Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on November 26, 2013.

Though the turnout included only six of us for last week's meeting, the discussion of Catherine the Great was good. This book proved to be a worthwhile challenge. The ratings were very positive with a 4.5 out of 5 rating. We found the unfamiliar Russian names to be difficult. Reading this book also benefited from investing some time with resource materials. Unfortunately, the geography, both physical and political, was not familiar to many of us. But the reward was an intriguing look into a fascinating life and the world and times she occupied. Robert Massie has spent a good bit of his career as a biographer looking at the most renowned historical figures of Russian history. See the library catalogs for further reading. This is the kind of literature that we should hope our leaders in Washington will embrace to be better informed about both allies and/or enemies. The relationship between the US and Russia has had many twists and turns - including over the past 100 years - from allies in the World Wars, to the dark days of the Cold War, to cooperation in scientific research on the MIR space station.

COMING UP

Annual Planning Meeting - December 10, 2013 at noon at the Brownstone in South Whitley

At last week's meeting, we discussed several book suggestions for next year. We are hoping for two or three titles from each member. I know some of you already have some picks in mind. We should be prepared to have a brief synopsis of the choices with a nod to your favorite. As I recall, last year several of us were considering the same books, making the job easier.

--Susan

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on October 22, 2013

The Story of Beautiful Girl was a very worthwhile read for all of us. Though this is a work of fiction, it seems to fairly represent (from our memories and personal observations) a general atmosphere in the 50's and 60's about how the US treated people with mental and other disabilities. It was not always easy to read about the conditions in these places including abuse, misunderstanding, lack of learning opportunities and general deprivation.. The story kept our interest by luring us into hoping that the characters of Lynnie and Homan would be able to pull through their challenges and somehow be the proverbial Phoenixes who rise up. In the 1960's there were 500,000 people living in institutions across the US. This work does not represent the best, nor does it represent the worst of these institutions. But, the reality of parents warehousing imperfect children to avoid the stimulus attached to their child's condition is unthinkable to most of us in today's culture. At the time though, the medical profession encouraged it and painted a rosy picture of the care these children might receive and parents were convinced that it was the best solution for their child and for their families.

We agreed that while a lot of elements in the story line were far-fetched, they provided a platform for the characters to face challenges and to grow. There are central elements of symbolism that served to guide the characters through their lives. This is a long term love story and a story of hope and perseverance. Our group today rated the book overall at 4.8/5.

Thanks Linda for the pick.

COMING UP

Catherine the Great by Robert Massie - Tuesday, November 26 at Maria's at noon

Reading this book is an interesting look into the history of the 1700's when Sophia, a 14 year old minor Prussian princess was brought to Russia to become the wife of the heir apparent to succeed his Aunt (the Empress), Elizabeth. Once in Russia, Elizabeth renamed Sophia to Catherine. This extensive biography details the young girl's life before coming to court while Elizabeth was still on the throne and through her ultimate ascendency to the throne. She was well read and a proponent of Enlightenment which was a new concept of fair minded rules for governments and society in the mid 1700's. The realities of recent history dating back over the last hundred years is a stark contrast to the direction Catherine envisioned for her adopted country. It is a fascinating and detailed book. Be prepared to be immersed in life at court in Russia and the relations with her advisors, lovers and with Russia's European neighbors. 

 

This book is one of a series of biographies of Russians including Peter the Great and the Romanovs. Massie's work has been highly praised by historical biography critics for his thoroughness and for the books' readability.

Planning Meeting for 2014 - Tuesday, December 10, at the Brownstone at noon.

This is our annual celebration of the books we read in the past and of the books we will read in the coming year. Members are asked to submit titles for consideration at this meeting. We will discuss the options and each of us will make our selection - one per person - for the coming year. The library has a list of suggestions of books that are available from a central source (rather than using the inter-library-loan system.) I'll have these materials available for the November and December meetings.

Last year we started with a huge list of titles and the process of discussing the books helped to hone in on titles that might appeal to all of us. Our selections should be either classic works ("Timeless") or more current works ("Timely"). Keep in mind that we will probably not be able to get the most recently published books through the library.

