The Rosie Project reviews

The Rosie Project was an enjoyable read for most people.  A book, which is lighter than most of the books chosen for this club, pokes fun of a disorder which is very real.  We all agreed not knowing enough about Aspergers, but believe that there are people in our lives who may have this condition( ahem...Ben).  There is a possibility we all have a touch of Aspergers.   Don changing too easily for Rosie was questionable, but many stranger things have happened for sake of love (I moved to Seville).  The way Don narrates this book was discussed which makes the story telling unique.

Anne-Maree: 8/10 loved it. Quirky, funny & shed a tear.

Colleen: 3/10, boring predictable.

Deb; 71/2 out of 10, an unconventional love story, a little far fetched at times, but a thoroughly joyous read.

Tahnee; predictable, but fun, fun, fun, looking forward to the movie.

Cynthia: loved the read, glad it was chosen.

Trilby: 6/10 yet to finish, highly enjoyable holiday rom-com style

Irene: 8/10 three evenings of giggles.

Kay: 7/10 light hearted look at something more serious

Hannah 8/10 enjoyed it.

Next book is at Anne Marie's, "The Orchadist" by Amanda Coplin.

June's meeting is at Kerry's "The Accidental Apprentice" by Vikas Swarup

July's is at Irene's "Slaughterhouse  5" by Kurt Vonnegut.

Have a happy Easter.
Hannah

On a day when I have about ten thousand things, I could do with a bit of Aspergers.  Of course if I did have Aspergers I would be counting the number of things I have to do, it would not add up to ten thousand.  This leads me to my first question...

1.  Have you ever had a first hand experience with Autism? Do you think "The Rosie Project" is a realistic account of a person with Aspergers?

2.  Did you think, as I did, and that Don would make a great PA?

3.  How realistic was the relationship between Don and Rosie?

4.  Do you know of any couples who have or have had an open relationship?

5.  How important to the story was it that Rosie turned out to be "smart"?

6.  Give an example how breaking your routine effects you.  Can be positive or negative.

7.  This book is a comedy based on a serious subject.  Give examples of other such comedies including mediums (T.V shows, film, poetry).

See you tomorrow night
Hannah
0402812945
36 Railway Rd Seville

Their eyes were watching God..Ratings and Reviews

Colleen 7/10
Like eavesdropping on a conversation between two woman.

Hannah 6/10
Sad story about African/American woman breaking out on her own.

Irene 7/10
Timeless story well related for its era.

Kaye 6/10
A tale of Joy and woe.

Meg 4/10
A difficult over complicated read.

Debbie ....it's all too hard.

Cindy 6/10
Great insight into black America culture in that era.

Kerry 7/10
A heart rending story a womans' endurance.

Ann-Marie 7/10
Engaging universal tale of female strength and resilience.

Tahnee - Couldnt finish it.

Our next book....The Rosie Project...Meeting at Hannahs house, the first Tuesday in April.
Aprils reading for the May meeting has already been posted by Ann Marie.
May's reading for the June meeting is The Accidental Apprentice - Vikas Swarup @ Kerry's house.

Enjoy.....Tahnee

Book Selection for May 2014

The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin

pre-meeting questions March 2014

Hello Rabid Readers,

Here are a few questions to mull over prior to Tuesdays 7.30 pm meeting at my house.

1. Have you ever read a book because it was recommended by an author whose work you enjoyed, did you like it, or were you disappointed, what was it?
2. Their Eyes Were Watching God is widely recognised to be of literary importance in regards to race/ethnicity/race relations/African American literature/Feminism and the documentation of a predominantly aural history. Are there any other books that might fall into this genre that you have enjoyed in the past and might recommend here?
3. In my book, a forward by author Zadie Smith, postulates that the book may be lost on those who are not black themselves, discuss?
4. The novel is rich in dialect, discuss.
5. The themes of race and colour, are in my opinion sometimes ambiguous i.e. Janies' looks are often praised because of her long 'straight' hair. Is this because, it makes her more "white", or just a point of difference that makes her stand out...discuss.
6. Is Janies' independence a beneficial side effect of the men she is associated with or does she primarily attract the attention of these men because of her independence?

