Seekonk Library Online Book Club

January Break - What's Your Fav?

2009-01-06T19:03:00.003-05:00

Well, its been an interesting ride so far with the online group. We will be taking a Winter Break beginning in January so everyone can catch up on those titles you meant to read. I posted my 2008 Favorite Finds on the library blog.

Have any favorites of your own to share? Post in a comment.

Check back to see what direction we decide to take with the online group for the future.

Happy Reading!

Lottery - Money's effect

2008-12-18T09:38:00.001-05:00

Does money buy happiness? Does it buy love? What do you think Perry’s life would have been like without it?

Lottery - End decision

2008-12-18T09:37:00.002-05:00

What do you think of Perry’s decision at the end of the novel? What would you have advised him to do?

Lottery - Vocabulary list

2008-12-18T09:37:00.001-05:00

Perry’s vocabulary words form a recurring motif throughout the novel. Discuss these words in terms of the chapters in which they appear and the story as a whole. What symbolic or metaphoric insight do they offer?

Lottery - Gary

2008-12-18T09:36:00.003-05:00

Perry says that Gary “was always nice to me before, but now he listens… Money has made the slow part of me not so important.” Discuss the relationship between Gary and Perry. In what ways does it change after Perry wins the lottery?

Lottery - Literalism

2008-12-18T09:36:00.002-05:00

Perry views things in highly literal terms, as illustrated when he refuses to spread part of Gram’s ashes in Hawaii because “she needs to be kept together.” In what ways does this literalism prove to be an asset? In what ways is it a deficit?

Lottery - Characters

2008-12-18T09:35:00.001-05:00

Which character are you drawn to most. Why?

Lottery - Friends

2008-12-18T09:34:00.002-05:00

Keith and Cherry, Perry’s closest friends, have both lived traumatic lives – Keith served in Vietnam, Cherry has been abused by her father. Why do these characters form such a close bond with Perry? In what ways do their life experiences inform their relationships with him?

Lottery - Lessons

2008-12-18T09:34:00.001-05:00

Perry calls Gram “a good teacher. She didn’t mind that I was slow, but lots of people do.” How do Gram’s lessons prepare Perry for the challenges he faces throughout the novel?

Lottery - Weakness

2008-12-18T09:33:00.002-05:00

Gram tells Perry that his brother David is weak, and that “the weak are more dangerous in the end.” Discuss the character of David and his interactions with Perry. Is Gram’s warning borne out?

Lottery - "Retarded"

2008-12-18T09:33:00.001-05:00

At several points in the novel, various characters use the word “retarded.” How do you feel about this word and the other words that we use to describe mental and physical challenges?

Lottery - Language

2008-12-18T09:31:00.000-05:00

What techniques does she employ to take the reader inside a mentally challenged mind?

Lottery - Introduction

2008-12-15T16:20:00.006-05:00

Lottery, published in 2007, is Patricia Wood's first novel. It's no coincidence that the setting for the story is a coastal town as the author has also worked as a sailor, diver, and educator of marine sciences; She currently lives on a boat based in Hawaii with her husband and she has a son who lives in Everett, WA, the setting of Lottery. In real life the author's father won six million dollars in a lottery a few years ago bu the author notes it was her experiences with the mentally challenged through a family member with Down's Syndrome and from studying in a certificate program on disability and diversity at the University of Hawaii that sparked this book.

Lottery was on the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction 2008 shortlist. You can find out more about the author, including her blog, from her website, www.patriciawoodauthor.com.

The Quiet Girl - Introduction and Discussion Question

2008-11-24T18:38:00.013-05:00

My apologies for missing the start date.

The Quiet Girl is the fifth novel from Danish author Peter Høeg. According to Writer's Directory he also counts actor, dancer, drama teacher, and sailor among his past careers. He's best known for his book Smilla's Sense of Snow which was an international best seller, adapted for a 1997 movie starring Julia Ormond.

This novel, picked as a recommended read for modern world literature by Novelist, has garnered mixed reviews from critics. Quick snatches from reviews follow:

Booklist - demanding, often befuddling, but unquestionably daring philosophical novel.