Follow the River by James Alexander Thom - January 28 - location to be determined

In preparation for 2014, the first selection was chosen so that the library would have a title for the Newsletter published in December. This was a consensus pick. Here is part of the description found on Amazon.com about the book:

"Mary Ingles was twenty-three, married, and pregnant, when Shawnee Indians invaded her peaceful Virginia settlement, killed the men and women, then took her captive. For months, she lived with them, unbroken, until she escaped, and followed a thousand mile trail to freedom--an extraordinary story of a pioneer woman who risked her life to return to her people."

--Susan

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on September 24, 2013.

We rated this book with a 4.5 out of 5 on 8 votes.  While primarily a children's book author, Ms Collins wrote this book, and the two following it in the series, for a teenage audience.  But it is also a favorite of adults.  This story introduces us to Katness Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl, who because of the death of her father and the ensuing severe depression of her mother, must assume the role of provider for the family.  She is devoted to her younger sister, Prim, and Katness makes choices throughout the book in an effort to protect her and their mother from harm and hunger.  The book is filled with characters who are written with diverse personalities and goals.  A romantic triangle between Katness, Gale, her hunting partner, and Peeta, a school friend and fellow "Tribute," forms one of the plotlines in the book.  The challenges faced in the Hunger Games arena are at times horrifying and at other times we see humanity and caring that q    makes us to believe in the heroes.  The story is filled with subplots and differing agendas.  It is a captivating read.

Those in our group who have not read the two following books (The Mockingjay and Catching Fire) showed interest in continuing on with the series.  The Hunger Games is another departure from some of our personally favorite genres.  And though this is a well know series, it might never have found its way onto some of our shelves if it had not been on our agenda.  So, thank you to Starr for selecting the book. 

COMING UP

The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon.

This is Ms. Simon's sixth book.  This is an excerpt from her essay on creating the story of "Beautiful Girl":

When The Story of Beautiful Girl came out, I kept getting asked two questions. Why was I drawn to writing disability-themed literature? And was it hard to write from the point of view of characters with disabilities?

My answer to the first question begins with this basic fact: for one month every year, I am a twin.

My sister Beth, who has an intellectual disability, was born eleven months after me. So every year when I visit her for her birthday, the first thing we both say is, "Now we’re twins!" And for the next thirty days, as she gleefully moves through her days wearing the Tweety Bird shirts and using the Scooby Doo stickers I bought for her big celebration, we are indeed twins. Then my birthday rolls around, and when I visit her for that admittedly more secondary occasion, and she thrusts dozens of handmade cards at me, all of which express her happiness at my coming to see her, the first thing we both say is, "Now we’re not twins."

The story starts out in the remote farmhouse of an elder widow who lives alone.  A young woman and man show up one evening during a large storm wearing thin, worn clothes and looking very desperate.  Warily she takes them in and makes several astounding discoveries.  This book tackles societal issues in how people with developmental and physical challenges have been treated and how many still manage to grow into their lives. 

Catherine the Great by Robert Massie on November 26th at Maria's at noon.

This is a very readable biography of this fascinating woman.  It is interesting to read about the royal connections between nations through this period of time. Born as a minor Prussian (German) Princess, her name was changed when she arrived at the court if Elizabeth II from Sophia to Catherine.  She was an intelligent, well read, well educated and independent woman who ultimately brought the Russian throne to great power in the world.  Being a woman, she broke the mold of what was expected.  She was ambitions and used all of her considerable powers to expand the Russian Empire.  She could be ruthless or charming, and she had voracious appetites.  Though her marriage to the King, a weak child-man, ended with his murder, she took several lovers.  She is described as a "serial monogamist."

 

Meticulously, dramatically rendered.

--O: The Oprah Magazine
 

Reads like an epic Russian novel

--San Antonio Express-News

Will transport history lovers.

--People

Join the discussion for more interesting twists and turns in her life and reign.

 

--Susan

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on August 27, 2013.

The Postmistress was an enjoyable read. With 8 votes, we rated this book at 3.6 out of 5. Thanks to Joyce for choosing this title. Sarah Blake's work took a little time to engage our attention. But the story's pivotal character, Emma, drew our sympathies and respect in the end for her level of maturity and grace in a difficult situation. The premise of undelivered letters, though the highlighted device in this novel, was not for me the most interesting thing about the book.

