The Inaugural meeting of the CL Book Club

[kima]

Yes it is time for a new thread ! I will also post this on the Great Food site.
I vote for Mansfield Park as our classic book.
For those of you to new this topic I should fill you in. It seems there are many avid readers as well as cooks and fitness buffs on these BB. Afew of us have decided to start a Book Club. What we are proposing (so far and open to ideas) is that we pick two books, perhaps one classic and one contemporary book to be read over the summer. We could meet in mid September or so to share opinions. I think it would be nice to pick the books by mid-May- how we ultimately decide I don't know! I know we have some profs on these BBs so maybe they could help.
I know some people feel intimidated by book clubs- this is not like school- no tests , no right or wrong. You can participate a little or alot.
Right now we need book ideas. Of course we will never come upon two books no one has ever read but I don't mind re-reading some books.
Now we await your ideas and input! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[LGBurns]

Oh gosh. Should we limit people to how many books they can recommend in each category? Otherwise, I could go on all day and that would probably make choosing so hard. Well, I'll try some self-control. Here are my choices:

Classics
Howards End by E.M. Forester*
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen*
Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevski*

Contemporaries
When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro
Possession by A.S. Byatt*
The Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

The suggestions with * I've read before but I would love to read them again and discuss them with others. BTW, I highly recommend the movie Mansfield Park--emphasizes different things than the book and changes the personality (in some ways) of the main character but I thought it was very good and made me think of the book in a different way. I'd love to read the book again now that I've seen the movie but I chose P&P as my Austen pick because I still think it's her best.

[erinl]

What a great idea! My most recent non-fiction read was fantastic..."Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage" by Alfred Lansing. I couldn't put it down. I haven't tackled many classics beyond what was required in school, so I can't make any recommendations there. I can't wait to see what everybody suggests!
erin

[AndreaU]

erinl- I was just given a copy of Endurance and have yet to settle down & read it. Looking forward to the read. I have a pile of about 8-10 books that I've bought or acquired recently but have not even started. I just went back to working full-time (teaching) a few months ago... getting better at allocating my time, but really looking forward to the summer! Maybe the Book Club will motivate me to "just do it!"

Oops! Forgot suggestions. My favorite books are those by Peter Mayle (A Year in Provence, Encore Provence, Toujours Provence). Along that note, I would love to read Bella Tuscany (and I can't remember the follow up). Also, a member on the Great Food board turned me on to these "culinary mysteries" by Diane Mott Davidson in which there are recipes and the story revolves around food.

[This message has been edited by AndreaU (edited 04-21-2001).]

[BosunsWife]

I love to read and would really enjoy this. I read mostly contemporary novels, but would love to read some classics. Right now I'm reading "Protect and Defend" by Richard North Patterson. As a former paralegal (now a SAHM), I love books that deal with legalese. My only real time to read (without interruptions) is after DD is in bed at night, and this book is hard to put down.

DH read Endurance and loved it (we have it in hardback). He loves books that are nautical and seafaring in nature (probably has to do with his job LOL). Right now he is reading "In Harm's Way" about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.

[This message has been edited by BosunsWife (edited 04-21-2001).]

[SusieO]

This is such a great idea!
I would be happy to read (or re-read) any of the books already suggested. Jane Austen sounds like a popular choice for the classic, which is fine with me. Is Enduranc non-fiction? Maybe it would be nice to have a non-fiction book for our contemporary choice to balance out the classic, and also force us to read something we otherwise wouldn't.
Looking forward to both reading and discussing!

[CheerLiz]

Ooh! This is so exciting! Even if I never get to meet with you, it's been great to add books to my "to read" list!

I propose Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert for the Classics category and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood for the contemporary category. Also, Anita Shreve (author of The Pilot's Wife) has just come out with a new book, The Last Time They Met. I love her stuff, but this one didn't get a very good review in the Boston Globe.

Keep those ideas coming -- I have a summer vacation coming up and I'll definitely need some books to keep me company!!

