Happy Birthday, Tracy!

Oh, Amy

Just a note about Amy's "challenge" of bringing a typed list of three things we want to accomplish in the next three years . . .

ALL I CAN THINK OF IS STUFF THAT IMMEDIATELY TAGS IT AS "RAHNI" so now I'm torn between truth and striving to make it hard for people to guess. Truth should win out, I'm aware. :o)

Just a reminder what "Marissa Jones" chose:

1. Lose 100 pounds
2. Kiss a stranger
3. Change someone's life
4. Wear sexy shoes
5. Run a 5K
6. Dare to go braless
7. Make Buddy Fitch pay
8. Be the hottest girl at Oasis
9. Get on TV
10. Ride in a helicopter
11. Pitch an idea at work
12. Try boogie boarding
13. Eat ice cream in public
14. Go on a blind date
15. Take Mom and Grandma to see Wayne Newton
16. Get a massage
17. Throw away my bathroom scale
18. Watch a sunrise
19. Show my brother how grateful I am for him
20. Make a big donation to charity

The Classics

You know, when I'm asked to think of a short story, without fail, these 4 come to mind:

The Lottery (Shirley Jackson)
The Ones Who Walk Away From the Omelas (Ursula K. LeGuin)
All In a Summer Day (Ray Bradbury)
The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry)

The Next Thing On My List - Favorite Lines

After a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June Parker finds herself in possession of a list Marissa has written: “20 Things to Do by My 25th Birthday.” The tasks range from inspiring (run a 5K) to daring (go braless) to near-impossible (change someone’s life). To assuage her guilt, June races to achieve each goal herself before the deadline, learning more about her own life than she ever bargained for.

A reader's perspective (from bn.com) . . .

Conversation-starter by WriteWoman
Reader Rating: See Detailed Ratings
November 11, 2009: Had I not been looking for something a little different for my book club to read, I doubt that I would have ever picked this book up. While it definitely falls into the (perjorative?) category of "chick-lit," "The Next Thing on My List" also is a great discussion-starter.

While I found the plot somewhat unbelievable (and a little inconsistent internally), I liked the premise of the book. We had a very lively discussion about our own "To-Do" lists--and it's probably worth it for everyone to think a little bit about what are the things you'd like to do in your life...and how many of them really, truly have anything to do with personal growth or quality of life.

I enjoyed the main character--she's funny and feisty and a bit discombobulated. Some of the other characters are less interesting, but they all do work together to move the book forward.

I'd recommend the book to book clubs, to people who want a relatively fast read, and to those who do want to spend a little bit of time in self-examination.

Happy Birthday, Kim!

My mind is not a Pentium processor, obviously

It took me until today, but I finally figured it out! I thought I read The Inheritance years ago. Not so! I read A Long Fatal Love Chase (written by Louisa May Alcott in 1866, published in 1995). Check out this article in which Stephen King analyzes "Alternative Alcott" works. Muy interasante! Type this into Google ("Stephen King" "Long Fatal Love Chase" Alcott), then click on the second link down--should begin www.nytimes!

Happy Birthday, Melanie!

Out of curiosity, when are birthdays that belong to the rest of you?

Looking for more?

A new book you might be interested in . . .

INHERITANCE links

Background/commentary for your own reading pleasure . . .

http://www.neh.gov/news/humanities/1997-07/alcott.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119369/
http://www.sfsite.com/03a/in52.htm

The Inheritance - Favorite Lines

"Here at last is the book 'Jo' wrote. Generations of fans have longed to plumb that first romance, hinted at so captivatingly on the pages of Little Women, Alcott's autobiographical classic. Now, after nearly one hundred fifty years spent among archived family documents, Louisa May Alcott's debut novel finally reaches its eager public. Set in an English country manor, the story follows the turbulent fortunes of Edith Adelon, an impoverished Italian orphan whose loyalty and beauty win her the patronage of wealthy friends until a jealous rival contrives to rob her of her position. In the locket around her neck, she carries a deep secret about her natural birthright. But an even greater truth lies hidden in Edith's heart - her deep reverence for the kind and noble Lord Percy, the only friend who can save her from the deceitful, envious machinations of Lady Ida. Reminiscent of Jane Austen in its charms, this chaste but stirringly passionate novel affirms the conquering power of both love and courtesy." (bn.com synopsis)

Ignorance and blissful oblivion lead to confusing conundrums

For those of you who follow this blog--did you note the comment where Analee mentioned having emailed me a response to my petition about the December date? Figuring that neither of us is delusional, I furrowed my brow in consternation, affixed my Sherlock-like deerstalker hat and investigated. It didn’t take long. Every once in awhile (usually every 6 months, but I’ve actually checked it twice in two months now!) I remember that I have a Hotmail account, and that sometimes people email me there. Indeed, Analee HAD emailed me that the 12th is a good time for her as well. I just ignored it, apparently. As a bonus, I had an email from Melanie as well! In the future, however, if contacting me via email, I would highly suggest sending it to johnson_rahni@asdk12.org, as I check that compulsively, Monday through Friday, from 8AM to 4PM! I’ll change it on the ward website soon (is that where you guys got it?)! (Disregard this message if you like super-snail-mail-twice-a-year responses)

December date swap!

Just checking in with you all about the December date. Amy is totally willing to change to December from her January timeslot, but 12/11 doesn't work for her. And, since it's her book, she definitely CAN'T MISS. :) How does Saturday the 12th work for everyone? Let me know, ASAP, so we can arrange a date! (I know that people get their December weekends filled up fast with parties and the like.) The December book looks fantastic!

The Next Thing on My List, by Jill Smolinski

Blogging tips

There are all sorts of things you can do on this site, if you so wish!

Comment
To comment on a post, simply click on the link under that particular post that says "0 comments" or "3 comments" or whatever.
Post
Perhaps you don't want to comment on any of the posts already up, or you already have and you'd like to add something else for others! Click on the "New Post" option at the top of the screen on the home page, or choose "Customize", "Posting", "New Post".
Layout
You can add to the sidebar as well! Polls, thoughts, quotes, all sorts of things. Add your own (Choose "Customize" on the top of the screen from the home page, then "Layout", then "Add a Gadget") or click on a gadget to edit it (like adding to the quote section, or a great website link or something).
Email Notification
Currently, I've set it up so that Sarah and I receive an email notification whenever anyone comments on the site (Sarah also receives an email whenever someone posts as well--the emails include all the content in the post or comment, not just the fact that someone added to the site). This can be a good way of not having to check for updates all the time, or--if email is far more convenient for you than visiting the site (i.e. busy busy Sarah), you can still stay in the loop without having to login! Only 10 people, however, can opt for either update--so that means 9 people can add their name to the "posting" notifictation, and 8 people to the "comments" notification. This is under Customize>Layout>Comments (or Email&Mobile ID).

Feel free to tour around and add to the site! :o)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Favorite Lines

"Traditional without seeming stale, and romantic without being naive . . . It's tempting to throw around terms like 'gem' when reading a book like this. But Guernsey is not precious . . . This is a book for firesides or long train rides. It's as charming and timeless as the novels for which its characters profess their love." --San Francisco Chronicle Book Review

Looking for some extra help?

Some reading group guides (not to replace reading the book, but to use as a supplement, of course) I found online for The Sound and the Fury:

*http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides_S/sound_and_the_fury1.asp
*http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahsbookclub/soundandthefury/fury_about
*http://classic-american-fiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/faulkner_thematic_questions
*http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/soundfury/

Happy reading to all!

A Mind Scrubbed of All Memory

I often find myself having all sorts of reactions along the way of reading our monthly pick--lines I love, situations that remind me of other books or events in my life, etc.--but by the time Book Club rolls around, I often cast around for more to say than just, "I liked it." Lots of times I've actually even forgotten characters names (if I've read the book too early)! Let this be a lesson--procrastinate! No, really. Tracy came up with a fabulous suggestion the other day to aid memory retention and to facilitate fun and meaningful discussions at our meetings. Keep a tiny notebook slipped into (or next to) your book that you can occasionally jot down notes on. Or, keep a sticky pad attached to the read so that you can mark the page, without actually MARKING the page. Easy to flip to find the reference, not a thought lost. Three cheers, Tracy! This seems especially helpful this month--let me know if it works out for you!

The Sound and the Fury - Favorite Lines

"First published in 1929, Faulkner created his "heart's darling," the beautiful and tragic Caddy Compson, whose story Faulkner told through separate monologues by her three brothers--the idiot Benjy, the neurotic suicidal Quentin and the monstrous Jason." --Google Books

Walk Two Moons - Favorite Lines

"In this Newbery Award book by Sharon Creech (HarperCollins, 1994), 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle travels west with her Grams and Gramps to Lewiston, Idaho, the destination from which her mother did not return. As Sal entertains her grandparents with stories of her friend, Phoebe, who sees "lunatics" around every corner, threads from many life stories are seamlessly entwined. This pilgrimage wonderfully mirrors the journey of discovery that is adolescence, as Sal's search for the truth about her mother becomes a journey of discovery about much more." - School Library Journal

If you were stranded on a deserted island . . .

Which 3 books would you choose to have with you (assume that scriptures are already there from the last struggling stranded suffering somebody)?

Rahni's picks
*All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriot (Humorous, comforting--one of the most enjoyable reads of my life. I return to it over and over again. And it's quite likely that I would need humor and comfort if stranded.)
*The Ultimate Guide to U.S. Army Survival Skills, Tactics & Techniques - Department of the U.S. Army (For practicality's sake, of course--Someone had to bring one!)
*A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson (It was either this or a book to learn a foreign language. I opted for the excellent and entertaining Bill Bryson!)

Let's get it started . . .

Hello, fellow book-clubbers! On a whim, I created a blog for our book club. Just something to record our forays into the printed page, and a helpful referral for meeting to come! Obviously, it's not done yet, but I'm still working on it! I've limited it so that only those who are invited can view this blog, and I've made you all authors, so anyone in the book club can change things about this site. I guess you first have to accept the invitation to be an author to even SEE this page, but let's see how it works out, eh?