaim Potok's message is on living religiously in a secular world?I think that is a hard question with multiple answers! I think Chaim wants us as readers to realize that the answer can't be resolved easily. Aryeh Lev is able to live religiously by abstaining from "goy." But Asher is not able to do that - yet he is still a faithful Jew and follower of God, in his own eyes. Do we define our own limits? Does it depend on our heart? In the end, Asher will travel to "save the world" with his mythical ancestor, who seems more like his father by preaching pure Hasidim.


3. Is there a character you can relate with? I'm still thinking about this question...


4. Do you have any questions???? My question for you is this - what do you think of Chaim Potok's storytelling style? This is such a complex story, but Potok sets it up simply by starting it through a child's eyes. Also, I love how he uses the symbolism of the mythical, thundering ancestor throughout the story. We know exactly where Asher's concsious is.

One other thing Potok did - did you notice he never says who buys Asher's paintings or what famous artists Asher is studying with? I think he did it to remove the emphasis on how great Asher is and to focus it back on his internal struggle. Also, we don't know much about how Asher interacts with people. there aren't long conversations or descriptions of Asher at the beach with Jacob Kahn, we don't know anything about Asher dating the girl in France. Asher is set up to seem very isolated and alone, yet there are many people who are apart of his life and care about him - as we see when he is finally asked to move to Paris by the Rebbe, because he is hurting too many of his own people. I think Potok also uses this as a tool to again focus on the internal struggle and individual choice for how we choice to live and practice religion.

Anybody get any fun books for Christmas?

I was just thinking that my brain is finally starting to recover from Christmas overload, and that I might actually be able to pick up one of the books I got for Christmas. It got me wondering if any of you got any great new reads? If so, and if they are good, please share.

As for me, I received:
Dragonhaven, by Robyn McKinnley - our book for next month
The Dangerous Book for Boys - my husband was so cute to get it for me to go with my copy of The Daring Book for Girls, and it is great so far!
The Phantom Tollbooth - a gift for myself, since our local book club is reading it for January :)
Mothering with Spiritual Power, by Debra Sansing Woods - my mom gave it to me, and it looks pretty good

I'll have to let you know how they turn out. Oh, and a little late . . .

Merry Christmas!!

And Happy New Year!

New Poll! ~ Making time to read

Hi all! I've loaded a new poll on the blog. See it in the upper left hand corner? Just wanted to check in and see how far along everyone is. I know this time of year is busy, but this is a great book and I'd hate to see it get looked over.

And just for fun - here are some tips for finding time to read when you're busy.

How to make time to read when you're busy...

1. Buy a downloadable audio version of a book.
   
2. Buy a pocket version of a book, such as the Barnes and Noble Pocket Classics.
   
3. Carry the reading material with you wherever you go.
4. Read or listen while you are waiting in line, for your food, or for your kids.
   
5. Read while working out at the gym.
   
6. Nicely ask your spouse or kids to do more housework so that you may relax for a half hour each day to read.
7. If you are a college student, read a book between classes instead of the school newspaper.
   
8. Consider having the book on tape, CD or your MP3 player in addition to paper.
   
9. Keep a bookmark handy so you won't reread the same thing over again.
10. Bring a book or audio book with you when you're in a car or bus (and NOT driving).
    
11. Buy a purse big enough to contain a book.
12. Listen to books on tape or CD if you commute via car.
    
13. Read each night before bed.
14. Read in the bathtub (but keep a towel handy so the books don't get wet).

What's the next move in your plot?

I love Jessie's question! Okay, along the same line of thinking - If you were writing this story we call life, what would be the next move in your plot?

What's the theme of your life?

If you were a heroine(which you are) in your own book of life, what would your theme for the last year be?

Dec: My Name is Asher Lev

"My Name is Ahser Lev", by Chaim Potok

Tomorrow is Dec. 1 - which means its time to start reading our new book, "My Name is Asher Lev," by Chaim Potok. I researched Chaim Potok my senior year of high school and read several of his books, including this one. Potok was born in the Bronx to Jewish immigrants from Poland. Many of his books deals with finding the balance between practicing religion while living in the secular world. Though most of us participaitng in the club are not Jewish, there are similar themes we can relate with from our own religious beliefs.

Enjoy! I am picking my copy up from the library tomorrow.

The Color of My Words discussion...

I love this book and am so glad that I was in charge of the discussion for this month. I read the book in an hour and so pleased with Lynn Joseph’s work. The book was short, but the story flowed so well. I really identified with the main character and felt all the emotions that she felt. I hope everyone else gained as much from this book as I did and enjoys talking about this one as well. So here goes:

Questions:

1.Can you relate to the characters and their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
2.How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?
3.Did you feel that the book fulfilled your expectations? Were you disappointed?
4.What are some of the book's themes? How important were they?
5.Did the book end the way you expected?

Answers:

1.I relate to Ana Rosa so well, a girl feeling like she is striving to be someone and is being held back. I think everyone has felt that feeling at some point in his or her life.
2.I am so glad Melissa suggested Hispanic heritage month books, this is a sweet story and I think I will continue to look for other books by her in the future.
3.I was a little disappointed how short it was, but it was an easy read. I thought the ending was sad, but glad she chose to overcome her grief and write.
4.I think one of the themes is perseverance. The whole family has to overcome different aspects, from the drinking father, Ana Rosa’s other father, her learning to dance, the selling of the land, etc. I could go on and on, everyone dug a little deeper and ended up being better for it.
5.No, I was surprised her brother died. I didn’t see the government coming to take their land; I did think that there would be an uprising…but not his death. I am glad she decided to write his story. I was so impressed with her vision for future and her brother’s future; I hated to have it end so suddenly.

Ok, so if anyone else has any other questions or comments feel free and let the discussions begin....

November book... just finished!

Happy Thanksgiving in 2 days! I just finished our November book and wanted to encourage those of you who haven't yet to give it a shot. It is SO short and once you start it is hard to put down. There is still time before our discussion next Tuesday to get it from the library and read it over the holiday weekend.

I am looking forward to our discussion on Nov. 27!

Book/Author Picks

I have/had a time choosing an author because I get moved by each book I read. So after some careful consideration I think my choices are:

1. Wuthering Heights- I read it when I was an early teen and the romance side of the story influenced me into who I am today. The intensity of love Heathcliff had for Catherine made me think that there is love out there for everyone. It may not be perfect or sane or even beautiful, but it survives everything thrown it's way...even death. It let me know not to be discouraged as a teen about petty relationships and also just a different view on love.

