Unbroken

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand - To be discussed Wed March 7, 2012 at 6:30 at Geneseo Public Library

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared. It was that of a young lieutenant, the plane’s bombardier, who was struggling to a life raft and pulling himself aboard. So began one of the most extraordinary odysseys of the Second World War.

The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.

Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.

Questions: 1. Did you like the book? Would you add it to your permanent book collection? What do you like or not like about this book?

2. When Louie was young he was famous for stealing things. He mostly took things to eat. Do you think he was hungry or was he doing it for the fun of it? He was well known and thought of as a nuisance by the local police. Would a kid like that in today’s society be in more or less trouble with the law?

3. The Notre Dame coach warned Louis that the other runners planned to hurt him during the race. What could he have done to protect himself? Do you think this is just “part of the game” in most sports?

4. What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story? Do you think the Germans and the Italians treated WW II American POWs differently? Do you think American POWs were treated any better or worse during Korea, Vietnam, the Civil War, Desert Storm, or any other Wars or military actions? In your opinion, in what war did they receive the worst treatment?

5. Even after they were pronounced dead by the Army, the families held on to the belief that their loved ones were still alive. What about the family members of the Other men in the crew who went down with the plane; do you think they held to similar beliefs?

6. Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you imagine yourself in their place? How were the characters changed by the events in the story?

7. Louie eventually went back to Japan and confronted his tormenter. Would you have been able to forgive the way Louie did? Is forgiveness a part of the religious experience Louie had at the revival?

Notes from Feb 2012 group

This month we discussed An Affair to Remember - 1957 movie with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr

Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante (Cary Grant) and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by?

Everyone in our book group liked this DVD. Yes, they thought the character’s dialog and actions were dated and typical of the 1950’s, but all agreed it was a classic love story. We talked about how the plot is good and thought provoking even 50 years after its release. It was a nice mix of light and dramatic moments. Cary Grant, even slightly older, is still fun to watch. We enjoyed this film. Watch and have tissues ready.

An Affair to Remember

An Affair to Remember - 1957 movie with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr - We will discuss on Wed. Februiary 1, 2012 at the new library

Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante (Cary Grant) and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr) have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by?

Questions: 1. Have you seen this movie before?

2. Did you know this was the movie being played in the movie Sleepless in Seattle with Meg Ryan and Rosie O’Donnell?

3. Do you believe in love at first sight?

4. Did you like their plan to meet 6 months later after the cruise?

5. Did you agree with Terry’s decision to not tell Nicky about her accident?

6. Did you like this movie?

7. Would you recommend this DVD to anyone?

Notes from Jan 2012 group

This month we discussed A Cup of Friendship by Deborah Rodriguez

Rodriguez follows bestselling memoir Kabul Beauty School with a superb debut novel centering on a group of women who come together in a Kabul coffee shop run by Sunny, a free-spirited American. Sunny takes in the young widow, Yazmina, the casualty of her uncle's debt to Afghan thugs, who had taken the girl as payment but dumped her on the side of the road when they discovered she was pregnant. Halajan is a firecracker older widow who hides her cropped hairdo, jean skirts, and love letters under her burqa. Isabel, a hard-hitting BBC journalist on location to expose the story of the destruction of the poppy fields, uncovers a deeper truth: female workers addicted to the opium they handle who are then, some with their babies, jailed for "moral crimes." Candace, a well-heeled Bostonian, has followed her Afghan boyfriend to Kabul to fund-raise for his school, but soon suspects his real motives for the school and their relationship. A craftsman and a storyteller, Rodriguez captures place and people wholeheartedly, unveiling the faces of Afghanistan's women through a wealth of memorable characters who light up the page.

We thought that the American author made the plot a little too predictable and lightweight for these issues. She wrapped up all the story lines too quickly (similar to a Jennifer Chiaverini “Quilt” book or a Debbie Macomber story. Our group was split on our opinions of this book – half liked it and half thought it was just OK, with a few negative votes. Still this book generated good discussion. The story was enjoyable and easy to read.

A Cup of Friendship

A Cup of Friendship by Deborah Rodriguez - To be discussed on January 4, 2012 at the new library

Rodriguez follows bestselling memoir Kabul Beauty School with a superb debut novel centering on a group of women who come together in a Kabul coffee shop run by Sunny, a free-spirited American. Sunny takes in the young widow, Yazmina, the casualty of her uncle's debt to Afghan thugs, who had taken the girl as payment but dumped her on the side of the road when they discovered she was pregnant. Halajan is a firecracker older widow who hides her cropped hairdo, jean skirts, and love letters under her burqa. Isabel, a hard-hitting BBC journalist on location to expose the story of the destruction of the poppy fields, uncovers a deeper truth: female workers addicted to the opium they handle who are then, some with their babies, jailed for "moral crimes." Candace, a well-heeled Bostonian, has followed her Afghan boyfriend to Kabul to fund-raise for his school, but soon suspects his real motives for the school and their relationship. A craftsman and a storyteller, Rodriguez captures place and people wholeheartedly, unveiling the faces of Afghanistan's women through a wealth of memorable characters who light up the page.

