Wednesday, December 30, 2009

2010 book club reads

If you've been visiting my blog for very long, you know that I'm a reader. What you may not have known is that I'm in a book club. It's a great group of ladies that I enjoy spending time with and it never fails that someone makes a very thought provoking statement about our book(s). They're really nice too because even if you don't get the book read, you're still welcome to come to the meeting. We're just that way.

We try to read a variety of genre and authors. It's either so that there's "something for everybody" or because we're trying to broaden our horizons a bit. We try to mix up the format of our get-togethers...we've gone to see authors speak (The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls) and if the book was made into a movie, we've been known to have a movie night, complete with popcorn and hot chocolate (Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons). And we've met on a boat!

I've kept a running list of the books we've read since I joined the group and not counting our 2010 selections, there are 59 titles and authors listed. I like reading through the list...it's a reminder of what I've read, what I liked, and what I didn't... and I could not come up with all 59 titles off the top of my head. Secretly I hope that someday my girls will find that list of interest. My Grandma Rachel was an avid reader. She was educated through the 8th grade but she was a life-long learner through her love of books (and crosswords)...and I personally think she was one of the smartest ladies I've ever known. There have been many times I wished that I had a list of what Grandma read. I think it would be fun to read those same books.

So, without further ado, here's what we'll be reading in 2010. They are:

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

March by Geraldine Books

Louisa May Alcott, The Woman Behind Little Women by Harriet Reisen

The Road by Cormac McCarthy (Lawman got this one in his stocking!)

The Possession by A.S. Byatt

We also have what we call 'traveling' books...you read it and when you're done you pass it on to someone else in the group. The best part is that you can write your thoughts about it inside the cover. This year's traveling books are In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

Have you read any of these? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you have a reading list for 2010?

11 comments:

Jenni said...

Out of that list, I've only read The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. I read it when I was in middle school, though, and I didn't enjoy it much. We read The Magician's Nephew in our homeschool book club about four years ago and the kids and I loved it. I'm not sure why I didn't like TLtW&tW when I was younger, but I've been meaning to give it another chance.

We participated in a homeschool book club for three years, one year with someone else's group and then we formed one of our own with friends for the other two years. I really miss that. Even though some of the kids didn't take it seriously, mine did and I loved the discussions we had. I was just thinking earlier today how I'd like to participate in a book club again and that I might bring up the idea of forming one to the town librarian. I don't know if anyone else will be interested, but I'll keep reading on my own regardless. I love the idea of having a traveling book in which each person records their thoughts about the book.

Anonymous said...

wow. that is pretty cool. do you have some good conversation as well at the book clubs? I have only read the LW&W too and loved it. that is one of my most favorite series.

Nancy said...

@dmoms ~ yes, we do have good discussion. lots of it usually. our goal is to discuss the book first and then we just go wherever...a bunch of moms together and we usually end up discussing our kids, school, etc.

Wren said...

I loved the whole CS Lewis series. Someone gave it to me for Christmas years ago.. May have to dig it out of the attic and read it again. I still have a stack of books to dig through.. I liked In Defense of Food too. Made from Scratch and My Life in France (Julia Child) are next.. oh.. and I want to get You Can Farm from the library.. by the guy who everything he wants to do is illegal?

PS LOVED your comment over at Denise's about the budget. I am with you..!!

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

I love this! I should challenge myself to a reading list. I am really "fly by the seat of my pants" as far as reading goes. I am constantly shuffling through stacks of library books...but they're all informational...rarely fiction. Maybe *I* should broaden MY horizons?! eh?!

Amy said...

The Help was my favorite book of 2009 and one that I would read again and again. I think you are going to love it!

I love the traveling book idea too- so cool!

FishMama said...

I think I need to go spend more time at a book store. I have only heard of one of your books! Eager to hear about them this year.

Tracey said...

I need to find the book on Louisa May Alcott - I think my daughters and I would both enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

After you have read a book, hop on over to my new reading blog to give us a review! Thanks!! Miss Paula

http://macandpeeg@blogspot.com

A Friend Across the Miles said...

Thanks for posting this book list -I'm always on the look-out for new books to check out!

The Road - couldn't put it down, but finished reading it feeling empty. All the Pretty Horses - another great read by McCarthy.

In Defense Of Food - you'll never look at your grocery store the same way.

Indian Creek Chronicles by Pete Fromm will be read again in 2010, as well as Winter Wheat by Mildred Walker.

Thanks again!

~~Camie~~

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