2. The Stephanie Meyer series we read here on the blog is one of my newest and most instense favorites. I love the series, the love story and the style of writing are wondeful. This series will be one of my favorites forever, the love between Bella and Edward is so strong I can feel it through the pages. I was getting all tense with her and just love the whole set. I am grateful to have been introduced to them...

Happy Friday before Thanksgiving!

image from here.

November is racing past and our next book discussion will be here before you know it. Until then, I thought it would be fun to share books and authors we are thankful for. Who wrote a book that you just love, or that has changed your attitude on life? (And the Bible and Book of Mormon are pretty obvious answers, so no cop outs if you please.)

I think my answer would have to be....

I'm thankful for L.M. Montgomery's stories - specifically "The Blue Castle" and "Emily of New Moon." The first one scared me into living my life the way I want it today, before tomorrow comes. And "Emily of New Moon" was one of my favorite books growing up. The main character - Emily - loved to write and adored nature. I was always self-concious of loving to write, read and hike with my family. Emily's character helped my young self believe that I wasn't alone.

Okay - your turn. Which books or authors are you thankful for influencing your life?

Nov., Dec., Jan., books

Hi all! Sorry I've been a slacker! Here are the book choices for the next three months. We'll do another call for suggestions in January.

Kyla will be leading our discussion on Nov. 27 - if that is still okay with her.

SCHEDULE:
Nov-The Color of my Words by Lynn Joseph; discussion by Kyla on Tues 11/27

Dec-Dragonhaven by Robin Mckinley: discussion by Lisa on Thurs 12/27 *** Swap this book with Jan. ****

Jan-My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok; discussion by Melissa on Mon 1/28 *** Swap this book with Dec. ****

PS - Jessie, welcome to J'aime Lire! I just sent you the official invitation. We look forward to getting to know you more.

Just wondering . . .

if we are going to pick our newest book. I think this month has been crazy for all of us, and so I was thinking - since December isn't likely to get any less busy - if we should pick a book now to be for both months, November and December. What do you think? And I know Cat definitely has other things on her plate right now (ie. having her baby), but I was wondering who has the list of books we submitted to choose from?

PS. And I apologize for not getting to October's book. It looked so good, but October hit me like a train (a wonderful train, but still a train) and I am still recovering :).

PPS. Jessie, we would love to have you!!

Questions...

I have been such a slacker I haven't even posted my thoughts on the book yet, so I wanted to do this while I could and before anymore house stuff came up.

And I found some fun questions to answer:
1. What genre do you prefer?
2. Do you buy books, or use a library?
3. Do you read many books in a month, or just a few?
4. What is your favorite book, one that you've read several times because you love it?

My answers:
1. Mystery and tasteful romance
2. I buy more books, I love the used bookstore next to us...and I use the library for our bookclub books at first, if I really like them I'll buy them.
3. I go in spurts, I'll read 5 books a month or I'll only read one...it depends on the time
4. I love Stephanie Meyers books, I have read them a lot. I love Wuthering Heights and have reread all Tami Hoag and Patricia Cornwell

Check out Shelfari

Cat just invited me to join Shelfari and I'm getting really excited about it. Check it out here: www.shelfari.com or look on the side of Cat's blog.

And I found some fun questions to answer:
1. What genre do you prefer?
2. Do you buy books, or use a library?
3. Do you read many books in a month, or just a few?
4. What is your favorite book, one that you've read several times because you love it?

My answers:
1. Fiction (anything fiction - historical, romance, mystery, scifi, fantasy, etc..)
2. Library and borrow as much as possible
3. How many is many? I average about 3
4. There are too many books to read one more than once - although I do fall back on the Emily of New Moon series when I want to read something comforting.

In the Time of Butterflies - discussion part 1

The three Mirabal sisters who were killed, as pictured on this historical web site.

Okay, I am starting discussion for "In the Time of the Butterflies" a little early. And I think I'm going to spread it out over a couple days, since we still have a few more days of October left. Here are today's discussion questions. Check back tomorrow for more.

1.) First off, did you enjoy the book? What was your favorite part? What was your least favorite part? Who was your favorite sister?

Book talk this Tuesday!

Hope everyone is enjoying "In the Time of the Butterflies"! I'll be back on Tuesday to start our discussion and I can't wait to hear what you all think.

On another note, has anyone ever read “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”? The movie is being screened at the Savannah Film Festival this weekend. I was curious about it after I read it was based on a book written by the former editor in chief of Elle France, who suffered a rare stroke to the brain stem at age 43. He was in a coma for a while and when he awoke, all he could move was his left eye. Somehow, he arranged a way to communicate with blinks and wrote this book. It is all about the freedom he found living in his imagination for the remainder of his life.

Sound pretty incredible, huh?! Anyway, let me know if you've read it. I'll be sure to tell you how it goes when I'm done with it. It is pretty short, but I've got a few other things to finish reading first.

Time of the Butterflies

Heads up - I will be leading our discussion for Time of the Butterflies on:

Tuesday, Oct. 30

And just to get you pumped for reading, here are a few reasons why I like it:

**** It is narrated by four sisters - each sister has her own section.

**** After I finished it, a light switch went on over latin literature for me.

**** The story is strong, emotional and inspiring - and that's all I'm going to say about that without giving the rest away.

This is a great excuse for me to purchase a book I've wanted in my library for at least 7 years now.

October Book

This months book is.......

In the Time of the Butterfly's by Julia Alvarez.

Hooray for celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month!!

Melissa will lead the discussion for this book at the end of the month and then starting November we will have a calendar posted for what book, who is leading the discussion and what day we will have the discussion started.

New Book Club Blog Format

Some people have expressed a desire for more interaction and better organization for our online book club. Since this is our first foray into the world of book club blogs, we are still working out the kinks.

We want to start a calendar. It will include what the book is for the month, who will lead the discussion, and when the discussion will start.

Email me at cjwaldorf@hotmail.com with what your book suggestions (title and author) are by Oct. 15. It can be 1 or 20, I don't care. I'll pull titles out of a hat. Like we have done in the past, who suggests the book will lead the online discussion. I will try to keep it fair so that one person isn't doing all the discussions. Unless you don't care that you are doing it month after month. In your email, let me know what your preferences are. Please put book club in your title of the email so I know it is legit.

We also want to encourage discussion on the blog about anything else. Authors you love, other books you are reading and want to know if someone else has read or to turn us on to it, any kind of news, like the recent deaths of Madeleine L'engle and Robert Jordan. Anything book related or writing related or something fun to think about.

If there are any other ideas, let us know.

Thanks and Happy Reading!!

October book suggestions

My book picks for this month are mixed, 1 like Melissa said delving into Hispanic Heritage month and one completely unrelated.

