Blog: Mel's Muse - Related to Book Reviews
The Torn Veil by Gulshan Esther: ONLINE BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION SUMMARY
Posted: Friday, 6th August 2010
QUESTIONS
- What strikes me, immediately, about the author is the sincerity and commitment she shows to her Islamic faith. Are the rituals she conforms to so very different to our own when seen through the eyes of a non-believer?
- She makes no complaint about her disability but has complete faith that she will be healed. Can we honestly say that our faith is as strong?
- Gulshan Esther says that when she thought of God, no picture arose in her mind P28. Do we have a picture of God?
- Islam began in 622. Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac is
recorded in the Koran, and sacrifice and tithing are part of the
Islamic faith.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult: ONLINE BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
Posted: Sunday, 9th May 2010
This Online Book Club discussion is intended to be just what it says it is, as well as a resource for real-time Readers’ Groups. Whether you’ve read the book, or not, you may have very different views to those expressed here, or you may agree with them. Please leave your comments at the end so that we can all benefit from a broader perspective.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
Despite a degree of reluctance in some of us to be reading another Jodi Picoult book so soon (bit samey; all legal stuff) we agreed, when we met as a group last week, that we had found Plain Truth an enjoyable and compelling read.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group
Return Of The Prodigal Son - Rembrandt Painting Inspires Author Henri Nouwen: ONLINE BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION
Posted: Saturday, 6th March 2010
Without exception, members of my real-time Readers’ Group found this an AMAZING book, and couldn’t believe how much they got out of it. To read the Questions that inspired their Discussion, which follows, go to: UV READERS' GROUP & ONLINE BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS: The Return Of The Prodigal Son By Henri Nouwen
If you think this is purely a ‘religious’ book for people of faith from a bygone era, think again. The themes are relevant to the whole of humanity, for all time. Here we are, in the 21st Century, struggling with issues that would have taxed the wisdom of Solomon: abortion; euthanasia; greed; poverty; sexual orientation; child trafficking.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group
UV READERS' GROUP & ONLINE BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS: The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
Posted: Thursday, 4th March 2010
MEETING: 4th March, 2010
Without exception, members of my real-time Readers’ Group found this an AMAZING book, and couldn’t believe how much they got out of it.
You can find all the questions for this book here.
To read their Discussion on these Questions, go to:
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group; Personal Growth
UV Readers' Group & ONLINE BOOK CLUB: The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Discussion Summary
Posted: Friday, 29th January 2010
My UV Readers’ Group met last Thursday, 21st January, to discuss The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid and, as always, we had plenty to say! First and foremost that we had found the book an enjoyable and compelling read, with the sinister elements evident from the start and building to a climactic conclusion.
A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP
The narrative threw up some interesting and topical points and, because one of the aims of the group is to examine life applications for ourselves, we began by looking at the way in which a love/hate relationship might affect each one of us – just as it did the protagonist, Changez.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group; Current Affairs; Life, Faith & Other Stuff
The Reluctant Fundamentalist Discussion Questions - MEL'S ONLINE BOOK CLUB
Posted: Thursday, 21st January 2010
Hi! I’m really excited about this new Online Book Club, which is starting today, and hope that you will be, too. The beauty of being a member of a readers’ group is that it encourages you to read books you might not, otherwise, have picked up.
But reading can be a solitary pursuit. Half the pleasure of being a reader is having the opportunity to enthuse, criticize and discuss the books you’ve read. In his book, Aspects of the Novel, E.M.Forster declares that a novel is a story that takes place over a period of time.
Articles on related themes: Books, Reading & Words; Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group
Chocolat by Joanne Harris: UV Book Club Book Review, Questions & Discussion Summary
Posted: Wednesday, 2nd December 2009
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
26th November, 2009
BOOK: CHOCOLAT BY JOANNE HARRIS
Themes: Bigotry, self-righteousness, exclusivity, conformity, authoritarianism, deference and submission, self-denial, ageism and class-ism versus: generosity, open-heartedness, acceptance and inclusiveness across class and age.
OUTLINE OF CHOCOLAT
A single parent, Vianne, arrives in a small French village at the beginning of Lent with her young daughter, Anouk, and sets up a chocolate shop. Naturally, the local priest, Reynaud, is incensed: this is a temptation too far – for his parishioners. When a group of gypsies also arrives in the village and Vianne befriends them against the priest’s express wishes, the conflict increases, dramatically.
QUESTIONS
- Vianne uses one thing, chocolate, to change a community.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews
Can You Hear Me? by Brad Jersak - UV Book Group Questions & Summary
Posted: Saturday, 17th October 2009
The Book Club met on Thursday 15th October, as usual, in the Library at The Grand. As I was nursing a hacking cough and swollen glands I had to cry off, so the group was admirably led by Pippa, who had reviewed the book, Can You Hear Me? and also compiled the following questions, below which is her summary of the discussion.
Book Group Questions:
- “This book is written for disillusioned churchgoers
and “prodigals” who are searching for more reality than
western church culture generally offers.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews
Book Review: Can You Hear Me - By Brad Jersak
Posted: Monday, 7th September 2009
BOOK REVIEW: CAN YOU HEAR ME BY BRAD JERSAK - This will be the next study book for UV Book Group on 15th October, 2009
Reading this book, which was written just a few years ago, was a refreshing reminder that God speaks to ordinary people like you and me every day. It’s about listening prayer, which means consciously tuning in to God’s wavelength, to hear his voice above the many others which can drown it out.
