Comments for Book Group Buzz - Discussion of Book Clubs, Reading Lists, and Literary News - Booklist Online

Comment on Jane Gardam’s Old Filth by Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:36:54 +0000

Cate–Other authors you could try in the witty, funny, and clever vein are David Lodge, Muriel Spark, Barbara Pym, Molly Keane, and Elizabeth Jolley. Also John Mortimer, who is best known for his Rumpole series of mysteries, but has written several other novels as well.

Comment on How to Run a Short Story Reading Group by Holly Wolf

Holly Wolf — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:59:32 +0000

Any legal implications with distributing copies?

Comment on Adventures in Reading by Kaite Stover

Kaite Stover — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:22:04 +0000

But, seriously, I have shelves of stuff to read just like everyone else. I make a priority list every week of reading that must be done. This helps keep me on track with book groups. I reserve Sundays for reading whatever I want. The NYTimes, paperback escapist stuff, whatever’s on the Kindle, thrillers. No required reading on Sundays.

Comment on Adventures in Reading by Kaite Stover

Kaite Stover — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:20:17 +0000

Heh. Smoke and mirrors.

Comment on Jane Gardam’s Old Filth by Cate Watson

Cate Watson — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:02:13 +0000

Just read Jane Gardam’s Old Filth and then God on the Rocks. Now that I have discovered her, are there any other writers (don’t have to be female writers) as witty, funny, clever and who tell such good stories? I am a life-long (over 60 now) mystery fan, but the inevitable has finally happened: I am tired of murder mysteries - and have probably read most of them. I would like to read more books like Ms. Gardam’s. Incidentally, my mother was an “Empire Orphan” - so Old Filth even more interesting to me. Will be buying The Man in the Wooden Hat as soon as I can find a copy. No chance of my starting a book club or joining one,unless there is one in Leslieville in Toronto, Canada, in which case, please get in touch, but internet advice always welcome. Regards to all Gardam lovers! CW

Comment on From the Book Group Toolkit #51 by CarolK

CarolK — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:21:25 +0000

Bought this! Love the suggestions! Thanks for reviewing its virtues…

Comment on Bah, Humbug! by BethAnn

BethAnn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:26:01 +0000

Since Connie Willis has been mentioned, I would be remiss is not recommending her Doomsday Book, which takes place during Christmas, 2048. According to the Amazon review, “The book, which won Hugo and Nebula Awards, draws upon Willis’ understanding of the universalities of human nature to explore the ageless issues of evil, suffering and the indomitable will of the human spirit.” Oh, and it’s also about the Plague, capital P, and a flu outbreak.

Comment on Bah, Humbug! by congerjan

congerjan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:19:03 +0000

Christmas would not be the same if my daughter and I did not read “The Story of Holly and Ivy” by Rumer Godden.
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Holly-Ivy-Rumer-Godden/dp/0670062197/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258031880&sr=8-1

Comment on Bah, Humbug: Revisited by Christine O'Brien

Christine O'Brien — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:43:33 +0000

Try The Gift by Pete Hamill, or Empty Stockings by Denis Hamill. Both are good, not sappy, focus on an the Irish in Brooklyn, NY, one in 1952, and one in 1963, the Christmas after JFK’s assassination.

Comment on Bah, Humbug: Revisited by Christine O'Brien

Christine O'Brien — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:24:26 +0000

The Gift by Pete Hamill takes place at Christmastime in Brooklyn, NY in 1952. My book group read it last year and enjoyed it. It’s not needlessly sappy, and it is a good story.

Also, Pete’s brother Denis wrote Empty Stockings, a “Brooklyn Christmas Tale” that takes place in 1963, the Christmas after President Kennedy was shot. It is also a good story, and I’m considering it for my group (if I can get enought copies) next year!