And the winners are....

[kima]

Well it was an exciting election and barring any requests for a recount the winners are..
Contemporary Fiction.. The Mistress of Spices

Non-Fiction The Simple Living Guide

Classic Mansfield Park

Happy reading everyone ! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif We can get together in the fall for discussions- how about we rendezvous in Hawaii???

[LGBurns]

browneye: I agree that we might want a little more structure. It may get cumbersome to try to discuss three books at the same time (and I'm afraid I'll forget what I thought about one after reading the others). Can I suggest we read a book a month, starting in June? We could discuss Mistress at the end of June, Simple at the end of July and Mansfield at the end of August. Any thoughts?

BTW, as to any other structure, in my experience the best book group discussions are somewhat of a free-for-all. Someone throws out an idea, for example, "the character of Joe Smith seemed manipulative to me because...," and then others respond or present new ideas. Don't think English class--more like group of friends discussing a book.

[SusieO]

May I suggest a deadline date for each book, a separate thread for each book, and also an agreement not to discuss until the deadline date passes? Seems like that would be the best way to give everyone interested a chance to participate.

I like the idea of a free-for-all. I'm sure the discussions will be lively and thought-provoking. Can't wait!

[kima]

Hi everyone!!
I too agree we need some structure and like LG's idea of a book a month- beginning with the Mistress of Spices for the end of June. A separate thread for each book is also a great idea. This whole thing is mew for all of us so let's just have fun with it! I personally look at it has motivation to read some new books (especially the classics).I know I won't stay up cramming the night before (okay maybe I'll get Coles Notes on Mansfield Park http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif).
Thankyou everyone for your participation. We will check back at the end of June unless anyone has any other ideas!!

[browneye]

Sounds great! Thanks for the ideas..
I think one a month is a good idea, though I must admit, I picked up "Mistress" last weekend while out and about, since I wanted to read it whether or not it was selected for this group. Well, I couldn't put it down! I am already finished....here's what happens...

JUST KIDDING!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif
looking forward to chatting about it end of June...

[Laura]

I didn't vote but definitely want to particpate. I am about to start Northanger Abbey, (as soon as I finish this biography on Lincoln) so I am glad we are doing Austen in August. Don't get me wrong, I love her, but I am not quite ready for "all Austen all the time." I am really looking forward to this.

BTW Who are the authors for the other two books?

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 05-17-2001).]

[kima]

Hi Laura,
Mistress of Spices is written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni and The Simple Living Guide is by Janet Luhrs . Happy Reading!

[KValley]

Originally posted by Laura:
BTW Who are the authors for the other two books?

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 05-17-2001).]


Laura, Janet Luhrs is the author of "The Guide to Simple Living" or is it "Simple Living Guide"- it's in the living room,hang on...okay "The Simple Living Guide".

The "MIstress of Spices" is by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I picked up Spices today in Seattle and Amanda I also bought a copy of Mrs Dalloway- you convinced me http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Thanks for being so enthusiastic about Woolf. I don't know when I'll find time amidst these others
to read Mrs D, but I will read it soon.

I like the idea of a deadline and I like the one proposed. I'd even suggest, when anyone wants to, a thread every week or so, to keep us moving along.

Oh, and I've penciled in Hawaii!!

Maureen and Linda, thank you so much for putting this together. I am so excited!!

[Susan]

I am in agreement with the deadlines/book-a-month suggestions. I like the separate thread idea too. This is going to be a wonderful book club! Thank you ladies for your organization of the voting and what is yet to come! I am looking forward to this! Now to finish my current read of David Copperfield before June...yikes!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif

~~Susan~~

[Sara Emily]

GOOD WORK, Kim!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif But, HOW could it have gone so smoothly?! What about the dimples and hanging chads? Where is the butterfly ballot when you need it?

This is going to be GREAT, and we have YOUR wonderful inspiration, patience, and persistence to thank for it!

I SECOND the Hawaii suggestion. All in favor ......?

[browneye]

I just wondered- I've never participated in a book club or anything, is there any particular way to go about this? If there are any book club guidelines we would be following, only because I've never been in one and feel the need to know. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Do we just start reading in any order, and then get together online in a few months or just how does this work?
-am I too anal about structure?
Call me wierd!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Julia1Pin]

All of you must live in my area. I went to B. Dalton and all 3 books were out http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

Maybe this BB is reaching more people than previously thought?

[SusanL]

I'm in, I will go to the bookstore this weekend!! May I start before June? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[BeckyM]

This is so great! I was on vacation (out of the country) while you were all voting, but I trust your selections. I love to read, and this will get me trying some new things I might not have found otherwise (kinda like the recipe reviews on the Good Food board). Maybe I'll go to the bookstore today and try to find these.

So, it sounds like the Mistress of Spices is first? And the deadline is June 30th? What fun! I'm looking forward to the discussion!

[mightyh]

Don't forget about half.com when you're ordering your books http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Alisa]

Also don't forget the library....

[Julia1Pin]

Just bumping this up http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[KathrynY]

Ordered all 3 from half.com yesterday, now I'm ready to read! I like the book per month idea. Looking forward to the discussion at the end of June. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Susan]

Hello Fellow CL Book Club readers!

Here's a site I found with a synopsis of the first book ("The Mistress of Spices" by
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni) and some group discussion questions that might be useful once our discussion commences at the end of June: http://www.randomhouse.com/resources/bookgroup/divakaruni_bgc.html

There is also a link off the page to an excerpt from the book: http://www.randomhouse.com/boldtype/0597/divakaruni/excerpt.html

Here is a link to a bio page about her: http://www.emory.edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/CBD.html

~~Susan~~

[KValley]

Susan, this is great! I was wondering if I should be taking notes, highlighting passages...it's been a while since my school days http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif The questions are very thought-provoking.

Now the problem is waiting until the end of June to talk about this- I'll be finished long before then!!

[Julia1Pin]

KValley-

Tell me about it. I finished the book on Sunday night. For now, all I can do is look at those questions and ponder..........

Kudos to Susan for finding those discussion points.


[This message has been edited by Julia1Pin (edited 05-25-2001).]

[jane]

Have room for one more? This book club sounds like a fantastic idea. I'm always looking for new books to read and sometimes the choices are overwhelming. The three picked so far sound great. I can't wait to pick up The Mistress of Spices!

[KathrynY]

Came back to find the link to those discussion questions as I'm reading, and thought others might like a reminder too! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[SusieO]

Just bumping this up. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif