Aunt Rae: Help with Titles

For those of you having trouble finding a fiction book by a foreign author, the following link is to a great booklist of authors around the world:

http://www.st-charles.lib.il.us/arl/booklists/multifict.shtml

If you are googling try "multicultural" rather than foreign as it's more p.c.

Remember that the author can live in the States (so you could read The Kite Runner or anything by Isabel Allende, for instance) but they need to have been born in another country.

I will be reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon,who was born in Barcelona Spain. The book is translated from Spanish.

Happy reading!

Abby: I need some book ideas for November

K, so I liked Rae/Lulu's suggestion to put our names in the Post Title but rather than having a title within my post, I thought I'd just combine the two.

Aunt Rae, do you have some book suggestions for this month? I've thought of Les Mis and Hunchback of Notre Dame. I've also looked at several different authors, but not narrowed it down to anything specific by them (Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, a few other Russian authors too but I don't have their names handy). I've even thought about reading Imperial Woman again but I'd rather do something new.

LULU

Lynness's words & November books

If you're curious about how I've headed this post, I just had an idea I wanted to ask everyone about. I've been starting to read our posts, then having to quickly scroll down to clarify whose post I'm reading. So I was thinking that maybe we could head the post with our names, and then put your post title in the actual post itself? It's really just something that would make it easier for me, but if no one else wants to do that, I don't mind! Just a small matter of convenience.

Like Abby & probably everybody else, I've been mulling over Lynness's words since I finished reading them. It started an interesting discussion with Phill, who, as odd as it may seem to us bookworms, does not read for pleasure. We were talking about why he doesn't care to read, and he was saying that [aside from his having something akin to dyslexia--he often gets ahead of himself and switches words or letters around] he has a very hard time visualizing (and retaining) what he's reading. For him, it really is a chore. When he does read, he likes to read self-help or church books. So for him, reading is very practical. He has to feel that it's productive for him, in other ways than imagination. An interesting thing to note, though, is that he really likes for me to read to him. And, like Aunt Rae, I love to read aloud....the sound of well-written words is as beautiful to me as the sound of well-written music. (If not more.) And when I'm reading to Phill, he's hardly picky at all regarding the genre. He doesn't actually care for mysteries, because he figures them out on the second page. And he can't stand so-called "chick lit". (Which is fine, because, generally speaking, neither can I.) I have read aloud to him The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (Rae, I'm jealous that you met her. I read her books slowly because I dread the moment when I've read all of them, and there are no more left.), Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza, and portions of a few others. It's something we both really enjoy! He seems to be visualizing just fine when he's hearing the words, as opposed to looking at them. I tend to be mostly an auditory and visual learner--I remember best the words I've read when I read them out loud to myself. Kate and Maddie used to walk into the room and just stand at the door and listen as I read to myself (for school studying purposes) in various voices and personalities, and then they would burst out laughing when I paused, which always startled me. On the same note, but in a different measure (sorry, that was cheesy....couldn't resist), I know that I subvocalize when I read. But when I get really into the book, I either stop subvocalizing, or I just don't notice that I'm doing it anymore. I read fast when I like what I'm reading. *By the way, Lynness, I really enjoyed your post, especially when you wrote about reading the scriptures as a family, and how that has benefited all of you! I'm happy you're "here".*

I have picked a book for November already. I found a book award for foreign fiction authors, the name of which I don't know. But I'm sure you can find what I'm talking about if you google "foreign authors of fiction". My book choice is Vienna by Eva Menasse (translated from German by Anthea Bell). Its description was short, since it was listed amongst a few other awarded books: "a part-Jewish family's adventures during the second world war and its aftermath in Vienna and England." There was also a book listed that is a fictional account of Marie Curie--if anyone is interested, its name and author are: The Story of Blanche and Marie by Per Olov Enquist (translated from Swedish by Tina Nunnally). Now, since I've listed all I know about these two books, if anyone has anything to say about them--be it good or bad--feel free to let me know!

November Read

I don't know about where you live, but here in Utah we are knee-deep in fall with hints of winter peeking through. The multi-colored leaves are falling off the trees, there's a chill in the air in the mornings, and we even had a couple of inches of snow last Sunday. It's truly beautiful--such a nice change for us from the SoCal desert. Wherever you are, take time to appreciate the beauty around you and the seasons as they change.

This month we will be reading fiction. Any genre. Just make sure that the author is foreign-born. They can live here in America as long as they were born outside the United States. And lets lump Great Britain and Canada in with America too as far as not being "foreign-born". The idea is to find an author with a completely different heritage or culture than yours and to learn to appreciate their point of view.

Please let us know the nationality (or country of origin) of your author when you post your title. When you finish the book, it would be interesting to "hear" any reflections you have had while reading that pertain to the differences in culture or nationality.

Happy reading!

Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks

Quite a technical read, but well worth it if you are interested in the subjects of neurology and music. Sacks uses several case studies to illustrate how music interacts with the brain and disease for good and bad. He discusses seizure disorders (sometimes music can cause a seizure), "brainworms" or sticky tunes (that song you just can't get our of your head), amusia, dysharmonia, perfect pitch, savants, blindness, synesthesia, amnesia, aphasia, dyskinesia, phantom limbs, dystonia, Tourette's syndrome, Parkinsonian disorders, sleep disorders, depression, and dementia. I love this stuff!

I had several thoughts while reading the book:

1. Our brains are phenomenally complex and the fact that they work as well as they do is a testament to me that there is a loving God. I was fascinated by the many times a "broken" brain would adapt itself to bring about "proper" function.

