What We Thought: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Evening Book Club

December  2015

Skipping Christmas

John Grisham

You're skipping Christmas! Isn't that against the law?” 

 Spike Frohmeyer

“This is a free country...you can do almost anything you want.”

 Luther Krank

Readers used the book as a springboard for sharing memories of past Christmas celebrations. Readers devoted a great deal of time reminiscing about exotic holiday treats. The conversation turned to recipes for favorite and reviled, local and international delicacies most notably fruitcake, mincemeat and venison hung out to cure on the porch. Nobody had a comment about the smoked trout served at the 

                                                Krank's Christmas party.

Another animated discussion centered around favorite Christmas specials; Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim, and of course, A Charlie Brown Christmas. The beloved Christmas character who brought an immediate smile to everyone was Buddy the Elf and everyone at once recited his four  main food groups; candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

Readers were not disappointed in the change of the author’s style of writing legal thrillers. Most were already Grisham fans and had read his other books and watched movies based on them. Once they discovered that Skipping Christmas was supposed to be humorous they got in the holiday spirit, stopped looking for dark elements and enjoyed the story. Some even laughed out loud at the absurdity of it all.

When the question was raised, “Who would skip Christmas?” only three said yes. When asked “What would you miss about Christmas?” the answers were tallied and the conclusion was everything! Skipping Christmas was a good idea until it wasn’t. This book served as a welcome break from stress of holiday hustle and bustle. Readers were visibly relaxed and cheerful at the end of the evening and a good time was had by all

Have you read Skipping Christmas? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What We Thought: Marcelo in the real world by Francisco X. Stork

Evening Book Club Blog

November 25, 2015

Marcelo in the real world by Francisco X. Stork

Marcelo’s father Arturo has insisted that he change his summer plan from working with ponies at his school to a job in the mail room at his father’s law firm. The deal is that Marcelo must follow the rules of the “real world” in order to earn the privilege of returning to finish his senior year at his school.

Readers exclaimed that they “loved, loved, loved” Marcelo and his story. They recognized the point-counter point of the characters who were on Marcelo’s side and those who would take advantage of his naiveté. He was truly a good person who made decisions that fit into his life in a positive way. The discussion was evenly divided between those who accepted his childlike nature and wish to be left alone in his own world and those who felt that he should accept the challenge of the “real world” and move on to an independent life. No one changed their mind after the discussion ended, but everyone cheered for Marcelo and the outcome of his decisions.

Readers were very involved with Marcelo’s experiences and wanted to know about the author’s background and how he was able to write so convincing and emphatically about Asperger’s. They speculated about what happens to Marcelo after the book ends and wanted to talk personally with the author. Several plan to read his other books and talked quite a bit about them while reading from the book club discussion guide.

Quotes from Marcelo and his character traits were recognized as authentic and truthful. Most readers thought that his father Arturo pushed Marcelo out of his comfort zone into the “real world” for his own reasons and not for the benefit of Marcelo. It worked out for Marcelo anyway so it would have been a win-win situation except for Marcelo’s discovery of malfeasance in the law firm.

Marcelo found his way in the “real world” on his own with the support of his mother who some believed to be over protective but kind and understanding. His discussions with Rabbi Heschel revealed another dimension to his character and readers quoted passages of scripture from the book which resonated with them. Jasmine from the mail room encouraged him and accepted his somewhat unorthodox ways of doing things. She opened his eyes to new experiences and independence. Ixtel, the girl with an injured face showed Marcelo the positive as well as negative aspects of misfortune. Wendell, the other partner’s son was a bully, but Marcelo soon learned not to let him take advantage of any situation. One reader said, There are lots or weasels in the world like Wendell.”

Readers spoke about characters from TV shows and books who reminded them of Marcelo and others in his life. Eddy Haskell from Leave it to Beaver is a clone of Wendell and Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory could be Marcelo a few years in the future. It was said that Marcelo is a gentle soul and we need more of him in the world. Some readers decided to let Marcelo live in the “real world”. The world will not go away. He has to live there or he won’t be able to live on his own. He found his own place in the real world and will be self-sufficient. Others said that he should be left alone to live in his world because it’s a better life. One reader suggested that the group should end the evening with a rendition of “Imagine” by John Lennon. They declined.

