Christmas Break Book

It brings a tear to my eye as I think that two years have passed so quickly!!  However,  I have to say, we are still going strong.  A big thanks to Ang, who put together a wonderful spread this past weekend, and not only had a Mimosa bar but a Bloody Mary bar as well.  Amazing!  For our next book, we are going to switch up genres a bit and go the action/adventure/crime solving route.  The Main by Trevian, is a "gripping tale of death and danger, of action and mystery" which includes thieves, prostitutes, a teeming underworld, a cold blooded murder and an unusual and remarkable hero.... We figured it was a perfectly heartfelt book for this time of year :)  Burke offered to host the next gathering and we are still working out a couple of dates, so I will send out a couple options shortly.  However, I figured the book might make for a nice stocking stuffer if someone still had an opening on their Christmas list.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver

REMINDER!!

I just wanted to send out a quick reminder that we will getting together on Saturday, December 10 at 11:30am at Ang's house.  I'm super excited to test out this new meeting day because it will open up an entirely new world of possibilities:)  Please shoot me an email if you need directions or have any questions about what to bring.  The discussion questions are below, however, I got them from the publisher and am a little disappointed by what they had come up with.  I will try to come up with a couple doozies before the week is over and add them to the list.  But if anyone else wants to come up with a couple more to suppliment, I think it would be most beneficial. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In The Post-Birthday World, we get to see Irina lead two very different lives based on a choice she makes between two men.  Have you ever wondered what your life would be like had you chosen a different path?

2. In each universe that Irina inhabits, she is drawn to the man she let go.  Do we always want what we can't have?  Why are the choices that we didn't make so appealing in retrospect?

3. In the characters of Lawrence and Ramsey, Irina is offered the choice between two opposites: where Lawrence is predictable, Ramsey is wild; where Ramsey is extravagant, Lawrence is disciplined.  Do you think that by casting the men so differently Shriver is portraying general male stereotypes, is there some truth in these characters?  What are the pros and cons of each man as a partner?  Do women prefer one type to another at different times in their lives?  Why?

4. Is Irina the same person in her relationship with Lawrence as she is in her relationship with Ramsey?  Do you think that the person you're with determines the person you are, or would you be the same person no matter whom you're in a relationship?

5. Irina is happy and unhappy in both universes, with both men.  Who do you think Irina is happiest with?  If she had both men before her and could see her different lives with each, which man would she choose?  Which man would you choose to be with?

6. Irina is a self-sufficient and highly successful woman, yet throughout The Post-Birthday World she believes that her ultimate happiness will come from a man.  Does Irina's recognition that she needs a man in her life characterize her as a throwback to a pre-feminist era, or can she need a man in her life and still be self-actualized?

7. Children are completely absent from this story.  How does this affect the characters, their decisions and their relationships?

8. How much of a choice about the person we end up in a a relationship with has to do with fate and how much ahs to do with the decisions we make over the course of our lives?  And are the decisions you might make in your 20's different from the choices you'd make in your 30's, 40's, or 50's?

NEW QUESTIONS:

9. If you were Irina's mother, Raisa, how would you have handled the two scenarios she was presented in the book?  More specifically, how Irina introduced her to Ramsey Acton or Lawrence's outburst at lunch (pg 354-355)?

10. As Irina is talking with her mother (pg 317), she explains that "falling in love isn't something that you decide to do, any more than you decide on the weather.  It descends on you like a hurricane." She then proceeds to question her own actions and trys to reason whether "emotions were bombardments to which you were helplessly subjected or contrivances with which you were actively complicit.  Are they something you suffer or something you make?  You can control what you do but can you control what you feel?"  Which feelings/emotions, if any, do you believe were out of Irina's control?

Dec 10th Meeting Headcount

So, here is the course that your life will take when you make the decision to come to the BWB 2nd Birthday Extravaganza... 

