July Book of the Month

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Juliet Ashton is a 30 year old single author of war stories who becomes exhausted of writing about the positive side of war and it's consequences. This novel begins in 1946 when Juliet decides to write her publisher to inform them of her feelings about the stories she writes. Meanwhile, in the quaint town of Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams locates a used book with Juliet's name in it. Dawsey begins to gather stories from neighbors and sends the stories to Juliet. Letter after letter, Juliet regains her passion for writing about war stories and learns about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society that had formed while the Germans occupied Guernsey. Each story of heroic efforts and the overall setting of the spirit of Guernsey inspires Juliet's life and her next novel. (Librarian Review)

The was Mary Ann Shaffer's first novel written with her niece Annie Barrows. Mary Ann passed away February 2008 prior to the completion of the novel. She was a well known editor, librarian and booksales representative.

Discussion Questions

1) Why do you think Juliet began to feel tired of her writing war stories?

2) Do you enjoy writing stories? What inspires you to write?

3) What was your favorite Guernsey war story?

4) How did you feel about Dawsey Adams?

June Book of the Month

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

The first installment of Dan Brown's series introducing the character Robert Langdon, professor of art history and religion at Harvard. Contacted by a stranger for his expertise, Robert embarks on an investigation into the murder of world renowned physicist and Catholic priest Leonardo Vetra. Leonardo with his daughter Vittoria attempted to recreate the Big Bang theory to prove that there is a God creating matter in the universe. When Leonardo is murdered, a canister of antimatter from his research lab is stolen and fears as to what the canister will be used for develop. Vittoria and Robert race to retrieve the canister before it explodes at midnight. In search of the canister, the two rush to Vatican City and Rome where the canister is suspected to be located as seen by a security camera.

Vatican City recently loses its Pope. Robert and Vittoria try to persuade the captain of the Swiss Guard and the chamberlain to the Pope, who heads the church until a new pope is chosen, that there really is an antimatter. Meanwhile, a phone call from a man who claims he is from the Illuminati, threatens to murder four cardinals then set off the bomb in Vatican City. The member of the Illuminati seeks revenge on the Catholic Church for the treatment of the Illuminati and scientists over the years. Searching through archives and clues, Robert and Vittoria risk their lives to save the Vatican and find the murderer. (Librarian Review)

Discussion Questions

1) At the beginning of Angels & Demons, why did Robert believe the mysterious caller?

2) What did you think about the character Camerlengo Carlo Ventresca?

3) Were you convinced by the Vatican wanting to keep everything a secret at the end?

4) Which novel did you prefer and why, Angels & Demons or The Davinci Code?

5) Have you seen the movie for Angels & Demons? The Davinci Code? How do you think the movie compared to the novel(s)?

May Book of the Month

A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas was the inspiration for this outstanding novel of suspense. Like Edmund Dantes, the principal character in the classic 1844 novel, Danny Cartwright is on top of the world. His childhood sweetheart Beth Wilson has agreed to marry him. They decide to celebrate with style and meet Beth’s brother Bernie in a tavern on the right side of town. A terrible tragedy occurs on this memorable evening, and Danny is unfairly sentenced to a crime that he did not commit. Also, like Edmund Dantes, Danny escapes from prison and through both meticulous planning and a little luck Danny puts into action a plan to seek revenge and bring down those individuals who ruined his life. Throughout the ordeal Beth never wavers in her support of Danny. Where others have doubt, she knows that he is innocent, and it is her love that keeps focussed on the path to right some terrible wrongs.

A brilliant novel of revenge and redemption. Archer writes prison scenes with great authority. Archer was found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice at a 1987 trial and was sentenced to four years in prison. Like Nick Moncrief, a principal character in the novel, Archer also kept a prison diary. The secret world of Swiss banking is also revealed in the novel. Highly recommended. (HPL Librarian Review)

April Book of the Month

The Outliers: the Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Men and women who do things that are out of the ordinary are defined as outliers. Gladwell argues that successful and extraordinary individuals did not ‘arrive’ on their own. They are beneficiaries of cultural legacies as well as opportunities and advantages that are not always readily apparent but are, in fact, predictable and powerful. They were born with interests and abilities, like the rest of us, but have had advantages that most of us did not. Gladwell does not downplay the high IQ’s of successful individuals or the hard work and the tremendous amount of hours invested in their undertaking; however, these people had the opportunities which allowed them to focus. He addresses the old adage that practice makes perfect and actually assigns a total number of hours to achieve mastery. Gladwell re-enforces the common knowledge that timing is everything – but so are families, place of birth, month of birth, personality, work ethic and luck! Gladwell provides much food for thought as he explores related issues such as the apparent proficiency at mathematics that Asian students have over their Western counterparts, North American summer vacations versus European and extended school schedules, cultural differences between countries, etc. Finally, Gladwell allows us a glimpse into his own personal history by demonstrating how the outlier principals have affected his family.

An outstanding exploration of the history and concept of success that pulls together a vast amount of data and information but makes it totally accessible for the lay person. Highly recommended (P.S. Plan to have your children the first part of the year as they will have undeniable advantages over the rest of us born toward the end of the year!) J. Pedicone

Discussion Questions

1) What impact has this book had on you? Do you feel that there is any truth?

2) Gladwell investigates natural talent versus practical talent. He believes that through many
hours of practice, an individual develops his / her talent. Do you believe in the 10,000
hour rule?

March Book of the Month

Still Alice

Still Alice, a touching story about a 50 year old woman's dramatic discovery that she is slowly entering the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Alice is an independent well respected and prominent professor at Harvard. Her family and home on the Cape are the love of her life. Everything seemed perfect. Suddenly, Alice noticed she couldn't remember certain things and the disruptive forgetfulness began taking a toll. At the climax of her career, she was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease. Embrace the life of Alice and embark on a journey of living in the dark crevices of Alzheimer's, losing independence and altering lifestyles.

Discussion Questions:

1) Why do you think Alice was initially afraid to tell John about her illness?

2) Do you believe that Alice's reputation may have suffered from announcing her illness? Why do you think Alice felt this is how she was perceived?

3) What do you think of John's reaction to the news? Why did he not want to watch Alice take her medication?

4) How do you feel about the reactions from Alice's family? Do agree with Lydia's decision not to go for prescreening?

Welcome Back

Welcome to the Newly Rennovated HPL Online Book Club!

Beginning this March, the HPL Online Book Club will select a different book each month to review. Similar to the previous online book club, you will have the opportunity to voice your opinion on the book of the month. A variety of genres will be chosen to accommodate many reading preferences. As always, any suggestions from our fellow readers are always welcome.