December Book Choices

Hello Gwinnett Readers!

The books up for vote for December 2010 are:

     

     Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

     The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

     Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America 

     by Barbara Ehrenriech

Please see a brief synopsis for each book below and place your vote by Wed. November 24 at 5:00 pm.  We will break December down into the following reading weeks:

     

     Week 1: Nov. 29-Dec. 3

     Week 2: Dec. 6-10

     Week 3: Dec. 13-17

     Week 4: Dec. 27-31

Once a book is selected, I will post a reading schedule for each of these weeks.

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

“Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts.” (www.amazon.com)

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

“This clever and inventive tale works on three levels: as an intriguing science fiction concept, a realistic character study and a touching love story. Henry De Tamble is a Chicago librarian with "Chrono Displacement" disorder; at random times, he suddenly disappears without warning and finds himself in the past or future, usually at a time or place of importance in his life. This leads to some wonderful paradoxes. From his point of view, he first met his wife, Clare, when he was 28 and she was 20. She ran up to him exclaiming that she'd known him all her life. He, however, had never seen her before. But when he reaches his 40s, already married to Clare, he suddenly finds himself time travelling to Clare's childhood and meeting her as a 6-year-old. The book alternates between Henry and Clare's points of view, and so does the narration. Reed ably expresses the longing of the one always left behind, the frustrations of their unusual lifestyle, and above all, her overriding love for Henry. Likewise, Burns evokes the fear of a man who never knows where or when he'll turn up, and his gratitude at having Clare, whose love is his anchor. The expressive, evocative performances of both actors convey the protagonists' intense relationship, their personal quirks and their reminiscences, making this a fascinating audio.” (www.amazon.com)

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich

“Acclaimed as an instant classic upon publication, Nickel and Dimed has sold more than 1.5 million copies and become a staple of classroom reading. Chosen for “one book” initiatives across the country, it has fueled nationwide campaigns for a living wage. Funny, poignant, and passionate, this revelatory firsthand account of life in low-wage America—the story of Barbara Ehrenreich’s attempts to eke out a living while working as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and Wal-Mart associate—has become an essential part of the nation’s political discourse.” (www.amazon.com)

"Sag Harbor": Chapters Seven and Eight

The ending of this book seemed to signify the end of Benji’s childhood to me.   In mention of his sister, Elena, we are reminded of the distinct difference of high school and college aged people.  What do you think of as the main differences between these two age groups?  Why is the disparity between the two so acute?

The idea of replacement is also presented.  Benji speaks of how his group of friends replaced Elena’s and now his group was being replaced by younger children. I’ve thought of this idea before as well, especially when I go back to my high school or college to witness something I once took part in.  I have such fond memories of the activities in which I was involved, but I look at the people who have replaced me, knowing their experience is different but hoping they love it as closely as I did. Has anyone experience similar feelings?

Benji also realizes in this last portion of the book that the love of his life is the beach house he grew up in and “what [he] put in it,” (p. 251) rather than any of the girls he pines after.  He knows every detail of the house down to the creaks and door knobs.  He expresses, “I could be the real me because this is where I lived, free from what happened and who I came to be. No matter what people saw when they looked at me, there was this man inside,” (p. 251).  To me, this is his own poignant way of realizing that he is no longer a child. Did any of the rest of you take note of this passage? If so, what were your thoughts on it?

It’s funny how places (especially houses) can help you to see how far you’ve come in life.  I think of Miranda Lambert’s song The House That Built Me, and know that I can’t be alone in thinking this.  Benji describes some very good memories of his time in this house (and seemingly better times in his family).  What is it about a sense of place and memories of our childhoods that evoke such tender memories of being a child?  Is there a place in your own past that has touched you in ways that Sag Harbor touched Benji?

I hope everyone enjoyed reading this book.  Because we are at a busy point in the semester, we are going to take the month of November off from the Book Club.  We thought reconvening in December would be appropriate since the academic reading load will be less.  Please check back next week for a list of choices for the December read as well as a brief synopsis for each choice. We will set the voting period to end Wed. November 24 so we can allow time for everyone to get a copy of the selected book and begin reading Nov. 29 (the beginning of the first incomplete week of December).

Ellen

"Sag Harbor": Chapters Five and Six

These two chapters definitely give us a deeper look into Benji’s coming of age.   I think we see this through the turn from Coke to beer and rough housing with the boys to chasing the girls.  He seems to mention his brother Reggie less and less.

Another thing I saw in these chapters was a deeper glimpse into Benji’s family life. The discussion of The Cosby Show was particularly memorable to me.   It is interesting how his family is like the Cosby’s in the job and material sense, but so unlike the Cosby’s in the relational sense.  We can really sense the fear and disrespect Benji has of his father.  His descriptions of the sounds of the liquor cabinet are so vivid – I sense that those are probably some of the strongest memories he has of his father.

