So, I followed Summar’s suggestion and investigated Dracula: The Undead by Dacre Stoker. It was on audiobook at my public library, so I’ve been listening to it on my commute. It is awesome! Dacre Stoker is the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, and has studied his handwritten notes. Already questions that we asked have been answered. For example, I understand why Renfield is so important!

If you have some time, I definitely recommend checking this book out if you enjoyed Dracula!

A great time was had by all at our Friday morning meeting. We really had a lot to talk about – group consensus was that Dracula was more intriguing than we had all anticipated. I think we’re off to a great start!

For our next discussion, we decided to revisit a book we read at the end of last year: Mudbound by Hilary Jordan. We’ll meet before Thanksgiving break and pick a new book to start over break. If you haven’t read this yet – it won’t take you long to read. I couldn’t put it down. I will probably be re-reading it – I loved it so much the first time around!

Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas? Leave a comment!

Have you started? Where are you in the book? I am up to chapter 18. I never realized how much there was to this story!

One thing I find really interesting is the concept of gender roles.  Has anyone else noticed the parallels between Jonathan and Lucy?

What else have you discovered? When should we meet?

Our two choices for our next book will be Dracula or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Here’s are quick links to info about each:

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Dracula:  This link is to another online book club that we can follow along with as we read – if you want.

Vote below! (or send me a quick email to let me know which you prefer!)

… about books for our faculty book club for this year! I feel totally rotten that we never got to discuss Mudblood. It is one of my favorites!

Have you been reading this summer? Let us know what!

How is everyone doing with Loving Frank? I am ready to set up a meeting whenever you want.

If you are done, I have another suggestion: I just read Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. When I say “I have just read…” what I mean is that I have spent the entire night reading this entire novel – 324 pages – in pretty much one sitting. It’s after midnight! I am devastated and floored by this powerful story. If you are looking for something to read, I highly recommend you pick this book up. Be forwarned, though: it is heart-wrenching in so many ways.

Leave a comment and let me know if you would like to meet on Friday the week we get back.

sounds good to me…… I haven’t reread it yet, but I think that I can contribute to the discussion.

I’ll try to get some reading in this weekend!

Thank you so much for making our first book club meeting a success! We enjoyed non-sticky sticky buns, a blueberry crisp, bagels and juice! The most nourishing thing of all, though, was spending time with each other discussing The People of the Book.

If you like, please feel free to continue our discussion online by leaving a comment. I know I always need some time to chew some things over.

Our next book will be The Almost Moon, by Alice Sebold. Those of you looking for thought-provoking questions, here are some to start you off. I will try to post more in a few weeks. Our next meeting will be after Christmas break, specific date to follow.

Thank you! Happy Reading!

Which of the stories in People of the Book did you find most compelling? Was it a believable history of the Sarajevo Haggadah?

Isak tells Mordechai, “At least the pigeon does no harm. The hawk lives at the expense of other creatures that dwell in the desert.” (p.50). If you were Lola, would you have left the safety of your known life and gone to Palestine? Is it better to live as a pigeon or a hawk? Or is there an alternative?

Do you think the different chapters, which told different stories, hung together well? Did you like how Brooks revisited Lola’s story in the end?

Did you connect with Hanna? Did you find her relationships with her mother and Orzen believable? What did they add to the overall story?

Why do you think Father Vistorini saved the Haggadah in the end?

Were you surprised by Ruth’s boldness? Why don’t you think her mother and father realized the depth of her spirituality and courage?

Hanna’s mother justifies her poor parenting through her feminist ideals. How did you see women’s situation change over the years? Do you think Hanna’s mothers attitude was necessary to bring about permanent change for women?

Was Nura’s decision to give Al-Mora to the doctor selfish or a way of looking out for her friend?

Do you think the suspenseful ending fit with the rest of the book? Were you surprised by what happened? If you were Hanna, would you have forgiven Orzen?

How do you feel about meeting in person next Wednesday, November 19 before school? How about at 730 so we have time to do whatever we need to do for the day? Feel free to make alternate suggestions! We could each bring a breakfast item – or we could take turns bringing an item considering we are a small (but growing!) group. Thoughts?

I will bring a selection of books for us to choose from for our next book, but feel free to bring a suggestion of your own.

Also, I will post some discussion questions to get us thinking and ready. You can post in response, or you can wait until we speak in person.

By the way, if you haven’t finished the book, PLEASE don’t feel like you can’t come! Everyone is welcome!