2. There are measurable (and visible by MRIs etc.) changes that take place in our brains when we listen to or experience music. These changes do not show up when we use just verbal language. This fact intrigues me. Obviously, there is a power in music that we don't understand. I believe music is eternal and that it somehow has a divine spark within. When combined with the Spirit, it has great potential and power for good.

3. Most of the music referred to in this book and, indeed, used in music therapy is classical music rather than the more common ilk (not to say that both are not enjoyable). It's almost as if some forms of music are better--especially when used in the healing or therapeutic process. (Although some types of music--or rhythms--can make patients worse rather than better).

4. I was deeply touched by one woman who was described as becoming a widow "inch by inch" as she watched her husband slip gradually deeper into dementia. It made me think of Dad/Grandpa. It must be difficult for him at times to watch Mom/Grandma gradually slip away (although, FYI, he is saying things like, "When she goes," or "When she's gone, I'll do thus and such" -- I think he's mentally prepared now for her to go when the Lord decides her time has come).

5. I was really intrigued with one case study that Sacks talked about that involved a SEVERE amnesia patient and his wife (Clive and Deborah Wearing). She wrote a book about the experience called Forever Today and I have ordered it through Amazon. Mim, if you were as interested in their story as I was, I will hang on to the book for you.

Subvocalizing & Whole Language

I've been thinking about Lynness' post about words and reading too! Eric and I have talked about this a lot lately. In January he read a book about speed reading and is now very good at it. Like Matt, Eric uses it all the time for school but he also speed reads when he's reading for pleasure.

I haven't felt the need to change how I read, yet. I read fast and I know I subvocalize, just not all the time. Like Rae, I don't mouth the words. Quite often I notice when I'm subvocalizing. But I've found that it doesn't happen when I'm really drawn into a book (that is to say, I don't notice if I'm subvocalizing...although I'm probably still doing it). If I'm reading something that takes more effort, then I'm more likely to notice it. The other day I was noticing that when I read a line of text, I subvocalized the first half and then the second half was taken in at a glance. I think my brain gets tired of waiting and moves on. Sometimes I notice that as I read my mind will skip ahead and try to read a few lines if I'm subvocalizing a different line and then those two parts of my brain meet halfway. It's kind of strange and sometimes disconcerting.

Lynness, does Nathan speed-read when he's reading for leisure? I'd be interested in knowing if he feels like it's changed how he reads. I am curious and sometimes think about learning to speed read just to turn off that "subvocalizing monitor" in my head. But I wonder what things it might change.

I can relate to Rae & Lynness in many of the things they've said about when and how they read. I read everywhere too. I read a large-print version of The Daughter of Time a couple of weeks ago because it was all they had at the library and accidentally discovered that large-print books work great for reading while doing dishes! Lately I've even been reading while singing bedtime songs to Heidi. I wonder if that's an exercise in not subvocalizing? Can you subvocalize if you're singing at the same time? Sometimes it feels like I still am and other times I can tell I'm not.

I love shutting out the world when I read but I rarely do it. I did it all the time before having kids. Now I don't do it simply out of necessity. On occasion I'm able to indulge and really escape into a book when they're with Eric or asleep.

As I've been thinking about this, I've been thinking about how so many of us feel driven to read. It's so compelling that at times I struggle to balance my priorities. Any thoughts on how all of you balance this out, or attempt to?

Thots on "Words on Words"

I have been thinking for a couple of days now about Lynness' post re words and reading. I've even chatted with Ivan and Bill re the mechanics of our reading. I think that Lynness and my reading mechanics must be very different as I pretty much do everything she does not.

I realized, when I thought about it, that I do subvocalize a lot, depending on what I am reading. I almost always do it with nonfiction and in descriptive fiction. But in narrative fiction, I have a sort of "play" in my head and the words are instantaneously spoken by the characters. In spite of this, I am a fast reader. I never mouth the words and really don't think I subvocalize every word. I think I have been more aware of it since her post...almost annoyingly so!

I rarely shut out the world when I read and, in fact, love to multi-task when reading i.e. listen to music or television (news mostly or sports). I am always aware of my surroundings. Ivan, on the other hand, needs to shut himself out in order to hear the "narrator" in his mind. Bill can completely tune the world out for long periods of time.

I love to read nonfiction aloud and often do when no one else is in the house. I love to hear the words roll off my tongue. I rarely read fiction out loud. I especially love to read the scriptures out loud. I find it helps me to comprehend and remember what I have read. Again, I think it's the words that I love more than the actual reading process.

I learned to read partly in Preston, Idaho (I don't remember phonics there) and in Buffalo, New York. In NY the focus was entirely on phonics and dipthongs. I have been told that I read well because of that teaching focus. I have never had difficulty with spelling, although I still have some troublesome words that always plague me. Bill learned without phonics in California and often guesses at words when we read the scriptures out loud as a family. He wasn't encouraged apparently (I wasn't there...) to sound out any words, and so as he learns a new word, he simply memorizes it and adds it to his repertoire. He does comprehend quite well, but sometimes has to slow down and really pay attention to read aloud. Ivan is pretty much the same way...a fast reader when he is interested in something but not necessarily a confident reader out loud. He loves words, however, and enjoys using odd or old ones in conversation. His mind is like a steel trap and he remembers most of what he reads. I have to write things down to remember them. I visually remember where particular words or quotes are on a page and can tell you the basic plot or point of what I have read, but not necessarily all of the details...unless I was enthralled with the book.

