Agawam Pageturner's Book Club's Discussion of People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

The group had a lively discussion about People of the Book. Some liked and some did not like the book. Some people liked the aspect of all these different people preserving a Jewish illustrated Haggadah from 1480 to the present day. Others enjoyed the characters and learning something they didn't know much about. Some did not like going back and forth from the present to the past, and some did not like the present conservator's life, with exceptional parents and her complicated life style. Some thought it was cliched. Others enjoyed going back and forth and learning how the conservator pieced together the history of the book. One person said once you found out, you didn't care. Others found the book disappointing. They didn't finish it and found it too difficult to understand. Others liked learning about the Spanish Inquisition, and pointed out how applicable that still is today. It was a very lively discussion with varying opinions.

Night Bookers' Book Club's Discussion of Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind by Ann B. Ross

The group had a fun discussion about Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. Most people found it comical, a farce. Some people though she used hyperbole in exaggerating the preacher who was trying to have Miss Julia declared incompetent so he could get at her money. One person didn't like the way the church was portrayed. Another funny scene for the group was when Miss Julia, Lillian and Hazel drove out of the television station parking lot, taking back little Lloyd, the end result of affair Hazel Marie had Miss Julia's husband. Another funny episode was when Miss Julia thought she was a nymphomaniac. People laughed a lot when reading the book. Even though the book was light, it presented some serious topics. Miss Julia had no idea her husband was having affair until after her husband died. Her husband controlled all her affairs and metaphorically kept her in a box. He told her she was incapable of doing most things. People enjoyed the development of Miss Julia as her own person throughout the book. At first she hated the boy and what he stood for. She worried about what the neighbors would think. So, at first she took the boy into town to publicly humiliate her husband. One of the few connections Julia had before her husband died was with her friend and maid Lillian. At the end of the book, she ended up becoming friends with her husband's mistress, Hazel Marie. Hazel Marie was needy and Julia needed somebody to take care of. Her husband never took care of her. Hazel Marie was portrayed as a victim, not an evil mistress. When a new will leaves everything to little Lloyd, Hazel offers to take in Julia. It was very touching. People in the club despised her husband, calling him a hypocrite, although one person wondered what was Lloyd (senior) lacking? Another said that he did love his son and have a relationship with him, and that probably Hazel Marie loved Lloyd Senior, too. At the end of the book, Miss Julia has everything she ever wanted, a home (in North Carolina no matter what the will says the spouse always gets half), a new man who really loved her (Sam), a family, and a new self. Everybody enjoyed the book.

New Books Added in November

Here are the book's added in November: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird

The group had an interesting discussion about To Kill a Mockingbird. First, they discussed the controversy of the use of the "N" word in the book. Most people thought they were taking the word out of context of the book and the times the book was written. One another note one woman said she had read the book before and hadn't understood the big deal about the book. Now, the second time around, she loved the book. People agreed that this book needs to be read more than once to get everything out of it. Some thought books like these are wasted on kids. People though it was clever how the author captured seeing things from Scout's, a child's, point of view. People like the character Atticus who was a single parent with an open line of communication with his children. One woman remembered discussing this book in high school, and there was a lot of prejudice outside the classroom. Another woman had lived in Georgia and had seen first hand the discriminatory attitude toward African Americans. The group also discussed besides racial issues that there were class issues, and issues in confronting the neighbors. Atticus goes against his neighbors by defending Tom Robinson, an African-American accused of raping Mayella. (Even though Tom Robinson is innocent, he is found guilty, which surprised many in the group. Because he was found guilty it meant death by capital punishment for Tom). One woman felt sorry for Mayella because she was sexually abused by her father, but she couldn't tell anybody because she was a poor woman. The group found it interesting that it was worse to be raped by an African American than a white man. People also thought it was interesting that the strongest woman character was Calpurnia, the African American maid of Atticus. People spent some time how race and class are still issues today. Some saw hope that race would be less of an issue today with all the interracial marriage. People also brought up some of the animosity has shifted to new groups Latinos and people from India/Pakistan. The group talked about Scout's friend Dill who had no real home, and spent time visiting his relatives. His character based on the childhood of Truman Capote. One woman said she had seen children like Dill who had no real home, and he reminded her of children who had no home and who had been abused and taken advantage of. The group concluded that we haven't moved on from the issues of race, class, and capital punishment brought out in the book.

