It has been a long time since I wrote a book review.  It is certainly not because I haven’t read any books.  I think it is a little like high school English class, getting the book read was never my problem, writing about it was another matter.  I have been reading quite a bit in the last few months, mainly books that our literature group will be reading in the coming year.

The proposed line up for the older literature group to which L16 belongs:

The Chosen by Chaim Potok
I read several of Potok’s books many years ago because after enjoying the first I was drawn to look for more.  I enjoyed The Chosen just as much the second time round. It centres around two Jewish teenage boys, both fine students, sons of fine Jewish scholars.   One wishes to be a rabbi even though his strength is mathematics.  The other wishes to be a psychologist but is expected to take his father’s place as rabbi one day.  Although the fathers could never be friends, the boys become strong friends.
Pygmalian by George Bernard Shaw
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
A great favourite of mine, which I will enjoy reading again from the copy which belonged to my grandfather.
Far from the Madding Crowd Thomas Hardy
Before Andrew and I had any children we went on a Thomas Hardy binge. We read one after another trading and comparing after each one.
Something by P.G. Wodehouse (We have yet to choose what we’ll read)
The Last of the Mohicans James Fenimore Cooper
Unwind Neil Shusterman
L15 and I read this dystopian novel last year. It is set in a crowded world where teens can be “unwound” if for some reason they don’t measure up. It is disturbing but watching the main characters fight the system each in their own way brings up many questions which will make our discussion interesting I’m sure.

The younger group which A14 has joined will read the list below:

The Witch of Blackbird Pond Elizabeth George Speares
The Other Side of the Island Allegra Goodman
Watership Down Richard Adams
The Prince and the Pauper Mark Twain
Who Has Seen the Wind W.O. Mitchell
A novel by a famous Canadian author which I must admit I had my doubts about until well over half way through the book.  I am not sure whether the group will enjoy it or not.  The book meanders through prairie life and the reader gets to see it through the eyes of a young boy.  Consequently the story rests where the boy’s thoughts rest and passes over other things.  This young boy does do some very deep thinking at times though.  I found it hard to get into initially as it didn’t seem to pursue any of the subplots for long; I would just get interested in a few characters and their stint would be over;  someone else would take centre stage.  Having said that, by the end I had been pulled into the ups and downs, lefts and rights of Brian O’Connal and enjoyed seeing him reach the close of his boyhood.
Treasure Island R.L. Stevenson