Book Club Girl

Summer Reading Lists are Posted!

Remember summer reading lists from when you were in school? Well, the new lists for high school students across the country are being posted now and it's amazing how similar they are to reading group lists. Can teenage book clubs be far behind? Why not check them out for your next great read, or why not pick a book to read along with your son or daughter this summer -- maybe even turn one of your summer book club sessions into a bring your teen night!

Every year there are some choices that cause some controversy and this year it's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (find out why at the link). The lists include classics like Rebecca, To Kill a Mockingbird and Their Eyes Were Watching God, they also include contemporary books like Marley & Me, My Sister's Keeper, The Glass Castle and The Alchemist.

Here are a whole bunch of links to lists:
Archbishop Mitty High School, Santa Clara, CA
Joliet Township High Schools, Joliet, IL - Freshmen and Upper Classmen
St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Kennesaw Mountain High School, Kennesaw, GA
Wren High School, Piedmont, SC
Coral Springs High School, Coral Springs, FL
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, Fairbanks, AL
Winston Churchill High School, San Antonio, TX
East Rochester School District, East Rochester, NY
Dennis-Yarmouth High School, South Yarmouth, MA
St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, OH
Opelousas High School, Opelousas, LA

Josh Kilmer-Purcell's Candy Everybody Wants On Sale Today!

Josh Kilmer-Purcell, author of the acclaimed memoir, I Am Not Myself These Days, returns with his first novel, Candy Everybody Wants, about a young gay teen in Wisconsin yearning to hit the big time in Hollywood. Here's a pic of Josh hobnobbing with James Frey (whose new book is also on sale today) at the Candy book launch party last night in NYC. Here's a link to the HILARIOUS video of the lost "Dallasty" episode written by the protagonist of Candy -- look for the special '80s guest star! You can check out the PS section to Candy here to see some hilarious pics of toddler Josh parading around in his mother's wig (sign of things to come...). And lastly, here is the reading guide.

Book Club Favorite Louise Erdrich's New Novel is Out Now

Louise Erdrich's classic Love Medicine routinely tops lists of favorite book club books. Myself, I will never forget first reading, and loving, her novel The Beet Queen -- it was one of the first books I read after college, when I could suddenly read for pleasure and I was devouring authors wholesale from my local library. Erdrich's new novel, The Plague of Doves has just been released and is garnering wonderful reviews. It began as a short story in the New Yorker, which you can read here and you can listen to her read from here. In the novel, Erdrich tells the story of the town of Pluto, North Dakota, which witnessed the murder of a farm family in the early 1900s and a subsequent act of revenge that continues to haunt the white and Ojibwe residents of the town to this day, in ways they don't even know. Listen to Louise's interview on NPR's Morning Edition here.

Happy Mother's Day to Mothers and Stepmothers!

In honor of mothers everywhere--including stepmothers, godmothers, mentors and anyone who helps to nurture and teach a child--I thought I'd write about the first book I read after becoming a mother a little more than two years ago. Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions is her journal of her son's first year and it's a book I recommend to any mom, especially a new mom. A good friend gave me a copy at my baby shower and I've now started giving it as a shower present as well. I didn't start reading it until my son was born, and the short journal entries proved to be the ideal reading material during late night feedings and the other very random times throughout the day that I found time to read. That the entries mirrored just what I was going through -- learning how to respond to my son's cries and various myterious needs (including his seeming lack of a need to sleep, or at least it seemed that way at the time) -- only enhanced my love of the book. Lamott perfectly captures the "other world" experience that is the first few months of motherhood.

Last year on Mother's Day I wrote about another book that has taught and sustained me, this time as a stepmother: A Career Girl's Guide to Becoming a Stepmother. Author Jacquelyn Fletcher has since started a monthly newsletter that I find invaluable. If you are a stepmother, I urge you to sign up for it here and if you know a stepmother, please send her the link. She will thank you for it, I promise!

What to Bring to Your Next Book Club Meeting -- The Author, A Guest Post from Laurie Viera Rigler!

Faithful readers know I'm a big fan of Laurie Viera Rigler's Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict - a wonderfully imaginative tale of a modern day woman (Courtney) who wakes up in Jane Austen's time. Luckily, like many of us, Courtney's an Austenite, and she's able to use her knowledge of Austen novels to find her way in around 1813 England, though not without some hilarious mishaps. Confessions has just been released in paperback and here are ten reasons why you should read it now. Here is Laurie on the topic of inviting the author to your book group, a practice I wholly support -- check out the many author websites to the left to find contact info! 

