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Lunch Time Book Discussion Group|
Join us for this lunch time book discussion group on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. in the library's 2nd floor conference room. We discuss the books we've been reading and share ideas about what to read next. December 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 These are the books we discussed in July 2005:
44 Scotland Street and The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith Lucy Mackenzie: “I didn’t like either of these novels, and I did not finish them. They were such a disappointment, because his books about Botswana are so wonderful. These novels are missing the mood, language, and outlook on life that makes this author’s other works so memorable – I was let down.” The Accusers by Lindsey Davis This is the latest Didius Falco murder mystery, a series set in ancient Rome. He is back in Rome, after being in Britain in the last book, and dealing with massive corruption. Jane Brown: “Davis is back on track with this novel, the last two in the series were not very good, but I enjoyed this one. I am also looking forward to beginning another ancient Rome mystery series called SPQR. A Bit on the Side by William Trevor This novel received heaps of critical praise, and praise from the reader as well. Lucy Mackenzie: “This book runs an impressive emotional gamut.”
The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster In this novel, which will not be published until 2006, the main character is looking for a quiet place to die, and he heard that Brooklyn was a good place to do that, but he is distracted by the people he meets. Linda Adams: “I loved this book. It is well-written, humorous, and made me feel cheery. I’m thinking of moving to Brooklyn.” A Dance to the Music of Time by Anthony Powell A collection of four novels following the lives of the young and wealthy, along with their near’ do well relatives, in England from WWI through the 1960’s. Alison Peebles: “These novels really move like a dance, characters reappear after 100 pages, and they all are inter-related.” Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris David Sedaris’ unusual outlook, droll wit, and impeccable comic timing make this a very enjoyable collection of essays. Lucy Mackenzie: “This is not a good beach read – you’ll laugh so hard everything will jiggle.”
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde A fantasy set in an alternate England in the 1980’s where characters in novels and real people can move between the pages and the real world. Thursday Next is a police detective specializing in crimes against literature and she is investigating a crime involving Jane Eyre. Sue Roth: “A very clever, interesting book.” Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter continues his battle with the dark wizard Voldemort in the newest installment of this wildly popular series. Alison Peebles: “I enjoy this tremendously; there was a little too much exposition, but that’s necessary with such a long series. I am also enjoying listening to the audio version. Eat your heart out A. S. Byatt.” Caroline Wardlaw: “The Order of the Phoenix was too long and angry, but this new book is excellent. The characters are maturing, full-fledged teen-agers now, and I can hardly wait until the final book is released.” The Judgment of Caesar by Steven Saylor Young Cleopatra is fighting with her brother, who is also her husband, for power in ancient Egypt while Rome waits and watches like a hawk. Caesar is not yet Emperor, but he is consolidating power and playing both sides of the conflict. Jane Brown: “This is the best ancient Rome series I’ve read. Saylor recreates the place and time skillfully.”
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini The audio-book, narrated by the author, is worth listening to; it is a story of fathers and sons, friendship and betrayal that takes readers from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the atrocities of the present. Barbara Silberstein: “Now I can do an Afghan accent.” Mansfield Park by Jane Austen Fanny Price is a poor cousin taken in by relatives as a child, and is always treated as a poor relation. When Henry Crawford begins to court her, and she refuses him, her family is thrown into an uproar. Caroline Wardlaw: “Fanny Price is my least favorite Austen heroine – she is too passive and lacks humor, but the language and social satire are still excellent.” The Professor's Daughter by Emily Raboteau Emily Raboteau is the daughter of Professor of Religion Albert J. Raboteau at Princeton University. This partly autobiographical, partly fictional novel explores her father’s childhood, her experiences at colleges and her struggles with identity, and her brother’s struggle with a learning disability. Sue Roth: “There is much local interest in this novel; local incidents and personalities have been fictionalized and it is fun to read and recognize people and events.” Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman A beautiful law student is horribly raped and suffers an emotional breakdown. Years later she finds herself in an ethical dilemma when she recognized her rapist as the serial killer she is set to prosecute as a District Attorney in Miami. Caroline Wardlaw: “This novel reads like an episode of Law & Order.” Shadow on the Valley by Kirk Mitchell This is a Civil War mystery set in 1864 in the Shenandoah Valley, which was the bread basket of the South, when it was burned by General Sheridan, and when General Sherman was burning the rest of the South on his March to the Sea. Jane Brown: “I enjoyed this novel because it combined all my favorite subjects: the Civil War, the Plain People, and a mystery, but I will not recommend it to others because it is dark, full of unpleasant people, and was at times hard to follow.” Where There's a Will by John Mortimer Mortimer is now in his eighties and doesn’t mince words. This new collection of essays, nominally about the process of writing a will, touches on political correctness, family values, proselytizers, and the tyranny of the majority. Linda Adams: “Mortimer loves to give offense, my favorite line is, ‘What’s wrong with smoking, foxhunting, or having sex in public.’” Jane Brown: “I also recommend Mortimer’s other novel’s Paradise Postponed and Summer’s Lease as good light reads for Anglophiles.” The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank This novel examines 25 years in an ordinary girl’s life, beginning when she is twelve, through college, and her career. Sophie Applebaum is not an over-achiever, but she is comfortable with that fact as she coasts through her life. Kristin Pehnke: “It was pretty good.”
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