God can use our prayers in amazing ways and he loves to answer them. We should not be surprised to hear God speaking to us through others, including children.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews
My Sister's Keeper - Readers' Group Summary
Posted: Sunday, 6th September 2009
MY SISTER'S KEEPER BY JODI PICOULT: SUMMARY OF THE READERS' GROUP DISCUSSION
One of the intriguing aspects of Jodi Picoult’s novel, My Sister’s Keeper is that the reader is invited to read the Prologue before starting the book, and then to re-read it on finishing. The purpose was to determine in whose Viewpoint the piece had been written. Without exception, those of the Readers’ Group who had done so found that their perceptions changed – just as the author suggested they might.
PLOT & MAIN CHARACTERS
So what, in essence, is the plot of the story and who is the central character? It might appear, on first reading, to be Anna’s story.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews
Readers' Group Questions - My Sister's Keeper - By Jodi Picoult 03/09/09
Posted: Thursday, 3rd September 2009
Readers’ Group Questions – My Sister’s Keeper By Jodi Picoult
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Summarise the plot: this is a story about two sisters . . . OR this is a story about two parents . . . OR . . .
- Who, in your opinion, is the central character in the book? e.g. Sara, the mother; Kate, the dying daughter; Anna, the designer baby sibling?
- What – in three or four words for each - do you think are
the themes of the book i.e.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews
Readers' Group Discussion Conclusions - Intelligent Church by Steve Chalke
Posted: Monday, 10th August 2009
I'm so sorry I'm late in getting the discussion report out. The group met on 9th July and was led by a friend, Anne, as I had to be in London for a meeting. Anne says: “We were a very small group last Thursday (but) in many ways (that) was good, and it was fruitful.” Here are the conclusions of the group, based on Anne’s notes.
LOOKING AT WHO GOD IS, AND WHAT MAKES A CHURCH A CHURCH
Words like Creator, All Powerful, and Triune were put forward to describe God, but the group decided that the title that best summed him up was: God is Love.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews
Creative Writing As A Means Of Illustrating Compulsive And Obsessive Behaviour
Posted: Wednesday, 15th April 2009
I hope you’re not going to lose patience with me, but I’m so impressed with Friedman’s Fables that, yet again, I’m going to apply one of them to a real-life situation, in what I call a ‘combi-blog’. Because it addresses not only a real life relationship problem but is also of relevance to writing fiction.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS FIXATED?
I was speaking with someone recently about the people we all encounter from time to time who seem to become fixated by some destructive notion or action and who, despite all our best efforts – yours and mine – appear to be incapable of changing that mindset.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Books, Reading & Words; Personal Growth
Issues Of Trust Between A Mother And Her Child
Posted: Wednesday, 11th March 2009
“Can it ever be right for a mother to expose her child
in the name of literature?” I asked on an online forum.
It was a question which has provoked an impassioned response. But
it was, itself, a response – my answer – to a recent
news story which has spread itself across the pages of broadsheet
and tabloid alike, and into the hearts and minds of the nation.
Because at its heart lies the most fundamental of human
relationships: the sanctity of love and trust between a mother and
her child.
Articles on related themes:
Book Reviews; Writing & Publishing A Book
UV Readers' Group - Soul Survivor by Philip Yancey
Posted: Monday, 10th November 2008
Following a number of apologies, nine of us met in The Library, including three men this time! Celia (who was unable to be with us on this occasion) had, at my request, compiled a list of questions pertaining to the book – partly because I was tied up with work / being unwell / parents; partly because I think it’s good to have different people doing it.
FOUNDATIONS OF CHRISTIAN FAITH
Once again we had a lively and enjoyable evening in the comfort of The Grand. We opened with general discussion on our impression of Philip Yancey’s Soul Survivor which charted the journey of his Christian faith.
Articles on related themes: Self Help; Book Reviews
Soul Survivor - UV Readers' Group Meeting
Posted: Saturday, 4th October 2008
UV READERS’ GROUP
will be meeting in THE LIBRARY atTHE GRAND HOTEL at
7pm on THURSDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2008
Please bring your book with you: Soul Survivor by Philip
Yancey
Refreshments will be available from the bar
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews
BOOK Reviews, Questions & Discussion Summaries For Book Clubs
Posted: Thursday, 1st January 1970
Revised: August, 2010 Updated: Regularly
One of the pleasures in recent years has been the proliferation of Book Clubs. Not only do readers have the delight of enjoying a good book - be it a novel, biography or inspirational - they now have the added joy of being able to share - and therefore multiply - their satisfaction with others.
Those 'others' may not be of like-mind! As the leader of a Readers' Group, it never ceases to amaze me how many different nuances of perspective and points of view can emerge from one group discussion.
Articles on related themes: Book Reviews; Book Club / Readers Group; Online Book Group
Mel's News, Views & Muse: February 2010 - Alienation & Rebellion
Posted: Thursday, 1st January 1970
This Newsletter is being sent to you because you have in some way participated in my website, or otherwise indicated that you would like to hear from me. If you wish to unsubscribe, please notify me immediately by e-mailing me at author@melmenzies.co.uk and your contact details will be removed.
No. 6 - February 2010
Dear Friend,
When I began this Newsletter six months ago I did so with no plan in mind; no idea how it might develop. Then I found, by chance, that each month a theme presented itself. Today, I find, quite unintentionally, that I have yet another topic.
Articles on related themes: Books, Reading & Words; Book Reviews
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