Publisher's Weekly - The blend of science, erudition and slow revelations... will appeal to his many fans and other readers with a taste for the literary offbeat

Library Journal - an intellectual thriller... The plot has as many twists as an acrobat's performance...a complex and discontinuous narrative...master has not lost his sense of timing

Kirkus - carefully layered narrative...unfolds through the experiences, intuitions and memories... formidably complicated.. the real mystery is absorbing... generates great intensity by developing his characters ...Overwritten and murky, but there's life in it

In summary, this book is challenging yet worthwhile.

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The style of this book is distinctive, and in honor of that we'll have a different discussion for this title. For the next two weeks, we can continue to challenge ourselves to finish reading this complex storyline and I will post only this one question:

What type of readers do you think this book could appeal to? Consider pacing, characterization, story line, language, setting, detail, tone, and learning potential. What other stories might you suggest to someone who has enjoyed this title?

And congratulations to everyone who has finished this one.
Look for a lighter, holiday themed title for mid December.

Quiet Girl discussion delayed until 11/24

2008-11-20T09:13:00.002-05:00

Discussion of The Quiet Girl by Peter Høeg will be delayed until Monday 11/24.

Happy Reading!

Brief Wondrous Life... - Lessons

2008-11-03T21:45:00.000-05:00

During the course of the book, many of the characters try to teach Oscar many things—especially Yunior, who tries to teach him how to lose weight, how to attract women, how to behave in social situations. Do any characters not try to teach Oscar anything, and just accept him as who he is? How much does Oscar actually learn from anyone? And in the end, what does Oscar teach Yunior, and the other characters if anything?

Brief Wondrous Life... - Hero

2008-11-03T21:44:00.001-05:00

Oscar is very far from the traditional model of a "hero." Other characters in the book are more traditionally heroic, making bold decisions on behalf of others to protect them—for instance, La Inca rescuing young Belicia, or Abelard trying to protect his daughters. In the end, do you think Oscar is heroic or foolish? And are those other characters—La Inca, Abelard—more or less heroic than Oscar?

Brief Wondrous Life... - Protagonist

2008-11-03T21:41:00.001-05:00

While Oscar's story is central to the novel, the book is not told in his voice, and there are many chapters in which Oscar does not figure at all, and others in which he only plays a fairly minor role. Who do you consider the true protagonist of the novel? Oscar? Yunior? Belicia? The entire de Leon and Cabral family? The fukú?

Brief Wondrous Life.... - Title

2008-10-31T11:08:00.000-04:00

We know from the start that Oscar is destined to die in the course of the book—the title suggests as much, and there are references to his death throughout the book ("Mister. Later [Lola would] want to put that on his gravestone but no one would let her, not even me." (p. 36)). Why do you think Díaz chose to reveal this from the start? How does Díaz manage to create suspense and hold the reader's attention even though we already know the final outcome for Oscar? Did it actually make the book more suspenseful, knowing that Oscar was going to die?

Brief Wondrous Life.... - Characters

2008-10-29T09:13:00.000-04:00

The author, the primary narrator, and the protagonist of the book are all male, but some of the strongest characters and voices in the book (La Inca, Belicia, Lola) are female. Who do you think makes the strongest, boldest decisions in the book? Given the machismo and swagger of the narrative voice, how does the author express the strength of the female characters? Do you think there is an intentional comment in the contrast between that masculine voice and the strong female characters?

Brief Wondrous Life.... - Yunior

2008-10-27T14:05:00.001-04:00

Yunior characterizes himself as a super macho, womanizing jock-type—and yet in narrating the book, his writing is riddled with reference to nerdy topics like the Fantastic Four and Lord of the Rings. In other words, there seems to be a schism between Yunior the character and Yunior the writer. Why do you think that is? What could Díaz be trying to say by making Yunior's character so seemingly contradictory?

Brief Wondrous Life... - Footnotes

2008-10-23T09:18:00.001-04:00

Díaz, in the voice of the narrator, often employs footnotes to explain the history or context of a certain passage or sentence in the main text. Why do you think he chose to convey historical facts and anecdotes in footnote form? How would the novel have read differently if the content of the footnotes had been integrated into the main text? What if the footnotes (and the information in them) had been eliminated altogether?

Brief Wondrous Life... - Narrator

2008-10-20T19:29:00.001-04:00

The book centers on the story of Oscar and his family—and yet the majority of the book is narrated by Yunior, who is not part of the family, and only plays a relatively minor role in the events of the story. Yunior even calls himself “The Watcher,” underscoring his outsider status in the story. What is the effect of having a relative outsider tell the story of Oscar and his family, rather than having someone in the family tell it? And why do you think Díaz waits for so long at the beginning of the book to reveal who the narrator is?

