Water for Elephants, Let's get talking!!

We have been reading Water for Elephants, but now time is up, well time will be up tomorrow but I will be headed to Michigan for a family vacation so I will be unable to post and drive at the same time. So here it is a day early.

I posted 5 questions on the Library page in order to help stem discussion, and I added one more question just for fun. Here they are once again and I will also share my answers so also help start discussions! I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts!! 

1: I am interested to know how you are feeling about the book in comparison to the movie? I haven't seen it personally, but I am always interested to hear how it matches up.

 I have not seen the movie so I cannot make a comparison, though I want to see the movie, just awaiting it to come on to digital streaming for Netflix.

2: After reading the chapters with Older Jacob, in the nursing home, is it changing your view on the nursing home generation? Do you feel the staff of the nursing home are condescending?

While reading the chapters about the nursing home Jacob, it did make me view the elderly differently. They all have a story some interesting and some not, but they all have a story to tell and just want someone to listen. I know that is hard to do when you work in that type of environment, but I think it should be a part of the job. I know it is a part of my husbands, he always makes them feel like he genuinely cares about what they are saying, and he genuinely does, but not a lot of people are like him in that aspect.Makes me want to go out and volunteer at a nursing home just to give the people someone to talk to.

I did find some of the staff to be condescending, they did not seem to care or even to try to listen and understand. All but the one nurse who was leaving.

3: Young Jacob starts his story by telling us he is a virgin. From the events in the cooch tent to the erections the older Jacob gets when being bathed, sexuality is woven into the whole story. Why do you think Gruen added these details? Do you think it added or took away from the story line? Did it change your view on Jacob?

 I feel like the author added in the details of his sexual desires to make the story more real, you were truly inside the mind of a young boy who had desires. And in that day and age you typically had the desires until you were married so it was understandable for him to have these thoughts at his age. I do not think it took away from the story line, I do not feel it was 100% necessary to go into full details, but again it added authenticity of the story because it was truthful. I am grateful she did not go into explicit detail in the cooch tent, I do not mind sexual talk (I read 50 Shades of Grey, all 3 in the series) I just do not think it was prudent for the story line to have explicit details of the goings in the sex area. 

4: Why do you think Jacob get so angry at Mr. McGuinity for lying about carrying water for elephants? 

 I think Jacob got angry with McGuinity because he was stealing the one thing that Jacob had that no one else did. It was what made him special, what changed his life, and what gave him purpose and McGuinity was stealing that. I think he felt like he was making a mockery of something that was dear to Jacob. It was Jacobs story to tell, though he never would have told anyone more then likely, but he did not want someone else taking something that was essentially his to give.  I often wondered why Jacob didn't just tell his story, to people. But now I think it was too personal and it was a piece of him that he wanted to treasure. Because no one could understand the love he felt and the life he experienced and he did not want to share that with someone who would not understand. Which is why I think he did share it with the man at the circus in the end. Because he was genuinely interested in his story, and he would understand. He also treated Jacob for who he was and not what the man thought he was. He truly listened to Jacob.

5: In this book you see that within the circus there is a segregation between the workers and the performers, an us and them type mentality, do you think Jacob helps bridge the gap? Do you think this is an exaggerated view of how society was and in some ways still is with the segregation of classes? Why do you think they have a gap between the two groups?

 I think Jacob did help bridge the gap between the 2 "classes" at the circus. He was a worldly mad and he did not like the way the performers would treat the workers, and he and fell in love with a performer and earned the respect of her husband and life moved forward. So there was a respect from both sides and he was able to bring forth concerns that may not have been otherwise discussed. I do think this was true to the age in which they were living, there were the haves and the have not's, and Jacob was the middle helping out. I believe there was a gap because of no communication. And again because each class felt they were entitled to something and weren't getting it. And would not compromise on what they wanted and how they wanted to be treated. Its a case that happens all to frequently still. It is an all about me life and they do not think about others. 

6: Just for fun, did you all like this book? Did it meet your expectations? 

I did enjoy this book. I did not really know what to think when I started it, I knew it had been made into a movie but I wasn't too sure what it was about otherwise. So overall I did enjoy this book and the story it produced, I always enjoy period pieces, something that takes me back in time and makes me wish I lived back then, why does life seem so much more romantic and simple back then?

Happy Saturday!!

Write a Review...

 Is there a book you are in love with? Or that you despise? I would love to hear about it! I want to start having reviews of different books from all of you. Everyone has their opinions on books and we all differ on our likes and dislikes, which is why I want to hear from you. 

This does not need to be like English class where we had to write a paper about the book we read. I just want to be able to post your thoughts and your synopsis of a book that we have not read as a club, and that no one else has posted about. 

I think it would be nice for us all plus it brings a broader range of books, plus you guys do not have to listen to me speak a few times a week and instead hear from someone else! What do you think? Are you up for the challenge? I hope so. Message me any questions and your reviews on our Facebook Page I am looking forward to hearing from you!

Happy Reading (and writing)!! 

Who will you become?

Local Library

I have not been a card carrying Library member since I started college, who need a library card to your local town library when you spend most your free time in the University one doing homework and research? And since I have received my e-reader my family has been supplying me with gift cards for books and I get free books every Friday through my Nook. So needless to say I have not been wanting for book. However, now that I have had my Nook for a few years now the gift cards are not so plentiful and I am getting more selective about the free books that take up space on my digital bookshelves. 

 I am finding that I am getting a little cautions when purchasing books, because I seem to be picking books that I do not care to read again. And to me that feels like wasted money. I long for the books that I want to read over and over. I also have found that I want to instill in my toddler the same love of books that I have, so I am following in my Grandma's footsteps this summer and taking him to the Library for Toddler time, where they get to hear a few stories and sing and dance. And also he gets to pick out his own book and we read it as many times throughout the week as his little heart desires. While also inculcating a respect for the borrowed books, we have a special shelf that we keep them on and until he gets older he is not allowed to read them alone. 

I forgot the joys of walking into the Library and seeing the endless possibilities of books undiscovered. I also missed the smell of books, does that make me sound crazy? Walking into the Library made me feel so comfortable, and knowing I was there for reading pleasure not studying nightmares, made it even more enjoyable. It was hard for me to pick just one book to read, But I did. Well to be honest I brought home 2 books...but one is the next book club book The History of Love while the other is Stephen King's novel 11.22.63 which sounds amazing and I am looking forward to diving into it. 

Where do you typically get your books? Do you get them hardcover from the library? Do you borrow the e-books from the Library (an art I have yet to master) or do you just buy them? 

I had a friend post this on Facebook and I think this is an excellent list that I just had to share, 14 Books to read before they hit the big screen

I am all for reading a book before the movie comes out, I know there will be more disappointment that way, but honestly that's okay because as we all know the book is ALWAYS better. 

Discovery of Witches

I know that as a group we read this book not too long ago. However for those of you who have recently joined this site, and for those of you who did not read it with us I feel it is worth a look into. A Discovery of Witches is about Diana Bishop who is a decedent from the Bishop family that was noted in the Salem witch trials. Because of reasons you will discover once you read the book she has regressed her powers and focused her attention on her intellectual mind. She accidentally comes across a book that has been searched for by all kinds of different creatures for centuries, and this starts her journey into the world that she has been trying very hard to forget. 

That is my short interpretation of the book. It is hard to write about a book that you love and not tell you all everything about it. I enjoyed every page of this book, I love reading books that integrate historical facts with the fictional characters. Makes it like a fun history lesson of sorts.

I know a lot of people did not enjoy this book as much as I did. And that is fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I would love to hear your opinions if you have read this book and care to share your thoughts. It is always nice to discuss books with fellow book lovers!!

The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock

The book that has been capturing my attention during my sons afternoon naps and evenings while my husband is watching baseball (Do not get me wrong I enjoy watching baseball, but I like to watch it while doing something. It is hard for me to just sit and focus) is The Passing Bells, I first heard about it from Book Club Girl. She posted that if you are a fan of Downton Abby, which I am a HUGE fan of, you would like this book. 

I have to say it is a good book. Will I continue reading the series? I am unsure. 

The Passing Bells is centered around the Greville family and their home called Abingdon Pryory. The book is complied as 4 books, which is nice but to be honest I had a hard time getting into the second book, which mainly covers the characters views and goings on during the beginning of  WWI starting on August 4, 1914 when Great Britain first declared war on Germany. I hate to say this, and it doesn't happen often, but I had to skim chapters to get to the parts of the book that mattered to the actual story line. I love this time period, the age of morals and romance. It makes me wish I was a part of that, even if for a small amount of time. As you go through the chapters and dig deeper into this book you get to know the characters more intimately  It was different than other books that I have read because you did not start out knowing all the characters inner thoughts and what their ambitions are. It was nice to have a moment of realization along with the other characters in the book when you found out someones true colors. 

Overall I feel this was worth my time and worth the read. I may not say go out and buy the book, because it is not one I plan to re-read, but checking it out from the Library is a fantastic idea. 

Happy Reading!

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare is the first in The Mortal Instruments Series (Sadly soon to be in theaters as a major motion picture in August 2013) I first heard about this book from my cousin during our yearly family reunion in Michigan. And I thank here again now as I did then, these books are a great easy read that will keep you captivated from page 1 until the very end. I enjoyed each page and book in this series that I have had the chance to read to date. 

I was intrigued because it is not just a trilogy so it allows the author to go into details that might have been excluded otherwise. And as a detail oriented person I enjoy knowing all I can, to a point. I tend to get irritated when there is a lot of "fluff" in a book and not enough substance. I do not want page fillers, I want page turners. Am I right? 

City of Bones is about a girl names Clary Fray, while at a bar one night she witnesses a murder. However, it is hard to report a murder when upon seeing it, everyone involved disappears, how come she could see it and no one else could? This event throws Clary head first into a world of Shadowhunters, warriors that hunt demons, when her mother is kidnapped and Clary is attacked by a demon.  She finds herself uncovering a world she never knew existed. As she takes this journey to find answers, Clary is finding that there are only more questions piling up and her mother seems to be the only one who can answer them.

Let me be clear, this series touches on some subjects that not all readers will be pleased with. But overall I like the story line and will continue to read this series for as long as Cassandra Clare keeps coming out with the books. But check it out and see if this is a book that might be your cup of tea! And let me know what you thought. If you have already read it please share your thoughts! 

Review of Inferno, by Dan Brown

Dan Brown is a author whom I enjoy reading. He first intrigued me with The Da Vinci Code, I was skeptical at first because of all the hype the book was getting from the churches. But I always have been one to see things for myself and not take peoples word on it. I believe it is a first born thing, we have to form our own path and not simply follow others. I was pleasantly surprised when I got into the book and found it a fascinating piece of fiction. I always enjoy books that incorporate reality with their fictional characters. Like all of his books, I am finding, The Da Vinci Code was an interesting history lesson. 

Now that Brown has come out with a new book I am excited to pick it up and be able to read it! However Rachel has beatin' me to it and has graciously offered to write a review for us so we know what to expect if you are like me and plan to pick up this book the next time you are at the library. So without further ado here is Rachel's Review...

"It seems more and more unlikely that Dan Brown will ever recapture the magic he found in The Da Vinci Code. In Inferno, Once again, we are on an adventure with Robert Langdon, Symbologist and Professor at Harvard University. This time, he awakens in a daze in Florence, Italy and must follow a path through Dante’s Divine Comedy and face images of The Black Plague that killed ⅔ of the Asian population and ⅓ of the European population. While the information seems well researched and accurate (Finally, that Masters in European History has become useful!), Brown seems to be preaching to the masses about the dangers of overpopulation rather than telling an adventure story. Langdon’s Art History and European History knowledge begins to seem overbearing, and the twists and turns quickly begin to become less about tricking the reader and more about flat out lies. Readers don’t mind being tricked with clever wordplay and plot twists, but Brown seems to cross a line with his plot devices and revelations. While parts of the book are intriguing and the adventure fun to follow, Brown could have easily cut the book by a third due to his continuous repetition of some of the key points he is trying to make. I found myself skimming through passages I had read 25-50 pages before. Of all of the Dan Brown books, this one seems the most contrived. Where his clever writing seemed effortless in The Da Vinci Code, it is anything but effortless in Inferno. If you are interested in traveling through Dante’s Inferno or the streets of Florence and Venice, it may be worth the read. If you are awaiting the second coming of the Da Vinci Code, I would continue waiting, but, as Lavar Burton said on Reading Rainbow, “You don’t have to take my word for it."

So what do you think? Will you be picking it up later this week or Summer? Or leave it for another time when you haven't found anything else to peak any sort of interest at the bookstore or Library?

Studio Saint-Ex

I seem to be doing a lot of my book finding by walking by a book and picking it up to read about the contents, or by actually paying attention to the advertisements on my Facebook page. This one came up not only on my Facebook page but also while I was browsing Goodreads.com so I am taking that as a sign that I should read and share this book with all of you. So here it is Studio Saint-Ex by Ania Szado is said to be "deeply evocative love story of a literary giant caught between two talented and mesmerizing women, set in the glittering world of French expatriates in Manhattan during World War II. Reminiscent of The Paris Wife, Loving Frank, and The Rules of Civility. Studio Saint-Ex explores themes of love, passion, and creativity in sophisticated, literary prose.(www.goodreads.com)" If that does not immediately entice your inner bookworm I suggest you click the link above and read the full synopsis and then be ready to hurry to your local bookstore or Library to find a copy. I have yet to pick it up but like many of the other books I am finding these days it is added to my reading radar to be purchased soon!

Reader Review of 11.22.63 By Stephen King

As all of you know know well I am a huge fan of hearing from you. I enjoy hearing what you are reading and if you are enjoying it or not. One of our readers has gone above and beyond and has written a review of the book that is currently taking up her free time. 

