Proactive Reading

Me again!

So our new book is an interesting pick for our little book club. A book titled Mommies Who Drink and we are 1 for 8 on the Mommy Front so far. I've perused the book and have to say I give it two thumbs up because it's something you can appreciate and ponder no matter what your "Mommy Status", and surely always a hot topic for our 30-something generation of educated, career-minded, and independent women.

I thought I'd start posting some questions for thought here to consider while we are reading, and not just after. Some are my own, and some are straight off the authour's website on the side bar if you wanted to look yourself....though I've edited them here so they are free of spoilers and just less wordy.

1. When Brett does find a group of moms with whom she identifies, they are the moms at Happy Hour. Do you think that these three, along with Brett, accurately represent the many different faces of motherhood? How diverse are the backgrounds of the moms you know? Do these three seem “ordinary” to you?

2. During one conversation at the bar, Brett says, “I find myself on that peculiar planet women meet on, where being together in that moment is enough.” What does she mean by that? Do the conversations at the bar seem realistic to you? What do you think about the fact that they rarely talk about their children? Are there subjects you wish they talked about more? What similarities does our Finer Things Book Club have with Brett's Friday Mommies Who Drink Club?

3. What do you think of Brett’s relationship with her husband Pat? Do you find him a sympathetic character? What do you think of the fact that Brett seems to need the company of other women even though she seems quite close to her husband?

4. One of the more provocative aspects of the book is Brett’s admission that she did a number of recreational drugs in her youth. Do you think that her past is similar to that of other women her age? Why do you think Brett found it necessary to dwell on her past as a particularly carefree one? How much is your past (or current life) like Brett's - oh yes...we have to discuss this one!!!!

5. A Question for Jasmine - Near the end of the book Katherine mentions the old parenting joke, “There are two kinds of people in the world: those who have children and those who don’t. And those who don’t, don’t know that there are two kinds of people in the world.” What is the meaning of the joke? Do you think it’s true?

6. Brett discusses her shortcomings quite freely in the book. Do you think this makes her more or less sympathetic? Do you think that women should share their fears and insecurities so freely with each other?

7. Do you find her ability to find laughter in the midst of pain attractive or alienating? Do you think that finding the humor in tragedy shows us a person who has dealt with that pain, or one who is denying it?

8. Notice that most of the book takes place in Brett’s head. Very little actually happens. Do you like the feeling of being “inside” her thoughts? Do you think that the fact that so much happens in Brett’s imagination gives her the ability to say things she could never say in real life? What are some examples of this?

9. Brett is in her 40's as she is trying to conceive. How much growing up were you influenced to beleive that having children is something that you did in your 20's? How much do you think parenting style is differs from a 20 year old, 30 year old, or 40 year old? How do you think our children's generation will be affected by having older parents?

Happy Chocolate Egg Holiday!

Greetings!
Who else feels a "Spring" in their step? SPRING BEGINS TODAY! I can not tell you how this gives me a lift. My favourite of all seasons! The temperature is perfect, the days get longer, and the winter starts to get washed away. Love.

Unfortunatley, the movie version of our most beloved book club selection has now left theatres. Tear. I think I'll circulate an e-mail on the topic to generate some thoughts and opinions. Our next books were processed today at the postal facility in Richmond, BC. They should arrive at mi casa on or before the 26th. Should we try for another Thursday or Friday gathering next week? Thoughts? My DH is being less than accomodating on choosing a date I can host so I would like to propose another outing for book club this month, and I'll treat a round of drinks. That is, unless anyone else has the ability to host, in which case that is great too.

Enjoy your long weekend ladies. Eat Chocolate.

Quick Update...

Hi again!
Just wanted to say that our book order is IN for Mommies Who Drink and I think we are all going to love this one, and need it after the mind bending writing of Gabriel García Márquez! Thanks to Shannon for the challenge! If you are thinking "What is going on in this @$#%#% book?!?!" as I have heard or still think that upon finishing, it might be worth a glace through the Discussion questions on the Reading Group Guide website on the side bar. The more I think about what I read...the more it is coming together for me.
C

Book Review...

Hello Fab Ladies!

How has your reading been going? I'll save most comment for the meeting, but Candace, I so agree with your comments. It's a fine line between love and stalking! LOL. Love in the Time of Cholera I think I actually read twice because I read each paragraph over and over. After 100 pages I started to do better with this style of writing, and with only 100 pages to go I started to enjoy the book. Upon finishing I spent a day contemplating if I wanted to read it again to get more out of it, but then I passed a buy/sell book store on Phi Phi Island, and alas, my copy of Love in the Time of Cholera was left behind in Thailand. I traded for Sense and Sensibility, for I've always wanted to read Jane Austen's novels. Only now I've encountered the 1812 style of writing, and oh, how excited I am for our next book. I need some Chick Lit!!!

So fill me in...are you finished or stuck somewhere in the middle?