You make your way to Ang's home and as you walk through the front door, you are greeted with the most lovely ambiance that consists of soothing music, fragrantly lit candles and sparkling clean floors.  You hear laughter wafting from the kitchen and as you make your way there, you notice a lovely display of appetizers, cupcakes, treats and then you spot an ADORABLE box containing the cutest little gifts that you've ever laid eyes on.  Do you take one?  You're tempted but  you say to yourself, "Oh.. not yet" but you tell yourself that you MUST remember to take one before you leave.  You venture into the kitchen and are welcomed with smiles and hugs that simply warms your heart... and your soul.  Not only do you pick the most exquisite bottle of $4.99 wine to sample but you enjoy several glasses more in order to fully embrace the warmth and  friendliness of the afternoon.  "Wow," you think to yourself, "this is the most fantastic way to spend a Saturday."  The day continues in the same fashion and you have the most dashing time.  As you prepare to reluctantly leave this amazing atmosphere, you remind yourself that you MUST pick up one of those ADORABLE gifts that Erin and Sarah so lovingly made.  You smile.  You head on home, filled with merriment and generosity, which is apparent to all around you.  You walk down the street, whistling a sweet little tune, and see a lowly bag lady on the corner.  You think to yourself, "I must share the wonderful day I've just had with this poor unfortunate soul."  You approach her and extend your hand, offering her a couple dollars and a smile.  She is grateful, you are humbled.  All of sudden, the women removes her tattered, stained jacket and reveals that she is NOT a lowly bag woman.  She is Oprah Winfrey.  And for your generosity, she wants to reward you with half her fortune.  You graciously accept....

So, here is the course that your life will take when you make the decision to NOT come to the BWB 2nd Birthday Extravaganza...

You sit, alone.  There is a cold chill in the air and a gentle breeze sends a shiver down your spine.  "That was odd," you think to yourself "where did that breeze come from?"  As you sit in your car, in gridlock traffic, you notice that the sky is changing from a lovely blue to a sickly gray.  What time is it?  You check the clock on the dashboard.  It's 11:30 a.m.  You let out an audible sigh as you realize that Book Club was just getting underway.  It takes you over an hour to go a mile and a half but you are relieved when you finally see the giant red letters ahead, signaling that you have reached your destination.  As you pull into the Costco parking lot you are greeted with rogue shopping carts, parents dragging their children by the arm and old Polish ladies.  You find a parking spot near the back and as you walk into the store, you hear a crow caw.  Was that three times or only twice?  You shake your head and continue on in.  As you show your ID card to the attendant you think to yourself, "I'm only here to pick up a package of toilet paper.  Quick in, quick out."  The 'ahem' from the attendant brings you back to reality and she not so kindly explains to you that your card has expired and that you need to head over to Customer Service in order to get this situation rectified.  As you stand in the wrap around line, behind a rather large woman who is holding a screaming baby, you think to yourself, "could my life get any worse?"  Two hours later, as you step out of the Costco you hear a giant clap of thunder and in a fraction of a second, rain is pouring down as if you are standing under a waterfall.  You make your way back to the car.  If only you didn't have to park on the other side of the lot?  Slowly, bit by bit, rain begins to make its way through the seams of your recent purchase and by the time you reach your vehicle, the entire bag is soaked through.  "Great" you think, "well isn't that just awesome?!"  You climb inside, where the air is dry and once again, you let out a sigh.  As you drive home, you are over come with this heavy feeling but you simply can't place what it is, exactly.  Regret?  Sadness? Loneliness?  You shake your head and continue to drive.  Then, as if out of nowhere, a single tear runs down your cheek.  You brush it away but you can't fight it.  More and more tears fall until it feels as if the rain on the outside has made its way in.  "No, no, no" you think to yourself.  "Stop it. What is this all about?"  It takes several moments before you ask yourself that one question that has been lingering in your mind all morning, "How would this have turned out if I didn't decide to skip Book Club this month?"

Hmmm I wonder...

I know this reminder is coming out a little early but we want to make sure that we have an accurate head count for our BWB Birthday Extravaganza!!  Erin and I are in the process of putting together something ADORABLE for everyone and don't want anyone to be left out.  So far, we have...

1. Aunt Joann

2. Aunt Sharon

3. Kath

4. Amelia

5. Ang

6. Sarah

7. Erin

8. Julie

9. Burke

I don't know about you but after reading that story, I know I would feel compelled to come:) So please let us know if you can make it!!

Date Picked

I know I normally send out an email with several options as far as the meeting are concerned, however, after trying to pull together some options with Ang (apparently she has the schedule of a rock star) we were only able to come up with one that really worked for her (and I thought would work for others).  So, in the spirit of embracing our 3rd year together, we are going to try something that has never before been attempted by BWB... 

We are going to meet on SATURDAY (yikes) December 10 at 11:30am.  We figured that this would allow you to have your Saturday night free (again, apparently Ang is a rock star and has plans), we can still drink wine (or mimosas... like crazy) and we don't have to worry about basketball (selfish? yes) or the Bears game (even though I love drinking on Sundays, it feels so tainted because of work the next day).  Please, please, please R.S.V.P. so we can decide if this is a good option or not. 

HAPPY READING!! 

Happy 2nd Birthday to BWB

A big thanks to Erin for being a truly steadfast member and for wanting, so very badly, to maintain the integrity of the book Room :)  Kidding!  It was a great meeting and it was so nice to see everyone together, once again, being literary :)  I have to say that I am pretty jazzed (oh yeah, jazzed) about our next gathering because that meeting will be the 2nd birthday (I'm pretty sure it should be "anniversary" but birthdays come with candles... and presents... and cake) that Boozing with Books has been the greatest book club to have ever existed... ever.  Ang has kindly offered to stick with tradition, so the next meeting will take place at her house with the date TBD (you would think I would be able to pin down some dates from my own mother but alas, I cannot).  Although I think we are definitely leaning towards later in the month of November.  I really hope everyone will be able to make it for this momentous occasion!!!  The next book on our list is The Post Birthday World by Lionel Shriver which talks about the idea of an alternate life or the road not taken... some pretty heavy themes that will lead to an amazing discussion!  Please stay tuned for picking dates, I'm hoping to get some potential dates out to you very soon!!

One Second After and Room

REMINDER!!!!

This is just your friendly reminder that we will be getting together on Friday for the discussion of a lifetime!! Two books, one night, a DOZEN bottles of wine... it might just be too intense for some to handle... but it is definitely long overdue :)  We will be getting together at Erin's luxurious condo at 7pm on Friday evening (shoot me an email if you need her address).  Please let us know if you are planning on attending!!  Erin wants to make sure she has enough seating and of course, enough wine!  We can't have anyone sitting on the floor sipping a soda.  That's just not right.  I have to say that when we first picked these books, I was a little nervous about how they would tie together.  However, I can honestly say that I am super excited to see what everyone has to say about these two, intense reads.  I can't wait to see you all there!!!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. First, we will start off with One Second After.  What were your thoughts about the forward that was presented by Newt Gingrich?  What kind of tone did that set as you started the book?
2. This story took place in a small mountain town in North Carolina.  Do you think there are other parts of the country that would survive this type of attack better?  Do you think there are other places that would have it worse off?  Why?
3. Do you find Forstchen's portrayal of a post attack environment credible?  Did he present any scenarios about America’s dependence on "modern convenience" that shocked you?
4. As a leader in Black Mountain, is there anything that you would you have done differently?
5. Has this novel made you think about what you would do in the event of a large scale attack, like the one in the book?  What can we do to protect our way of life from EMP attack?
6. What modern convenience do you think you have become dependent upon?  What would be the most difficult thing to live without?
   
   
   INTERMISSION
7. Moving onto Room, why do you think the entire book is told in Jack’s voice? What kind of effect did his narrative have on the story?
8.  What are some of the ways in which Jack’s development has been stunted by growing up in Room?  Which elements of Jack's developmental delays and/or his integration issues surprised you most?
9.  What would you do differently if you were Jack’s parent? Would you tell Jack about the outside world from the start?
10. Describe the dynamic between Old Nick and Ma. Why does the author choose not to tell us Old Nick’s story?  Did you find yourself wanting to know more about him?
11. What sort of problems do you think Ma will face now that she and Jack are out on their own?  Do you think that Jack will ever be able to fully "adapt" to his new world?
12. What were you most affected by in the novel?
    
    
    INTERMISSION
13. Was there a common theme that you found between these two books?
14. Were there any specific personality traits that you found to be shared between the characters in Room and the ones in One Second After?
15. If you had to choose, would you rather have to face the experiences of Jack or John?  
16. Which book did you like most?  Why?  

Date Picked

I know it is a little far off but the date for our next book club meeting with be on Friday, October 7.  I will send a reminder, with the discussion questions, as we get closer to the date.  So, for those of you still reading or waiting on books, you've got this!!