January 5th Book- Fever 1793

Hey friends, you came and you voted. And now we have our January selection from choices offered by our very own Jennie G. You get extra time for this one, enjoy!

Fever 1793
Laurie Halse Anderson, 272 pages, young adult

On the heels of her acclaimed contemporary teen novel Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson surprises her fans with a riveting and well-researched historical fiction. Fever 1793 is based on an actual epidemic of yellow fever in Philadelphia that wiped out 5,000 people--or 10 percent of the city's population--in three months. At the close of the 18th century, Philadelphia was the bustling capital of the United States, with Washington and Jefferson in residence. During the hot mosquito-infested summer of 1793, the dreaded yellow fever spread like wildfire, killing people overnight. Like specters from the Middle Ages, gravediggers drew carts through the streets crying "Bring out your dead!" The rich fled to the country, abandoning the city to looters, forsaken corpses, and frightened survivors.

In the foreground of this story is 16-year-old Mattie Cook, whose mother and grandfather own a popular coffee house on High Street. Mattie's comfortable and interesting life is shattered by the epidemic. As first frost arrives and the epidemic ends, Mattie's sufferings have changed her from a willful child to a strong, capable young woman able to manage her family's business.

Best of Both Worlds- have your run and reading too.

Hey there book groupers, due to an exciting ward relay race taking place on the same day, I am going push the book group brunch on December 5th to 12:30 (instead of 11:30) That way if you are interested, you can participate in both activities.
And what better way to satisfy a post-race appetite than delicious food, good company, and a new book?!

January book choices-cast your vote!

Hi there,
it's voting time again! Take a gander at the below choices presented by Jennie Gurney. We will be reading this book for the January 5th meeting. (No book for the December brunch)

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Betty Smith, 528 pages

Francie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She is her father's child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother's child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. Like the Tree of Heaven that grows out of cement or through cellar gratings, resourceful Francie struggles against all odds to survive and thrive. Betty Smith's poignant, honest novel created a big stir when it was first published over 50 years ago. Her frank writing about life's squalor was alarming to some of the more genteel society, but the book's humor and pathos ensured its place in the realm of classics--and in the hearts of readers, young and old.


Fever 1793
Laurie Halse Anderson, 272 pages, young adult

On the heels of her acclaimed contemporary teen novel Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson surprises her fans with a riveting and well-researched historical fiction. Fever 1793 is based on an actual epidemic of yellow fever in Philadelphia that wiped out 5,000 people--or 10 percent of the city's population--in three months. At the close of the 18th century, Philadelphia was the bustling capital of the United States, with Washington and Jefferson in residence. During the hot mosquito-infested summer of 1793, the dreaded yellow fever spread like wildfire, killing people overnight. Like specters from the Middle Ages, gravediggers drew carts through the streets crying "Bring out your dead!" The rich fled to the country, abandoning the city to looters, forsaken corpses, and frightened survivors.

In the foreground of this story is 16-year-old Mattie Cook, whose mother and grandfather own a popular coffee house on High Street. Mattie's comfortable and interesting life is shattered by the epidemic. As first frost arrives and the epidemic ends, Mattie's sufferings have changed her from a willful child to a strong, capable young woman able to manage her family's business.

Brave New World
Aldous Huxley, 288 pages, 1932
"Community, Identity, Stability" is the motto of Aldous Huxley's utopian World State. Here everyone consumes daily grams of soma, to fight depression, babies are born in laboratories, and the most popular form of entertainment is a "Feelie," a movie that stimulates the senses of sight, hearing, and touch. Though there is no violence and everyone is provided for, Bernard Marx feels something is missing and senses his relationship with a young women has the potential to be much more than the confines of their existence allow. Huxley foreshadowed many of the practices and gadgets we take for granted today--let's hope the sterility and absence of individuality he predicted aren't yet to come.

books down, pencils up!

Without a book assignment the month of November, we certainly don't want anyone getting bored. So in lieu of reading a book, try your hand writing one! Dig out your best Bic #2 and have at it!
Check out National Novel Writing Month to guide your adventure.

Holiday Brunch and Book Exchange

Mark your calendars book groupers (and everyone else too!). The holidays are ont their way, and this means a slight change in schedule. December book club will not be meeting our usual first Tuesday- that is the night of the fabulous holiday Enrichment Party. Instead, we are going to meet on Saturday December 5th. We aren't reading a book for the December meeting, instead we are going to have brunch, watch some fun from the Santaland Diaries, and best of all have a book exchange!

So here is what to plan for:
Brunch at 11:30-bring yourself! (Usual place, my apartment)
Book Exchange-wrap and bring a favorite read (old or new) you are ready to part with. Don't worry, you'll go home with something great.
Santaland Diaries-this entertainment is provided.

so much to learn...

Book group gathered last night to review March, and who knew such a small book would be jam-packed with big issues. After touching on topics including slavery, racism, religion, gender roles, war, and the evolution of human dignity in modern society, the conversation certainly wasn't lacking for depth and passion!

Thank you Tina who diligently facilitated from afar, sending us her poignant questions and thoughts to guide discussion.

Pepper was kind enough to send the link to the documentary she was telling us about; for those interested in learning more about the church's history with African-Americans: Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons

(And thanks to everyone who brought those delicious treats! They soothed the passing of my quarter century)

Banned Book Week

After venturing to the library last week I discovered September is the month of Banned Books, and that various libraries, cities or organizations have official weeks in which we are encouraged to pick a banned book, and, well, read it. The American Library Association has officially declared September 26th-October 3rd Banned Book Week for 2009, during which you are invited to read a banned book, old or new. (Nice of them to give us two weeks to get the task done)
Lists of banned books contain anything and everything, from Harry Potter and Twilight, to The Diary of Anne Frank and 1984. While the merits book banning is one of those subjects that can and will be argued over endlessly, I think we can all celebrate the freedom and ability to censor for ourselves and read, or not read, what we choose.
As with many statements of opposition, banning books often brings far more attention to a piece of literature than the work would have received if simply ignored by nonsupporting groups, organizations, cities, states, etc. Certainly books on recent lists haven't currently been on my radar, but in researching this topic, there are a whole list of titles I can't help but be curious about. Why did they make the list?


If you are interested in participating, here are some sites to browse on the subject:

American Library Association on Banned Book week

Time Magazine- A Librarians Perspective

Wiki's thoughts

DetectCensorship.org

Wiki on Book Burning

I have selected my book:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky.

Now go read a book. Of your choice!