Talk About a Good Book

Book that Matters Most - September 25

At our August 28th meeting, we discussed Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin. Most members really liked the book even though the lifestyle of the very rich was completely foreign to us. We've read several of Melanie Benjamin's books and we love how she incorporates historical facts with fiction. We tried out the new chairs in the Turner Room extension but we'll be moving our next discussion to the new meeting room. For refreshments, we had fresh fruit and healthy flourless fudge brownies.

Our next book group will be on September 25th at 3pm in the new meeting room. We will be discussing the Book that Matters Most by Ann Hood. Books are available now for pick up in the library and discussion sheets are at the desk or online.

Summary: "An enthralling novel about love, loss, secrets, friendship, and the healing power of literature, by the bestselling author of The Knitting Circle. Ava's twenty-five-year marriage has fallen apart, and her two grown children are pursuing their own lives outside of the country. Ava joins a book group, not only for her love of reading but also out of sheer desperation for companionship. The group's goal throughout the year is for each member to present the book that matters most to them. Ava rediscovers a mysterious book from her childhood--one that helped her through the traumas of the untimely deaths of her sister and mother. Alternating with Ava's story is that of her troubled daughter Maggie, who, living in Paris, descends into a destructive relationship with an older man. Ava's mission to find that book and its enigmatic author takes her on a quest that unravels the secrets of her past and offers her and Maggie the chance to remake their lives."

Stephanie Powell Watts on Facebook Live

On Wed., Aug. 16, 2 p.m. Eastern, Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library is hosting a Facebook Live book discussion with Stephanie Powell Watts, author of “No One is Coming to Save Us – the first selection by Book Club Central honorary chair Sarah Jessica Parker.

Anyone can join so please follow Cuyahoga County Public Library on Facebook to participate: http://www.facebook.com/CuyahogaLib/

Please see below for additional details.

ALA Book Club Central Sponsoring Partners are Booklist, United for Libraries, and Libraries Transform along with Corporate Platinum Partner Penguin Random House.

On August 16th at 2 p.m. we're talking about Sarah Jessica Parker's first pick for Book Club Central

BOOK DISCUSSION

with author Stephanie Powell Watts

Avid reader Sarah Jessica Parker is the honorary chair of the American Library Association's Book Club Central.

The award-winning actor, producer, designer, and library supporter will select books throughout the year to share her joy of reading and discussing good books with readers everywhere. The first SJP Pick is No One Is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts.

On August 16th at 2 p.m. we'll talk about the book on Facebook Live – and the author will join the conversation!

If you haven’t already read the book, borrow a copy now.

Follow us on Facebook

ALA Book Club Central Sponsoring Partners are Booklist, United for Libraries and Libraries Transform along with Corporate Platinum Partner Penguin Random House.

August 28th - Swans of Fifth Avenue

Wow--time is sure flying by this year! We just finished discussing Grunt by Mary Roach last week and we had a great time. Some readers had a hard time getting through the book and felt the first part dragged a bit. However, it picked up after the first few chapters and made a very entertaining read. the author did a great job balancing some of the dry research with humorous comments and we all learned a lot. Who knew that the military had to redesign the crash test dummies they use because their vehicles usually sustain damage from below rather than from the front or side? That maggots can be used in wound debriding but even the medical community can't get past the ick factor? That the military has designed a "chicken gun" to test bird impacts on planes? These topics and more make for interesting reading! Our refreshments for the group included Low Fat Zucchini Lemon Bread and Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

Our next meeting is Monday, August 28th at 3pm. We'll probably meet in the Turner Room but ask at the desk--the new meeting room might be available for use and we can check it out! We are reading Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin. Melanie is an Illinois author and we have read several of her books. Copies of the book are available at the front desk. Discussion sheets are available for pick up or can be found online. A summary of our August book is below.

Summary: Of all the glamorous stars of New York high society, none blazes brighter than Babe Paley and her friends, the alluring socialite Swans. But beneath this elegantly composed exterior dwells a passionate woman, desperately longing for true love and connection. Enter Truman Capote. Through Babe, Truman gains unparalleled access to the scandal and gossip of Babe's powerful circle. Babe never imagines the destruction Truman will leave in his wake-- even when the stories aren't his to tell.

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.