East of Eden- John Steinbeck

The Color of My Words- Lynn Joseph

The second suggestion is one I haven't read, but sounds really good...especially for those of you who are writers.

Book Picks

My book pics don't have anything to do with Hispanic literature, but I am impressed that you knew that Melissa.

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Both are books that I still haven't read. Blame it on moving and pregnancy, but I really thought I would have gotten to those by now.

discusion . . .

Hi all - I wanted to apologize for not getting my discusion up for the book up earlier. With my baby going to the hospital this weekend, it threw everything off. The funny thing is that I had it written already, since I wanted to do it while it was all fresh in my head. Unfortunately, when I published it a few minutes ago, it appeared as if it was published the day i wrote it, so you'll have to scroll down to get to it. I hope you enjoyed the book.

October Book Call!

Alright, post your October book choices! While I was pondering what I would submit, I searched on the internet to see what is being celebrated this month. Did you know it is National Hispanic Heritage Month? So even though I'm not hispanic, I think I'll celebrate by submitting book choices from a couple favorite Hispanic Authors:

1.) "In the Time of the Butterfly's" by Julia Alvarez

2.) "Night of the Radishes" by Sandra Benitez

I'd love to hear some of your favorite books from hispanic authors - even if they aren't your choices for this month.

Book Club Confession

I have a little confession, I a little disappointed in the bookclub. I was wondering if we going to discuss the book this month or not? I know people have been busy, but that probably won't change anytime soon. I joined wanting to expand my own reading realm and to get other people's opinions. Half of the people in the bookclub don't comment on the books and it shouldn't be left up to 2-3 people to lead everything. If it needs to be 2-3 people that's fine. Also, if people can't contribute, then go to a book a quarter or comment on the books you are reading on your own. It is just a little disappointing to have the ball dropped. I love the idea of a bookclub, but it requires work and input by all people. I have a lot of stress going on in my life, like all people...but having the bookclub is a nice normal way to get away and do something not as stressful. If fitting this in is too much, don't do it. Also, I hope this doesn't upset anyone, especially since I wasn't a founding member or anything. My filter isn't as strong as it use to be due to the stress, but this has been on my mind a lot and I wanted to see if this month was any different. If anyone feels the same, speak up and let's work together to make this what everyone wants it to be. A place to read and discuss books openly and everyone expand their own personal library.

Robert Jordan - died Sunday before finishing his series!

Okay, if I didn't know at least one of you reads Robert Jordan's 'Wheel of Time' series, I wouldn't bring this up. Can you believe he died????? It was our biggest joke that he would die and leave us all hanging - having read 11 of his 12 book series. And then it happened. Harry Potter readers - just imagine JK Rowling dying before book seven was completed.

But don't worry, I also read that he left detailed notes on how the series is to end. Crazy!

The Westing Game

First of all, I hope you all enjoyed this book as much as I did. I read it for the first time a few years ago, and luckily it had been long enough that I had forgotten all the details.



One of the things I really loved about this book were the characters. They were all completely unique and, even within families, had very little in common. This caused most of the drama during the game. So what I want to know is: Who was your favorite character? And why do you think the different pairs were grouped as they were?



My favorite character was Turtle, probably because she seemed to be the underdog in many ways, but refused to fill that position. She was also keenly aware of things that were going on, mainly because she was perceptive, but partially because everyone took her for granted since she was the only child in the building. Even though she was practically nonexhistent to her mother, she made the most of her situation. I also love how she eventually found a "mother figure" in Mrs. Baumbach. And how can you forget how she protected her sister?



As for the pairings, I love how skillfuly Westing chose them. At first they seemed terribly odd, but as the book went on, each person was paired with someone who helped them somehow. Even in pairing himself with the judge, it was a chance to help (as well as keep track of her). He allowed her to finally pay him back, and had the chance to spend time with her, whom he had been close to when she was younger.



It was also interesting to see how Westing seemed to move the players around like they were pawns in a chess game - setting up each part, even down to "sacrificing the queen" at the very end. Did you feel like you had figured it out, or did you discover the answer along with the charactres?



Even though I usually figure things out beforehand, most of the story I discovered as it unfolded, and not any earlier, which just showed how amazing Ellen Raskin's writing is.



Lastly, who do you think Westing wanted to win, and why?



I think he wanted Turtle to win all along. He was her friend, as Sandy, like nobody else was for her. I think he saw some of himself in her. I also think it is interesting that the winner was one of the few actually related to him :).



I hope you all enjoyed this book as much as I did. I can't wait to hear what you think of it!!

Author of 'A Wrinkle in Time' died Thursday

photo from here.

Writer Madeleine L'Engle, 88; Author of 'A Wrinkle in Time'

By Adam Bernstein

Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 8, 2007; Page B05

Madeleine L'Engle, 88, a prolific author whose best-known novel, "A Wrinkle in Time," won the top prize for children's literature and was considered among the most enigmatic works of fiction ever created, died Sept. 6 at Rose Haven nursing home in Litchfield, Conn.

The cause of death was not disclosed by the family, but she reportedly had a cerebral hemorrhage in recent years.

"A Wrinkle in Time," published in 1962, won the American Library Association's Newbery Medal for best children's book. It went through more than 60 printings, was adapted for television and other media and helped establish Ms. L'Engle among the best-selling children's authors of her generation.

Yet "children's author" did not begin to describe the breadth of her output, which included more than 50 books of adult fiction and nonfiction, poetry, plays and many volumes of memoirs. Reviewers noted a timeless quality in her best fiction, which blended themes of adolescent pain, spiritual and emotional insight, ethical decision-making and, above all, adventure and entertainment.

Ms. L'Engle was a veteran author by the time "A Wrinkle in Time" was published, and the book cemented her reputation as a major literary figure. The novel weaved together aspects of theology and quantum physics and featured a female protagonist, which was unusual at the time.

The plot concerned three New England youngsters -- the socially awkward Meg Murry, her young brother, Charles Wallace Murry, and her older, more popular friend, Calvin O'Keefe. They use time travel and extrasensory perception to free the siblings' scientist father, who had vanished from the family after discovering a mysterious source of evil. They find him on a planet where absolute conformity rules.

The book introduced many readers to a "tesseract," a principle, according to the narrative, that allows the youths to "travel through space without having to go the long way around."

Ms. L'Engle tried to sell "A Wrinkle in Time" to a dozen publishers before Farrar, Straus and Giroux agreed -- with the caveat that the author should not expect much public reaction. She, in turn, had it written in her contract that the company could have the rights to the book forever, anywhere in the universe, except the Andromeda galaxy.

