<p>True, but I think Morton’s academic background led her to incorporate many classic works into The Forgotten Garden. The more we pull the novel apart, the more we see that PhD research being put to use. </p>
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<p>Great observation. I had skimmed Burnett’s biography and noted that her son died of consumption (sending her into a deep depression), but I never connected it to Colin. In The Secret Garden, Burnett is able to imagine a happier ending for a sick boy than the ending she actually lived.</p>
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<p>Yes! There are many similarities: one sibling’s incestuous longing for another; a twin who isn’t “normal,” at least not in the traditional sense; a woman who sets out to solve a mystery from an earlier generation; and alternating chapters between past and present. I remember when we read The Thirteenth Tale we drew a lot of comparsions between it and Jane Eyre, so I guess there are some basic ingredients that make up the gothic novel “recipe”: a rambling mansion, a few ghostly occurrences, a tragic death or two, a dash of madness, and a feisty heroine… :)</p>
<p>We had fewer posters this time (but perhaps lots of lurkers from the number of views?) However, I’m game for an October selection if you all are. Remember, this is supposed to be fun and not another chore in our already over-scheduled lives, so be honest! (It’s always fun for me.) </p>
<p>SJCM, I think there should be a new rule that the person who liked the current selection the least gets to throw out the first suggestions for the next book. :)</p>
<p>Great and interesting discussion today everyone!</p>
<p>I also felt The Secret Garden was a very spiritual book. I hadn’t read any reviews or summaries and was unaware of the influence of “the philosophies of Spiritualism, Theosophy, Mind Healing, and Christian Science” on Burnett and her writing. </p>
<p>One of the notes I wrote to myself as I was reading The Secret Garden was a sentence describing what I thought was the book’s simple theme – Positive thinking/living brings positive results. Mary and Colin became healthy as a result of the way they started living…positively and with a future.</p>
<p>The Secret Garden made me think of the CC poster, sunriseeast, who is sharing her story of cancer on another thread in the Parent Cafe. Sunrise’s approach to life and treatment is positive and active, with positive results. If you haven’t read her story yet, I recommend it. Not only is her story inspirational, she is also a wonderful writer.</p>
<p>^ I think there is a pattern, with much interest in the selections, many posters make early comments about the books, but during the actual discussion we seem to dwindle.
What to do about this ??? </p>
<p>Interesting new rule there Mary13 about those who like the selection the least gets to throw out an idea. But, I may not qualify because I liked The Secret Garden immensely </p>
<p>Right now I am reading Ignatius suggestion - The Informationist. I sent Ignatius’s post on the “Best book I’ve read in 6 months” —thread, to two avid reader friends, and they both “raved” about it. From my understanding it’s a Dragon Tattoo Type thriller without the “violence” ? I’m on page 92 of 300 pages. Not sure it’s a discussion “type” book, but let’s count it as my ‘first suggestion’…</p>
<p>Anyone care to look at Elaine Newton’s Summer Reading list. She is a professor who has standing room only at the Naples Performing arts arena, where she has conducted book discussions for 20 years. People rave about her lectures.
