Buronga Book Club

Next read

2010-02-20T16:14:00.001+11:00

Hi bookclubbers,
Well a terrific meeting was held on Thursday evening with lots of interesting discussion around the themes in our latest read ‘Never let me go’.

Our next read was selected during the evening and it will be............ Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

I’ve done a quick search on the book and think we are in for an interesting read! :
“Published in 1969, Slaughterhouse Five became one of the most popular and enduring novels of its time. Its indelible ironic tone, its trippy plotting and its bold, even hilarious use of science fiction make it an utterly unique reading experience.”

The library will be ordering copies of this book via inter library loan so please email me if you wish to reserve a copy and I will forward your request to library staff. If you wish to obtain a copy in talking book format please specify this.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 22nd April.
Cheers until then,
Deidre

Currect read

2010-01-11T10:21:00.001+11:00

Hi Bookclubbers:
Thanks to those who sent suggestions in for our next read, I placed all in a 'hat' and pulled out….. **** drum roll ****…….
Never let me go by Kauzo Ishiguro
Mildura library has two copies of this book, one on the shelf at Mildura, another large print version at Redcliffs library, - so if you're quick you might grab one of these, otherwise I'll be obtaining copies via interlibrary loan from across NSW, they will dribble in over the next couple of weeks.
Please let me know if you will reqire a copy and I will reserve one for you.
Our next meeting is set for Thursday February 18th at 6.pm.
Cheers for now
Deidre

Next read?

2010-01-07T14:20:00.002+11:00

Hi Troops
We need to select a book for our next meeting. I need some ideas please. If no-one can come up with any inspirational choice I'll just pull a title out of a hat.
We should have done this at our Christmas meeting but we were obviously too busy drinking wine...

Deidre

Christmas meeting

2009-11-06T15:11:00.001+11:00

Hi bookclubbers, We have a booking at The Rustic Olive (Feast Street) on December 10th for 6.30pm. This will be our Christmas break-up, please let me know if you will be attending by Monday the 7th December so I can confirm numbers with Craig at the restaurant.
For our last read of the year we are reading a selection from the 50 BOOKS YOU CANT PUT DOWN 2009 list http://www.booksalive.com.au/pdf/Guide_2009_lr.pdf
We will be discussing the good bad & ugly of these books at the meeting.
If you haven't already done so, please let me know what book you would like to read, and I will procure it for you.
I have had several enquiries recently from prospective new members, so 2010 looks to be a good year for bookclub.

Cheers for now,
Deidre

Both groups meeting on the 22nd October

2009-09-28T11:56:00.002+10:00

Both groups will be meeting next on the 22nd October at 6pm. We will be discussing 'The Memory Room (for those who read it) and 'The Chrysalids'.
We will also be discussing reuniting the groups and possibly changing to another meeting day if it suits us better.
If you can't make it to the meeting, I would really like your input on the books, the possibility of reunion and what day suits you best for meetings, so please comment here or send me an email. Cheers
Deidre

Merging the groups together again?

2009-09-07T15:52:00.002+10:00

Hi bookclubbers, as we have had dwindling numbers at meetings recently I am considering merging the two groups back together again. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
Deidre

The Chrysalids

2009-08-24T15:20:00.003+10:00

Well, B1 have decided to move outside their comfort zone and read a new genre. They have chosen a classic Ski Fi read in John Wyndham's The Chrysalids. This is only a short novel, approximately 2oo pages long, but still manages to possess the renowned 'readability' of Wyndam. I hope you all enjoy the read.
Deidre

People of the book

2009-07-27T12:27:00.001+10:00

Has anyone finished yet? Post your comments below if you have.

Geography

2009-07-01T16:17:00.003+10:00

B2 are currently reading Sophie Cunningham's 'Geography'. Preliminary comments are positive, especially by those who have experienced a similar kind of toxic relationship either personally or through friends. I'll be interested to know what the group as a whole think of this book. See you all on the 9th.
Deidre.

The boy in the striped pyjamas

2009-07-01T16:15:00.001+10:00

B1 unanimously enjoyed this book. A short but intense read, we'll be looking out for future works by this author.

The BBC expands

2009-05-08T16:35:00.005+10:00

Hi all

Our last book 'Perfume' led to an animated discussion with many new perspectives being raised. Sadly we are still in the dark about the author's central premise, so shed some light if you can!

The BBC has become such a success we want to share the happy experience with others who have expressed an interst in joining (surely it's not just the wine and nibbles calling!). as a result we have decided to trial two groups B1 and B2.

B1 is tackling 'The boy in the striped pyjamas' by John Boyne. Although a 'children's book', it will appeal to many adults, and I am sure provoke discussion about the authenticity of its portrayal of life in a concentration camp.
B2 will be reading 'Geography' by Sophie Cunningham in preparation for her visit to the Midura Writers' Festival in July. I am looking forward to reading this her first novel as i certainly enjoyed "Bird" the story of a singer-actress who became a Buddhist nun.

Happy reading!
PennyEdmanson

Perfume

2009-04-03T18:27:00.003+11:00

Hi bookclubbers, well I've finished Perfume. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure if I 'got it'. Can anyone tell me what it was really about? I was having a great time reading what I thought was a really different and interesting plot, but then I got to the 'messy' stuff at the end, and it kind of lost it's appeal. I'm sure there are deep metaphors to be found in the work, but I might have to think on it a bit harder to see them...

Deidre

Catch 22 proving difficult...

