"The Lost Painting" Proves an Interesting Nonfiction Read

DelcoLiteracy's "One Book...One Literacy Council" selection for November was The Lost Painting, by Jonathan Harr, and was discussed by the group at Dec. 2's meeting.

The group enjoyed the book, its narrative style, and the issues about the art world and preserving history that it raised.

One member of the group found this article

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/22/arts/design/national-gallery-acquires-a-van-honthorst-masterwork.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

that related very well to the book!

December's selection is The Hundred Secret Senses, by Amy Tan. The group will meet to discuss it on Monday, January 6, 2014, at Noon at the Literacy Council. Feel free to join us!

If you have additional thoughts about The Lost Painting, please share them here.

What is your reaction to Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende?

Have you finished reading Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende? Did you find it interesting, well written, surprising? Feel free to share your reaction here!

 

Remember that we will meet at Noon on Monday, November 4, at  DCLC to discuss Ines of My Soul and to distribute The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr for reading in November.

Note: Several authors we've read or will read are appearing at the Free Library of Philadelphia, including;

 

November 8, Amy Tan: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/calbydate.cfm?ID=40361&type=2

November 13, Ann Patchett: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar/calbydate.cfm?ID=40363&type=2

 

Keep reading and reflecting!

 

Warning: Comments may contain "spoilers"!

Looking Ahead to Future Titles

We have made our "reservations" for the next four months of books. Listed below are the meeting dates AT WHICH THE BOOK WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

October 7: Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende (due Nov. 4)

November 4: The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr (due Dec. 2)

December 2: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan (due Jan. 6)

January 6: Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Jansen (due Feb. 3)

We will confirm each of the meeting dates at the meeting immediately prior. Check the web site and e-mails for the most current information.

Here's to an enjoyable fall and winter of reading!

Have You Finished "A Change in Altitude"? What did you think?

In September, "One Book...One Literacy Council" is reading A Change in Altitude, by Anita Shreve.

We hope everyone enjoyed reading the book. If you have finished the book, feel free to comment below.

Reminder: Live meeting to discuss A Change in Altitude will be held Monday, October 7, 12:05 p.m., at DCLC.

Please don't read these comments if you haven't yet finished the book; they may contain spoilers!

Any Comments on "State of Wonder" by Ann Patchett?

During August, some of us read State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett. This was an optional selection, because of the very early due date for the book.

If you read State of Wonder, feel free to offer your reactions here, as a comment to this blog post.

Reminder: Live meeting to pick up A Change in Altitude, by Anita Shreve, and to discuss additional selections for the coming months on a special day: Tuesday,  September 3, 12:05 p.m., at DCLC.

Please don't read these comments if you haven't yet finished the book; they may contain spoilers!

"Noah's Compass" Not Inspiring for All; "State of Wonder" August's Optional Read

We had a modest turnout for our discussion of Noah's Compass, by Anne Tyler. Maureen, Michelle, Lois, Mary, and Susan attended.

To some readers, this story and character were too lackluster, and they did not enjoy reading about someone who had such a passive approach to life. To others, the book gave a glimpse, sometimes humorous, of the struggles of real life.

For August, some of us will read State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett. It is not a group selection because the book must be returned to DCLC by August 26, which is too early for our September meeting.

However, if you've read State of Wonder or would like to delve into it this August, let us know what you think of the book!

Reminder: Live meeting to pick up A Change in Altitude, by Anita Shreve, and to discuss additional selections for the coming months on a special day: Tuesday,  September 3, 12:05 p.m., at DCLC.

Please don't read these comments if you haven't yet finished the book; they may contain spoilers!

Invitation to Comment on NOAH'S COMPASS

In July, "One Book...One Literacy Council" is reading Noah's Compass, by Anne Tyler.

We hope everyone enjoyed reading the book. If you have finished the book, feel free to comment below.

Reminder: Live meeting to discuss Noah's Compass will be held Monday, August 5, 12:05 p.m., at DCLC.

Please don't read these comments if you haven't yet finished the book; they may contain spoilers!

Group Enjoys Discussion of "The 19th Wife"

We had a good turnout July 1 for our discussion of The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff.

Mary, Michelle, Susan, Ellen, Lois, Edith, and Susanna shared their reactions to the book, which most considered engaging and thought-provoking.

Topics of discussion included whether the present-day mystery was adequately explained, the interesting arguments for and against polygamy in Mormon history, and the light the book shed on religion and marriage in general.

Maureen, who could not attend the live discussion, highly recommends reading the book on a Kindle or other e-reader. She found she could jump easily to the historical references either to discover which parts of the novel are historically accurate or to read more about historical topics that interested her.

Thanks to all who participated!

July's Selection--Ready for Pick-up July 1

For July, our selection is Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler. Members of the group recommended Anne Tyler's work for her quirky characters. This book involves a fifth grade teacher who wakes up in a Baltimore hospital, not sure of how he got there. The book will be available for borrowing at our July 1st meeting (12:05 at DCLC) and shortly thereafter.

Invitation to Comment on THE 19th WIFE

In June, "One Book...One Literacy Council" is reading The 19th Wife, by David Ebershoff.

We hope everyone enjoyed reading the book. If you have finished the book, feel free to comment below.

Reminder: Live meeting to discuss The 19th Wife will be held Monday, July 1st, 12:05 p.m., at DCLC.

Please don't read these comments if you haven't yet finished the book; they may contain spoilers!

Invitation to Comment on "The 19th Wife" through Chapter XI

In June, "One Book...One Literacy Council" is reading The 19th Wife, by David Ebershoff. There is one Large Print copy available to be borrowed at the DCLC offices.

We hope everyone is enjoying the book. If you have finished Chapter XI, "Wife #19: The Con of the West" (p. 324 in regular book; p. 353 in large print edition), then it's time to let us know what you think of the book.

Reminder: Live meeting to discuss The 19th Wife will be held Monday, July 1st, 12:05 p.m., at DCLC.

Please don't read these comments if you haven't yet finished Chapter X1; they may contain spoilers!

Great Discussion of People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks

Thanks to the seven readers who attended our live discussion of People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks, on Monday, June 3.

We had a lively discussion of the book, including some clarifications of the characters, plot, and historical elements.

Michelle offered this summary of the meeting:

"I enjoyed the book club meeting June 1 at noon. I appreciated having Ann draft the timeline of "the book" and pointing out the relevance of the book's introductory quote. I especially enjoyed having details that confused me explained by other members, such as Hanna's mom's career being more important than relationships; that the author herself had converted to Judaism when she married; that the Lola/Bosnia story illustrated "history repeats itself," that the dangers Hanna took when returning the original were because she was transporting "antiquities," etc. I was pleased that some others like me felt the found objects were a "manipulative" but necessary and clever literary device and that the book itself was a "character." Of course I enjoyed the camaraderie between women and appreciation of how far we've come and Susan's envisioning how far we have to go (a new way to do work, health care, etc.) This is my first book club and I look forward to July 1 meeting on new book."

Well put, Michelle!

We hope you're enjoying reading People of the Book. If you've finished the book, then it is time to comment on it here.

You can also save your comments for our live meeting at 12:05 pm on Monday, June 3, 2013, at DCLC, 2217 Providence Avenue, Chester PA 19013.  

All are welcome. No RSVP needed. Bring your lunch if you so desire.

Don't read the comments to this post if you haven't finished the book. It may contain spoilers!!

Invitation to Comment--up to page 190

We hope you're enjoying reading People of the Book. If you've gotten as far as page 190 in the hardcover book (247 in the Large Print Edition...up to but not including the chapter entitled "Hanna, Boston, Spring 1996"), then give us an idea of how you like it so far and any predictions or questions you may have.

Don't read the comments to this post if you haven't read this far. It may contain spoilers!! (Please don't comment specifically on anything past page 190 here. We'll have a followup post for the last third of the book.)

Future Selections: June and July

We will be reading The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff for the month of June. At our last meeting, we learned that this book, though long (544 pages!), focuses on a woman who tries to abolish polygamy. Should be interesting!

Tutors and their guests may borrow a library copy of this book at our June 3rd meeting (12:05 at DCLC) or anytime during that week.

For July, our selection is Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler.  Members of the group recommended Anne Tyler's work for her quirky characters. This book involves a fifth grade teacher who wakes up in a Baltimore hospital, not sure of how he got there. The book will be available for borrowing at our July 1st meeting (12:05 at DCLC) or shortly thereafter.

Have you started reading People of the Book? If you've gotten as far as page 104 in the hardcover book (140 in the Large Print Edition...up to but not including the chapter entitled "Feathers and a Rose"), then give us an idea of how you like it so far and any predictions you may have.

Don't read the comments to this post if you haven't read this far. It may contain spoilers!! (Please don't comment specifically on anything past page 104 here. We'll have a followup post for the other two-thirds of the book.)

Lois says: Have already reached pg.190...Took notes on character names and plot to keep from gettting confused or forgetting. Thorougly enjoying the reading. Usually not a historical fiction fan. Reminds me of DaVinci Code.

Drum Roll, Please....

On May 1, we will begin reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. If you are affiliated with the Delaware County Literacy Council or are invited by a tutor, you may drop by DCLC from May 1 to May 8 to borrow a library copy of this book and read it.


On Wednesday, May 1,  we will have our first "One Book" meeting from 6 to 7 pm at the Literacy Council. Refreshments will be served, books will be distributed, and the new format will be discussed. Future meetings will be held the first of each month, with a new book being distributed and the previous month's book being returned at that time.  

Please Note: All library books will be signed out on an honor system, with the tutor signing being responsible for all lost or late items.
 
We will post invitations to comment on the book for every 100 pages or so (no spoilers, please!) and will meet on June 1 for an in-person discussion.

If you procure your own copy of the book, you are welcome to join us on May 1 for the kickoff, to contribute on the blog during May, and to meet again in person on June 1 to discuss the book.

Questions? Call 610-876-4811 and ask for Susan.

Discussion Group members are selecting five favorites from the Delco Libraries' Bookbag titles: http://www.delcolibraries.org/BookClub.htm. Our next selection should be posted soon!