Book Nook Cafe discussion

I read and loved Everything I Never Told You though I've forgotten much of the story. I just finished an ARC of Ng's next book Little Fires Everywhere loved it too, it will be out later this year.

I am going to do that Deb!

Great, Julie. It sounds as though we'll have a good number in discussion, which always makes it lively.

My very small library group is going to try and keep things going on our own without a librarian.

So our next read for August will be
The Plot Against America----Philip Roth

Would anyone be interested in a Book Nook Cafe Buddy Read or Group read if we get enough people ? I will be an August group read. You read and discuss at your own pace the entire month.

The book was published in 2004 so it should be easy to get from the library.

synopsis
When the renowned aviation hero and rabid isolationist Charles A. Lindbergh defeated Franklin Roosevelt by a landslide in the 1940 presidential election, fear invaded every Jewish household in America. Not only had Lindbergh, in a nationwide radio address, publicly blamed the Jews for selfishly pushing America toward a pointless war with Nazi Germany, but upon taking office as the thirty-third president of the United States, he negotiated a cordial “understanding” with Adolf Hitler, whose conquest of Europe and virulent anti-Semitic policies he appeared to accept without difficulty. What then followed in America is the historical setting for this startling new book by Pulitzer Prize–winner Philip Roth, who recounts what it was like for his Newark family — and for a million such families all over the country — during the menacing years of the Lindbergh presidency, when American citizens who happened to be Jews had every reason to expect the worst.

Alias Reader wrote: "My very small library group is going to try and keep things going on our own without a librarian.

So our next read for August will be
[book:The Plot Agains..."

Just finished this book. Took it back to the library today. I'll be interested to see what you all think about it.

Bobbie, is it a coincidence you just finished it or is the state of New York reading it (i know some city-wide reading programs do that)?

I won't be reading it but hope you enjoy it, Alias.

Deb, the book has been on some lists and articles to read because of the current political climate.

Ah ha! Thanks for filling that in, Alias.

Madrano wrote: "Bobbie, is it a coincidence you just finished it or is the state of New York reading it (i know some city-wide reading programs do that)?

I won't be reading it but hope you enjoy it, Alias."

I just had it on my TBR list forever and finally got to it. I'm glad that it is not a new release because Roth would be accused of writing this in reaction to current events. Instead it becomes truly amazing.

Neat point, Bobbie. When Alias & i read It Can't Happen Here the same sort of feeling overcame me. Of course we read it before the election, to read something similar now could almost get depressing.

Oh boy. It's scary when art imitates life. Or life imitates art. The Handmaid's Tale is also pulling some striking modern comparisons. Hoping 1984 and Brave New World, or worse, The Road or The Stand don't start directly mapping reality. (Apologies did not auto-linking. Goodreads should really add that feature to the app!)

Emma wrote: "Oh boy. It's scary when art imitates life. Or life imitates art. The Handmaid's Tale is also pulling some striking modern comparisons. Hoping 1984 and Brave New World, or worse, The Road or The Sta..."

Indeed !

I agree about the linking feature! I haven't read Handmaiden's Tale. Is it faithful to the book or has it been adapted to the times in which we live? I'm eager to see it upon our return and hope to finally read it prior to that, too.

I'd love to buddy up with someone to read Anna karenina....any takers??

Rachel, I read that years ago when it was an Oprah selection. So I will pass on the Buddy offer. I hope you find someone to read it with. It's an interesting read.

If not, I would recommend the Norton Critical edition. It has helpful footnotes and essays. These editions are more expensive but I feel worth the extra money.

Here is a GR link to the Norton edition and also the Norton Website.
Anna Karenina

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/webad...

Did this group read Anna K together? Maybe it was just a book buddy thing but i know i read it with someone else. I didn't love it but liked it enough to suggest it when others ask for ideas on Russian novels. (I've read very few, btw.)

Madrano wrote: "Did this group read Anna K together? Maybe it was just a book buddy thing but i know i read it with someone else. I didn't love it but liked it enough to suggest it when others ask for ideas on Rus..."

I don't see it in the Buddy or Group threads. Maybe it was before we moved to Good Reads.

I read it with the old Oprah message board on AOL.

Thanks everyone!!!! I will definitely check out that more expensive version. If anyone decides they want to read that (or anything else) for a buddy read I'm open to other books as well!! :)
Happy Reading!!!!

Alias Reader wrote: "Madrano wrote: "Did this group read Anna K together? Maybe it was just a book buddy thing but i know i read it with someone else. I didn't love it but liked it enough to suggest it when others ask ..."

I think it was way back before Goodreads.

Funny that it seems as though i read it more recently. I remember i wanted to read it before seeing the movie that was being released and that was 5 years ago! Time flying...

My library book group selected
Small Great Things---Jodi Picoult

If anyone wants to do a group read or buddy read for September let me know and I'll set up a thread for us to discuss it.

---- Synopsis

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • With richly layered characters and a gripping moral dilemma that will lead readers to question everything they know about privilege, power, and race, Small Great Things is the stunning new page-turner from Jodi Picoult.

SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

“[Picoult] offers a thought-provoking examination of racism in America today, both overt and subtle. Her many readers will find much to discuss in the pages of this topical, moving book.”—Booklist (starred review)

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong.

With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.

Picoult selects intriguing topics and dilemmas but i have not liked the books by her that i've read, unfortunately. I hope this is a good one, Alias. It will, doubtless, lead to some heavy discussion for the group. Enjoy.