--Liz

[This message has been edited by CheerLiz (edited 04-22-2001).]

[KValley]

This makes me so happy http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I love everyone's suggestions!

My votes are "Mansfield Park" for classic; "When We Were Orphans" for contemporary (which I just ordered last week from my book club).

How's that for restraint http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Julie

[Susan]

Excellent idea!!! Thanks, kima for inviting us over from the Great Food board! I've been wanting to join a book club but with 2 little ones at home, it hasn't happened-yet!

Another vote for Jane Austen's Mansfield Park for the classic. How about something in the nonfiction category for the contemporary book? Hmm...how about Choosing Simplicity: Real People Finding Peace and Fulfillment in a Complex World
by Linda Breen Pierce? This was reviewed in CL a few issues ago.

~~Susan~~

[LGBurns]

I have another suggestion for non-fiction: The Perfect Storm. This book was fascinating (I haven't seen the movie).

[Missi]

Count another vote for Mansfield Park by Jane Austin. I would also like to second the vote for Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tail. Can't wait to start reading whatever is chosen! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[pmmahan]

I agree with The handmaid's Tale. Also, for Anita Shreve fans, I just bought Fortune's Rocks.
Oh, yes, and Posession by AS Byatt is a fantastic novel! I had a hard time getting into her other work, though. Classic companion works that go well with Posession would be anything by Elizabeth Barret Browning and Robert Browning (Posession fictionalizes their real life relationship.)
For a classic, what about Virginia Woolf? Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse are great. As a companion modern novel Mrs. Dalloway, The Hours by Michael Cunningham, delves into Mrs. Dalloway and Virginia Woolf.

I was an English major in college, can you tell?

[kima]

Yikes- such great suggestions! I really don't know how we are going to choose. Perhaps we should pick a classic. a contemporary and a non-fiction? Sounds like alot but we have 4 months and of course no one is obligated to read them all . What do you think?
Here are some of my suggestions. Rather than give a detailed description of each one I suggest everyone read the reviews about these books at Amazon.com. I find you can get a really good idea about a book from their site.
Here goes:
Contemporary:
The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - I loved Sister of My Heart

The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau Badami- Again I really enjoyed her first book Tamarind Mem

ARecipe For Bees by Gail Anderson Dargatz- another winner by the author of The Cure for Deat by Lightning. She lives here on Vancouver Island but is a big seller around the world. Highly recommend The Cure...

The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Toibin- a great Irish writer. I have been meaning to read this!!

The Black Dogs by Ian Mc Ewen- recommended to me by a great reader friend of mine

I don't really have a classic to recommend. This is genre I really want to expand upon.
As far as non-fiction I am very open. One book that looks great is Wild Swans by Jung Chang.
I better stop there! I could go on believe it or not!!
I get anxious aboput picking our books- any real assertive people out there??

[kima]

Just wanted to add another one I saw at Amazon. It is called Ladies with Options by Cynthia Hartwick- sounds like a hoot and a good summer read. Check it out at www.amazon.com! (http://www.amazon.com!)

[SusanL]

After a year of reading upper elementary level books, this will be refreshing!! I'm up for any of the above chosen books. Are we making a list and voting? Let me know, and I am in !! Great Idea!!!

[LGBurns]

I would suggest that we use the system used back when the discussion of a CLBB trip was floating around. We could set a deadline for suggestions (maybe by this Friday?). Then make a list of all suggestions under each genre and have a vote. The way the vote worked on the other thread was each person would copy the list from the last post and add a slash next to the item (in this case the book) they were voting for. We also limited how many things one could vote for (in our case we may want to limit it to one vote per genre). Finally, we took the most popular votes and had a run-off. How does that sound? If you want to see an example of what I'm talking about here's the old thread http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Archives/Archive-000002/HTML/20010301-1-002430.html

[kima]

That method of voting sounds greast LG. Would you be willing to be in charge of it? I am not that computer literate- how do we copy the last post and where do we copy it to? Do those qustions make any sense?How about we make the deadline Friday May 5.
I will post a new thread alerting people to the deadline.
Thanks so much for your help LG!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[BethH]

Oooh, this is going to be so fun! I like the Mansfield Park idea too-I've never read it. But, my main vote is going to the Mrs. Dalloway (Woolf) and The Hours (Cunningham) combination! I've wanted to read both for awhile. It sounds really neat.

For new suggestions, I'd like to throw out a non-fiction, The Passionate Nomad. It is about the life of Freya Stark and has been sitting on my book shelf since August and I've been dying to read it. On my non-fiction list is Birdsong (Faulks), Corelli's Mandolin (de Bernieres), and House of Sand and Fog. These are all new but I would also be very happy to read any of the classics. I have read so few, I'm almost embarrassed!

As soon as my finals are over, I'm ready to read! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[LGBurns]

I'd be happy to take care of the voting process. Just to clarify, May 5 is Saturday so let's say Saturday May 5 is the deadline for suggestions. Then I'll post a separate thread for voting and explain how to copy and paste then (it's very simple).

[kima]

Sounds good to me LG. I looked at the calendar without my glasses on- thus May4th became May5TH. I have just had to start wearing the darn things- that 40 something syndrome!! What a pain in the *****! Anyway THANKYOU for handling the voting think. You have mu undying devotion! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[LGBurns]

I just received this in an e-mail and thought all on this thread would appreciate it. Keep those suggestions coming (I gotta feed my habit!).

LITERATURE ABUSE: AMERICA'S HIDDEN PROBLEM


SELF-TEST FOR LITERATURE ABUSERS

How many of these apply to you?

1. I have read fiction when I was depressed, or to cheer myself up.

2. I have gone on reading binges of an entire book or more in a day.

3. I read rapidly, often 'gulping' chapters.

4. I have sometimes read early in the morning or before work.

5. I have hidden books in different places to sneak a chapter without
being seen.

6. Sometimes I avoid friends or family obligations in order to read
novels.

7. Sometimes I re-write film or television dialog as the characters
speak.

8. I am unable to enjoy myself with others unless there is a book
nearby.

9. At a party, I will often slip off unnoticed to read.

10. Reading has made me seek haunts and companions which I would
otherwise avoid.

11. I have neglected personal hygiene or household chores until I have
finished a novel.

12. I have spent money meant for necessities on books instead.

13. I have attempted to check out more library books than permitted.

14. Most of my friends are heavy fiction readers.

15. I have sometimes passed out from a night of heavy reading.

16. I have suffered 'blackouts' or memory loss from a bout of reading.

17. I have wept, become angry or irrational because of something I
read.

18. I have sometimes wished I did not read so much.

19. Sometimes I think my reading is out of control.

If you answered 'yes' to three or more of these questions, you may be a
literature abuser. Affirmative responses to five or more indicates a
serious problem.

Once a relatively rare disorder, Literature Abuse, or LA, has risen to
new levels due to the accessibility of higher education and increased
college enrollment since the end of the Second World War.

The number of literature abusers is currently at record levels.


SOCIAL COSTS OF LITERARY ABUSE

Abusers become withdrawn, uninterested in society or normal
relationships. They fantasize, creating alternative worlds to occupy,
to

the neglect of friends and family. In severe cases they develop bad
posture from reading in awkward positions or carrying heavy book bags.
In the worst instances, they become cranky reference librarians
in small towns.

Excessive reading during pregnancy is perhaps the number one cause of
moral deformity among the children of English professors, teachers of
English and creative writing. Known as Fetal Fiction Syndrome, this
disease also leaves its victims prone to a lifetime of nearsightedness,
daydreaming and emotional instability.


