<p>ignatius - Very sorry about the loss of your sister.</p>
<p>The Glass Castle just didn’t ring true to me. I don’t doubt the basics of the story, but the tone was off. There were too many incidents and whole conversations reproduced that she was too young to have remembered, especially in such detail, and in many cases Walls or her unreliable parents were the only ones there. I was also bothered by the breezy portrayal of her profoundly dysfunctional family as colorful and unconventional. She was writing from the perspective of an adult, so I would have liked a little more reflection. Ultimately, I’m just not that fond of “fun times with alcoholics” memoirs.</p>
<p>A lot of people I know loved it, though!</p>
<p>^Perhaps we should avoid books with “glass” in the title. ;)</p>
<p>Oh, Ignatius, I’m so very sorry to hear about your sister. I only hope that your daughter’s wedding brought some joy to your family.</p>
<p>You certainly deserve some good escapist reading, and **The Fever Tree **was that for me. I could feel the South African scorching heat, taste the dust.</p>
<p>I’m not sure it would be a good book for discussion, it’s a romance.
The book was inspired by true events though, Cecil Rhodes, owner of Kimberly Diamond Mine, and his attempts to hide a cholera, or smallpox epidemic.
Three friends just read it, and all would recommend it.</p>
<p>About a month ago I read a book suggested by CCers- **Let’s Not Go To The Dogs Tonight, **a book familiar to many of you. I enjoyed this book, especially the author’s snarky, quirky style. Again, probably not great for discussion, although for those of you who read Things Fall Apart , could compare the two books. </p>
<p>Recently, a friend suggested ** The Obituary Writer ** another quick read. While more uplifting, than it is sad, but there were sections which brought me to tears, so Ignatius, I would not recommend at this time for you. It doesn’t have much meat for discussion. </p>
<p>for anyone nostalgia for the 60’s I was surprised by patty smith’s award winning book **Just Kids ** This is not for everyone, but I’ve been to the Chelsea Hotel, where Patty and Bob Mapplethorpe loved, and watched a Netflix movie about that Infamous place!!! so the book interested me. </p>
<p>Speaking of the 60’s happened to watch a Netflix movie about Yves St Laurent, entitled **Lamour Fou ** -----( good escapism) </p>
<p>has Anyone read Collum Mccann’s new book? I think it’s out.</p>
<p>did anyone see Anthony Bourdain’s recent show about the Congo! Tragic place, which I found most interesting having read - two books about Africa- The Fever tree, and Dont let’s go to the dogs tonight, and followed this book discussion. I highly recommend watching it.</p>
<p>Once again, Ignatius, very sorry about your sister, and hope that these book and movie suggestions provide you some escape.</p>
<p>So sorry about the loss of your sister, Ignatius.</p>
<p>A little off topic- but when I first read THe Glass Castle, I was very much affected by the story. However, when I read the memoir about Jeanette Wall’s grandmother “Half-broke horses”?" -it seemed to me that she so idolized her grandmother-but it seemed to me her grandmother had a lot of issues that could have impacted her own children (Ie. Jeannette’s mother). The author had been so hurt by her own disturbed mother that her portrait of her grandmother was idealistic in my opinion</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Aha, so YOU’RE the one responsible for those 237 five star reviews! :)</p>
<p>A Reliable Wife was on the New York Times bestseller list for weeks, so I know that there are many who loved it. Just not my cup of tea – I objected to the writing, not so much the plot. I’m as fond of attempted murder, sex, lies and madness as the next gal, but I don’t think Goolrick pulled it off. I’m glad you liked it – this book club wouldn’t be nearly so much fun if we all had the same tastes!</p>
<p>Speaking of which…</p>
<p>I’m removing The Silver Star from consideration, but adding The Fever Tree. There is nothing in the by-laws that says we can’t read a romance. We ain’t dead yet. 
