Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Art of Racing in the Rain





Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.


On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.

WHO PICKED IT: Lorna
MEETING DATE: December 19th, 2009
MEETING TIME: 11:00am
MEETING LOCATION: Lorna's House

The Magicians



Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A senior in high school, he’s still secretly preoccupied with a series of fantasy novels he read as a child, set in a magical land called Fillory. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself unexpectedly admitted to a very secret, very exclusive college of magic in upstate New York, where he receives a thorough and rigorous education in the craft of modern sorcery.


He also discovers all the other things people learn in college: friendship, love, sex, booze, and boredom. Something is missing, though. Magic doesn’t bring Quentin the happiness and adventure he dreamed it would. After graduation he and his friends make a stunning discovery: Fillory is real. But the land of Quentin’s fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he could have imagined. His childhood dream becomes a nightmare with a shocking truth at its heart.

WHO PICKED IT: Lisa
MEETING DATE: October 17, 2009
MEETING TIME: 2:00pm
MEETING LOCATION: Lisa's House

Welcome to the Blog!

Hello Friends!
Welcome to your book club blog! This will be our online platform. Each time we meet, I'll post the next book and meeting location & time here so that it's in a public forum and we can check in with each other as we progress through the selections of books we're choosing! I'm no pro-blogger, but I'll do my best!
Please feel free to leave comments along the way!

Members...
  • Lisa
  • Lorna
  • Aaron
  • Greg
  • Apryl
  • Melissa
  • Cory
  • Sandy
  • Ana-banana
I'm really looking forward to reading all of our choices!
Love to all,
Lisa