Book Group Discussion
Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography by Rob Lowe
Written by mpaterniti on 12/01/2011Meet Us on Main Street regular Debi, just enthralled us with her entertaining review of this Rob Lowe memoir:
"I went to bed with Rob, woke up in the middle of the night and spent some more time in bed with him. And there he was waiting by my bedside when I woke in the morning. I couldn't give him up. The book was a 7 day loan and I so could have finished it in 7 days...but it is now 21 days with overdue fees...and I guess it is time. Loved his writing-his stories. Who knew?
Now I will probably have no life...again as I will be renting some Rob Lowe movies and the 4 full seasons of The West Wing. It's a date!"
Next to Love by Ellen Feldman
Written by mpaterniti on 09/22/2011
Our Library book group met recently to discuss Next to Love by Ellen Feldman. This is the story of war's lingering effects on, not only our fighting soldiers, but on those left at home and even the generations that follow. The story, also, depicts middle class American life as it was lived in the 1940's and 50's. Comments from our members ranged from "an interesting book that showed what life was like back then," to "I was touched by the depth of the characters," and "I think I'll remember this one."
Short Stories for Short Days #5 October 11, 2011
Written by mpaterniti on 09/19/2011A & P by John Updike will be our next story for discussion with Carroll Stenson on Tuesday from 3-4 p.m.in the conference room. Please join us.
Short Stories for Short Days #3 September 27, 2011
Written by mpaterniti on 09/18/2011Carroll Stenson will lead a discussion of Editha by William Dean Howells on Tuesday from 3-4 p.m. in the conference room. All are welcome.
A Room with A View by E.M. Forster
Written by mpaterniti on 08/10/2011For our final book to movie selection this season our Library book group read and then watched A Room with a View by E.M.Forster. Considered to be the author's most romantic and optimistic book, the novel deals with the many issues of British society and politics in early 20th century and tells the coming of age story of Lucy Honeychurch who is trying to break the bonds of British upper class mores and manners.
The movie filmed on location sealed the reputation of Merchant Ivory as masters of the period film. A beautiful adaptation of Forster's classic this movie was nominated for eight Academy Awards (winning three). While our group didn't officially take a vote as to our favorite book/movie of the summer, it appears that A Room with a View won by our enthusiastic response.
Short Stories for Long Days #9 August 16, 2011
Written by mpaterniti on 08/10/2011Please join us for our last summer short story discussion with Carroll Stenson on Tuesday from 3-4 p.m. We will discuss The Untold Lie by Sherwood Anderson.
Short Stories for Long Days #8 August 9, 2011
Written by mpaterniti on 08/04/2011Please join us in the conference room at 3 p.m. on Tuesday when Carroll Stenson will lead a discussion of Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway.
Short Stories for Long Days #7 August 2, 2011
Written by mpaterniti on 07/26/2011Please join Carroll Stenson for a discussion of The Attendant's Confession by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis on Tuesday, August 2 from 3-4 p.m. in the conference room.
Appointment with Death a Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie
Written by mpaterniti on 07/21/2011We, in the Library book group, are having a lot of fun this summer with our book to movie series. June's A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean was one of those combination pieces where the book and movie enhanced one another. Whereas July's selection, Appointment with Death, a psychological study of a family under the thumb of a tyrannical stepmother, gave us a book and movie so divergent, we had a hard time recognizing that both told the same story. Needless to say our conversation was lively and spirited. One of our members was heard to say, "We stirred up a hornet's nest with this one."
If your group is looking for a change of pace this sumer, perhaps a book to movie session would work for you.
Short Stories for Long Days #6 July 26, 2011
Written by mpaterniti on 07/20/2011Due to copyright restrictions we are unable to publish next week's story. However, a synopsis is written below and copies are available at the welcome desk.
The Rich Brother by Tobias Wolff
The story opens with Pete having to go, once again, and rescue Donald from his fragmented drifter's life. Donald has been thrown out of a commune and Pete is willing to take him home and try to help him. However, the road trip back home is fraught with conflict and only intensifies their differences.
Sibling rivalry is an old story, but one that is always timely and relatable. And Wolff's treatment of this theme, in this particular story, gives the reader a lot to think about. After examining both characters' personalities, their shortcomings and strong-points, the reader is left to wonder who really is the rich brother.
Please join us on Tuesday, July 26 from 3-4 p.m. in the conference room for our weekly short story discussion with Carroll Stenson.
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