Saturday, July 14, 2012

The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty-Virtual Book Club

Our first book club pick is a book receiving a lot of positive reviews right now called 'The Chaperone' by Laura Moriarty.

Let's plan to finish this by August 18th and then pick a date for discussion.  


While you read, try thinking of some music you think would make a good soundtrack for this novel.  Post in comments as you read and I'll put together a soundtrack.  Who do you think they would cast for the main characters in a movie?

Penguin offers a readers guide that we can use to direct the discussion. For those of us who are local, it might be fun to plan an afternoon at Wyandotte Winery or a coffee shop to discuss.
The link to the reader's guide is below:

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/rguides/us/the_chaperone.html

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Happy Birthday Mr. Thoreau!




Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.
Today is the birthday of Henry David Thoreau, an 
American icon and man before his time.  When I moved
to Arizona I picked up a pocket-sized paperback copy of Walden.  It was perfect for my backpack and even fit in a fanny pack for those short few hour walks or hikes.  I felt quite enlightened traipsing into the desert, finding a comfy little spot by a waterfall or stream(yes, there are indeed waterfalls and streams in the desert) and reading my dog-eared copy of Walden. Thoreau made me want to buy a piece of land and 'get off the grid'. Heck, I even investigated building a straw bale house with some degree of seriousness.  I learned about construction and even signed up for a workshop(that I didn't go to).  Thoreau embodied a dream.  I don't know that I would read him the same way if I were to go dig out my copy of Walden, but at the time he was introduced to me he helped me dream 'off the grid'. 
Have you read Walden?  What were your thoughts? I remember less of the books content and more of the desire for adventure and introspection it stirred in me.......Happy Birthday Mr. Thoreau!

Visit this link for a free copy of Walden for your digital reader! Don't worry, it's public domain. Enjoy :)










What exactly is a 'digital nightstand'?  

In the past you could easily see what I was reading or was planning to read by taking a look at was was piling up on the nightstand(and often floor)beside my bed.  

These days my nightstand rarely holds any physical books, but is an arms-reach away from thousands of books residing within my iPad or kindle ready to whisk me away at a moments notice.

 With the wealth of e-readers and digital devices as well as a growing library of e-books(many free), more and more of us are growing our reading lists on our kindles, iPads, Nooks and other readers.  My e-reader truly has become my digital nightstand. A virtual library at my fingertips.

 I hope to explore different reading devices, content and reading websites as well as host a monthly 'virtual book club'.  I hope you'll join me on this journey.......adventures are always more fun with  friends!

“She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.”
― Louisa May AlcottWork: A Story of Experience