I recently received some positive feedback from a couple of our members, who before joining book club, found it difficult to actually sit down and read, let alone finish a book. Since they have joined, book club has helped them remain committed to set aside time, and now they actually finish the books they read.
This is very encouraging news. These members thanked me for starting the book club and continuing with it. Receiving feed back like this is wonderful and makes everything all the more worthwhile. It's exciting to think that for some, book club is making a difference. I know I certainly look forward to meeting up with everyone each month and enjoy both the social aspect and the lively discussions we have. Sometimes the discussions are very thought provoking. Occasionally members express they normally might not have chosen a particular book to read, however they were glad they had the opportunity. There are occasions too when a book will challenge our thinking. Whether we agree with something or not, stretching our minds and imagination is what reading is all about.
'The Time Traveler's Wife' usually finds itself on the Top 10 list of popular books for book clubs and reading lists. It is a popular choice. So, it was interesting to hear the comments made by our book club members who attended September's meeting.
Generally most felt is was a moving story of love between a man, a woman and a peculiar set of circumstances. Not everyone agreed it was their 'favourite' story for lots of different reasons. Some of the language used bothered some members, whilst others remained quite undisturbed. One aspect that cropped up in discussion was the actual time travel component and the way the author handled it. It was challenging to discover the main protagonist meeting up with 'himself' at different ages. The general consensus was the book proved challenging to begin with, but once the reader twigged to the author's style the reading got easier and more enjoyable.
The story line provoked many questions about the way certain relationships developed throughout the story and members wondered if they were in fact, always believable or plausible. It is food for thought. The story is generally jammed packed full of emotional ups and downs and readers would have to be heartless not to empathise with each of the main characters and some minor characters' circumstances or situations they find themselves in. The novel initiated lots of questions about certain characters, situations and why the author presented them the way she did. The story certainly made for lively discussion amongst our members.
Generally everyone enjoyed the story and found it quite original, entertaining and with substance.
Please feel free to add your comments or thoughts about the story to carry on with discussion. I am sure our readers would be interested.
I look forward to catching up with everyone at our upcoming October book club where we will be discussing 'Like Water for Chocolate' by Laura Esquivel.
So, until next time...
happy reading
