Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of The Giant's House by Elizabeth McCracken

The group had a controversial discussion of The Giant's House. Most people disliked the book. One person did not like the idea that a 30 year old woman, Peggy Cort the town librarian on a village on Cape Cod, falling in love with an 11 year old, James, who became the tallest man in the world. She said if Peggy were a man she would be a pedophile. (However, she never acted sexually towards James until he was of age). She found nothing to aspire to in the character. Another member had an opposing viewpoint. She said it made her think of the relationships between families, and she thought Peggy's friendship with him was commendable. She showed no prejudice to him, as being the tallest man in the world. Later she said that James had a lot of things he would not have had because of Peggy. She gave him his emotions of love. One person said she enjoyed the book but didn't like the characters. She couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. One person thought Peggy's friendship with James became an obsession. The question was asked if James loved Peggy. Most thought he did not. Some thought Peggy did not love James, but she loved being part of James' family. After James died, people wanted to know why Peggy slept with James' father (who had left James and James' mother) after James died. Someone thought since James was dead, it was the only way she could get a piece of James since James was unable to have sexual intercourse due to his condition. She ended up pregnant, and claimed the child was James' child. Some thought Peggy fell in love with people only when she was not going to get it reciprocated. Others thought James gave meaning , companionship, and a purpose of living to Peggy's life. Someone argued that many relationships are based on need. One person thought James thirst for knowledge drew her to him. James, the tallest man in the world, was an interesting character. He loved people, even though they came to gawk at him. He took every body's ridicule. He grew up with a sadness. He knew he was dying. He worried about his bones being dug up and boiled. He liked magic so much, someone said, because he hoped he could change himself. Overall an interesting discussion.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The group had an interesting discussion of The Glass Castle. Most people enjoyed the book, even though the subject matter was difficult. Jeannette Walls told what iit was like growing up in a dysfunctional family. She and her brother and sisters often did not have enough to eat, didn't have clean, warm clothing, didn't even have a toilet, bathroom, or running water. The father was an a bright man but an alcoholic and the mother had some form of untreated mental illness. One member whose personal background was that of a teacher said the more she read the book, the angrier she got that these children lived like this and others continue to live like this. Nothing has changed. Despite the children's circumstances, most turned out well, with the exception of the youngest, Maureen. Although there was contempt for the parents, especially the father, there was also love. When he couldn't afford to give the children Christmas presents, he gave them each a star, or in the case of Jeannette the planet Venus. Also the father educated the children on lots of different things. They did well in school. Social Services came once, but the children saw to it that they did not come again; they did not want to be split up. Some thought the mother did not love the children, that she was self-absorbed. They felt the father, when he was sober, did love his children. What is remarkable is that the children did love their parents. However, they all left when each was around 17 or 18, to move to New York City. They did well because they were educated and street smart. The parents followed them and became homeless. A member thought the author was a snob in not wanting people to know her mother was homeless. Some thought the book was sad and depressing and depicted child abuse and neglect; there was no happiness in the book. Others thought there was happiness in the book. All agreed that the children were survivors, and the story was cathartic for the author.

New Books Added in October

Here are the New Books added to our collection in October: Adult, Children's, Teens.