What We Thought: Gemini by Carol Cassella

Afternoon Readers Book Club

January 2016

Gemini

Carol Cassella

Readers had diverse opinions about the main theme of Cassella’s book. Although the book has a strong emphasis about the ethics of medical treatment and end of life care, the choices of characters resulting in unforeseen as well as unfortunate consequences make this more than a medical mystery. It has a philosophical and spiritual component which surrounds the characters and leaves the reader with more questions than answers at the book’s conclusion. The author’s intention in writing Gemini was to spark thoughts and conversations about what constitutes a good death, a meaningful life, how do we approach love, art and work and our own definition of family so that we can have rich and fulfilling lives and we fully appreciate each of the finite days we are granted on this earth. (from a conversation with Carol Cassella     http://books.simonandSchuster.com/Gemini/CarolCassella/reading_group_guide).

Despite having read the same book some readers were certain that they knew that the outcome had been resolved. Others were not so sure and had opinions of their own.

Should the quality of life be more important than the quantity? Although there was a great deal of time devoted to this discussion along with reader’s personal stories, there was no definite answer, nor was one expected. The author devoted a lot of time describing the lives of main characters, local girl Raney, science journalist Eric, and Charlotte, the Emergency Room doctor. Readers initially thought this was a straight foreword romance and when they discovered that it was not, they wished for a happy ending. They got an ending but were not certain what to make of it. They like surprise endings, but not the kind of surprise they got.

Life is directed by genetics, natural law and environment. Which one influences the other is a mystery. It is a mystery how any of these characteristics can be manipulated to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Readers decided that the mystery of the chimera was too overwhelming to cope with and ended the discussion keeping thoughts to themselves.

Read Gemini to discover the significance of twins Castor and Pollux and the DNA of chimera in myth and reality.

“Once again, Carol Cassella has written a novel full of gorgeously rendered characters, fascinating detail, and tour de force plot twists. From its gripping first pages straight through to its stunning conclusion, Gemini is an unforgettable novel—a morality tale, a mystery, and a love story that will leave readers breathless.” Maria Semple, New York Times bestselling author of Where’d you go Bernadette?

Have you read Gemini?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What we thought: One plus one

Afternoon Readers Book Club

December 2015

One plus one

JoJo Moyes

Readers were attracted to the book by the blurb on the book jacket, “Suppose your life sucks. A lot.” That’s the core of this unlikely romance populated with quirky characters.

Readers said they liked the book for the most part but found the adults immature and the children interesting. Norman, the big dog was a hit with everyone. Jess, the mother was very nurturing and put her children needs ahead of her own. She was determined to be the good mother and this resonated with readers. Ed, a geeky tech millionaire runs into legal trouble but redeems himself under Jess’s influence.

One plus one is both hilarious and poignant. The story covers serious themes about perseverance and devotion and how things work out in the end, at least in this book. Readers routed for all of the characters except for Jess’s Ne'er–do–well ex-husband and the Fishers, her horrible neighbors. Readers spoke about how events in the book connected with their own lives. They discussed family issues relating to feelings and actions of the characters This led into discussions about husbands and life after children have grown up and moved out.

One plus one was a new book for readers, but some have read her other books and everyone said the they will read more of them; Me before you, After you, The girl you left behind and The last letter from your lover, all of which were received with wide critical acclaim.

Have you read One plus One?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What we thought: Weekends with Daisy

What We Thought: Weekends with Daisy by Sharron Kahn Luttrell

Afternoon Book Club

Weekends with Daisy

Sharron Kahn Luttrell

November  2015 

“The weekend program for prison-raised service dogs sounded perfect. Pick up a puppy on Friday; return it on Sunday. A new puppy each year, no strings attached. Except that the pup is a Golden Labrador called Daisy…and Daisy is not a no strings-attached dog.”  -- Sharron Luttrell

The Afternoon Book Club Members and drop in fans of Daisy came together to share feelings about the Halifax Reads book selection for 2015.

Everyone said they whole heartedly enjoyed the book, even those who were not dog people as well as those who don’t currently have dogs. Several readers recommended the book to friends and family going so far as to purchase copies and send them along. The author touched the hearts of everyone and elicited deep feelings about companion ship and the connection between humans and their dogs. Some told deeply personal stories about profound experiences they had witnessed with dogs and children, the elderly and people with disabilities. One reader asked if anyone in the group was as interested as she was to be a puppy raiser. No one else expressed an interest in training a service dog but they wished that they could do it.

The afternoon book discussion met after the Saturday author’s visit with her current dog, Samurai aka Sam. Readers who attended the visit were reassured to know that the dogs are not subject to working round the clock; they can play and when placed relax with their handlers. The bottom line is that they like to work and live to please their owners. Readers decided that this was just not a story about a woman and her dog but also about letting go and how a greater good will result from having the strength to recognize what needs to be done. Sharron Luttrell influenced readers with her story of how her dedication to Daisy changed her life and those around her. Everyone was glad that they took the opportunity to read Weekends with Daisy and were eager to talk about the book. The discussion went beyond the allotted time and no one noticed.

Have you read Weekends with Daisy? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.   

What we thought Sweet Potato Queens

What We Thought: The Sweet Potato Queen’s first big ass novel, stuff we didn’t actually do, but could have, and may yet by Jill Connor Browne with Karen Gillespie

Afternoon Readers Book Club October 2015

  

  “In trying times, such as the ones we currently find ourselves mired in the middle of, one wants a distraction from one’s troubles and I find it most helpful to plan and engage in a pleasant outing or two with close and like-minded friends. Or you could go gator huntin’. Jill Connor Browne, Fat is the new 30: The Sweet Potato Queens’ guide to coping with (the crappy parts of) life.

Jill Conner Browne, Boss Sweet Potato Queen (SPQ), has written five non-fiction bestsellers. Now she has moved to fiction. The Sweet Potato Queens’ first big ass novel is a humorous story about the lives of childhood friends who remain devoted to each other thorough out their adult lives weathering good and bad times. Jackson, Mississippi provides the back drop of southern flavor for the feisty group of women and one guy. Readers enjoyed the book and appreciated the attachment the characters had for each other. The bonds they formed were as strong as blood as they created their own family to help them deal with situations of class, career and romance locally and in the wider world.

 Members enjoyed reading the book and readily connected with the characters’ stories. They loved the descriptions of their individuality and quirks. Readers smiled when they talked about Jill, Patsy, Mary Bennett, Tammy and Gerald. They readily identified characteristics of their own in the behavior of all of them. The satisfaction of dealing with a long time bully, pulling together to rescue friends from romance lost or gone bad and encouraging development of self-esteem resonated with the book group.

Comfort food was liberally consumed throughout the book and miraculously the recipes were included after the last chapter. Everyone read them and some were inspired to create their own. Some of the recipes from Rest in Peace, a restaurant the Sweet Potato Queens would open serving only Southern funeral food; Promised land pasta salad, boys’r’ us beans, blessed bacon biscuits, maketh me to lie down in mac’n’ cheese, Beulah land boo-boo pie, Hershey bar pie, and delicious death dump cake are just a sample of the yummy treats highlighted.

“As Queens, we make no bones about it, we KNOW HOW TO EAT. We love to eat, and whenever we can get away with it, we eat the most fattening crap we can get our paws on. We are not too proud to eat stuff made with Cool Whip and cream of mushroom soup—if somebody’s mama made it and it’s really yummy. If it tastes good, we’ll eat it. We offer no excuses for our plebian selves.” Jill Connor Browne

Have you read The Sweet Potato Queens? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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