February 2016 Bookclub Recap

Dear Bookclub,
A big 'tack' to Sue for bringing a Swedish element to our delightful gathering last Thursday night. Donning a beautiful Scandinavian sweater, Sue spoiled us with pickled herring, beets, Swedish meatballs, Absolut, and a lingonberry dessert that had us swooning. "A Man Called Ove" was well-received despite the formulaic construct. Many admitted to crying, maybe twice :) There were a few ideas for different endings, but all-in-all, Frederik Backman's novel nestled into our happy reads.

A presentation of great suggestions for an upcoming read from Sue, stirred up a logic that included book length, a study of genres in the months leading up to this read and old-fashioned 'what do you want'.  Considered:

"The Nightingale"  Kristin Hannah
"At the Water's Edge"  Sara Gruen
"My Name is Lucy Barton"  Elizabeth Strout
"The Lake House" Kate Morton *chosen

 Up next on March 24th at Karen's, "Fates and Furies".

Happy reading!
LK

PS Sunnylands and the La Quinta Resort are beckoning for our fall 2016 adventure. Please make your reservations and mark the calendar (9/29-10/2)!

February 2016 Bookclub News

Dear Bookclub,
Only 30% into our February selection, the month of l-O-v-e is not endearing me to O-v-e.  Fredrik Backman's Ove is grumpy and I can see what's going to happen in "A Man Called Ove". Doomed to an empathetic shift, this swiftly moving novel warms the cynic and shifts the mood. Hope it is an enjoyment to you!

Fredrik Backman: Swedish, blogger, journalist, novelist, debuting with our read, an ex-truck driver, father, successful writer - the most successful writer in Sweden in 2013. Which made me wonder - Sweden......what does it mean to be the most successful writer in Sweden?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) monitors both the number and type of books published per country per year as an important index of standard of living and education, and of a country's self-awareness. Below is their latest information available:

China

In 2013

440,000

New titles and re-editions

United States

In 2013

304,912

New titles and re-editions

Sweden

In 2010

4,074

Just to be fair, let's check out the population of these three countries:

  China  1.357 billion

  United States  318.9 million

Sweden 9.593  million

OK - not bad... but....
Hard to get past that 1.357 billion thing; I think I will just lift my spirit with a little more Ove.

Happy reading!
LK


PS Want to try out your Swedish reading skills? Check out Fredrik's blog....er.. blogg:

http://www.fredrikbackman.com/

PPS Don't forget to RSVP to Sue for our February 18th meeting.