Hi Every one, I know its been a while since the last post, but the summer holidays and having a baby created a delay to my blog. I hope that you all enjoyed your summer reading, and thank you for the great turn out on Monday and the wonderful discussion.
For those of you who didn't make it on Monday we had a wonderful discussion about the Witches of Eastwick and the Widows of Eastwick. The general consensus was that nobody would recommend these books to anyone unless they were particular fans of John Updike or had a very low opinion of women. However there appeared to be plenty of opinions on the books and its characters.
The main subjects of the novels are the fallout of sex and adultery and how it causes friction in relationships and also the development and change in society and how it affected a womans roles and social arrangments in the Sixties and Seventies. It's quite obvious that John Updike has a very low opinion of women and he reflects this in the novels. He suggests that women loose all sense of reality when they have been liberated and empowered presenting them as jealous and vindictive witches.The stories were perhaps weighed down by the epic descriptions that appeared in the middle of conversations and went on for several pages (I personally found this quite pleasing but the majority felt it dragged the story and made keeping up with the dialogue confusing).
The group found the discussion of aging something that they could all relate to.
In conclusion they were good but not great novels and the "Rabbit" series also by John Updike were considered much better.
After much discussion we have picked "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan for the next book group meeting, which will be on the 2nd of November at 7pm. I have ordered copies on the inter library loan and will let you know when they come in, we also have one copy available at the library now if any one is interested.
I Look forward to seeing you all and hearing your thoughts
Happy reading
Ellie
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Summer Reading
Over the summer the book group will be reading the Witches of Eastwick and the Widows of Eastwick by John Updike.
In the first novel John Updike astutely recognizes the modern American suburb, with its hypocritical social mores and superstitions, as a rich literary setting. Into this milieu he introduces the fantastical and invents a tale of what life would be like for three divorced and bored housewives, who happen to be witches, living in such a place -- the fictitious Eastwick, Rhode Island -- in the late 1960's.
In the second novel Thirty years after the witches worked their black magic on their enemies, earning the enmity of many of its citizens, they decide to return to Eastwick for a summer vacation. The three women have all been widowed and there attitudes have changed.
The next book group will be meeting on thelast monday the 28th of September monday the 5th of October at 7pm I look forward to seeing you all there. Have a great summer, and if you need more reading suggestions there is a list at the desk at the library.
Ellie
In the first novel John Updike astutely recognizes the modern American suburb, with its hypocritical social mores and superstitions, as a rich literary setting. Into this milieu he introduces the fantastical and invents a tale of what life would be like for three divorced and bored housewives, who happen to be witches, living in such a place -- the fictitious Eastwick, Rhode Island -- in the late 1960's.
In the second novel Thirty years after the witches worked their black magic on their enemies, earning the enmity of many of its citizens, they decide to return to Eastwick for a summer vacation. The three women have all been widowed and there attitudes have changed.
The next book group will be meeting on the
Ellie
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
July 6th Book group
The next book group will be meeting on the 6th of July at 7pm
The book on discussion is Blackberry wine. Joanne Harris, shifts her focus from her first novel Chocolat about food to drink, choosing a half-dozen bottles of homemade plonk as the catalyst for her "layman's alchemy." The story is narrated by a bottle of Fleurie 1962: "A pert, garrulous wine, cheery and little brash, with a pungent taste of blackcurrant!"
I have plenty of copies behind the desk for anyone that needs one and i look forward to hearing your thoughts and reviews at the next meeting
In the meantime happy reading
Ellie
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
June Book Choice
The next months book club pick is A prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.
A Prayer for Owen Meany is a novel by American writer John Irving. It tells the story of John Wheelwright and his best friend Owen Meany growing up together in a small New England town during the 1950-60s. Owen is quite a remarkable boy in many ways; he believes himself to be God's instrument and journeys on an extraordinary path of death, birth, love, disclosure and sacrifice.
This looks like an intriguing book and i lookforard to hearing all your thoughts.
I have copies behind the Library desk if anyone needs one
Looking forward to seeing you on June 1st at 7pm
Ellie
A Prayer for Owen Meany is a novel by American writer John Irving. It tells the story of John Wheelwright and his best friend Owen Meany growing up together in a small New England town during the 1950-60s. Owen is quite a remarkable boy in many ways; he believes himself to be God's instrument and journeys on an extraordinary path of death, birth, love, disclosure and sacrifice.
This looks like an intriguing book and i lookforard to hearing all your thoughts.
I have copies behind the Library desk if anyone needs one
Looking forward to seeing you on June 1st at 7pm
Ellie
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April Book Club Choice
The next months book choice is The March of Folly by Barbara W. Tuchman
Twice a winner of the Pulitzer Prize, author Barbara Tuchman tackles the presence of folly in governments through the ages. Defining folly as the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interersts, despite the availability of feasible alternatives, Tuchman details four decisive turning points in history that illustrate the very heights of folly in government: the Trojan War, the breakup of the Holy See provoked by the Renaissance Popes, the loss of the American colonies by Britain's George III, and the United States' persistent folly in Vietnam. THE MARCH OF FOLLY brings the people, places, and events of history magnificently alive for today's reader.
This looks like an exciting and informative read and i look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments
Ellie
Twice a winner of the Pulitzer Prize, author Barbara Tuchman tackles the presence of folly in governments through the ages. Defining folly as the pursuit by governments of policies contrary to their own interersts, despite the availability of feasible alternatives, Tuchman details four decisive turning points in history that illustrate the very heights of folly in government: the Trojan War, the breakup of the Holy See provoked by the Renaissance Popes, the loss of the American colonies by Britain's George III, and the United States' persistent folly in Vietnam. THE MARCH OF FOLLY brings the people, places, and events of history magnificently alive for today's reader.
This looks like an exciting and informative read and i look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments
Ellie
Monday, March 16, 2009
Next Meeting
The next book club meeting will be:
Monday 30th March 2009 at 7pm
We will be discussing 'The Art of Racing in the Rain' by Garth Stein, and also potential books for the next months ahead reading selection. New comers are very welcome
I look forward to hearing your reviews, if you have any questions in the mean time please contact me at erock@njstatelib.org.
Ellie
Monday 30th March 2009 at 7pm
We will be discussing 'The Art of Racing in the Rain' by Garth Stein, and also potential books for the next months ahead reading selection. New comers are very welcome
I look forward to hearing your reviews, if you have any questions in the mean time please contact me at erock@njstatelib.org.
Ellie
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Book Group
Welcome to everyone who joined us for the first book group this week, i had worried that there wouldn't be enough to say as this was the first meeting and we had no book to discuss, but there were certainly no problems there.
We have decided to read " The art of racing in the rain" by Garth Stein, for anyone that couldn't make the meeting or who would like to come next month, please let me know if you need a copy of the book as we are borrowing them from another library.
The book is a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it. I hope that you all enjoy it !
Looking forward to hearing all of your reviews next month
Ellie
We have decided to read " The art of racing in the rain" by Garth Stein, for anyone that couldn't make the meeting or who would like to come next month, please let me know if you need a copy of the book as we are borrowing them from another library.
The book is a heart-wrenching but deeply funny and uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it. I hope that you all enjoy it !
Looking forward to hearing all of your reviews next month
Ellie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
