Poughkeepsie Book Club Forums

[The Lounge] Moving: Books and Misc items for taking

gadgetgrl — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:26:53 GMT

Author: gadgetgrl
Post subject: Moving: Books and Misc items for taking
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:26 pm

Hello! As most know, I'm moving to NYC shortly and as such, I have a number of items I'm going to donate/get rid of. If you want to look through the list of items, please just send me a message/email (ash.jennifer@gmail.com) and I'll share the spreadsheet of items with you. I have a good number of books and some appliances/craft projects. If someone can give them a good home, I'd be happy

Thanks!
Jenn

[Announcements] Re: August Meeting

sparrowhawk — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:46:10 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: August Meeting
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:46 pm

I can host.

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] October Book Nominations

Frank — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:01:07 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: October Book Nominations
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:01 pm

Nominations time!

Since this is for our October book club, let's aim for a spooky Halloween theme for this book.

The crucial pieces of information we want are:

1. Title and Author
2. Description
3. Length
4. Hardcover only?
5. Top Amazon review value and average review value
6. Availability in local libraries

Also, to try to select books that are more appropriate to the book club, we could use information such as:

* Availability of discussion guides
* Existence of other book clubs that read the book
* The title appears on college reading lists

These new items are aimed at trying to get books that lend themselves to discussion. If we all read the greatest book in the world but it's so straightforward that the only thing we can think to say about it at the meeting is that we all agree it's the greatest book in the world, that's rather lame. We would just like to put the "book" back in "Book Club" a bit.

[Announcements] August Meeting

Frank — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:59:50 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: August Meeting
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:59 am

Book club is 7pm on Wednesday, August 25.

Any hosting volunteers?

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: September Book Nominations

Enigma0430 — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:52:39 GMT

Author: Enigma0430
Post subject: Re: September Book Nominations
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 11:52 pm

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
by Dai Sijie, Ina Rilke (trans.), 2001
Random House 192 pp.

Amazon 4/5 stars with 229 reviews, the the most helpful review 5/5 stars with 88/92 people finding it helpful.

Available in paperback & the library

At the height of Mao’s infamous Cultural Revolution, two boys are among hundreds of thousands exiled to the countryside for “re-education.” The narrator and his best friend, Luo, guilty of being the sons of doctors, find themselves in a remote village where, among the peasants of Phoenix mountain, they are made to cart buckets of excrement up and down precipitous winding paths. Their meager distractions include a violin—as well as, before long, the beautiful daughter of the local tailor.
But it is when the two discover a hidden stash of Western classics in Chinese translation that their re-education takes its most surprising turn. While ingeniously concealing their forbidden treasure, the boys find transit to worlds they had thought lost forever. And after listening to their dangerously seductive retellings of Balzac, even the Little Seamstress will be forever transformed.
From within the hopelessness and terror of one of the darkest passages in human history, Dai Sijie has fashioned a beguiling and unexpected story about the resilience of the human spirit, the wonder of romantic awakening and the magical power of storytelling.

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: September Book Nominations

Enigma0430 — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:49:22 GMT

Author: Enigma0430
Post subject: Re: September Book Nominations
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 11:49 pm

The profiler : my life hunting serial killers and psychopaths by Pat Brown
In Hardcover and Library (4 copies)
304 pages
Amazon 3.5 stars

In 1990, a young woman was strangled on a jogging path near the home of Pat Brown and her family. Brown suspected the young man who was renting a room in her house, and quickly uncovered strong evidence that pointed to him--but the police dismissed her as merely a housewife with an overactive imagination. It would be six years before her former boarder would be brought in for questioning, but the night Brown took action to solve the murder was the beginning of her life's work.

Pat Brown is now one of the nation's few female criminal profilers--a sleuth who assists police departments and victims' families by analyzing both physical and behavioral evidence to make the most scientific determination possible about who committed a crime. Brown has analyzed many dozens of seemingly hopeless cases and brought new investigative avenues to light.

In The Profiler, Brown opens her case files to take readers behind the scenes of bizarre sex crimes, domestic murders, and mysterious deaths, going face-to-face with killers, rapists, and brutalized victims. It's a rare, up-close, first-person look at the real world of police and profilers as they investigate crimes--the good and bad, the cover-ups and the successes.

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

Enigma0430 — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 14:50:56 GMT

Author: Enigma0430
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 10:50 am

We'll all be there, I will provide paper goods, definitely a green salad, and if the rest of my day goes smoothly - perhaps a vegetarian chili or baked bean dish.