"A Wrinkle in Time" was an instant sensation and attracted critical praise that culminated in the Newbery.

The novel consistently encouraged debate, with some literary observers speculating that Ms. L'Engle's strong Anglican faith was a major influence.

Writing in the New Yorker in 2004, poet Cynthia Zarin said the book can be read as "science fiction, a warm tale of family life, a response to the Cold War, a book about a search for a father, a feminist tract, a religious fable, a coming-of-age novel, a work of Satanism" -- Ms. L'Engle said that Christian fundamentalists continually tried to ban it -- "or a prescient meditation on the future of the United States after the Kennedy assassination."

Ms. L'Engle demurred from analyzing the book too much, once saying, "It was only after it was written that I realized what some of it meant."

Read more here.

September book...

Ok, through totally random drawing, at work with witnesses mind you. ;)

Our book this month is:

The Westing Game- by Ellen Raskin

So looks like Lisa will be leading the discussion this month and picking next. I'm excited by the description I read:
The Westing Game is a book by Ellen Raskin that was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1979. It has been adapted into a TV movie, released under both the names "The Westing Game" and "Get a Clue." The sixteen heirs of magnate Sam Westing are called upon at the reading of his will to unravel the secret behind his untimely demise.

New 'Rule'

So this is not really a rule, but I can't think of anything other word to describe this right now.

The powers that be, ok, Melissa and I, thought that it would be a good idea that whomever is leading the discussion for the month also be the one to pick the book for next month. For instance, Kyla led the discussion for August's book, so she will pick September's book from the submisisons.

Also, probably the next most obvious thing is that if it is your book picked, you lead the discussion, again, like one of Kyla's suggestions was "Remember Me' which was chosen and she led the online discussion. Any questions?

Or better ideas?

Happy Reading!!

"Remember Me"

1. Who was you favorite character and why?
My favorite character was Menley. First, i love her name. Second, I liked her struggle with determining her sanity - and how she stuck by her guns with Adam in the end. Scott was pretty impressive, I just can't bring myself to like a slime-ball.

2. Those of you who are parents (or soon will be), have you had a time where you felt your parenting abilities were being questioned? How did you respond to it?
Ha ha - well, my child right now is my dog. People are always trying to tell you how to be a better dog owner. there is a certain look you get from other highbrow dog owners if: your dog isn't neutered, he has a long-lead leash, he chews on bark, or does anything else they would never condone. this is such a lame thing to compare what Menley experienced, but it helps me understand a little bit of her situation. It all comes back to not judging a book by its cover, right? Judge not that ye be not Judged? Same thing.

3. Did the ending surprise you? If so, how?
Okay I cheated - About half way through I was so absorbed in the book, that my sanity would be shaken if Menley did not get out of this okay. I had read one book by Mary Higgins Clark - The A____(something)_ Syndrome - and she really shocked me be killing off the main character. I just couldn't handle being on the edge of my seat anymore if that was the case. But I only read the last page - so I knew Menley would be alright. I kind of picked up on the Scott and Elaine thing with the whole picture deal and Elaine always being the root of Adam and Menley's problem.

4. Do you think the Remember House was actually haunted?
No, but Mary did a good job of setting it up so you would believe it was.

5. Any other thoughts or feelings about the book?
I really enjoy Mary Higgins Clark. Have any of you seen her movies that are on Lifetime? They are cheesy, but still fun.

1. Who was you favorite character and why?

I liked Scott the best, I absolutely feel for his act. I was so disappointed in him at the end, but I had no idea. I believed he was grieving and misunderstood...

2. Those of you who are parents (or soon will be), have you had a time where you felt your parenting abilities were being questioned? How did you respond to it?

When my kids were young babies, I'd have a few people tell me how to dress my kids,etc. No one ever tried to undermine me as much as our heroine was.

3. Did the ending surprise you? If so, how?

As said earlier, I feel hook, line and sinker...I did think there was a secret room for a while before it was revealed. I knew Elaine was up to no good, but I didn't realize the degree of it.

4. Do you think the Remember House was actually haunted?

I think it was, by Mehitabel definitely. I think she was looking out for Menley.

5. Any other thoughts or feelings about the book?

I liked the book a lot, especially the second time. It had been so long I couldn't hardly remember anything about it, except the train part. I did not like Elaine, what a little sneak...she got what she deserved and I am glad Amy was redeemed in the end. The ending was surprising, but great at the same time.

My Book Choices for September

Since, as I said in my earlier post, I am a little burnt out and wanted an lighter read for this month, I chose children's books:

Beauty, by Robin McKinley - she is one of my very favorite authors

The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin - a really great mystery!

I would suggest others, as I have MANY favorites, but these are two I think you all would love.

Discussion for August book

Remember Me- Mary Higgins Clark

1. Who was you favorite character and why?

2. Those of you who are parents (or soon will be), have you had a time where you felt your parenting abilities were being questioned? How did you respond to it?

3. Did the ending surprise you? If so, how?

4. Do you think the Remember House was actually haunted?

5. Any other thoughts or feelings about the book?

I'll post after others have had a chance to offer their opinions....

my september book choices...

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (author of Ella Enchanted)

The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott

Posts

New Moon- Stephanie Meyer

The Notebook- Nicholas Sparks

Book Selection for September

We need to put in our picks for September's books!!

My two choices are:

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Let's try to have all our suggestions in by the 31st!!

Discussion

I was just wondering if we were going to discuss the book for this month and if so on what day?

A confession . . .

I am a little read out. I think that between Harry Potter, Eclipse, and all the books I was reading for book club, and trying to read my scriptures, I am getting burnt out. Maybe it wouldn't be this bad if I wasn't fighting my kids for every second I get to read, but I was wondering something . . . do you think we could read something light and fluffy for September? Like maybe a children's book? I have a lot of fun suggestions if you guys are interested. Just let me know :)

Remember me

So, I just finished the book this morning and was again impressed with the book. I am definitely excited to hear other comments and talk about the book later this month.

Also, has anyone purchased or read the new book Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer yet?

HP7

It's been almost 2 weeks sent Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out. I want to know who has finished it and what they thought about it.

August Book Pick

Okay guys, I waited all day to make sure there were no stragglers wanting to sneak in their picks. I did this very fair; I made Amber pick the book out of my hand.

This month's book is Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark.

Happy Reading!!

August Book

Thanks for leading the discussion on our July book, Cat! I know there are more of you who read it than have had a chance to post comments. Feel free to continue with that discussion as we move on to August!

Alright, the time has come to choose our next book. Please leave a comment with your 2 book suggestions for the month. We will hold the drawing on August 1.

July book thoughts....

