Favorite book for the year: The Help by Kathryn Stockett (4 3/4 omelets)
Second place: Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (4 1/4 omelets)
Third place: People Of The Book (3 3/4 omelets)
If you haven’t read it yet, get The Help
December 31, 2009
The Results Are In! Our Favorite Book Of The Year Was The Help!
September 13, 2009
September’s Meeting
September’s meeting was a great success. It was nice to get everyone together again after our short summer break. We had a wonderful turnout and an informative discussion on both Homer & Langley and People of the Book. Everyone seemed to really enjoy both books and we found a lot to talk about. Over coffee, bagels and oatmeal, we put together an interesting list of discussion questions for Homer & Langley, to be submitted to Random House. The questions will be submitted late Monday, so if you have any suggestions please let me know ASAP! Also, don’t forget to “Rate The Book” below so we can update our book list. It is a great resource for our readers.
Homer & Langley Discussion Questions
1. How different would the life of the Collyer brothers have been if Homer, the sensible one had retained his vision. Would Homer have become the caretaker?
2. On page 74 you will find the passage: “Langley. I said. Am I your shadow? In the darkness I listened. You’re my brother, he said ”. In actuality, who was who’s shadow, and what does it say about their relationship?
3. Homer had several occasions to develop a relationship with a woman. Langley even commented about his brother’s affinity for the ladies. Why did Homer choose to remain single and live with his brother?
4. Did the brothers actually love each other?
5. Was it a misguided sacrifice that Homer gave up his life for his brother? How responsible is one for their siblings?
6. If the Collyer’s parents had not died how would their lives have been different ?
7. What part did the park play in the brother’s lives?
8. In what ways does the concept of “crossing boundaries” or “opposites” present itself as a recurrent theme?
9. Was Langley a genius? Are we really all replacements?
10. Was Jacqueline Roux real? If so, did she ever return after their first meeting when she “saved” Homer’s life?
11. As is often the case in historical fiction, the author has taken liberties with known facts about the Collyer brothers lives, notably their birth order (in reality, Homer was the elder brother), the timing of their parents death (the sons were in their 30’s and 40’s), the circumstances surrounding Homer’s blindness (it occurred as the result of a stroke he suffered in adulthood), and Homer’s musical skills (Langley was the musician). Why do you think E.L. Doctorow made these changes, and how does it affect the dynamics between the two brothers?
12.The story of the Collyer brothers was reminiscent of the movie Grey Gardens, the story of Edith Bouvier Beale and her mother (Cousin and Aunt of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis). They too were recluses, lived in squalor and were isolated from the world. Do life circumstances which cause bitterness and despair justify the eccentric actions of the characters?
13. Do you think Homer has options when Langley returns and the household is basically intact and financially secure? At what different junctures could Homer have chosen a different path?
14. Why would Homer who was portrayed as educated and artistic, intuitive, understanding, and really “seeing of the world” have gone along with Langley’s theories and world views?
August 22, 2009
Friday Morning Book Club Gives People Of The Book 3 3/4 omelets
How do we compare to others that have read this book?
Amazon readers gave People Of The Book 4 stars
Barnes and Noble readers gave People Of The book 4 stars
I guess we are a slightly tougher audience!
August 9, 2009
People Of The Book
Check out this reading guide for People Of The Book. It includes a brief summary of the book, questions and answers with the author as well as a list of discussion questions.
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/people_of_the_book.html
August 5, 2009
People Of The Book
Hopefully everyone is Reading People of the Book. If you will not be able to attend next weeks meeting, we would still love to know what you thought of the book. Let us know through the blog!
July 28, 2009
Geraldine Brooks
To learn more about Geraldine Brooks, the author of People of the Book, check out her official website. Her earlier book Year of Wonders looks interesting.
July 22, 2009
The Sarajevo Haggadah
I hope you are enjoying People of the Book. For more information about the Sarajevo Haggadah check out this site.
July 19, 2009
The Making of a Medieval book
Skin of a stillborn goat on a stretcher
If you are reading People of the Book, I think you will find this interesting! Check out this site!
