October 2017 Bookclub News

 'Tis the good reader that makes the good book; in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakenly meant for his ear; the profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader; the profoundest thought or passion sleeps as in a mine, until it is discovered by an equal mind and heart."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

West Wind, Hocking Library, Chocorua, NH

Dear Bookclub,
John Kaag's challenge, "is life worth living", takes the author/philosopher on a strange path, with fate-driven opportunities propelling him on an upward journey into freedom and choice. In researching just who is this John Kaag, I discovered some of his other published works.... surprisingly "Drone Warfare(War and Conflict in the Modern World)" and "Idealism, Pragmatism, and Feminism the philosophy of Ella Lyman Cabot". Not kidding. Just to be clear, I adore this book. Googling further had me reading an Australian article about Carol Hay, John's wife, and John taking the same job and the quickly divergent paths their careers have taken due to her being a woman. Fascinating:

http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/careers/what-happens-when-a-husband-and-wife-take-the-exact-same-job/news-story/a7ed57b6f3d7f053a508cb6a992b3765

Look forward to discussing the book this Wednesday!

Happy reading,
LK

September 2017 Recap

"What you don't know would make a great book."

Sydney Smith

Dear Bookclub,
A reprieve from the heat while being enveloped in a perfect setting at the Maderas Grill, set the stage for a most enjoyable bookclub. Val, we missed you! It truly was so pleasant.

"History of Wolves" delivered good discussion as anticipated. The descriptions and character developments were much appreciated; some parts - the creepy teacher specifically, had questionable relevance.

Mary Baker Eddy

Wondering about Church of Christian Science, I found much information on both the official website and our beloved Wikipedia:

http://www.christianscience.com/what-is-christian-science

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ,_Scientist

Après lunch meeting of the minds

"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate was chosen for our February selection.

Up next: John Kaag's "American Philosophy".

Thoughtful reading,
LK

September 2017 Bookclub News

 "To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting."  Edmund Burke

 

"Origami Wolf" by Todd Gilloon

 

Dear Bookclub,

Wanting to read a bit of "History of Wolves" before writing our blog, I ended up reading the whole thing, trying to find a hook for this entry. Not easily categorized but being a tantalizing mash-up, Fridlund's novel pokes your heart and mind with images, characters and events that will be marvelous to discuss. I don't want to say much for fear of any revealing; the book itself is one big slow reveal. Once you start to read, you will be 'hooked'.

"Mystery Wolves" by Walt Barker

Trudy's suggestions for an upcoming selection:

"What She Ate" by Laura Shapiro

"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate

"Endurance" by Alfred Lansing

Please research and be ready to vote next week.

Finally, I came across a lovely article about Elizabeth Strout - well lovely sounds like lace and tea and really this is more black linen and saltines. A great piece.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/01/elizabeth-strouts-long-homecoming

Happy reading,
LK

August 2017 Recap

Dear Bookclub,
Very pleased with ourselves, we relished Via Capri's coddling environment, with the privacy, good service, delicious pizzas and salads, and perfect acoustics. Discussion of "Florence Gordon" flowed, adding to the enjoyment of adoring the miserable main character. I am trying to analyze why it is we were so endeared to Florence Gordon as we were to Olive Kitteridge, rationally- irrational- happy to be not happy. I don't know! Hats off, Brian Morton.

Terry's selections for an upcoming read:

"The Rent Collector" Camron Wright *chosen
"All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation" Rebecca Traister
"we are all completely beside ourselves" Karen Joy Fowler

Up next: Emily Fridlund's "History of Wolves".

Happy reading,
LK

August 2017 Bookclub News

Florence Gordon by Jon Williams

Dear Bookclub,

July has slipped away and summer reads must be of upmost priority as August zooms in. Brian Morton's "Florence Gordon" is a good summer read. Chapters fly - they are about two paragraphs long- and who could be more fun to read about than an 'unlikeable' older woman? When Val suggested this book, I recognized that I had it stashed away in my 'to-read' bookshelf, ok, 'to-read' room, and I do remember why:

http://www.npr.org/2014/10/06/352763474/florence-gordon-isnt-friend-material-but-youll-appreciate-her

Maureen Corrigan's book reviews are so persuasive that I often have one of her featured books in my amazon cart before she finishes her piece.


Terry's suggestions for our January 2018 read:

"All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation" Rebecca Traister
"The Rent Collector" Camron Wright
"We are Completely Beside Ourselves" Karen Joy Fowler

Oh Terry, Terry, Terry.. this is so hard! A great list. Please do some research and come prepared this Wednesday to cast your vote.

Happy reading,
LK

July 2017 recap

Superwomen

Dear Bookclub,
The din at Cork & Craft, not originating from our table, was owned by the super power girls at the adjacent table. We were upstaged and even followed in their footsteps for a  photo-op on the stage they had also occupied. But any perceived envy stops now- would not trade our beloved group, graced by Ginger's presence, for any magical persona-babes. How nice to be together!

"Hillbilly Elegy", well-received by our group, endeared us to J.D.'s journey, especially Mamaw, a character deservedly immortalized.

Wanda's suggestions for an upcoming selection:
"Lab Girl" Hope Jahren
"The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu" Joshua Hammer
"Hero of the Empire" Candice Millard *chosen

 And here before you know it, our August read. "Florence Gordon" by Brian Morton.

Happy reading,
LK

July 2017 Bookclub News

The Hatfield Clan 1897

Dear Bookclub,

J.D. Vance has put the hillbilly culture onto our radars, compelling because of the timeliness in describing a culture that contributed to an understanding of November 8, 2016. In "Hillbilly Elegy", Vance cites:

'In a December 2000 paper, sociologists Carol A. Markstrom, Sheila K. Marshall, and Robin J. Tyron found that avoidance and wishful-thinking forms of coping "significantly predicted resiliency" among Appalachian teens. Their paper suggests that hillbillies learn from an early age to deal with uncomfortable truths by avoiding them, or by pretending better truths exist. This tendency might make for physchological resilience, but it also makes it hard for Appalachians to look at themselves honestly.'

There's a little leap here to our society's swing towards wishful-thinking. But that's another story. Vance's story became wildly popular with our last election's outcome given the spotlight he directed to the working-class whites. No easy answers but a personal breakout that is eye-opening for the revelation of addiction and stagnation, among other related obstacles.

J.D. and Mamaw

Vance's official website includes a photo section of family and one caption that characterizes a noted trait in this culture:  "(Mamaw would murder me if she knew I put this photo on the internet.)" - not to be taken lightly. And he wasn't referring to this picture.

 http://www.jdvance.com/family.html  


Thoughtful reading,
LK