Agawam Pageturners' Book Discussion of Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay

The group had a lively discussion about Russian Winter. People felt the book was well written. Some said they could feel what the main character, Nina, was thinking. People also felt the vocabulary was descriptive. Some, though, thought the plot was too much for one book and would have like to seen it broken up into two books. Nina was a star ballerina in Stalin's Russia after World War II. Ballet was the most important thing in her life. She defects to the West, leaving her husband after she thinks he has betrayed her for another woman. In her later years, in Boston, she decides to sell her jewels, which surprisingly links her past up with Russian literature professor Grigori Solodin in an interesting twist. One person thought the book was one of the best the group has ever discussed. The group enjoyed discussing the book, and some have recommended it to friends.

Night Bookers' Book Club's Discussion of All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy

The group had a difficult time reading All the Pretty Horses. There was not puncuation to distinguish who was speaking. Spanish phrases were included with no translation or footnotes. One person said the book seemed to have been written as a stream of consciousness. The story is of sixteen year old John Grady Cole and Lacey Rawlins who ride into Mexico in meet up with Jimmy Blevins, and find themselves in a lot of trouble. John falls for the granddaughter of the owner of the hacienda John is working for. Even though it won the National Book Award of 1992, the group overall did not enjoy the book. The group did find John Grady Cole an interesting character and we had a good discussion of the book.

Agawam Pageturners' Book Discussion of The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The group had an enjoyable discussion of The Art of Racing in the Rain. Most liked the book. The book is told through the viewpoint of a golden retriever, Enzo, who is dying. People were fascinated that Enzo sensed Eve was seriously ill, until others pointed out that science has proven that animals have this sense to be alert to cancer, drops in blood sugar, seizure, and more. Enzo is a faithful companion to his owner Denny Swift, a race car driver. There was much talk about race car driving, that many disliked and skipped over. Someone else pointed out that there were zen moments in race car driving that the author was trying to point out. Those that who have or have had animals loved this book. Those who never had animals, while liking the book, were surprised how much the group spent talking about animals including personal experiences. Another point brought up was the Mongol belief that dogs become reincarnated as men. Some believed it, and some did not. The book definite viewpoint on this subject, seen especially at the very end. This book was great for discussion.