New Books Added in October

Here are the books added in October: Adult, Children's, Young Adult.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

The group had a lively discussion about Three Cups of Tea. Some people loved the book; they couldn't put it down, and one person read the sequel, Stones into Schools. Other people had a hard time getting into it, and some skipped pages. The book tells the inspirational story of Greg Mortenson who is building schools (especially for girls) in Pakistan and Afghanistan, a dangerous mission. There was some discussion whether Greg is too naive to think he can change things with his schools in the midst of the violent Taliban. But, one person said, you must try to fight evil, and do good, even if you might fail. Everyone felt Greg is sincere in his work. Not only does he bring schools, he brings clean water, bridges, antibiotics, etc. Many thought his dedication came from growing up in a missionary family in Africa. People also thought Greg is successful because he respects the culture. Even then, he was kidnapped for eight days, and could not communicate with anybody. Everyone though that passage was a beautiful piece of writing. People also gave credit to his wife Tara for supporting him in his mission, even though it means him being away from his family for many months. Someone brought up the idea if there are people in our own lives like Greg who are not famous. One woman brought up her father, who was a pharmacist in the poorest section of Hartford. He brought medical care to them, and was affectionately known as Dr. G. Others said there are people in your life who do help you, or unknown heroes. A very thought provoking discussion.

Night Booker's Book Club Discussion of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

The group had a lively discussion about The Lace Reader. Most of the group did not get the clues the author laid out that pointed to the fact that "Lyndley," the twin sister of Towner who died when she was a teenager, was actually a split personality of Towner. Towner's twin sister died at their birth, and her twin sister's name was Lyndsey. Towner had a mental breakdown because her mother was physically abused by her father Cal, and Towner was sexually abused by him. The group spent most of the time going over the clues in hindsight that led to the conclusion of the book. One person was not surprised by the ending because in the beginning of the book Towner says she is a liar. Also, she was not surprised with Towner's mental illness, because so many people suffer with some form of mental illness. Towner had a brief relationship with Rafferty the cop. Someone said they were both damaged people; Rafferty is an recovering alcoholic. They were both vulnerable which is why they gravitated to one another. However, most people did not feel any real love between them, even though they did like Rafferty. People also talked about Cal, the abuser who was a yacht captain and then became a leader of a cult. The group thought Eva, Towner's grandmother committed suicide by swimming, but that her intent was to pin it on to Cal. The group talked about lace reading; each chapter was headed with explanation on lace reading. May, Towner's aunt, made lace with domestic violence victims.
Overall, an interesting discussion.

New Books Purchased in September

Here are the books the library purchased in September: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

The group had an interesting discussion about The Lace Reader. Some people in the group liked the book, while others did not like it. Those who did not like it complained that they had too hard a time keeping track where the characters were. Another complaint was the book was slowly building and then all the blocks came tumbling out at once at the end. One person said the book showed talent, but it seemed the author was in a hurry to finish it. Some said it read like a movie. Another complaint was the religious stereotypes of the fundamentalists in the book. People who enjoyed the book said it was a fun read, and that there the author gave subtle clues in the book to what was going to happen in the end. The big surprise for some readers was that Sophya aka as Towner never had a twin sister Lyndley that grew up with her. Lyndsey, her twin sister's correct name, died at birth. Lyndley was a split personality of Towner from the trauma she experienced as a child. She saw her mother beaten by her father, and she was sexually abused by her father, Cal. Towner meets a police detective Rafferty in the novel. One person said they were both walking wounded, which is why they would not be good for each other. Rafferty was a recovering alcoholic. Another said he was caring and protective of Towner. One person said he was as needy as Towner was weak. Some people thought Towner suffered from survivor's guilt from her baby twin sister's death. However, when Angela gave birth to her and Cal's baby, she named it Lyndsey, and seemed to Towner that Lyndsey finally had her chance to live. A very interesting discussion enjoyed by all.

