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.
Mar 9 - The Great Man, by Kate Christensen. A novel concerning a famous artist who led two lives, as seen through the different perspectives of family members.
Apr 13 - A Great Deliverance, by Elizabeth George. The author is an American who writes well-researched psychological mysteries set in Britain. She is regarded as one of the best in this genre and this novel is the first in the Inspector Lynley series. Infinitely better than the TV shows that use the name. 432 p.
May 11 - Love Medicine, by Louise Erdrich. A set of related short stories set in a Native American community in North Dakota. 400 p.
June 8 - Soldier's Heart, by Elizabeth Samet. A memoir of teaching literature at West Point. Literature helps cadets learn to deal with ambiguity. 259 p.
Sept 14 - Sacred Hunger, by Barry Unsworth. Set against the slave trade in 18th century England, this historical novel won the ManBooker Prize in 1992. "As intricate as it is immense, this masterwork rewards every turn of its 640 pages." 640 p., but three months to read it.
Oct 12 - Away, by Amy Bloom. Fleeing a Russian pogrom that kills most of her family, Lillian settles in New York and then embarks on a journey to find her young daughter. 256 p.
Nov 9 - People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks. Based on the history of a precious, early Jewish volume, this critically-praised best-selling novel provides "a complex love story, thrilling mystery, vivid history lesson, and celebration of the enduring power of ideas". 400 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 are a small group, we don't always have a discussion leader, but contribute equally to the conversation.
Nov 21 - Suite Francaise, by Irene Namirovsky (in novel form but a picture of French life just before and during World War ll)
Jan 16 - Unaccustomed Earth, Jhumpa Lahiri (short stories)
Feb 20 - People of the Book, Geraldine Brooks (a novel)
Mar 20 - Unexpected Light, Jason Elliot (non-fiction, travels in Afghanistan)
Candace Ridington, Coordinator