Google her if you would like to know more. </p>
<p>Here is a link to Elaine Newton’s 2011 list
perhaps someone (ESPECIALLY YOU LURKERS OUT THERE) may have some input about these selections. </p>
<p>Also, currently reading ,and not getting through it as quickly as hoped- is Bel Canto. Heard such good things. </p>
<p>Has anyone read Ann Patchett’s new book - State of Wonder ?</p>
<p>BuandBC posted
“The Secret Garden made me think of the CC poster, sunriseeast, who is sharing her story of cancer on another thread in the Parent Cafe. Sunrise’s approach to life and treatment is positive and active, with positive results. If you haven’t read her story yet, I recommend it. Not only is her story inspirational, she is also a wonderful writer.” </p>
<p>I have been following this thread, and she is astounding in many ways. Great comparison and suggestion BuandBC!!!</p>
<p>SJCM - I looked over Elaine Newton’s list and the book Room by Emma Donoghue looks interesting (and a little disturbing). It has 4 stars on Amazon after 1,027 reviews. That’s a lot of good reviews.</p>
<p>The Informationist and State of Wonder also look good to me. I’m pretty agreeable.</p>
<p>Lurker here. Either of these books sounds good. I looked at Elaine Newton’s summer reading list and the only one that I have read was the Weird Sisters which I thought was okay but just that. My other book club read it and no one got too excited by it.</p>
<p>By the way, I like to read what everyone says but I never seem to get this deep into a book. I either like it or I don’t. I always struggled in English Lit trying to pull meaning out snippets of a book. I still don’t know why the ducks flew south in Catcher In the Rye (isn’t that what ducks are suppose to do?). So I lurk and see what all of you come up with. I adore the Secret Garden and as a child, I wanted to live there and have an English accent. The Forgotten Garden I enjoyed but it isn’t a classic like the Secret Garden.</p>
<p>^^^ Onward … I lurked for several books before I posted. Like you I enjoyed reading what everyone has to say. I do intend to share your post with one of my daughters. She still holds a grudge (going on six years now) against her freshman (HS) English teacher re Catcher in the Rye and certain symbolism.</p>
<p>I probably won’t read Room, but have no problem whatsoever if that’s the book chosen. I’ll just skip October. I’m concerned that the subject matter goes places I have no desire to follow. (I feel the same way about The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore with its graphic inter-species sex warning. Not interested. Graphic sex doesn’t bother me … am I wording this poorly? … it’s the inter-species part that makes me balk.)</p>
<p>SJCM: I don’t know about your friends, but I found The Informationist violent. Good … but definitely violent. (I just don’t want you unprepared.)</p>
<p>Lots of interest (according to my local librarian) in Sarah Addison Allen right now: maybe Garden Spells or The Sugar Queen. Quick reads but quirky enough to generate discussion, I think.</p>
<p>(I had thought of suggesting The Weird Sisters, and am glad that Onward’s book club already read it and he/she could give some insight as to whether - or not, in this case - it might be a good choice.) </p>
<p>Definitely enjoy the CC Book Club, Mary. Lots of lurkers this time, I think, but that’s okay too … speaking as one of your original lurkers.</p>
<p>You’re welcome, but believe me, it’s not work. </p>
<p>I’m happy to know that there are lurkers out there who are reading along with us.</p>
<p>SJCM, I liked Bel Canto very much. It was one of those books I thought about long after I was finished reading it. I haven’t read State of Wonder, but I’d like to.</p>
<p>I also haven’t any books on Elaine Newton’s list, but there are a couple there that we’ve considered previously, i.e., The Paris Wife and The Invisible Bridge.</p>
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<p>Nice try, ignatius, but you can’t escape us that easily. Seriously though, I find that it is much easier to winnow down our long lists when someone is sure that he/she doesn’t want to read something. So let’s put Room on the back burner for now. And I hereby declare a permanent ban on The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore. </p>
<p>Here are some titles to consider (in no particular order):</p>
<p>State of Wonder by Ann Patchett The Paris Wife by Paula McLain The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen The Informationist by Taylor Stevens (unless SJCM reads a particularly violent chapter tonight and then thinks hmmm, maybe not) </p>
<p>Also, for new lurkers/posters, here is what we have previously read:</p>
<p>I have State of Wonder on reserve from the library right now - so I will be reading it in the upcoming weeks regardless I’ve read Ann Patchett’s “Run” before and she’s a very good author with great command of prose. (Haven’t read “Bel Canto” but plan to sometime as well.)</p>
<p>Even if we are not doing “Room” for discussion - those of you that are on the fence about it, I would recommend you to do it. I read it last fall when it was newly released - and it was stirring.</p>
<p>I would be very much up for “The Informationist” - it sounds like an exciting book. I feel like while many of our recent discussion books have been fine writing, but more laid back and not “exciting” if you know what I mean? From the description, this book seems like a Stieg Larsson meets J.M. Coetzee.</p>
<p>I tend to enjoy WWII Historical Fiction, so I’d enjoy “The Invisible Bridge”. But maybe it is too soon after “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet”?</p>
<p>PS - Thanks everyone for a great discussion on the Garden Duet!</p>
<p>While I don’t think we should be doing another “duet” anytime soon - it may be interesting for those that have read James Joyces’ book “Dubliners” to see if there are any parallels.</p>
<p>Ignatius --“SJCM: I don’t know about your friends, but I found The Informationist violent. Good … but definitely violent. (I just don’t want you unprepared.)”</p>
<p>Yes, thank you, one friend said it became more violent towards the end, and the other reader, doesn’t mind the violence. Both said it was a “page” turner they read it quickly.
