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Post by mary57 on Nov 6, 2011 10:05:42 GMT -5
Hi, I just read an article in the paper y'day that talked about a book that I think may work for our 'read'. Then again it may prove a bit intese, so am not sure. I do know I will read both of them if I can. The one the article was about is "A Train In Winter; An Extraordinary Story Of Women, freindship and Survival in World War Two" written by Caroline Moorehead. Tells the story of the many brave women who joined the resistance. In the spring of 1942, picked up as members of the French Resistance, 230 women resisters were on a train to Aschwitiz. It was the only train of women to go the the deaths camps in the whole four years of occupation. What made it so particularly fascinating was that they were so different - dressmakers, teachers, farmer's wives, school girls, journalists, dorcors - from every part of France and every political hue, The younget was  , the oldest 68. They became friends, looked after each other, shared what little they hadm tried to protect the others from the cp;d, the hunger and the brutality. They were ordinary people - and also exceptionally brave. 49 of the 230 survived, to come home in the spring of 1945. Those left now in their 90's shared their story with the author. I paraphrased from the article. I think this would be a wonderful read, though may be too intense for a club read. The second book, which was mentioned in the article, as a book and author that influenced this book. Does that make sense? The title is 'Auschwitz and After" by Charlotte Delbo. had just been published in english, when Moorhead went to review the book. Charlotte Delbo was a poet and the assistant to the theartrical producer and acto Louis Jouvet in Paris in the 1930's and she had been picked up as a member of the French Resistance in the spring of 1942, this is here story. As you can see, Moorhead used this book as a jumping off point for her own book, exploring the lives of the other women with her (Charlotte) on the train. This one while I'm not sure if it is indeed a biography or a collection of poems/essays, may be a less intense book as it deals with just one person. As I said to begin with these may be good reads or they may not be suitable for us. |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Nov 6, 2011 12:39:24 GMT -5
Mary; Good thinking; getting folks rolling ...
I've not checked the library BUT.... my pick would be A Train in Winter!
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Post by susanny on Nov 7, 2011 11:57:01 GMT -5
Blossom, could you tell us a bit about a Train in Winter? I have to be honest, I have been feeling pretty depressed lately and need something a bit uplifting to build my spirit.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Nov 7, 2011 12:15:20 GMT -5
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Post by mary57 on Nov 7, 2011 16:28:21 GMT -5
Sue, I don't know if it would be uplifting, but the fact of their survival is a postive.
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Post by mary57 on Dec 29, 2011 12:19:39 GMT -5
Hi I have just finished reading A Train In Winter, I don't think it would work as a book club selection. It is a biography and the characters are too spread out for half the book for us to conect them until they are rounded up and form a 'group'. From there on it is a very coheisif group of women.
I have also just finished Sarah's Key, this is a work of fiction and would make a good selection for a book club read. As it follows 2 women one during the war and one in the 90's who is a journalist. This book is a much less intese read, but ironically deals with the same period in history and the same city. Paris.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Dec 30, 2011 10:03:36 GMT -5
Thanks Mary..... we'll see if anyone else has some ideas as well.
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Post by aero63 on Dec 30, 2011 11:38:12 GMT -5
I will check my book shelves, but I don't think I have anything uplifting, Sue. Most of what I have was bought during Border's closeout. Can't say I have read much lately.
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Post by susanny on Dec 31, 2011 4:06:29 GMT -5
I have to be honest here and say I don't know whether or not I can particiipate this round or not. I just cant' seem to stay awake long enough to get through even a chapter in a book in a day. Darn meds are taking away something else I love. I am trying to read a book now that I got on my new kindle and it's taking forever for me to read and stay awake. I use to read before bedtime, too, but can't seem to do that anymore, either. I don't think I could keep up with you all and that puts a lot of pressure on and takes away the fun of it.
I think I'll just watch and read at my own pace and maybe even read what you're reading , maybe not. Don't be upset with me, please. I dont mean to be a party pooper, just being realistic here.