Brief Wondrous Life.... - Language

2008-10-18T14:10:00.000-04:00

Throughout the novel, Spanish words and phrases appear unaccompanied by their English translations. What is the effect of this seamless blending of Spanish and English? How would the novel have been different if Díaz had stopped to provide English translations at every turn? Why does Díaz not italicize the Spanish words (the way foreign words are usually italicized in English-language text)?

Brief Wondrous Life.... - Response, Author

2008-10-16T09:18:00.003-04:00

A day late, but not a dollar short :>

Wow! Needed the extra day to recover from reading this book. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, with the following honors:

Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2008
National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction 2007
New York Times Notable Books for Fiction and Poetry 2007
Library Journal Best Books 2007

among others, is one of the most graphic books I've read in some time. But with so much acclaim, I continued reading past the first 30 pages and I'm glad I did.
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According to Contemporary Authors Online, author, Junot Diaz was born in 1968, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He immigrated to the United States around 1975 and became a naturalized citizen. He received his B.A. in Literature and History at Rutgers University and his Creative Writing M.F.A. at Cornell University. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is his first novel, following his collection of short stories entitled Drown (1996).
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On April 28 of this year Newsweek published an article in which Mr. Diaz reveals that a book he hopes parents will read to their kids is Richard Adams's Watership Down, "which is about the very thing kids dream of: that something small can still be a hero." Does this remind you of The Brief Wondrous Life...?

Veil of Roses - Conclusion

2008-10-02T15:11:00.000-04:00

In the United States, it is a sound assumption that love is a prerequisite to marriage. However in order to stay in America, Tami may have to forfeit this privilege and concede to an arranged agreement. Considering Nadia’s situation, do you think giving up this choice is worth gaining the other potential freedoms?

Veil of Roses - Ardishir

2008-10-01T09:47:00.001-04:00

Maryam’s husband, Ardishir, seems to be the voice of reason throughout the novel. Why and in what ways is his character’s role essential to the story?

Next title selected for October 15

2008-10-01T09:44:00.002-04:00

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao will be our next title, starting October 15. Two weeks to get your copy and start reading-

Veil of Roses - Rebellion

2008-09-29T13:48:00.001-04:00

While in Tucson, Tami is able to pursue her passion for photography. She sets about capturing on film “everyday acts of rebellion” that she sees women committing all around her. What are some examples of these acts of rebellion and why are they so significant to her?

Veil of Roses - Rose

2008-09-24T10:15:00.001-04:00

Besides the people in her class, Tami also makes a connection with one of her neighbors, Rose McClellan. Though Rose is of a considerable age, she is not married and never has been. As Tami stares at the sign hanging above Rose’s door, which reads ‘La Case de Rosa’, she thinks, “I like Rose. Unmarried Rose. I wonder if she lives in that big house all alone. I wonder what she does all day by herself. Does she play loud music? Paint her toenails while watching television? … Does she sleep in the middle of the bed?” How is Rose’s lifestyle as a single and happy woman somewhat shocking and bewildering to Tami? What impact does Rose’s lifestyle have on Tami’s mode of thinking?

Veil of Roses - Eva

2008-09-22T15:21:00.001-04:00

Discuss Tami’s relationship with Eva. What is the root of the frustration that surfaces between them at times. Is Eva being naïve when she makes suggestions about how Iranian women should act in certain circumstances? Is Tami overly defensive in these situations? Why or why not?

Veil of Roses - Title

2008-09-20T09:19:00.001-04:00

Discuss the significance and the meaning of the veil within the novel. At one point in the story, Tami explains, “My bedroom has always been my refuge…. It is the only place I did not have to wear some sort of veil, some sort of mask…. It has only been alone at night that I get any sense of who I am, of who I might become. It is alone at night that I have found my greatest peace.” (page 109) How does this passage represent so much of Tami’s Iranian life?

Veil of Roses - Tami and Maryam

2008-09-17T15:54:00.001-04:00

Compare and contrast the two Soroush sisters, Tami and Maryam. How do their outlooks on marriage differ? Do you think Tami believes Maryam takes advantage of all of the liberties that are available to her now that she is settled in America?