I hope so, deb as I selected this for the book club. Her books are usually easy to read and are page turners. I've read a few of hers and found either I liked them a lot or thought they were so so.

The reviews for Small Great Things on Amazon are excellent.

I think your group.will like it, particularly the avenues of discussion it opens. Were you a part of any group on AOL in which she participated? I wasn't but those who were praised her participation. Then AOL made the claim that had rights to everyone's posts, including professional writer's words, and many authors opted to leave.

RE: Jodi Picoult

No, I wasn't part of that group. Though I do recall on AOL she replied to one of my posts. I thought that was really cool.

She is a GoodReads Author.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

I agree, it's neat when an author comments on what we write about their works (or other things). Didn't realize she was a GR author but i'm glad to hear it.

Hi,
I'm planning to read 'What If by Randall Munroe'.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Would love to have a buddy to discuss it with later.

That sounds like an interesting book, Kanika. Unfortunately, I am pretty booked up and can't join you. I would love to hear your ideas on it when you are done.

Maybe someone else here will join you.

No problem Alias. Another time perhaps! :)

Sorry, i tried to find an e-version of the book via my library but no luck. I found sample chapters and it looks as though it will be a fun and informative book.

Yeah, I tried to getting an ebook for my Kindle as well but no luck! Contemplating if I should get a physical copy.

Welcome, Wendie. Roam around the boards here at Book Nook Cafe and you'll see comments and reviews on many, many books. Generally, we use this thread when we have a specific book we want to read and hope someone else here wants to join them in reading and discussing that book.

Did you have a specific book in mind? If so, please let us know. If not, look around here & see if something catches your interest. Reading the same book together helps us see what others saw in the book that we might have missed. And if something bothers you about the book, these people are the ones who can address your questions, thoughts and pleasure, as well as bothersome parts.

At one point we read books as a group each month or so. Presently we aren't doing that but we are still open to it. So, good luck and happy reading!

Educated: A Memoir----Tara Westover

Will be my April Buddy Read if anyone wishes to join me.

The book is on the best seller lists, so you may need to get on your
library requst list now if you wish to join me.

Let me know if anyone is interested. If so, I will set up a thread for us.

I'll keep that in my mind, Alias. We've discussed it on the C-Span thread & it sounds good i'm just not yet sure that i'll be able to get to it. Will keep you posted.

The next two book up for Buddy Reads are:

Possible mid April
Educated: A Memoir---Tara Westover

When we finish Educated. May

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes---Dan Egan

Alias, i just noted that i am #2 on my library's wait list for the Westover book. Looking forward to reading it with you and others who will join us.

Thanks deb. I'll release my freeze on the book. And I'll set up a thread for us.

For those that would like to join us we are going to read
Educated: A Memoir--Tara Westover

All are welcome to join in the discussion.

Sounds good!

The book sounds really interesting, but I just started Paul Auster 4321...it's so looong, I'm afraid is going to take me the whole month to finish it! I added 'Educated: A Memoir' to my reading list for now, if the other one turns out to be quite slow I might pause it and read with you...

Great! It looks like we'll have a good discussion. Looking forward to it.

Great ! I just need to finish up my current read. My copy is ready for me to pick up at the library.

I just thought I would give a heads-up on my reading plans.

I am almost done reading Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery

Next up I wanted a lighter book after reading some heavier non fiction. So I am reading Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine---Gail Honeyman

Then I will be reading the next NYT/PBS book club book. It was their April selection. If anyone wants to buddy up with me let me know.
The Death and Life of the Great Lakes----Dan Egan

We will be preparing to go on our summer road trip next month, so i cannot commit to reading any of these books. The nonfiction look good and are on my list, however. We've been doing good with the other books and hope this can continue. It's easier than the old voting system we had, i think, as that could get disappointing when few people joined us in discussion.

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan was a fascinating book which shows how people have introduced invasive species and changed the ecosystems of the lakes. It's a wonderful book to consider reading on Earth Day.

I no longer have the book since there are holds on it at my library so I can't be a Book Buddy. But I may pop in and offer a few comments. Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thanks, Connie !

Good review, Connie.

Why is it so difficult to find reading buddies? I asked around before but no one seems interested to buddy read. I am into all kinds of fiction and especially historical fiction. If anyone interested, goodreads book comparison is a good tool to compare what books to be read.

Diana wrote: "Why is it so difficult to find reading buddies? I asked around before but no one seems interested to buddy read. I am into all kinds of fiction and especially historical fiction. If anyone interest..."

It is hard. I'm not sure why.

I follow the NY Times PBS NewHour book club. Deb, here has joined me in a few of the selections. You are welcome to join us.

I am still reading the January selection.
Heart: A History--Sandeep Jauhar

The February selection is
The Wife--Meg Wolitzer

I am on the library waiting list for The Wife. However, when I get it I will be reading that.

You are welcome to join me. They also have a discussion on FB the group is called Now Read This.

Alias Reader wrote: "Diana wrote: "Why is it so difficult to find reading buddies? I asked around before but no one seems interested to buddy read. I am into all kinds of fiction and especially historical fiction. If a..."

Thank you very much for your invite. I have just seen the movie The Wife with Glenn Close, and I am not sure if after that movie that follows the book by Wolitzer so carefully I will be thrilled by the plot again. I know it from the movie already :( . However, these are the kinds of books I adore reading, so perhaps we can stay in touch, if that is possible.

Sounds good, Diane !