All that I am / Anna Funder

The book for March is Miles Franklin award winner All that I am by author and model look alike, Anna Funder.
The story was inspired by her real life friend Ruth Blatt, a member of the Nazi resistance in the years leading up to World War 2.

See Stephanie Dowrick, a social commentator and interfaith minister's review

http://www.stephaniedowrick.com/blog/anna-funders-all-that-i-am/

February 2013- Wonder by RJ Palacio

WONDER

R. J. PALACIO

"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. " August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid--but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 "New York Times" bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie's point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. "Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of "Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy." In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel "a meditation on kindness" --indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out.
http://www.bookdepository.com/


Everyone enjoyed a light read after "Middlesex" but that does not mean that this book was without substance. It is a book packed with issues that are dealt with beauty and empathy. The characters are likeable and believable. The author cleverly uses the characters to unfold the story without judgement.

We all enjoyed the book and were keen to discuss the authors accuracy in describing our discomfort in reacting to encountering people with severe deformities. 

This is a likeable book about a difficult subject. School aged readers could easily access and enjoy.

Kathy 9
Annette 10
Cheryl 10
Deb 8
Kristy 9
Alison 7
Megan 7
Genevieve 9
Anna 10

Average rating: 8.7

Thanks to Cheryl for providing multiple copies of the book.

Wonder / R.J. Pelacio

The book for February is 'Wonder' a lovely book about Auggie, born with a facial abnormality that has caused him to have twenty seven operations before the age of ten. In short chapters, in his voice and that of his sister and friends, we hear the story of the year in his life where he attends a mainstream school for the first time.
Here are two links, one a review from the U.K. Guardian and a gorgeous minute and half clip from YouTube:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/jun/22/wonder-rj-palacio-review
http://rjpalacio.com

We've only got three weeks to read this so pass the books Cheryl has provided around when you are done.

Dec/Jan 2013- Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Middlesex gave us a lot to talk and think about. Most of us loved the depth of history from Greco-Turkish War to the rise of The Church of Islam and the Detroit riots, the narrative going back and forth but never losing its thread. As Cathy pointed out the ongoing story of the silkworm weaving throughout the story also kept it all together and moving at the same time. Annette found the historical context a bit much and was keener to find out how Calliope was coping with the changes to her body and life. Phil loved the way Eugenides successfully wrote in the first-person and then in the third and again didn’t lose track of where he was going. There were poignant moments like the teenager Calliope’s horror at seeing her identified as a ’monster’ in a library reference book.

And I’ve got to mention of Cheryl’s eureka moment when she realized the title of the book had something to do with Cal’s confused gender. Good work Cheryl!

So the scores are:

Alison 8

Anna 9.5

Annette 8

Cathy 8

Cheryl 9

Genevieve 10

Kristy 9

Megan 10

Phil 10

Average 9.05

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. December - January 2013

We were originally going to do this book in May 2012. I'm not sure why we didn't do it, I think maybe as it is a big read.

Middlesex tells the story of Cal, a hermaphrodite raised as a girl by her Greek-American parents. When Cal reaches puberty she begins to recognise a difference between herself and her classmates.

Here is link to the First Tuesday Bookclub page. It has a bit of interesting info including some very mixed reviews.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/s2615796.htm

November 2012- The Colour by Rose Tremain

The Colour is set in the New Zealand gold rush of the 1860’s.

Joseph and Harriet Blackstone, along with Joseph’s mother Lilian, emigrate from England in search of new beginnings and prosperity.

When Joseph finds gold in the creek he keeps it secret from his family and leaves his farm and sets off for the new gold-fields over the Southern Alps. In the meantime Harriet must survive in the island's hostile terrain. Other characters are similarly vulnerable and  cluster around the Blackstones. Arriving halfway through is a Chinese market gardener, Pao Yi, who sells his produce to the desperate, prospectors.

This book has fantastic reviews online however our feeling was that it was stinker. I had read this a few years ago on the strength of another book by this author, Music and silence, which I loved,  I didn't mention to anyone in the group what I thought of The Colour  in case it spoiled their judgement.

the scores were:

Alison         2

Annette      1

Anna           2

Cheryl         3

Deb             2

Genevieve  3

Kristy           2

Megan         2

Average:   2.12 

October 2012- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

The Song of Achilles is a debut novel for Madeline Miller and tells the story of a love affair between Achilles and Patroclus. Miller spent ten years writing the book at the same time working as a Latin and Greek teacher.

The feelings for this book varied, as did the scores. Too many oiled bodies for one person, may have been Alison! The book generated an interest in Greek mythology but the general consensus was that it was badly written and the style of text did not suit the topic, for example talking about meals in terms of breakfast and lunch.

The great thing about this book though was the visit to the Australian Museum organized by Megan in conjunction with Charles Sturt University alumni and the Alexander the Great, 2000 years of treasures exhibit from the State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia.

Check out the two photos, one of me, Megan and Genevieve, and one very dark photo of Deb, Phil and Megan.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.448293061902193.110716.152585021473000&type=3

Oh, and the ratings:

Alison     3

Annette  6

Cheryl    5

Deb        7

Megan   7

Average: 5.6