Monday, October 24, 2016
Tuesday, November 1 at 6:30 pm BOOK CLUB SPECIAL EDITION with Peter Geye
Join the Park Grove Library and the Book Club to welcome Peter Grey to our library. We are excited to listen to what insights he can give us into this Minnesota books!
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Wintering by Peter Geye Book Club of the Month Park Grove Library
We have started to shelter ourselves, bury ourselves in our home, look for our comfort foods, look for warmth, so it was appropriate that we were reading Wintering by Peter Geye. He will be a visiting author Tuesday, November 1 at Park Grove Library 6:30 pm. The 15 members that were at this book club meeting took to task in wondering why the book was titled Wintering? Some felt that it was the physical change in season, the winter, the snow, the cold, and another thought was that the book title also had to do with the characters in the book, the wintering is shutting down some feelings, some memories, putting something to rest. Someone mentioned that is the time before the glorious spring, a time to prepare. One member said: "So much was hidden in the interior that prepares for rebirth that was happening in their lives." The combination is physical, the winter, cold, hibernating time and yet with some relationship dynamics we do the same thing.
One member said she "liked it" and had read Safe from the Sea, another book by the author and both had similar themes: fathers/sons, secrets and bad marriages. Another said "I liked the switching back and forth, made sense to me; enjoyed how it all fit together" while another disagreed, and thought that made it confusing. "It was a fast read" someone said. Another shared that "his use of words painted a vivid visualization, I knew a lot from that."
Some had read the book "Lighthouse Road" which was the prequel to this story and knew a little bit more about the family history and dynamics. One person said they were left with questions and intrigued by the family, another said, too, they liked the intertwining of the family. I think a few of us will be going back to read Lighthouse Road.
Someone said the book "reminds us that sharing stories are healing" and "the stories are proof of love."
One of the questions was " At the opening of the novel, Berit Lovig says that "two stories began" the day that Gus came to see her in November. She says, "One of them was new and the other as old as this land itself." What does she mean by this? What is the story that is "as old as (the) land itself?" This was a perplexing question. We really didn't know for sure. Was it relationships with each other, was it having to do with the land itself? Did it have to do with Thea when she came to Gunflint?
Another good discussion question was "Why does Harry want his son, Gus, to go with him into the wilderness and why does he choose to embark on this journey as the winter season is approaching?" One thought it was hard to go it alone, need to two to journey on something like this; another thought was that Gus was involved with Charlie's daughter so he is involved already and needs to go along for his safety, and another thought was it was a time for the two to be together. They had been through a lot and maybe this time was for Harry and Gus. The reason they left was because of Charlie, they wanted to have a fair "fight" out in the wilderness without Charlie managing the people in Gunflight.
We had a great discussion on Gus figuring out how to get back home, adventuring on his own, and making new maps. We thought of how hard it was, once Harry was injured that Gus was able to make it back to Gunflint, almost losing their life at Devil's Maw. We thought the maps faded over time, like memories in this story. We talked about Berit waiting all those years, waiting for the right moment for Harry, how she didn't have children of her own, but she was connected to Harry's children.
One more analogy, we talked about the antlers. Why was that story in the book? What significance did it have? Someone stated that they though it represented Harry and Gus. They couldn't lock and fight or they wouldn't be able to fight the wolves (Charlie). But yet, that antler at the end saved them and helped open the door with the fire.
Some of us enjoyed the aspect that it was representative of Grand Marais and loved that Devil's Kettle was written into the story. Someone brought a map of the Boundary Waters and we enjoyed looking where this might have taken place, what route the author, Peter Geye may have gone with the story.
Over all, most said they liked the book, a few weren't able to read or finish it, but overall it was a well-liked book and members are looking forward to seeing the author in a week!
One member said she "liked it" and had read Safe from the Sea, another book by the author and both had similar themes: fathers/sons, secrets and bad marriages. Another said "I liked the switching back and forth, made sense to me; enjoyed how it all fit together" while another disagreed, and thought that made it confusing. "It was a fast read" someone said. Another shared that "his use of words painted a vivid visualization, I knew a lot from that."
Some had read the book "Lighthouse Road" which was the prequel to this story and knew a little bit more about the family history and dynamics. One person said they were left with questions and intrigued by the family, another said, too, they liked the intertwining of the family. I think a few of us will be going back to read Lighthouse Road.
Someone said the book "reminds us that sharing stories are healing" and "the stories are proof of love."
One of the questions was " At the opening of the novel, Berit Lovig says that "two stories began" the day that Gus came to see her in November. She says, "One of them was new and the other as old as this land itself." What does she mean by this? What is the story that is "as old as (the) land itself?" This was a perplexing question. We really didn't know for sure. Was it relationships with each other, was it having to do with the land itself? Did it have to do with Thea when she came to Gunflint?