We agreed that Frankie was the character we liked the best. She was written as a part of a changing role for women in the early 1940's. She sought to interview and report the stories of refugees traveling from Germany and France as they seek a safer existence. Her heart was most deeply felt through the impact on her in the time she spent on this endeavor, especially after she had time to reflect on the experience. By inserting a real-life person, in Edward R. Murrow, Ms. Blake served to anchor the story in time and to add credibility to Frankie's character.

Iris's character was challenging to relate to with her staid ways reflecting her regimented life and her inexperience in male/female relationships. But the fact that she mishandled delivery of one letter only spoke to her deep concern for the intended recipient. Was it wrong to withhold the letter? It seemed to me more an act allowing for compassion not expressly allowed in her position, than a miscarriage of duties. All three of the women made emotional journeys and each was left with more depth of character for having gone there.

Thomas was hardest to understand. His capricious decision to escape from his life that included his wife and medical practice in his small hometown, had a dramatic effect on all three of the main women in the novel.

This is a good beach book or change of pace between heavier works. This book presented lots of discussion points and received good reviews from the literary world.

COMING UP

September 24 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - at BUGSY's Pizza at Noon

Get ready for an exciting ride. This book is marketed as a "Young People" novel, but it will hold the attention of adults as well. When the real action starts, it is very hard to disengage from it. The sub-text of the novel is front and center from early on. The characters could have popped up in a "Survivor" episode if they had been a bit older. The emerging personalities of the competitors are reflections of people we have met today. The diabolic exercise of power in certain cases that has infiltrated our awareness today is a prelude to this futuristic interpretation of where that approach might take us. Given the ebb and flow of history and the unpredictability of it, this is definitely a novel that will linger in our thoughts long after the last page has been turned.

This is a cultural touchstone perhaps in the realm of Animal Farm or 1984. I see a lot of parallel lines that seem to reflect those works. There will be lots to talk about when we meet to discuss this book.

October 22 - The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon - at BrewHa at Noon

From Amazon.com:

It is 1968. Lynnie, a young white woman with a developmental disability, and Homan, an African American deaf man, are locked away in an institution, the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded, and have been left to languish, forgotten. Deeply in love, they escape, and find refuge in the farmhouse of Martha, a retired schoolteacher and widow. But the couple is not alone-Lynnie has just given birth to a baby girl. When the authorities catch up to them that same night, Homan escapes into the darkness, and Lynnie is caught. But before she is forced back into the institution, she whispers two words to Martha: "Hide her." And so begins the 40-year epic journey of Lynnie, Homan, Martha, and baby Julia-lives divided by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet drawn together by a secret pact and extraordinary love.

See you at Bugsy's next month.

--Susan

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on July 23, 2013.

The conversation yesterday about The Poisonwood Bible was lively and engaging. We discussed the five females at the heart of the book and the effect that their father/husband played in dramatically affecting their life choices. While it was unanimous that he had his own set of challenges, he was the villain of the story. The four daughters were influenced by the experience of living in the jungles of the Congo and went on such diverse paths as the story progressed. There was a lot of irony in each of their lives. Adah, our most liked character "turned things around" on several levels. Rachel was able to exploit her own uniqueness, Leah seems to have connected most dramatically with the world she was thrust into. And Ruth May left it all in the jungle where they lived. Orleanna's choices throughout the book were questioned by our group. Being raised with the traditions of the deep south in the 1940's and 1950's, stepping off of the small plane into such an intensely intimidating environment certainly altered her world and how she would have to manage navigating her family through the experience. We felt varying levels of sympathy for the choices she made and how successful she was as a mother.
 

But in the end, the book was a vividly written work of art. Barbara Kingsolver's writing style is fresh with imagination and beautiful use of her writer's tools. Each character had a distinct voice. It was not hard to see mental pictures of the characters and their environment down to their every detail.  

 

While this book won't suit everyone's taste in subject matter, it is enormously interesting as a piece of literature. Appreciating that Barbara Kingsolver was writing in part from her own experiences of living in Africa, the novel felt authentic. Our group average rating for this book was 3.8 out of 5.  

Coming Up:

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake - at Los Tequilas at Noon

Copies of the book are available at the Peabody Public Library Circulation desk.  

