Join us for this lunch time book discussion group on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. in the library's 2nd floor conference room. We discuss the books we've been reading and share ideas about what to read next.

December 2005   October 2005    September 2005   August 2005   July 2005  

June 2005  May 2005   April 2005  March 2005 

These are the books we discussed in

April 2005:

The Bounty:  The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty       Non-F 996.1 Ale,

                                                                    CD 996.1 Ale, Audio Tape 996.1 Ale

by Caroline Alexander             

This is an exhaustingly-researched, enthralling and enthusiastically-written tome on the most famous of all seafaring mutinies: Shipmate Fletcher Christian against Lieutenant Bligh on the Bounty.

Alison Peebles: “This book will challenge the reader's preconceived notions about Lieutenant Bligh.”

Conspiracy of Fools by Kurt Eichenwald

The story of Enron’s collapse and of the events that lead to up to it. A large book, but the incompetence, dishonesty and sheer stupidity of the people at Enron make it a page-turner.

Linda Adams: “I stayed up until 2:30 reading this book – twice!”

Die for Love by Elizabeth Peters                    F Pet

Jacquline Kirby is a librarian, but she’s no shrinking violet. The Historical Romance Writers of the World conference looks like a tax-deductible vacation to NYC to her, and even though she doesn’t read romances she manages to write her own tawdry novel, find a publisher, and figure out who murdered an obsessed fan.

Caroline Wardlaw: “The mock love scenes are hilarious; an unmerciful satire, and a pretty good mystery too.”

Girls in Trouble by Caroline Leavitt

A sixteen year old girl finds herself pregnant and chooses an open adoption. She visits her daughter every day, but this inspires fear and jealously in the adoptive mother who eventually kidnaps the baby to prevent its return to the biological mother.

Janie Hermann: “This book presents both sides of the open adoption issue, and you feel empathy for all the characters. “

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini                F Hos, YA F Hos, PB F Hos,

                                                                         Audio Tape F Hos, CD F Hos

A story of fathers and sons, friendship and betrayal that takes readers from Afghanistan in the final days of the monarchy to the atrocities of the present.

Ann Woodrow:  “A hot read!”

Letters of Transit: Essays on Travel, History, Politics, and Family Life Abroad

by Matthew Stevenson                                      Non-F 910.4 Ste

A humorous travelogue full of historical references and allusions to literature that is written in impressive style.

Rachel Silverman: “Enjoyable.”

Links by Nuruddin Farah                                     F Far

Jeebleh, a middle-aged Somalian, leaves his family in New York to return for the first time in 20 years to his birthplace. Having been a political prisoner before leaving the country, he dreads going back yet must fulfill family responsibilities. He is horrified to see a once familiar city terribly changed.

Jennifer Mehlman:  “This novel offers a painful look at war-torn Mogadishu.”

Mother’s Milk by Andrew Thomas Breslin

This first novel gets a slow start, but by the time the central conspiracy is revealed you’re convinced this book is worth the effort. Aliens from Vega control the U.S. government through the FDA, by means of the dairy industry, and milk suppresses human intelligence - which is why the aliens brought cows to earth in the first place.  An outrageous farce that is delightful even if you enjoy drinking milk.

Caroline Wardlaw: “Incredibly far-fetched, but fun, and the quotes concerning cows and milk are so diverse it’s impressive.”

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.                             Non-F 741.5 Sat, YA 741.5 Sat

This is a graphic novel is set in Iran. A coming of age story where a teenage girl begins to realize that her parents and her government don’t know everything. This novel offers a humorous yet stark look at life under the Islamic Revolution.

Jennifer Mehlman:  “The simple black and white illustrations make a big statement. You focus on the story, not the art.”

The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene        FGre, YA PB Gre,

                                                                               Audio Tape F Gre, CD F Gre

In remote Mexico God has been outlawed, and priests are being systematically hunted down and killed. The last priest in the area strives to overcome physical and moral cowardice in order to find redemption.

Elinor Riddle: “Green captures the Mexican scenery beautifully.”

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir In Books by Azar Nafisi   

                                                              Non-F 818 Naf,  PB 818 Naf, LP 818 Naf

A wonderful memoir that educates the reader about the history of Iran, the Muslim faith, and women’s issues. It paints a realistic picture of an educated woman’s life when a repressive regime takes control of the government.

Ann Woodrow:  “After reading this book I wanted to go back and reread all the American classics she discusses with her students.”

Rosie Dunne by Cecelia Ahern                                   F Ahe 

This quick novel set in Ireland follows the lives Alex and Rosie through their long correspondence, both letters and instant messaging. They were kids together in the 1950’s; neither can admit that they are in love with the other, and as a result marry (and divorce) the wrong people.

Janie Hermann: “My mother also enjoyed this novel.”

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach        

                                                                                  Non-F 611 Roa, LP 611 Roa

A fantastically well-written, tremendously funny, and well-researched book about what happens to the bodies of dead humans. The book begins with early man and continues to the present; it touches on many subjects - including religion, accidents, medical research, and art.

Ann Woodrow:  “If you can get through the first chapter you’ll enjoy this book.  You will laugh out loud and then gasp with horror.”

The Tree Bride by Bharati Mukherjee                       F Muk

An Indian immigrant dissatisfied with her new life in the United States begins researching her family’s history. She discovers a distant aunt who was symbolically married to a tree when her betrothed died.

Jennifer Mehlman:  “This is a sequel to Desirable Daughters, which was a wonderful book.”