See you Tuesday. Tahnee

February's Book - Burial Rites Hannah Kent

Burial Rites - Hannah Kent

Thanks to everyone who attended our first meeting back after our Christmas break.  It was even good to see Meg (Meg who?) after her lengthy absence, the big question is whether we will see her again next month and will she have read the next book!!
Most people enjoyed the book with the general consensus that the author skilfully portrayed the harshness of both the environment and the life of the people of Iceland in the 1820's.  We also felt that Agnes' fate was sealed when she met Natan who tricked her into working at his farm. Agnes' intelligence and independence,which attracted Natan, played against her in the end as these qualities were viewed as suspicious in a woman in the 1820's.  Comfort was given to Agnes before her execution with the family at Kornsa and also by Toti the minister who allowed her to tell her story rather than preach to her.  Overall a disturbing but enjoyable read.

Ratings

Tahnee 6    A bleak cold desperate evocation of existence

Debbie 7     Engaging read confusing title

Colleen 7    Dramatic story about scratching an existence out of life

Hannah 7    Interesting lesson into Icelandic life in the 1800's

Meg    7      Tragic and depressing view of Icelandic life

Anne Maree 8 Thought provoking and really enjoyed it

Irene 6        Icelands stark and unapologetic landscape similes all the trials and tribulations of the characters

Trilby 9    Tightly drawn intriguing characters wanted to know more about the family

Kaye  8     A disturbing but enjoyable read.

April's book at Hannah's   "The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion

Book Club 4th Feb

Hi everyone, there seems to have been a bit of confusion on who is holding book club on Tuesday.  It's at my house (Kaye's) 61 Monbulk-Seville Rd Seville.  I think that you have all been here before.
Anyway here are a list of questions we can discuss re: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent.

• How did you enjoy the book?  Were you engaged immediately or did it take a while to get into it and what emotions did you feel when reading it?
• Fate and destiny are major themes in this work, for Agnes seems fated to have come to the end she does.  Could she have escaped this destiny?  Was there a turning point in her life which she might have avoided?
• What do you believe drew Agnes to Natan, and vice versa?
• Blondal is the real villain of this piece.  What did you make of his decision to lodge Agnes with District Officer Jon and his family? Why did he do that?
• Are Steina, Lauga and Margret changed by Agnes's time with them" Has her fate changed theirs in any way?
• Agnes goes to her death holding Toti's hand, for they have discovered a deep need for each other.  Is this story ultimately about the loneliness of our end in life? Or does it celebrate the comfort that a person can bring to the dying.
• Gossip, rumour and prejudice determine Agnes's end.  She is 'hung' on the strength of a reputation which is largely conjecture and linked to her poverty. Discuss

See you on Tuesday
Kaye

Greetings everyone

The Sentimental Bloke by C.J. Dennis

Thank you ladies for a lovely and lively night.  Lots of subjects covered the least of them, I think was the book.  If not liked it did create some interest.

Review

Irene        In full appreciation of his literary significance having read from cover to cover I am none
   5             the wiser.

Hannah     ummmmmmmm Interesting snapshot of young people in yesteryear
7

Trilby       Vivid slice of life of the times

Kay          Didn't read it but enjoyed the pav and scored on the pav alone.
9

Colleen
9               Marvelled at the way an uneducated man could use words in such a descriptive way

Annmarie  ... and moving on to the next person
6

Tahnee      Neat snapshot of life stages in the 1900's.  Eloquently penned in prose.
6

Deb           I don't do poetry

Kerry        written like a great stage play
6

Cynthia     Read a very long time ago.  Window into the past both with language and imagery
7

Next book  Burial Rites by Hannah Kent at Kay's house in February.

Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year.

The Sentimental Bloke by C.J Dennis

 The first edition was printed in 1915.

#  Do you think good literature is always good literature no matter how old or what era it was written in or am I going to be picked on and  bullied for choosing an old fashioned piece of work.

# Who wrote The Night before Christmas

# I think C J Dennis captures an era of days gone by in words more so than any picture could, do you agree.

# Can everyone sing The Twelve Days of Christmas

# I am not going to pull apart each poem with questions but would like to know if you could feel the essence of the man who wrote them.

# How many presents  were given in total in The Twelve Days of Christmas.

# Could you understand the language without referring too much to the glossary of terms.

# How many of Rudolph’s eight companions names start with ‘D’.

See you at my place on Tuesday for a tasty book review with no singing involved.

Last gate on the right Chandler Road Seville.  Off Victoria Road.