Night Bookers Book Club Discussion of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

The group had a lively discussion about the book. Some people liked it very much. They enjoyed the mystery and the going back and forth from the present time to the Salem Witch Trials time. Also, one person stated she believed some people can do more with their senses, like Connie, Grace, Sophia, and Deliverance. Several people did not like the demise of the professor. They though he was a cliche, a too obvious villain. One person expected to feel more when the novel was set in Salem. Others thought the Salem setting was the best and the rest of the novel cliche. Many people did not believe Connie had the powers to make a plant come to life or heal her boyfriend, Sam. Some wondered if the author was making fun of witchcraft. Others thought they had no problems with Connie creating witchcraft; they had a problem that it worked. Others said they accepted the witchcraft as just part of the story and did not analyze whether it could be true or factual. Another woman said that there are miracles in the New Testament, so therefore why couldn't the things that happened in this book happen too. Another person said she read the witchcraft as part of the story. She didn't analyze whether it was true or factual. People were impressed with the descriptions in the book. People felt they were really in Salem at the Witch Trials, or in the jail with the "witches." Some people liked Connie's mother Grace immediately; others had to warm to her. Some never did. They thought there was a role reversal between mother and daughter, and that the mother gave the daughter a great burden in cleaning out a house the mother owned. It was a great book for discussion.

New Books Added in August.

Here are the new books added in August: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of Time Is a River by Mary Alice Monroe

The group had an interesting discussion about Time Is a River. Most of the group loved the book. One woman said she especially loved the writing in the book; she felt she was right on the water. The story is about Mia, a breast cancer survivor, who stays in a cabin in North Carolina for the summer after her husband's infidelity. The cabin belongs to Belle Carson, Mia's fly fishing instructor and the granddaughter of Kate Watkins, a great fly fisherwoman accused of killing her lover. Mia uses her time to paint, fly fish, and solve the mystery about Kate Watkins. The cabin Mia is staying at originally was that of Kate Watkins. The only part of the book that people disagreed about was Mia's involvement with Stuart. Some that it was contrived. Others thought it was necessary for Mia to learn how to love again after her betrayal by her husband. Overall, a very enjoyable read.

Night Bookers Book Club Discussion of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

The group had an interesting discussion about the book. Some people enjoyed the story of two women friends in nineteenth century China. One woman commented that she and her friend had a misunderstanding like Snow Flower and Lily, and did not talk for several years. However, they reconciled. Snow Flower and Lily do not, even though Lily does go to care for Snow Flower when Snow Flower is dying. Others found some aspects of the culture disturbing, such as the mothers subjecting their daughters to the severe pain of foot binding. Also, some found disturbing Snow Flower's husband beating her. People found it interesting that the highest position a woman could have was to become the oldest mother of sons in a household. People wondered why Snow Flower's daughter committed suicide the day after she got married. Some thought she saw her mother being beaten by her mother, and she saw her mother rejected by her best friend. People spent a lot of time talking about Lily. They talked about Lily's relationship with her mother. The mother showed no emotion to Lily, so Lily assumed her mother didn't love her. So, instead she turned to Snow Flower. However, because she was starved for her mother's love, it made it easy misread the fan and to think Snow Flower had betrayed her with other sworn sisters (Snow Flower hadn't). Others thought Lily was just selfish. Others thought Lily changed when she found out Snow Flower lied about her family background. Others thought Lily cared to much for rules an appearances and not enough about Snow Flower's feelings. Despite these conflicts and the suffering, the women do persevere in the book. The secret writing of the women, nu shu, was interesting. People talked about the character Madame Wang, the matchmaker. Although she was a widow woman, she had power, position, money, and freedom. She was a wheeler and dealer. She brought Lily and Snow Flower together to have a laotong relationship, a relationship closer than a man and wife. One of the members is an antique dealer and she brought in shoes the girls probably wore on their bound feet. Overall, a lively discussion.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

