The Legend of Sheba by Tosca Lee

May 23, 2017 the Park Grove Library discussed The Legend of Sheba by Tosca Lee.  Thank you to another member for writing this discussion.

We had thirteen book club members in attendance, including a new member, and everyone liked The Legend of Sheba by Tusca Lee.  Some of our member's thoughts were that the writing transported one reader back to 900 BC, along with reminding multiple people of the The Red Tent by Anita Diamant.  Many others compared the account of Solomon and Sheba from the Bible books in First Kings and Song of  Solomon.  One member shared the account of these historical figures from the Quran.  Several readers said it took them 4-5 chapters to get into the story, while others were captivated from the very start.  One member brought a copy of a book, King Solomon's Table, that had recipes and some history.  Another brought a study Bible version of the account of  Sheba's journey to Solomon's court.

We discussed the geography in the travel of the book, liked the maps in the book itself and marveled at the long journey by camel with their entire entourage.  We also talked about the political aspects behind Sheba and Solomon's relationship, the fact that there wasn't even a port in Ethiopia at the time, and the strategy behind Soloman's many marriages.  One member was very amused by the accounts of Solomon juggling to appease his many wives due to their political affiliations  Members expressed a desire to read other books by this author and someone had read Iscariot.

One of the group leader's questions was about our perception of Sheba before and after reading the book.  Most readers thought that she was much more complex after reading and many were not expecting her to have had to fight her step-mom for her own crown.  We did discuss that these accounts are fictional as there is no real historical record regarding her path to the throne.  Our perceptions of Solomon afterwards were less changed, as people were expecting  him to be wise, but also, arrogant and even greedy.  We discussed that greed was Solomon's fatal flaw.  Others were surprised at how mercenary his many marriages were, and not romantic as he was when he wrote as a poet.

We asked in what ways could we identify with Sheba.  People answered that relationships are complicated and there is a question as to whether they are worth the risk.  Members related that she was essentially lonely, had no one to advise her as she was growing up, and no one she could really trust.  One member identified with her sense of freedom when she was "on the road" and had left her castle, traveling to Israel.  Another liked the humanity expressed when Sheba and Solomon snuck out into the city incognito.  One person also liked the scene where Sheba removed her shoes to walk through the pond to approach Solomon.  She thought that Solomon had set this up as a test for her.

We talked about our identity and who we are when names and titles are stripped away.  members talked about fresh starts that they have made in their lives and their spiritual retreats.  Several talked about joining book club as a positive step in developing their own identities, particularly in the wake of a divorce or relationship discord.

Quiet by Sandra Cain

Thank you to a fellow book club member who summarized the discussion for this post.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Won’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Of the 13 members in attendance, 10 really liked the book, 2 disliked it, and 1 was ambivalent. Members self-identified as follows: 7 Introverts, 5 Ambiverts, and 1 Extrovert.

A few folks found the book too academic to read pleasurably, others found it “interesting, inspiring, and gratifying.”

General consensus was that great benefit would stem from both ends of the spectrum (introverts and extroverts) being more aware of, more accepting of, and more skilled at recognizing and leveraging the advantages of those different from themselves. We acknowledged introversion/extroversion as another dimension of diversity.

We talked about role models for introverts and introvert/extrovert pairs (such as Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, and Eleanor Roosevelt and FDR).

Some of the most interesting discussion of the evening involved the use of social media, especially FaceBook, by introverts. Some introverts in the group wanted nothing to do with it, while others found it a wonderful lifeline in certain circumstances.

A few members called out the problems with extrovert-oriented workplace environments; open office plans are counterproductive (sometimes extremely so) for introverted employees.

Similarly, school settings that have open classroom arrangements and desk group arrangements also can be problematic for introverted students. Targeted assistance also may be needed from teachers to help introverted students succeed in group projects. One member pointed out that author Susan Cain has subsequently written another book dealing specifically with introverted children (Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverted Kids).

Introverts need time to prepare and clear expectations in order to feel ready for events.

There was a sense that aging smooths out the edges of introversion as introverts learn to live with and accept themselves as who they are.

For more information on this topic, one member recommended the book The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney, which focuses more on the why and how of introversion.

Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

It was a quieter book club night, 10 members attended but others were sharing their thoughts about the book via email!  If someone saw those few emails that were circulated before book club they would have a pretty good idea, so far, of what other members were going to say about this book.  One member wrote "Loved this book....another great read / learning experience of Alaskan frontier in 1920s. Beautifully written mystery in nature that will stay with me a long time..especially during snowfalls."  Those emails of "liked the book", "LOVED the book" were good indicators of how well received this book was!

When we start our book club, we share our name and if we liked the book or not.  I enjoy sharing this part with you as I enjoy each and every persons own opinion as to whether they liked it or not!  Here are a few of their comments:  "really enjoyed it; kept me wondering to the very end" and "I really enjoyed the book.  I traveled to Alaska for three summers and could imagine the outposts that they were at."  One member said she enjoyed her writing, but the scene felt dreary, adding that the Bensons brought a lot to the story.  Another said she enjoyed the mystery part of the story, seemed like she was real but then there were times when it was a figment of imagination.

One member said she really liked the connection to the Snow Child story, it was a fairy tale to the story.  She related to different things in the story.  Loved Esther and Mabel and what they had to go through to survive.  What would have happened if Jack was hurt?  Loved every page, she said.

To be nominated to the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is quite an honor and in 2013 Snow Child was one of three nominated in the fiction category.  In 2012 Good Reads nominated it in the category of Historical Fiction and was voted one of the top 20 and votes place  Snow Child in 4th place.  The question came up with the discussion, is it historical fiction, a folk tale or does it have some characteristics of fairy tale?

The person who selected this book for discussion said she really enjoyed the great depth and imagination that came with this book.   There were many themes of love through it, marital, parental, friendship and love of nature.  Someone else said:  "Loved when Esther came to visit, bringing her jars, you never leave empty handed, either.  That was so much of Esther's love."  We discussed the difference and change that came with the relationship with Mabel and Esther.  Esther in the overalls, the way she took over the turkey meal, killing the bird, bringing it in the house to clean, feathers flying all over.  Someone said, that many times, opposite attract!  Mabel was very careful, very clean and precise.

We talked about Mabel and Jack's move to the frontier, how they weren't connecting, her suicide attempt and then the change came, along with the snow and the Snow Child.  We talked about how they changed when the child came, later how Mabel changed when Jack got hurt.  She felt she had a purpose now, she loved to help with the garden, to feel the soil on her hands, the connection with nature, how she loved the otter.  One member shared that the description seemed pretty bleak at first and then there was the yellow flower, the colors that the  the Snow Child had.

We talked also about the mystical, the legend, the fairy tale, the folk tale or was it real?  The night they "made" the Snow Child, with it's distinct features that Jack helped to make, they had so much fun together.  Did they really make a child?  Faina showed Jack her father and grieved him.  Had said her mother died in a hospital.  Was that mystical?  Faina showed that she could bring snow around them and cold, she had powers.  Mabel was worried that she might melt, that there was something special and magical.

Although we liked the part of Garrett, we also acknowledged that Garrett's love of Faina also brought about her death.    We liked how the author brought in the swan feathers, a reminder of the first time Garrett saw Faina, added to the wedding dress.  It was also the first time Garrett saw the true Faina wilderness, her ability to be strong, killing it with her bare hands.  We talked about how Faina was like perma frost, can't get too warm, can't be cooped up, and needs her space.  She knows how to survive, going with the caribou high in the mountain in the summer to survive the different seasons.

We talked how Faina would bring things to Jack and Mabel, she loved them.  She brought Jack to the moose, a kill bigger than even Garrett, the big hunter had ever seen.  This way Jack wouldn't have to work in the mines and leave Mabel.  She loved them and they loved her.  What was Faina?  A real child?  A mystical being?  In the epilogue in the book, we are given a glimpse of Faina, a picture of her as a baby being held by her mother.  We have a clue that there was something human about her, too.  When she died, though, she left no body, her clothes and shoes were left behind, she was gone and was never found.  She did leave her child behind, loved by Mabel, Jack and Garrett.

Book Club Slection Titles

In August, 2016, many members of the Park Grove Library Book Club gathered and scheduled the reading material until we meet again, in August, 2018. This list is subject to change as we may read a book that the Washington County Library suggests, or we may read a book with an author who comes to visit with Book Club Special Edition.

Home Fires by Julie Summers

Home Fires by Julie Summers was a non-fiction book that was read by the book club this month.  Unfortunately, I was unable to go and have a summary from the meeting from a couple of members. This is part of one members summary of the meeting. Eight out of the Ten members that were at the meeting liked the book.  It was felt that the book was dry and harder to read but it brought information to us about war, specifically World War II and the efforts of the women in Great Britain.

Members shared their memories of what they heard from their grandparents or parents during that time and how they would have similar groups here.  One member brought a quilt cover that was made in 1934 by her Grandma's Happy Circle in western Minnesota.  Another member brought her own ration book from when she was little, showing how you had to have a stamp to have food.  It made us appreciate what we have now, someone said.  Here is a link to wikipedia about rationing in the US during WW II.

This book club leader found this pin on Ebay and purchased it for $5.  She shared she wanted something of the Women's Institute overall U.K. rather than a county or chapter pin.