Veil of Roses - Introduction

2008-09-15T17:44:00.005-04:00

Veil of Roses is the first novel from author Laura Fitzgerald. It was chosen as a Target Club Pick in Spring 2007. The book's main character, Tamila Soroush, is from Tehran, Iran, the same city as the author's real life husband. In addition to her family connection to Persion culture, the author has worked as an English tutor for American immigrants. A June 2008 post to her blog in Amazon says that her second novel, One True Theory of Love, should be published in February. More information about the author and the book, including book club ideas and recipes, are available at Laura's website, www.laurafitzgerald.com.

Discussion questions to follow...

September 15th book

2008-09-02T19:28:00.003-04:00

We've decided to continue the online book club through the end of the year. I know you're reading the posts, so drop us a line! Click the link for "comments" and add your thoughts, anonymously if you like.

The next book will be... Veil of Roses by Laura Fitzgerald, starting September 15. There are only a few copies in the catalog so reserve your copy now, and pass it along!

Uncommon Reader - Effect of Reading

2008-08-25T14:44:00.002-04:00

Directly from the online readers guide at fsgbooks.com:

In her conversation with the university vice-chancellor and the creative writing professor, the Queen debates whether reading softens a person up while writing does the reverse. Do you agree that writing makes us tough but reading makes us soft? How does the Queen handle her transition from reader to writer?

The Uncommon Reader - Writers

2008-08-25T14:18:00.002-04:00

The Queen talks about her experience in gathering together the writers she had enjoyed reading and finding the experience to be disappointing. On page 51 she notes, "She, who had seldom in her life been intimidated by anyone, now found herself tongue-tied and awkward."

What experiences have you had meeting the author of a book you've read? If you're in a book club, have you ever had an author visit in person or via telephone conference? What author would you most like to meet and what question would you ask?

The Uncommon Reader - Extension

2008-08-21T16:15:00.005-04:00

FYI - This little novella is so enjoyable to discuss, we'll be continuing this discussion through September 6. Just click the comments link and write your thoughts!

The Uncommon Reader - Characters

2008-08-21T10:26:00.004-04:00

This novella has few characters to follow. Other than the Queen, the primary characters are Norman Seakins the kitchen worker promoted to page/reading guide and Sir Kevin, the private secretary.

How do you feel about the Queen's relationships with these two characters? How do you feel about the interactions between Norman and Seakins? How would the story have been different if Norman was not sent to University by Sir Kevin?

The Uncommon Reader - Reactions to reading

2008-08-21T09:48:00.002-04:00

One of the interesting developments in the story is the way everyone around the Queen reacts to her reading. There's an overwhelmingly negative response in everyone from her servants, colleagues, subjects, even the dogs, "in a short space of time they came to hate books as the spoilsports they were (and have always been)."

Do you find this reaction realistic? Have you had similar negative reactions to your reading from those around you?

The Uncommon Reader - Beginning

2008-08-12T15:50:00.004-04:00

The Queen is introduced to reading by stumbling upon the Westminster library bookmobile after chasing her dogs and borrowing a book out of politeness. Thus begins a life altering journey.

How were you first introduced to reading? How has the public library influenced your life? Have you had a similar experience of discovering a new passion because you wandered slightly off the beaten path or were trying to keep up appearances?

The Uncommon Reader - General

2008-08-12T15:32:00.005-04:00

In the spirit of full disclosure, to choose this book I relied on advice from two great book club resources online: Reading Group Guides and Reading Group Choices. Besides being great starts for choosing books, they also have great discussion questions which I have read and will influence the questions presented here. Feel free to check them out for more thought stimulating ideas.

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How do you feel about this book as a novella, longer than a short story but shorter than a novel? How would you have shortened or lengthened the story?

The author is known for his sly humor; what evidence of this do you see in the title of the novella and elsewhere in the book?

The notion of a Queen is foreign to us Americans. Could this book have been written with an American President as the main character? How would it have been different?

The Uncommon Reader - Intro

2008-08-11T21:53:00.002-04:00

To begin, since this book is such a quick read, we'll vary the format by keeping the discussion to two weeks.

Not that there isn't much to talk about! Starting with the author alone...

Alan Bennett is a renowned playwright, screenwriter, entertainer and author in his home country of England. Probably best known in the United States for the Tony award winning play turned movie History Boys, this actor turned writer has an extensive resume of critically acclaimed works that date back to the early 1960's ; he's even merited two books of critical analysis, Understanding Alan Bennett from the Understanding Contemporary British Literature series and Alan Bennett: A Critical Introduction and a biography, Backing Into The Limelight: The Biography of Alan Bennett.