Have you read Marcelo in the real world? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What We Thought: Weekends with Daisy by Sharron Kahn Luttrell

 WHAT WE THOUGHT: WEEKENDS WITH DAISY BY SHARRON KAHN LUTTRELL

 Evening Book Club

Weekends with Daisy

Sharron Kahn Luttrell

October 2015 

“The weekend program for prison-raised service dogs sounded perfect. Pick up a puppy on Friday; return it on Sunday. A new puppy each year, no strings attached. Except that the pup is a Golden Labrador called Daisy…and Daisy is not a no strings-attached dog.”  -- Sharron Luttrell

Readers discussed the author’s story with mixed emotions. Some said they found the story boring and didn’t understand the author’s motivations about being involved with the NEADS  (The National Education for Assistance Dog Services). Others really liked the story and said that they can’t wait to talk to the author when she comes to Halifax in November. Further discussion revealed that the group consisted of “dog people” and those who didn’t understand the connection between human and canine interactions. None of the members had direct experience with service dogs so the author’s involvement with and dedication to Daisy and the program was quite a revelation for all of them. 

Readers decided that this was just not a story about a woman and her dog but also about changes in belief, behavior and the promise of rehabilitation. All were impressed with the author’s progress from her simple desire to train a dog to a woman with a realization of her own place in the world and her connection with others who had the same goals with different reasons than her own. She changed from her self-centered wish for a dog to rededicate herself to complete the project for the sake of Daisy’s other trainer. Readers decided that the lesson of the book was that dedication to a person or project like NEADS is for the greater good, and shows empathy and compassion for someone no matter how one feels about them.

Daisy changed during the course of her training from a curious and playful puppy to a dog with a purpose ready and waiting for a command to assist her companion. Readers suggested that perhaps we should be more service oriented like Daisy. Living in the moment would increase self-control and allow humans to be attuned to each other and reach their potential as well as Daisy did. One reader commented that she learned a great deal from the author’s experience with her daughter and that she wished she had read the book before she got a dog.  Another reader said although she had been a teacher for forty years she was surprised about how much she learned about behavior from reading about the interaction between the dogs and their trainers.

 

At the end of the evening’s discussion after all was said and done,  no one said that they would want to recreate Sharron Luttrell’s experience and train their own service dog. The “dog people” said they would not be able to give up a dog that they had brought into their life and the others said that it would be too much work for them.

More quotes from book club members: 

“I liked it!”

“I loved it! Learned a lot about training kids and dogs”

“Really liked the book, did repeat herself some, maybe I shouldn’t admit it, but my son’s first words were “bad dog”.

“Not heavy, but liked the topic, nice story.

“Book seemed very real; people could have been living next door. Charming because it was real.”

“I have always had dogs and have a yellow lab now that has a mind of her own. She has us trained. I think it must be rewarding when you see the dog matched with 

someone.”

Have you read Weekends with Daisy? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

                  

This Month's Selection: Weekends with Daisy by Sharron Kahn Luttrell

What We Thought: Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler

Evening Book Club

September 2015

Shotgun Lovesongs

Nickolas Butler

Shotgun Lovesongs, a story of four best friends and their enduring friendship growing from childhood into adult relationships resonated strongly with book club members. The discussion continued throughout the evening with intense comments about the motives of the characters and how they were influenced by each other. Readers noted that the level of emotion and depth of character’s inner lives were unusual in portrayals of male friendships in fiction. This would have been more likely if the characters were women. It worked for readers because the characters were likeable and Little Wing, Wisconsin felt like home for characters and readers alike. Readers all said they loved, loved the story and everything about it!

The author makes the readers wait for resolution in the story. His writing is so compelling that it is worth the wait. The characters make you want to know them, even when some of them are not likeable at times. Everyone agreed that the story was well written and that enduring friendship and reconciliation was believable. Some readers commented on how the characters’ narration changed with each chapter. Others said that they got used to it and it worked for them.

Beth, Hank’s wife, is the fifth character in the story. Their marriage acts as a sixth character in its effect on best friends Lee and Hank's lives. The marriage is poetry and Hank and Beth’s relationship with their children and each other radiates love and comfort to all that surrounds them. A crucial event disturbs their lives and it takes a few quirky events to take the high road and set things right. Kip and Ronny, the other two friends, are changed by events as adults but remain true to their characters and friendships.

You have to read this story to believe it and to feel it is to be reassured and comforted.

Don’t miss the story of Hank, Lee, Ronnie, Kip, Beth and their lives in the heartland of Little Wing, Wisconsin!

