06.2017 The Three Musketeers

The Three Musketeers

by Alexandre Dumas

Introduction:

Revisiting the classics - so we can read for free and learn the origin of "all for one, one for all."

Overview:

"When d’Artagnan goes to Paris to become a Musketeer, he embarks on a swashbuckling adventure with the legendary Porthos, Athos, and Aramis. If they wish to trump the nefarious Cardinal Richelieu, it’s got to be “all for one, one for all.”

 

Book Details:

Paperback: 399 pages
Publisher:
ISBN-10: 1505234727
ISBN13: 

Get Book: 

Amazon

Questions:

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Discussion:

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References:

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#/3 bears liked this book

03.2017 Last Train to Istanbul

Introduction:

Thanks Kindle.

Overview:

As the daughter of one of Turkey’s last Ottoman pashas, Selva could win the heart of any man in Ankara. Yet the spirited young beauty only has eyes for Rafael Alfandari, the handsome Jewish son of an esteemed court physician. In defiance of their families, they marry, fleeing to Paris to build a new life.

But when the Nazis invade France, the exiled lovers will learn that nothing—not war, not politics, not even religion—can break the bonds of family. For after they learn that Selva is but one of their fellow citizens trapped in France, a handful of brave Turkish diplomats hatch a plan to spirit the Alfandaris and hundreds of innocents, many of whom are Jewish, to safety. Together, they must traverse a war-torn continent, crossing enemy lines and risking everything in a desperate bid for freedom. From Ankara to Paris, Cairo, and Berlin, Last Train to Istanbul is an uplifting tale of love and adventure from Turkey’s beloved bestselling novelist Ayşe Kulin.

Book Details:

Paperback: 397 pages
Publisher: AmazonCrossing; Reprint edition (October 8, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1477807616
ISBN13: 978-1477807613

Get Book: 

Amazon

Questions:

• did you relate to any of the characters or family dynamics?
• have you or your family ever been in a unsafe situation? how did you cope? did any family dynamics change because of the situation?
• who has responsibility in war- the country housing people or country of citizenship?
  do you think it was wise for Selva and Rafo to move to France?
• is it better to be transparent about family turmoil and/or a war situation with children or wait until they are an older age?
• the children in the story were vivid characters in this book and lived really abnormal lives compared to modern day US. How do you think this has shaped the character of the kids?
• although macit clearly loved his family and was a thoughtful parent/spouse, he had work burdens that made it impossible for him to be present for his family. How might the world be different without these sacrifices from public servants? does love or loyalty to one's country trump family?
•  the perceptions of different generations of Turkish people were different, re: government, religion, etc. Which do you relate to and why?
•  did you find the writing style to be captivating? why or why not? 

Discussion:

• simple writing style
• happy ending, predictable
• learned about Turkish history, culture, and WWII from Turkish perspective
•  war and effects on family
• family history
• family dynamics

Moral:

#1/3 bears liked this book

Go Set A Watchman

Book Club #10.

About the Book:

Go Set a Watchman

 

 Summary: 

Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—"Scout"—returns home from New York City to Maycomb, Alabama to visit her aging father, Atticus. During a time of civil rights tension, new realizations found put her assumptions about her hometown and family members into doubt.

 

Characters:

• Jean Louise "Scout" Finch
• Atticus
• Jeremy ‘Jem’ Finch
• Aunt Alexandra
• Henry ‘Hank’ Clinton
• Joshua Singleton St. Clair
• Colonel Maycomb

Questions:

1. Where do you consider your hometown? When you go back how are things different or the same?

2. When have you not seen eye to eye with your parents? Was it resolved or did you agree to disagree?

3. When have you had to be a part of a group whose ideology you did not agree with? Did you learn anything from the experience?

4. Scout goes back to her hometown from New York. What did you think of Harper Lee's portrayal of her reaction and thoughts about being back? Have you been to a reunion after many years and had similar or different thoughts?

5. Scout has a bunch of flashbacks of very relatable growing up experiences, like finding out where babies come from and her big school dance. Did you like this sandwiching of past experiences in the current narrative?

6. The publishing of Harper Lee's second book was controversial. How do you think this second book affected her legacy? Did you enjoy it or find it interesting?

 

Conversation Summary:

Discussion topics:

• suspicions this may have been Harper Lee's first draft of TKAMB
• hometowns
• where would you want to live?
• differing ideologies
• flashback, narrative styles
• the book was written for the ending

3/3 bears finished book and 3/3 loved it

References:

1. RIP Harper Lee 1926-2016
http://www.nytimes.com/video/obituaries/100000004221331/harper-lee-1926-2016.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FLee%2C%20Harper&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=9&pgtype=collection

02.2016 Go Set A Watchman

Introduction:

Happy New Year!
To Kill A Mockingbird is an American classic and required reading for most high school freshman students. This month we read Harper Lee's most recent book, a sequel to the classic.

Overview:

"Maycomb, Alabama. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—"Scout"—returns home from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise's homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town, and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past—a journey that can only be guided by one's own conscience."

Book Details:

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harper; First Edition edition (July 14, 2015)
ISBN-10: 0062409859
ISBN-13: 978-0062409850

Get Book: 

Amazon
Overdrive