Agawam Pageturners' Book Discussion of The Red Thread by Ann Hood

The group had a good discussion about The Red Thread. Most liked the book. The book tells the story of six couples who for various reasons want to adopt baby girls from China. Maya, who has founded The Red Thread Adoption Agency, is their guide to getting these babies. She has had her own tragedy; her baby girl died when she dropped her getting her out of the bathtub. She leaves her husband Adam in Hawaii, and forms a new life in Rhode Island by starting the agency, connecting hundreds of couples with children. Besides hearing the stories of the American families looking to adopt, the book also told the stories of the Chinese families putting the girl up for adoption. People thought the book did a good job of showing real characters with diverse stories. Some thought some of the plot lines were contrived, but others thought these devices were the author's prerogative. Others thought there was too much sex in the book. Other than those comments people enjoyed the book.

Night Bookers' Book Club's Discussion of Revere Beach Boulevard by Roland Merullo

The group had a great discussion about this book. Most people liked the book. They were drawn into the characters. They thought the plot was great; they were always waiting for the shoe to drop. Some thought the plot was dark. Others disagreed because of the bonds between the family members were so strong. The story is about an Italian family in Revere. The son Peter has a gambling addiction, and he is in trouble with his debt to the mob. He has a sister Joanie, who is a news anchor in Boston investigating the mob. Their mother Lucy is terminally ill. The father, Vito, tries to talk to the head of the mob, Eddie, to offer to payoff his son's debt. Everybody has secrets from one another. Alfonse is a cop who is a family friend who tries to help the family. Elsie loves Peter despite his addiction and problems. One person commented that the book really nailed down the picture of addiction for the addicted and the family and friends of the addicted. People enjoyed discussing and found a lot to talk about in this book.

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.

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.

Night Bookers' Book Club's Discussion of Range of Motion by Elizabeth Berg

The group had a lively discussion about Elizabeth Berg's book Range of Motion. It is a fictional account of a woman dealing with her husband being in a coma for three months, and not knowing if he would wake up. Some found the story and the main character, Lainey, uplifting. Some were surprised to find the story not morbid. Others found the story too unrealistic, and too unbelievable. Some found Lainey too strong and the ending too neat. Others argued Lainey was in turmoil because she kept seeing a "ghost," who kept giving her advice. They said this indicated inner conflict. Others pointed out that Lainey's friend Alice saw the "ghost" too, but another person pointed out that she was going through her own turmoil. Alice thought her husband was cheating on her with another woman. Well, he was cheating on her but not with a woman but with a man. A good discussion was enjoyed by all.

Agawam Pagetruners' Book Club's Discussion of When I Am an Old Worman I Shall Wear Purple Edited by Sandra Martz

The group had very strong feelings about this book. With the exception of a few stories, everyone hated this book. The book is a collection of images, essays, short stories, and poems on women in aging. Everyone felt the collection was too negative and maudlin. The book made everybody depressed. Some did not finish the book. Everyone said they did not want to think that they were old. One women said that we are evolving as human beings. There were a couple of stories that people liked: the lion story where the main character immerses herself in another culture and is totally changed the rest of her life. Another like the story about a wealthy man trying to buy up all the antique quilts of an older woman. Her daughter keeps trying to get her to sell all of them, even the one her mother wants to hold on to. When the mother agrees to sell, the daughter steps in and prevents the sale. Other than these, the book was too sad. The group does not recommend it.

Night Bookers' Book Club's Discussion of Uphill Wallkers: Portrait of a Family by Madeleine Blais

The group had interesting discussion of Uphill Walkers. The book is the memoir of Madeleine Blais, who lost her father at age 5, and her mother had to raise her and her five siblings on her own. Those who grew up in or lived in Western Massachusetts during the fifties and sixties appreciated the references to places of this era. Madeleine placed a lot of emphasis on her brother Ray, who spent some time at Northampton State Mental Hospital. People in the group sadly remembered the Northampton State Hospital. Many people there were not mentally ill. Ray did suffer from mental illness, but his family rallied behind him, and his mother always believed him. The group thought there were happy and funny moments in the book, like the Catholic references (Madeleine was an Irish Catholic), and the times the sisters got together to talk about old times. Someone questioned why this book was a Massachusetts Honor Book. Someone else voiced the opinion that it was written well, and the setting was local. An interesting discussion about a local book.