I enjoyed the book once I read it more, but when I finished I was left with a feeling of overall sadness. Sadness about Rebecca's life outcome, her sadness in general and how she was treated by those she had called her family for so many years. Her children were so ungrateful I don't think I would have been able to bite my tongue like she did with them. They never thought of her like a mother, were always demanding and never thankful. Her step-daughter even complained to her about taking care of someone elses children while still in her honeymoon phase...I could have screamed at those girls. Ok now that I have vented some I will get to Catherine's questions.

1. I did have a moment like Rebecca in my first marriage, my epiphany if you say, I was married and had a child (like I always wanted, but unhappy at where I was in my life). I didn't understand how I could have gotten what I wanted and be so unhappy...I just didn't get the one meant for me. I have since fixed that, by like Rebecca taking the hard road to make myself happy. My husband now and daughter (along with my son) are the life I wanted, getting it isn't easy though.

2. Yes, I think Rebecca would have stayed, but she would have been unhappy in the end. A husband who works too much, so ritualistic with his career that she would have been more alone than as a widow. Knowing they are gone is one thing, having a husband around who's never home is worse.

3. When my husband met my family in Georgia he was a little surprised at the calamity having 2 parents, 4 siblings (with spouses) and 11 children all but two under the age of 5...needless to say he found our traditions quirky and maybe a little country at times, but he embraced them instead of trying to change us.

4. I believe Rebecca forgot the life she had hoped for since she felt she was thrown into the one she ended up with. She was left with 4 children at a young age and was so overwhelmed so quickly that I think she forgot what she had wanted. Also, she didn't get to develop those rituals at first because they were already in place, the rhyming toasts was her idea and eventually most ways became Rebecca's way.

5. Will's life was in a tailspin when Rebecca called him again, he was so sad and alone that he wanted to grasp some happiness, his memories of Rebecca if he remembered her as she was, his failure of a life; as he saw it, wouldn't have happened. They were happy and starting out, he wouldn't have ended up alone and unhappy.

6. I do think Zeb was waiting for Rebecca, I think she would have to change how she saw him...because she still sees him as her husband's younger brother and I think he has other ideas. Personally I would love to see them together, I think they would both be happy. Although Rebecca did mention she was the one still in mourning every now and again.

7. My favorite character was Poppy, he was the only really happy one to me. He enjoyed his life and his routines. He of course couldn't remember much of it once it happened, but he was cute and quirky. I loved his birthday speech and how he always loved and missed his wife.

Ok, so there is my opinion; all be it a long one, but my question is:

Do you think there was anything Rebecca could have done differently once she realized she wanted to change how she had ended up?

Back When We Were Grownups....discussion

I finished reading this book yesterday. And while I loved the book, I felt very sad at the end. I could identify with Rebecca, and I felt that the author conveyed very realistic emotions to help me identify with her.

Here are some questions to get the ball rolling. And since I am in charge, most of them are about Rebecca b/c I thought she was a great character.

1. "How on earth did I get like this?" wonders Rebecca at the start of the novel about the person she has become. Have you ever had a moment like this? Did you end up with the life you thought you would have?

2. Do you think that Rebecca would have stayed with Will if she had not met Joe?

3. Tina's visit leads Rebecca to observe her life from the uncomfortable perspective of an outsider. Have you ever had that experience with a guest?

4. Will reminds Rebecca that she wanted a big family with all of its rituals, a fact Rebecca had forgotten about the girl she once was. How could Rebecca have forgotten such an important piece of information about herself?

5. Why is Will so determined to see Rebecca as she is not?

6. Zeb never married. Do you think he has been waiting for Rebecca all these years? What do you think will happen with Rebecca and Zeb? Who will have to make the first move if this relationship is ever to get off the ground?

7. Which is your favorite character in this novel and why?

If anyone else has questions they would like to discuss, feel free.

For Cat... (and any other writers on the blog)

Below is an article from Writers Digest, written - ironically - by Jodi Picoult about how she became a writer. I don't know how many of you like to write, but Cat and I get together once in a while and read eachother's work. We even took an online writing class last fall. Anyway, I liked the article:

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED to be a writer, but I never really thought I'd succeed. Children always have grandiose plans to become astronauts and Major League pitchers and movie stars. But somehow in real life that translates into accountants and stay-at-home moms and sales reps. Still, in the mid-1980s, I struck off for a creative writing program at Princeton University, certain I was going to set the literary world on its ear.

My professor was Mary Morris, an astoundingly fine writer herself. The day my first story was being workshopped, she made me sit on the floor with a glue stick, scissors and construction paper. As the class ripped my masterpiece to shreds, I was to cut and paste together their suggestions. I left the class that day in tears and edited my piece over and over until Mary finally told me to send it to Seventeen magazine. Three months later, an editor left a message on my dorm-room answering machine. They wanted to publish the story. And did I have any more?.....(read more)

http://www.writersdigest.com/articles/picoult_trytryagain.asp

Have you read this author?

So during some down time after finishing our book club book and waiting for Harry Potter, I picked up "Plain Truth," by Jodi Piccoult. I have seen Piccoult's books on many best seller lists, but never read one. I'm just curious who out there is familiear with her? I can't put this one down! Are they all like that? Do tell.

How's the reading?

Hi everyone!

So are you enjoying "Back when we were grownups"? I just finished last night and can't wait to talk about it at the end of the month. Without giving away any plot, I'd like to hear your opinions on the main character - what do you think about Rebecca Davitch?

And here is information on the author:
- Anne Tyler lived in several Quaker communities while growing up. She started writing short stories when she was 7 years old.
- Tyler attended Duke University, where she majored in Russian.
- Most of her novels are set in Baltimore, where she now lives with her family.
- Tyler is known for her keen ear for dialogue and life-like characters which have won critical acclaim.
- Throughout Tyler's novels, characters struggle to negotiate a balance between self-identity and family identity.

Has anyone read any of her other books?

Just for fun

This is really cheesy - so just ignore it if its too much for you to see on our blog. But since I know most of us Harry Potter lovers, I have no shame positng it. There is a "how high is your Harry Potter" IQ test on USA today

I'm about to take it and see how well I really know Harry...

Okay, my predictions for HP7.

Will Harry die?

No, I don't think so. I know the temptation is strong so that JK Rowling won't be harassed to continue the series, but it just doesn't make sense. Does it make sense for another character close to Harry to die....like Dumbledore in HP6? Yes, but Harry himself, no, I don't think so.

Whose side is Snape on? Why?