Have you ever heard of the author previous to reading this book or seen any of his numerous plays, television or movie productions? How does his work compare to any American author's works you have read?

Love Walked In - The End

2008-07-30T09:43:00.003-04:00

Having read the book and looking back on it, what, in your own words, would you say the book is about? Would you recommend it, and if so who would you recommend it to? Please share any favorite passages.

Love Walked In - Ending

2008-07-30T09:34:00.002-04:00

So in the end (spoiler alert!) Cornelia leaves Clare with Viviana in the house she loved, Mrs. Goldberg's, in her old neighborhood while she pursues developing career aspirations or something to be determined.

How do you feel about the ending? Was it surprising? Is it realistic? What, if anything, would you have changed?

Love Walked In - Overall

2008-07-29T12:33:00.002-04:00

As I look back through the posts and comments, I see a bias towards character as opposed to plot. Maybe that's unfair to the writer, after all there is a plot. What do you think is the climax of the book? What scene is the most compelling or stands out the most? What do you think that scene reveals about the author's intentions?

Love Walked In - Martin

2008-07-24T14:04:00.002-04:00

One of the things that makes this book so interesting is that Martin is the means by which Clare and Cornelia connect, yet we don't get any of the story really from his perspective. Why do you think he never told Cornelia about Clare? Once Clare reappears in his life, what do you make of his actions and reactions to both Clare and to the missing Viviana? Do you think he handles it well? Try to imagine his perspective.

Love Walked In - Characters

2008-07-21T16:17:00.002-04:00

Of the 5 main characters, Cornelia, Linny, Martin, Clare, Viviana, and Teo, who was your favorite and why? Which of the minor characters stand out? Of the two different perspectives this book is told from, Cornelia and Clare, which did you prefer?

Love Walked In - believable?

2008-07-17T21:10:00.002-04:00

I mentioned earlier what lead to the choosing of this title, its critical acclaim and recent followup and, just to add, its availability in the library and in paperback. I was maybe 2 pages in when I started thinking I walked right into Chick-Lit. Not that that's a bad thing. I just wouldn't have known that from the reviews I read previously such as those in Novelist. After reading the whole book, I wonder if that's really a fair label for the book at all since it incorporates several "heavier " themes, notably grief and mental illness. These are not typical themes that Chick-Lit characters encounter.
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What major themes did you find in the book? Did you feel like the characters and plot were "real" ?
Have you ever experienced anything similar to the events in the book to compare?

Love Walked In - intro

2008-07-14T14:43:00.002-04:00

And we're finally beginning! Hopefully you've already at least begun the book but if you haven't, feel free to join in wherever you are. Beware there may be spoilers in the blog.

To begin, I just wanted to share a bit about the author. Love Walked In is the first novel from Marisa de los Santos. This book was chosen in part because the follow-up book, Belong to Me, which continues the story of Cornelia, Teo and company, was released in April this year. There is a brief interview with the author available on Amazon on her follow-up book. Prior to these two novels, Marisa published a collection of poetry titled From the Bones Out: Poems.

Love Walked In itself received wide acclaim when published in 2005, including being a Library Journal Best Book of 2006 pick, and was on many bestseller lists including the New York Times. It spawned its own website, www.lovewalkedin.com, and according to Contemporary Authors Online there is a film adaptation planned starring Sarah Jessica Parker.
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Samples of the author's poetry and essays are available on love walkedin.com. Do you see the influence of this poetry background in this novel?

What actors would you select to cast this book as a movie?

Welcome to Our Online Book Club

2008-06-02T19:04:00.011-04:00

Welcome to our first online book club for the Seekonk Public Library!

How will it work?

We're hoping really well :> This is what we had in mind:

For the next two months we will be discussing the selected titles on the schedule to the right.
Every week we'll start off the discussion with posted questions open for your (moderated) comments.
Submit your comments on the original post and others' comments.
At the end of discussing the two books we'll decide the future of the club.

Remember our Summer Reading Program is open to adults as well as kids and teens. And this year it includes the ability to post and read reviews from fellow readers as well as prizes from local sponsors. Be sure to register and log all your summer reading and don't forget to include these titles.

Any ideas for the book club that you'd like to suggest?