Next Book!

Our next book is Divergent by Veronica Roth, chosen by Carla.

She will set up our next meeting for sometime in August so stay tuned! You all will need to make arrangements to purchase or borrow a copy of the book.

HAPPY READING!

July Book Club Meeting

I would like to thank Melissa for such a fun and intriguing book club meeting today. It was great to be able to discuss the book with open minded women and play a fun game! The food was yummy and the tea cups/flowers are adorable!!!

July's Book Club Meeting

Date: Tuesday July 24th

Time:11:00 a.m.

Place: Rebecca's Gourmet Cafe and Bakery

(303 Metcalf Street, New Bern)

 

Take some time away from the kids and the sun and join us for lunch, a discussion about the book and laughs with friends. Please let me know by July 21st if you plan on attending.

 

Hope to see everyone there!

Melissa

(Edith, Lorina & Alice Liddell: This was first published in Carroll's biography by his nephew:

Collingwood, Stuart Dodgson (1898(1898))

July's Book Selection - Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

Hello Ladies,
I appreciate you all being willing to purchase this month's book, Alice I Have Been. I have already started reading it and I hope everyone enjoys it. Below are some reading group discussion questions:

Reader's Guide

1. What social forces motivate each of the characters to deny Dodgson's inappropriate attention to Alice?
2. Alice became famous through no fault of her own. Can you come up with a modern day version of Alice? How do their lives compare?
3. Alice refuses to read Alice in Wonderland until she is well into her eighties. Why do you think she avoids reading the story she inspired?
4. The relationships between Alice and her sisters Ina and Edith range from rivalry to a life-long bond. What effects do these have on Alice, and what are the consequences?
5. What part of the book speaks to you and your experiences in life?
6. How does Benjamin take both the reader and Alice from ignorance and denial to the self-realization of her complicity in the ruptured friendship with Rev. Dodgson? Is this believable?
7. While Alice's sister lies dying, Mama asks Alice "Why couldn't it be you? You've never brought me anything but pain, while she has brought me nothing but joy". What kind of effect do you think this has on Alice for the rest of her life? Did it affect the way Alice thought of her own children?
8. The photos Lewis Carroll (or the Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) took of Alice Liddell capture a look that can be described as wise beyond her years - what do you think is behind that look?
9. How much did the Victorian setting play a role in this book?
10. Before reading Benjamin's novel, had you already read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland? If so, does it make you want to read it again? Why or why not?
11. What do you think of an author writing a biographical novel using only notes and references and filling in the gaps with intelligent supposition?

I will send out invitations in July for the meeting once I set a date.
Happy Reading!!
Melissa

Ghost Walk Tour

In honor of reading Sunday's Child, written by a local author, Carrie set us up for a ghost walk tour of New Bern. I don't know about everyone else, but I loved it! I loved learning about all the legends and myths about New Bern and some of its buildings.  Like this one--can you see the woman in the window?! ;)

I think you can tell by our faces who the believers and non-believers were...

(Wendy: "Maybe if I stand way over here, then I can run away easier..."

Carla: "I know you're taking my picture..."

Amy: "Bless your heart. I'm just going to smile, even though I think you're crazy."

SharRee, Brittany, Melissa, and Lauren: "Interesting..."

Jamie: "Seriously guys, you're listening to this crap?")

We ended the tour at the Episcopal church, learning about the mass graves.  We weren't sure if our tour guide was Southern, English, or something in between...

And what would a night of ghosts be without a sighting?!  Check out this hunk Carrie and Melissa picked up:

I love you gorgeous girls!

Junes Book Club Meeting Invite

Come out and join us for our June Book Club Meeting. 

Please remember to bring your Book Club book, Sundays Child. 

July's Book Selection Head's Up!

Hello Ladies,
I have confirmed with Brittany that I have July's meeting. I would like to read "Alice, I Have Been" by Melanie Benjamin. This will be a book that we will need to purchase since the library does not have the kit. I found a copy of it at Books-a-Million in the clearance section. I am going to go back to Book-a-Million and ask for them to set aside copies for us to purchase. The cost of the book was no more than $5.00 on clearance. I am excited to read it as it looks like a fun twist on a famous character. I am truly looking forward to lazy summer days of reading!
Melissa