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.
Sept 13 Sea of Poppies, by Amitav Ghosh
“Ghosh’s best and most ambitious work yet is an adventure story set in 19th century Calcutta against the backdrop of the opium wars….. The cast is marvelous and the plot majestically serpentine, but the real hero is the English language, which has rarely felt so alive and vibrant.” We read a long book over the summer, so 560 pages fits.
Oct 11 The Bridge of San Luis Rey, by Thornton Wilder
A classic still on high school and college reading lists. A bridge collapses in Peru in 1714. A certain Brother Juniper was himself about to step out onto the bridge when it broke and he subsequently witnessed the plunge of five people into the abyss below. Brother Juniper tries to discover if the tragedy happened according to a divine plan or was simply a random instance of misfortune. 160 pages.
Nov 8 The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery
In an upper-class Parisien apartment building filled with pretentious professionals live a reclusive middle-aged concierge and a 12-year-old female Holden Caulfield. They discover each other's secrets and create an extraordinary friendship. A reading group favorite. 366 pages.
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