Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

When we chose Anne of Green Gables, we knew that many of the group had not only read the book when we were younger, but some had read it over and over and over again.  For others, the movie (repeated watchings) were our background. And I believe for at least a couple, this was a fresh read.

Most of us were surprised that the book was written quite so long ago... I think we all felt like we had discovered it when it was relatively new on the market.  But no, it was originally published in 1908!  Which actually makes sense given the descriptions and cadence in the book.

This was a book full of details and not much of a grand plot.  If I were to sum up the overarching plot in 1 sentence, it would be something like:  Elderly brother and sister adopt boy but are given a girl and the book takes us through the next few years, as Anne, through her actions, personality, and sometimes words, convinces Marilla and Matthew to keep her.

But that brief description does nothing to give the book justice.
Although the book is almost more a series of mini-plots that fit within the overarching plot, the book is more about the power of love, hope, and friendship.

The group did not discuss the book that much because we were all swept up in how much we just loved it.  It is a wonderful testament to simpler times and the beauty of experiencing all of life as it comes.  Many of us related to Anne's character, but so many aspects of her liveliness have been trampled on by life in the 21st century.  A night with candles and reading?  No tv, no iPads, no smart phones.  It made me ache for a time when people learned about each other by real interactions with each other.

I think everyone in the group would recommend the book.  Highly.  It's just one of those books.  Even if it's not your "genre," it's so wonderfully written, so wonderfully told.  And we are, of course, going to share an Anne of Green Gables movie night ;)

Next up:  Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris

The overall swing of the group was mild disappointment.  One member really did not like the book.  Another "didn't hate it."  But once we got to talking about it, flipping through the book and parsing out the stories, most agreed that the book was fine, if you like that sort of thing....

For you Sedaris fans out there, of which there are many in our group, if you are going to read this book, PLEASE NOTE it is NOT his usual style of funny most-likely-true essays.

These are .... well, simply put, they're animal allegories.  They are allegories of essentially crap people, but in the stories, such "people" are animals.  For example, there is the story of the Bear who lost her mother and needed sympathy.... and then kept asking for it...  and, well, i hate spoilers.  Suffice it to say, these are not characters that endear themselves to you.  But for many, they are relatable experiences - someone you know, someone you wish you didn't know, some conversation you overheard.

One of the girls in the group really liked the book.  This was a reader who did not, however, have any other Sedaris familiarity.  Which made us think... we were probably harder on the book because of what we were hoping for... what we were expecting.

So the short of it?  If you are a Sedaris fan, pick up this book w/ the knowledge that it is NOT a "Sedaris."  It's good.  It's insightful.  It's dark.  It's funny (in that dark sort of way).  But it's different...

Next up?  Anne of Green Gables.  Yep, we're takin it back to the Old School, 'cause I'm an Old Fool, who's So Cool......
(need sleep)

Next (August Book)

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris....

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

The Group met and discussed Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon around mid-July.

I was somewhat surprised by the responses.  On the whole, the Desert Girls were not great fans.  The problem most of the readers had with the book was that they felt that it was a little cliched, a little too simple, a little too surface... not to mention depressing.

BUT.

The readers also felt that the book served as a good reminder for those of us in marriages (more than half) and a sense of camaraderie for those no longer in marriages or in marriages struggling.

It was kind of cute, it was kind of endearing, and it offered a very REAL view into a type of life.  The author is a good story teller and a good writer, but the characters simply weren't terribly endearing.  And it is *noteworthy* how well Gideon employed texts, facebook entries, emails, chats, and common dialogue without the story being weighed down or annoying.  Her style certainly warrants more attention in future books.

Also, the topic is interesting -- a woman involves herself in a study about 21st century marriage and, through the course of the study, finds herself questioning her own life, marriage and family. But the problem is, ultimately, the characters are a little lost in the grandness of the situation.