Sometimes I feel the pressure to read. Because I list and annotate every book I read (annually), I start to pay more attention to the numbers than the material. Over a lifetime of reading, I average a book a week. However, the last six years or so, it has been two books a week, usually one nonfiction and one fiction. I am always reading five or six books at a time. When I feel the pressure to read, I settle my mind down and find something that I really want to savor. I purposely slow myself down and enjoy the process of reading itself.

I never wanted to take speed reading because I always felt I read fast enough already and if I read any faster it would change my whole purpose in reading...the focus would be on the speed rather than on the reading. I know that Matt took a class in college and used the technique for reading his textbooks. He rarely used it for anything else though.

I really think this is interesting. I don't know that I have ever examined my own reading mechanics before. Thank, Lynness, for opening the topic. I would be interested to know how the rest of you read and why you think that is.

Happy reading!

Re: What did you think of these?

I got all these at my local library- I rarely buy books unless they're at a thrift store.

Bio of Dr. Seuss: I'm not sure if what you are reading and what I read is the same- there were at least a couple on the shelf. I think mine was "Dr. Seuss and Mr. Geisel." I enjoyed learning more about him, how his drawings came to be, surprised at some of the things I learned (about his wife committing suicide, that he did editorial cartoons, etc.). I liked it well enough, but nothing to write home about.

The Birth House: I had high hopes for this one- I like to read biographical and fiction work about midwives, but I'm not really sure it was worth the time. Several "flies," as I see you call them.

Brainiac: Enjoyable, lots of interesting trivia (with the answers at the ends of chapters!!). The story of Ken's time on Jeopardy along with exploration into the world of trivia, including Quiz Bowl tournaments and radio/TV trivia shows. Fluffy yes, but I'd read it again. I had a desire at one point to be on our high school trivia team, but they were national champions and I knew I wouldn't cut it.

Born on a Blue Day: I picked it b/c I had read a YA fic book (A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass) on synesthesia that I had enjoyed. This was a good read- amazing what the human mind can do, especially in spite of/because of (in this case both) a "problem." I think experiencing synesthesia would be mind-bending and way cool. I wonder if it could be induced, based on some experiments I've heard about helping people who have lost their vision"see" with their tongue, etc..

Not Buying It: Diary format record of a year in which a New England woman and her male partner voluntarily forgo non-essential purchases (including dining out, movies, gifts) and the problems/realizations that come with it. Very liberal views, but some good questions to ask yourself.

Stealing Buddha's Dinner: Reflections of a Vietnamese girl (came to America with her family as a toddler) on her formative years, with food being the central theme. The book tells the story of family and growing up and cultural clashing being inextricably bound up with food. Well done and interesting, but not as pleasurable as.........................

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: My favorite of this whole list you asked about- one of my favorites for the year. One that provokes me to think about my current life style and to want to change. Well though out, well written, makes me want to move to Appalachia.

A Perfect Mess: Some parts I just felt like I was slogging through, others were breezy. The whole idea is that mess (disorder, not dirtiness) is not an inherently bad thing- in fact, some things work better in more disorder than we think we should allow. The case is made in everything from Bach's music to penicillin to bookstores and more. Some ideas should have been explored more, some things seemed like maybe the authors just thought up themselves and put it b/c it sounded good and they needed filler, but some parts were quite intriguing.