From www.bookbrowse.com:

"Those who carry the truth sometimes bear a terrible burden...

Filled with stunning parallels to today's world, The Postmistress is a sweeping novel about the loss of innocence of two extraordinary women-and of two countries torn apart by war.

On the eve of the United States's entrance into World War II in 1940, Iris James, the postmistress of Franklin, a small town on Cape Cod, does the unthinkable: She doesn't deliver a letter.

In London, American radio gal Frankie Bard is working with Edward R. Murrow, reporting on the Blitz. One night in a bomb shelter, she meets a doctor from Cape Cod with a letter in his pocket, a letter Frankie vows to deliver when she returns from Germany and France, where she is to record the stories of war refugees desperately trying to escape."

My best to you.

 

--Susan

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on June 25, 2013.

Well we registered a first today.  From the 9 votes from those in attendance today, we gave Maloka'i  a perfect 5/5.  It was a lively discussion touching on the characters, both fictional and non-fictional, and the arc of the story about our heroine, Rachel.  Since Robin lived with her family in the Pacific rim, she brought a great perspective to the story and had printed several pages of research to share.  Tim had more insightful discussion points and there was great participation among the group.   Several other titles were presented for follow-up reading about this time period in Hawaii.  Check with Robin.

Many thanks to everyone for hanging in there with our last minute venue change.  I love meeting at the Library and really appreciated that Laura could be with us today.

Coming up:

July 23 - The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - at the Oriental Buffet at Noon

This is an inventive and interesting novel.  There are a lot of discussion points.  Among the challenges for this Georgia family - consisting of the Baptist minister father, his wife and their four daughters - are adapting to several forms of deprivation, cultural misunderstandings and attempts at religious indoctrination of the indigenous people. The story is told from different points of view and keeps us on our toes.   Ms. Kingsolver does not ask us to subscribe to their individual beliefs.  What she does so masterfully is to give us food for thought.  The premise of following the family's trials and the dogmatic father's interpretations of his role in this African country was captivating to me.  I can't wait to hear what our discussion will produce next month.

August 27 -   The Postmistress by Sarah Blake - at Los Tequilas at Noon

Published in 2010, this novel is receiving a lot of buzz in the Book Club community.  The New York Times gave this review: 

"…a book that hits hard and pushes buttons expertly…the real strength of The Postmistress lies in its ability to strip away readers' defenses against stories of wartime uncertainty and infuse that chaos with wrenching immediacy and terror. Ms. Blake writes powerfully about the fragility of life and about Frankie's efforts to explain how a person can be present in one instant and then in the next, gone forever."

Happy reading.

--Susan

Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on May 28, 2013.

 

This refreshingly fun read is a good beginning to a new season, with an irreverent attorney who seems to love his best pal Tara more than anything else. Tara is his golden retriever. But as an attorney, Andy Carpenter is rule bending and is totally original in his approach to his work in the courtroom. There are lots of mysteries for Andy to try to solve including an unexplained $22 million legacy from his father.

 

It is always nice to revisit Brew Ha for our meetings. The seating was conducive to a wonderful discussion. With nine of us in attendance, it was great to enjoy all of your thoughts on Open and Shut. The comments were overwhelmingly positive. This book rated an average 4.6 out of 5 on our scale. Though not "great literature," it was a fun and funny read. The irreverent character of Andy Carpenter had a certain endearing persona and the plot of this mystery moved along in true storyteller fashion. Though a few holes in the plot were observed by some, and for others the villain was identified about half way through, it proved to be a nice change of pace that was greatly enjoyed. David Rosenfelt is a prolific writer and this was the first in his series of Andy Carpenter books. Thank you Laura for this pick.

 

We did a straw poll about the average number of books our group reads each month. The numbers were both gratifying and intimidating. These folks are reading from 2 books to numbers in the mid teens each month. Most are reading 5 or 6 books a month. What a wealth of reading experiences these great people bring to our discussions. Just being able to listen makes coming to meetings such a joy.

Looking Ahead

As summer weather starts settling in, we will have some good reading for these longer days. With authors Alan Brennert, Barbara Kingsolver and Sarah Blake, I think we will find interesting and well written books to pass the time. All three are new authors to our Timely and Timeless list.

