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| London, the evening's mascot |
Dear Bookclub,
Matt Haig's "The Midnight Library" lurked, an object on an imaginary shelf in Sue's living room, while we yapped around her table of libations in the family room. Eventually herded into the living room with the late-arriving golf girls, we settled into comfort to debate. After Sue presented the San Diego Union Tribune's Festival of Books, happening in a few days, attention turned to the upcoming bookclub selection. Our usual 'tie' between suggestions sparked discussion about who had already read what, the length of the books, declarations of reading books anyway. With a fresh poll, hands raised and throwing in an absentee vote to ensure an odd number to tip towards a winner, "Beneath a Scarlett Sky" was chosen. The evening's delightful guest, Kate's sister, Nellie, wondered if that was it for our evening's discussion. Oh no! We were warming up for our circle of deep thought.
Going around the room, sharing our opinions and impressions about the book, a variety of responses - from being lost to getting bogged down by the regrets to appreciating the relationship Nora had with her brother, the fantasy of the perfect life, and what really happened in the end, .... opened up a larger consideration of the author's motivation.
Personally, after having read the book twice for different bookclubs, the cliches began to annoy me and I decided to figure out who this author thinks he is, writing an obviou$ bookclub $election for the ma$$e$. I softened. In an interview with The Guardian, Haig is open about his stuggle with depression and anxiety:
And another about his newer book, "Reasons to Stay Alive" (nonfiction):
Sue's suggestions for an upcoming read:
"Beneath a Scarlett Sky" Mark Sullivan *chosen
"Hour of the Witch" Chris Bohjalian
"Falling" T. J. Newman
Up next:
Mindful reading,
LK
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