Rachel has written about 11.22.63 By Stephen King and I want to share it with you because it sounds amazing. And I am not typically a Stephen King fan, I tend to steer clear from a lot of horror books and movies. I have an overactive imagination and I do not need help in always fearing the worse case scenario. So without any further words from me, here is what Rachel has to say about this King novel...

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  "We all know Stephen King as the writer of all things horror, but King periodically shows us a different side of himself. Early in the 1970's, King developed an idea about a man who would attempt to stop the JFK assassination. In those days, the wounds of the assassination were still fresh across the nation, and the helplessness that everyone felt over the death of a beloved president made many people question the ‘what ifs’ of it all. Not yet ready to do the research that the novel demanded, King abandoned the project to pick it up years later. Perhaps with the benefit of hindsight and declassified materials, King weaves a plot that immerses the reader in the heyday of sock hops and rockabilly in his book 11.22.63.
  Though the assassination may be the catalyst for time travel in the book, the plot goes far beyond the basic sci-fi experience. Jake Epping, our main character, is not a time traveler. He’s a regular guy who teaches high school. He falls into someone else’s pursuit to change the past and must wrestle with the implications of what that would mean for his present. Would the world be better if JFK had lived? In the years after his death, America would become mired in Vietnam and the Nixon scandal. Would these events have transpired with JFK at the helm? As Jake decides whether or not to make this journey, he wrestles with all of these questions. Ultimately, the book gives us a glimpse into the classic, innocent American lifestyle of the late 50s and early 60s and follows the events that led to the assassination of JFK. Will Jake make the decision to follow through and stop the event that could irrevocably change the future?
  With an easy writing style, well research history, and an intriguing plot, the 11.22.63 will suck you into this world and will leave you reeling at the end of an emotional journey."

  
  

  How fantastic does that sound? I appreciate that King is stepping out of his typical comfort zone and writing something that appeals to a different genre of readers. As for me this is now going on my to be read list, that seems to be getting quite extensive as if late. 
  Do you have a book you want to share with fellow bookworms? Write a review and send it to me and I will be sure to share it with everyone. 
  Happy reading!
  

  

  
  

Hush Hush

The Hush Hush trilogy has been popping up on my reader radar a lot lately. From random advertisements on my Facebook page, as well on my friends news feed. I am hearing wonderful things about these books and the author. Upon reading the description I am finding that this seems to be in the same genre as The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare which I enjoyed every single page of. I am now looking forward to picking these books up, or rather downloading them onto my Nook. As soon as I finish some of the books that have been on my to be read list first.
Have you read them? Are you currently reading them? What are your thoughts?

While browsing Goodreads.com I noticed an ad for this novel by Charlie Lovett, The Bookman's Tale: A Novel of Obsession and it has peaked my interest. It sounds like a book that I would start and not want to put down. What do you think? Future Book of the month? Has anyone read it and care to share their opinion? 

The Shack by Wm Paul Young

Looking for a good book that speaks to you body and soul? Read The Shack. I enjoyed every page and continue to reread it as often as needed to keep my spiritual perspective in check. Religious or not this book is a wonderful read. Does get a tad depressing, but well worth the sadness for the outcome.

Expand your mind, expand your world.

Anyone else ever have this problem?

While browsing Pinterest the other night, like every night once my sweet toddler goes to bed, I came across this list 25 Series to Read if you LOVE the Hunger Games by 2busybrunettes and I was intrigued. Because I do love the Hunger Game series, and I did not know what to do once it was finished. (Let me insert here I am apprehensive a bit about the movies, anyone with me on that? I have a fear of a debacle like Twilight, I LOVE the books not a fan of the movies.) I was delighted that they break down each book to a point and put it into categories. Makes it nice for readers like me who do not have the time, nor the desire, to Google each title to see what it is all about and if it is something that I would be interested in. 
So if you were left wanting like I was after you finished the Hunger Game series and would like to read something that has the potential to live up to your expectations check it out.

*Not a sponsored post. Opinions and posts are my own and of my own accord.

Best Therapy...well that and wine. 

And even after all that...

Every Friday Barnes and Noble release a free nook book for their nook readers. Some of the books are mediocre and not worth the precious free quiet time I get in my day. However I was pleasantly surprised when I started to read The Front Porch Prophet this book is hilarious and heartfelt. Atkins really puts you in the middle of this town and makes you feel like you have known the characters all your life. Worth the read, you will not be disappointed.

*Post is not sponsored by the author or Barnes and Noble. Opinions are strictly my own. 

Hello fellow Bookworms!!

   So sorry for the delay in posts!! Our current book was chosen by popular demand to be Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Get to reading and sharing your thoughts about the book here in our Book of the Month page. 

Happy Reading!
   Elizabeth