Colleen

 

 

Book Club 29th OCTOBER The book thief

Hello all,

Posting on behalf of Cindy

Hi Everyone
Don't forget that book club is on this Tuesday (29th) as the following Tuesday is Cup Day.  Looking forward to seeing you all and hope you all enjoyed "The Book Thief".
 
Questions to ponder and discuss are as follows -
 
1.  How effective was the "collector of souls" (the narrator) to the telling to this story?
2.  Colour plays a significant role in the descriptions from the narrator.  How important is this to the reader?
3.  "Her whole death was ahead of her". Discuss
4.  What did you think of the characters in this book. Have you a favourite?
5.  Did you learn anything from an historical perspective?
6.  Score
 
Cheers
Cindy
0416 463 826 
605 Victoria Road
Seville
(1st gate on left after you pass Chandler Rd on the left.)

November Book

Hello Everyone.

There was much discussion and debate and  over the title of my book for the December Meeting. 

At Kerry's house I wrongly said the next book was to be The Sentimental Bloke by Henry Lawson.  Some looked it up and said it was The Songs of the Sentimental Bloke by C J Dennis.  Now I admit I had the author wrong but it was an honest mistake.  Even the title I can be forgiven because it uses both.    My Book is titled The Sentimental Bloke by C J Dennis.  Inside it is called The Songs of the Sentimental Bloke with a preface by Henry Lawson.  (see where the mistake came from)

The Sentimental Bloke by C J Dennis.  A selection of 14 Poems/Songs.

My address is Chandler Road Seville.  If you have not been to my house before ring me and I will talk you through to find it or come with someone else.

Don't eat a big dinner I will supply Christmas nibbles.

Colleen
0411799558

October Book Review....

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil   by   John Berendt........

It's hard to believe this book is based on a true crime story. Generally we felt the book read a little like a travel book that introduced many eccentric characters. Berendt's writing was able to bring to life the colorful and eccentric city of Savannah, that included a troubled story of murder..

Apologies from Tahnee, Deb and intrepid traveller Irene.

CIndy and Colleen didn't manage to read the book but felt enthused from the discussion to do so.

Trilby was pleased to announce ..."She made it to book club"...well done you...

Anne Maree    7    .........
Hannah           7    Managerie of characters with a twisted murder
Kaye               6    enjoyed the style of writing became tedious towards the end .
Kerry               6   Amusing, yet spooky. eloquently written. Like to put Savannah on the bucket list.

Book club for November will be in October due to Cup Day .... 29th October....

the book is The Book Thief..by  Markus Zusak

29th October at Cindy's place

 605 Victoria Rd. Seville.   0416 463 826

December's book is TBA by Colleen.....

Midnight in the garden of Good and Evil....John Berendt...

Good Morning Ladies..a few questions for consideration ...Given that book is based on a true story....

Did you get a "feeling" for Savannah as described by Berendt..did you find his descriptive prose enough to feel you where there.

Which character did you relate to and why

Did you like the bemused, gossipy way the characters stories were told

Was Jim William the real protagonist in this story

Do you think the isolation of Savannah and places like, breed eccentric personalities ...


how do you feel about  the Ladies Ritual Card nights, and their needs to conform to a social standard...opposed to Lady Chablis who completley throw social norms out the window.....

how did you feel about Danny Hansford..was he a misused and misunderstood young man or do you feel he was doing exactly what he wanted to.

Did you feel a little spooked at the role the conjoure played ......have you ever been tempted by the
supernatural.....

where you disturbed by the lack of moral fibre  in the story...


lots more i could ask but thats enough for now.

Hope to see you all on Tuesday night

Kerry    224 Schoolhouse road  Woori Yallock    0407 047 298

So....
General consensus was that this book was better suited to a younger audience and that Tony was trying too hard to be funny, where the scenario of hitch hiking round Ireland with a fridge inherently suggested a humorous situation.
Kaye suggested that an oral presentation would have been better and that the humour got lost in the translation to the written word.

A light read that didn't warrant much in-depth analysis.
And to the scores....

Kerry 6/10 Made me chuckle and loved the line "life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved"
Hannah 7/10 Enjoyable read. Will not be hitch hiking, but will visit Ireland.
Cindy - Looking forward to reading.
Ann Marie - Ill - hope you are feeling better.
Trilby - Ill - hope you are feeling better too.
Colleen - 5/10  Mild Book. Not Funny. Problem with Qu.5
Debbie - Unable to come - hope the house move is progressing smoothly.
Tahnee - 3/10 Great Christmas stocking filler for your back packing 17 year old
Irene - 6/10 Repetitive humour. Funnier for the under 30's.

