You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Please read through the reporting thread carefully to ensure to report correctly to get your badge/s.

After you have read your chosen book(s) for this month's group theme read, please report in the thread below.

Please state what book you read (and link it), that you discussed it (and where), and briefly summarise what you thought of the book and/or link to your review if you have written one.

If you lead the discussion, please state this in your post.

Here is an example for how to report your read:
“I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and discussed it in the [Harry Potter/Buddy Read/Other books in theme] thread. I really enjoyed the book. I watched the film first so I already knew the storyline but I was surprised how much I enjoyed the book more as there was more detail involved. Plus I listened to the audio which was narrated by Stephen Fry who is a superb narrator. 4 stars.”

If you read more than one book which fits the theme, please report all your reads in the same post rather than in separate posts.

Please note, there are THREE different badges that can be obtained for group reads. Those reading and discussing one of the two chosen group reads will receive a colourful badge similar to those for previous group reads. Those reading and discussing any other book in the theme will receive a stamp. The discussion leader for the two chosen group reads will receive a badge stating they led the discussion. Maximum amount of badges you can receive for the group reads is TWO - one for the chosen group read/discussion leader and one for any other book in the theme.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book(s) before or during December 2016.
2. discussed it in the relevant thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favourite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in that thread.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread below, along with a brief summary of what you thought.

I completed The Dalai Lama's Cat and discussed it in the appropriate topic.

This was another difficult book to rate, as I really enjoyed parts of it, especially the humor. I didn't even mind having a cat narrate the book. However, it did have some flaws or at least some aspects that irritated me as I read the latter chapters.

I do think it was a fun read though and appreciated the more serious spiritual points the author was trying to incorporate into the story; not that I entirely agree with all of it. For now, I am giving it a rating of 3.5 stars.

My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I read Pollyanna and discussed it in the group thread. I'm helping Lannelle lead the discussion while she visits her grandchildren. :) I thought the book was really sweet. It was refreshing to read a book with such a positive character and set during a different time period. No teen angst in this one! Just a glad game. :)

I read Pollyanna and commented in the discussion thread. My reveiw I gave it two stars - quaint fable but the feisty Anne of Green Gables suits me better.

I also read The Dalai Lama's Cat and commented in the discussion thread. I love this book so much I handed it out to friends last year for Valentine's Day, my review

Almost forgot to report!

I also read Pollyanna and discussed in the thread. I enjoyed it, I had to get used to Pollyanna's gladness for a bit but she did put a smile on my face :) I gave it 3.5 stars.

I read and discussed Pollyanna. It was a good book to read at this time of the year. Polly has an interesting attitude for someone so young. I think most of us would have difficulty playing her game on a daily basis. Glad to have this classic under my belt.

I read The Dalai Lama's Cat and discussed it in the thread. I enjoyed it -- it made me smile and also stop to think. A great choice for December - peace and goodwill to all!

I read two books this month with a similar theme but very different treatment of the theme. I discussed both in the applicable threads.

The first book was The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life. The author explained how various facets of kindness towards others (gratitude, loyalty, forgiveness, humility, etc.), can lead one to achieve happiness, and ultimately, emotional and physical well-being. The writer, a psychologist, used research findings, mythology, and examples from his practice and personal life to support his arguments. I found this book interesting, but quite formulaic and not particularly inspiring.

The second book was this month's' group read, The Dalai Lama's Cat. Here, a small number of Buddhist teachings (such as self-restraint, humility, nonviolence) are learned through the eyes of a cat who happens to reside with the Dalai Lama. I found this book highly entertaining, and a very gentle yet effective introduction to Buddhism.

I read The Dalai Lama's Cat and enjoyed it. I also participated in the group discussion. I am glad we read this serene, charming book for our December read. I agree with the insights about how to live a more thoughtful, pleasing life. The teachings in the book were excellent reminders of the important things in life.

I read Pollyanna and discussed it in the appropriate thread.

I am glad to have read this classic, which has actually added a word to the English language. I think that the meaning of "a Pollyanna " has changed somewhat from "an overly optimistic person" to "an unrealistically person who persists in being optimistic despite dire circumstances."

Enjoyed the characters, the mix of small town folk from all walks of life. Some stereotypical, some with more depth, And of course, I appreciated the effect that a single person can make in an entire community.

In our conversations, Debra has often brought out the idea of a Gratitude List, as have some of the members here. THIS I see as a wonderful idea. Wonder why I don't do it?

As a moral guide for children (and adults) The Glad Game serves a great purpose. I would caution though, to teach some sensitivity toward others in some situations. In addition, I believe some of the world's biggest contributors for change do so through aggressive indignation at the current state of affairs...Not at all a Pollyanna attitude!

I read Pollyanna under duress because I wanted my badge and couldn't get Dalai Lama's Cat! But, actually, it wasn't as bad as I'd thought it would be. In spite of myself, I enjoyed it, for the most part. I found it a bit unrealistic. No child can be like she was all the time. Or maybe I'm wrong! There ARE some very special people out there.

I read The Dalai Lama's Cat. I discussed it in the appropriate discussion thread, and also led the discussion. I enjoyed the book. Some aspects of it were very clever. We were learning tenets of Buddhism, but because we were learning alongside a kitten, who had her own reactions and views, the teaching did not come across as preachy (which it might well have in another context). For those of us who own cats, it was fun to learn about this cat's personality. Some people were unable to get copies of the book, and I think that made the discussion a bit less lively than I might have hoped, but I do think it was a good "end of year" book. As we head into the New Year, the Dalai Lama's cat had some life lessons that bear thinking about.

I read and discussed Pollyanna with the group.

I really enjoy reading this story. It is truly an example of mind over circumstances. Although the main character seems to be unrealistic, I feel that her attitude is worth striving for. And I understand how any attitude can spread around, whether the attitude is happy or miserable.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book again.

I completed The Dalai Lama's Cat and Pollyanna as part of my 'peace and goodwill' celebrations. I discussed both in the matching thread and gave both 3 stars (before the end of the month, altho I'm only gettung round to posting now at 4:50am on the 1st January).

I'll add some thoughts a little later after I've grabbed some sleep.. ☺

I read The Dalai Lama's Cat and contributed to the discussion in the appropriate thread. This was a reread for me, and I enjoyed it as much this time as the first. Still a four star read for me. It's one of two of my very favorite cat books. The other being The Fur Person.

The Dalai Lama's Cat is a clever and sweet story that imparts simple but insightful truths (or guidelines) about living a harmonious life. The characters we meet in its pages are true-to-life people with flaws and problems like we all have in some form. The story isn't preachy, and better yet, it's humorous.

Badges are done. Let me know if I've missed you.

Sarah, thank you for the badge and moderating this group. I am really enjoying the discussions you folks keep organizing.