Hope this helps! Lynness

Words on words

I've been thinking a lot about reading in general lately, what with
getting emails about the book blog, Isaiah starting kindergarten, etc..
I give a high priority in my own life to the written word. I'd rather
read a book than listen to it on CD, I'd rather read a book than watch a
movie most of the time, I love to sleep, but usually end up reading
instead of sleeping when I'm in the middle of a good book, I read while
nursing and while cooking, and I've been known to read at red lights.
I've always been this way: when I did the Book-It program in elementary
school (a free personal pizza from Pizza Hut every month that you reach
your reading goal), I always met my goal and I didn't (still don't) even
like pizza- I always gave it to my sister!
Many of my friends who like to read do not understand this all-consuming
desire. But then, I know others who do not like to read at all, which I
do not understand. Why is this? Talking and thinking it over, I'm
wondering if how one reads makes a big difference. When Nathan took a
speed-reading course at BYU he was taught to un-learn how he read. The
biggest challenge was to stop subvocalizing. It was at that point that I
realized why I read so fast: I have never subvocalized. It was a
revelation to me that other people actually said each word in their mind
as they read silently! No wonder it takes so long! No wonder it's
frustrating!
My mother has always read aloud to us, from the time we were babies
through college. She didn't read only books at our level either. She
read the entire "Little House" series to me, starting when I was a baby.
She read "Bambi"- not the Disney version. She read "Added Upon." She
read the Book of Mormon. When I would come home from college, she would
still read to all four of us. I learned to read before I went to
kindergarten. I learned phonics there (flat tire, flat tire, sssss,
ssssss, sssssss) but I believe I read the way I do because of her
reading to me. The 'whole language' approach to reading is currently out
of style, and I do not think that you can effectively teach reading
without some phonics; but I think maybe recognizing words as a whole,
not breaking them down into syllables and sounding them out, has a place
in reading. I believe this is how I learned to read and why I do not
subvocalize. I recognize word shapes (for example, the word good is
shaped like this: ┌─┘- this may not show up right, we'll see). I have
read that it is harder to read when THINGS ARE WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS.
There are fewer curves and less variability of letter height. Word
shapes are harder to recognize.
There are a few problems with the way I read. I do not recognize many
proper nouns as familiar word shapes, so I gloss over them, remembering
perhaps the first letter. Thus, I can get lost when characters are
talking about other characters, since I have not attached a particular
name to plot events. I have to go back and look where a character was
introduced to remember what I need to know about them. Even worse is
that I dislike reading aloud. It seems so slow and tedious to me, yet I
know my children need it. I would love to provide them with the same
love of books I have. I certainly model reading to them, as 'they' say I
am supposed to, but I know I should read more to them as well. I do read
aloud to them consistently in one area: the scriptures.
We always read the Book of Mormon together as a family growing up. The
first time I read it myself was when I was challenged in Primary at 7
years old to be an ACAD kid: A Chapter A Day. I decided I would go one
better: I would read 5 chapters a day. I did- I read the entire Book of
Mormon in about 7 weeks that way- all except for one night when I was
too tired. I cried myself to sleep that night, knowing I wouldn't get
the ACAD award. My mom knew how much effort I had put into it and
promised a sleep-over when I was done, which I got before my 8th
birthday. A couple of years ago when President Hinckley challenged the
church to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year, we took
him up on the challenge. Remembering that I had started reading the
scriptures at a young age and believing Isaiah ready to start, we
stopped listening to the Book of Mormon Stories tapes and started the
REAL thing. He was a few months over 3 years old. We read a few verses
every night. Around the end of last year or the beginning of this one,
Isaiah asked to take his turn reading verses aloud. We let him. He can
often read his verses entirely on his own now. We have just finished the
Book of Mormon and are starting over. Isaiah's teacher told me at a
meeting this week that she wants the school reading specialist to test
him and hopes to have him go to a first grade class at reading time. He
is ahead of every other kid in his class. I believe it's because of
reading the scriptures aloud.
Back to the beginning. Many of us who are avid, even voracious, readers
read because we have strong positive associations with reading. But I
believe it is also because we are good and fast at it. Perhaps you are
like me in that when I read, I shut out the world. Nathan knows that
when I'm reading and he wants to talk he has to get my attention and
make me put the book down first. My family knows I'm no good if I've got
my nose in a book. A favorite story of my dad's is me reading on the way
home from church, closing the book in the driveway, and asking the very
same question that had sparked a discussion that lasted the whole way
home- which I had completely missed, thus one of my nicknames:
"Oblivious". Were I a betting person, I'd wager that most of us in this
book blog read the way I do- not subvocalizing, dragging our eyes down
the pages and letting our minds catch up. Am I right?

Well that was an extremely long first post, and Isaiah is getting fed up
with mom typing and not playing. Love you all, Lynness

I have read...

a couple of the titles Lynness refers to and can comment on them, Abby. (BTW--can you send her an email about how the blog and group works? And set up the feed she needs? I would have no clue how to do it!)

I loved Born on a Blue Day which is about a young man with high-end autism who has synesthesia. He sees people and numbers as colors. The condition is intriguing and the book is quite compelling. I rather enjoyed it. We also watched, as a family, the 60 Minutes interview with him.

I have browsed the Ken Jennings book in the store, trying to decide whether I should plunk down the money or not. I ultimately decided not too. It seemed fun but too fluffly for my funds. If I had a library copy, I would definitely read it.

Kingsolver's book is great...it's about living and eating local and homegrown food. I was kind of depressed though because at the time (in Lancaster) we had very little access to the kinds of homegrown food she is talking about in the book. She lives in a part of the country where things seem to grow spontaneously and every shares what they farm. It's a little easier here in Utah to find that stuff...and when I can find it I buy it. We have a great orchard nearby and a couple of farmers markets that are fun. Fresh apple cider in the fridge right now! And homegrown Jonathan apples! Yum

I stayed up very late to watch Kingsolver on BookTV a couple of months ago. She had a multimedia presentation of her concepts about food and was very funny and engaging. I've met her twice and pretty much adore her...even though we differ greatly on many social issues.

Welcome, Lynness...I know about the trials and tribulations of dial-up. Now that we are online, I don't think I could ever go back!

Happy reading!

What did you think of these?

Lynness, or anyone else who has read these -- can you tell me more about them? Even a sentence or two would be great. They intrigue me so I'd love to get your take before actually reading them.

Bio of Dr. Seuss (I'm actually halfway through this one already and would just love to know what you thought!)
The Birth House (this one's been on my list for quite some time)
Brainiac (Ken Jenning- Mr. Jeopardy)
Born on a Blue Day (synthesthesia)
Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping
Stealing Buddha's Dinner
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (Barbara Kingsolver)
A Perfect Mess

I'm here! (added for Lynness)

OKAY OKAY OKAY I'm here!!! I really do read (all the time, staying up too late when I'm supposed to be sleeping b/c of seminary in the AM, etc), but just not websites. I get an RSS feed for Abby's blog, but I don't see one for the book club, and I rarely read on the web, because it just takes too stinkin' long for my dial-up (which often drops the connection without noticing) to get anywhere. I did go out to the book blog and tried to log on but "the server connection timed out" which is par for the course. So anyway- how does this blog work- are we all reading Musicophilia this month (I read "the man who mistook his wife for a hat" in high school and enjoyed- I'm sure I'd like this one, too) or do we each pick our own and report or what? Back in March, before the book blog spun off, I checked out a lot of the books on Abby's list (then list, now it's much bigger!) and it seems we have similar tastes. Can't promise to post much, but I love discovering new books! Love you all, Lynness

Here are the books I've remembered to write down that I've read since Ruth was born (7 months ago tomorrow!)
The Ghost Map (Cholera outbreak in England)
Bio of Dr Seuss
Pollifax Series 1-13
The Birth House
Jewel
Rollback
Brainiac (Ken Jenning- Mr. Jeopardy)
Born on a Blue Day (synthesthesia)
Final Exam (surgeon's essays on mortality)
Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping
Stealing Buddha's Dinner
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (Barbara Kingsolver)
Invention of Hugo C...? (YA fic)
Gregor the Overlander (YA fic)
Catch me if you can
A Perfect Mess
The Annotated Pride and Prejudice (I love Jane)

Sacks stuff

I like him for lots of reasons. He makes science understandable, he stretches my vocabulary, he has a sense of humor, he has an English accent, he writes about bizarre things that happen to very ordinary people, he writes about medical stuff, his writing makes me aware of my own body and its mortality, he's an unusual neurologist...is that enough?

Actually, Abby, I first read his book Awakenings when I was learning more about Parkinson's Disease. Two of my Dad's siblings (Leo, Selma) and his grandfather died of a form of that disease, so I wanted to know more about it. I read the book long before Uncle Kay developed the disease. What is interesting to me is that almost all of my Dad's siblings (and Dad too) have functional tremors without the Parkinson's. Awakenings is about the early use of L-dopa drugs on Parkinson's patients. The movie (with Robin Williams as Sacks) is quite good, also (I can't remember if it has any "flies" in it or not. I often don't remember them when recommending...) The thing about his books is that he takes what one would think would be a boring or technical topic and makes them into something fascinating.

I really enjoyed his book The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat which tells of the experiences of his patients with various neurological disorders and incidents. This book is particularly readable.I read more of his material after Grandma had her stroke.

But if you want to really know about his life, then by all means read Uncle Tungsten. It's a marvelous memoir of a person with a scientific mind and a family that encouraged his interests. It's extremely readable as well. Judging by your reaction to the Curie bio, I think this memoir would be right up your alley. I know your Mom and I loved it!

I am going to order Migraine which is his earliest work and probably one of the few of his I have not read. I learned from last night's interview that he was working in a headache clinic at the time and that he was intrigued with the visual auras that often accompany migraines. Dad and I get what we call "amigrainous" headaches...or the visual aura for about an hour and then sometimes the actual headache and sometimes not. Ivan is plagued with migraines, so I thought I might learn something from this book even though it's from the 1970s.

Try him. You'll like him.

Oliver Sacks

This is directed to any of you know anything about Oliver Sacks, so at least Rae & Mom.

What books have you read by him and is there one you think is better than others to start with? What is it about his writing that you love?

I've read a short bio from his webpage and between that and the comments you've made, I'm very intrigued!

Is it a good group read or not?

You are quite correct, Abby, in stating that not every book is a good one for a book group to read. I love westerns and mysteries and, with a few exceptions, they just don't lend themselves to discussion. They are what they are. The good guy shoots the bad guy and gets the rancher's daughter. The butler did it. I think a group book should have a strong theme (not necessarily controversial), some interesting characters, and a great setting. The author should be trying to make a point about something! Non-fiction books, unless they somehow fit those criteria (or the subject matter is something the group is interested in), often don't work.

There are a multitude of books out there that fit the bill, and more and more have book group discussion guides in the back of them...which makes me laugh! (Now that you've read my book, here's how my publisher thinks you should discuss it...) That's one reason that Oprah's picks are often chosen...they almost always deal with an emotional or icky/bizarre/unpleasant situation, or memorable characters that everyone can identify with...by the way, I've gotten so I can hardly stand most of the contemporary fiction being written for that reason. I don't want all the pathos and drama anymore!

I also think some of the burden falls on the members of the group. I think that was the main problem with my last group. A couple members just didn't really want to read...they came because of the social connections. Which was ok most of the time because we all need that at some point. I think a member should be reading the book knowing that discussion is going to take place. Take notes (either on paper or in the book itself). Write down questions. Share favorite passages. If you disliked the book, make it known. My group always loved to hear why a person disliked the book and that almost always made for more good discussion (like the time I went off on Mr. Rochester and Jane's most dysfunctional relationship...). Too often the members don't really discuss the book. They dance around it and say that they liked it or disliked it but don't analyze or explain why. And, like any relationship, a good group takes time to develop. And when the group reaches that point, they must be careful who they allow to join (or how many people they have).

Even with Twilight (which I have yet to read) the discussion could be about why a BYU student, presumably a Mormon, would choose to write about vampires. I think that's an intriguing question in itself...one which could take off on many tangents. When we read The Da Vinci Code we talked very little about the plot, because that's all it is...plot. We talked about all the historical religious stuff that may or may not have been true. Because we had a couple of non-LDS people in the group, that was an intense discussion. I wouldn't (and didn't) have chosen that book for a group read. I have been surprised at what has worked and what has not. And each group is different because of the the members' personalities.

The Good Earth (Buck) and Follow the River (Thom) elicited the most interesting discussions in my CA group. Two other good ones were Peace Like a River and The Life of Pi. Most classics work too, because they almost always have strong themes and characters.

I like our blog approach a lot because it frees us from the discussion element in many ways. By reading our own choices, we also eliminate the feelings of resentment that can sometimes build up in a book group...i.e. feeling like "this book is a waste of my time, but I have to read it anyway." Which then can create nonproductive guilt in some people...like me.

I'm having a great time coming up with the parameters of our monthly read. Using said parameters, you ladies can then stretch yourselves according to the seasons/desires/busyness in your life. I think it's working well. The main point is to read and learn and broaden our horizons and show those we interact with on a daily basis that there is merit to the act of reading.

On a side note...I couldn't sleep last night and so I listend to a podcast (I love my birthday Ipod) of NPR's Fresh Air broadcast. Being interviewed was none other than Oliver Sacks, who is the author of Musicophilia (my selection for October). It was fun to hear an interview before I started the book. Sacks has a slight speech impediment...he says his r's like Elmer Fudd...Music and the Bwain. Somewhat amusing at 2 in the morning...

Happy reading!

What makes a book a good "book-club" pick?

Rae, I've been thinking about your old book-club in California. You said a while back that you were disappointed in many of their book choices. I know you're planning on, or currently reading Twilight to keep up with your old book-club.

It just so happens that our ward book-club read Twilight last month for book-club and this month New Moon and Eclipse of the series. Although I really enjoyed reading them, I can't see what there would be to discuss in a book-club setting. It seems to me that there are many books that are enjoyable to read that are not particularly suited for book-club discussions.

Anyone else feel this way? Any thoughts on what makes a book good book club discussion material?

On a side note, I love that we don't have to think about that very much. I love sharing what we read through our book blog here and that these considerations don't have to be quite as important as they would be in a sit-down book club where we all read exactly the same book and then discussed it.

I think the most memorable discussion I participated in (of the few...) was when we read Dr. Laura's The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands. (Every time I think of that book I think of Rae's reaction to the title, like they're pets...) Our book club at the time had a very good discussion on that book. For those of you that haven't read it, I do recommend it.

Thots.

I know I've said it many times before, but I so enjoy reading about your reading! The variety of subject matter and titles intrigues me...we are all so different in spite of our similarities.

Lulu...I've been looking through my 2007 book annotations to select a favorite for the year. I've read a lot of really satisfying non-fiction this year, but have not really found a GREAT fiction book (other than HP). Some years are like that. I've read a lot of entertaining westerns and mysteries this year. But I will share two non-fiction books that were favorites.

On the Ridge Between Life and Death: A Climbing Life Reexamined is by David Roberts. In his memoir Roberts recounts his life of climbing mountains and tries to explain why he still climbs in spite of witnessing the death of friends on the expeditions. I love to read books about people who take life or death risks...probably because I have no desire to take said risks. I prefer to to live a quieter life and do my risk-taking vicariously. Nothing any climber has ever written has convinced me that the joys of success outweigh the chance of death. I guess some personalities really crave that kind of rush!

The other book I just loved this year is The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words of Less. I think I shared this with some of you when we were in Utah for Qait's wedding. Blake and Mim were telling me recently how much they enjoyed reading it also. It's a sweet memoir by the daughter (Terry Ryan) of a mother who was able to keep the family afloat by writing (and winning) product phrases and jingles. One thing I loved about the family was how loving they were despite a lot of dysfunction. It's a funny, touching and uplifting read. I think any of you girls would love it!

Sam...so good to have you "here." I don't doubt that any one of us could write a book if we set our minds to it. For me, it's always the dilemma of time, the right season, my environment and the desire!

My October read (Musicophilia) arrived this afternoon. I'm anxious to get into it. I adore everything Oliver Sacks writes. I will report back in about a week. Until then, as always...

Happy reading!

Thank you, Sam!

Sam, after reading your words about your favorite book (If You Want To Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit) and reading a review of it from Amazon.com, I bought it! I'm really excited for it to arrive. I can't wait to hear everybody else's favorite books.

Lulu

First Nights and Marching Band Blues

I always enjoyed being a member of a band, wether it be symphonic or jazz, it was just a great experience. (Now, marching band is another subject completely, I hated those cold nights on the wet field! Not to mention those dumb uniforms...) I relish the mastered piece the most - getting there was not always so fun, but to be a part of a group of students all working together to create art; to see so many people work in unison always gave me hope and a sense of belonging. It was especially rewarding when we first preformed our work infront of an audience and it sounded good, even great.

That is why when I saw "First Nights - Five Musical Premieres" by Thomas Forrest Kelly it intrigued me. What also intrigued me was that it had never been checked out of the library. My good friend Richard has a phobia of libraries and germs on books, so I thought of him as I picked it up - it is a "fresh" book with not sooo many germs on it. He would be proud. But he still wouldn't touch it. Anyway, the book focuses on the first performances of five famous musical compositions: Monteverdi's Orfeo in 1607; Handel's Messiah in 1742, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1824; Berlioz's Symphonic fantastique in 1830; and Stravinsky's Sarcre du printemps in 1913. It is an indepth look - Kelly paints each scene in detail writing about the cities in which the preformances took place, the people, the conductors, the musicians, the concert halls, the auidences, and the responses to it. Pretty indepth I'd say. I am reading about Orfeo at the present and I must admit that I didn't know it was considered the first great opera - even though I took Music 101 at BYU. It (Orfeo) definitely has an interesting story.

Anyway, that is my pick for the month of October. I am also currently enjoying the books Rae passed on to me of Louis L'amour's - I'm sure I've probably already read them in the past - but they are just good fun, Warren is reading them too and is enjoying them as well.

In answer to your question about Brier Rabbit, I think I do remember being read to from that book - I will check when we go down to Lakewood this weekend for my mom's birthday. I'll let you know - then maybe we can share it around.

Lulu, in answer to your question, my favorite book is "If You Want To Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit" by Brenda Ueland. The reason it is my favorite book is because it is the biggest pick-me-up book there is out there and has been the greatest encouragement to me when I begin to create something new - the author knows how to show you that you have something special to share and gives many tips on how to share that something special and not be presuaded by doubts. Grandma has read it and loves it like I do -I recommend it to everyone!!!