The group had an interesting discussion about the book. Some liked it. Some liked it, but did not love it. Some disliked the book. Some read it for the geography of Salem and Marblehead Massachusetts. The book goes back and forth from the present to the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Connie goes to Marblehead to clean out her grandmother's house. She goes on a quest to find the book of Deliverance Dane. Deliverance was her ancestor, who was convicted of being a witch. The group discussed possibilities for the Salem Witch Trials: the young girl accusers eating moldy bread that caused them to hallucinate; mass hysteria; mentality of a religion of restrictions. A lot of the discussion was spent talking about personal experiences with magic. Magic takes place in the book in the present and during the Salem Witch Trials. The magic that Deliverance Dane had was passed down through the generations to even Connie's grandmother, mother, and even Connie, a Harvard PhD. candidate. Someone said there are elements of magic and mysticism in every religion. Another person said she was too rationale for all that type of talk. The group also talked about how the "witches" used herbs and practical common sense for treating the body. Chilton Manning, Connie's PhD. adviser was also discussed. He became obsessed with finding the philosopher's stone, and he thought Connie's book would have the information. Someone pointed out that he is what is wrong with Old Boston. A very lively discussion.

New Books Added in July

These are the new books added to the collection in July: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of Law of Similars by Chirs Bohjalian

The group had a lively discussion about Law of Similars. One person thought Leland had a moral dilemma. Others thought he had no moral dilemma; he was self-absorbed, sleazy, and just being selfish. Leland, a prosecuting attorney decided to help destroy and doctor up notes for Carissa, a homeopath that he was seeing. She claimed she told a patient, Richard, to eat cashews as a joke, even though she knew the patient was allergic. The patient took her at her word and died, leaving the possibility for a criminal charges or a civil suit. However, Leland took care of her notes so well that no case could be brought against her. Some thought Leland ruined her anyhow. She made a financial settlement to the patient's family, and left the country. Some people did not like that they already knew the ending by the beginning of the book. The author said the book was about forgiveness. Leland had no trouble forgiving himself, but Carissa could not forgive herself. She forgave Leland by writing to him a few times. Jennifer, the wife of Richard, forgave Carissa, but did not forgive Leland. Leland initially let Jennifer talk to him, even though she did not know he was involved with Carissa. Not only was Leland a lover, he was also a patient, and a desperate one, like Richard. Leland stole homeopathic medicine from Carissa and tried to self-medicate with bad results. Some people questioned how quickly Leland "fell in love" with Carissa, almost instantly. He was a young widower with a daughter. Some questioned whether love a first sight happens, or just attraction at first sight. The group also questioned if the author was criticizing the homeopathic profession. Other people liked the book because it was easy to follow, had good scenery, was set in a contemporary setting. A great discussion.

New Books Purchased in June

Here are the books purchased for June: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

The group had an enjoyable discussion about the book The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Everyone liked the book, with only one person saying she liked the book but felt the ending was a little too contrived. The book is set on the Island of Guernsey right after World War II. The island, which belongs to England, was invaded and occupied by the Germans. The story told the sufferings the people endured during that time. During that time, the group formed a society for the discussion of books. It was formed in an instant by Elizabeth to cover up that the Islanders had been eating a pig! One member presented a book for an evening. The format of the book is unique. It is written completely in the form of letters. Although members of the group at first had a hard time getting used it, ultimately they enjoyed it. They found they learned more about the characters in this format, and in letters more is said than in verbal conversation. The characters came to life. The group discussed some of the difficulties the Islanders faced. One was the Tots, or the slave labor the Germans brought in. The Tots were not given anything to eat, so they had to forage at night. However, at the same time, the Islanders were starving and had to defend their food. One women commented on the difficulty of making that choice. Someone brought up the statement which one of the Islanders made: "reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones." The entire group disagreed with that statement. One woman said that "every so often you need to read fluff." The group talked about Elizabeth's heroics on the island which sent her to a concentration camp, and her continued heroics at the camp. Someone thought it was wrong for her to be heroic when she had a child on the Island. Others thought you don't know what you will do unless you are in that situation. Another person said sometimes you need the courage to know there are some things you cannot change. The group also talked about Juliet, an author from London, who became involved with the Islanders, and had her life changed by them. Overall a delightful read.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of The Red Tent by Antia Diamant