Combined Book Club Potluck -- The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

The Spellman Files

by Lisa Lutz

Tuesday, August 18

6:00 p.m.

 

Combined Book Club Potluck #10

All three Halifax *adult* book clubs -- Evening, Afternoon and Mystery Readers -- joined together to enjoy a pot luck supper on a warm August evening. A buffet featuring regional New England favorites took everyone’s mind off of the current week’s relentless heat wave.

A traditional Holmes Pot Luck Punch with lemon and orange sorbet provided seasonal color and refreshment along with a selection of icy sparkling beverages.

An extensive buffet featured hot and cold main courses, salads, and finger sandwiches.  Broccoli crunch, tricolor pasta, macaroni, chicken, green and fruit salads were paired with fresh bread and butter.

Hearty fare included fried green tomatoes, sausage with green peppers and onions, macaroni and beef in tomato sauce, and Laurie’s special chicken enchiladas (Ex-Boyfriend #9's specialty from the book). Pinwheels and chicken salad sandwiches offered even more choices.

After supper everyone adjourned to the Library’s reading room for the book discussion and desserts: frosted cupcakes, blueberry lemon squares, banana cream pie, country peach pie, and more Pot Luck Punch.

Club members agreed that the book was a good summer read. Some members said that it was boring and repetitive but they were interested in the story, anyway, even though some of the characters grated on their sensibilities. The quirky Spellman family dynamic and the eccentricities of individual members generated a lot of discussion. Readers did not agree on the point of the story, the likeability of characters or the surprise ending. One member commented that “It’s hard to write good humor.” Most confessed that they had laughed out loud while reading even though they weren’t certain about the plausibility of events.

A lively discussion ensured about what was a lie and when is okay to lie. Were those lies actually evasions and playing a game? This led to members dredging up memories of childhood and adolescent escapades and lies that had everyone in gales of laughter. Some questioned whether those memories were truth, lies, or embellishments. Perhaps the truth is stranger than fiction!

It was decided that the best way to read The Spellman Files is to suspend belief and enjoy, because “sometimes telling the truth is not the right thing to do.”  Take a look at the rest of the books in the Spellman series and find out for yourself!

Thank you to all who participated in Book Club Potluck #10, and to those who couldn't attend, we missed you and hope to see you at Book Club Potluck #5 this winter! We welcome all your comments and thoughts on The Spellman Files, the food, the punch, and book club members' misspent youths! ;)

Summer Pot Luck Selection: The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

All three of the Holmes Public Library book clubs will come together in one big group on Tuesday, August 18, at 6 p.m. to share a pot luck supper and talk about The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz, a fun summer read. Hope you can make it!

What We Thought: Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier

Falling Angels

by Tracy Chevalier

“When daddy saw the angel on the grave next to ours, he cried, 'What the devil!'"
-- from Falling Angels, when Maude Coleman saw the marker on the family plot of where Lavinia and Ivy May Waterhouse were standing.

Readers compared Falling Angels to The Age of Desire, a previous book club selection by Jennie Fields. They were interested in the descriptions of life in Victorian England on the cusp of the Edwardian era, but felt they were not detailed enough to satisfy interest in historical fiction. Some were disappointed in the author’s treatment of the characters. They expected a book more like Girl with the Pearl Earring. A few readers said that based on their experience with Falling Angels they would not care to read any more of Chevalier’s works. Others said that they enjoyed her books and plan to read more of them. The majority of the group was not enthusiastic about this month’s selection.

Although the behavior of the characters was typical of the time period, the discussion centered on why they acted the way they did. People are a product of their times and some are rebellious and some go along with the status quo. The majority of the discussion was about funerals, burial customs then and now, cremation and urn design. The beginning of the suffragette and women’s rights movement was briefly discussed and then the group moved on to dissect the marriages of Kitty and Gertrude Waterhouse and how their personalities influenced relationships with their husbands and each other. The supporting characters of the grave digger’s child, Simon, and Jenny, the maid, interested them more than the wealthy women and their husbands.

One reader summed up the book saying it was about children playing in a cemetery, suffragettes, and dying. The book is dark and brooding and, some said, very British, even though the author is an American. There was talk about the significance of falling angels in the title. The children said that they believed that shooting stars were angels carrying messages to the living. Readers agreed that the broken angel grave monument was proof of mortality, and then there was more talk about cremation. 

Please join the discussion by using the comments section below!