What to Bring to Your Next Book Club Meeting: The Author 
by Laurie Viera Rigler
author of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

There is nothing I like better than, as Jane Austen herself said, to be in "the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation." That is why I feel especially fortunate to be not only a member of a book group, but also to visit with other book groups. As an author, visiting with book groups is one of my favorite ways to connect with readers.

For your next book club meeting, consider bringing something besides cheese and crackers, cookies, or a pitcher of margaritas. Consider bringing the author. How do you know if an author would consider visiting your group? Many authors state their availability on their websites or on sites like BookClubCookbook.com which has an Invite An Author page.

Even if an author doesn't state that he or she is available for book club discussions, it doesn't hurt to ask. Writing books is a solitary business, and every so often we like to sally forth into the world and meet some of our readers. Or stay at home and get on the speakerphone and chat with our readers that way. It is a rare author who does not like to talk about her work, especially if she's surrounded by a group of people who are eager to discuss it.

If you do invite an author to your meeting and he or she accepts, here are a few suggestions:

• If your book group is anything like mine, it involves a lot of socializing as well as talking about the book. Nothing wrong with that, long as you set aside your own time, not the author's, for schmoozing and off-topic chatting. Assume the author's time is precious, and consider her visit to your group a chance to ask all the questions you have about the book, writing techniques, and the publishing process. A good rule of thumb is to schedule an hour to an hour and a half of your meeting time to devote to your author guest, which may involve a Q&A, discussions with the author about the book, and if the author is there in person, signing of your copies and those you may have purchased for friends. Be sure to communicate your expectations and wishes (in terms of topics to be discussed, signing of books) with the author beforehand.
• If you're using a speakerphone to chat with the author, do a test call to another party to make sure the phone is working well and that everyone in the room can hear both sides of the conversation.
• If your group is in the habit of sharing copies of books, consider making an exception in honor of the author's in-person visit to your book group. Purchasing your own copy of the book is a lovely way of expressing your appreciation for the visit and an opportunity to take home an inscribed copy for yourself and/or a friend.
• No author expects every reader to like his or her book. Nevertheless, we consider the pleasures of unfavorable critiques the province of those who write reviews. With that in mind, consider deferring your rant till the author departs (or getting it out of the way before he arrives). In the meantime, ask constructive questions or silently drink that entire pitcher of margaritas.
• By no means am I suggesting you engage in excessive self-censorship. If you've got a burning question, ask it. "Are you as promiscuous as your protagonist?" might not be the best way to get the answer you seek; "What are the similarities between you and your protagonist?" might work better. Worst that can happen is that the author declines to answer, or gives you a Cheshire cat grin. Doesn't hurt to ask. And you may get an answer. Especially after that pitcher of margaritas.

How to find an author's email address or phone number? Just do a Google search and type in the name of the author. Many authors have websites with a "Contact" page. If he or she doesn't have a site, you can get in touch through the author's agent or publisher, one or both of which is bound to come up via Google.

First National Latino Book Club is Launched!

Las Comadres, the national Latina organization, along with the Association of American Publishers and Borders bookstores has announced the launch of Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club. Book club discussions with the authors will take place at selected Borders stores throughout the country. Esmeralda Santiago, author of When I Was Puerto Rican is the official spokesperson for the club. The 2008 slate of books are:
June: A Handbook to Luck by Cristina Garcia
July: The King's Gold by Yxta Maya Murray
August: Mexican Enough by Stephanie Elizondo Griest
September: More Than This by Margo Candela
October: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
November: The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
December: Their Dogs Came with Them by Helena Maria Viramontes

I'm trying to get details on which stores exactly are participating, but they are in these states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. More info should be on the new Borders website when it launches (soon).

Michael Chabon's Yiddish Policeman's Union Now in Paperback!

