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.

Evening Book Club's Discussion of Snow in August by Pete Hamill

The evening book club had a lively discussion about Pete Hamill's Snow in August. The book is about the friendship that develops between Rabbi Hirsch and Michel Devlin, a catholic, in Brooklyn during the years 1946 and 1947. Some members of the group disliked the book. Others loved it. One of the first comments made a member made was she was surprised and amused that it is a fairy tale. Other initial comment was there is a lot of detail in the book, and more can be gained from it from a second read. Someone questioned why Michael was allowed to go out in a blizzard to serve as an altar boy at daily Mass. Some thought it was because he was a staunch catholic, and nothing would prevent him from going to Mass. Also, he didn't want to let the priest down, who he felt a connection to. One member who has a 10 year old son said she wouldn't be able to keep her son out of a blizzard. It also was commented that Michael was mature for an eleven year old; he was the man of the house since his father died in World War II. Many people liked the relationship between the Rabbi and Michael, and how they followed the story of Jackie Robinson. Jackie's battle with prejudice gave courage to Michael to fight prejudice in his own neighborhood. When the Rabbi is attacked by a gang, Michael retaliates by creating a Golem, a mystical creature who takes revenge on the gang. The Rabbi had tried to create a Golem in World War II, but he failed. The group thought Michael succeeded because he had more of a belief in self and in God. The Rabbi lost hope after his wife was taken by the Nazis. At the end of the book, the Rabbi is reunited with his wife, and they are dancing. Everyone took this to mean that the Rabbi died. One person thought the ending could have just been Michael imagining in his head that the Golem came. Someone thought the ending was a metaphor. Some people had trouble with the swearing in the book. Others thought it would not have been as realistic without the swearing. Almost everyone liked Michael's mother Kate. She was good with the Rabbi, and when her son was in danger, she found a way to move out of the neighborhood to protect him. One person commented that she thought it was nice that Michael wanted his mother to be with somebody. He wasn't possessive of his mother. The group talked about the scene at the Ebbets Field ballpark and how real the author made it. They could feel the bleachers, hear the baseball, and smell the hot dogs. Someone brought up if kids have as many as heroes now as they did in Michael's time. One person said no. Another person said the media exposes more of the personal lives of people which makes them harder to appear heroic. Others said that there still are heroes like Obama, or parents, or different types, athletes and non-athletes. Most thought the Rabbi was not a hero to Michael but an equal. They thought the priest was more of a hero and father figure to him. One person disagreed and thought the Rabbi was a father figure to Michael. This discussion was a great way to kick off the first meeting of the new evening book club.

New Books for September

Here are the new books for September: Adult, Children's, Teens.

Agawam Pageturners Book Club's Discussion of The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella

The group had a good discussion about Anthony Capella's book The Wedding Officer. Almost everyone in the group liked the book. The book is set in Naples during World War II. One person said the book brought home to her what war does to a person. Her husband fought in Naples and Rome in World War II, and he was a happy man, full of humor. When he came back, he was changed; he became quiet and remained that way the rest of his life. She reflected why there had to be war. This brought one member to tears. Another member said her husband who also fought in World War II blocked it out. One member had just came back from a trip to Naples, and got to see and taste the things mentioned in the book. The group talked about the heroine of the story, Livia. Livia lost her husband Enzio in the war. One member said Livia's love for Enzio was that of a young girl in love. However, her love for James Gould the "Wedding Officer," was that of an adult in love. James is called the Wedding Officer because he has to approve or disapprove marriages between British officers and Italian women. One of the reasons of disapproval is most of the women were prostitutes, which was the only means for these women to support themselves and their families. Another reason was the cultural difference. At the beginning of the book James is rigid, proper, and set in his ways, and he disapproves most of the marriages. However, after Livia becomes the cook for the officers and he starts eating her delicious, delectable food, he changes and starts approving the marriages. The sensuality of food is a theme in the novel. There are passages about peaches, snails, peas, and other food that are examples of this. The eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius was an important event in the novel. People ignored the signs. However today they are predicting an another eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and people are ignoring the warnings. The group discussed the issue of the black market in the novel. One woman voiced that James was right to eliminate it because it erodes society, as seen in Afghanistan and Mexico today. However, someone pointed out some people would have no food without the black market. Overall, it was an enjoyable discussion about an enjoyable book.

New Books for August

Here are the new books for August: Adults, Children's, Teens.