Bibliotechies » Liz Book Group

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Piccoult

carascherzer — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:42:55 +0000

Thirteen-year-old Anna, conceived specifically to provide blood and bone marrow for her sister Kate who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia at the age of two, decides to sue her parents for control of her body when her mother wants her to donate a kidney to Kate.

Liz says:

“I selected this as our first book because everyone was raving about it. The group, for the most part, seemed to really enjoy it. I, however, did not. The premise is interesting enough but the characters are not well-drawn and the ending is contrived.”

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

carascherzer — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:39:00 +0000

The rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo as told through the history of the Buendia family.

Liz says:

“O.K., I have to admit it, I DID NOT like this book. However, I do appreciate the literary value and complexity of the story. Many people love this book and I’m thinking they must have read it in an English course with the benefit of having a professor to analyze and discuss the symbolism that abounds in this story. By the way only 2 of us were able to get through this and the other book group member felt the same way.”

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

carascherzer — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:30:56 +0000

Mary Boleyn comes to the court of King Henry VIII, where she falls for the dashing king, and begins to enjoy her growing role as unofficial queen, however, she soon realizes she is merely a pawn in her family’s ambitious plots as the king’s interest begins to turn towards her best friend and rival, her sister, Anne.

Liz says:

“The court of King Henry VIII is the perfect setting for scandal and intrigue, romance and lurid affairs. If you like a good soap opera, you’ll love this.”

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

carascherzer — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:27:12 +0000

Recreates the slaying of the Clutter family of Kansas, and the capture, trial, and execution of their murderers.

Liz says:

“This groundbreaking book could be called a documentary novel or a work of creative non-fiction. It absolutely raises the level of crime reportage to literary genius as it is written with gripping details, masterful pacing and multi-dimensional characters. You will feel deep sorrow, fear and anger.”

Molokai by Diane Alan Brennert

carascherzer — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:17:48 +0000

Rachel Kalama, forcibly removed from her idyllic Honolulu home in the 1890s when it is discovered she has leprosy, grows up in the isolated leper colony on the island of Moloka’i where she forms a family of friends, and meets the man who will one day become her husband.

Liz says:

“This is the only book I was not able to read with the group due to being uncomfortably pregnant with my 3rd child. I have to read it at some point because it is almost unanimously the favorite book of the group.”

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

carascherzer — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:14:26 +0000

Ninety-year-old Jacob Jankowski finds himself haunted by memories of his past in the circus and the freaks, exotic animals, and other people he encountered as a performer.

Liz says:

“Alternating between scenes from the circus set in the Depression Era and current day in Jacob’s nursing home, this book has elements of intrigue, history and delves into the topic of aging.”

Perfect also for young adults.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

carascherzer — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:11:36 +0000

Clare and Henry, deeply in love, try desperately to maintain normal lives even though he has been diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder, a condition in which his genetic clock periodically resets, pulling him through time to the past or future.

Liz says:

“If you can buy into the time travel premise you will be rewarded greatly by a story filled with love, hope and hopelessness. For those from or familiar with Chicago, you will appreciate the setting. This is one of my personal favorites!”

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

carascherzer — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:53:51 +0000

Tells the parallel stories of Daniel Burnham, the main architect of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and serial killer Henry H. Holmes, discussing the challenges Burnham faced in creating the hugely successful White City, and looking at how Holmes used the opportunities afforded by the fair to lure victims to their deaths.

Liz says:

“This is perhaps one of the best examples of narrative non-fiction I’ve ever read. Larson masterfully weaves fact (including many direct quotes) with dialogue and atmospheric descriptions which bring to life the city of Chicago and the fascinating characters which abound. While some people prefer the chapters that provide the architectural history of the fair, others prefer the descriptions of Holmes’ murderous ways. I actually loved both! (In this vein, I also recommend Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood and Caleb Carr’s The Alienist).”

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

carascherzer — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:47:04 +0000

Blends fact and fiction in a historical novel about the love affair between Mamah Borthwick Cheney and architect Frank Wright, who was commissioned by Mamah and her husband Edwin in 1903 to design a new home for them.

Liz says:

“This superbly written book ranks among one of my favorites. More than anything, this is the story of Mamah Borthwick. You will follow her as she begins her affair with Frank Lloyd Wright, leaves her husband and 2 children, travels to Europe, begins a career and returns to live at Taliesin, the famed home that Wright built for her in his native town in Wisconsin. Just as life seems to stabilize for her, an unexpected event occurs.

The group unanimously enjoyed this book and it provided for the best discussion we’ve ever had.”

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski

carascherzer — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:22:45 +0000

A tale reminiscent of “Hamlet” that also celebrates the alliance between humans and dogs follows speech-disabled Wisconsin youth Edgar, who bonds with three yearling canines and struggles to prove that his sinister uncle is responsible for his father’s death.

Liz says:

“The writing is superb and while the story is gripping in parts, it disappoints in the end. I feel badly to not recommend something that is clearly fine literature, but for the amount of time it takes to get through this tome, I’m just not sure the ends justify the means.”