I think he is actually true to Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore knew that Draco was attempting to kill him the entire year, Snape knew as well b/c he's in the Order and Draco's Head of House. Snape made the unbreakable vow to help Draco fulfill his assignment. Dumbledore knows that sometimes sacrifices have to be made. I think he wanted to prevent his death by convincing Draco to go into hiding, thus freeing Draco and Snape from the murder/vow and thus living. Since it didn't happen, just as Harry was instructed by Dumbledore to do whatever he had to do to have Dumbledore drink the potion in the cave, I think Snape was bound by the same order. Were not Harry and Snape's reactions the same from the cave to the tower?

This is just for fun, but I would like to see Harry and Ginny back together. She's smart and Harry's equal in a lot of ways. They would have cute babies.

Those are the only questions that are burning my brain right now.

I hope Voldemort gets his butt whooped by a 17 year old.

Okay, it's not letting me put a title? Am I retarded or something?

Question: Are you a muggle?

If you know what a muggle is, then you are a Harry Potter fan. If you are a Harry Potter fan, then you are probably dying for July 21 to read the last book. So if you are a Harry Potter fan, please make yourself known so we can have support on this blog to talk about the book once we've read it - which will probably be by July 22, right ;)

So who loves Harry Potter? And what are your predictions for the last book? I'm re-reading book six now to get all refreshed for the grand finale.

And the July book winner is...

Back when we were grownups, by Anne Tyler

Amazon Reveiw... The first sentence of Anne Tyler's 15th novel sounds like something out of a fairy tale: "Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person." Alas, this discovery has less to do with magic than with a late-middle-age crisis, which is visited upon Rebecca Davitch in the opening pages of Back When We Were Grownups. At 53, this perpetually agreeable widow is "wide and soft and dimpled, with two short wings of dry, fair hair flaring almost horizontally from a center part." Given her role as the matriarch of a large family--and the proprietress of a party-and-catering concern, the Open Arms--Rebecca is both personally and professionally inclined toward jollity. But at an engagement bash for one of her multiple stepdaughters, she finds herself questioning everything about her life: "How on earth did I get like this? How? How did I ever become this person who's not really me?"

J'aime Lire Online Book Chat... Mark your calendars to begin discussing this book on Thursday, July 26.

*** Cat - Would you mind leading the discussion, since this book was one of your selection? Thanks for the pick and I am looking forward to reading. I've never read an Anne Tyler book, so this is a first for me.

Melissa's thoughts on Twilight...

Before I fell in love with Edward - and even before I read the first page - "Twilight" had my full attention. As a native of western Washington who spent every spring and summer traveling through the Olympic Pennisula enjoying the cold, sandy beaches, hiking trails and little league baseball seasons (another story for another time) I was thrilled to see someone put Forks on the map.

Stephanie Meyer's descriptions of the forests and weather brought everything back to me - I could close my eyes and see the great northwest. A nice thing for a girl who still gets homesick living in the South. I appreciate Meyer's skill for bringing such a dreary, wet place to life. And I also love her reasoning for setting a modern-day vampire story there.

Now about Bella's choice - "to be or not to be." Don't hate me for what I'm about to say, because I am a big Edward lover. As I read about Bella's teenage turmoil and passion, it reminded me of my own teenage love. When you're in high school you think you know everything - including what true love is. That's why you have second chances, so after you realize you need to change or move on, you can. Bella is too young to choose Edward for eternity. Maybe after a couple books and some more experience I could condone the choice - but not when it is still in the teenage crush stage. I know the relationship is more than a crush for Edward, but he has already had that experience. Now go ahead and argue with me - cause I know you want to disagree ; )

It had me hook, line and sinker....

Joining the ranks of the hopeless romantics before me, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. I couldn't put it down. Anybody with me that we should read New Moon for July's book? ;)

The author's writing style is a major plus to the book. The plot is good, and I love the twists she brings to the vampire myth. It was so easy to read and imagine yourself there. She explains in her FAQs on her website why she never describes Bella. I definitely felt myself in her place, laughing out loud, gasping in certain places and even feeling embarrassed as something she did reminded me of something I had done with a boy before, IE: totally tongue tied and saying stupid things. Oh yes.

I definitely loved reading from Edward's point of view. I really hope that Midnight Sun makes it to the bookshelves. Hopefully it will explain some of Edward's odd behavior. Bella mentions several times that his mood swings were sudden and extreme. I am sure it's b/c Edward, along with his other talents, is very perceptive and can think about a million times faster than we can. But I still want to know where his mind takes him that he gets so grumpy over something seemingly so innocent.

The only thing I found distracting in the book was how often we were told the vampires were beautiful. There was hardly a reference to Edward that didn't include something to tell us how beautiful, scintillating, exquisite, graceful, etc, he was. But maybe I'm just jealous. No, I just looked at a picture of my husband, not jealous. :)

Funny side note: My favorite place to read at my parent's house was on the couch in their living room. I would lay on my back, with a pillow under one side so that I wouldn't be cutting off my circulation and it was just more comfortable with all the back pain I've experienced since being pregnant, and the book would rest on my stomach and knees. Well, every so often, the book would start bouncing, and then it would stop, and then it would start again. It was so funny, b/c you still can't really tell that I am pregnant for how pregnant I am (22 weeks/5 months). So the fact that my little boy is strong enough to bounce the book on my tummy made me laugh. And that was at 19 weeks!

Okay, now to answer Lisa's question: I really want to see Bella changed. Edward has looked/waited for almost a hundred years to find this kind of bond and it would suck to have that for a short blip of time and then eternity without. Not to mention, what if he found someone later, would he feel guilty and then deny himself another chance at happiness? And, not to mention that fact that she's almost been killed how many times, and she was bit by James. It wasn't even Edward's doing and she was almost changed. She has very little family and she understands what she would be signing on for, I think it's her choice. If she wants to, then when the time is right, it should happen.

To turn or not to turn....

I being the romantic that I am really hope Bella changes, so that she and Edward can live together for all eternity. The book is amazing and I am so glad it was suggested. I, like everyone else was sucked into reading and rereading the book to make sure I didn't miss anything from my first speedy go through. It's hard to imagine reading another book next month, because this one has consumed me more than I would have thought. I do agree that the writing style is what draws you in, I found myself getting butterflies in my stomach and having the feelings come up of first, intense love.

Did anyone see the comment from Melissa's friend Stephanie asking to join the book club? It's a comment added after my book suggestions for July.

OK, back to my original thought....I love Edward and find myself caught up in the book easily, there is no way to say my favorite part as of yet. I look forward to hearing other people's point of view as well.

Twilight . . .