Wow, I can't believe it's been more than a year since this blog began, but when I find myself announcing the paperback editions of books I blogged about in hardcover, I know it must be true. Last week Michael Chabon's acclaimed novel The Yiddish Policemen's Union which has already won a Nebula Award, was nominated for an Edgar and is still on tap to potentially win a Hugo Award, went on sale in paperback. In his highly imaginative novel, Chabon tells the story of Meyer Landsman, a homicide detective who finds his personal life in a shambles while the town he lives in is going through a total upheaval. For sixty years, Sitka, Alaska has been a home to Jewish refugees and their descendants who have lived peacefully without any outside interference. But now, control of The Sitka District is about to revert to Alaska and the citizens don't know what to expect. Chabon is touring now, check out the schedule to see if you can catch him in your town. If your book club is considering adopting this very discussible book, be sure to check out this great video on Borders website, of Michael speaking with a book group. You can browse inside the book here and here's the reading group guide.

Book Sense Announces Spring/Summer '08 Reading Group Picks

Book Sense, the marketing arm of independent bookstores across the country, has released their annual list of top reading group picks. This is a great list that includes several books not on lists that have recently debuted. They offer a top ten list followed by great books in categories like The Impact of War, Memorable Women, Faith and Works and Family Stories. I know I'll be looking here for our future selections. The list is permanently linked to in the Lists section to the left. Here's their top ten, all the links will take you to the website of one of the country's greatest bookstores, Powell's, in Portland, Oregon:
#1 Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
#2 The Gathering by Anne Enright
#3 The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel by Stef Penney
#4 Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland
#5 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
#6 Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson
#7 The Uncommon Reader: A Novella by Alan Bennett
#8 A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas
#9 Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
#10 The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood

Club du Livre Reads and Discusses Because of Winn Dixie -- Guest Post!

Our resident Book Club Girl Jr. book club, Club du Livre des Filles has sent in their latest post (along with a great photo of the group!) about their discussion this past weekend of Kate diCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie. I remember reading this book to my daughters, and having a little trouble reading aloud through the tears at points. Here is an excerpt and the reading guide. Read Club du Livre's review of Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, here.

In attendance: Abigail, Stella, Sage, Natasha, Sylvie, Jacquie, Jenny, Kate, Zoe

BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE

Introduction by Sylvie, Kate, and Zoe

Today, April 27, 2008, our book club discussed the book Because of Winn-Dixie. We also watched three scenes from the movie. We all agreed that the movie is not as good as the book. We also chose who will host the book club and picked the next book.

Summary of Because of Winn-Dixie by Stella and Jacquie

Because of Winn-Dixie is a touching story about a girl named Opal and her dog, Winn-Dixie. One day Opal receives a note from her Dad, asking her to go to a grocery store called Winn-Dixie. Soon she finds herself looking at the shaggy face and black eyes of a stray dog, soon to be called Winn-Dixie.

Opal and Winn-Dixie soon find themselves becoming best friends. They go on many adventures and make a lot of new friends together.

Just as Opal and Winn-Dixie are at a party prepared by them, a fierce thunderstorm occurs.

Opal soon recruits her dad to help look for Winn-Dixie, after he supposedly ran away during the thunderstorm. When they have no luck finding Winn-Dixie, they return to the house, where Winn-Dixie is waiting for them under the bed.

As you can see, Because of Winn-Dixie is an intriguing book that many young readers will enjoy.

Five Things Different From the Book in the Movie – by Abigail and Natasha

1)      Winn-Dixie is hiding under the bed in the book, and he ran away in the movie.

2)      Mr. Alfred, Opal’s neighbor, is not a character in the book.

3)      In the book, Otis does not give Opal a dog collar for Winn-Dixie at the party.

4)      In the book, Stevie Dewberry races Opal, not his brother, at the party.

5)      In the book, Opal and her father do not look for Winn-Dixie using a car.

A Summary about the Main Character, Opal – by Sage and Jenny

Opal is a very open and imaginative girl. She’s also very brave. She makes the best out of a bad situation. She loves Winn-Dixie and her father more than anything. Opal shows her courage by trusting herself that Gloria Dump is not a witch. Opal is able to befriend many people such as Gloria Dump, Mrs. Franny Block, the Dewberry boys, Amanda Pinkleton, Otis, and Sweetie Pie Thompson. All in all, we think everyone should have a friend like Opal.

Next Meeting

Sylvie will host the next meeting; she selected Then Again, Maybe I Won’t, by Judy Blume.

Hear Nancy Pearl and Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain on Blog Talk Radio this Wednesday!

