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!