There are two book discussion groups, one that meets in the evening and one in the morning. See below for dates, approach, and coming selections. Both groups welcome recommendations for future books. One source of ideas is a compendium of winners of and nominees for various book prizes at http://www.awardannals.com/wiki/Main_Page.
Evening Book Group
We meet the second Monday of the month at 7:45 PM at the RRUUC library, Sept through June. Our mode is informal discussion of recent fiction and non-fiction, but occasionally we do an older classic. Criteria include availability in paperback and in the Montgomery County libraries. Newcomers very welcome.
If you have any interest, please email me to get on my email list. By email, I provide additional book descriptions, suggestions for future readings, and meeting reminders. Here are our coming selections. Visit www.Amazon.com and www.ReviewsofBooks.com for book descriptions and reviews. Check the library catalog for availability and plan ahead.
May 12 - The Human Factor, by Graham Greene. A British intelligence analyst confronts a choice between his career and his ethics. 288 p.
June 9 - The Ballad of the Sad Cafe and The Member of the Wedding, by Carson McCullers. These two novellas can be found in both Collected Stories and Complete Novels of the author.
Sept 8 - Forever, by Pete Hamill. An 18th century Irish orphan comes to New York. A magical adventure occurs in which his life is saved - forever - if he never leaves Manhattan. Celtic legend and a rousing history of New York. 640 fast-moving pages, and three months to do it.
Oct 13 - A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. Two Afghan women trapped in brutal marriage. A second best-seller by the author of The Kite Runner. 384 p.
Nov 10 - Run, by Ann Patchett, the author of Bel Canto. Jonathan Yardley calls it "a thoroughly intelligent book, an intimate domestic drama that nonetheless deals with big issues touching us all: religion, race, class, politics and, above all else, family." 304 p.
Dec 8 - A Death in Vienna, by Frank Tallis. A police detective and a young psychoanalyst team to solve a murder, with an engrossing portrait of 1902 Vienna as background. 480 p.
John Hansman, Coordinator.
Morning Book Group
This book discussion group meets at 9:45 a.m. in the RRUUC library the third Friday of the month except December, and we skip June, July, and August. The group confers together about its selections, choosing books available in public libraries or in paperback. Since we often don't choose books far in advance, it's best to check the RRUUC newsletter or call group leader Candace Ridington. Since we are a small group, we don't always have a discussion leader, but contribute equally to the conversation.
Candace Ridington, Coordinator