Tune in this Wednesday, April 30th at 1 pm EST to the premiere episode of I Love Libraries hosted by Virginia Stanley of Harper Collins. In the first half hour of the show, Stanley will talk with Nancy Pearl, librarian extraordinaire, along with Carrie Kania, Publisher of Harper Perennial, about publishing lost classics. In the second half of the show, Pearl and other librarians calling in will talk with Garth Stein, author of the soon-to-be-released novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain. Stein's book has been getting great advance buzz and was just named the next Starbucks pick! You can read a sneak peek of it here. Set your reminder for the show here.

Elinor Lipman's Then She Found Me Hits the Big Screen

I've always loved Elinor Lipman, author of Then She Found Me, which is on the big screen now as Helen Hunt's directorial debut (not to mention her return to the screen after what seems like a long absence). The film also stars other actors I love, including Colin Firth, Matthew Broderick and Bette Midler. I remember reading Then She Found Me years ago, it was either my first or second Lipman novel and it is so fresh and funny and touching. I highly recommend for a book club read. If anyone's seen the movie, I'd love to hear what you think. The NY Times review was reservedly positive I thought. Watch the trailer here. And you can enter to win a call from Lipman to your book group here, but enter quickly, entries must be received by Wed, 4/30.

Jane Austen Winner Announced!

Thanks everyone for your participation in the Jane Austen contest! The random drawing for the winner is completed and BCG reader Kim will be receiving the DVD of the most popular adapation as voted on by all of you -- Pride and Prejudice (no surprise) along with these great Austen inspired books: Darcy's Story, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, Lost in Austen, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen and an advance copy of Cassandra and Jane by guest reviewer Jill Pitkeathley. This was the biggest response we've gotten to a contest so far, so thank you all!

Announcing My Next Blog Talk Radio Show with Thrity Umrigar, author of the Book Club Favorite The Space Between Us

Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 22nd for my next blog talk radio show! I'll be talking to Thrity Umrigar, author of the acclaimed reading group favorite The Space Between Us, as well as a book group.We'll also be taking calls from anyone who'd like to join the discussion. Umrigar's The Space Between Us tells the story of two women in India -- Sera Dubash is an upper middle class housewife whose opulent lifestyle hides her abusive marriage and Bhima is the stoic, hardened illiterate woman who has worked in her household for more than twenty years. This powerful and perceptive novel demonstrates how the lives of the rich and poor are intrinsically connected yet vastly removed from each other, and how the strong bonds of womanhood are eternally opposed by the divisions of class and culture.

The first ten people to respond in comments that they want to participate in the show will recieve a free copy of the book. Browse inside the book here, read a Q&A with Umrigar here, here's the reading group guide and set your reminder for the show here.

Do the Books You Most Enjoy Reading Make for the Best Book Club Discussions?

I ruminate on that in my guest post over at ReadingGroupGuides.com.

Celebrate Earth Day and Win an Advance Paperback of Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

In honor of Earth Day today, I'm welcoming tips on how you can make a difference in your home or life to help the earth. I'll do a random drawing of the tips received in comments and award two lucky winners an Ecojot journal made of 100% recycled paper, plus the paperback of Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which goes on sale on in one week!

And here's my tip directed specifically to book groups -- next time you pick your book, rather than buying new copies, why not check your books out of the library -- library books are the ultimate in earth-conscious reading as they are shared over and over again. And many libraries offer "book club kits" where multiples of the same book are packaged together with a reading group guide and other supplemental reading.

More Great Book Club Picks

Thanks to Kristen, over at Book Club Classics, for pointing out this new list of Best Books for Book Clubs, as chosen by readers of Nancy Pearl's Book Lust. Says Pearl, "I think the best books for groups to discuss are those in which the ending is deliberately ambiguous, so that every reader will have a different answer to the question 'Well, what really did happen?' Or books in which the main character is faced with a difficult choice that resonates with readers no matter their age or race or ethnicity."

Here is the list, each link will take you to the book's reading group guide, which will also give you a brief description
The Boy on the Bus by Deborah Schupack
Heart, You Bully, You Punk by Leah Hager Cohen
The Romantic by Barbara Gowdy
Spilling Clarence and The Disapparation of James by Anne Ursu
The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer

My Book Group Met Tonight to Discuss The Post-Birthday World

My book group met tonight to discuss Lionel Shriver's The Post-Birthday World, and while not everyone had finished it, we still had a pretty interesting conversation. Many were fascinated by the alternating chapters, and how the same conversation and interaction can be interpreted in two completely different ways, depending on your context. And thinking about how your life can change, and you can change, based on one decision--to kiss or not kiss a person--gave us all pause. For those interested in more, here's a discussion of the book plus a q&a with the author on the blog Everyday I Write the Book.

