ANA Book Club?

[Kaybo]

sounds like Jan, Steve, and me for sure...Soundy, are you in?  Priscilla sounds kind of busy right now...

K   

[leapyrtwins]

I am currently reading The Shack, which I am pretty sure someone here recommended,

I attempted to read this book, but gave up in the middle of the second chapter and donated it to my local library.

Hope you like it better than I did, Sara.

Jan

[saralynn143]

Jan, I finished it but do not consider it a keeper nor would I recommend it.

Sara

[Kaybo]

I am so glad that y'all didn't give The Shack a thumbs up.  I MADE myself finish it but I DID NOT like it...you know how I feel about non-fiction, and even though I know it is not NON, that's what it felt like.  So many have just raved over it but I DID NOT like it!!

K   

[Jim Scott]

I'm going to take the liberty of chiming in here, even though I 'm not a member of the ANA Book Club (my tastes run to non-fiction, often historical or political).

I read 'The Shack' on the recommendation of my wife's friend - who wanted my opinion.  For background: we're Christians, active in our church (I'm a Deacon) and take spiritual matters seriously.  The lady who asked for my opinion is a high school English teacher and was considering using the book in her Advanced reading class.  I advised her not to (she didn't).

I found the book too pointedly 'religious' to use in a secular public school class as well as having some problems with the narrative and lastly, taking issue with some of the premises used in the story.  I won't bore anyone with all of my bible-based reservations but one of the biggest objections I had was that the author seems to ignore the existence of Satan in the lives of mankind, which the bible and specifically, Jesus Christ, did not ignore.  Aside from my 'religious' reservations, I felt the story was confusing in many respects (sort of like the storyline of the TV series 'Lost' - you're never sure 'who is who') and because of the overtly 'religious' theme of the book, I would not recommend it for teenagers.   

It was an easy read in many respects but I didn't feel edified or even entertained when I finished 'The Shack'.  Lacking either attribute, I cannot recommend the book.

I apologize if my commentary is presumptuous and I won't barge into this thread again.  I just thought I could add something about this specific book.  I hope I have.

Jim

[saralynn143]

Barge in any time, Jim. That's what this whole thread is about.

Sara

[CHD63]

Just checking back in here to see what you all have been reading .....  Interesting comments regarding "The Shack."  I read it a long time ago, when many were raving about it.  The only value in the book that I remember, IMHO, was it did make me think about my own spiritual insight/views.  My husband, Truman, did not like it at all.  So, there you go .....

Has anyone read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett?  I have not.  Maybe you have posted about it already and dismissed it ..... I apologize for not checking back through this thread.  My sister said it is a good read, but then she lived in Jackson, MI for a couple of years in the mid-60s.

I never did finish "People of the Book" last fall, when our lives sort of turned upside down for a couple of months with health issues.  I am ready to read again, but I will not promise to keep up with you, even though I will try with whatever is chosen.

Clarice

[leapyrtwins]

I've read The Help - it was recommended by a good friend of mine - and I really liked it.

Jan

[cindyj]

Yep, we need to get a book going again - I'm in, but don't have any recommendations.  I started The Help, but got sidetracked with something else and haven't gotten back to it yet.  I know it's a good "book club" read, but Jan's already read it, so how about something else...don't we have a list on this thread somewhere? 

Clarice, try to finish The People of the Book some day - it really is a good story.

Cindy

[saralynn143]

Oh, goodness, there is a wait list of 36 for The Help at the library.

[Wwoodian]

I've been doing a lot of reading.  I actually got a Nook for Christmas, and am enjoying it a lot!  "The Help" is excellent.  I enjoyed "Water for Elephants", and would also recommend "Hunger Games".  Sorry if they are ones that have already been discussed!

[Kaybo]

Jim~ I loved your thoughts (& were glad to read them) - jump in anytime!

I will read whatever - y'all pick.  Kendie has her tonsils out next week & I figure that there will be some down time where we just kind of lay around so I'd like to have something ready to read.  What about The Gift of Rain that Priscilla said they are reading - she doesn't ever steer us wrong!  Anybody know anything about it?

K   

[leapyrtwins]

I know absolutely nothing about The Gift of Rain, but I like the title.

I'll go with it if everyone else wants to.

Jim,  I agree with Kaybo.  I enjoyed your thoughts also.

Jan

[Kaybo]

We haven't read Hunger Games - Addi read that (her whole school is reading it) and LOVED it!!  We had to run out & get the 2nd...

K

[leapyrtwins]

Just ordered The Gift of Rain and the Hunger Games from Amazon.

Jan