Besides, The Fever Tree has a Reading Group Discussion Guide, so it’s not like Fabio is on the cover or anything.</p>
<p>Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
*Behind the Scenes at the Museum * by Kate Atkinson
The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
*The Golem and the Jinni * by Helene Wecker
The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh</p>
<p>Ignatius, I’m so sorry about your sister - I don’t know how I missed that part of your post. :(</p>
<p>Let me add my condolences too, ignatius. I’m very sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>Have any of you read Zeitoun by David Eggers? I have not read it (yet) but have heard many good things about it. I toss it out as a possible candidate.</p>
<p>Zeitoun sounds really good, but it is nonfiction, which would be a departure for us.</p>
<p>I’d read Zeitoun - a million people have recommended it to me.</p>
<p>I wanted to read Zeitoun until</p>
<p><a href=“Celebrated Hero in ‘Zeitoun’ Book Faces Murder Charges in New Orleans - The New York Times”>Celebrated Hero in ‘Zeitoun’ Book Faces Murder Charges in New Orleans - The New York Times;
<p>Now … I don’t think so … though it might make for a good discussion.</p>
<p>Thank you for the condolences sent my way.</p>
<p>My sister was in hospice care, so her passing was not unexpected. Our family was able to take comfort in the fact that it was time for her to leave us. (No matter how expected death is, it still feels unexpected when it actually happens.)</p>
<p>We went from wedding to funeral, with graduation and return of fledglings to the nest in between, in a four week period. Mostly our occasions were filled with joy. All has calmed now (more or less) but we’re tired. We need a stretch of quiet. </p>
<p>You guys are a nice group of people. Thanks again for your kind words.</p>
<p>What an intense month for you, Ignatius! Joys and sorrows-take care. Prayers and hugs!</p>
<p>We can add Zeitoun and let the chips fall where they may during voting:</p>
<p>Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers</p>
<p>Did I miss anything that any of you would like to see on the list? If you’re good with the above selection, feel free to list your top three and we’ll see where that takes us.</p>
<p>I would read any of the above … happily.</p>
<p>My top three* plus one ;):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>*The Stockholm Octavo<a href=“It%20has%20been%20on%20the%20list%20the%20last%20two%20times%20but%20didn’t%20quite%20make%20the%20final%20cut.%20%20I’m%20starting%20to%20feel%20sorry%20for%20it.”>/I</a></p></li>
<li><p>*The Golem and the Jinni <a href=“Some%20fantasy%20…%20we’ve%20never%20done%20it%20before%20and%20it’s%20a%20new,%20new%20release.”>/I</a></p></li>
</ol>
<p>*3. *The Light Between Oceans<a href=“I%20don’t%20see%20it%20on%20the%20list%20…%20just%20checked%20…%20%5BB%5Dcartera45%5B/B%5D%20and%20%5BB%5Dbuenavista%5B/B%5D%20mentioned%20it%20and%20I’m%20interested,%20too.%20%20If%20it%20doesn’t%20belong%20on%20the%20list%20just%20skip%20to%20my%20+1.”>/I</a></p>
<p>+1. The Fever Tree</p>
<p>But I would read any of the choices Mary listed.</p>
<p>My top three - at least of what’s been listed so far…</p>
<ol>
<li>The Stockholm Octavo (hey it got compared to Perfume which I thought was brilliant)</li>
<li>The Fever Tree (because it’s summer and it got compared to The Thorn Birds)</li>
<li>The Gollem and the Jinni (because it’s such a crazy idea, though I fear I may find it annoying)</li>
</ol>
<p>I think in light of knowing the rest of the story Zheitoun would be difficult to read. :(</p>
<p>I had to laugh at the description of The Light between the Oceans, it reminds me of the premise of The Forgotten Garden.</p>
<p>Like ignatius, I would happily read almost any of the choices on the list. Here are my top 3, but I would be equally happy with +2:</p>
<p>1) The Fever Tree
2) The Stockholm Octavo
3) Behind the Scenes at the Museum</p>
<p>4) The Golem and the Jinni
5) Zeitoun</p>
<p>I am less interested in Americanah and Life after Life.</p>
<ol>
<li>The Stockholm Octavo</li>
<li>Behind the Scenes at the Museum</li>
<li>The Golem and the Jinni</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>The Golem and the Jinni</li>
<li>Americanah</li>
<li>Behind the Scenes at the Museum</li>
</ol>