Questions:

1. Did you like this book? Why or Why not?

2. Who was your favorite character? What did you like about this character?

3. Did you learn about the location of this book? Was it realistic?

4. What were some important themes brought up in this story?

5. Did the story end as you expected?

6. Would you recommend this book to anyone?

Notes from Dec 2011 Group

This month we discussed Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.

Grisham's story revolves around a typical middle-aged American couple, Luther and Nora Krank. On the first Sunday after Thanksgiving they wave their daughter Blair off to Peru to work for the Peace Corps, and they suddenly realize that "for the first time in her young and sheltered life Blair would spend Christmas away from home."

Luther Krank sees his daughter's Christmas absence as an opportunity. He estimates that "a year earlier, the Luther Krank family had spent $6,100 on Christmas," and have "precious little to show for it." So he makes an executive decision, telling his wife, friends, and neighbors that "we won't do Christmas." Instead, Luther books a 10-day Caribbean cruise. But things start to turn nasty when horrified neighbors get wind of the Krank's subversive scheme and besiege the couple with questions about their decision.

Grisham builds up a funny but increasingly terrifying picture of how this tight-knit community turns on the Kranks, who find themselves under increasing pressure to conform. As the tension mounts, readers may wonder whether they will manage to board their plane on Christmas day. Skipping Christmas is Grisham-lite, with none of the serious action or drama of his legal thrillers, but a funny poke at the craziness of Christmas.

This was a very light, trivial book for Mr. Grisham – not his best book. This book was made into a movie – Christmas with the Kranks. Our group members gave this holiday book a very mixed review. It was somewhat funny, easy to read, but most of us would not recommend it to other readers.

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham - To be discussed on Dec. 7, 2011 at 6:30 PM at new library

Grisham's story revolves around a typical middle-aged American couple, Luther and Nora Krank. On the first Sunday after Thanksgiving they wave their daughter Blair off to Peru to work for the Peace Corps, and they suddenly realize that "for the first time in her young and sheltered life Blair would spend Christmas away from home." Luther Krank sees his daughter's Christmas absence as an opportunity. He estimates that "a year earlier, the Luther Krank family had spent $6,100 on Christmas," and have "precious little to show for it." So he makes an executive decision, telling his wife, friends, and neighbors that "we won't do Christmas." Instead, Luther books a 10-day Caribbean cruise. But things start to turn nasty when horrified neighbors get wind of the Krank's subversive scheme and besiege the couple with questions about their decision.

Grisham builds up a funny but increasingly terrifying picture of how this tight-knit community turns on the Kranks, who find themselves under increasing pressure to conform. As the tension mounts, readers may wonder whether they will manage to board their plane on Christmas day. Skipping Christmas is Grisham-lite, with none of the serious action or drama of his legal thrillers, but a funny poke at the craziness of Christmas.

Questions: 1. This book has been called a "modern day Christmas classic." What does the term mean—what makes the book a "Christmas classic"? Do you agree that it is?

2. As you were reading the book, did you find yourself siding with the Kranks' decision to skip Christmas...or disgreeing with them?

3. What are your feelings toward the Christmas holidays? Has this book affected how you will view the season?

4. When friends and neighbors learn that the Kranks plan to skip Christmas, they try to convince them to change their minds. Why do the neighbors find the Kranks' plans so disturbing? Do you find the neighbors' interference appropriate ... or inappropriate?

5. When the Kranks learn Blair is returning from Peru for the holidays, they decide to cancel their cruise and celebrate the holidays as they had in the past. Yet they decided not to tell Blair what they had been planning. Why? Does it seem strange that parents would behave this way toward an adult child?

6. Have you seen Christmas with the Kranks, the 2004 film based on the book and starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis? If so, how does it compare to the book? If not, do you want to see it after having read the book?

7. Talk about the commercialization of the Christmas season. Do you agree with the Kranks that it's excessive and detracts from the true meaning of Christmas? Or do you feel that the holiday with all its commercial trappings is festive and exciting...that the Kranks are Scrooges...and that you need to take the good with the bad? (There's no "right" answer here....) Is it possible to avoid or escape the commercialism and still celebrate Christmas?

8. Once the Kranks change their plans with Blair's arrival, the neighbors pull together to help them pull off their traditional holiday celebration. Did your opinion of the neighbors change?

9. If you skipped Christmas, what would you miss the most? Alternatively...what would you enjoy the most?

10. Did you find this story enjoyable, even endearing? Or do you think John Grisham should stick to writing legal thrillers?