Well, I am still working on Jennica and Lynness... Hope you all have a marvelous week!
Love ya all,
Sam

Cello names & favorite books

Beccy, Stradivari's Genius sounds really interesting. Maybe I will choose an October book, after all. By the way, I did name my first cello. (Oddly enough, I don't remember the name of the one I actually own...my first was a bruised, sad, old rented one from the elementary school.) For anyone who wants to know, my first cello was Esmerelda. (I should mention that I had very mixed feelings about that cello.)

I also wanted to ask everyone a sort of general question, just out of curiosity.
What's your favorite book you've read this year? Why?
(Sounds like an essay question. Forty points for the first half, ten for the second.)

Sam, I'm excited to finally "read" your face on our blog!

Lulu

Beccy's Octoberread

Sort of like Octoberfest. It counts as a fest when you have lots to read.
Welcome Samantha! I am loving this. It's great to stay in touch, but even more fun when you have a topic besides-"how are ya?"

Mim, Rae: What ever happened to our copy of Tales of Brer Rabbit?! Does Jon have it? Sam, did you ever see it/read from it as a kid? I can't imagine any of us ever getting rid of it. Maybe Jody has it?

Tonight Troy and I went to Borders for our date and I finally made use of my birthday gift card (Thanks Rae)! We topped the evening off with Baskin Robbins, which made me think of Grandpa. Whenever Mom would take Gpa and me (and/or Rae and Matt) with her to run errands, the car would inevitably and inexplicably turn into the B&R parking lot. They would always marvel at this strange phenomenon . . . I was telling Troy how Grandpa almost always got pralines and cream or black walnut, and Mom always got burnt almond fudge. I usually had mint chocolate chip which is how Troy recognized me in our earliest years as his true soulmate--but I digress. (Let no spirit of "disgression" overcome you in the evil hour . . . :)

In the past 48 hours I have planted 155 tulip bulbs, watched 5 episodes of The Upside Down Show and sewed a leprechaun costume (for myself, no less) so I'm feeling a little punchy tonight.

Anyway, I bought 3 books tonight (it was a generous gift card): Stradivari's Genius, and The Art of Practicing and The Complete Book of Running for Women. One of them will not be my October blog-book. :) I guess the titles are pretty self-explanatory, but Stradivari's Genius is unusual. The author (Toby Faber) traces the stories of six of the remaining (some 600 in the world) original Stradivarius instruments (5 violins and 1 cello) and their creator. When I visited Mom on Friday, she asked me if I had named my violin reminding me that Stradivari's violins each had a name. This was an intriguing thought to me and I was wondering what their names were and how they got them. The paragraph on the back of the book piqued my interest with: "Blending history, biography, meticulous detective work, and an abiding passion for music, Faber takes us from the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York . . ." I read most of a chapter and was hooked. There are cool photos and illustrations, too.

When I showed Troy the titles, he quoted Inigo Montoya's question to the Man in Black, saying, "Who arrrre you?!" I can happily justify my new interests by remembering Mom's tendency to do the same when were kids--to pick up something completely new and throw herself into it. Ten years ago, if someone had told me that I'd be living in PG, own a violin and love running when I was 40, I would have laughed. Never say never, I guess.

Happy Octoberreading to you all--
love, Beccy

Finally got my act together...

Howdy All!
I am humbled and honored to be a part of your AWESOME blog! Thank you for letting me join. Jennica and Lynness should be following me, but it may take them another month to get fully going, although I will be pushing them. Lynness just got called as a seminary teacher this past September and this is Isaiah's first year in school - which he is loving. Jennica has started testing out home schooling with Ian and has started babysitting for some extra income - so their lives are a bit more hectic then mine.

This is a wonderful way to communicate and share insights on books. It is wonderful that we all appreciate a great read - I am glad I got placed in this family, it just confirms to me all the more that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing.

I have been reading your past blogs and know now that the topic for October is Music. I haven't found a pick yet, but I will let you know when I do. I am at the moment surrounded by DVDs which I am listing on Half.com. I've decided to try to make a full time income with selling on Half.com - or at least try it out for 2 months and see if it will work. So far so good - I enjoy it So much more then my previous job - I am just so much happier in general.

Bellingham is beautiful (although rainy) and the sound of the seagulls, and the trees all around towering over the houses... yep, this is home. It is fun to be so close to Canada. Canadian money can be used in almost all the stores here, and we get several of their radio stations (not to mention their crazy drivers also!). The ward is quite friendly and open.

Warren and I are reading Eragon (thanks to Bill who so kindly shared his book, Thanks Bill! - How is Kendra doing? We miss hanging out with you :) ) when we travel to Lakewood and back and are almost done with it. It is amazing that a teenager wrote that book. I am impressed.

Well, I will let you know what I pick, thanks again for letting me join! I'm excited! Have a great day gals!

Love you all,
Sam

Subversive Literature

Rae, thanks for those book titles. I'm really intrigued and will see if my library has them. I'm so glad you enjoy Lulu and my blogs. It's good to have a place to share pictures and news and use as a creative outlet even.

I'll be curious to know what you think of Twilight. I have read all three and look forward to the next installment but it's interesting, I laugh at myself that I've enjoyed them as much as I have. Vampires and teenagers by an LDS author...it sounds so bizarre.

