General guidelines for suggestions (there are exceptions):
- Somebody in the group needs to have read it all the way through and felt that it was appropriate for THIS group.
- Somebody in the group needs to have read it recently enough that they can vouch for it (ie. remember if there is anything in it that others may find disturbing).
- The book needs to have some substance. While we all enjoy a bit of fluff, it's better to have a book with some good discussion value for book group.
- The book needs to be uplifting overall. We recognize that there is opposition in all things however there should be a redeeming value to the book that would make going through the harder things worthwhile.
- A warning about any questionable material is much appreciated so that those who feel they need to can skip things. If the book would require so much skipping that it no longer makes sense then it's probably not a good choice.
- Recently we've also tried to keep a better balanced selection so we aren't reading too many heavier/darker things in a 6 month block. Heavier/darker considering content, and writing style.
- As a group there is also an ideal of variety. We keep that in mind when choosing books as well.
- It's easier for all of us to have a discussion about a suggestion if you post each book as a separate comment.
- It also helps if you sell it a bit. Why did you like it? Why do you think we'd like it, etc.
- If there is anything that you think others may be sensitive too, please include a warning.
- And of course, don't forget the title and author.
This includes the list from PLANS for 2013 AND BEYOND!
At our Dec 2012 and Jan 2013 meetings we discussed lots of options. Here's a list:
Liota's Garden by Francine Rivers
One Writer's Beginnings by Eudora Welty
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
READ Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
READ The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Confronting the Myth of Self-Esteem
Defending Jacob http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11367726-defending-jacob
The Kitchen House http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6837103-the-kitchen-house
Rose, My Life in Service http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2715482-rose
READ The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7841677-the-dirty-life
Left to Tell (Rwandan Holocaust) http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/408615.Left_to_Tell
Ender's Game Orson Scott Card
Airborne Matt Cruize
The Seventh Son (the Maker) Orson Scott Card
Savvy
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Count of Monte Cristo
3 Musketeers
The Scarlet Letter
Seabiscuit
The Hiding Place
The Story of a Beautiful Girl
The Screwtape Letters
The Great Divorce
Eve and the Choice Made in Eden
How to Pray and Stay awake
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
READ The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
The Seventh Son (the Maker) Orson Scott Card
Savvy
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
The Count of Monte Cristo
3 Musketeers
The Scarlet Letter
Seabiscuit
The Hiding Place
The Story of a Beautiful Girl
The Screwtape Letters
The Great Divorce
Eve and the Choice Made in Eden
How to Pray and Stay awake
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
READ The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith
Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Harper Lee
Genre: Fiction
Why you think it would be good (what do you see as it's value): It is a well written book. It takes place in the South and deals with prejudice of various sorts, but is also a bit of a coming-of-age story for a girl named, Scout.
Warnings: There are aspects of the story that are depressing, but nothing too graphic.
Title: The Hobbit
ReplyDeleteAuthor: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy/Fiction
Value: I'll admit that the main value I see here is that with the movie just coming out it seems that several of us are reading or rereading this book anyway and we're short on time. It is a great story. And while it lacks the depth of the Lord of the Rings it should still have some interesting discussion value. Plus we don't read much fantasy so it'd be nice to do that.
Warnings: None
Title: Fahrenheit 451
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Ray Bradbury
Genre: Sci Fi (sort of)
Value: It's beautifully written. It's got a LOT to discuss. Ray Bradbury died 6 months ago and I'd love to read something as a tribute. He's brilliant! It's also fascinating to read about the techy stuff that he'd imagined and how close we are to so much of it.
Warnings: It is bit dark. But I'd still say way less dark than Hunger Games or Poisonwood Bible etc.
Title: The Vicar of Wakefield
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Oliver Goldsmith
Genre: English Classic (but pretty short)
Value: Written before Dickens or Austen or the Bronte's published. But in reading it you can see how they were influenced by it. Has sort of a Pride and Prejudice setting, but with an even more obtuse father. It's actually told from his perspective I think (or at least he is the main character) and you just see how he thinks his household is running so well, but in reality there's so much going on that he is oblivious too. It's got a fantastic amount of plot twists, setting a great example for Dickens.
Warnings: None.
Title: One Writer's Beginnings
ReplyDeleteAuthor: Eudora Welty
Genre: Memoir
Value: This one is light and not too long either. It's about the author and how she came to be a writer. Her upbringing reminds me of my parents' childhood tales. But I suppose it would be more accurate to say my grandparents since she was born in 1909 and my parents were born in the 30s.
Warnings: None.