The group had a lively discussion about The Red Tent. The Red Tent is set in biblical times, and it gives a fictionalized account of the life of Dinah and her relatives. Dinah is the daughter of Jacob and Leah in the Bible. Most people liked the book. One of the things they liked was the way she wrote about womanhood, and her perspectives of her four mothers (Jacob had four wives) and the other women she came into contact with. People admired Dinah's deep resiliency, for she suffered much. Some did not like the amount of sex in the book and some found the ceremony of the women opening the womb when Dinah first menstruated disturbing. People found it interesting that we here Dinah's version of events of what happened to her in the Bible. According to the Bible she was raped. Dinah in the book explains the relationship she had was consensual, and she felt her life ruined after her brothers killed her husband. People like the way author described everyday life: the making of the bread, wool, and beer. The "red tent" is where the women went went they were all menstruating, and it was great time for camaraderie, and strengthened the bonds they had with each other. One woman said women have lost that camaraderie, and another said that is what book clubs are for! The group discussed how Dinah cut herself off in Egypt. She went there with her mother-in-law after Dinah's husband was murdered. She bore his son, but this was taken by her mother-in-law. People were happy she found a second husband, Benia, and found happiness again. A great discussion about an interesting and fascinating book.

New Books Purchased in May

Here are the new books purchased in May: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

The group had a controversial discussion about The Secret Scripture. Some liked the book, while others disliked it. Some found it too depressing. The book tells the story of Roseanne McNulty who is sent to an insane asylum in Ireland in the 1940's. She was sent there by Father Gaunt, who earlier had already accused her of being a nymphomaniac. He finally decided to send her when she had a child out of wedlock. At about the age of 100, Rosanne decides to write her life history, for her own peace of mind. This is during the same time that the asylum is going to close, and Dr. Grene, the psychiatrist, is trying to determine if she should be sent to another asylum or set free. Some people felt the story was a mystery, trying to find out what happened to Rosanne's son who was taken from her and sent to an orphanage. Some people liked the poetic style of writing. There was a debate going on whether Rosanne was really altogether there or marginalized. Someone claimed her bad choices showed there was something wrong with her mentally. Others thought she just made bad choices like all human beings do. Most people thought the priest, Father Gaunt, had it in for her and her family, and that the priest was evil. She was committed unjustly. One person brought out that this happened even in the United States, even in Belcherton, Massachusetts. Someone brought up the question if Rosanne's story is tragic or triumphant. Some people thought tragic; others thought triumphant. Everyone thought she was a survivor. Overall, a great book for lively discussion.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

The group had a fun discussion about Bill Bryson's book A Walk in the Woods, which describes his experience in hiking different sections of the Appalachian Trail. Bill Bryson is a great humorist, and he had an amusing walking companion, Stephen Katz. Most women enjoyed the book. One woman said her husband had already read the book, and that he wants to re-read it. One woman had read it before when her stepson hiked the trail. She liked it even more the second time around. Someone commented that a lot of men they knew had already read the book. One person said she became bored when he digressed and talked about plant life, etc. She wanted to get back to the hiking. When Bryson hiked alone for a while, without Katz, people agreed the book slowed down. Katz is an out of shape recovering alcoholic, who is very funny, funnier than Bryson. One of the members of the group has hiked the Appalachian Trail in New England and parts of Georgia. She said the book was true to her experience, even down to shelters, (open on one side). The group thought that Bryson is an environmentalist. There was some criticism of him and Katz, too. They thought sometimes Bryson was too insulting and put people into boxes. They thought he was very harsh on the people who run the National Parks. They questioned if it was right for Katz to steal the Ralph Loren shoelaces from a group that treated them badly on the trail. The group overall thought what happened in the book was true, although it may have been embellished. Overall, a very enjoyable discussion.