2009-01-21T19:42:00.003+11:00

Hi all ,
Well our latest book choice is proving to be a bit tricky for two reasons. The first is that we've had trouble sourcing the books and some members are concerned about the lack of time remaining to read the book before our next meeting. But NEVER FEAR, even if you've only read part of the book by the meeting your opinion is sought and valued. So come and have your say!

The second reason is that IT'S COMPLICATED! What a lot of characters and sub plots to absorb! I'm attempting the book for the second time and am DETERMINED to get through it this time, but it takes concentration. I feel like keeping a list of characters and story threads in a notebook to help, but that feels too much like homework, and reading should be fun....
So if you too are struggling with this one - rest assured you're not alone.
I have the book on MP3 if anyone would like to listen to it on their ipod.
See you all at our Feb meeting,
Deidre

End of Year Meeting

2008-12-10T15:56:00.000+11:00

Hi BBC members
We wound up the year with a terrific night at Enjoywine, with all those attending receiving a personalised award which no doubt has already taken pride of place in the trophy cabinet. Every one talked about the 'recommended read' they had selected at the previous meeting (see attached ratings' list) and we discussed selections for 2009. There are sooooooooo many great books out there! Our first book for 2009 will be Catch 22 by Joseph Heller so let me know asap if you want a copy reserved. We will meet at the Buronga Library on February 19th at 6pm. If you need something to read in the meantime do drop in to the library before we close on December 22nd; after all Santa may not bring you a book this year!
Cheers Penny

For Whom the Bell Tolls

2008-10-27T14:35:00.003+11:00

Hi BBC members
What an animated discussion we had at our last meeting,leaving us pondering such questions as whether For Whom the Bell Tolls IS a classic, is there such a thing as a boys' book and whether the fact that Hemingway's mother called him Ernestine until he was three was at the crux of it all!!
Our next and final meeting for the year is on Thursday December 4th. To wind up the year we have decided to meet at Enjoywine. We will start at 6pm for drinks and nibbles with the option to stay on for a meal. I will ask for confirmation of attendance closer to the time. As well as a change of venue, our book discussion will be a little different. We have generated quite a list of members' recommended reads during the year and a lot of them are available through the library. Members are invited to choose one that interests them to read and discuss on December 4th. A list of titles is available from the Buronga library. Some have already been snapped up, so head into the Buronga Library asap to browse the remainder. Please be aware that there is a three week loan period on these items.
At our December meeting we will also decide on dates for 2009 and propose some books to read. So be there or be square!!
Happy reading
Penny Edmanson

The Gathering

2008-09-03T13:09:00.001+10:00

In spite of the inclement weather we had another good turn out for our discussion of 'The Gathering' by Ann Enright. Having warmed up with some wine and nibbles, the discussion flowed freely and was particularly enlightening for those of us who had managed to miss the crucial facts about Ada's occupation!!. Our next meeting will be on October 23rd when we will discuss Ernest Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls". Let me know if you would like a copy reserved through the library.

2008-06-24T16:56:00.000+10:00

What an animated BBC meeting we had on June 12th. Although only a few members had finished 'Carpentaria' by Alexis Wright, they were united in their praise and spurred others to give it another go. Unfortunately Alexis is not participating at the Mildura Writers' Festival but it's a great line up of authors nevertheless. Check out the programme at www.mrimf.com.au or pick up a copy from the library. Sonya Hartnett is the winner of this year's Philip Hodgins Award and many of her books are available through our library system.
Several of us are taking advantage of the "Saturday at Latrobe Package" ($65 six events plus lunch) on July 19th so come along for all or part of the day. I will also be attending the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal Dinner on Friday 18th ($66 per head) at which Sonya Hartnett will be presented with her medal. Let me know soon if you would like to join me as tickets sell out fast for this event.
Our next BBC meeting is on August 21st and we will be discussing 'The Gathering' by Anne Enright. Once again copies will be available through the library so let me know if you want one reserved for you. If you prefer to purchase your own copy, Angus and Robertsons should have some in shortly with a 10% discount for BBC members.
Happy reading
Penny

'Carpentaria' comments invited

2008-04-23T15:23:00.000+10:00

After only 100 pages of Carpentaria, I am realising that it is not the book for a lazy reader. No skimming here!! Every paragraph is laden with images both dreamtime and contemporary. At this stage I am finding it a bit too slow moving but anticipate that the pace may increase once the author has set the scene. I am also finding the concept of the 'fringe dwellers' on the outskirts of a white settlement pertinent to the whole Dareton/Namatjira set up.
Penny E.

2008-04-18T10:03:00.001+10:00

Hi Book Lovers
We had a great discussion on "The Book Thief' last Thursday. Another good turn up of contributors and quite a few new faces. All up we had 17 people reading the book, so if every one turns up at once we might have to share wine glasses!
Our next meeting will be on June 12th. We have decided to read Carpentaria by Alexis Wright . The book won the 2007 Miles Franklin award and as Alexis will be in Mildura for the Writers' Festival in July, we thought it would be appropriate to tackle it. It is another long book and could be quite challenging but hey it's good to be taken out of your comfort zone.
Some of you may choose to access the boook independently, however copies will be available shortly through the library. Please let me know if you require one to be reserved for you.
I look forward to seeing you at the Buronga Library (next to the Bakery) at 6pm on June 12th. Wine and nibbles will again be provided and you might like to consider a donation of about $3.
Happy reading,
Penny Edmanson