Questions and Suggestions from Readers

Recently received an e-mail from a reader asking for information about starting a book club for a specific audience. Included were some really good points that I might include in my 2010 update of the web site!

Yes, beginning in January 2010, the Book Club Du Jour web site will hopefully be updated! I appreciate any ideas, suggestions and comments from my readers!

Lists of Best Books of 2009

I feel inadequate this morning! I read all the time so why are none of the titles I've read showing up on any of the Best Books lists??? Must be because I'm a "mainstream" reader of literary fiction and mystery genres! OK, there are a few that I have holds on at my local library so someday I will be able to say I've read some from the Best Books of 2009 lists. Not going to change my reading tastes though!

From the Rainy Day Books newsletter

"Books can make you laugh, keep you in suspense on the edge of your seat, take you back in history, help you be happier & healthier, and encourage you to live a better life in a better world. Books make great gifts for yourself and others because: "one size fits most", "batteries are not included", they can be read at take-off and landing, they are "fat free", "non-toxic", transferable and recyclable. What more can we ask of a Book ........."

Her Fearful Symmetry - A New Genre For Me!

Just finished reading Audrey Niffenegger's new book, Her Fearful Symmetry. It's a ghost story that takes place in and around the Highgate Cemetery in London and is pretty implausible in my opinion! That said, I kept reading until the end as I liked the characters. (The twins, Julia and Valentina, reminded me of that other set of American twins from TV who are now designers!)) And I guess I was fascinated by the idea of ghosts inhabiting our space after death. I never got around to reading The Time Traveler's Wife so have no comparison!

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, seems to be the popular book club choice of the year! It takes place in Jackson, MS in the 1960's and follows the lives of black maids and the white women they work for. As of today, I am 123rd on the holds list for the Large Print editon and 536th for the regular print!

Silver Bay, by Jojo Moyes

I just finished reading Silver Bay, by Jojo Moyes, one of my favorite British authors. This book, which takes place in Australia, was not available for purchase here in the USA so my local library borrowed it for me from a library in Ontario, Canada. It's about what happens when developers from England want to build a major resort in Silver Bay and how the whalewatchers and others fought the project. Of course, a little romance included! It was a great read!

Man Booker Prize for Fiction

The winner is Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall. I just finished reading The Little Stranger and really enjoyed it!

Writing in The Observer this weekend (4 October 2009), Robert McCrum says,
"A lot of commentary, mine included, has focused on the "historical" nature of the shortlist, from Hilary Mantel's Tudor spellbinder Wolf Hall to Sarah Waters's psychodrama of austerity Britain (and homage to Josephine Tey) The Little Stranger. What no one has said, so far as I know, is that every one of these books is a cracking good read, a novel you can lose yourself in, with the childish gratification that good storytelling provides."

OPRAH'S NEW BOOK CLUB PICK!!

From Oprah.com:

"Say You're One of Them is an awe-inspiring collection of stories that challenges you to look beyond the headlines and see an Africa full of both joy and despair. Detailing the violence and poverty facing the children of modern-day Africa, this is a book you won't soon forget."

This short story collection is written by a first time author and Jesuit priest from Nigeria, Uwem Akpan.

My To Be Read Pile!

Yesterday I picked up 7 books I had on hold at my local library. Decided not to take 2 of them so others can read them first. Now I only have 8 books in my TBR pile on my nightstand. Will I get them read before the 3 week due date??? I doubt it! Why do my holds arrive in large batches like this???

My friend says, "You were in the first round of holds filled and the books were all published on the same date? That could be it--"

Fresh Fiction...for today's reader

An addition to Blogs I follow....... I found mention of this blog, Fresh Fiction...for today's reader, on my Library website and think it will be fun to read! It will help you keep updated with reviews of books you've heard mentioned on TV and radio.

Crime Watch: News and Musings on New Zealand and International Crime/thriller Writing

Just found this great blog with information about all the New Zealand mystery writers plus more! If you like mysteries that take place in foreign countries, not just Europe, check out this blog! I plan to read some of these works. (Could it be I'm interested since my brother and his family live in NZ??)

Favorite Literary Blog

I really do like following all the blogs I've listed on this page, but have to admit my favorite one is Booklist Online's Book Group Buzz! Perhaps it's because everything is so timely and there are usually discussions I can relate to. Could be, too, it's because I'm acquainted with some of the blog authors!