Love ya all!!!!!! Hugs, Sue
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Post by mary57 on Dec 31, 2011 14:08:14 GMT -5
Sue, you are not a party pooper ever. It's not always easy to stay connected to a story, even when we can stay awake. I find I can't stay awake if I try to read in bed anymore, but sitting in the livingroom works for me. Even better if I read in the mornings.
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Post by susanny on Jan 1, 2012 12:13:25 GMT -5
My best time for reading now is in the morning....I can get about a half hour in before have to wake myself up. I try standing up and that helps for a little while. I can't read in the living room because my head drifts down and out I go....zzzzzzzzzzz's. Something has got to change because I reallly love reading and it seems it's all I havae left to do besides watching tv and fall asleep even doing that. I'm just a big ol' snooze lately!
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jan 2, 2012 9:25:17 GMT -5
Well ladies; I think we have to face it..... not enough folks interested to keep the Book Club going.
We'll just have to incorporate it into "Over the Fence" maybe and archive this section.
What do you think?
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Post by mary57 on Jan 2, 2012 14:41:37 GMT -5
I'm sad to have to agree with you Jackie, but there hasn't been the interest from enough others to make it work. Sad, but maybe another year. Aero, after you have finished Sarah's Key, we can chat about it. Jackie, if you are able to get time to read A Train In Winter, we can chat about it.
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Post by aero63 on Jan 2, 2012 21:36:09 GMT -5
Well, I have to agree. It was fun while it lasted, but I don't think three will keep it afloat. Four was pushing it.
Sue, believe me, we all understand!!!! I know how much you wanted this too. You used to say how you loved reading with your hot chocolate on the deck and such too. So sorry.
My selections are always in the direction of mystery, true crime, or thriller. I will take a picture of my bookshelves and try to post the pic or maybe just type a list at some point. It would at least give everyone an idea if they might want to read them.
I was hoping for more people this time around.
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Post by susanny on Jan 2, 2012 22:17:44 GMT -5
You all know how much I love to read, so you know how sad I am to have to drop out of our reading group. I am still reading, better now that Mert bought me the Kindle, it's just that I can't keep up with everyone else. I am reading a series now called the Hunger Games, a series of 3 books buy Suzanne Collins, I think. I just started the 2nd book this morning. It's a sci fi, something my daughter suggested and believe me it is quite out of the ordinary for her to suggest a sci fi, other than Dean Koontz. She's mostly into Evanovich, Kellerman, and those types of authors. My own tastes have changed as well as I'm now pretty much trying to follow the Best sellers lists and try new authors. I'll pass along anything that really strikes me in the heart and soul and think you might be interested.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jan 3, 2012 8:29:24 GMT -5
So be it.
Ladies; I've enjoyed the time we've shared and spent comparing notes on the books we're read. And; I've even read a few authors that I wouldn't normally. A big KUDOS btw to you Antoinette for making it interesting and engaging.
You did great.
Mary; I think I might just try and see if I can get that book from the Library. I'm reading a Koontz book myself right now (not one of my favorite authors... too long winded and "out there") and I've a Louis L'Amour in the wings I may have to switch to.
Sue; don't feel bad at all.... we certainly understand O.K? Just as long as you're still reading!
Again. thank you all.
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Post by susanny on Jan 3, 2012 13:45:25 GMT -5
Jackie, out of curiosity, which Koontz book are you reading? He can be out there and then again not so out there in all his 50 some books and even I, a big fan, have read some that I've put down never finished because just not a good one. But I have my favorites.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jan 3, 2012 18:22:08 GMT -5
Sue... "What the Night Knows" It's funny I've read actually (or tried to) a number of his books. He's still not a writer I seek out. D happened to bring it home for me. He reminds me of Stephen King when King's writing started to go "really" strange/weird.
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Post by susanny on Jan 3, 2012 23:24:05 GMT -5
When was King ever not weird?
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Jan 4, 2012 8:40:24 GMT -5
you got that right!
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, the oldest 68. They became friends, looked after each other, shared what little they hadm tried to protect the others from the cp;d, the hunger and the brutality. They were ordinary people - and also exceptionally brave. 49 of the 230 survived, to come home in the spring of 1945. Those left now in their 90's shared their story with the author. I paraphrased from the article.
