Book for September

This month you have a choice to read 1776 or Emma. It seems like everyone has been busy for the summer and this month might be busy too. So if you happen to read anything else, please post a recommendation here.

I've already read Emma so I'll post some questions at the end of the month. Marcos has read 1776 so I'll get him to tell me some questions for that book as well.

Hope everyone had a lovely summer.

Midnight Sun Tragedy

Have you heard that someone leaked the first half of Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer??? Midnight Sun is the same story as Twilight, but from Edward's perspective. So since it was leaked, Stephenie was pretty upset (which was totally justified) and so she made a statement and then posted the first 12 chapters of Midnight Sun on her website (www.stepheniemeyer.com).

While Stephenie would prefer that her true fans didn't read it, she also knows that people will just look for it anyway. Well, there was NO WAY I was going to be able to not read it. So I did. And it was fabulous! Actually, it was my very favorite of the whole series (and this book isn't even finished).

Anyway, I am heart-broken that she has decided to put it on hold "indefinitely." But there are quite a few fan groups that are petitioning her to continue the work. Check out some of the links on the side of this blog for more details about that.

Has anyone else read Midnight Sun yet?

Discussion for Breaking Dawn

I realized after reading the book that I can't post the questions for discussion without spoilers, so I will leave the questions in the comments section.

This month we'll be reading and discussing Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. I'll put questions for discussion up soon, but with a warning: if you read the comments on the discussion before you finish the book, you may read something that will give the plot away!! I'd like to read people's opinions about the ending, etc (I haven't read it yet, so don't comment on this post), so I don't want everyone to have to tip-toe around the details.

So, on this post, leave comments that don't give everything away. On the next post, don't read the comments unless you're either done with the book, or don't mind give-aways. Consider yourselves warned. :)

The Kabul Beauty School

The Kabul Beauty School: The Art of Friendship and Freedom

by Deborah Rodriguez

I give this book 4/5 stars. This book is for anyone who liked The Kite Runner or A Thousand Splendid Suns. It's also for anyone interested in learning more about life in Afghanistan. I think the hardest part about reading this book was knowing that all of these women's stories were true! I don't want to say too much because I think you'll like it if you don't have too high of expectations. Just read it!

Freebe--July

Ok, since I've been totally behind, and having stupid Internet issues, I've decided to not have anyone assigned for July. Summer can be really busy for most people anyway. So if you happen to read a book in July, please post comments here. We'll make this month one where we just recommend good books for each other.

Oops!

I've been so busy with work that I forgot to assign someone to choose a book for us to read for the next few months. So if you would like to be in charge of the book choosing and discussion for July, August, or September, please leave your comment here!

For more info on what to do when it's your turn to choose, see the little blurb to the left.

Book Discussion for June

Well, here are the discussion questions for The Princess and The Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison. I've never lead a book discussion before, so sorry if my questions are lame. Here we go:

1. Did you like it? Why or why not? I hope everyone enjoyed it, but I'm sorry if you didn't.

2. What do you think of the title of this book? Do you think it works or do you think it misleads the reader? Why do you think the author went with that title?

3. Many say this book is a twist on Beauty and the Beast. Do you see why they'd say that or do you disagree?

4. Were you surprised by the book's ending?

5. Do you have a favorite part?

Please feel free to add any other insights.

The Glass Castle Discussion Questions

1.  Did you like The Glass Castle?  Which scenes were the most shocking, the most inspiring, the funniest?

2.  What kind of man was Rex Walls?  What were his strengths and weaknesses, his flaws and contractions?

3.  What kind of woman was Rose Mary Walls?  What did you think about her description of herself as an "excitement addict?

4.  What is the "glass castle" and what does it signify to Jeanette and her father?

5.  Though it portrays a hard life, The Glass Castle is never depressing.  How did the author achieve this?

6.  Did you find it easy or difficult to be nonjudgmental toward Jeanette's parents?

Book of the Month for June

I've recently discovered how much I enjoy young adult fiction, particularly fantasy. That's one reason I chose "The Princess and the Hound" by Mette Ivie Harrison. Don't be mislead by the title. It is more about a prince and is written from his perspective. Also, keep in mind when you finish it that there is a sequel. Amazon recommended this book to me I think because I bought Twilight. I was interested in it not only for its story but for its reviews. There is a very complimentary review on the cover by Orson Scott Card. So, I gave it a try. It's an interesting story about a prince who has the animal magic, which is punishable by death. He is betrothed to a strange princess in a neighboring kingdom who has an unusual bond with her hound. They both have secrets they've kept from the world, and these secrets will either bring them together or keep them apart. I liked it very much, and I hope you will too.