Orange Beach Library Reading Group

The Wednesday group learned much about the French Foreign Legion at the last book group. We discussed Susan Travers’ book “Tomorrow to Be Brave” and decided that it was mostly a love story, that she was indeed a brave woman and that she endured some tough situations. She put up with dirt and discomfort, not really for the sake of kith and country, but more for the love of her life. Wednesday’s group has also chosen a very important selection for October. Local author Andy Andrews’ latest book, “Island of Saints” will be read and discussed. A reading group guide is available and I anticpate a good time at this event. We will also try to get Andy to the group to talk to us briefly. Although he is often accessible to us here at the library, it is touch and go. I hope all of you have the pleasure of speaking to him or hearing him speak. He is entertaining and absolutely and profoundly endearing. The library has a copy of the Seven Decisions Seminar recorded for PBS and I highly recommend it. You can read Andy’s biography! Wow! Now I’ve psyched myself out and can’t wait to read Andy’s current book. Should I have Tori over at Just Books try to get us some signed copies of the books? I’m truly looking forward to hearing how you all react to his words. We’ll work on his dropping in, even if it’s for a few minutes.

Reading the collage art blogs I subscribe to via Bloglines and came across this very profound editorial by an artist who’s work I very much admire and indeed have just purchases a small canvas work from her. She is talking about a Jonathan Franzen essay and another that I have not yet read, but will log in to AVL in just a moment to search for it and read it. The article is a good synopsis of why we read and I think what we are trying to enlarge upon in our book groups in the library. BOTH book groups use novels and the million little events that occur in them to “practice” humanity and learn to live in our chaotic world. Anyway, you’ll also enjoy the artwork on the blog I’ve linked to above.

I’d like to welcome the new book group members today. We enjoyed your presence and your insightful comments on today’s book talk. Tuesday’s “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel discussion was a great hit with the reading group. It surely spurred some deeply interesting questions and discussions. This small book about a tiger, a boy and a life boat was a big surprise. It evoked religious, scientific, literary, mathematical, philosophical and nautical comments! How did he do that. A few of us were talking after most people had left and we decided that it might be the perfect novel! I guess it will have to take the place of “The Great Gatsby” in my list of perfect novels. Hey, there’s one we could read in November.??? What ya’ll think? Anyway, I”m not getting good response on the idea of reading Carl Hiassen young adult books during November and December. We should rethink this. Tuesday’s October pick is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen and we have decided to read “Birds Without Wings” by Louis de Bernieres in November. We are still up in the air about whether or not to read Flush by Hiaasen in December. January’s pick for Tuesday will be “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” by Dave Eggers. I’m working on a way to post the PowerPoint presentation on the blog. It’s not a brilliant bit of work, I know, but I thought you’d all enjoy the pics and the info about the various religions.