Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Bookclub Update

My bookclub *finally* met for the first time in 2009 last night. Our February meeting was snowed out once, then cancelled the second time due to scheduling. Last night we discussed two books, The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich and Time of my Life by Allison Winn Scotch.

Our bookclub had a first last night - we all disliked (stronger words were used) The Plague of Doves. Out of seven members, four finished the book. I was one of three who did not - I mentioned a while ago that I felt completely befuddled by it. The member who suggested it will not be taking further book recommendations from her mother-in-law!

The second book discussed was Time of My Life. Here is my review. Four people really liked the book - the word love was even used! I said essentially what I wrote in my review and one member said "what Tara said", and another had similar feelings about it. The book elicited discussion about life choices and 'what if?' sorts of questions. One member became quite philosophical about the deeper meanings of the book and what the character went through to realize that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. While that didn't change my perception of the book, it's great to hear someone else's perspective.

We will be meeting in May in discuss Jane Austen's Emma - a few members are feeling daunted by its size. I think they will find the reading will go faster than they think.

In other book news, I am close to finishing the second book in Laurie King's Mary Russell series and I can tell you that the review will be Good. I am really enjoying this one.

Finally, I would like to thank Karen from Bookbath (how much do you love her header??) for the Zombie Chicken Award, and Melissa from Shh...I'm reading for the Proximidade Award. Thank you so much! It really moves me to be honored by both of you. I send it right back to both of you and to all the people who read and comment here - I am terrible at giving awards since I hate leaving anyone out.

Reviews soon!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

i also read and reviewed 'time of my life' but didn't enjoy it much. the book required too much suspension of reality for me. :)

Staci said...

I'm with the ones that used the strong language to express their dislike of Plague of Doves. I hated it!! 70 pages in and I said that is enough!! I haven't read Time of My Life but I'm going to read your review and go from there!!

J.L. Danger said...

Oh I LOVE Louise Erdrich, but I haven't read any in a while. I should pick it up on my maternity leave. Oh oh blissful maternity leave. I never thought I would say THAT!

Karen said...

The bookclub I was in disbanded last year and I have been missing bookclub discussions since then. I might have to try and find another group. I would love to have a Jane Austen Bookclub!

Tara said...

booklineandsinker, I agree with you!

Staci, ugh, we all did! One member said she decided to stare at the wall at the auto repair shop instead of reading it, she hated it so much.

J.Danger, what are your favorite books of hers?

Karen, that is too bad about your bookclub. A JA one would be fun. I wish you luck with joining or starting another, I know I would miss mine, too.

Iliana said...

Well at least one book was somewhat of a hit. Oddly enough sometimes when my group has hated a book we have had some very spirited discussions - ha!

Congrats on your awards :)

JoAnn said...

I've never read Erdrich and was thinking about reading Plague of Doves...glad I saw this post first! The only time my book club unanimously disliked a book was White Teeth by Zadie Smith.

I'll look forward to hearing about the Emma discussion.

Tara said...

Iliana, that has been the case with our book club too, however with only four people finishing it and disliking it so much, they literally said they didn't even want to talk about it!

JoAnn, last year we read The Master Butcher's Singing Club and it was very well received (I loved it!) so I would recommend that, for sure.