Book Groups are so diverse, not just in their book choices but in the style of discussions that take place. Here's a book group update from West Hartford, CT. They recently read and discussed Defending Jacob by William Landay.
BEV G writes:
"Defending Jacob" by William Landay has it all. A loving but deluded (self-deluded?) father wades into an ethical quagmire trying to defend Jacob. An equally loving but clearer-eyed mother resorts to a desperate plan of action. How would each of us react? Don't tune in next week because we don't know.
Not all bookies agreed on the quality of the writing, but the quality of the discussion was top-drawer.
Type the title in the Search Box for another review of Defending Jacob. (02/06/2012)
And for more Book Group Buzz type Book Groups in the Search Box.
Having a look because you bemoaned your lack of comments on BookBlogs, so here's a comment :) I will take a proper look round when my current rush subsides.
ReplyDeleteWell Thankyou!! I hope you do....So excited to get your comment and anxious to hear what you have to say!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat I have to say is "heck you're fussy one." I put in some comments on an earlier post and you say they are too low down for you :) Is this high enough for Madam then? I am seeking sleep now, here in my cold dark Scottish time zone, but will peruse some of your Fiction and/or Memoir posts tomorrow. I promise. Goodnight.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good night. Our evening is just beginning and I am dashing out happily because you made me laugh and I have some legitimate comments,,,
ReplyDeleteI took a better look round. Very interesting. You seem to read a heck of a lot of books, and very different ones too. I was like that in my youth but I read much less now, although I do write. I find many books fail to engross me these days, and have an opinion that most books are too long, something that is perhaps changing with the return of the novella to popularity in the e-book format. Publishing is certainly in a state of significant change at the moment, or at least it seems that way to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Don..I agree about the unnecessary length of books and I too am at a point where I have more " did not finish" books than ever before. I read on my iPad and kindle and rely heavily on the samples..with a commitment of 600 pages, it better be good and a sample can often influence my choice.Tom Wolfe's new tome is a lengthy one and the sample didn't do it for me...but I'm a fan so may have to commit. We're awaiting a hurricane so it may be a good diversion....
ReplyDeleteYou write beautifully..such an easy flow...have you been writing a long time?
Thanks for your kind words. Since you ask... I've been a published freelance writer of all sorts (including hundreds of articles of all kinds) since 1980, making about half of my living that way (the other half through lecturing and some consulting). My first book was published in the early 1980s followed by nine other science-related books (both general interest and textbooks), then a self-published volume of prose poetry a couple of years ago, then an e-novella through a digital publisher this year (details of all these books are available through links in my blog sidebar, but this is not meant to be an advertisement). I am very wary of the almost worshipful respect often given to published books, as there is so much nonsense and also poor writing in the published world. But I do not resent any author the success their writing may have in the market-place, for if they can sell millions of copies of writing that I consider "rubbish" then good luck to them, and more fool me for not managing the same trick. After a recent few years when I took things easy, frankly too easy (golf course, long walks, etc) I am now trying to get my writing back to a more businesslike level again. The sequel to my first silly novella (which readers seem to like) is already drafted, and part three is planned (so I may eventually join all the parts up into a book that is too long, ha ha). I do love the novella format. Some of the most enjoyable books I've ever read have been George Simenon's psychological novellas. But many of the best books I have read would probably not get published these days - they may have won Nobel prizes long ago but nowadays they'd get criticised for weak plot and lack of structure. I think anything that can chip away at the dominance of agents and publishers who have set formats for success in their heads has got to be a good thing. Ooops... I intended a quick reply and now I'm nearly writing an essay.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the reply. I sensed you were an accomplished author and appreciate your detailed response. I also learned about George Simenon who's work was vaguely familiar.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your next book....and please continue to keep in touch...in short form or essay!!! :-)