There was the main character -- Wife 22 herself.  She seemed to be rather selfish and self-obsessed person, a fact not lost on her supposed best friend, to the point of missing some rather big markers about the situation she has embroiled herself in.  Her husband seems to be an oblivious, also selfish, unaware, dishonest, but seemingly "good person."  Her children are precocious and selfish... and yeah, there was a whole lot of selfishness.

I don't believe any of the Desert Girls would recommend NOT reading the book, but we would say, go ahead, it's simple, it's a beach read, and most importantly, know what you're getting into.  We don't want to add spoilers here... but we're happy to share the spoilers if you're sure you want to hear them (just send us an email or post a comment!)

<<note: I had an ARC copy of the book, but the rest of the Desert Girls bought/rented/borrowed their own copies>>

NEXT

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon...

Iron House by John Hart

We were all given the choice between Iron House and Last Child and everyone started with Iron House.  I say started with because after reading Iron House, many of the girls are ready to read Last Child.

The Group comments, as a whole:
- a fast read
- "How are you not done?! I couldn't put it down!"
- very entertaining
- "Oh! He's a lawyer! No wonder!" (that was a compliment :))
- "How did you find this? I've never even heard of him! It was really good!"
- "How many books has he written?"
- "The Last Child is even better!"

Overall, the group was very pleased with the book and, as I said, many are ready to read The Last Child.  The pace was great and we felt that he moved the story along quickly.  One member did not love the beginning, but by page 30 or 40, was wrapped up in the plot, the characters, and the story.

Without offering any spoilers:  It's about a career killer who attempts to "go straight" for his love and his baby.  Unfortunately, his past life has no interest in letting their golden killer walk away and he is chased while the people that he loves are put in grave danger, all of their lives being upended and, in some ways, completely destroyed.  There are twists and turns along the way, keeping the story interesting and the reader reading.

Many agreed that, once reading, it was difficult to put the book down.

Overall, the group was PLEASED! And would recommend to anyone who likes a good story, a good thriller, a Grisham/King (mild) story.

NEXT: John Hart: 2 Books

We have won TWO books by John Hart from readinggroupguides.com!
The Iron House & the Last Child.

We'll be discussing them in early June.
Can't wait!!

BossyPants by Tina Fey

I think I can safely say that, as a group, we not only loved the book, but we love (or at least strongly like and admire) the author.  This was not, however, universally true prior to our reading the book.  Some in the group were prior fans, some were prior non-fans, and some were neutral.

Tina Fey has written a very accessible book with a feminist-but-intelligent-and-thoughtful perspective.  She's funny, there's no question.  But she's not just funny.  There were points when we laughed at out loud, and there were points where we disagreed with her political statements, but overall, reading her book was like talking with a good friend.

The members of the group who had not watched or did not watch 30 Rock did not read (or closely read) the portion of the book that dealt with the show - but the book was complete without it and, those members included, fully enjoyable on its own.

As a group, we highly recommend the book.

And personally, I probably recommend it even higher than that.  It was truly an enjoyable experience.  I was one of those people who "couldn't stand" Ms. Fey ... and then I saw her in Baby Mama with Amy Poehler (who I have always loved) and begrudgingly admitted that she was funny and a decent actress... and then my husband's slight obsession w/ 30-Rock allowed me to watch the first 1/2 of the first season in succession... and I was completely won over.  She's self-deprecating in a completely endearing way.  And she's smart.  And funny.  I read the book in the couple hours it took to fly from Milwaukee to Phoenix and enjoyed all of it.  I hope there's a second!

Announcement: April 2012 Book

Bossypants by Tina Fey...

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Sigh.  A few wonderful things about the book.
It is a wonderfully told tale in the magical realism genre.
A lot of people don't know the difference between fantasy and magical realism... one enters a different world, and the other brings the impossible into our world.  The Night Circus is the latter.
It is also historical fiction (broadly).  It is also a love story.

Those who know me (including the book group :)) know that I love fantasy and magical realism.  I am more hesitant with historical fiction and love stories because they are often written without complexity or grace.

