Bookclub houskeeping

Thanks Sue for choosing this book, we all loved Lisa Genova's "Left Neglected" so much. 

It would be a good idea to start reading this long weekend so we don't run out of time at the end. 

Next meeting April 17.

I've changed the order slightly as Jenny can't do her turn soon. If it doesn't suit let me know.

2013

Sue Gi      January 23      Still Missing

Lynn          February 20   The Street Sweeper

Cathy        March 20        All That I Am

Sue Ge     April 17

Kate F       May 15

Bronwyn   June 12

Wendy      July 10

Therese    August 7

Kate G      September 4

Genny      October 2

Jenny       October 30

Fiona        November 27

Pauline    December          

I was looking at the book list and thought it would be nice to start a discussion on some of our favourite and not so favourite books that we have read over the past 13 and a bit years.

I'll start with our very first book, and I know not everyone read it, but its been a popular book, and a film, so you can start by writing what you remember about it and the beginnings of the book club. It also takes you back to what your life was like all those years ago.

I can remember reading this book and being captivated by its story. It had been a while since I had read a novel and to have the opportunity to join a bookclub excited me. This book was hard to put down and I remember feeling guilty about dedicating time to reading it. There was an overwhelming drive to the story. Even now, I can picture the gloomy house as my mind drew a picture of the vivid description of the house. I can even remember a part of the story where someone is running down stairs to a lake and the fear and anticipation of what would unfold. 

I can remember the gathering at Fiona's house, a rare opportunity to have time away from family commitments. I can remember thinking at the time that this was the beginning of something good and planning what I would have to do to my house to accommodate a bookclub gathering!!!

At the end of 1999, Geraldine still hadn't started school ! She's in her last year now ! Bernadette was finishing year 3, Frances was about to go to high school,  and Angela was in year 8. !!!

Funny how in your head you feel the same, but when you have children you notice how everyone is changing around you.

So either add your comments to this item or email something longer and I will post it for all to read.

All That I Am

 Cathy's house this month 18th March 2013

Apologies from Fiona, Wendy, Sue G, Sue Gil, Pauline, Jenny

All That I Am by Anna Funder

We had a lively discussion last night on Anna Funder's latest novel, "All That I Am", looking at the largely unknown history of the social democrats in Germany before the second world war. I was relived to discover that I wasn't alone in feeling that the book's beginning was confusing, and that the characters "voice" in different time zone was an unnecessary commencement to the story. Kate F  agreed on a confusing beginning, causing her to start again to place time and people with the events.
A good deal needed to be read before a enthralling story took off. At this point all agreed on an interesting story full of brave ideologically strong characters which developed into a rich story, depicting history in a time, little of us had read about before.
The character of Ruth was someone Lynn felt the story could have followed to a much later age than in the story. There was a real connection to the places in Sydney and especially around Bondi mentioned in the story. To have heard more about how her life was when she got out of Germany and arrived in Sydney, before she became the old women recollecting her pre war self.
There were parts in the story which I found incredibly gripping. When you suddenly realized that there was a connection to something Hans had done and what was now unraveling. You wanted to shout out to warn Ruth and Dora not to stay where they were but to keep on running. But this is exactly how it was for the refugees of this and any era where you don't know who to trust or where is safe. Reading about the boat load of refugees being turned away from a safe port, knowing they were returned to Europe to a dreadful fate. Makes you think about current refugees coming to Australia seeking safety from persecution. How history has many lessons for us all.
Dora was my favorite character. She was so brave and driven. She had such a believable original ideology, of the social democrat voice in Germany. It caused her to risk everything. To speak out and educate. As time went on her message changed to educate everyone in Germany and the world about what was happening as Hitler rose to power. She believed to her very end that when people listened and believed her they would change and the disaster that was coming could be stopped.

Bronwyn was able to read some great parts out to us that helped her reflect on moving sections of the story. Unfortunately I can't remember them.(Bronwyn could you please add them in the comments)

There were places in Germany and France that Kate S had just returned from which made the story's location relate to her. Therese had visited I parts in Germany which told of the sad story of the lives lost because of Hitler.
For those of us who finished the book it was a great read and I hope inspires others to keep on reading the story.

Having had a long discussion we moved outside to the deck. We were blessed with a mild night and were able to enjoyed a supper of brownies and fruit and yogurt and caught up on the events in our families. Therese's news that she had sold her house, left us with both happy and sad feelings. Glad for her that she was for filling her dream but sad she was moving away.
Lynn was pleased to tell us of Anthony's new career, and the dramas of the interviews.

Next book will be at Sue Gee house on April 17
‘Love Anthony’ by Lisa Genova