Agawam Pageturner's Book Club's Discussion of Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

The group had a lively discussion of Loving Frank. Some liked the book and its characters, while others liked the writing in the book but did not like the characters. The main characters were Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress Mamah. Mamah left her husband and children to follow Frank Lloyd Wright. Some thought Mamah was a pioneer in leaving her husband, while he loved her, did not treat her as an equal. Mamah was treated as an equal by Frank Lloyd Wright. Others thought she was selfish to abandon her children, and that all Frank cared about was himself and his ideas. All agreed the author let the readers decide for themselves. This book prompted a lot of thought provoking discussion.

Night Booker's Book Club Discussion of Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

The group had a heartfelt discussion about Cold Mountain. Everyone agreed the book was difficult to read because of the graphic depiction of the Civil War. Inman, the confederate soldier who deserted the war and headed home to his sweetheart Aida at Cold Mountain, had a more difficult time than his sweetheart Aida. Each chapter alternated between Inman's story and Aida's story. It was always a relief to come to Aida's story, because Inman's was so intense. Aida was an orphan who had to learn how to run a farm with the aid of a girl named Ruby. Everyone sympathized with him for deserting because the war was so terrible. Even though his journey was arduous, there was hope and a focus. Cold Mountain has been compared to Odysseus. The read was challenging but worthwhile.

Agawam Pageturner's Book Club's Discussion of Songs without Words by Ann Packer

The group had a lively discussion about this book. Some loved it saying the felt present with the drama of the family when one member, the teenage daughter Lauren, tries to commit suicide. Others felt there was too much detail, and that it went on, and on. Others argued that life is about minutiae. The book also discussed the effect the attempted suicide has on the mother Liz and her friend Sarabeth. Sarabeth cannot deal with it, partly because her mother committed suicide when she was a teenager. Liz has to come to terms that she has always been the giving one in the relationship, and she has to decide if she still wants to remain friends with Sarabeth when Sarabeth does not come to her aid. In terms of the coverage of a person with depression, people thought it was well done, as well as the effect on the family. Liz wants to blame herself, because it is easier than believing bad things can happen at random. The turning point for Lauren's healing is when she shows a caring attitude for Lucas, someone else in the mental ward of the hospital. She thinks of something outside herself. This book prompted discussion of deep topics.

Agawam Pageturners' Book Discussion of Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

People enjoyed the short stories in this book, all connected by the character Olive Kitteridge, retired schoolteacher in a small town in Maine. People said Olive was multi levelled and multifaceted. The book discussed serious topics, but used humor at the right points to break the tension. All the characters in the books struggled. One person liked Olive until she found at the end of the book that she hit (not spanked) her son when he was a child. It also was suggested that her son Christopher was bipolar, and Olive herself was probably bipolar. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition–its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires. This was an excellent book to discuss and worthy of the Pulitzer Prize the group thought.

Agawam Pageturner's Book Club's Discussion of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Everyone enjoyed this gothic novel. People compared it to Jane Eyre. The book is about an old woman and famous author, Miss Vida Winter, giving a true account of her life to Margaret, a woman who lost her twin sister at birth. It is a very tragic tale, with an element of mystery of who Miss Winter really is. It features the Angelfield family, including the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Margaret succumbs to the power of Vida's storytelling but remains suspicious of the author's sincerity. She demands the truth from Vida, and together they confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves. People could not put it down, and could not wait to read the next chapter. Everyone agreed this was a great book to read and discuss.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.