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Post by aero63 on Apr 7, 2011 11:32:58 GMT -5
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
Compellingly original in its conceit, Brennert's sweeping debut novel tracks the grim struggle of a Hawaiian woman who contracts leprosy as a child in Honolulu during the 1890s and is deported to the island of Moloka'i, where she grows to adulthood at the quarantined settlement of Kalaupapa. Rachel Kalama is the plucky, seven-year-old heroine whose family is devastated when first her uncle Pono and then she develop leprous sores and are quarantined with the disease. While Rachel's symptoms remain mild during her youth, she watches others her age dying from the disease in near total isolation from family and friends. Rachel finds happiness when she meets Kenji Utagawa, a fellow leprosy victim whose illness brings shame on his Japanese family. After a tender courtship, Rachel and Kenji marry and have a daughter, but the birth of their healthy baby brings as much grief as joy, when they must give her up for adoption to prevent infection. The couple cope with the loss of their daughter and settle into a productive working life until Kenji tries to stop a quarantined U.S. soldier from beating up his girlfriend and is tragically killed in the subsequent fight. The poignant concluding chapters portray Rachel's final years after sulfa drugs are discovered as a cure, leaving her free to abandon Moloka'i and seek out her family and daughter. Brennert's compassion makes Rachel a memorable character, and his smooth storytelling vividly brings early 20th-century Hawaii to life. Leprosy may seem a macabre subject, but Brennert transforms the material into a touching, lovely account of a woman's journey as she rises above the limitations of a devastating illness. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
OR
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
When your son can’t look you in the eye . . . does that mean he’s guilty?
Jacob Hunt is a teen with Asperger’s syndrome. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, though he is brilliant in many ways. But he has a special focus on one subject—forensic analysis. A police scanner in his room clues him in to crime scenes, and he’s always showing up and telling the cops what to do. And he’s usually right.
But when Jacob’s small hometown is rocked by a terrible murder, law enforcement comes to him. Jacob’s behaviors are hallmark Asperger’s, but they look a lot like guilt to the local police. Suddenly the Hunt family, who only want to fit in, are directly in the spotlight. For Jacob’s mother, Emma, it’s a brutal reminder of the intolerance and misunderstanding that always threaten her family. For his brother, Theo, it’s another indication why nothing is normal because of Jacob.
And over this small family, the soul-searing question looms: Did Jacob commit murder?
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Post by mary57 on Apr 7, 2011 19:49:14 GMT -5
This is a hard choice, can we read both?
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Post by susanny on Apr 8, 2011 10:21:33 GMT -5
Why don't we do what we did the last time we made our choice, do one and then read the other. I'm going to vote for the Picoult novel simply because I've already read the other one. But...I really hope that you all read the Molaki novel because is just a precious book.
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Post by aero63 on Apr 8, 2011 19:51:59 GMT -5
I don't see why we couldn't read one, and then the other.
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Post by susanny on Apr 8, 2011 22:32:30 GMT -5
Jackie will be MIA until Mon., so probably shouldn't make any definite plans until we hear from her. I just noticed the poll closes before she comes back.
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Post by mary57 on Apr 9, 2011 10:24:33 GMT -5
I have just placed holds on both books at the library, but the bad news is both books have 6 and 8 holds ahead of me so I don't know if I'll have a book to join in with this time. I was hoping to join in with at least one more book before I head north for the season.
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Post by susanny on Apr 9, 2011 12:24:49 GMT -5
The good thing about Mary's post is that the books are in high demand so should be good reads, the bad thing is obvious. Mary, did you see if they could get one of them at another library, or isn't that a possibility there?
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Post by aero63 on Apr 10, 2011 20:01:17 GMT -5
Well, I could always pick out another book to see if it is in your library Mary. Maybe another Picoult.
I am surprised that this Picoult book is held for so many ppl. as it has been on the market for quite a while now. Anyway, is everyone up for reading a different Picoult book for now so Mary can join in?
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Apr 11, 2011 8:48:51 GMT -5
Maybe a couple to choose from again if possible? I get mine from the library as well so at least i'll have choice A or B
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Post by susanny on Apr 11, 2011 9:09:29 GMT -5
Whatever works for everyone else is ok with me.
