Welcome to Storie delle Sorelle

Welcome to the blog for SdelleS. To learn more about our book club check out my first blog entry or read about our members. Or check out our ReadingGroupGuides.com interview here! Using the links to the right, you can browse the books we've read and rated or visit some of my favorite sites for book clubs on the web. How about some questions to consider as you read a book? This site is meant to provide a wealth of information for all readers so I hope you enjoy your visit! Please post a comment or contact me with any questions or thoughts. :)

Friday, May 29

When you haven't read the book ...

Thanks to Beth for sending me this hilarious article from THE NEW YORKER. I'm copying the text below - enjoy!

Book Club
by Ann Hodgman May 25, 2009

Discussion points for members who have not read this month’s book:
  1. Studying the cover of this month’s selection may provide hints to the reasons that Margy MacDougal chose this book for your group. What does the metallic font used for the title convey—pretension, or insecurity? Although the cover art is minimal, what tensions does it suggest are lurking under the superficially glossy surface of Margy’s relationship with her husband, Eric?

  2. In your opinion, is this book fiction or nonfiction? Support your view with examples taken from the jacket copy.

  3. Last year, Margy was in Costa Rica when the group discussed the book she had chosen. Why did she get to pick two books this season? Why were both of them so grim? Is there a subtext related to Margy’s daughter’s deferral from Colgate? Could next month’s book maybe be more cheerful, for once?

  4. Book-club members who have actually read this book have called its plot “depressing,” “disgusting,” and “too much about poor people.” Does this suggest that you, as a reader, have a moral obligation to say that you liked the book?

  5. Early in the prologue, we learn that lab animals will be mistreated as the story progresses. In literature, why is it so much sadder when an animal dies than when a person does? Why does God choose us to read horrible things like this?

  6. Open the book to page 47 and slide a bookmark under it. How well can you see the Borders logo through the page? Can the quality of a book’s paper be used as a guide to its “worth”? When or when not?

  7. On page 2, the author refers to “supper.” In books, food is often used as a symbol. Try to think of a time when food, or a particular meal, has been important to you. Then keep it to yourself.

  8. A book’s setting is crucial to establishing mood. If this book had been set in Darfur instead of in Glen Burnie, would you be more likely to have read the whole thing by now? Why or why not?

  9. Is there a way that, by quickly flipping through the pages as if in search of a particular passage, you might be able to glean more of the plot in case Margy calls on you? Why not turn to the last page?

  10. What is in those little sandwiches on the piano? Are peanut allergies real?

  11. Will the powder room have one of those wick-diffuser things in a bottle, or a scented candle? If such items were described in the book, would they be presented as symbols of vulgarity?

  12. What do you think will happen next?

Tuesday, May 26

Meeting Recap: Queen of the Road

I had to miss this meeting because Kiddo had his AWANA award ceremony the same night, so this will be a VERY brief recap.

QUEEN OF THE ROAD, by Doreen Orion, was nominated by Amy. Unfortunately she had to miss this meeting due to unexpected company. We were excited that the author was planning to call in though!

Here are some comments from a few of the gals who did attend.
Cyndi: I had a really enjoyed both listening to Doreen and everyone's thoughts on the book. ... It was interesting to see that Doreen wasn't what I thought she would be.

Kara: We all had a great time! The food was delicious & company was great. Think we all thought Doreen could've been a little less dry...we were expecting Fran Drescher as Miss Marlene suggested and she just wasn't. Doreen was very nice and polite ... answered our questions ... and we had a lot of thoughtful reflection on not being so materialistic as well. Steph & Stori were amazing hosts and I think next time we'll all opt for a bath in their new spa bathroom...

Melissa: Doreen was lovely ... I think we all understood the book more after talking with her. We got through most of the questions on the discussion guide sheet, & it was a great meeting.
A big thank you goes to Doreen for calling in and for sending personalized book plates to the group. As we've learned in the past, interacting with an author always bring a great appreciation of the book.

Our next book is LITTLE BEE, by Chris Cleave, to be discussed on June 14th.