Another light month for reading groups in September but I am happy that the quality of our selections remains high and our discussions deep.
To recap August, we had a teen at our discussion of Turtles All the Way Down at Molly's group which made it so special. Straight Man brought tons of giggles and laughter at One Book At A Time where we also celebrated the four August birthdays of group members with plates of flan (we meet at a Mexican restaurant.) I felt a bit lonely at Tina's Group discussing White Houses because I adored the book but most of the others didn't seemed to get it. Bookie Babes all raved about La Rose and well they should. I reread the book for the meeting and if anything, it was even more stupendous than the first time.
September will have some fun involved. The movie version of Bel Canto is being released on September 14, so we will read the book (another reread I will happily do), see the movie together and then go discuss over snacks and wine! I have already read and discussed A Gentleman in Moscow for two other reading groups but am happy that new readers will be introduced to a good read. I guess Isabel Allende got some lukewarm reviews for In the Midst of Winter but I love her unconditionally so am looking forward to that one.
Molly's Group:
One Book At A Time:
Bookie Babes:
Have you read or discussed any of these? If you are in a reading group what are you discussing in September?
I enjoyed A Gentleman in Moscow but I haven't read the other two. I read my first Isabel Allende, The Japanese Lover, a few months ago and would like to read more. I'll probably try one of her earlier books next, but I hope you enjoy In the Midst of Winter.
ReplyDeleteHer earlier books are the best ones. My favorites are Eva Luna and Of Love and Shadows.
DeleteLooks like you have some great books lined up to read this month... I have a copy of A Gentleman in Moscow, I've yet to read. If I didn't already have 6 books lined up to read this month, I'd read it this month too.
ReplyDeleteIt is surprisingly easy to read though long. I can't wait to see what you do read!
DeleteSomehow I forgot that Bel Canto was releasing this month and I seemed to overlook putting it on my Sept. preview post. With Julianne Moore too! Whoops. I started the book but didn't finish it. I think I will go back to it. The movie looks pretty decent just judging by the trailer. Enjoy your groups!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that omission but thought maybe you weren't a Bel Canto fan. Maybe this will be your time to become one!
DeleteI've gone back and added Bel Canto to my preview post per your astute observations. The literary adaptations are always interesting to see.
DeleteCool! I love to watch movies made from books and there are tons of them coming out in the months to come.
DeleteI haven't read In the Midst of Winter but I've never read anything by Allende that I didn't enjoy. The other two are definitely five-star reads.
ReplyDeleteIt should be a good month!
DeleteI didn't know there was a Bel Canto adaptation about to be released. Thanks for letting us know. I wasn't as crazy with the book as most people seem to be, probably because I still remember the real events behind the story and they were anything but romantic or operatic. I haven't read the other two novels. I want to return to Isabel Allende as I have several novels of hers waiting on my Kindle, but I have been busy reading latest releases since 2015, and reading less and less with each passing year than I used to, thus it has been difficult to accommodate.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why the movie isn't getting more promotion. I looked at the trailer and it looks alright. Were you there when the real events happened? Do you have any thoughts on your reduced reading volume? I am just curious because my reading slowed down for four years a while back and it took a lot of concentrated effort to get it back. Sometimes life and health just get in the way for me.
DeleteI wasn't there but I watched most of it unfold on Hispanic television. It wasn't pretty. I was already living here. Regarding my reading, a lot of it has to do with the fact that I now read only two hours at night before bed. I used to squeeze in more reading (an hour or so) while waiting for my mom to leave work, but not anymore. Also, in 2014 and 2015 I hardly kept up with any movies released those years; my whole attention went exclusively to reading. Since I introduced the 'Snapshots' feature, I am posting more or less about 2-3 movies per week, so it seems reading has taken a toll. Concentration is not helping either.
DeleteThank you for explaining. It all makes sense. I did not know you had such a real connection to the events in Bel Canto. Losing an hour a day of reading time is a big chunk. I know! And watching a movie is another couple hours each not to mention your carefully crafted and excellent reviews.
DeleteOh, gee, thanks, Judy! :-D Well, the connection to Bel Canto was tenuous but reading such a melodramatic book based on those events rubbed me the wrong way.
DeleteI haven't read any of these - but I'd love to read them all. What a great reading group month you have lined up!
ReplyDeleteYes, I am looking forward to all of the meetings. I hope you get to read those books!
DeleteNice to hear from you after a while. I hope your reading is going well.
DeleteJudy, sounds like you had some great meetings and discussions over your August book club books. My church's book club has just had a our September meeting, where we discussed But is it Real? by Any Orr-Ewing. Not anyone's favourite read, but it did spark some great discussion.
ReplyDeleteYes, my groups are making me happy these days. Sometimes even the books not liked so much can still provoke great discussion.
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