We voted on our next selection, and had six to choose from this time, all, save one, with a YA theme of sorts, or teenagers in the plot.
Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble -- you know how I feel about this one
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison -- which I've already read and loved
Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

After a three-way tie for second place, we were deciding between the very different Angus, Thongs -- a lighthearted look inside the mind of a 14-year-old British girl and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -- in which the Holocaust is seen through the eyes of a 9-year-old boy. We opted for the more serious and discussable Boy. Here is the reading group guide, the author's website, and it looks like it's set to be a film later this year.

New Book Club Discussion Announced at Everyday I Write the Book

Everyday I Write the Book, the blog that ran the online book group discussion of Lionel Shriver's Post-Birthday World last month, has announced their newest discussion, of Joshua Henkin's Matrimony. Here is Gayle's (of EDIWTB) initial review of the book from last year. Head on over to her blog if you'd like to participate in the discussion and to request a book -- and please only request the book if you plan to read it and comment during the book club as quantities are limited.

E.M. Forster's A Room with a View on Masterpiece Sunday Night

I recall with such fondness the Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith adaptation of A Room with a View. I think that movie poster was in every other room in my dorm freshman year. It's been a long time since that film and tomorrow night Masterpiece will air a new adaptation of E.M. Forster's classic novel about a young woman's awakening in Italy. Read a bio of Forster here, watch a preview here and see Andrew Davies discuss this film's new ending based on a Forster postscript here. For book clubs (like mine actually) looking to add a classic to the mix, A Room with a View would be a terrific choice.

Book Club Favorite The Memory Keeper's Daughter on TV this Weekend!

I know many of you read and loved The Memory Keeper's Daughter, a book that is on virtually all book group favorites lists. This weekend Lifetime is airing the adaptation of the book, starring Dermot Mulroney, Emily Watson and Gretchen Mol. Watch a clip plus insights with the cast here. It looks great and I can't wait to see how they transform the book into a movie and would love to hear what you all think. It airs this Saturday night at 9 PM ET/PT. Read the first chapter of the book here, enter to win a signed copy here and read a Q&A with author Kim Edwards, plus listen to a podcast and get book group discussion questions here!

Listen to the Book Club Conversation with Katrina Kittle, author of The Kindness of Strangers

What a great conversation we had tonight with Katrina Kittle, author of The Kindness of Strangers. We learned about her inspiration for the book as well as how it evolved while she was writing it. It was such an enlightening discussion and she answered many of the questions you all sent in. You can listen to the show here.

You can also find out more about organizations who help children who are victims of abuse at www.darkness2light.org

Thank you so much to Katrina Kittle and everyone who called in!

Katrina's two previous books, Traveling Light and Two Truths and a Lie will be reissued in June.

Zora Neale Hurston on PBS' American Masters

Tonight's American Masters series on PBS examines the life and literature of Zora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God. If you, like me, didn't come to know Hurston's works until college or even later, with Oprah's fine adaptation of the book , please treat yourself to this show to learn more about one of our country's most acclaimed authors. See clips from the show here and check the time it will air on your local PBS station here. Should the show inspire you to read Their Eyes in your book group, here's the reading group guide.

Read My Guest Post on Young Adult Books at ReadingGroupGuides.com

Today I blogged about my love of YA books over on ReadingGroupGuides.com. And thanks to the My Little Life blog for this great photo!

Are You Ready for My Radio Show with Katrina Kittle, Author of The Kindness of Strangers?

Don't forget, tomorrow night at 8pm EST is my book group call in radio show with Katrina Kittle, author of The Kindness of Strangers. I hope you've all been enjoying the book -- I found it such a page-turner, I nearly missed a couple of subway stops finishing it.

While I hope you'll all be able to call in and ask her your questions directly (and that I can figure out how to patch you in....), if there is a question that you want to ask, and fear the call-in format, or won't be able to listen to the show live, please post it in the comments. I'll gather up any questions at the end of the day tomorrow and do my best to get them answered on air, or at the very least, on the blog. Can't wait to hear from you tomorrow night! Set a reminder for the show, and share it with your friends here (see options in upper-right-hand corner when you click through).

Elizabeth Noble's New Novel Things I Want My Daughters To Know On Sale Today!

The new novel by Elizabeth Noble, author of The Reading Group, is on