Judging a book by its’ cover

I love that The Book Thief has so many different version of cover art. I know they say don’t judge a book by it's’ cover, but let’s be honest that is how we sometimes select a book.

View Full Album

Which cover do you have? Which is your favorite?

Personally, I love the one with the Grim Reaper in the snowy woods with the drops of read blood. I think it is incredibly haunting. My copy is the version with the dominoes, which I think is not as artistic or edgy.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - Nov. 5 Book Selection

I loved the movie version of The Kite Runner as much as I loved the book by Khaled Hosseini. Before experiencing The Kite Runner, Afghanistan was a complete mystery to me. Other than knowing women pretty much have no rights, there are massive poppy crops that are ultimately sold as heroin and the country seems to be at war continually, Afghanistan was a total mystery to me.

This, along with myriad great reviews from several sites like Amazon.com, I selected A Thousand Splendid Suns by Kaled Hosseini for our second book-club novel for the Nov. 5 meeting. I also have to mention a small component of this decision is the fact that the book is 400 pages long. I know I’ll personally struggle to read anything much longer than this in the weeks between meetings.

This book is about two Afghani women over the span of 30 years, from war with the Soviets and through the Taliban’s ousting.

A review by Amazon.com Top 500 Reviewer Cynthia K. Robinson reads:  “I read many books in a year. Some I read for entertainment and others to increase my knowledge. Then there is the rare book that does both of those things, plus touches your heart as well. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini does just that. Hosseini's The Kite Runner was a magnificent book, and I enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns even more.”

I’m excited to read this book and learn more about a country and culture that still seems so different and mysterious. Of course, I have a feeling there will be surprising similarities among the people in this book and the U.S., and I hope this book reveals them.

It is sort of stressful selecting a book for a book club, as Tom has pointed out. I hope the book lives up to my expectations and everyone enjoys it. If not, then I would like to take this opportunity now to blame Tom for my selection (because, ultimately, he started the book club). (Just kidding Tom.)

If only she could…

 

Looking for a book recommendation?

A co-worker, Mark Hansen turned me onto a great social media book site. It allows you to rate books and see what other people recommend. Check out www.goodreads.com.

You can sign up and be my friend. It looks like fellow book clubbers, Shannon and Anjanette already belong. When it is your turn to host, it may be a great way to help in picking out a book for everyone to read. If you do sign up, I am at www.goodreads.com/tomwhittaker.

Interview with Markus Zusak

I found this video by The Book Thief’s author, Markus Zusak fairly interesting. I personally like hearing why an author wrote a book in their own words. It sometimes can give you a different perspective on the book.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I imagine it is never an easy task to select a book for a book club. I personally did not know, as I have belonged to one book club in my life. It was when I was in my mid-twenties and lived in Burlington, VT. For this book club, the books were selected for us since it was held and sponsored by Border’s Bookstore. I guess looking back now, the selection may have been based upon what was not selling in the store and an opportunity got the manager of Borders to push some stock. I really never asked how the selection was made or by who, which looking back now seems very odd. But since I am the shy, quiet, accepting type, maybe not.

So here I am now with my first opportunity to select a book for book club and I will not lie, I feel some pressure.  I want to select a book that I feel others will appreciate, find value and not wonder what the hell I was thinking when I picked that book.  However, I also want to select something I have not read myself and is not your standard book club read (or recommended by Oprah). Since this selection was for a new book club, The Standley Lake Book Club, which I helped to form, I want to start off on a good, but unique note.

I did what I do when I want recommendations, I turned to friends and co-workers.  In this case, I asked my two co-workers, Lana Kellams and Terri Hill. I have worked with both these ladies for many years and I know them fairly well, so their opinion means something to me (but please do not tell them that as it will go right to their heads). I also knew they both belonged to the same book club until it disbanded recently (I tell people an inter-book club romance broke up the group, but actually someone moved and it just seemed like a good time to call it quits). Anyhow, both said that of all the books they read, the book with the greatest impact and that they liked the best was Markus Zusak’s 2006 book, The Book Thief. Both even said they had recommended it several people and Lana even bought a copy for her sister, Lisa.

However, here is the unique part about the book - it is technically classified under young adult. Okay, would everyone think I was a complete freak for selecting a kid’s book for our first selection? Probably, but who cares. Here is how I see it:

1. Neither Lana or Terri would recommend a horrible book (well unless they were getting even for all the work I assign them)
2. A kid’s book may be perfect for the first selection as it may be a good way to ease into the thicker books.
3. The book has one a ton of awards.
4. I doubt anyone in this new book club has read this book.
5. I like to be different.

So what is The Book Thief about? Death and Germany during the Holocaust, which does not really sound like a topic you would expect for young adults, huh?

Here are a few of the reviews I found on Amazon.com regarding the book, which I think give a nice synopsis, without revealing the plot and explains why so many people are surprised the book is classified in young adult.

B.L. Medford wrote:

“Very rarely a book comes out that steals my breath away. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak is a revelation. Narrated by Death, this story follows Leisel as she steals books in Nazi Germany while she and her best friend Rudy discover the power of words, language and friendship. Zusak's writing is mesmerizing; it's sarcastic, emotional, sophisticated and wondrous.

If you only read one book this year, read this one. Share it with your friends and family. I don't expect to read anything better this year, or next year either. “

Lesley West wrote:

“This is a story told by Death. An interesting point of view perhaps, but as it is set in Germany during World War II, perhaps it is entirely appropriate. It is also a story of a young girl, who in spite of having a life that no one would wish on anyone, still manages to have glimpses of pleasure through many small things, including the few books that she manages to acquire (or shall we say, steal).

It is interesting to see that it appears to be targeted to young adult readers - please don't be put off by this - it is very much an adult story about children who are doing their best to live a normal life in times of unspeakable horror. It would also be a good way to introduce more mature readers to the history of the times. But be warned, it is quite confrontational at times, and considering who the narrator is, very sad.

To add extra punch to the story, it appears that it is the true story of the author's grandmother. When you consider this, you realize how truly resilient we humans are, and how occasionally, and with a bit of luck, we can hold off death for a time.”

N. Gargona wrote:

"...I will tell you that this is an astounding book, a beautiful book, and a book that I know I will read again and again.

I read a lot, two to three books a week, my family makes fun that I "love" so many that I read...but in the past few years there have only been a handful of books that when I finish reading the book I sit and try to think of who I can send a copy to, who can I share this wonderful experience with. A book that when I finish, I want to go back to the beginning and start over.

I am a little sorry it is listed as a young adult book, I feel that if the bookstores put it in the young adult section, so many people will be missing out on a wonderful experience. Yet it is important that younger readers, high school readers, read this book too. When I was growing up, I remember reading Diary of Anne Frank, and the feelings I had when I read it...and understanding the importance of everyone reading that book. Well, this book is that important, this book is a must read.

I am going to go back and read this author's other book, I don't know how it can measure up to this one, but if it is half as good, I am in for a treat."

So there you have it, the first selection of the Standley Lake Book Club is The Book Thief. We will be meeting in mid-September to discuss the book at my house and if people end up hating it, I guess I can always pin it on Lana and Terri, right?

So why a book club?

I love to read. I always have and honestly, I always hope I do. I love books. I enjoy the escape they offer. For me, the feeling you get from a good book is almost indescribable. The high I feel from not being able to put down a book until I discover the ending is one of the best feelings in the world.

I know it sounds geeky, but who cares. I am a geek. Growing up, I was not the most popular kid. I did well in school, so that automatically put me in the geek category I guess. Now, don’t say poor Tom as it is not like I had no friends. I had friends. I played and hung out with other kids. I just was not the center of attention or the most popular. Often, I found comfort in books when I did not have a group of friends to turn to. We moved often when I was a kid, so sometimes books were just easier than making new friends. I think looking back it was a good thing as it made me realize I loved to read. I did not come from a family of readers, by any means, so I think had I been more popular or into sports, I would have never discovered a passion for books.

So why not take this passion of books and try to find other people who like to read? Great idea, right? Well, book clubs are hardly a novel idea (pun intended). I even belonged to a book club in my mid-twenties, but I did not like it. I think the setting (in the back corner of a book store) and the group (middle-aged men and one middle aged lesbian obsessed with war books) really did little to make me feel connected. I felt passion for the books, but not listening to the other people talk about the books.



Over the years I just continued to read alone and with the exception of the occasional recommendation or blogging about a book I read, my reading was fairly private. It was usually something I did on the bus ride to or from work. However, I decided recently why not give this book club thing another try. I have a great community of friends and neighbors, who I adore, so why not see if they shared my passion for reading. To see who was interested, I sent some messages on Facebook. I had a few pre-requisites to who could join the club though. To be a part of the club, each member must:

1. Like to read.
   
2. Be willing to meet once every 5 to 6 weeks.
   
3. Be willing to host once a year.
   
4. Be someone I like.
   
5. Like me.
   
6. Live near me (within 3-5 miles).

I was happy to see that within a week I had about 8 people who were interested in joining. Since it was people who lived within a few miles of me (for the most part), I figured the name of the club should be something we all share besides a love for reading. I quickly decided on the Standley Lake Book Club, since our houses were all positioned near Standley Lake.



So every 6 weeks, we will meet to discuss the book we just read. The person who hosts the book club meeting will have the honor of selecting the book, but also the chore of hosting the event in their home, which will include some wine, some appetizers and maybe even the occasional dessert. Let’s be honest, what is book club without some wine and food, right?

I think it will also be a great opportunity for some new friendships to form and a chance every 6 weeks to kick back and have a good time. And if it does not work out, we will go with my plan B – fight club.
I know each member of the book club will have their own reasons for joining, whether it be the social aspect, the love for reading, the wine or just a chance to see everyone else's home, but I hope that most of all, everyone has a great time and sticks with it, as these clubs take time to get into a rhythm.

Happy reading!