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Archives - August 2010

August 17, 2010

Discussing BOTH WAYS IS THE ONLY WAY I WANT IT

Posted by Dana
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In today's post, regular contributor Heather Johnson discusses the option of short story collections for book club and talks about how even a title can spark some good discussion.  
August 13, 2010

Naseem Rakha: THE CRYING TREE

Posted by Dana
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In today's guest post, author Naseem Rakha shares the amazing story of a book club in an unexpected place.  I'm certain her experience with these women will touch you as much as it did me. Reading in Prison
August 12, 2010

Shobhan Bantwal: THE UNEXPECTED SON

Posted by Dana
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In today's guest post author Shobhan Bantwal (THE UNEXPECTED SON) talks about how the "simple life" she was bored with and took for granted as a child turned out to be a wealth culture and stories she could use in her writing as an adult.
August 11, 2010

Discussing MENNONITE IN A LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Posted by Dana
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Last week my book club got together to discuss MENNONITE IN A LITTLE BLACK DRESS.  I should have insisted we all wear little black dresses - even the guys... that would've been fun.
August 10, 2010

Ghita Schwarz: DISPLACED PERSONS

Posted by Dana
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In today's guest post, author Ghita Schwarz talks about the delicate balance of using fact to create fiction.  I love her comment about some things that happen in real life being too unbelieveable to include as I think we've all had those moments!
August 9, 2010

Zoë Ferraris: CITY OF VEILS

Posted by Dana
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Today's guest blogger Zoë Ferraris moved to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the first Gulf War to live with her then husband and his extended family of Saudi-Palestinian Bedouins, who had never welcomed an American into their lives before. She has an MFA from Columbia University and is the award-winning author of FINDING NOUF.
August 6, 2010

Discussing ONE AMAZING THING

Posted by Dana
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In today's post, regular contributor Heather Johnson (Storie delle Sorelle Book Club Blog) shares her book club's experience with another interesting book.  She makes the point that whether you like the book or not, some books just lend themselves to book club discussions.  Lots to talk about and analyze and respond to and I have to admit, the premise for this one
August 5, 2010

Jeane Westin: HIS LAST LETTER

Posted by Dana
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In today's guest post, author Jeane Westin talks about the relationship between Queen Elizabeith I and the Earl of Leicester and why she felt it had to be written about.  The idea that our communication has become so casual, so electronic, so instant and so impersonal makes this story even more compelling to me.
August 4, 2010

Amy Bourret: MOTHERS AND OTHER LIARS

Posted by Dana
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In today's guest post, Amy Bourret, author of MOTHERS AND OTHER LIARS talks about writing from the perspective of someone who is not you.  Is it valid?  Is it okay to do so?  Of course it is.  I say that from the perspective of a 70 year old retired steel worker living in a senior center in Florida.  But seriously - I'm with you Amy!  If the book is well written and makes you think what difference does it make that the writer has had a different life experience?  Some of the most amazing books
August 3, 2010

Sara Poole: POISON

Posted by Dana
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Rarely is a human being solely a hero or a villian. No matter how they are characterized in history, most are human and therefore complex. In today's guest post, author Sara Poole talks about her new book POISON and it's more in depth look at one of the most powerful and nefarious families of the Renaissance period.   If your book club loves historical fiction, I suspect there will be much to chat about with this one!