Another member summarized the meeting with these thoughts.  We discussed how the Women's Institute evolved and how, even now, it continues.  WI now focuses on helping refugees, victims of abuse and sex trafficking, mental illness and single moms.  We talked about why similar rural Women's clubs in the US have NOT continued nor found a new puprose after WW II.  The great upheaval of life during the war in Great Britain was discussed.  The Post Office registered 38 million change of address during the war, mostly due to the evacuations.  Women collected many items during that time, including salvaging bones, collecting plants for medicinal use and collecting spools of thread that was used by soldiers to hide maps when they went behind enemy lines.  Local markets were started. Raising rabbits and getting permits to butcher livestock were a part of the change.

After the discussion, many members are excited to watch the series on PBS.

Here is some more information taken directly from the Women's Institute web page which you can find here.

"The first Women's Institute in the world started on February 19 1897 at Stoney Creek, Ontario Canada.  The first WI was formed in Britain in 1915, at the suggestion of Canadian woman Madge Watt. The pattern of the Canadian movement was followed and the name adopted."

"The Women's Institute (WI) was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.  Since then the organisation's aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK.  The WI celebrated its centenary in 2015 and currently has almost 220,000 members in approximately 6,300 WIs."

Lucky Us by Amy Bloom

Eight people attended the January book club for Lucky Us by Amy Bloom.  One person is quoted as saying she is "wishy/washy" on how she really liked it and wondered why the author picked the title as "Lucky Us."  She said she even wondered why the zebra was on the lion on the book cover.  She summarized it as Eva had managed their life together and, at the end, we are a family and lucky to have each other.  One member thought the title might be written sarcastically "lucky us," we got out of this.  Many commented that they didn't like it, didn't hate it, probably wouldn't recommend it.  One person read another of Amy Bloom books and liked it. Read reviews and thought she would be 'blown away' by this book and she wasn't.  She felt the "writer knew how to tell a story" but she didn't like the characters.  Another said, "I thought it was interesting, but took awhile to get into it, not a big fan of the lifestyle or some of the characters." 

It was good to see how Eva handled the situation.  Someone in the group said they thought Eva was a heroine, with everything she went through.  

We discussed the family life of Eva and Iris.  We were shocked by her mother, surprised by Dad and the other characters that made up the family.  We felt Eva was the stable one in the family, "she couldn't tell anything bad" and "made it believable and possible."  We talked about the sisters relationship. Iris was older, she wasn't a mother to Eva, though. "A sister's responsibility isn't the same as a mother" someone said.  "Eva was concerned with others, Iris was concerned with herself" another shared.   We did like the ending when all those who were close to Eva were together.

Still Life by Louise Penny, December 2016

Fourteen members attended this month's book club with some good eats to share, meeting somewhere other than Park Grove Library.  The group had a good discussion on Still Life.

We introduce ourselves and shared what we thought about the book.  I was only there for this first part of the discussion so will share what people thought.  Several members said they will be reading her other books or already have.  It was a great choice many agreed.

Most liked it or loved it.  It was a good mystery, and one person said, I usually don't care for mysteries, but found this fascinating.  Most liked Inspector Armand Gamache.  A few people mentioned they liked the humor in the book, the little tidbits of life.  There was good character development.  One person said they image of Jane's house.

Three Pines, near Montreal was the setting and many loved that scene, the placement for the book.  One person said she would love to visit it, although it is fictional.  Another member said she lived in that area and it is as described.

Another member touched about the conflict in that area with franco or english language, not realizing it is such a division.  Someone who had lived in the area shared that the French were considered the lower class, the English above.  

I liked in the book, the character Myrna, who had been a psychologist in Montreal before getting to Three Pines.  She had a book shop and I liked when she shared her thought about change. She was talking about a book titled "Loss, by Brother Albert.  This is from page 139 in the paperback:  "Most of us are great with change, as long as it was our idea.  But change imposed from the outside can send some people into a tailspin.  I think Brother Albert hit it on the head.  Life is loss.  But out of that, as the book stresses, comes freedom.  If we can accept that nothing is permanent, and change is inevitable, if we can adapt, then we're going to be happier people."  

I also liked that Ruth Zardo (fictitious character) was a poet quoted in the book, often  

"Who hurt you, once,

so far beyond repair

that you would greet each overtune

with curling lip?

When were these seeds of anger sown,

and on what ground 

that they should flourish so,

watered by tears of rage, or grief?

It was not always so."

Another poet was quoted, W. H. Auden, Herman Melville  This one was quoted in the book and helped to solve the mystery of who did kill Jane.  
Towards the end he sailed into an extraordinary mildness,
And anchored in his home and reached his wife
And rode within the harbour of her hand,

And went across each morning to an office
As though his occupation were another island.
Goodness existed: that was the new knowledge
His terror had to blow itself quite out

 Evil is unspectacular and always human,

and shares our bed and eats at our own table.