After last night's meeting, I wanted to add this post to our blog so that you all can have the opportunity to suggest titles for our May meeting by using the comments feature. Hopefully in this way we can bounce around some ideas and get a title in place before the April meeting so Beth Anne can get us those hot titles we crave.
So comment away and lets see what we come up with
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11 comments:
The camel bookmobile: a novel
Author: Hamilton, Masha
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pub Date: 2007
Popularity: 4 star
I used the Library's database Novelist to find a book that might be similar to Three Cups of Tea.
This one was suggested.
Review from Booklist:
*Starred Review* Yes, there really is such a thing as a camel bookmobile, and the image of unwieldy beasts laden with book-filled boxes provided inspiration for novelist Hamilton (The Distance between Us, 2004) to compose a lush celebration of the productive--and destructive--power of the written word. Languishing in a dead-end job in a Brooklyn library, Fiona Sweeney, 36, feels time is passing her by. So when the opportunity arises to travel to Africa to manage an unorthodox mobile library, Fi jumps at the chance to influence a culture of nomadic people whose existence is dependent upon more basic human requirements, such as water, food, and shelter. With everything from Seuss to Shakespeare, Fi's regular deliveries of books elate the village women and children but intimidate tribal elders, who fear change and anticipate the loss of their ancient ways. When the bookmobile's one intractable rule is broken, the village turns on the emotionally and physically scarred teenager whose act of rebellion jeopardizes everything Fi has worked for. With a heartfelt appreciation for the potential of literature to transcend cultural divides, Hamilton has created a poignant, ennobling, and buoyant tale of risks and rewards, surrender and sacrifice. Carol Haggas
I checked this book out on Amazon where readers provide reviews. While many liked the book, many did not because they did not like the ending. Even those who liked the book in general found the ending disappointing. Does anybody in our group know of anybody whose opinion they trust who LIKED this book? After being disappointed with the last two books -- chosen on the basis of an interesting-sounding description written by a stranger -- I'd sort of like to have a personal recommendation for our next choice.
Here are some books suggestions from someone I trust:
Bel Canto (two book groups, some said top 10 best book)
The Glass Castle
The Color of Water
Middlesex
I liked the Color of Water personally... have always wanted to read Middlesex
I just finished the Color of Water and liked it very much. I have also read Middlesex, but it was several years ago. I remember having mixed feelings about the book, although it was certainly engagingly written. It will make a good book for discussion. The only downside is that it is quite long as I recall.
Both of your other suggestions look like strong possibilities, too.
I have read The Color of Water. It was excellent, but I'd prefer to read something new. Bel Canto is a title that was also recommended to me by a member of a book group who enjoyed it a lot. I'd be interested in reading that one.
Another title that came my way is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. the Monroe Twp. Library had it as a selection for their book group. It follows the journey of a young boy as he seeks his personal dream.
I have a friend who is reading The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis. I read some reviews and it sounds like the kind of book I'd enjoy reading.
I think we have some great choices here. My question to Doug is: can we wait until the meeting to pick our next book or do we need to give Beth Ann more time?
It would probably be preferable that we come with a title before the meeting to ensure that she can have the book for us. We can wait a week and see if we have anymore "hot" titles that we hear about. Then what I can do is create a list and we can vote on which one to do next from the list
Doug, Your suggestion makes the most sense. We seem to have generated an interesting list of possibilities. Thanks for your help. Karen
Kirstie says:
Please excuse the use of our book discussion group to get the word out, but if you are able to attend this Monday's Township Meeting, the Library Board will address important issues concerning the future of the library.
The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. with a closed session. The public portion of the meeting begins after that. 6:30?
#11: Reports from Township Boards and Commissions
Kirstie Venanzi, President, Cranbury Public Library Board of Trustees and other members of the Library Board will discuss with the Township Committee the PNC Bank Building.
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