HEREDITY

Recent Harvard studies have established that heredity plays a
considerable role in determining whether a person will become an abuser
of literature. Most abusers have at least one parent who abused
literature, often beginning at an early age and progressing into
adulthood. Many spouses of an abuser become abusers themselves.


OTHER PREDISPOSING FACTORS

Fathers or mothers who are English teachers, professors, or heavy
fiction readers; parents who do not encourage children to play games,
participate in healthy sports, or watch television in the evening.


PREVENTION

Pre-marital screening and counseling, referral to adoption agencies in
order to break the chain of abuse. English teachers in particular
should

seek partners active in other fields. Children should be encouraged to
seek physical activity and to avoid isolation and morbid introspection.


DECLINE AND FALL: THE ENGLISH MAJOR

Within the sordid world of literature abuse, the lowest circle belongs
to those sufferers who have thrown their lives and hopes away to study
literature in our colleges. Parents should look for signs that their
children are taking the wrong path--don't expect your teenager to
approach you and say, "I can't stop reading Spenser." By the time you
visit her dorm room and find the secret stash of the Paris Review, it
may already be too late.

What to do if you suspect your child is becoming an English major:

1. Talk to your child in a loving way. Show your concern. Let her know
you won't abandon her--but that you aren't spending a hundred grand to
put her through Stanford so she can clerk at Waldenbooks, either. But
remember that she may not be able to make a decision without help;
perhaps she has just finished Madame Bovary and is
dying of arsenic poisoning.

2. Face the issue: Tell her what you know, and how: "I found this book
in your purse. How long has this been going on?" Ask the hard
question--Who is this Count Vronsky?

3. Show her another way. Move the television set into her room.
Introduce her to frat boys.

4. Do what you have to do. Tear up her library card. Make her stop
signing her letters as 'Emma.' Force her to take a math class, or minor
in Spanish. Transfer her to a Florida college.

You may be dealing with a life-threatening problem if one or more of
the

following applies:

* She can tell you how and when Thomas Chatterton died.

* She names one or more of her cats after a Romantic poet.

* Next to her bed is a picture of: Lord Byron, Virginia Woolf,
Faulkner,

or any scene from the Lake District.

Most importantly, remember, you are not alone. To seek help for
yourself

or someone you love, contact the nearest chapter of the American
Literature Abuse Society, or look under ALAS in your telephone
directory.

(authored by Michael McGrorty)

[JLS]

I think the 1st contemporary should be along the cooking lines of what AndreaU mentioned. Considering that is how we all have met. ie...Making of a Chef, Under the Tuscan Sun, Bella Tuscany, Like water for chocolate, Chocolat or a Diane Mott Davidson (I think one of hers is Tough Cookie)

[kima]

Yes I think we will do the voting post over here. I will alert the Great Food board as well. I haven't seen alot of response lately so thought maybe the idea had fizzled. I figure if nothing else we will get some good reading ideas.

[Sara Emily]

kima, DON'T GIVE UP ON US!!! Some of us who have not posted yet under this thread are on pins and needles, waiting for the vote and most eager to participate! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Your idea is a GREAT one and will help us to expand our minds, our reading lists, and our socialization and expression skills in discussing these books with others!

I am a very avid reader and one of the frustrating things about it is completing a book that you just love or that you find incredibly interesting, and having no one who has read it to discuss it with! That's part of the fun.

I have been reading a goodly number of articles about book discussion groups, and tried to search out one locally, but they never really seemed to "fit." Either a bad time of the week (for me) to meet or reading only "fluff" - solely romance novels and that sort of thing. Although I've read there are such discussion groups online, I never seriously considered it, but feel so COMFORTABLE with you "guys" that this is a different story altogether!

Thanks for giving us this opportunity!