October's Book is 'Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil' by John Berendt courtesy of Kerry's hospitality.

And Cynthia for November has chosen 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak. Though we need confirmation from anyone who can remember, whether this has already been read and discussed?

And if anyone would like a postcard from Ireland send me your address!!

Thanks for another great night.
irene

Good Evening Fellow Book Clubbers,

Hope you all had a chance to read 'Round Ireland with a Fridge'. Here are a few questions to consider prior to congregating at my humble abode.

1. Did you laugh??

2. How was Tony's nationality relevant to the success of his venture?

3. There are a lot of Irish stereotypes in this book. Is stereotyping acceptable in the global culture that we live in and if so where is the line between what is and isn't acceptable?

4. How do you perceive Tony's outlook on life changed from the start to the end of the book?

5. Which aspects of life do you see the fridge as a metaphor for? And for whom?

6. Has anyone or do you know of anyone who had a similarly silly bet/adventure?

Looking forward to Tuesday at 9 Reefton Drive. Call me on 0437 358 890 if needed.

Irene

And the Mountains Echoed

Romantic night at my place with book club by candle light. Before I get to the reviews CAN EVERYONE PLEASE NOTE, Irene has changed her selection for next month to something more light hearted, "Round Ireland with a Fridge" by Tony Hawks. Hannah and Cynthia were both apologies but both gave scores of 6 for the book. Generally it seems most people enjoyed it, although the writing style tended to detract a little from full enjoyment. 6 - Kaye - enjoyed but not a favourite. Interwoven tales. 4 - Tahnee - Plodding. Vivid descriptive narrative. 5 - Irene - Spread too thin. Led to characters bereft of development and storylines underdeveloped. 6 - AM - Difficult to keep track of all the character connections Debbie - No score. Hadn't read the book.

And the Mountains Echoed - Questions

Questions for tomorrow evenings meeting 1. How well did the fable told at the beginning of the story set the scene for what was to follow? 2. Parwanna described Pari as "the finger cut to save the hand". Was the family really saved. 3. Nali says that everything she did, she did for Pari (although Pari wouldn't have appreciated it). What do you think? 5. So many interconnected relationships. Which one resonated most with you and why? 6. Did you enjoy the style of writing. Subtly linked, but could have been separate short stories. 7. Hosseini normally gives insight into the Afghan way of life through his characters and their stories. Did you feel this as a theme throughout the book. See you tomorrow night @ Lot 1 Karloo Lane, Seville.

The Handmaid's Tale

Hello all,

Most people seemed to like this book.
There was some discussion around tone and whether stealing discussion questions was ok (yup, pretty much ok! :P).

The Scores are as follows-
Cynthia - didn't make it and had a dodgy excuse - the last episode of Rafters was on!  Poor form Cindy :).
Toot - 7/10 Vividly bleak
Mum - 4/10 Bland futuristic story of people with no characters
Deb - 7/10 Thought provoking
Irene - 7/10 Depressingly not beyond the realms of possibility
Trilby - 9/10 - A tight story of a possible future
Hannah  - A good practice of the 'what if' despite the depressing content.

Next month we are at Anne-Maree's and the book is /"And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini,

September's book at Irene's house is "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer.

The Handmaid's Tale Discussion Questions

Hello all,

Looking forward to seeing you all tonight (those of you who are about)....

Questions for the Handmaiden's Tale

1)  Conversation in this book has no speech/quotation marks, but speeches do.  In what way does this effect  the tone of conversations in the book?

2) Do you think Luke's response to the take over and money transfer was complacent?  Why?

3) How possible is it that this dystopian future could actually occur? Do you see any parallels in current times?

4) Is objectivity really necessary when studying the Gileadeans? Is it okay to take an academic view point and not take a moral judgement on other cultures? 

5) Do you think the mating ritual is rape? Why/Why not?

6) What do you think we have freedom to and freedom from currently?  Is the distinction important?

7) Who has the 'best deal' - Wives, Aunts, Marthas, Handmaids, Econowives?

See you all tonight

August Reading

Hi All
The book for August is  "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini,