Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Pia's Suggestion with Better Description
I really, really hope we can read "Autobiography of a Face". This description does a way better job at describing the book. I want to read it all the way through *and* see everyone's reaction to it. Since I didn't get to suggest a book to read after hosting at my house, maybe you'll indulge me.
http://www.curledup.com/autoface.htm
:)
Pia
From Publishers Weekly
Diagnosed at age nine with Ewing's sarcoma, a cancer that severely disfigured her face, Grealy lost half her jaw, recovered after two and half years of chemotherapy and radiation, then underwent plastic surgery over the next 20 years to reconstruct her jaw. This harrowing, lyrical autobiographical memoir, which grew out of an award-winning article published in Harper's in 1993, is a striking meditation on the distorting effects of our culture's preoccupation with physical beauty. Extremely self-conscious and shy, Grealy endured insults and ostracism as a teenager in Spring Valley, N.Y. At Sarah Lawrence College in the mid-1980s, she discovered poetry as a vehicle for her pent-up emotions. During graduate school at the University of Iowa, she had a series of unsatisfying sexual affairs, hoping to prove she was lovable. No longer eligible for medical coverage, she moved to London to take advantage of Britain's socialized medicine, and underwent a 13-hour operation in Scotland. Her discovery that true beauty lies within makes this a wise and healing book.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
http://www.curledup.com/autoface.htm
:)
Pia
From Publishers Weekly
Diagnosed at age nine with Ewing's sarcoma, a cancer that severely disfigured her face, Grealy lost half her jaw, recovered after two and half years of chemotherapy and radiation, then underwent plastic surgery over the next 20 years to reconstruct her jaw. This harrowing, lyrical autobiographical memoir, which grew out of an award-winning article published in Harper's in 1993, is a striking meditation on the distorting effects of our culture's preoccupation with physical beauty. Extremely self-conscious and shy, Grealy endured insults and ostracism as a teenager in Spring Valley, N.Y. At Sarah Lawrence College in the mid-1980s, she discovered poetry as a vehicle for her pent-up emotions. During graduate school at the University of Iowa, she had a series of unsatisfying sexual affairs, hoping to prove she was lovable. No longer eligible for medical coverage, she moved to London to take advantage of Britain's socialized medicine, and underwent a 13-hour operation in Scotland. Her discovery that true beauty lies within makes this a wise and healing book.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
another book nominee
hi guys,
this book looks good to me, so i'll throw it in the mix.
Plainsong, by Kent Haruf
In the same way that the plains define the American landscape, small-town life in the heartlands is a quintessentially American experience. Holt, Colo., a tiny prairie community near Denver, is both the setting for and the psychological matrix of Haruf's beautifully executed new novel. Alternating chapters focus on eight compassionately imagined characters whose lives undergo radical change during the course of one year... Walking a tightrope of restrained design, Haruf steers clear of sentimentality and melodrama while constructing a taut narrative in which revelations of character and rising emotional tensions are held in perfect balance. This is a compelling story of grief, bereavement, loneliness and anger, but also of kindness, benevolence, love and the making of a strange new family. In depicting the stalwart courage of decent, troubled people going on with their lives, Haruf's quietly eloquent account illumines the possibilities of grace.
-K
this book looks good to me, so i'll throw it in the mix.
Plainsong, by Kent Haruf
In the same way that the plains define the American landscape, small-town life in the heartlands is a quintessentially American experience. Holt, Colo., a tiny prairie community near Denver, is both the setting for and the psychological matrix of Haruf's beautifully executed new novel. Alternating chapters focus on eight compassionately imagined characters whose lives undergo radical change during the course of one year... Walking a tightrope of restrained design, Haruf steers clear of sentimentality and melodrama while constructing a taut narrative in which revelations of character and rising emotional tensions are held in perfect balance. This is a compelling story of grief, bereavement, loneliness and anger, but also of kindness, benevolence, love and the making of a strange new family. In depicting the stalwart courage of decent, troubled people going on with their lives, Haruf's quietly eloquent account illumines the possibilities of grace.
-K
book suggestion
I wanting to suggest the following books as possibilities for the next meeting.
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Stiff/Oscar night
So, we didn't do too well this month. I was the only person in attendance that read the entire book, aside from Debbie W. who had suggested and previously read it. I think the gory parts along with the general subject matter were disturbing and off-putting to some. I agree that it was gross to read about and contemplate what happens to our bodies after we've left them. However, I found it somewhat fascinating to learn, for example, what happens after you donate your body to science or for "organ recovery," as well as learning green methods of dealing with and burial of remains (since cremation is not very environmentally-friendly).
The majority of the evening was spent watching the Oscars and discussing what movies, actors and outfits we did or did not like. We each filled out a ballot and Debbie W. won the prize for the most correct answers.
The others in attendance (besides the Debbies): Liz, Meredith, Pia, VanAn and Karina. The next book has not been chosen yet. If you want to share a comment about the last book or a suggestion for the next one, please post before Wednesday. Debbie W. will be hosting the next meeting and will also make the final decision on what book we'll be reading.
Hope to see you soon.
The majority of the evening was spent watching the Oscars and discussing what movies, actors and outfits we did or did not like. We each filled out a ballot and Debbie W. won the prize for the most correct answers.
The others in attendance (besides the Debbies): Liz, Meredith, Pia, VanAn and Karina. The next book has not been chosen yet. If you want to share a comment about the last book or a suggestion for the next one, please post before Wednesday. Debbie W. will be hosting the next meeting and will also make the final decision on what book we'll be reading.
Hope to see you soon.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
January 2008 meeting
For the record, Sarah hosted the January meeting and we discussed Case Histories by Kate Atkinson. In attendance were myself (Debbie L.), Sarah (of course), Karina, Liz, Debbie W., Pia, Junko, Cheryl and a warm welcome to our newest member, Eileen. We were about on target with 50% of the group in attendance finishing it—and overall, I think those who did finish the book enjoyed it. And thanks to Karina for sharing her lovely ceramics.
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