Humboldt Reads! is the name of the book club we started a few years ago at the library. The library purchases several copies of the chosen book. Library patrons check them in and out for a month or two and then we meet for dinner at a local restaurant to discuss the book.
My book choices started off on shaky ground, but the group hung in there with me and I developed a better eye for what would make for good book talk. Recently, however, I have hit a real slump. The last two choices haven’t been very good at all.
The December book was This House of Sky by Ivan Doig. It was a memoir and it moved like molasses flowing uphill. I read about 25 pages and gave up. When it came time for the book discussion, it was the night of that awful, blowing blizzard in early December. It was cold and miserable outside. Not a good night to leave the house, but I did, anyway. Just one other person showed up. I’m not sure if it was the weather or the boring book that kept them away. The person who came was very enthusiastic about the book, so maybe I didn’t get it enough of a chance.
Tonight is our discussion of Say You’re One of Them. It was an Oprah book club selection, so I expected it to be good. Most of the books she chooses have mass appeal. Even I usually like them. This one is a group of small novellas together in one book. I’ve read about one and a half of the stories. A library patron who teaches high school English told me she started the book and said to herself “What’s the point of this?” It might be power of suggestion, but that is exactly the way I’m feeling about it, too.
So, before all the other Humboldt Reads! members abandon me and my very poor book club selections, I’m going to try something new. I’ve ordered a dozen or so books that were highlighted in Reading Group Choices 2009: Selections for Lively Book Discussions. We already owned several other books that were recommended. All of the books that are in the running will have a bright yellow band that says Humboldt Reads! Inside each will be a short questionnaire. Anyone is welcome to read one of these and fill in the questions concerning the book. The ones that are the most highly recommended will be used for book club.
Some of the choices are:
The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson …….”a terrifying and memorable work of psychological suspense.” I’ve read this one. I’m not sure January days are long enough for it. You sure wouldn’t want to read it after dark.
Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo…..”a novel of great warmth, charm and intimacy.” This is one of my favorite books from the last few years.
Church of the Dog by Kaya McLaren.....”a lovely, uplifting book.”
Escape by Carolyn Jessop…. She was the third wife of the FLDS ringleader who was 32 years older than Carolyn. She eventually chose freedom.
Hannah’s Dream by Diane Hammond. …For 41 years Samson Brown has been the zoo’s elephant keeper. He won’t retire until someone equally devoted is hired to take his place.
Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan….. This one is the memoir of Capitol Hill attorney Jourdan who returns to Tennessee to help in her father’s medical practice when her mother suffers a heart attack.
Ok; I admit I messed up badly with my last few choices. Be a good sport. Check one of these out and give me some help in starting off 2010 on a better foot.
You will find them all @ your library.
My book choices started off on shaky ground, but the group hung in there with me and I developed a better eye for what would make for good book talk. Recently, however, I have hit a real slump. The last two choices haven’t been very good at all.
The December book was This House of Sky by Ivan Doig. It was a memoir and it moved like molasses flowing uphill. I read about 25 pages and gave up. When it came time for the book discussion, it was the night of that awful, blowing blizzard in early December. It was cold and miserable outside. Not a good night to leave the house, but I did, anyway. Just one other person showed up. I’m not sure if it was the weather or the boring book that kept them away. The person who came was very enthusiastic about the book, so maybe I didn’t get it enough of a chance.
Tonight is our discussion of Say You’re One of Them. It was an Oprah book club selection, so I expected it to be good. Most of the books she chooses have mass appeal. Even I usually like them. This one is a group of small novellas together in one book. I’ve read about one and a half of the stories. A library patron who teaches high school English told me she started the book and said to herself “What’s the point of this?” It might be power of suggestion, but that is exactly the way I’m feeling about it, too.
So, before all the other Humboldt Reads! members abandon me and my very poor book club selections, I’m going to try something new. I’ve ordered a dozen or so books that were highlighted in Reading Group Choices 2009: Selections for Lively Book Discussions. We already owned several other books that were recommended. All of the books that are in the running will have a bright yellow band that says Humboldt Reads! Inside each will be a short questionnaire. Anyone is welcome to read one of these and fill in the questions concerning the book. The ones that are the most highly recommended will be used for book club.
Some of the choices are:
The 7th Victim by Alan Jacobson …….”a terrifying and memorable work of psychological suspense.” I’ve read this one. I’m not sure January days are long enough for it. You sure wouldn’t want to read it after dark.
Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo…..”a novel of great warmth, charm and intimacy.” This is one of my favorite books from the last few years.
Church of the Dog by Kaya McLaren.....”a lovely, uplifting book.”
Escape by Carolyn Jessop…. She was the third wife of the FLDS ringleader who was 32 years older than Carolyn. She eventually chose freedom.
Hannah’s Dream by Diane Hammond. …For 41 years Samson Brown has been the zoo’s elephant keeper. He won’t retire until someone equally devoted is hired to take his place.
Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan….. This one is the memoir of Capitol Hill attorney Jourdan who returns to Tennessee to help in her father’s medical practice when her mother suffers a heart attack.
Ok; I admit I messed up badly with my last few choices. Be a good sport. Check one of these out and give me some help in starting off 2010 on a better foot.
You will find them all @ your library.
1 comment:
Thank you for including "Hannah's Dream" as one of your possible reading group choices. I've attended, by phone, SKYPE or in person, roughly 50 book groups that have had discussions about the book, and they've all been lively and fun. I'd be glad to join your group, too, if you decide to include my book in your list!
Diane Hammond, author of "Hannah's Dream"
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