A Dog's Journey

A Dog’s Journey by W. Bruce Cameron – To be Discussed on Wed Feb. 6, 2019 at Geneseo Public Library

Buddy is a good dog. After searching for his purpose through several eventful lives, Buddy is sure that he has found and fulfilled it. Yet as he watches curious baby Clarity get into dangerous mischief, he is certain that this little girl is very much in need of a dog of her own. 

When Buddy is reborn, he realizes that he has a new destiny. He's overjoyed when he is adopted by Clarity, now a vibrant but troubled teenager. When they are suddenly separated, Buddy despairs―who will take care of his girl?

A charming and heartwarming story of hope, love, and unending devotion, A Dog's Journey by W. Bruce Cameron asks the question: Do we really take care of our pets, or do they take care of us? More than just another endearing dog tale, A Dog's Journey is the moving story of unwavering loyalty and a love that crosses all barriers.

*Discussion Questions:

1. What is a dog’s purpose?

2. How well does the author do in his ability (or not) to mimic what a dog might (might!) be thinking? Is there a certain credibility, or not, to the novel's premise—a thinking dog?

3. For a dog, what is the difference between obedience and love?.

4. Is love different for dogs from what it is for humans?

5. How would you describe the dog’s voice?  Do his thoughts sound like thoughts a dog would have?

6. Although the dog is a different breed in each life – and even a different gender – what traits always remain the same?

7. The author was born in Michigan in 1960.  How much of the book do you think is autobiographical, or inspired by real life events?

8. Do dogs dream?

9. Are you a proponent of reincarnation? For humans.or pets??

Notes from Jan 2019 group

Paris for One by JoJo Moyes – Discussed on Jan 2, 2019, at Geneseo Public Library

Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She's never even been on a romantic weekend away—to anywhere—before. Traveling abroad isn't really her thing. But when Nell's boyfriend fails to show up for their mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone—including herself—wrong.  Alone in Paris, Nell finds a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life? Funny, charming, and irresistible, Paris for One is quintessential Jojo Moyes—as are the other stories that round out the collection.

This book contained one midsize story (Paris for One) and 8 short stories. Paris For One was easy to read, and its characters were better defined due to its length.   Readers who had visited Paris in real life or want to enjoyed JoJo’s descriptions of the city sights.  It was an interesting plot.  Most of our group thought Paris for One was just OK.  Of the short stories we only liked two of them:  Crocodile Shoes and Last Year’s Coat.  No one wanted to recommend this book to others.

Paris for One

Paris for One by JoJo Moyes – To be discussed on Jan 2, 2019, at Geneseo Public Library

Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She's never even been on a romantic weekend away—to anywhere—before. Traveling abroad isn't really her thing. But when Nell's boyfriend fails to show up for their mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone—including herself—wrong.  Alone in Paris, Nell finds a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life? Funny, charming, and irresistible, Paris for One is quintessential Jojo Moyes—as are the other stories that round out the collection.

Discussion Questions:

1.      Which is your favorite story in the collection and why?

2.      Do you recognize yourself in Nell or any of the other characters in Paris for One and Other Stories?

3.      Fabian first feels a connection to Nell when they are both moved by the same painting at the Frida Kahlo exhibit. Have you ever responded to a work of art in such a visceral way?

4.      Nell’s girlfriends play a key role in her Paris weekend, in both good ways and bad. How does her relationship with Magda and the others shift after she returns?

5.      On pp. 86–87, Fabien takes Nell to the Pont des Arts to see the love locks. Were you familiar with this Parisian tradition of attaching locks to the bridge? Why do people do it? Would you?

6.      In the final line of “Paris for One,” Nell says she “always did like a story with a happy ending” (p. 151). What do you imagine happens to Nell after the story ends?

7.      In “Thirteen Days with John C,” Miranda finds a stranger’s cellphone and is seduced by the texts of a man she doesn’t know. Although she is pretending to be someone else and in fact never meets John C, do you believe that what she did qualifies as cheating? Would her husband agree?

8.      Why is Sara so unenthusiastic about being whisked away for the night in “Love in the Afternoon”? Why didn’t Doug tell her he received the trip as a company bonus? In what way does the discovery change Sara’s attitude?

9.   The stories “Paris for One” and “Love in the Afternoon” both revolve around a romantic weekend trip. What is the most romantic vacation you’ve ever had?

Notes from Dec 2018

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - Movie watched and discussed on Dec. 5, 2018
at Geneseo Public Library

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sister, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

This was a story about racism and relationships in the South 1964.  Most of the characters were strong, quirky, black women who accepted stranger Lily (white runaway teen) into their home and supported her. Enjoyed the situation between Lily and Rosaleen (her black nanny) who cared for her for ten years.  There was a lot of drama between Lily and her mean father, Lily and the 3 sisters, Lily and Zach, a black teen she liked.  We learned about bee keeping.   It was an unusual book – easy to read and interesting.  The entire group liked this one.  It generated great discussion.

Our group liked the books so much we watched the movie in December 2018.  They did a great job casting actors to play the main characters - Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Paul Bethany. Costumes, cars, scenery - these  1964 details were all carefully, thoughtfully chosen and enhanced the film.  Our bookclub really enjoyed the DVD as much as the book.

The Secret Life of Bees DVD

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - 2008 DVD with Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sister, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

Notes from Nov. 2018 group

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - Discussed on Nov. 5 at Geneseo Public Library

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sister, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

This was a story about racism and relationships in the South 1964.  Most of the characters were strong, quirky, black women who accepted stranger Lily (white runaway teen) into their home and supported her. Enjoyed the situation between Lily and Rosaleen (her black nanny) who cared for her for ten years.  There was a lot of drama between Lily and her mean father, Lily and the 3 sisters, Lily and Zach, a black teen she liked.  We learned about bee keeping.   It was an unusual book – easy to read and interesting.  The entire group liked this one.  It generated great discussion.

The Secret Life of Bees

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – To be Discussed on Wed Nov. 7, 2018, at Geneseo Public Library

Set in South Carolina in 1964, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily Owens, whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted black "stand-in mother," Rosaleen, insults three of the deepest racists in town, Lily decides to spring them both free. They escape to Tiburon, South Carolina--a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sister, Lily is introduced to their mesmerizing world of bees and honey, and the Black Madonna. This is a remarkable novel about divine female power, a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

Questions:

1.       How would you describe Lily's feelings about her mother? Did they change throughout the novel? How did hearing that her mother left her to affect her perception of her mother?

2.      Do you believe T-Ray's account of what happened when Lily's mother died?

3.      Did your opinion of T-Ray change when August told Lily about how much he used to love her mother? Does Deborah's abandonment explain or excuse T-Ray?

4.      Do you agree with Lily that people would rather die than forgive? Does she forgive her mother? T-Ray? Herself?

5.      What do the bees mean to the story? What is "the secret life of bees?"

6.      Do you think race was portrayed realistically in The Secret Life of Bees? What do you think Sue Monk Kidd was saying about race in this novel?

7.      Why did Rosaleen spit on the men's shoes? What are the ways the characters in the novel confront injustice? How do you think we should deal with injustice? Do these kinds of prejudices still exist today?

8.      What was your reaction to Lily's relationship with Zach? What do you think happened to them in the future?

9.      Talk about the sisters. Who was your favorite? Do we all need a wailing wall, like May? Why do you think June was cold toward Lily? How would you describe August

10.   What role did the Black Madonna play in their community? What do you think about the legend of the Black Madonna?