Usually a library fan, however...

I need to vent and this seems like the appropriate place, as I'm sure you fellow book lovers will relate.

Normally, I love the library - I go for fun and enjoy finding new treasures. I also love to put things on hold or grab the latest recommendation from a friend on Good Reads.

For the past few years, I've lived in areas with wonderful libraries. It has never been a problem to get a book. I am now living in a town in eastern Idaho where I assumed the library system would be just as convenient and book-lover friendly. Not at all.

For a town with the slogan "America's Family Community" their library system needs some serious work. Here has been my experience - I want to read a book. I try to check it out - never can get it the day of as it is always checked out. So I put it on hold. Already three holds. WHY? Because the entire Library district only owns one copy of every book.

Don't get me wrong - I am lucky to live in a place with a library. It just amazes me that for classics and popular books you have to wait two-three months to read it. And with the library fines around here, you think they could do better.

Anyway, that is my vent. That is also my reason for taking forever to read book club books. I am just now reading Christy - only two months later.

FINALLY - Three Cups of Tea discussion

Please share your answers in the comment section. And please respond to others answers.

Questions
1. Please share what you learned from Greg Mortenson's experience.

2. What did you think of how the story was told? And what was your favorite part?

3. How has the sacrifice of Korphe and other villages made you reflect on your own education?

My Answers:
1. I'll be honest - I"m STILL not done, but a little past halfway. Although, you only have to read the first couple chapters before you are awed by Greg Mortenson. So far, it has made me think more about how I can help those around me. Also, I think Greg is a great example of learning others culture and not imposing your culture and belief system. It also amazes me how passionate he became about building the schools. Would I be willing to live out of my car in Berkley? I'm not so sure...

2. The story telling was a little slow, but I think that is because the author wanted his readers to understand the beauty of the region, their pace of life, and all the trials Mortenson endured. That being said, the pace is a struggle for me to get through, but I love reading about a part of the world I know little about. I've never thought much about K2, but the authors use of Mortenson and others experiences to paint a visual picture makes me want to go there! Crazy, I know!

And my favorite part (so far) is when Haj Ali gives up 12 rams (or half of Korphe's income) to the bully Haj in order to keep the school. He was so wise! It really shows that it isn't your formal education that makes a person wise, rather how they respond to life's challenges.

3. I totally take my education for granted! All my life I have, and I probably still do. Yet now I'm more grateful for our public school system, my teachers and the effort of my parents to make sure my siblings and I attended college.

What do you have to say?? I promise I'll read and comment back.

Three cups of Tea discussion

Honestly.... I'm not done yet!

So if you don't mind, I'd like to postpone our discussion until May 14. And then if there is anyone else who is a little behind, we can all have more time.

In the mean time, let's also start on our May book. I'm so excited to read it! Once again, not in my library so I have to do some hunting, but it sounds good enough to motivate me.

Where are you in "Three Cups of Tea?" I'm about 1oo pages into it. The main guy just returned to the USA to raise money for the bridge.

sleepy slurp

April's book: Three Cups of Tea

The book for April is Three cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I've had several friends read this book and come back with raving reviews. It is a true story about an American establishing schools to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Review on Amazon:
From Publishers Weekly
"Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts."

Stay tuned for our book discussion at the end of the month. Happy Reading!

Current Book Schedule:
May
"The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Society," by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
(h0sted by Lisa)

June
the Sunflower by Richard Paul Evens
(hosted by Jessie)

July
"(___Telling us next week____)"
(Hosted by Michelle)

August
Need a volunteer

September
Need a volunteer

Bizzzness

It's time for some bizzzness, ladies. For some reason, this picture seemed appropriate... Don't ask.

Christy discussion
Before we move on, please don't forget to post about Christy. I'm still waiting for my copy to come in at the library! SO LAME! I had this problem last month, too. Because I can see this becoming a regular problem for me and my little library branch, I'd like to request that we build a six month schedule.

6 month schedule
To build our schedule, please post what month you would like and what book you will choose. I know it is hard to choose books in advance, but it would be helpful for those of us who need to order from Amazon or have a huge lead time for their pokey little library.

You are welcome to speak up for months beyond our 6 month range and choose a book when we get closer.

New Members
Lisa gave me a list of her friends and their emails to add to our blog. If you would like to do the same thing, feel free to email me. We love new members! If you are a new member, we want to know who you are.
Please leave a comment telling us: a. your name, b. whereabouts your from, c. how you found us, d. what you are currently reading and e. what type of books you enjoy.

New Poll
There is a new poll question for you in the right hand corner.

extra challenge!

Hey, not that there is a lot of extra time in a day, but I thought it would be fun to compare two books by the same author with a similar storyline. Robin McKinley has written two books following the storyline of Beauty and the Beast. Beauty is one of my all time favorite books and the second, I just found this week at the library. Rose Daughter, I thought was a sequel to Beauty, but it's not. It's another version and I thought it would be a fun challenge to read both versions and see what your thoughts were on the two. It's not an official book group book, just a side challenge for anyone interested.

questions for Chisty

OK Ladies, I'm due anyday and bored so here's to boredom.

I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of the pioneer lifestyle anyway and love the reality that this book gives to that. I love that Christy feels like she is going back in time and through the experience opens her eyes to see not only the reality, but the beauty. I love the growth and personal development.

1. Which character did you find yourself drawn to?

2. Which character transformation did you enjoy most?

3. What theme struck you most?

4. Ask any question or comment as you wish!

5. Did you agree with the twist in the end?

I'll put my comments in the comment spot so I don't ruin the story for anyone eles?

A book club post for your kiddies

My cousin's wife has this adorable blog - Sarah Jane, Illustrating Childhood - where she shares her art and lots of fun ideas for kids. Her latest post featured a web site where you can actually download old record books. Do you remember listening to book on record as a child? I loved following along to my Disney story books. Sleeping Beauty and Snow White were always my favorite.

I love that someone has taken the time to make so many children stories available online. The site is called Kiddie Records

Check it out! I know it is one I will bookmark.

Oo La la!

Everyone thank Lisa for our chic new look. I love it! Thanks so much for taking the time.

I'm still working on getting Christy from the library, but I hope the rest of you are enjoying reading it now.

Does anyone have any friends they would like to join the book club? Just email me their email address and I can send an invite. If you don't have my email, just leave a comment.

Thanks again, Lisa!