Another good discussion question was "Why does Harry want his son, Gus, to go with him into the wilderness and why does he choose to embark on this journey as the winter season is approaching?" One thought it was hard to go it alone, need to two to journey on something like this; another thought was that Gus was involved with Charlie's daughter so he is involved already and needs to go along for his safety, and another thought was it was a time for the two to be together. They had been through a lot and maybe this time was for Harry and Gus. The reason they left was because of Charlie, they wanted to have a fair "fight" out in the wilderness without Charlie managing the people in Gunflight.
We had a great discussion on Gus figuring out how to get back home, adventuring on his own, and making new maps. We thought of how hard it was, once Harry was injured that Gus was able to make it back to Gunflint, almost losing their life at Devil's Maw. We thought the maps faded over time, like memories in this story. We talked about Berit waiting all those years, waiting for the right moment for Harry, how she didn't have children of her own, but she was connected to Harry's children.
One more analogy, we talked about the antlers. Why was that story in the book? What significance did it have? Someone stated that they though it represented Harry and Gus. They couldn't lock and fight or they wouldn't be able to fight the wolves (Charlie). But yet, that antler at the end saved them and helped open the door with the fire.
Some of us enjoyed the aspect that it was representative of Grand Marais and loved that Devil's Kettle was written into the story. Someone brought a map of the Boundary Waters and we enjoyed looking where this might have taken place, what route the author, Peter Geye may have gone with the story.
Over all, most said they liked the book, a few weren't able to read or finish it, but overall it was a well-liked book and members are looking forward to seeing the author in a week!
Monday, June 6, 2016
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Moggach
Please join us for this months book and discussion!
Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler
SHOTGUN LOVE SONGS is the first novel for Wisconsin writer Nickolas Butler and
our book club members all gave it high praise. Nine members met and discussed
this book with themes of small town life, home, friendship and redemption. Our
leader found insightful discussion questions through the Madison Public Library.
She guided us as we dived into a deeper understanding of this novel. The first
thing we did was read an interview of the author that our leader found. This
was the background for our discussion.
Many people liked the characters, thought the book reminded them of their own small town experience, thought it was a male version of "chick lit," because it dealt with male friendships and one person thought it was a little sad. One member thought the ending left the story hanging. What happened to Lee?
There are some interesting points that make this a good read. The chapters are each narrated by the different characters with an initial designating their names. This gives the readers a window into each one's point of view as well as their inner thoughts. Also, Lee is based on Justin Vernon, a Wisconsin musician who made it big in the music industry yet returned home to Eau Clare to live and help that community. Though Little Wing is a fictional town, readers know that the setting is just outside of Eau Clare.
During the discussion several points were made. We thought that Beth and Lee would never have become a successful couple. Beth and Hank are right for each other and are a successful couple. When Lee dropped the bomb about his past with Beth, a life long friendship was torn apart. Yet Lee ended up being punished more than the others. The redemption for this mistake was a humorous bar scene. Kip, Ronny and Lee all return home while still young men. The draw of life long friends and of being home are huge in this story. A comment was made that even though Lee was a huge musical success, he craved being with people who had history with him and cared for him all his life. Ronny was much the same. He came back wounded and his friends, especially Hank, protected him and helped him regain his life. One member commented that it seemed inconsistent with the characters for them to abandon Ronny during the snowstorm. Others blamed alcohol on a change of behavior. Kip also returned after being a successful commodities broker in Chicago, buying and transforming the old mill.
One of the members is familiar with the Iowa Writer's Workshop. We learned that Nickolas Butler spent two years there and that is the place he wrote this book. He was homesick for his family and town. Reflections of that emotion were evident in his work.
Many people liked the characters, thought the book reminded them of their own small town experience, thought it was a male version of "chick lit," because it dealt with male friendships and one person thought it was a little sad. One member thought the ending left the story hanging. What happened to Lee?
There are some interesting points that make this a good read. The chapters are each narrated by the different characters with an initial designating their names. This gives the readers a window into each one's point of view as well as their inner thoughts. Also, Lee is based on Justin Vernon, a Wisconsin musician who made it big in the music industry yet returned home to Eau Clare to live and help that community. Though Little Wing is a fictional town, readers know that the setting is just outside of Eau Clare.
During the discussion several points were made. We thought that Beth and Lee would never have become a successful couple. Beth and Hank are right for each other and are a successful couple. When Lee dropped the bomb about his past with Beth, a life long friendship was torn apart. Yet Lee ended up being punished more than the others. The redemption for this mistake was a humorous bar scene. Kip, Ronny and Lee all return home while still young men. The draw of life long friends and of being home are huge in this story. A comment was made that even though Lee was a huge musical success, he craved being with people who had history with him and cared for him all his life. Ronny was much the same. He came back wounded and his friends, especially Hank, protected him and helped him regain his life. One member commented that it seemed inconsistent with the characters for them to abandon Ronny during the snowstorm. Others blamed alcohol on a change of behavior. Kip also returned after being a successful commodities broker in Chicago, buying and transforming the old mill.
One of the members is familiar with the Iowa Writer's Workshop. We learned that Nickolas Butler spent two years there and that is the place he wrote this book. He was homesick for his family and town. Reflections of that emotion were evident in his work.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
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