 

Tuesday, June 25 - Moloka'i - by Alan Brennert

This is a story of survival in the face of unimaginable circumstances. The story starts with a young child and her separation from her family as a result of contracting leprosy. Rachel Kalama is a wholly likeable character who grows up amid the horrors of a community afflicted with this disfiguring and lethal disease. Ultimately, it is a love story of hope and perseverance.  

Some of the group have read this book already. It should provide lots of discussion points. The lessons of this book deal with courage and grace. Though most of the characters are amalgamations of real life people, there are some actual historical figures in the book. The events and places described are drawn from historical facts. Other reading to compliment this book are James Michner's sweeping historical novel, Hawaii, and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. Ford's work deals with the same sort of forced segregation of a group pf people and the stigmatization that was forced upon them. 

Alan Brennert, a native of New Jersey, has written two novels dealing with Hawaii. In addition to our June selection, Maloka'i, that was published in 2003, he wrote Honolulu that was published in 2009. Mr. Brennert was born in 1954 and has had a successful career not only as a novelist, but also as a screenwriter and producer in television, winning several screen awards for LA LAW. His most recent work, which was published this spring, Palisades Park, is an ode to his home state. 

Tuesday, July 23 - The Poisonwood Bible - by Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver is such a wonderful writer, and she is enjoying a lot of attention for her work. She has published 14 works over 24 years. This book will challenge your ideas and expand your awareness of the world of the Congo in the 1960's. I feel that this book is an important piece to have in our cultural field of reference.

Barbara Kingsolver was born in rural Kentucky and graduated with degrees in biology from DePauw University and the University of Arizona. She has published 14 novels to date including The Poisonwood Bible, Prodigal Summer, The Lacuna and Flight Behavior. Having traveled and lived all over the world, her writing has absorbed those influences and they have enriched her prose. Her writing is clear, crisp and engaging. Here are a few quotes that demonstrates the evocative qualities of her work.

"The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. The most you can do is live inside that hope, running down its hallways, touching the walls on both sides."

"Everything you're sure is right can be wrong in another place."

"What keeps me awake at the wheel is the thrill of trying something completely new with each book. I’m not a risk-taker in life, generally speaking, but as a writer I definitely choose the fast car, the impossible rock face, the free fall." 

— Barbara Kingsolver

Tuesday, August 27 - The Postmistress - by Sarah Blake

Sarah Blake is a new author for me. Her novel The Postmistress has received much notice and was highly praised by Kathryn Sockett, author of The Help. Published in 2011, this is her second novel. Her first novel was a mystery, Grange House, published in 2001. Ms. Blake is a literature professor with a PHd in Victorian literature. She has also taught fiction workshops at institutions including the University of Maryland and George Washington University. Our August selection by Ms. Blake, The Postmistress, is set in the time of WWII. The story revolves around four Americans, two of whom are active participants during the bombing in London.

--Susan

The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye

Review in anticipation of Timely and Timeless Book Club meeting on April 23, 2013

I hope you have enjoyed this month's selection, The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye.  For me this was a very engaging read.  It is historical fiction set in India starting in the mid 1800's.  Being a fan of The Jewel in the Crown series on PBS, it was interesting to look at the time before when the East India Company was ruling the country and subsequently, when the British "Raj" took over. 

What an enigmatic character Ms. Kaye created in Ashton.  Because so much was required of him as a young boy, I felt that he almost grew up backwards.  His heartfelt attempts at making the life around him "fair" gave us a glimpse that despite that he was experienced in many things, he had a naïve expectation for the world he lived in.  He is a worthy hero who straddles two cultures and more as the book progresses.  Stamina is a word that comes to mind.  Both for the characters in the book and for the reader.  This nearly 1,000 page saga has engagingly occupied many of my hours.  Learning about some of the cultural traditions was at times very shocking.  But I am glad for the experience and even more glad that we live in America in the 21st century!

I was also impressed by Ms. Kaye's breadth of research for this book.  She showed an understanding of the history and culture, but also she created battle scenes and political intrigue that added dimension to our experience.

Lana will be leading the group for this discussion.  It should be another great meeting.