Everyone I have talked to, including myself, has been sucked into this book within the first chapter. For me, I feel like Stephenie Meyer's style of writing was what really got me hooked. I felt like I was experiencing all those feelings right along with Bella - the frustration, the "twiterpated" stage of falling in love, and the fear and excitement of discovery as she learned who Edward really was. I would like to know what it was that hooked each of you?

Also, do you think Bella should become a vampire herself? This is a continuing sorce of struggle in the second book, but I still can't decide if I really think it would be best. However, the hopeless romantic side of me wants nothing more than Bella and Edward to spend eternity together, even if it meant they were both vampires. Just something to think about.

PS. And just for fun, here is a version of the first chapter that Stephenie wrote from Edwards perspective - I thought you might enjoy it :), as any extra time with Edward is time well spent.

July book drawing on July 1st

Sounds like we have some good suggestions for this next month. Does anyone else have more to add? Feel free to leave a post with your suggestions or add them as a comment to this post. I'm excited to see what it will be.

Lisa - do you want to start an online discussion for our June book?

July Post

I love these two books (yes two, I'm just going with the flow). They are wonderful books with great explorations of varying emotional extremes....

"The Pilot's Wife"-Anita Shreve

"A Bend in the Road"-Nicholas Sparks

Dinner Party

I thought long and hard about my authors and guest so here goes, just go easy on my since it's my first post...

Authors:

1. Patricia Cornwell
2. Tami Hoag
3. Emily Bronte
4. C.S. Lewis
5. J.R.R. Tolkien

Characters:

1. Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights)

• how could you not want to hear from this man

2. Kay Scarpetta (any Cornwell)

• she is just the most intriguing character, from working with the FBI to the the Chief Medical Examiner, I'd love to hear about different cases she has worked

3. Arwen (The Lord of the Rings)

• choosing to leave her own people to be with her love the future King would entertain any party

4. Hester Pryne (Scarlett Letter)

• the Scarlett S, enough said...

5. Edmond Dante's (The Count of Monte Cristo)

• from being falsely imprisoned, to watching his love married to his best friend and now enemy, to overcoming it all...

July book submission

Thanks for getting us started, Cat! Here is my book submission:

"Mary Modern" by Camille Deangelis

and if we are allowed to have two submissions, here is my second:

"Mutiny on the Bounty: a novel," by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall

Alright - let's fill up that jar with suggestions, so don't be shy. You can post as a comment or post as a normal post. To leave a comment, look below this entry and click on the "Comments" link. To leave a post, log in (if you are a member) and click the "new post" link in the top right corner. If you are not a member, leave a comment that you'd like to join and we'll get it situated.

July Book Submission

Here is my July Book Submission.

Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780345477248&itm=1

My dad also recommended it, said it was really good. Click on the book title and it will take you to a summary and some reviews of the book.

Okay, if we are going to do two:

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780142001806&itm=1

It's an alternate reality type book, kind of like how 1984 by George Orwell with his Big Brother government, or Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury.

Fictional dinner party

Yesterday, I was checking out another book club for more ideas - grand forks anarchist book club - and they had a fun question I thought about all morning:

If you were hosting a dinner party and could invite 5 writers and 5 fiction characters, who would be invited?

Alright, I'll tell you my answers if you promise to leave a comment telling me yours....

5 writers
1. Daphne Du Maurier
2. Alexandre Dumas
3. Samuel Clements
4. Stephanie Kallos
5. Cornelia Funke

5 fiction characters
1. Captain Jack Aubrey
2. Elphaba
3. Elizabeth Bennet - a must at any imaginary dinner party.
4. Albus Dumbledore
5. Miss Marple

Now it's your turn....

June Book

I am so glad that Lisa suggested and insisted (:D) on this book for the month. It was so cheap that I went and bought it to read. I bought it on a Friday afternoon, started it around lunch Saturday, and finished it late Sat night. While I was reading it, some people asked me about what I was reading, and asked to borrow it from me. I was home sick from church on Sunday, so I read it again to make sure I had everything before lending it out and possibly not getting it back before I left back to Savannah.

Yes, I read it twice in two days. Don't judge me.

I've always loved a good vampire story. Most of the ones these days have lots of inappropriate parts (ie:sex) that really turn me off, but it's a clean love story. It shows that you can have romance without sex.

I am excited that the sequel, New Moon, is out already and the final installment, Eclipse, is due out in Aug/Sept this year. I looked it up on the online library here in Raleigh, and both books are all completly checked out of all the libraries in the entire county.

And Edward, the vampire, is a good character. Definitly in the leagues of Mr. Darcy and Gilbert, like Lisa said.

Read it!

Are you in love yet?

So, I have to know if any of you are in love with Edward yet? One of my favorite things about this book is that I fell in love with the main character :). And of course, I am also in love with people like Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables, etc, etc. I just wanted to know if Edward has made it onto your list as well ;).

And here it is . . .

Our book for June is Twilight by Stephanie Meyers, and I am so excited for all of you to read it :)!! It is a romance with a twist - consider this: you fall for a vampire who is especially attracted to the scent of your blood. Intriguing, don't you think?

One of the real things that attracted me to this book in the first place was the story behind it. The author, Stephanie Meyer, is a mom just like me, but had an idea that blossomed into a sereies of really well written, exciting, and fun books. To find out more of the story, go to her website - but be careful not to read too much, because she gives away some of the stuff from the book as she tells her story.

June book choice

Alright, since its already June, we are going to go with a book selection from Lisa this month. Normally, Amber draws from our J'aime Lire book club jar, but since we want to give everyone plenty of time to read, let's go with Lisa's suggestion and plan on having our next drawing July 1.

That means you are welcome to start posting suggestions beginning WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, for July's book. I know that isn't very far, but I leave on the 14 and won't return until July 1 and want to make sure my suggestions get included. Sorry, driven by a selfish motive.

Alright.... Now for the book, I'll turn it over for an introduction by Lisa.

"Mirror, Mirror" Discussion Summary

Great discussion for "Mirror, Mirror," ladies! Thanks for all your great thoughts in the comments of our last post. I think most of us agreed that it wasn't our favorite book and wasn't the best retelling of Snow White, but we enjoyed that the author placed the fairytale in a historical period to show how it could have happened.

If anyone else has any more thoughts on the book, feel free to continue sharing. In the mean time - let's move on to our June book!

Discussion Day!

Here are a few reader discussion questions from Maguire's web site to get us going. I'm only posting a few, but you can read them all at: http://www.gregorymaguire.com/books/mirror_guide.html

Questions for Discussion

1. Maguire has said he doesn't want to be known as the writer who retells children's stories for adults. Is Mirror Mirror a retelling of the story of Snow White, or is it something else? Something more than a fairy tale? Something less?

