I’d never read anything by Anna Quindlen before I started this month’s Book Club selection, Blessings. The novel is so beautifully written, I decided to do a little research on the author. Ms. Quindlen started her writing career as a journalist. Her nationally syndicated op-ed column for the New York Times, called "Public and Private," became only the third one in the paper’s history to be written by a woman. Her work has appeared in virtually every major newspaper and magazine in the country.
It all started with a pair of jeans from a secondhand store and four friends who came up with a way to wear and share these pants during summer vacation. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares was the first book in a series that captivated young girls and teens.
Earth Day Reads: How Silent Spring Made Some Noise
Books have the power to change our lives and can be responsible for huge social and cultural changes. The Hunger Games trilogy, Twilight series, and Harry Potter have all inspired movies, fashion, sports trends, and even theme parks.
In March, Thursday’s Mystery Book Club discussed A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer. Everyone in the group agreed that Archer does such a fine job with the characterizations in the novel that you never need to turn back pages to remember who people are--a major accomplishment in our eyes. This book isn’t going down in history as a great classic, but the strong characters and a clever plot make it a worthwhile read. The main character, Danny, strives for justice regardless of the cost. As far as heroes go, he is essentially good.
For March, the Monday Mystery Book Club read Wild Indigo by Sandi Ault. As mysteries go, this one is weak. We thought it was supposed to be a Tony Hillerman read-a-like, but it was a disappointment when held up to Hillerman’s books. However, there were a couple members who did enjoy this one. They weren’t as put off by the author’s note at the beginning of the book as some others were.
This month, the Colbern Road Evening Book Club is discussing The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by C. Alan Bradley. Join us Wednesday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. as we gather to talk about this enthralling Debut Dagger Award winner.
The Lucky One is an amazing story about a marine who encounters a streak of good fortune and attributes this to a photograph he has found. Logan Thibault believes this smiling woman is his good luck charm and decides to go on a journey across the country to find her.
Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisle's for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now, the Lisle family is headed to America with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.
Women at War: Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Conflicts
Curiosity is the reason I started to read the book, Women at War: Iraq, Afghanistan, and Other Conflicts. I am a woman but never was a soldier. I've never experienced any armed conflict (and hopefully never will). I try to keep up with the news and be aware of what is happening in the world, so this book caught my attention. It promised to tell more than what was covered on TV. I expected this book to give me a "behind the scenes" look.
For our May discussion, we are reading two very different mysteries. The first is definitely a cozy, but it does include some great sounding recipes. The second is the first new Sherlock Holmes mystery actually sanctioned by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle. Join us at the Antioch Branch on May 21 at 7:00 p.m. to express your views on both.
