After almost two years, this group has come to an end. Our last meeting was Tuesday, March 8th. Check out some of what we read! The titles in green have links to additional information that might be of interest to reading groups.
March
True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson
Fluff. That is how I, as well as my book group co-horts described this book. It was a fun read, and actually had more depth than I was expecting. But, despite some of its more emotional and sad moments concerning our narrator's sister (who had leukemia), it was a fluffy story. I enjoyed it.
February
Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Well, I can chalk this one up as one of the two book club books I haven't finished. Unlike the other one though (Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation), this is one I do plan to finish. I just wasn't in the reading mode, having discovered the wonders of the Worlds of Warcraft. And the book was just so dang big! I'm more than halfway through it now, and am really enjoying this unique, meloncholy romantic tale.
January
Pompeii by Robert Harris
Though the science and historic details were both fascinating and great fun (volcano go BOOM!), they didn't make up for the cardboard characters and cheesy sub-plots that ran rampant throughout. I really don't understand how the New York Times (and so many others) could give it such glowing praise.
December
Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
I was the only one in the group who hadn't read this one before! But I can certainly understand why the others were willing to read it a second time. The characters in this story were so alive and special and the way the author put together the story was very compelling.
November
Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama
This story of a young Chingese girl given up by her parents to the silk factory was a powerful one. The lives of the women were fascinating, and it was interesting to watch their relationships with family and friends evolve through the course of the book.
October
Disgrace by Jim Coetze
We chose this one in part because of the review that this author wrote on Gunter Grass's Crabwalk. And in a lot of ways, this book reminded me of that one. This was a challenging book, though not in the same way as Crabwalk. Dark and often despairing, this novel painted a rather bleak picture of society and how history can continually haunt us.
September
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
August
Crabwalk by Gunter Grass
July
The Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
June
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
May
One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus
Alternative history-- very well done. In fact, for awhile I really thought the U.S. government had sold a bunch of white women to the Indians! The female protaganists were amazingly well-drawn characters, and the descriptions of Native American culture and society were fascinating, as was learning that many of the events and characters of the book were, in fact, real.
April
Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland
I came into this book with certain expectations, and ended up disappointed. But another in the group really enjoyed it (and even went on to read the others in the series). I guess I was hoping for more "dirt"-- gritty, real emotion. It just felt so detatched. And she doesn't become Mrs. Bonaparte until the last 5 pages of the book... I guess that's why there are three volumes.
March
Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett
Because we enjoyed Bel Canto so much, we wanted to read another. This was her first novel, but the writing is still strong. An intersting story of a woman, seemingly with a good life, but who is unhappy/lost/??? and decides to leave it all behind. Another great read.
February
Unless by Carol Shields
I want to read more Carol Shields. Her writing really got to me-- so lyrical and aware.
January
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
I've decided that I love Ann Patchett. Her writing is so lyrical, descriptive, evocative. And I loved this story-- a kind of tragi-comedy of a hostage situation. It just seems wrong doesn't it-- but yet, it works so wonderfully. I loved this book.