Dear Shauna, This is my favorite topic of all time. I apologize if you have already read these. I am just putting down a few of my personal favorites.
Gilead by Marilyn Robinson is one of the most beautifully written books in the English language in my opinion. It is really about a parson in the mid-west who serves his people to the best of his ability all his life and about his concerns and blessings. It is written in the form of a love letter to his son. I have read this book 4 times. I think it would also be very appropriate for a church book group, while also having a lot of ideas in it to discuss.
I love the book Crossing to Safty by Wallace Stegner. He can be a bit earthy in places, but I have read this book several times and I don't remember anything too racy in it.
Cry The Beloved Country is an important book. It should be required reading in HS in place of Heart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies. It is a book about redemption and forgiveness. It is also one of the most beautifully crafted pieces of literature written. It is very violent in parts, but I think it is still appropriate for a ward book group although you might get some complaints.
I read a book this year called The Bridge at Andau about a period in history that is now called The Rape of Hungary. It is difficult to read, think Nazi atrocities here) but it is very important history and James Michener the author balances the tough parts in the end with amazing stories of courage and charity. You would only read this with a certain type of book group. No wimps.
Another book I love that anyone could read is the book, "Dearest Friend" about the life and letters of Abigail Adams. Really beautifully done by Lynne Withey
You mentioned in one of your posts the plight of migrant workers. Esperanza Rising is a really good young adult book that I did with my daughters summer book club.
I am addicted to books on tape. A fun suggestion might be to choose a classic book on tape. Last summer I read A Tale of Two Cities on tape. The reader was wonderful and could do the French voices and the English back and forth. It was like the difference between reading Shakespeare and seeing it well performed.
I also love Alexandra Stoddard books and she says that she will participate in book clubs by speaker phone if you give her a bit of notice. Her new book, You Are Your Choices," is really brilliant. I think you'd love it.
One time for my book club, inspired by Jenni, I chose The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was one of the most fun evenings. We had it at my home and I got a big silver galvanized tub and then I bought all these little Tree Top apple juices in the little green cans from Costco. I filled the tub with ice and put the apple juice in. It looked so cute. Then, I had all these kind of white and orange plastic cottage cheese containers and I made flower arrangments out of mums and autum flowers and I put pumpkins all over the room. I had pumpkin chocolate chip bread and pumpkins Ju Ju candies from Sweets, my favorite and on and on. I also asked each member to bring a favorite autumn poem (this was for Oct.) I thought it was going to be such a pain to host because I get sick to my stomach hosting stuff I'm not good at that like you and Jenni, but I honestly had the best time even though I colapsed for the whole day after.
So this is way more than you wanted to know, but you know Mo so you know not to get a Mo on their pet subject... we never shut up. :)
I hope you have tons of fun with your book group though!
4 comments:
Dear Shauna,
This is my favorite topic of all time. I apologize if you have already read these. I am just putting down a few of my personal favorites.
Gilead by Marilyn Robinson is one of the most beautifully written books in the English language in my opinion. It is really about a parson in the mid-west who serves his people to the best of his ability all his life and about his concerns and blessings. It is written in the form of a love letter to his son. I have read this book 4 times. I think it would also be very appropriate for a church book group, while also having a lot of ideas in it to discuss.
I love the book Crossing to Safty by Wallace Stegner. He can be a bit earthy in places, but I have read this book several times and I don't remember anything too racy in it.
Cry The Beloved Country is an important book. It should be required reading in HS in place of Heart of Darkness and Lord of the Flies. It is a book about redemption and forgiveness. It is also one of the most beautifully crafted pieces of literature written. It is very violent in parts, but I think it is still appropriate for a ward book group although you might get some complaints.
I read a book this year called The Bridge at Andau about a period in history that is now called The Rape of Hungary. It is difficult to read, think Nazi atrocities here) but it is very important history and James Michener the author balances the tough parts in the end with amazing stories of courage and charity. You would only read this with a certain type of book group. No wimps.
Another book I love that anyone could read is the book, "Dearest Friend" about the life and letters of Abigail Adams. Really beautifully done by Lynne Withey
You mentioned in one of your posts the plight of migrant workers. Esperanza Rising is a really good young adult book that I did with my daughters summer book club.
I am addicted to books on tape. A fun suggestion might be to choose a classic book on tape. Last summer I read A Tale of Two Cities on tape. The reader was wonderful and could do the French voices and the English back and forth. It was like the difference between reading Shakespeare and seeing it well performed.
I also love Alexandra Stoddard books and she says that she will participate in book clubs by speaker phone if you give her a bit of notice. Her new book, You Are Your Choices," is really brilliant. I think you'd love it.
One time for my book club, inspired by Jenni, I chose The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was one of the most fun evenings. We had it at my home and I got a big silver galvanized tub and then I bought all these little Tree Top apple juices in the little green cans from Costco. I filled the tub with ice and put the apple juice in. It looked so cute. Then, I had all these kind of white and orange plastic cottage cheese containers and I made flower arrangments out of mums and autum flowers and I put pumpkins all over the room. I had pumpkin chocolate chip bread and pumpkins Ju Ju candies from Sweets, my favorite and on and on. I also asked each member to bring a favorite autumn poem (this was for Oct.) I thought it was going to be such a pain to host because I get sick to my stomach hosting stuff I'm not good at that like you and Jenni, but I honestly had the best time even though I colapsed for the whole day after.
So this is way more than you wanted to know, but you know Mo so you know not to get a Mo on their pet subject... we never shut up. :)
I hope you have tons of fun with your book group though!
Great input! Every word appreciated. Between you and my son, Curt, I am set. Feel free to add suggestions as they pop in to your thoughts!
Books I Love: (I'm including various different types of reads)
Possession by AS Byatt
The Quilter's Apprentence by Jennifer Chiavarinni
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Once Upon a Day by Lisa Tucker
Braving Home
The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio
Age of Innocence
Great variety! Thanks for taking the time to share
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