November 2007 BOM

TITLE: A Thousand Splendid Suns

AUTHOR: Khaled Hosseini

HOST: Jen

DISCUSSION LEADER: TBA

MEETUP DATE: December 2nd, Sunday, 3pm, Jen's pad

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
After 103 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and with four million copies of The Kite Runner shipped, Khaled Hosseini returns with a beautiful, riveting, and haunting novel that confirms his place as one of the most important literary writers today.

Propelled by the same superb instinct for storytelling that made The Kite Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once an incredible chronicle of thirty years of Afghan history and a deeply moving story of family, friendship, faith, and the salvation to be found in love.

Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss and by fate. As they endure the ever escalating dangers around them-in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul-they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival.

A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love.

REVIEWS:
What keeps this novel vivid and compelling are Hosseini's eye for the textures of daily life and his ability to portray a full range of human emotions, from the smoldering rage of an abused wife to the early flutters of maternal love when a woman discovers she is carrying a baby. - L.A. Times

In trying to make sense of the patterns of violence that have consumed Afghanistan, Hosseini unearths the smallest flecks of hope amid the rubble of these women's lives. The hope is this: Despite the unjust cruelties of our world, the heroines of A Thousand Splendid Suns do endure, both on the page and in our imagination. - Miami Herald

October 2007 BOM

TITLE: The Glass Castle, A Memoir

AUTHOR: Jeannette Walls

HOST: Mylene

DISCUSSION LEADER: TBA

MEETUP DATE: November 4th, Sunday, 3pm, Mylene's pad

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story.

REVIEW:
The Glass Castle falls short of being art, but it's a very good memoir. At one point, describing her early literary tastes, Walls mentions that ''my favorite books all involved people dealing with hardships.'' And she has succeeded in doing what most writers set out to do -- to write the kind of book they themselves most want to read. - Francine Prose, New York Times

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

I volunteer.

Ok, since I'm trying to get this going, it seems appropriate that I initiate hosting the first discussion. Since it's our INAUGURAL PEBC GET-TOGETHER, I will serve more than just snacks, perhaps a meal, we'll see. As far as the book, I will keep you updated. First I have to wrestle Jen (she wanted to have the first book pick) for it. I think I'm gonna lose so I'm bringing a taser, mwahahaha! We'll figure it out. She can host it at her pad, too :) (or a bar!).

-Mai

FAQ's

1. WHO CHOOSES WHAT BOOK TO READ?
Each month, there will be a volunteer. If there are multiple volunteers in a month, they fight (mud wrestling, bow and arrow, roshambo, Iron Chef, Nintendo Wii boxing are just a few options) and whoever wins gets to choose. I'm sure we'll figure it out. For those volunteering, please make sure that you will be available (you're not on vacation or hiding) on get-together day.

2. WHAT KIND OF BOOKS ARE WE GOING TO READ?
We like to be well-rounded so we'll be reading anything under the sun. It's your choice - best-sellers, biography, mystery, romance, self-help, classics, etc.! The more you volunteer, the better your chances are for us to read the books you're interested in. Just some caution, if you're choosing a book of very specific interest, there is a risk that fewer people will want to read it.

When you submit your book title, please add a brief summary that we can post on this blog. Feel free to e-mail me or add a comment here on your book suggestions and I will add them to our list.

3. WHO HOSTS THE GET-TOGETHER?
The person who chooses the book will be the host of the get-together. It could be in his/her living room, library, park, pub, restaurant, or coffee shop. If it's in a public place, the host will be responsible for making reservations.

4. WHAT DO WE SERVE AT THE GET-TOGETHER?
It's all up to the host. It does not have to be anything fancy. If it's at home, snacks and drinks are good. Everyone is free to bring anything they want. If it's at a public place like a pub or restaurant, the host will buy us a pitcher of beer or a bottle of wine :) but for everything else, we will cover our own expenses.

5. WHO LEADS THE DISCUSSION?
We still need to figure this one out. An option is to have the host do it but he/she might have too much on him/her what with serving us food, drinks, and all that :). Another option is to have the host of the next book be the discussion leader.

6. WHEN DO WE GET TOGETHER?
Right now we're looking at Sunday afternoons or evenings, or a weekday evening (Tues., Wed., or Thurs.). Let us know your opinions.

7. HOW FAR IN ADVANCE WILL WE KNOW WHAT BOOKS TO READ?
We will have 3 books in queue. Each time we meet, we will figure out what the next 3rd book will be.

8. HOW LONG DO THE DISCUSSIONS LAST?
This is a tough one. When we see each other, there will be the usual 'how are you's', exchanging of cooking, exercise, shopping, or fantasy football tips, talking about the latest news, tv shows, movies, and gossip, and of course, eating! As far as the discussion itself, it will range from 45 minutes to an hour (or more!). It depends on how involved, excited, interested, passionate we are about the book. This is a fun and social event so enjoy! :)

9. DO I HAVE TO READ A BOOK EVERY MONTH?
Our goal is to read at least 12 books a year. That's not much, ya? But we all know things happen - a plane lands on your house, you break a nail, you forget how to read, the dog eats your book - but please aim for a book each month.

10. DO I HAVE TO BUY THE BOOK EACH MONTH?
You don't have to. If you can share a book with someone, that's good. There are online stores that sell books usually lower than the list price. There are also book clubs (check our RELATED LINKS) that offer books at a discounted price but there are certain limitations and hooks (ex. You have to purchase a certain number of books in a certain amount of time). Don't forget to check out your local library, too!

11. WHO CAN BE A MEMBER?
Anyone who reads can be a member - male, female, young, not-so-young, fast or slow readers. No pervs or creeps.

12. HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE WE GOING TO HAVE?
Since in reality there will be people who won't participate every month, we are not setting limits on membership. The more, the merrier. If it gets to be too many, we can split discussion groups so everyone will still have a chance to participate and express their thoughts. You're more than welcome to forward this information to your friends. It's fun to meet new people as long as they are not pervy or creepy (weird is ok)!

13. HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
Just send an e-mail to Mai/Mylene (maireyes@hotmail.com) and we'll add you to the list.

There may be changes done to the above during the course of putting this book club together.

Thanks!

Hello!

We've decided to form a new book club! Please contact us if you're interested in joining.

What is a BOOK CLUB?
It is a club where people usually meet to discuss a book that they have read and express their opinions, likes, dislikes, etc. They may also be known as book discussion clubs or reading groups, and meet in private homes, libraries, bookstores, pubs, cafes or restaurants over meals or drinks. - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia