For you readers:
We are DESPERATELY in need of a discussion leader for August's book club discussion of "The happiness project". I personally read it and loved it but due to lack of sleep I think I better not lead the group. I'm flat out not coherent enough to help guide a decent discussion. Do we have any takers?
We had 2 people suggest "A Woman of Independent Means" by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey for September's book and after reading the synopsis I echo the vote. Read below.
Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey wrote A Woman of Independent Means in 1978, when to most Americans feminism was beginning to become associated with angry politicos who neglected their femininity and were capable of shocking radicalism. This book, however, portrays a very different ideal for the capable, socially responsible woman of the Twentieth Century. The character Bess Steed Garner was partially inspired by the feminist movement of the 1970s, and partially based on the author's grandmother. When Hailey told her husband of her intention to write a novel called Letters from A Runaway Wife, he responded, "Runaway wives are a passing fad. Why don't you write about somebody who doesn't have to leave home to be liberated? Why don't you write about somebody like your grandmother?" Therefore, in the life of her heroine, Hailey portrays a domestic feminist, a woman who is not only confident about her gender's equality, but who proves it every day in her judicious maintenance of her home and finances, her unfailing support of her husbands, family, and friends, and her personal, independent engagement with the world around her. The letters that comprise this book—both personal and business letters—reveal that Bess's liberation is not only manifest in what she does, but in how she regards herself and her position in the various contexts of life.
We should probably pick a sci-fi/fantasy book for October as a group since I've only gotten 1 suggestion per book based on the following list. Do your research and come with an opinion on what you'd like to read for this month.
Wings by April Lynn Pike
Loviathyn by Scott Westerfield (author of the Pretties and the uglies)
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Lord of the Rings by J.R. Tolkien
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Dune
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
Reminder: Book club is open to all and meets the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:30 PM. Meetings continue to be held in the Spencer family backyard through October, weather permitting.