[kima]

Thanks so much for encouraging post Sara Emily! For all the reasons you mentioned I have not joined a book club locally. I did belong to one a few years ago and loved it!
I feel the same way when I finish reading a book (or even during) I want to share a passage, ask a question, or share my enthusiasm. My MIL and I have often read the same book and then discussed it. She is 93 now and her eyesight is not strong so she doesn't read much anymore. She misses it terribly- that is why I am determined to read as much as I can now! I can not imagine not being able to read. I don't play cards or knit etc. so I must be able to read when I am 99!
Do you have any books you would like to nominate Sara Emily? Never too many you know. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[KValley]

We're still here Maureen!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif In fact, I'm eagerly awaiting May 5 to see what the tally is!

Besides wanting to share my love of reading with other like-minded BB'ers, I'm going to be on my own for a good part of the summer while DH is away and I will NEED this distraction!

I've already given my votes for classic and contemporary fiction, but wanted to add one for the non-fiction pick: A Guide to Simple Living, Janet Luhrs.

[kima]

Hi Julie!
Thanks for your support- am I needy or what??
I love the Simple Living book. I have been getting the Simple Living newsletter but won't renew as its too expensive and not very "meaty".
My family and I are constantly trying to simplify our lives and possesions. I sold my car a few months ago and while I miss it - 4 drivers and one car- it has been very worthwhile. Now we plan carefully how we are going to use it and try and double up when possible. My daughters take the bus alot too. I really enjoy being "stranded at home sometimes!!
I am so excited- I just got Chitra Banerjee Davakaruni"s new book of short stories from the library! I was first on the hold list!! Last night I read the first story and really enjoyed it.
Anyway gald to hear you are still interested. I will be happy with any of the books suggested so far.
You should make a trip up this way if you are on your own for ahile. Do you like travelling alone? I have made a few trips on my own and really enjoyed them.

[KValley]

DH bought Janet Luhrs's book as a Valentine's gift for me two years ago. I read it just as we were looking for and buying our first home- it really caused me to reflect and downsize my expectations. Thank goodness, as we sold the house just over a year later and broke even- anything less "simple" (i.e. more expensive) and we probably would have taken a loss. But it's more than just money- it's a life philosophy that I struggle to maintain (I must remind myself of this philosophy as we continue to drive our '86 Honda and the '93 Ford Escort with 100K+ miles!)

I have moved so many times that I am constantly weeding out and giving away "stuff", clothes, books, knick-knacks- I can't stand clutter. And I hate being in debt- having a mortgage was a struggle for me, but of course having a mortgage is a very different matter than owing on credit cards. We paid off and got rid of all but one credit card when we married.

In a way it's a relief that we are both in education and will never make stellar salaries- I think it's helped us to define our priorities and how we want to spend our time and money- to make choices knowing that we can't have "it" all (whatever that is). We have everything we need, most things that we want, and money saved for the future.

At any rate, I really want to reread The Simple Living Guide, as we begin the house hunt again and plan for a family.

I love to travel alone- in fact if I can't travel with my husband, my preference is to go solo. My previous job took me to Europe, Australia, and Japan and I always have the greatest adventures! I travel a lot domestically now, which isn't nearly as exciting (or stressful), but I've never vacationed solo. I am planning to take myself on vacation this summer, while DH is away (he's going to France for 6 weeks-long story)! I'm awaiting information on an all-women sea kayaking trip in the San Juans in July- a week of kayaking and hiking.

B.C. would be wonderful, too http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 05-02-2001).]

[Susan]

Originally posted by KValley:
Besides wanting to share my love of reading
I've already given my votes for classic and contemporary fiction, but wanted to add one for the non-fiction pick: A Guide to Simple Living, Janet Luhrs.

Ooooooo, this sounds good! I just read a review of it at http://www.simpleliving.net/newsletter/resource.asp?sku=btslg
Thanks for suggesting it! I have just recently become interested in this topic.

~~Susan~~

[browneye]

Count me in on this one!! Will the "voting" post be here on this thread? I see there are lots of recommendations, I will just go along with whatever is chosen...I love to read.
LGBurns: that was too funny, I know I am an addict..."Hello, my name is Paula and I'm a literature abuser"