New Books Purchased in April

Here are the new books purchased in April: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird

The group had a controversial discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird. Some people loved the book, and thought Atticus was a hero. One person discussed it with her granddaughter, who was reading it the same time she was. One person had a hard time getting through it. She then watched the movie and understood it better. Others thought Atticus was a reluctant hero, or not a hero at all. In the book, set in the 1930's Alabama, Atticus defends an African American, Tom Robinson, accused of raping a white woman. Some thought Atticus defended him to the best of his ability. Others thought the defense he gave was not enough, and the portrayal of African Americans in the novel was poor. One person said, "what would it be like to be black and read this book?" One person thought the book was a morality play. The group also discussed Scout, the daughter of Atticus, and the narrator of the book. People did like that Atticus explained everything to his children. People thought Scout was mature for her age. (She is between the ages of 6-8 throughout the book). Jem, her brother ran free, probably because he lost his mother at a young age. Scout lost her mother, too, but she had Calpurnia, the African American housekeeper, who mothered her. Overall, a very lively discussion.

New Books Purchased in March

Here are the new books purchased in March: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

The group was divided on their impressions of the Poisonwood Bible. Some loved the book, while others disliked it. Some of the people who disliked the book found it too, wordy, and some were unable to finish it. People who liked the book liked the characters and description of life in Africa, as well as the African people. The book is set in 1959 Congo (later renamed Zaire), and tells the story of an American Baptist missionary family, a father, mother, and their four daughters, Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May. People liked the development of the mother and daughters and their voices. The father is not given a voice. Everybody disliked the father for his arrogance, his abusive treatment of his children and wife, and his mission to convert the African people. The father held back baptizing his own child Ruth May, because he wanted her baptized with the African children. He cannot deal with the fact later on when his own child dies unbaptized when she is killed by a snake. The group believed the father was doomed to failure because of his own ego. One person suggested he was a representation of the United States. People felt sorry for the mother. She raising these four daughters with no help from an abusive husband. When the person who helped her around her hut quit, she tried to cook and provide for her family, much more difficult in Africa than in the United States. Someone loved Barbara Kingsolver's style as a writer. Someone else thought some of the writing in the book was beautiful. An example is the scene where Ruth May died and the mother washed the body; Ruth May's sister Rachel has a flashback when her mother washed Ruth May as a baby. The group thought one of the purposes of the book was to expose the harm the United States has had on Africa, politically, socially, and economically. Also, how the U. S. tries to change this area, it does not change what is going on at a local, village level. A very lively, thought provoking discussion.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Uncommon Reader

The group had an enjoyable discussion of The Uncommon Reader, the book about the Queen of England discovering the pleasures of reading. Everyone loved the book. The first person wished she wrote down all the books the Queen was reading. Another person commented how people assume things about you when you change something about yourself. The staff at Buckingham Palace thought the Queen was showing signs of Alzheimer's disease because of her lack of interest in things before such as meticulous appearance and dress. They had been replaced by her interest in reading. One person laughed that even the dogs were jealous of the Queen's reading. After all, she said, reading is a selfish pleasure. Another person commented that she thought the title should have been the Queen's metamorphosis. One person observed that this book explains why people read, and the benefits of reading. Another person commented that the Queen the more the Queen read the more human she became, more common. Someone observed what the real Queen thinks about this fictionalized account of the Queen's life. One person said that writing makes you aware of how words should go together. Another person stated that the Queen slowly changed with books. One person it took her a while to realize the book was humorous and that the author created a caricature of the Queen. Everyone felt the Queen was insular and mechanical before she started reading books. There was a long, controversial discussion about a scene on eavesdropping on the Queen and whether this is ever appropriate or not. There was no resolution to this discussion. On another note, people commented on the real Queen and indicated that they felt sorry for her in her isolation. Going back to discussing the book, no one in the group predicated the surprise ending (which shall remain a surprise for those who want to read the book)! It was a very lively, interesting discussion.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of Kabul Beauty School

