What We Are Reading

By Nancy K. Crevier

Readers love to share with others the books about which they feel passionate. Last summer, Newtown Bee employees shared with our readers what they were reading. Expanding on that, this winter local book clubs have been sharing what they are reading, what they love or do not love, why certain books stand out for their clubs, and even how the clubs select books.

Each month, comments from various book clubs will appear in this column, along with a posting on The Newtown Bee Facebook page.

The Juliets book club gave the green light to the American classic, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, in February, reported Lee Jaworski.

“We try to alternate between contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and the classics,” she said. The book was well received by the group, and “has lost none of its value. Fitzgerald wrote in a style that was real but lyrical. His characters captivate us and the are hard to forget,” said Ms Jaworski. “He showed us the American dream envisioned between East Egg and West Egg,” she added. This book club highly recommends The Great Gatsby.

“We are reading The Good Son, by Michael Gruber,” reported another club. This is a thriller “about a Jungian psychoanalyst who is taken hostage by Pakistani terrorists while she is trying to hold a peace conference on Kashmir. Her son, who is in the US Special Forces, decides to rescue her,” said club member Julie Stern. The book club found the book to be exciting, informative, complexly plotted, and thought provoking, “in what it has to say about our role in Afghanistan, our Homeland Security program, and the difference between the eastern and western psyche.”

Betsy Godin, of the Newtown Newcomers & Neighbors AM Book Club, noted that nearly all of the members found Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro “a difficult book to read. However, it led to an interesting discussion.”

While some of the club members found the book to be well written and touching, most of the members thought “the topic was more disturbing, in that what happened in the book could possible happen today,” she said. Revealing what that topic is would give the book away, Ms Godin, added.

“Not knowing everything seemed to be a part of reading it,” The Newtown Newcomers & Neighbors AM Book Club remained unsure as to whether they would recommend the book, calling it “certainly not an enjoyable read, but it was a thought provoking read.” This club plans to read Sarah’s Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay in April, followed by Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides, in May.

The “No Name” book club has read Tracy Kidder’s Mountains Beyond Mountains, reported Ros Liljengren. The nonfiction account of the accomplishments of Dr Peter Farmer, working around the world with poverty stricken and very sick people, left the book club with great respect for the man, but they found the book to be “interesting, but not the most compelling read.”

Next up for this group is The Art of Racing in the Rain, “a much lighter and fun read that tickles but grabs hold of your heart and reminds us of the major significance of family in our lives… not to mention a ‘good ol’ dog,’” said Ms Liljengren.

This club has also made a change in their book selection process. “Now one member will be responsible for a book, leading the discussion,” Ms Liljengren said. Club members will now all come to each meeting with a question about the book, and develop discussion around those questions.

Another nameless book club in Newtown read Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin in February. The autobiography of one of the last dancers trained under Chairman Mao’s regime, it follows the story of Li Cunxin from his dismal childhood in a small Chinese village to international renown, after he is randomly selected, as a young boy, to become a ballet dancer. The story follows him to Texas, where he defects, disappointed to find that what he had been taught to believe about the Western culture versus Eastern culture was a lopsided view, and his inner struggle to be free balanced against the fear of the dishonor he would bring his family in China. Book club members reflected on the difference between Western and Eastern attitudes.

“He was not a dancer, it wasn’t his dream. Government officials just picked him and said ‘You’re going to be a ballet dancer,’ so he was. How many American kids would push themselves to be the best if they were forced to do something like that?” asked one member. Most members felt it was a good book, but overall, not one that led to a good discussion. Next month, this club will read A Fine Balance, by Rohintin Mistry.

The Mystery Book Club had strong, opposing views on A Minister’s Ghost, by Phillip DePoy, reported Mary Maki. “And that is exactly what makes book groups so much fun. Several members loved Fever Devilin, a folklorist who gave up his position as a college professor and returned to his roots in the Georgia Appalachian Blue Mountain region, looking for a quiet life, Unfortunately, he keeps being asked to help solve crimes.

Others in the book group were more literal and didn’t find the apparitions, omens of evil, and ghost stories to make the book believable enough. So,” suggested Ms Maki, “we leave it to you to decide whether A Minister’s Ghost is an enjoyable read or not!”

The Ladies Literary League, said member Pat Denlinger, discussed several of the books that they have read and especially enjoyed over the years. Coming out on top is their recommendation of The Shadow Divers, by Robert Kurson. “It is about some deep sea wreck divers who discover a U-boat wreck off the New Jersey coats, and try to uncover its history,” said Ms Denlinger.

The Non-Fiction Book Club discussed Cyber War by Richard Clarke, with Bob Schmidle leading the session.

“The selection of this book turned out to be extremely timely given the recent events in Egypt and considering the powerful role that universal Internet access plays during times of social unrest and revolution, especially among  young men and women who are in the front lines urging change,” said one member. The next book up for this club is Mamalita by Jessica O’Dwyer.

Visit the Newtown Bee Facebook page, and add your comments and suggestions to What We Are Reading.