I am glad to see that you all liked this book...for the most part. Amy and I really enjoyed it. Here are some questions...
1)Do you feel that "Jack" needed to die?
2)Regardless of how you feel about "Jack" dieing, why do you think he ended up dying?
3)Who was your favorite character? Why?
4)In general, what do you think of Coben's writing style?
5)Why do birds suddenly appear, every time...you are near?
I will post my answers after you all have. I might even come up with some more questions soon too.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Next Book
This month I am choosing a mystery by Harlan Coben, "Just One Look". This is the fourth "stand-alone" novel by Coben. I have read his 5 of his novels and have really enjoyed them so far. I will post questions when I finish, but here is a very quick thing about this book from his website:
Her husband’s disappeared, her kids have been threatened, the police don’t believe her, and all of her friends seem to have something to hide.
Thommy-Boy's Thoughts on The Book Thief
First and foremost . . . I totally heart this book. I gave it five stars in Goodreads and have already recommended it to a couple of people. Great choice Laura . . . great choice.
1.The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
I really liked the narrator, I think it is what made the book special. The author did a great job "humanizing" Death and it was through his eyes that I think the reader could best understand what was going on with all the characters and the setting. I had no problem with how things were given away. There was a sense of foreboding in the story any way and I felt prepared for much of the tragedy. As things approached I still was tense and sad, but not too emotional. I don't know if I could have handled the book if there weren't some give aways. I think it would have just been too darn sad and too much at once.
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
What about Papa and Liesel? Without Papa would Leisel ever have been able to recover from her brother's death, would she have been able to learn about hope and goodness, would she have been able to come out of the darkest times in her life? Without Leisel would Papa have been able to have hope for a good future, would he have been able to have something to live for, would he have been able to see the goodness in the tragedy that was his life and situation?
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
I think that you make a good point about how books draw her to her family and help create relationships. Liesel's relationship with books reminds me of Francie Nolan's relationship with books in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. They both use books to learn, to develop, and think of a better world. I think it is books that help both of these characters wish for more and then seek it. Books are also an escape from the harsh reality of life, and they gave these girls the hope that they needed. I think that we all enjoy that about books.
1.The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
I really liked the narrator, I think it is what made the book special. The author did a great job "humanizing" Death and it was through his eyes that I think the reader could best understand what was going on with all the characters and the setting. I had no problem with how things were given away. There was a sense of foreboding in the story any way and I felt prepared for much of the tragedy. As things approached I still was tense and sad, but not too emotional. I don't know if I could have handled the book if there weren't some give aways. I think it would have just been too darn sad and too much at once.
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
What about Papa and Liesel? Without Papa would Leisel ever have been able to recover from her brother's death, would she have been able to learn about hope and goodness, would she have been able to come out of the darkest times in her life? Without Leisel would Papa have been able to have hope for a good future, would he have been able to have something to live for, would he have been able to see the goodness in the tragedy that was his life and situation?
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
I think that you make a good point about how books draw her to her family and help create relationships. Liesel's relationship with books reminds me of Francie Nolan's relationship with books in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. They both use books to learn, to develop, and think of a better world. I think it is books that help both of these characters wish for more and then seek it. Books are also an escape from the harsh reality of life, and they gave these girls the hope that they needed. I think that we all enjoy that about books.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
The Book Thief
Now that we have all finished "The Book Thief," here are some things to think about.
1. The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
4. Anything else?
My Thoughts:
1. I loved the idea of death as a narrator. It is so interesting to think that Death has a story to tell. I also loved the little glimpses to into the future. It really kept me engaged.
2. I loved all the relationships, but especially the little one between Liesel and the Mayor's wife. I think the books made both women feel alive and like they were keeping themselves separate from the inhumanity of the day. The Mayor's wife certainly saw the importance of forbidden books and, unable to help Liesel in other ways, chose this as her own act of kindness in a world of sadness.
3. I also loved that books were so central to the story. Clearly the Gravedigger's Guide started as a link between Liesel and her family. Eventually, however, they became a way to feel alive for everyone in the story.
1. The narrator in this book is somewhat unusual. Did you like the way the book was narrated? Did you like/dislike the way some things were "given away" early or do you prefer a story that is more chronological?
2. This book is full of interesting relationships. Several relationships are a bit rebellious in Nazi times with people helping others in unusual ways (i.e. Hans and Max, Liesel and Max, Liesel and the Mayor's wife). Pick one and discuss how you thought the relationship helped both parties maintain their humanity.