3. ... What does it do to an old tale to slap it into a particular set of decades -- in the instance of Mirror Mirror, the first three decades of the sixteenth century? Is that story at home here?

11. Who is the fairest one of all?

Discussion Wednesday

Yay! It is almost time for our first meeting and discussion.

If you live in Savannah, we will be meeting at Lisa Brown's home at 7:30 p.m. Bring your thoughts on the book and any little treats you would like to share.

Now, since not everyone lives in Savannah AND this is a BLOG we need to discuss the book online, too. On Wednesday at 12 a.m. the book is open for discussion on J'aime Lire. Just leave a post saying whatever you want. Ask questions, leave comments, seek input, etc... Anyone can leave a comment and ANYONE can POST. That's right POST - just make sure you are a signed up member of the blog. Let me know if you're not, but would like to be. It's super easy to get you going.

Alright, so until Wednesday...

Where are you at?

We have six days until the end of the month. Where are you at in "Mirror Mirror"? I don't have my book by me, so I don't know the exact page number but I am at the part where Biana is taken in by the dwarves.

Without giving anything away, where are you at?


ps - when do you want to choose next months book? Also, I think Amber was talking about having a get together for those of us in Savannah to talk about the book. Amber - do we have a day picked?

Who is your favorite author?

I've got a question for all of you - Who is your favorite author?

A girlfriend at work and I have been discussing that question, and I'd love to hear what everyone else has to say.

"Mirror, Mirror"

All right - here it is! Sorry for the delay in posting...

Our May book will be "Mirror, Mirror" by Gregory Maguire. Maguire is author of the best seller "Wicked," which was made into a Broadway hit. A few of our book club members have read "Wicked" and other Maguire books. The appeal for me is that he takes a classic fairy tale and turns it around - wicked, evil, love, beauty and other virtues are not always what they seem.

If you'd like to purchase the book online, it's listed on Amazon for $10.17 new and $2.45 & up used. I try to go the library route as much as I can, hopefully they have it in.

Now about me posting this so late - I put off posting because I didn't think anyone would notice as we didn't get much input for our drawing. Well, I found out there are several of you lurking in the corners. So I am inviting everyone to introduce themselves - tell us who you are, where your from, and if you'll be joining us this month. I want to hear from all of you lurkers!

May Book

Since Melissa hasn't posted, I'll be the one to share. The book this month is Mirror Mirror, by Gregory Maguire. Let's still shoot for having it read by the 31st... if not, just post your review once you've read it. Have fun!!!

It's May 11th

It's May 11th.

I'll admit I haven't been as attentive as I should have been to the blog, but what up with no book for this month?

I haven't put my 2 books in either, but I figured all the ones from the jar we did in November could still count. The two that I had in mind, I read some reviews on, and have decided that they are either too long or something that I just don't want to read.

SO, while I search for some more books over the next few weeks....what's our May book please?

Book drawing today!

Happy May Day! I walked past a group of school children dancing around a May pole in Calhoun Square this morning. It was decorated with pink ribbon and flowers - like a real May Day pole. I'd love to be outside dancing around with them, instead of sitting in an office. Oh well...

With today being the first, it is the last call to post book suggestions for this month. If you have something to add - which I hope you do - then leave it as a comment to this post. Amber said she will draw for us tonight (yay!) then we can all get reading.

Amber also told me she sent a few more invites out, so welcome to you new and fellow book-lovers. Take a minute to introduce yourself - we would love to hear who you are, what you like to read, your favorite book, and your 2 book suggestions for this month.

Now for some busines: Some of you have asked what our book club name means and how to pronounce it. 'J'aime lire' is french for 'I love to read.' Yes, that is about all the french I remember from my years of study - enough to give us an exotic book club name.

It is pronounced something like this: 'Gem lyre,' (as in the english pronunciation for both those words - 'gem' with a soft 'g' and 'lyre' like the instrument. That is not exact, but close enough. I'm not sure how to explain it in writing any better.

Alright - speak up about what you want to read this month, or forever hold your peace - until June 1st anyway.

It's almost time....

It's almost time for choosing our first book! YAY! Alright, some of you (no names mentioned...) need to give us some book ideas. Here is what we have so far:

- 'I Capture the Castle,' by Dodie Smith
- 'Mutiny on the Bounty,' by Charles Nordhoff.
- 'No Graves as yet,' by Anne Perry
- 'The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel,' by Diane Setterfield

Alright, so let's get some more ideas in our jar. I think we are off to a good start with our book ideas, but we need everyone to participate. So list the two books you want to submit in the comments section.

Also, once you've signed up to join the club, you can post anytime you want to. Feel free to share anything - what you're reading, ideas for how our club could work, favorite authors, etc... Don't let me be the only one talking here, you'll get sick of me pretty fast.

Choosing your book...

Hey all! Thanks for the introductions and hope to hear from the rest of you soon. Feel free to introduce yourself in the comments section, if you havent' already. So I know a few of you are still debating what to add to the book club jar. Never fear - here are some websites to help:

Book Lust
booklust.wetpaint.com
The world's most famous librarian - Nancy Pearl - started a site to not only list books she recommends for clubs, but lets others post what they recommend.

NY Times
www.nytimes.com/pages/books
Check out the book section. They list bestsellers and staff reviews for whatever is hot off the press.

Barnes and Noble
www.barnesandnoble.com/
Go to the index on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down until you see the "Special Features" header. There are several helpful links under that - Book clubs, great new writers, new releases, etc...

Amazon User Book Lists
www.amazon.com
Okay, I'm not sure if they have a directory of lists, but I do know you can bring up a book you like on the website. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page, where it should show a link to any lists other people who liked that book placed it on. Say for example, that I look up "Pride and Prejudice" At the bottom of the page are lists titled: "fav fab books" or "Books to cozy up with on a rainy day " amonst others. I can click on those lists and see what other books someone else who likes Pride and Prejudice recommends.

Welcome to J’aime Lire

Welcome to J’aime Lire – our new online book club!

If you love to read or want to love to read and are connected to the Internet – join the book club! Just send me an email with your email address and I'll send you the link to become a contributor.

Since we srated back in 2007, we have read quite a few books, which you can see in the sidebar.

We take turns hosting the discussion each month, and whoever is in charge of the discussion chooses the book. Usually we try to have the discussion the last week of each month.

For now, let’s start with introductions. Just post your answers as a comment:
- Who are you?
- Where are you?
- What do you enjoy reading?
- What are a few of your all-time favorite books?
- Tell us any of the books on our list you may have read.

We are excited to have you!

Online book club coming soon... First month's book announced by Friday.