It's Top Ten Tuesday - Which Author is #7 in the Book Club Girl on Air Countdown?
I'm counting down our Top 10 Book Club Girl on Air shows every Tuesday this summer. These are the show that have gotten the most live listens and subsequent downloads.
So which show comes in at #7 on the countdown? It's one for a book that my book club enjoyed discussing very much -- The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean! Listen in to the show now and leave a comment about something you learned or liked from the show and you'll be entered to win a copy of The Madonnas of Leningrad, as well as Debra Dean's collection of stories, Confessions of a Falling Woman, and a totebag in which you can take them both to the beach!
Be sure to visit Debra Dean's website as well as listen to the show. I'll pick 1 random comment from all those received by midnight Friday, July 22nd to be entered to win (US and Canada only please). Good luck!
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Debra Dean's inspiration for the novel was her leanring about the Hermitage Museum and the Siege of Leningrad. The curator at the museum left the empty frames hanging in hope that the artwork would be returned.
Wonderful Interview! I teared up when hearing of the curator who would describe the artwork so well the people could almost see it. Her description of Alzheimer's as someone remaking their history helps me to understand my mother, she has episodes--like TIAs--where she loses touch with reality. Debra's description of how the writing process was so organic, how she visited Russia and actually knew her way around gives me chills. I would love to read this book!
I already entered and won the first one, don't enter me. I am just leaving a comment. This was the first book club girl interview I participated in. I loved the book when it deals with memory. I don't like to re-read novels. But, lately I have been taking a course in psychology and reading a few novels about memory and brain disfunction. I am sure, my perspective is different than the last time I read it. I may read it again, and listen to the interview.
For those of you interested in, you should check out Still Alice, and Turn of Mind. Both good books on Alzheimer's Disease.
I loved hearing Debra talk about where her inspiration(s) came from for the book. The fact that her grandmother "turned" in to a Russian woman and became the main character is such a memorial to her grandmother.
I have a strong connection to this book. First my grandmother currently has Alzheimer's disease and second, I have been to Russia and spent some time in St. Peterberg where I visited The Hermitage museum and the cemetery where they buried the people who died during the Siege of Leningrad. I think there is about 3000 people buried there. I would love to read this book.
She originally planned it as a short story after she saw a PBS show but the story took a life of its own and became a novel instead. This is why I love listening or talking to the author to give insights on their novels that I would not normally get from just reading their books.
Book Club Girl is: a member of a book club and an avid reader who spent most of her childhood immersed in a book, an English major who considered library school until she realized it was all about computers, so turned to publishing, where she now works (but she vows to talk about books from all over and not to simply flog those from her own house). She was single, lived in the city, met a man, moved to the 'burbs, and is now a wife, a stepmother, a mother, and in her spare time, a fledgling blogger dedicated to sharing great books, news and tips with book club girls everywhere.
My Review Policy
I review fiction and nonfiction that is appropriate for book clubs. This includes literary and some women's commercial fiction as well as memoir and narrative nonfiction. I do not review self-help, thrillers, mysteries, horror, or fantasy. I have a fondness for YA literature and while the blog is not devoted to it (well, except for my obsession with the Betsy-Tacy series), I will occasionally review some YA books. The best way to reach me to request a review is to email me at bookclubgirl AT gmail DOT com.
I learned that Debra Dean didn't go to Russia until she got her book deal with Harper Collins.
Posted by: bermudaonion (Kathy) | July 19, 2011 at 08:12 AM
Debra Dean's inspiration for the novel was her leanring about the Hermitage Museum and the Siege of Leningrad. The curator at the museum left the empty frames hanging in hope that the artwork would be returned.
Posted by: anne | July 19, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Wonderful Interview! I teared up when hearing of the curator who would describe the artwork so well the people could almost see it. Her description of Alzheimer's as someone remaking their history helps me to understand my mother, she has episodes--like TIAs--where she loses touch with reality. Debra's description of how the writing process was so organic, how she visited Russia and actually knew her way around gives me chills. I would love to read this book!
Posted by: Robyn | July 19, 2011 at 07:58 PM
I already entered and won the first one, don't enter me. I am just leaving a comment. This was the first book club girl interview I participated in. I loved the book when it deals with memory. I don't like to re-read novels. But, lately I have been taking a course in psychology and reading a few novels about memory and brain disfunction. I am sure, my perspective is different than the last time I read it. I may read it again, and listen to the interview.
For those of you interested in, you should check out Still Alice, and Turn of Mind. Both good books on Alzheimer's Disease.
Posted by: Susan | July 19, 2011 at 10:47 PM
I loved hearing Debra talk about where her inspiration(s) came from for the book. The fact that her grandmother "turned" in to a Russian woman and became the main character is such a memorial to her grandmother.
Posted by: Noreen | July 20, 2011 at 11:04 AM
I have a strong connection to this book. First my grandmother currently has Alzheimer's disease and second, I have been to Russia and spent some time in St. Peterberg where I visited The Hermitage museum and the cemetery where they buried the people who died during the Siege of Leningrad. I think there is about 3000 people buried there. I would love to read this book.
Posted by: Laura (Booksnob) | July 20, 2011 at 03:57 PM
She originally planned it as a short story after she saw a PBS show but the story took a life of its own and became a novel instead. This is why I love listening or talking to the author to give insights on their novels that I would not normally get from just reading their books.
Posted by: Yvonne | July 22, 2011 at 01:52 PM
I loved hearing about her inspiration for the novel and her writing process.
Posted by: Jasmine | July 22, 2011 at 07:14 PM