COMING UP:

May 28th - Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt at Barbecue Barn at Noon

This is a fast read with a likeable hero, Andy Carpenter.  Like Andy, I also enjoyed the company of a wonderful golden retriever,  So immediately, I was drawn into the book.  After reading The Far Pavilions, this selection gives us a 21st century American tale of courtroom antics and mysteries to solve.  It is a fun book for Spring. 

June 25th - Maloka'i by Alan Brennert at Bugsy's at Noon

This book came highly recommended to me and is my selection this year.  It is set in Hawaii beginning in the late 1800's and follows the story of Hawaians who contracted leprosy from contact with the outside world.  The book earned 4.5 stars out of 5 from the Amazon.com web site on nearly 500 reviews, and a 4.11 rating on Good Reads on over 4,500 reviews.  Words I read about this book included poignant, richly imagined and a wonderful, powerful read.  As a fan of Mitchner's Hawaii, I look forward to revisiting the islands.

--Susan

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Review from Timely and Timeless Book Club meeting on March 26, 2013

We had a full group yesterday to discuss Catcher in the Rye. But, considering that our group is well past the teenage years, the issues of Holden Caulfield's teenage angst were a bit of a "jangle" to read for some, with a primer of foul language. If this was indeed some reflection of J. D. Salinger's actual experience of his youth, the story might bring some sympathy for Holden. One thread that we discussed was the seeming absentee parenting of a poorly adjusted kid who was not equipped to grow from childhood to adulthood. His appropriation of the title of a slave tune of the "catcher in the rye", which was actually about secret trysts in the fields between plantation slaves, became in Holden's mind an anthem for his fantasy of saving children, who were running through fields of rye, from going over the cliff into the doom of adulthood. This reflects Holden's own confusion and fear of going over that cliff. Holden was disillusioned by the adult world, but at the same time he wanted to seem urbane. The frequent reference to "phony" people showed his uncertainty and distrust of motives of those around him. He was let down by most of the adults from whom he wanted to feel protection. Holden could be seen as conflicted, insecure, immature, and grieving for the death of his brother.

But because we wanted to read the book, that didn't mean that we relished the experience. The nine of us voting yesterday managed only a 2.4/5 rating. That said, we still felt that as a cultural reference, it is still, these 60+ years later, something to have experienced.

April 23 - Far Pavilions by M. M. Kaye at Peabody Public Library at Noon

What an interesting follow-up to Catcher in the Rye. In this book set in India, the protagonist, Ashton "Ash" Hilary Akbar Pelham-Martyn, accepts the responsibilities of adulthood well before he is even into his teens. He is of English parentage, but starts the first 11 years of his life 100% as if he is of Indian parentage. Though his early experiences are harsh and life threatening, he has a few wise adult figures who serve to guide and protect him. Rather than trying to avoid the "cliff" that Holden Caulfield faced, Ash longs to be in the adult world. This epic set starting in the mid 1800's is also an historic look at India under British rule. M. M. Kaye is an accomplished storyteller. The novel is long but wholly engaging. I suspect that an hour is going to be insufficient to explore the folds and quirks of this book.

May 28 - Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt at Barbecue Barn at Noon

From Amazon.com:

Whether dueling with new forensics or the local old boys' network, irreverent defense attorney Andy Carpenter always leaves them awed with his biting wit and winning fourth-quarter game plan. But Andy prefers the company of his best friend, Tara, to the people he encounters in the courtroom. Tara, a golden retriever, is clearly smarter than half the lawyers who clog the courts of Passaic County. However, just as it seems Andy has everything figured out, his dad, New Jersey's legendary ex-D.A., drops dead in front of him at a game in Yankee Stadium. The shocks pile on as he discovers his dad left him with two unexpected legacies: a fortune of $22 million that Andy never knew existed . . . and a murder case with enough racial tinder to burn down City Hall. Struggling to serve justice and bring honor to his father, Andy must dig up some explosive political skeletons-and an astonishing family secret that can close his case (and his mouth) for good.

--Susan

Previews for March and April 2013

As I look out on the cold rainy gloom of this Monday, pulling my sweater tighter, I keep repeating to myself - "Green trees. Green grass."

March 26th - Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger at New China at Noon

Holden Caulfield's thoughts had the hallmarks of what might be called teenage angst. At times he was charming and he wanted to seem confident, and sometimes he seemed to me to be frightened and confused. What influences in his life helped him cope (or not) with his world? We are left to surmise some things about his family. The glimpses of the pictures from inside Holden's head seem to show loneliness and insecurity What didn't he say about his world? If Holden had been written as a teenager in today's world, how much different would he be?

I used to play a game with my kids - "What was the best and the worst thing about..." When we meet to discuss this book, what would you answer to those questions?

What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it. That doesn't happen much, though. 
--J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

April 23rd - The Far Pavillions by M. M. Kaye - Peabody Library reading room - brown bag

Charlene has e-mailed that there are no large print or audio versions of this book available on Evergreen. I have seen one Kindle version for iPad - but was unsure about the source. It is a long book but I think it will be well worth the effort.

The story was made into a TV Mini series in 1984. M. M. Kaye wrote a series of children's books and a series of detective novels titled "The Death in ____" Here is a link to the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._M._Kaye. She was 94 when she died in 2004. In addition to her other work, she left a three volume autobiography of her extraordinary life.

--Susan

Travels With My Aunt by Graham Greene

Review from Timely and Timeless Book Club meeting on March 5, 2013

Once again we had an interesting discussion. Graham Greene's book, Travels With My Aunt was definitely not a favorite of the group. We had four ratings from the ones who finished the book. Two 3's, one 2 and a 1. The free spirit of Aunt Augusta seemed a bit reckless and irresponsible, not to mention that her activities were illegal at times. But given that she was an older woman who was totally contrived, I got a good chuckle out of her antics. Her choices would NOT have been my choices, but I appreciated the character's humor and free spirit. And Henry and his dahlias...

If you read this book and were not at the meeting, it would be fun to hear your observations. (I'll adjust our Richter scale of rating if you care to chime in [you can post a comment below]...)

I'm hoping this bit of weather is the last hurrah of winter's snow and ice, and that our meeting in three weeks will bring us all out into the world again.

COMING UP:

March 26th - Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger at the China Buffet at Noon

There are several copies available in the Hold area by the check-out desk at the Library

This classic is bound to create some insightful comments at our meeting. This novel was published in 1951. It has over a million ratings on "Good Reads."

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5107.The_Catcher_in_the_Rye

Here are some memorable Holden Caulfield quotes:

“I like it when somebody gets excited about something. It's nice.”

“I don't exactly know what I mean by that, but I mean it.”

“People never notice anything.”

“This is a people shooting hat," I said. "I shoot people in this hat.” (the iconic line that identifies this book.)

April 23rd - The Far Pavillions by M. M. Kaye - location to be determined.

This book got a 4.14 out of 5 rating on almost 14,000 reader responses on "Good Reads." Moving forward in time a good 24 years or more from our last three books, this one was published in 1993.

The synopsis of the story is:

After the death of his parents, young Ashton Pelham-Martyn is brought up as a Hindu in a remote corner of British India. As an adult soldier he returns to India, where his love for a princess and his dual heritage make for an epic story of adventure and romance.

I hope all is good with you and that we'll see you on the 26th.

--Susan

Peony by Pearl S. Buck

Review from Timely and Timeless Book Club meeting on January 22, 2013

What an excellent discussion today about Pearl S Buck's book, Peony. With nine of us in one of the small rooms upstairs [at the library], it was easy to share ideas and to hear everyone's points. As always, there were some insights that had not occurred to me and I am once again grateful to be part of the group. Our ratings ranged widely. The majority of us were middle of the road - preferring other of her works like The Good Earth and Pavillion of Women. The average of our 8 voting raters today was 3.3 out of 5.

One of the major themes of the book was the question of assimilation of the Jewish people into the Chinese culture. For the older generations of the characters this was not in question as much as it was for the younger ones. Adherence to traditions of the faith waned as time went along. Another theme that we discussed was the roles of the women, both Chinese and Jewish in the book. We had generally the same impressions of their motives for their actions, with differing levels of sympathy for Peony's effect on the course of events in the household especially relating to decisions about David's future. It was a revelation to several of us that there was a Jewish community living in China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

--Susan