A Timeless "Mockingbird"

After re-reading To Kill a Mockingbird as an adult, I find the essence of the story powerful and Scout's narrative in turns worldly-wise and innocent. As she witnesses the ways of the world in Maycomb, Atticus's guidance and wisdom steer both Scout and Jem toward a deeper understanding and an empahty toward others.

With the novel To Kill a Mockingbird celebrating its 50th anniversary, are its themes of tolerance and justice still relevant? What events in our recent decade can you tie to these themes? Can you envision a modern-day Scout experiencing similar prejudices in our more current time? Please explain your thoughts.

This novel, in my opinion, is worthy of the accolades and the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In fact, TKAM was voted the best American novel of the 20th century by librarians. For all its layers and characters and lasting resonance, I can see why!

"Fall" into Books

Now that school is fully in swing, you may be reading an assigned book for a class (Frankenstein, e.g.) or be reading something interesting just for the shear pleasure of it. The AI Book Club read the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire. The next book is To Kill a Mockingbird, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Many consider this to be one of the greatest American novels.

Here are some items for your comments:

1. What books have kept you glued and fascinated, racing to the end but yet dreading the end of such a wonderful story with compelling characters? Share your story about a book you couldn't put down.

For me, it was Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. Set in Texas in the late 1800s, this epic novel follows a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The characters and the events in the novel are unforgettable. From Gus McCrea to to Woodrow Call to Lorena Wood to Blue Duck, the characters are distinct and unorgettable, with lively dialogue and fascinating situations.

"Fall"ing into a Good Book

At the first meeting of our book club, Book Addicts, we discussed the fascinating, even disturbing novel The Lovely Bones. Originally published in 2002, this perennial favorite will be released as a major motion picture in December. Take a look at the movie trailer.

Here are a few things you could comment on for our blog:

• At our meeting we discussed the meaning behind the term "lovely bones." What do you think this signifies?
• What is Susie's connection to Ruth? What role does Ruth play in Susie's world?
• How do you think the adults react to Susie's murder differently from the other young people in the novel?
• Alice Sebold seems to be saying that out of tragedy comes healing. Susie's family fractures and comes back together, a town learns to find strength in each other. Do you agree that good can come of great trauma?

Summer Reading: A Joy or a Drag?

Summer is the perfect time to pick up a book and get lost in it. There's the luxury of time, the beach, or a comfy porch chair to whisk you away into a fantasy land or let you get up close and personal with a memorable character.

Here's my first question: if you read a book from the school's summer reading list, did you end up pleased with the selection and the experience? If not, why?

Second question: if you read books of your choice, which one(s) resonated with you and why? Perhaps there is a book or two you would suggest for next summer's reading list?

Summer of the "Breaking Dawn"

Last summer brought the final installment in the Harry Potter series and forced readers to say goodbye to favorite characters. Summer 2008 finds readers entranced by the conclusion of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga. Breaking Dawn finds Bella torn between two worlds. What is your take on the concluding volume? Is there a "happily ever after" for Bella and Edward? How do you envision it? What makes the books in the Twilight Saga so compelling for you? Which book was your favorite and why?

AI Big Read: Time for Pleasure Reading

Over the Holiday break, we hope that you had time to read something just for the fun of it. Not for school, not for an assignment. You can probably earn some extra credit for this from one or more of your teachers.
Just reply to let us know about the books you've been reading. What proved to be a memorable aspect of the book? Would you recommend them to others? Why or why not? Just add some thoughts about the book and/or the author to get a conversation going.

How Much "America" Is Really in America?

In the brutal, raw, and unblinking novel about the life of a young man named America, E.R. Frank is quite honest about the emotional and psychological chaos in the life of this character. The author is a therapist and social worker. Do you think she has created a character born out of her work with young people who have great difficulties in their lives?

Here are a few questions to ponder:
Is America a likeable and sympathetic character?
How do we get to know America and his interior thoughts?
What does it mean to "get lost in the system" and how did this affect America?
What is the significance of the shoelaces? Of the lighters?
Who contributes to America's ultimate forgiveness of himself? How?
How would you describe America? Is this an appropriate name for him?

If you liked America by E.R. Frank, try Life Is Funny and Wrecked