The group had a lively discussion about Kabul Beauty School. It is a true story of an American woman who goes to Afghanistan to found a beauty school, so the Afghani women might learn a trade and have a means of support. Some people were impressed with Deborah, saying she did not give weighty analysis to her proposition. She just went over the pass and did it. Some called her Crazy Deb and a dingbat. Some wondered if she was going over there for altruistic reasons or to escape her own life. Some called her flighty, especially marrying an Afghani man after twenty days and not realizing he already had one wife. The group also pointed out that she was careless in the market place, and with her dangerous neighbors. She put other people in jeopardy. Another women pointed out what was going to happen to the bride that was not a virgin that she wrote about. She did help the bride hide this fact from her family and her husband, but one member was concerned since this book has been published, couldn't the bride somehow be found out, and her life jeopardized? The positive thing people felt about Deborah was that she planted a seed of equality for women in Afghanistan. The women who graduated from the beauty school were able to give money to their husbands, in a way that did not diminish their husbands self-esteem. Everyone in the group was grateful that they live in the United States and not Afghanistan. Overall a thought provoking discussion.

New Books Purchased in February

Here are the books the library purchased in February: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of My Antonia by Willa Cather

The group had an interesting discussion of My Antonia. The leader of the group enjoyed the book, especially the descriptions of the Nebraska scenery in the late 1800s, and the strong character of Antonia. Some couldn't put it down. Others thought it was difficult to get into, and that it dragged. Everyone loved Antonia and the other strong women in the book, Lena and Tiny, who were successful in San Francisco. The group thought Jim, the narrator of the book, was always in love with Antonia. Some thought the woman he chose to be his wife was like Antonia, her own person. Some thought Jim made a poor choice in choosing his wife. Some people thought the book was a slice of American history, and that Willa Cather was a good writer because she wrote what she knew about. Someone commented about the picnic scene. She said she could have stayed there forever. People found it interesting even though Antonia had a spiteful mother, she was a great mother. When she had her first baby out of wedlock she was not ashamed. She was proud of her life and proud her child. She did not need Jim (not the father of her child) to marry her. The group then spent some time talking about Antonia's father. He was very sensitive, and did not adjust well to life in Nebraska. Some thought he might have, had there not been so much poverty. They wondered how he picked his wife, since she was so different from him, but the book said the marriage was arranged. There was a debate as to how he died, suicide or murder. More people thought it was suicide. The group then talked about the different contrasts in the book. One person read a quote about two luminaries on the opposite ends of the world. She believed this referred to Jim and Antonia. Other contrasts included the country girls and the city girls. The boys liked the country girls better. Then there was a discussion of the wolf story, about two immigrants in their old country who were driving a wedding party, while being pursued by a pack of wolves. Eventually, they threw out everybody, including the bridge and groom, and saved themselves. They had to leave their country after that. People wondered what that had to do with the book. Some thought it was just a fable. People wondered why there were not more details about certain things, such as the grandparents. One woman brought up that she thought she reading short stories until she came to the part when family moved into town. Then she thought the book became more cohesive. Another woman said that Jim was writing from his memory about Antonia, and memory tends to be selective. It will remember some things in great deal, and other things not at all, or just briefly. Everyone agreed that the book had a happy ending. Antonia is surrounded by many children, and has a loving husband. People agreed that Antonia was a happy person who had a spark, and she was always proud and never ashamed. They think she was happy because she lived life the way she wanted to. Overall, a great thought provoking discussion about the classic My Antonia.

