I Give My Marriage a Year - Holly Wainwright

Ratings & Pithy comments

Kaye - 3/10 relatable 

Georgia - 5/10 awful concept but ok to read, nice cover

Colleen - 3/10 messy book about messy lives

Trilby - 5/10 readable, unlikable leads

Tahnee - 5/10 unlikable characters and premise but an easy holiday read

Mel - 5/10 interesting concept but disorganised delivery 

Next book: Emma-Lee's house (All the Shimmering Skies - Trent Dalton)

Ladder of Years Anne Tyler: Questions

Why did Delia walk away from her family on that Delaware beach? And why did she stay away for so long?

Why doesn't any member of Delia's family ask her to come home? Do you think it would have made a difference?

Discuss how the world Dr. Felson once inhabited changes after his death.

Do you think the father's death has freed the Felson sisters in some way?

Do you think Linda's relationship with Sam mirrors her relationship with her father?

Delia and Ellie are both judged harshly for their decision to leave their families. Do you think society judges mothers more harshly than fathers if they leave?

At the beginning of the novel, Delia sees herself as "a tiny gnat, whirring around her family's edges"? How does her perspective change over the course of the novel?

Eliza insists that Delia has memories of their mother and Delia is incensed that Sam does not remember their very first meeting. Discuss the conflict that arises in this novel over the individualistic and idiosyncratic nature of family history and memory.

At the end of the novel, Delia concludes that "the people she had left behind had actually traveled further, in some ways." What does she mean?

Do you think Nat and Binky will persevere despite all the obstacles in their path?

Delia has to learn how to dine out alone. What other kinds of public activities are awkward to do solo? Does it differ for men and for women?

Belle says, "[M]ost folks marry just because they decide they've reached that stage . . . Then they pick someone out." Do you agree?

Do you think Eliza has been pining for Sam for all those years?Delia finds support in unexpected places and from unexpected people. Did Eleanor's support surprise you?

Eleanor tells Delia that after her husband's death reading the dictionary comforted and distracted her. Discuss rituals and habits that offer comfort in times of need.

What do you think of the ending of this novel? Does it make emotional sense to you?

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

After breaking several cardinal rules of bookclub (changing the date at last minute and not actually finishing my own book despite having an extra week!!!). We overcame technological hassles for another delightful evening. I do look forward to evenings where we can see each other again in person.

Ratings & Pithy Comments

Meaghan - 8/10 A likely trauma recovery

Colleen - 7/10 Bit too staged, didnt flow smoothly

Emma-Lee - 5/10 Took me to 70% before it was interesting

Tahnee - 6.5/10 Poignant and hopeful

Trilby - 6/10 Heartrending and hopeful

Georgia - 7.5/10 An insightful and inclusive story through the unthinkable

Mel 7/10 - Heartbreaking and heartwarming

June: Meaghan (book to be advised)

My Brilliant Career by Myles Franklin

AnnMarie                 8
Oh shit!  I loved it but wanted more romance.

Irene                         0
Only came to see AnnMarie.

Kaye                         8
Enjoyed the prose.

Mel                           51/2 raised to a 6
Delightful description  of early Australian literature.

Emma                       6
Came for the cake.

Georgia                     6
Still feisty but not as fun 3rd time round.

Trilby                        6
hang on, hang on, ummmmmmmm hang on, hang on, I can see a validated classic.

Tahnee                      6
Early Australia apply described.

Colleen                     7
Very distinctive of Australian bush living conditions of the time.

Next meeting (February)  at Kaye's place.  Not sure if she is Beenak Road or Monbulk Road.  On the corner anyway.

Book:  Pachinko by in Jin Lee

March: Georgia
April: Emma-Lee
May: Mel

Thank you everyone for a lovely night and good-bye to AnnMarie who is abandoning us.

 

Hello Everyone


Book club at Colleen's 1840 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock.
The large lit up sign 'Yarra Valley Craft Retreat' will show you the driveway.

My Brilliant Career by Myles Franklin

#1          Is it obvious to you that it has been written by a girl and not a man.

#2          Do you think this book identifies strongly as 'Australian' as apposed to English literature.

#3          Would you class this story as more a story of romance or a story of the Australian bush as it
               was in the early 1900's.

#4          Do you think Sybilla made the right choice given the limited opportunities for girls in her
              time and place.

#5          Do you think Myles Franklin was a trail blazer of her time, considering there were few other
              female writers of published works in the 19th and early 20th centry.

              Myles Franklin never married and died at age 75 but her name lives on in literary circles                      with the Myles Franklin and Stella literary prizes.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Educated

Thanks for coming ladies

Anne-marie- 8/10 Riveting

Kaye- 7

Tahnee- 6/10, On the foibles of memory and family

Trilby- 8/10, Educated to safety

Mel- 6.5/10, The enduring power of education.

Georgia- 7/10, Early experience shaping identity but a work in progress.

Emma-lee- 7/10, The world is a bigger place once books become available.

Can't make it AGAIN

Hey Irene, sorry I will not be at book club tonight.  I hope you all have a good time.  Miss it!  Be back soon. Meaghan

Book Club Tonight

Good Afternoon ladies,
Book Club for Sound and the Fury on tonight hosted by me at Colleens. Thank you Colleen especially as we are swimming in mud!!
I have too many questions so shall try Nd cull before 7.30.
Also FYI my babysitter has pulled out so I shall have rugrats with me but shall be utilising the convenience of an electronic babysitter so hopefully not too many interruptions.
See you tonight.
Irene