Off topic: Book club discussion, "The Goldfinch".
Several days ago ba8alou suggested an online book club, since reading is something many caregivers can engage in but going to local book clubs can be difficult. Several people thought that was a great idea. I think we are kind of waiting for someone to start it. I'm Someone!
Here's how this first crack at it will work.
1) The book is "The Goldfinch" by By Donna Tartt. I hadn't heard of this book suggested by ba8alou but I see it won a Pulitzer Prize and it sounds worth reading.
2) It is available in paperback, hardcover, kindle, and audio. Most libraries should have it.
3) The discussion date is September 1. That should give many of us time to find the book and read it. This means that comments about the book can be added to this thread ON OR AFTER September 1.
4) If you don't finish the book by that date, no problem. When you do finish it, even months from now, pull up this thread, read what others have said, and add your thoughts.
5) Anyone can read the comments anytime, but if you haven't finished it yet and intend to, be aware of the "spoiler" factor. Those who have finished the book may reveal plot details that you'd rather not know until you come to them.
Let's give it a try this way. Depending how it goes we could do another, modify the format, or drop the whole idea.
I ask that the only comments posted now are about the book club idea, but not about the chosen book. Save that until the discussion opens on Sept 1.
One thing I wondered about was if Tartt used 9-11 as inspiration forbstarting this book. Jeanne?
I don't think that there were any that I really could relate to. I've never lived in New York or Las Vegas. I've never hung out with druggies. I know no one in the antiques world. I don't circulate in circles of wealth. There were no people like me or like the people I know well in this book.
And yet I found the characters believable. I might not know people like this, but somehow the author made me believe that such people might exist.
Anyone else have reactions to "realness" of the characters? Any you simply couldn't believe in? Any like people you personally know?
I'll be back with more comments, but for now I just want to say that the writing style is remarkable, especially the pacing. There are long run-on sentences that give the feeling of speed and things rushing out of control, right where that is appropriate. There is consistency in how each character talks. There are some statements that I read more than once because I thought they were expressed so well.
No doubt about it. This author can write!
Now I'm inspired to read more on the book. Maybe we'll see the change if his personality blooms.
Who else is reading this book? Anybody done?
If you have finished the long book and are ready to talk about it, have at it! If (like me) you are not quite done with it yet, pop back onto this thread when you are.
Comment on anything at all concerning the book. Here is a question to kick things off, but don't feel limited by it.
Q. Are there any characters in this book that you could not relate to at all? Anybody not like the people you know? If so, did the author make those characters believable? Did you trust that there really are people like that?
Whoever has finished it can start discussing it in a couple of weeks, but remember that you can jump in any time, even if you don't finish for months!
Glad did you see that I'm suggesting an addtional book? More people may be able to find that and actually finish it in the next several weeks.
Amazon's price for a hardback is not terrible, but I did not mean to pick for our first book one that might be difficult for some of us to get.
I'm suggesting that we go ahead and leave the discussion start date for this as Sept 1, but then also expect a second wave as more people get a chance to acquire a copy. OK?
Meanwhile, I might start a second discussion of a book that isn't so elusive/expensive.