3. Why were books so important to Liesel? Are they that important to you?
4. Anything else?
My Thoughts:
1. I loved the idea of death as a narrator. It is so interesting to think that Death has a story to tell. I also loved the little glimpses to into the future. It really kept me engaged.
2. I loved all the relationships, but especially the little one between Liesel and the Mayor's wife. I think the books made both women feel alive and like they were keeping themselves separate from the inhumanity of the day. The Mayor's wife certainly saw the importance of forbidden books and, unable to help Liesel in other ways, chose this as her own act of kindness in a world of sadness.
3. I also loved that books were so central to the story. Clearly the Gravedigger's Guide started as a link between Liesel and her family. Eventually, however, they became a way to feel alive for everyone in the story.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The Book Thief
It is back to me for February and I have selected The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Sorry it is so long for a short month. It is a quick read.
Synopsis: It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
Laura's Thoughts on Prince Caspian
My thoughts are not as well organized as Thom's, but here goes.
I do believe that there is religions symbolism in the book. How can you not? I especially like the notion that Aslan guides the characters rather than telling them what to do.
I am not sure why people were caught off guard by the fight regarding the White Witch. It is an interesting observation, however. Why is it the people are always surprised that trouble ensues when evil is mentioned? Somehow people think you can be involved in bad things without negative consequences.
Finally, I think my favorite character in this book was Edmund. I like the way he struggles to make amends for his role in Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. Of course, I too love Peter.
I do believe that there is religions symbolism in the book. How can you not? I especially like the notion that Aslan guides the characters rather than telling them what to do.
I am not sure why people were caught off guard by the fight regarding the White Witch. It is an interesting observation, however. Why is it the people are always surprised that trouble ensues when evil is mentioned? Somehow people think you can be involved in bad things without negative consequences.
Finally, I think my favorite character in this book was Edmund. I like the way he struggles to make amends for his role in Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. Of course, I too love Peter.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Thom's thoughts on Prince Caspian
I love all of these books. It was good and fun and filled with battles. Yeah! As for Amy's discussion questions:
Question 1: Did you feel that this book had any religious or symbolic references?
I totally do. It is as if the people stopped believing in Aslan/Christ and that they had perverted the right ways. I see this time as the dark ages, the time without light and knowledge. It took a young boy who was willing to learn, ask, and act to bring Aslan back.
Question 2: In the book there is the part where Peter, Edmund and Trumpkin are listening to the arguments behind the door of whether or not they should call on the powers of the White Witch. Within a few minutes a small battle ensues. It seemed even Dr. Cornelius did not see it coming? Why do you think this happened? Could they have prevented it?
I don't know about this. I don't think that anyone really thought that the White Witch would have been brought up, even Dr. Cornelius. It is true that the dwarfs were treated well by her, but I do believe that the group was caught off guard. What frustrated me about this was that Peter et al. didn't rush in earlier. As soon as they heard the White Witch's name they should have stepped in and said that they were there.
Question 3: Who was your favorite character, and why? :)
Mine will always be Aslan. He is such a strong and compassionate leader. I love how Peter accepts his role in these first two books, but it is amazing how Aslan can see the good in everyone. What a great character!
Question 1: Did you feel that this book had any religious or symbolic references?
I totally do. It is as if the people stopped believing in Aslan/Christ and that they had perverted the right ways. I see this time as the dark ages, the time without light and knowledge. It took a young boy who was willing to learn, ask, and act to bring Aslan back.
Question 2: In the book there is the part where Peter, Edmund and Trumpkin are listening to the arguments behind the door of whether or not they should call on the powers of the White Witch. Within a few minutes a small battle ensues. It seemed even Dr. Cornelius did not see it coming? Why do you think this happened? Could they have prevented it?
I don't know about this. I don't think that anyone really thought that the White Witch would have been brought up, even Dr. Cornelius. It is true that the dwarfs were treated well by her, but I do believe that the group was caught off guard. What frustrated me about this was that Peter et al. didn't rush in earlier. As soon as they heard the White Witch's name they should have stepped in and said that they were there.
Question 3: Who was your favorite character, and why? :)
Mine will always be Aslan. He is such a strong and compassionate leader. I love how Peter accepts his role in these first two books, but it is amazing how Aslan can see the good in everyone. What a great character!
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