Funny you should mention Sam, Jennica, and Lynness. I just re-sent invitations to them yesterday. Sam should be joining us as soon as she sees the email I sent. She emailed me asking for the info. She has also reminded Jennica & Lynness. Would Annie be interested?

And I've been meaning to say -- I think your deal with Ivan and Bill to read 10 books before you can buy another is a great idea! Cool!

I did some searching on Brer Rabbiti and found a webpage that has the stories in dialect, with illustrations, but they're only for viewing on a computer....no actual books for sale. Alibris has a 1st edition of the book....but it's $195.00! I did some checking on eBay and it looks like if you can find an edition that was printed in or before 1956, it should still have the Black Americana Dialect. Here are a couple to look at:
1921 Edition
1956 Edition
Now I'm really curious and hope to find one myself! Mom, Rae, or Beccy - you didn't own the one Mom read out-loud?

Thots about subversive literature

If you aren't habitual readers of Lulu and Abby's personal blogs, you should be. I love knowing what they are up to! I also enjoy the pictures they post of their little ones. Abby recently posted a very funny taking apart of the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. It made me laugh outloud.

I remember reading a book by Alison Lurie called Don't Tell the Grown-ups: Subversive Children's Literature. It had a chapter specifically on fairy tales and the stories behind the stories. She also has written a book called Boys and Girls Forever: Children's Classics from Cinderella to Harry Potter which I have perused. I also remember learning about the Brothers Grimm and how their so-called fairy tales were really politically motivated social statements. You might want to take a look at these books, Abby. And I'm sure you could find other titles.

Does anybody know where I can find the old Brer Rabbit stories...still written in dialect? I want to share them with Bill. All I have been able to find so far are the rewrites...not near as fun. I remember fondly the times when Miriam would read those stories to us in the dialect. She did each character in a different voice and we loved it. I think she was actually reading to Beccy but Matt and I always listened in! I read somewhere that even those stories have a story...everyone says they are not politically correct [did you catch what Elder Scott had to say about that at conference? Great stuff!]...anyway, what I read said that Brer Rabbit represented the slave and Brer Bear and Brer Fox were the plantation owners or overseers. As you know, Brer Rabbit always wins through his trickery...so even those stories were subversive statements of the day.

Abby, my old book group in Lancaster is reading Twilight for their October read. I picked it up and will give it a try. I don't know that I'm into vampires, though. I think it's an odd subject for an LDS writer to focus on. I told the ladies that I would try to continue to read with them via email. We'll have to see how that works.

I have extended another invite to Samantha (and through her to Jennica). I hope they will join in our little circle. I love you all and enjoy "listening" to what you have to say re your reading lives.

Happy reading!

Deep Thoughts

Hi all,

School starting up again has been like a rolling, growing snowball of scheduled events; school-, sports-, family-, and Church-related. I identify with Lulu's plentiful meetings and Liz's mountainous laundry. Tonight I very much enjoyed reading all of your thoughts in the blog archives and now have several more books to add to my mile-long must-read list.
I am still basking in the afterglow of general conference, but I want to join in for the October read. I'll post my choice soon!
Love you all
B.

The Good Earth

Wow, I finished my September read (yesterday) and it was amazingly insightful for me. I understand so much more now about how life in China was before the revolution. At the same time, I almost can't understand it, because I don't get how those women could go on being "slaves" all the time! I think I would just explode!! I really really like the way Pearl S. Buck writes! I found myself phrasing my thoughts throughout the day as she would write. A lot of her phrases reminded me of the scriptural and older language patterns. Thus, henceforth, even "it came to pass," shall, etc. I liked also the "Well, and" used so often at the beginning of sentences. And "Now here's a thing." Also, I liked how matter-of-fact she was. If I were writing about those things, I would have a hard time not inserting more opinions into it, I think. I have to confess that I feel very sad for O'lan--and still do!! I actually thought she might end up feeling loved by the end, and that she might feel lovable. But it's so complicated, isn't it . . . all around her thought of her as a slave and she as a human being with needs was ignored in so many ways. Pat and I were talking the other day about Johnny Lingo, for some reason, and Pat said that he found it hard to believe that Mohanna, from Johnny Lingo, would change quickly and automatically into a very different person immediately after being paid for with 8 cows. The movie sort of depicts the change as very fast. I guess he's right--she would have had a lot of emotional baggage, probably!! I also have to say that I was very very mad when Wang Lung took the pearls from O'lan. I put my book down for a moment and groaned! Interestingly, I was reading some of the Isaiah chapters while reading The Good Earth, and I made a lot of comparisons. The chapter in 2 Nephi that talks about the women with their rings and nose jewels and all that made me think of the harlots in the Great House, etc. And the rich getting too rich and the poor getting too poor made me think about the pride and humility cycles we all go through. I also think farming is very cool! And I think I have a new appreciation for the earth. I still think about the book a lot. I am grateful I could read it and read it with some of you. I had wanted to read it since Mom recommended it to me years ago. I am still sad for O'lan, though!! Liz

Just in case you were wondering

whether I'll be reading a book from our genre this month, the answer is: no. :) I didn't even finish my September book. Why? Why, besides three children? Because I got a new calling that strongly fortifies the added-on Article of Faith, "We Believe in meetings." I am the Cub Committee Chairman for scouts. So....that means (for now, with training and everything else) that I attend about ten meetings a month. Ten. Really. I'll list them if you'd like. :) So anyway, right now I'm just trying to juggle my calling (in church) and my calling (at home), and I'm not finding any chinks of time to do anything except sit still and breathe for a little while.

I love you all.

Lulu