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.