It is not the type of historical fiction that draws on real life historical events (which is why it's "broadly" in the genre), but it occurs in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Morgenstern interweaves the characters, the story, the planning of the circus, the drama, the anger, the love, etc., effortlessly to a final conclusion.

Compliments made at group:
It is fun!
It is interesting.
It was impressive that someone so young writing a debut novel wrote with such maturity.
She did, with the weaving, what many attempt and fail at.

Criticisms & Comments made at group:
The ending seemed a little bit of a leg down after the effort that went into the rest of the book -- almost as if she became tired and just finished it a bit in a rush.
And of course, it's not everyone's top genre -- but even those people thought it was fun.
It is a little dark in the beginning, but works itself out in a satisfying way.

Please add your thoughts!

Next: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I'm so excited...

Night Road by Kristin Hannah

As stated before, we received this book as part of a promotional giveaway on Reading Group Guides.  Personally, I was a little hesitant to read another Kristin Hannah, because I had not been in love with Firefly Lane.  However, not only was I very pleasantly surprised, many of the Desert Girls were similarly so.


The night before book group, I received a couple emails:
"I was reading it last night I realized it was 3 am and I should try to stop reading it and get some sleep!"


"It wasn't great literature, but it made me very nostalgic!"


And during our meeting, there was more of the same.  One read it in one day, another over the course of a weekend, and I read it on the plane on my way to Wisconsin.  One thing is certain:  It's a quick read!


It also made many of us feel nostalgic.  Not because any or all of us could *relate,* but because, as most of us are in our early 30s, it made us remember high school, first loves, first best friends, parties, and the sheer amount of unsafe behavior we all engaged in!


Many of us also happen to be lawyers, and while we understand Ms. Hannah used the assistance of a lawyer in writing that portion of the book, many of us were skeptical... "lawyers aren't really like that!"  ;)  Some are.


Overall, we thought the book was a great quick read, a beach read, an airplane read, a vacation read.  We *thoroughly* enjoyed it, as a whole, and felt really happy about having won it for our group.


Let's see, a short synopsis of the book:  Lexi has a difficult past, but she's a good girl.  When she is taken in by an aunt previously unknown at 14, she is grateful but still guarded.  She is brought back to an island on the western coast and surrounded by the affluent.  She is a hard worker, a good girl, and honest.  Her best friend is Mia, a shy, very wealthy, very unique and spirited girl whose twin brother, Zach, is Mr. Popular, but also a wonderful high school kid.  Zach and Lexi have an immediate attraction to one another, but because Zach cares deeply about his twin Mia, because Lexi is Mia's best friend, and because the last time Zach dated Mia's best friend, Mia lost her only friend, Zach and Lexi stay far away from one another, until their senior year.  One night, Lexi nearly kisses Zach in a haze, and from that point forward, the two of them are inseparable.  While Mia is upset and hesitant at first, and while Mia and Zach's helicopter mom Jude is very wary of the development, it goes well for the year.  Final week of high school, tragedy strikes.  I am not into spoilers, so I won't say what, but I was pleased because it was predictable with a twist.  I like twists.  The remainder of the book deals with the repercussions of the failings of each of the characters.


My thoughts:  Hannah has delivered an emotional, insightful page-turner.  She has a gift of portraying the personalities, characters, and emotions of teenagers, mothers, and others.  She presented a relatively plausible scenario addressing pain, heartache, love, and forgiveness.  I was most impressed by Hannah's willingness to portray such an unpleasant and continuing depression, anger, and sadness.  It was down, dark, blue, and yet there was always that light -- you could see it just in the distance.  I don't tend to like tear-jerkers, I don't like being emotionally manipulated, and I tend not to love what I dub "dramas" because I find that they are generally either poorly written or poorly told and, instead, merely indulgent of the author.  I really enjoyed Hannah's Night Road because it was well told, well written, and did not feel like the author merely indulging in herself.  It was a story, from beginning to end.  I recommend, definitely to people who like "Fiction and Literature" (drama ;)).