I can’t imagine it is a good book for “discussion” -and, I’m 30% through.
I felt the pressure to respond to our great leader, Mary 13’s request for suggestion ;)</p>
<p>Great to hear from you Onward, regarding enjoying the books, and discussions but reluctant to post.<br>
Am sure there are others out there, and you know who you are, who might want to input into the next selection.
(I agree with taking “Room” off the list. Heard from a college friend, that is was difficult material and her Long Island book club did not enjoy it at all, but that disagreement made for more lively discussion. My friend liked it more than her book club. ) </p>
<p>Don’t feel pressure to partake in the discussion if you suggest a book,
but we would like to know there are more than 6 of us out there. </p>
<p>Mary13: I never meant for Room to end up on a back burner. In fact, I considered changing my “probably won’t” to “I might” rather than be a spoilsport. However, since SJCM’s last post also suggested to remove Room, I no longer feel quite so bad. newccuser might have the best suggestion: read Room absent the book club, if at all interested. As BUandBC82 points out, it has generated a lot of positive reviews. The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore can remain permanently banned. </p>
<p>The Informationist is a page-turner. I finished it within a couple days. However, I have to agree with SJCM - not a good book for discussion. Definitely a good action/thriller that lives up to its reviews - grab it and enjoy.</p>
<p>Another choice might be The School of Night - Louis Bayard. It’s on the “Washington Posts critics pick the best books of summer” list as is State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. (Actually I need to read The School of Night for my real-life book club … by next Tuesday. Hoping it lives up to its reviews.)</p>
<p>Other duet suggestions - though not for October: Something by Sherlock Holmes (The Hound of the Baskervilles, maybe) and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Or something by H.G. Wells (The Time Machine, possibly) and The Map of Time - after all, we’ve neglected the science fiction genre totally. Can you tell we liked your duet idea, Mary? :)</p>
<p>^ And I meant to add that I didn’t put Garden Spells on the list solely because I thought we might want to avoid “gardening” for awhile. </p>
<p>ignatius, I love both your duet suggestions. Maybe a return to the duet is something to consider in February when Christmas is over, college students have gone back to school, and we’re snowed in (at least around here). I also think a sci-fi choice would be fun (as long as it doesn’t include any intergalactic species sex. ;))</p>
<p>So based on the posts above, The Informationist goes off (but I will be putting that and Room on my reading list) and Solace and School of Night go on:</p>
<p>State of Wonder by Ann Patchett The Paris Wife by Paula McLain The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer Finding Nouf by Zoe Ferraris The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen Solace by Belinda McKeon School of Night by Louis Bayard</p>
<p>I haven’t read any of the above and all sound good to me.</p>
<p>ignatius - I don’t have any problem taking Room off the list. It looked intriguing, but I want something we all want to read. </p>
<p>I think any of the books from Mary’s list would be good. The books that are calling out to me when I read their summaries are State of Wonder, The Sugar Queen, and Solace. The Sugar Queen takes place in NC, which is where I live, so that would be fun for me.</p>
<p>SJChessMom…yeah, there might not be enough to discuss in “The Paris Wife.” People could discuss whether the Hadley character was a wimp and a doormat or whether she actually was kind of a cool and courageous lady, I guess. Based on my reading of the book, I’m not entirely sure, myself. </p>
<p>It is a fascinating read, whether or not this book club chooses it. Reading “The Sun Also Rises” at the same time as “The Paris Wife,” if one hasn’t read it, would be a good idea. Hemingway’s first novel is based on events that happened when his wife Hadley was present, yet she is omitted from the story. </p>
<p>The time period during which Hemingway wrote “The Sun Also Rises” is covered in “The Paris Wife.”</p>
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… it’s the inter-species part that makes me balk.)</p>
Seriously though, I find that it is much easier to winnow down our long lists when someone is sure that he/she doesn’t want to read something. So let’s put Room on the back burner for now. And I hereby declare a permanent ban on The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore. </p>