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Post by mary57 on Apr 11, 2011 11:02:08 GMT -5
Hi I got a call from the library, One book is in, I just don't know which one until I go tomorrow to pick it up. So hold off on choosing other titles.
Sue, when I put a hold request in, it is for every library in the system, not just the branch I go to.
I'll pick it up in the morning before I head off for the respreroligests office.
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Post by susanny on Apr 11, 2011 22:48:01 GMT -5
Now we just have to see which it is so we can find out if WE can get it,  . This is a tricky endeavor at times, isn't it? I remember not being able to get that one book you all read last year. Luckily I had enough here to keep me reading, but missed out on the conversation. |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Apr 12, 2011 7:33:13 GMT -5
I just checked with the library on line
They don't have the Molokai book and there's 13 holds on House Rules. However; they've a number of copies so they'll probably go through the hold list quickly.
I'll put a hold on it today just to be on the safe side in case that's what we're going with
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Post by aero63 on Apr 12, 2011 9:36:43 GMT -5
I will sit on any decisions til I hear from everyone. Sue, I have to buy my books because I don't have a big library here and it is just for the elementary school. I like my nook color cause after I am done, I can loan them out for 14 days. I like my Sony ereader too, |
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Post by mary57 on Apr 12, 2011 17:40:16 GMT -5
Hi, I got a copy of House Rules, and will cancel the other one.
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Post by susanny on Apr 12, 2011 21:13:19 GMT -5
Library is getting ahold of a copy for me....said will be in by Fri. So I guess we just have to see how long b/4 Blossom gets a copy. Hope not too long, Jackie!
What is a 'nook color', Aero?
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Post by aero63 on Apr 14, 2011 10:58:15 GMT -5
Sue
Nookcolor is an reader that is sold by Barnes and Nobles. I also have a Sony reader and love them both. You can look it up on their site. The Sony can be found on the Borders.
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Post by susanny on Apr 15, 2011 0:24:04 GMT -5
Aero, found this today and thought of you. It's free ebooks! Maybe you can peruse the 'library' and see if it's something you'd be interested in. www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page |
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Apr 15, 2011 9:58:06 GMT -5
I'm picking it up this weekend (the book) Now I'll just wait for the reading assignment.  |
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Post by susanny on Apr 15, 2011 21:42:59 GMT -5
My copy must not have come in today as didn't get the phone call from the library. Nuts.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Apr 16, 2011 14:36:01 GMT -5
Ready
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Post by aero63 on Apr 16, 2011 20:05:38 GMT -5
Well,
Sue, I hope that you get it. Let me know if they aren't getting it for you.
I think that we could start reading Case One through Case Four. I will set a meet up and discuss date after we know that everyone has a copy. In perusing, it looks good.
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Post by aero63 on Apr 20, 2011 20:31:50 GMT -5
Sue,
Did you get a copy of the book? The lst word was that library had not called so you didn't think they got it in. I would like to set a date for discussion.
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Post by susanny on Apr 20, 2011 22:28:41 GMT -5
I called the library this afternoon and it still hasn't come in yet. But they get a van in tomorrow and hopefully will be on there. I'm stopping by before they close and checking. Go ahead and start your discussion and I'll catch up.
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Post by susanny on Apr 21, 2011 22:05:43 GMT -5
The library called and I picked up the book this afternoon. Will start reading today, although from the sounds of what you all have said so far, won't be fast at catching up, . Maybe I should take notes? |
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Post by susanny on Apr 22, 2011 16:04:05 GMT -5
So far the book is really good, but I can see it is not a 'quick' read. Don't wait for me, I'm just going to plug along. But I have to say that I really like it, right up my alley.
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Post by aero63 on Apr 22, 2011 17:44:49 GMT -5
Glad you are enjoying the book. everyone here seems to play catch up fast....except me, never have been good at that.
So, I was thinking that Wednesday, April 27th would be a good day to meet and discuss.
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Post by mary57 on Apr 22, 2011 18:04:10 GMT -5
ok
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. This is a tricky endeavor at times, isn't it? I remember not being able to get that one book you all read last year. Luckily I had enough here to keep me reading, but missed out on the conversation.