I think it’s also very poignant that Benji can see himself in his mother.  He mentions that his mother never defended or protected herself or her children and likewise, Benji admits to never defending or protecting her, but rather just sitting quietly and watching TV (p. 190).  In what other ways does Benji’s father affect Benji and his family?  In the same line of thought, what is Benji’s father’s role in his coming of age?   

It seems to me, this whole family is all about appearances.  The parents have high-paying jobs, the family wears nice clothes, has a house in Sag Harbor, and hosts barbeques all while at the same time the father is verbally abusive, seemingly alcoholic, the mother is silent, and the boys are raising themselves.  What is it about Sag Harbor that keeps this family coming back? Or perhaps, is Sag Harbor the only thing holding it together?

Ellen

"Sag Harbor": Chapters Three and Four

I felt like a got a true sense of what it must be like to be a male teenager in reading these two chapters.   All of the crazy antics – the BB guns, the fighting, the gluttonous eating of ice cream…whew!  I feel more and more thankful that I grew up a girl whose craziest antics involved slumber parties and homemade “Crocodile Hunter” videos.  Does Benji fit into the typical 1980s adolescent stereotype? If so, how does he fit into it? If not, how dopes he differ?

I think these chapters also gave us more of a glimpse of the surrounding environmental elements of Benji’s life as well.  The idea presented of “safety on these shores” (p. 79) is demonstrated through Benji and Reggie staying in their house all alone for the majority of the summer. Benji walks to work and thinks nothing of it, other than which path he wants to take.  I think so many times, our perception of safety does not always reflect reality.  

I enjoy the use of symbolism (more specifically, Benji’s symbols) in this book.  One of the stories is about how the minnows in the water mean that you’ve crossed over to the public beach (p. 81).  There’s also the aforementioned “Rock” which served as the racial barrier on the beach (p. 36). I think many of us think in symbolic terms but don’t always voice them.  Would you agree? Disagree?  

The other idea that starts to present itself more evidently is that of black stereotyping.  There’s mention of Nick’s gold chain being “street” (p. 87), walking down the street with a watermelon (p. 88), and surprise that young black boys could be left in a store unattended (p. 90).  To me, it seems that Benji  doesn’t take these things too seriously, yet we see that his father obviously does (p. 135).  What were your thoughts on all of the stereotypes Benji presented? 

I want us to think more about how Benji’s life is a paradox : “black boys with beach house” (p. 57), as he states.  How is this community a paradox? And how does the fact that Benji lives in two worlds (his school world and his summer world) contribute to this identity development?

So far, I’ve been pretty entertained by this glimpse into Benji’s world. What about you? Are you enjoying the book?

Ellen

"Sag Harbor": Chapters One and Two

The nostalgia presented in this novel so far is overwhelming, and I love it!  The early pages took me back to my own family road trips, crammed into the backseat with both my brother and my sister.  While we never ventured up to the Hamptons (it was mostly south Mississippi for us),  I can definitely empathize with getting out of bed and trying not to really wake up so I could sleep through some of the long trip.  I loved the way Benji described how he and his brother, Reggie, were joined at “the spot on yourself where you meet the world.”  I thought that was such a poignant description, especially given the ages they were during the beginning of this novel.

To me, the most salient pieces of this novel so far have been the discussions of race.  While Benji seems to have a great sense of humor revolving around such a heavy topic, you can still read through to sincerity, truth, and real emotion.   I thought the inclusion of the song lyrics from the Carpenters in opposition to a song played on the black top 40 was a great introduction into the types of messages communicated.  I think there is an interesting juxtaposition between Benji’s family having a high socio-economic status and his father’s feelings of identity with the black power movement (p. 15).  Of course in reading further, we do see that Benji is also aware of this “paradox” (p. 57).

Another telling example of race relations was Benji’s mention of The Rock (p. 36) which served as delineation between the white and black people on the beach.  Once again, a very poignant example of symbols that segregates.  What examples can you think of that serve as Rocks in today’s age?  I immediately start to think of neighborhoods and schools.

The other piece that has stood out to me in the readings so far has been the allusion to Benji’s coming of age.  Obviously, his hormones are raging, but several other examples, such as his decision to start going by Ben rather than Benji (p. 32).  You can see that he’s also starting to look at the world more critically in his recognition that “everybody was faking it” (p. 66) when seeing his friends fumble through a handshake.  I can only speak assuredly for myself, but didn’t we all go through middle school and early high school “faking it?”  Trying desperately to align ourselves with what everyone else was doing, or with what we thought we should be doing, for fear of being an outlier and easy target. 

So far, I find this novel to be very telling, very honest, and also entertaining.  I love all the pop culture references and the almost stream of consciousness-type writing style.  What do you all think so far?

Ellen