Talk About a Good Book

Book Club Central

The American Library Association has launched a new site for book groups! Book Club Central is an online one-stop-shop for book clubs, featuring everything from author interviews to book recommendations and reviews, as well as discussion questions and tips about how to start and moderate a book club. Visit bookclubcentral.org for more information.

July 31 - Grunt by Mary Roach

At our June 26th meeting, we had a great discussion regarding John Scalzi's book, Lock In. Some readers felt overwhelmed by the technology but others felt the book addressed all kinds of issues pertinent to today's society (people with disabilities, gender identity, treatment of the Navajo, government subsides in medical research, accommodation issues, discrimination, and community culture to name a few). It also had great character development and an interesting mystery too! For our refreshments, we had coconut oil chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookie bars with buttercream frosting and our famous cheese ball dip.

Our next book is Grunt: the Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach. We will meet on Monday, July 31 at 3pm in the Turner Room. Books are available for pickup at the Library's front desk. Discussion sheets are available for pickup or are online.

Summary: 'Grunt' tackles the science behind some of a soldier's most challenging adversaries-- panic, exhaustion, heat, noise-- and introduces us to the scientists who seek to conquer them.

June 26 - Lock In

At our May 22 meeting, we had 9 members in attendance. The book we discussed was House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz. Most members liked it and appreciated the continuity of style between Arthur Conan Doyle and Horowitz. We had donuts from Village Foods, Salted Caramel Gooey Bars from Colts (Nashville, TN), and jello with fruit.

Our next meeting is Monday, June 26th at 3pm in the Turner Room. We will be reading Lock In by John Scalzi. Books are available at the LME Library desk for pickup. Discussion sheets are also available in the library or online here.

Summary: "Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. Four percent suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And one percent find themselves "locked in"--fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus. One per cent doesn't seem like a lot. But in the United States, that's 1.7 million people "locked in"...including the President's wife and daughter. Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can restore the ability to control their own bodies to the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, "The Agora," in which the locked-in can interact with other humans, both locked-in and not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, meaning that from time to time, those who are locked in can "ride" these people and use their bodies as if they were their own. This skill is quickly regulated, licensed, bonded, and controlled. Nothing can go wrong. Certainly nobody would be tempted to misuse it, for murder, for political power, or worse....John Scalzi's Lock In is a novel of our near future, from one of the most popular authors in modern science fiction"

May 22 - House of Silk

At our April 24th meeting, we discussed Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. Some of our group members liked the book and others did not. Those that did liked the ideas of ways to incorporate creativity and beauty into our everyday lives. Those that did not felt that the book was "for younger people." Personally, I think that people can experience "big magic" at any age. For refreshments, we had fruit and Raspberry-Rhurbarb Slab Pie.

Our next book group meeting will be a week earlier than usual due to the Memorial Day holiday. We will meet on Monday, May 22nd at 3pm in the Turner Room. We are reading House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz and copies are available for pickup in the library. The discussion sheets are also available in the library or online.

Summary: For the first time in its one-hundred-and-twenty-five-year history, the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate has authorized a new Sherlock Holmes novel.

Once again, THE GAME'S AFOOT...

London, 1890. 221B Baker St. A fine art dealer named Edmund Carstairs visits Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson to beg for their help. He is being menaced by a strange man in a flat cap - a wanted criminal who seems to have followed him all the way from America. In the days that follow, his home is robbed, his family is threatened. And then the first murder takes place.

Almost unwillingly, Holmes and Watson find themselves being drawn ever deeper into an international conspiracy connected to the teeming criminal underworld of Boston, the gaslit streets of London, opium dens and much, much more. And as they dig, they begin to hear the whispered phrase-the House of Silk-a mysterious entity that connects the highest levels of government to the deepest depths of criminality. Holmes begins to fear that he has uncovered a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society.

April 24-Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

At our March 27th meeting we discussed the book, Suspect by Robert Crais. Many members like the mystery genre and felt this was a good selection for the group. Refreshments included: Sticky garlic noodles in wonton cups (wonton wrappers baked in muffin cups for 10 mins at 375) and Churro creme brulee bars. Several in the group were interested in reading the second Scott & Maggie mystery, Promise.

Our next meeting with be April 24th at 3pm in the Turner Room. We will be reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert. Copies of the book are available at the LME Library desk. Discussion sheets are available for pickup or can be found online.

Summary: "Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert's books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the "strange jewels" that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work, embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy."