I have more posts of individual debate competitions but I have been promising the kids these pictures for awhile. All of these trophies have been won over the course of this season alone. It is our best season to date. These two have had a part in every trophy on the table. They are some amazing kids – and by the way they are juniors so here is to next year. Andy and Talya- look at all your hard work!
Away by Amy Bloom is the tale of a Jewish woman who immigrates to America after losing her entire family in a Russian pogrom. It is beautifully written but horrible to follow. The story takes lots of side trips that don’t seem to make much sense and the ending leaves you confused. It made for an excellent discussion but not a pleasant read. It is quite sexually graphic in what seems to be an arbitrary way. It seemed as if she were trying to write seven or eight different books all at the same time. We didn’t like it as a whole. We gave it one and a quarter stars. The best quote of the book discussion- “Well it wasn’t the worst book I have ever read.”
A year in Provence by Peter Mayle, we all really liked this book. It is a quick read. Most of us read it in one or two sittings. It is a less descriptive and French version of Under the Tuscan Sun. It has colorful characters and a pleasant rhythm to the story. It is funny and sweet. It is a nice pick me up on a cold winter day. We gave it four stars.
I am just realizing that I haven’t been posting our book club books. Here they come fast and furious!
This second novel by Lief Enger is again a wonderful little modern cow boy tale. He has a remarkable way of taking the classic old west tale – cow boys, horses, train robbers and the good guys trying to catch them and some how makes it fresh and modern. Our book club also read Peace Like A River his first novel. He came to Grand Rapids for our “One County One Book” program as the featured author and I had the pleasure of meeting him and having dinner with him. I really enjoyed this book. It is a charming tale and you get a sense it is a bit autobiographical as the main character is an author with writers block. Our book club really liked this giving it 4 1/2 stars