January's New Books

Here are the books the library purchased in January: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani

The book club had an animated discussion about Big Stone Gap. Everyone loved the book. Some said it was their favorite book thus far. People liked that it was light and had a happy ending. The story is set in the late 1970's in the small mining town of Big Stone Gap in Virginia. The main character is Ave Maria, Italian, 35 years old and single, who finds out after her mother's death that the man she thought was her father is not her biological father. Ave Maria goes through a crisis and makes big changes in her life because of this. She sells her home and pharmacy (at the price of one dollar!) to the poor teenager Pearl to prevent her greedy Aunt Alice from getting her hands on it, and to help Pearl. She plans on going to Italy to meet her relatives (including her real biological father) and never coming back to Big Stone Gap. Most people liked Ave Maria, but even those who liked commented that they were frustrated with her. She over analyzed everything and thought too much. Some people thought that was a result of her upbringing in trying not to bother her "father," while others thought it came from her scientific mind, since she was a pharmacist. Everybody loved all the characters in the book except Aunt Alice. Sexy Iva Lou certainly breaks the sterotype of a librarian. Two people identified with the novel. One person identifed with Ave Maria as the "town spinster" and in having to make a big change in her life in her thirties like Ave Maria. She also thinks she's found her Jack Mac, the person Ave Maria falls in love with. Another person is Italian and identified with all the Italian relatives and family. One person brought up that she was shocked when the Italian relatives came and visited Ave Maria first. She did not see it coming. The group also discussed the word faith, the last word of the preacher who handled poisonous snakes, and what the word meant. Some thought it meant faith in God. Another thought it was a statement that no matter what your situation, good or bad, have faith in yourself. The group had an interesting discussion about how Ave Maria's feelings changed regarding her hometown, and also discussed whether their feelings for their hometowns changed as they have changed. Overall a thought provoking discussion over a book that everyone felt good after having read it.

Night Bookers Book Club's Discussion of Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama

The group had a lively discussion of Women of the Silk. Everybody loved the book. People liked the way the way the writer presents things in a book, in an easy to read format. It was even easy to read the sad parts of the book. They enjoyed learning about the Chinese culture from 1919-1938. The oppression of women in the book was an eye-0pener. Pei's sister Li ends up worse than Pei. Li has an abusive husband, but continues to go back to him because she does not want to bring shame to her family. Pei's mother, Yu-sung, is one of the saddest characters in the book. Her husband, Pao, refuses to communicate with her, and she had noone else to talk to. Pao does not how to communicate to his family even when Pei returns after many years. Pei actually is the fortunate one. Although it seems cruel to be abandoned by her family and given to the silk trade, it is the best thing that could have happened to her. She becomes part of a sisterhood of women who nurture and educate each other. It did not suprise one woman that a group of women did this. She meets Lin, who iss educated, and who she becomes very close to. The hairdressing ceremony that Chen Ling, Ming, Lin, and Pei go through is a passage to adulthood just like marriage, except they vow to never marry. People were suprpised there was not more physical degradation of the characters in the factory. The book only mentions that their hands are arthritic. There was discussion as to why the women in the silk factory are at peace all the time despite so many obstacles. Some said it was because that culture is reserved. Others said they didn't have a l0t, and sometimes less is more. The more you have the more you worry. Others said it was a consistency of life, not having to make many decisions about their day. The thing that was new is they have the choice to stay working in the factory and not to marry. The women have good leadership, too, under Auntie Yee, Lin, Chen Ling, and Moi. Without Lin and Chen Ling there would not have been a strike. Although most of the men in the book are portrayed negatively, Lin's younger brother, Ho Yung, is portrayred positively. Without him, Pei and her new friend Ji Shen, who suffered the horrors of the Japanese at Nanking, could not have escaped the Japanese and gone to Hong Kong. The group talked about Lin's mother, the mean ice queen, who is cruel to Pei. Some thought Lin's mother realizes Lin is loving her best friend Pei, and is disappointed. Lin's mother wanted Lin to follow in her footsteps and marry a wealthy, prominent man. Lin's mother has a breakdown when her husband is murdered, and loses her status. Lin keeps the house going, and gives them her income from her work in the silk factory. Someone commented that women do to much but that society does not value it. One person gave an overall sum up of the book: women start off being victimized but end up successful.