What We Are Reading in January

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. For biographical information, interviews, and discussion information, check out the author's website.

What We Are Reading in December

Point Omega by Don DeLillo. Interestingly this is the first author we have read in recent months who does not have a website. The author has been awarded the American Book Award, the Pen/Faulkner Award, and could be a future Noble Prize contender. Check out this Times article for one of his very rare interviews. And check out the review in the Guardian.

What We Are Reading in November

By Fire By Water by Mitchell James Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan is a Mt. Lebanon resident. We are very fortunate to have him come to the library November 15 to discuss his new book. For more information on him and the book, check out his website.

What We Are Reading in October

The Coral Thief, by Rebecca Stott. The book, set in post-revolutionary France, is the author's second novel. She has also written academic books on Victorian Literature. See her website for more biographical information and reviews of her work.

What We Are Reading In September

Shadow of the Wind by Carlo Ruiz Zafon. Check out his website. He has provided fun extras, such as a set of walking tour maps for locations set in the book.

What We Are Reading in August

Th German Bride, by Joanna Hershon. Hershon is an author of three books and a collection of short stories. She has taught at creative writing at Columbia University. Check out her web site here.

What We Are Reading in July

Daemon by Daniel Suarez is a high-tech thriller. Author Daniel Suarez is an independent consultant who designs software systems for a wide range of industries. Check out his web-site here for information on the book and the author. One interesting aspect of this book is the use of disaffected youth who are gamers. Many who are not gamers hold the belief that gaming is unhealthy for a wide variety of reasons. Here is a presentation by Jane McGonigal on TED.com that may shed light on why gaming may not be entirely negative. In fact she challenges us to consider : "Gaming can make a better world". Check out her presentation filmed February 2010

What We Are Reading in June

The Woodsburner by John Pipkin. This is Pipkin's first novel and a winner of several awards. From the reviews I have read, I believe this should be a interesting read. Check out his web site for reviews and more information about him.

Check comments for reactions to the book

What We Are Reading In May

We are reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. Several members of the book group voted for this one and have already read it. Brooks won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for March. Find out more about the author by checking out her web site. Her site includes a readers guide and map for the Book.

Check comments for reactions to the book.

What We Are Reading In April

On April 19 we will be discussing A Walk In the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. This is the One Book, One Community selection for the Allegheny County Library Association. I listened to this book while I was driving from Pittsburgh to western North Carolina. As the book is about the Appalachian Trail and I was driving along side much of it, this was a perfect listen. It is funny and informative. These days, most authors have their own web site. Bryson has two: UK Books At Transworld and U.S. Random House.


A summary of the Book Group reactions are entered following the discussion under comments.

What We Are Reading in March

A Mad Desire to Dance by Elie Wiesel. Most will know Wiesel's memoir Night. See a biography and information on his humanitarian works in the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity website. Check the New York Times for a review of his latest book, Mad Desire to Dance.

Comments by the group leader are entered in the comments section at the bottom of the post.

What We Are Reading in February

On Monday, February 15, we will meet to discuss: The Year that Follows by Scott Lasser. For a blog review of the book, check out January Magazine. This is Scott Lasser's third book. You can read more about him on his blog. One interesting tidbit I learned from Contemporary Authors, Lasser was a bond trader when his first book, Battle Creek was published, and he has an MFA and an MBA.