Bette Ammon told me a few minutes ago that there are only 1 or 2 copies of the first HBO Book Club reader, "Water For Elephants," left at the Coeur d'Alene Library. She ordered 10 for the first reading this month, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. We'll begin discussion Aug. 1 at the latest.
Dave asked me to create some discussion point ideas to think about as you read “Water for Elephants.” I have to insert a cautionary note here, though. Sometimes “think about” discussion points can ruin the sheer pleasure of reading and we wouldn’t want that to happen. However, in case you want to ruminate within yourself before the actual discussion begins, you can take a look at the author interview and discussion questions listed in the back of the trade paperback edition or think about things like: Setting and time period. In the case of many historical novels, time periods and settings become as important as characters and plot. In “Water for Elephants,” the Depression and prohibition loom as largely as the circus. How do those times affect choices and opportunities within the story? Which characters do you care about and why? Who do you hate? How do you feel about the alternate stories traveling through time from old Jacob and young Jacob? I’ll be away for 10 days but will be checking in on Huckleberries from my mom’s very slow dialup connection -- Bette Ammon/Coeur d'Alene city librarian.
D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.
cautionary note here, though. Sometimes “think about” discussion points can ruin the sheer pleasure of reading and we wouldn’t want that to happen. However, in case you want to ruminate within yourself before the actual discussion begins, you can take a look at the author interview and discussion questions listed in the back of the trade paperback edition or think about things like: Setting and time period. In the case of many historical novels, time periods and settings become as important as characters and plot. In “Water for Elephants,” the Depression and prohibition loom as largely as the circus. How do those times affect choices and opportunities within the story? Which characters do you care about and why? Who do you hate? How do you feel about the alternate stories traveling through time from old Jacob and young Jacob? I’ll be away for 10 days but will be checking in on Huckleberries from my mom’s very slow dialup connection -- Bette Ammon/Coeur d'Alene city librarian.
