Saturday, August 28, 2010
Movie Club???
Someone mentioned starting a movie club at our book meeting the other day. I think it is a fun idea. Think about it for a topic of discussion at our next meeting!
One book contains both JD Salinger Stories
Incorrect information given-so sorry but the links that I provided are for a study guide on both Salinger novels. How do I know? I BOUGHT IT! $18 with tax and shipping.
Try this link provided by our own Julie!
www.BetterWorld.com
Better World Books collects and sells books online to fund literacy initiatives worldwide. With more than six million new and used titles in stock, we’re a self-sustaining, triple-bottom-line company that creates social, economic and environmental value for all our stakeholders.
~Julie
Try this link provided by our own Julie!
www.BetterWorld.com
Better World Books collects and sells books online to fund literacy initiatives worldwide. With more than six million new and used titles in stock, we’re a self-sustaining, triple-bottom-line company that creates social, economic and environmental value for all our stakeholders.
~Julie
Friday, August 27, 2010
Sara's Key Meeting
We met at the home of Kristi Buss to discuss Sarah's Key. We gave the book 3 out of 5 stars. I think that we mostly agree that while the non fiction portion of the story needs to be told, the fictitious part was predictable and a bit weak. Update us with some pictures Kristi!
The new book selections are:
Mrs. Perfect
http://www.janeporter.com/bookshelf/perfect.php
The Catcher in the Rye
http://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769487
Franny and Zooey
http://www.amazon.com/Franny-Zooey-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769029/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282920056&sr=1-1
Since the JD Salinger books are short stories, it was decided that we will add Mrs. Perfect as a fun read.
We will have a lot to discuss!
The next book club meeting date is September 23rd since we are going monthly! We will meet at the home of Michelle Robinson. I will email details for those who have not been here before!
http://www.janeporter.com/bookshelf/perfect.php
The Catcher in the Rye
http://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769487
Franny and Zooey
http://www.amazon.com/Franny-Zooey-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769029/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282920056&sr=1-1
Since the JD Salinger books are short stories, it was decided that we will add Mrs. Perfect as a fun read.
We will have a lot to discuss!
The next book club meeting date is September 23rd since we are going monthly! We will meet at the home of Michelle Robinson. I will email details for those who have not been here before!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
August 26th at 7PM at Kristi's Home
Book Club Meeting is coming up!
One thing that I am going to bring up is the idea of meeting once a month instead of every six weeks. If the group is up for it I would love to be reading more books. Right now I hesitate to pick up the book too soon for fear of forgetting everything for a discussion. Just a thought and it may not work for everyone but I am throwing it out there for everyone to consider.
See you soon to discuss Sarah's Key.
One thing that I am going to bring up is the idea of meeting once a month instead of every six weeks. If the group is up for it I would love to be reading more books. Right now I hesitate to pick up the book too soon for fear of forgetting everything for a discussion. Just a thought and it may not work for everyone but I am throwing it out there for everyone to consider.
See you soon to discuss Sarah's Key.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Questions for Sarah's Key
For our meeting August 26th at Kristi's home.
1. What did you know about France’s role in World War II --- and the Vél d’Hiv round-up in particular --- before reading Sarah’s Key? How did this book teach you about, or change your impression of, this important chapter in French history?
2. Sarah’s Key is composed of two interweaving story lines: Sarah’s, in the past, and Julia’s quest in the present day. Discuss the structure and prose-style of each narrative. Did you enjoy the alternating stories and time-frames? What are the strengths or drawbacks of this format?
3. Per above: Which “voice” did you prefer: Sarah’s or Julia’s? Why? Is one more or less authentic than the other? If you could meet either of the two characters, which one would you choose?
4. How does the apartment on la rue de Saintonge unite the past and present action --- and all the characters --- in Sarah’s Key? In what ways is the apartment a character all its own in?
5. What are the major themes of Sarah’s Key?
6. de Rosnay’s novel is built around several “key” secrets which Julia will unearth. Discuss the element of mystery in these pages. What types of narrative devices did the author use to keep the keep the reader guessing?
7. Were you surprised by what you learned about Sarah’s history? Take a moment to discuss your individual expectations in reading Sarah’s Key. You may wish to ask the group for a show of hands. Who was satisfied by the end of the book? Who still wants to know --- or read --- more?
8. How do you imagine what happens after the end of the novel? What do you think Julia’s life will be like now that she knows the truth about Sarah? What truths do you think she’ll learn about her self?
9. Among modern Jews, there is a familiar mantra about the Holocaust; they are taught, from a very young age, that they must “remember and never forget” (as the inscription on the Rafle du Vél d’Hiv) Discuss the events of Sarah’s Key in this context. Who are the characters doing the remembering? Who are the ones who choose to forget?
10. What does it take for a novelist to bring a “real” historical event to life? To what extent do you think de Rosnay took artistic liberties with this work?
11. Why do modern readers enjoy novels about the past? How and when can a powerful piece of fiction be a history lesson in itself ?
12. We are taught, as young readers, that every story has a “moral”. Is there a moral to Sarah’s Key? What can we learn about our world --- and our selves --- from Sarah’s story?
1. What did you know about France’s role in World War II --- and the Vél d’Hiv round-up in particular --- before reading Sarah’s Key? How did this book teach you about, or change your impression of, this important chapter in French history?
2. Sarah’s Key is composed of two interweaving story lines: Sarah’s, in the past, and Julia’s quest in the present day. Discuss the structure and prose-style of each narrative. Did you enjoy the alternating stories and time-frames? What are the strengths or drawbacks of this format?
3. Per above: Which “voice” did you prefer: Sarah’s or Julia’s? Why? Is one more or less authentic than the other? If you could meet either of the two characters, which one would you choose?
4. How does the apartment on la rue de Saintonge unite the past and present action --- and all the characters --- in Sarah’s Key? In what ways is the apartment a character all its own in?
5. What are the major themes of Sarah’s Key?
6. de Rosnay’s novel is built around several “key” secrets which Julia will unearth. Discuss the element of mystery in these pages. What types of narrative devices did the author use to keep the keep the reader guessing?
7. Were you surprised by what you learned about Sarah’s history? Take a moment to discuss your individual expectations in reading Sarah’s Key. You may wish to ask the group for a show of hands. Who was satisfied by the end of the book? Who still wants to know --- or read --- more?
8. How do you imagine what happens after the end of the novel? What do you think Julia’s life will be like now that she knows the truth about Sarah? What truths do you think she’ll learn about her self?
9. Among modern Jews, there is a familiar mantra about the Holocaust; they are taught, from a very young age, that they must “remember and never forget” (as the inscription on the Rafle du Vél d’Hiv) Discuss the events of Sarah’s Key in this context. Who are the characters doing the remembering? Who are the ones who choose to forget?
10. What does it take for a novelist to bring a “real” historical event to life? To what extent do you think de Rosnay took artistic liberties with this work?
11. Why do modern readers enjoy novels about the past? How and when can a powerful piece of fiction be a history lesson in itself ?
12. We are taught, as young readers, that every story has a “moral”. Is there a moral to Sarah’s Key? What can we learn about our world --- and our selves --- from Sarah’s story?
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