Can someone bring a cooler and Ice? We'll probably need it for drinks.

I have a bottle of cola, water and juice to contribute for drinks.

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

Frank — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:56:44 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 1:56 pm

Here are some ideas for those of you who don't know what to bring: veggies (maybe corn), side dish (maybe a green salad, or a fruit salad), etc.

Drinks are fine too but I'm more worried about food.

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

pudgy groundhog — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:43:23 GMT

Author: pudgy groundhog
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 10:43 am

Norah and I will be there. We will be coming from somewhere else, so I'll need to stop at the store and buy something before the BBQ. I can get anything -- maybe a side item?

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

blackwolf — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:14:47 GMT

Author: blackwolf
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:14 am

I'll be there. Not sure what to bring - do we need drinks?

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

ajmedina — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:18:03 GMT

Author: ajmedina
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:18 am

I will bring Peruvian style marinated beef to grill.

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

MRose812 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:17:59 GMT

Author: MRose812
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:17 am

Justin and I will be in town this weekend, so we can come but will only be able to stay for about an hour because of the long drive back. We will bring something for dessert. Can't wait to see you all!

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

gadgetgrl — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:31:43 GMT

Author: gadgetgrl
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:31 pm

As I'm uncertain as to when I can make it, I'll be a maybe and plan for a dessert.

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

sparrowhawk — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:26:54 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:26 pm

I will bring pasta salad.

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

Frank — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:19:27 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 3:19 pm

The poll is over and with 10 out of 39 votes, this Sunday, July 18, wins.

Erica will be hosting at 3pm at her place - directions are on the pokbooks.com home page.

Please RSVP here, and please let us all know what food you will be bringing. This is a potluck BBQ so bring grill foods, bring side dishes, bring desserts, and bring drinks please!

I will bring burgers, buns, and lettuce + tomatoes + pickles.

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

Frank — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:48:54 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 9:48 am

I think so. I should be sending around details today. It's a little short notice, but you guys voted for a day right around the corner, so that's that

[Announcements] Re: July Meeting

blackwolf — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:58:33 GMT

Author: blackwolf
Post subject: Re: July Meeting
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:58 am

Looks like this Sunday is winning... are we going to go with that day?

[Announcements] July Meeting

Frank — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:45:42 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: July Meeting
Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 2:45 pm

To keep up with a great tradition, this month will be our annual Book Club BBQ.

Since it is hard to have a nice BBQ on a Wednesday, we typically have this book club on a weekend day.

I've posted a poll for the day above, so let's vote on that.

Daniela and Erica have already offered to host (thanks ladies!).

So the other main thing to discuss is what food to eat, who is bringing what, etc. We typically have been going with a local foods theme, but for this book we may want to change things up a little. I'm open to suggestions.

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] September Book Nominations

Frank — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:39:35 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: September Book Nominations
Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 2:39 pm

Nominations time!

The crucial pieces of information we want are:

1. Title and Author
2. Description
3. Length
4. Hardcover only?
5. Top Amazon review value and average review value
6. Availability in local libraries

Also, to try to select books that are more appropriate to the book club, we could use information such as:

* Availability of discussion guides
* Existence of other book clubs that read the book
* The title appears on college reading lists

These new items are aimed at trying to get books that lend themselves to discussion. If we all read the greatest book in the world but it's so straightforward that the only thing we can think to say about it at the meeting is that we all agree it's the greatest book in the world, that's rather lame. We would just like to put the "book" back in "Book Club" a bit.

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: August Book Nominations

sparrowhawk — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:19:10 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: August Book Nominations
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 6:19 pm

Woo hoo! I think you guys will enjoy it!

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: August Book Nominations

Frank — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:10:13 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: August Book Nominations
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:10 pm

Your book won, surprise surprise, since it was the only official nomination

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

Frank — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 21:41:43 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:41 pm

Orders are in. See you all tonight.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

pudgy groundhog — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:15:47 GMT

Author: pudgy groundhog
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:15 pm

I'll be there. Two slices please (at least one meat).

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

blackwolf — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:20:51 GMT

Author: blackwolf
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:20 am

One meat and one grandpa please.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

sparrowhawk — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:29:00 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:29 am

I'll be there. 2 slices of regular cheese, please. Sorry George, not a fan of Sicilian.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

George — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:56:03 GMT

Author: George
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:56 am

I'll be there

Would anyone be up for Sicilian? Otherwise, I'm fine with my meat pizza, 3-4 slices

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

gadgetgrl — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:27:17 GMT

Author: gadgetgrl
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 11:27 pm

I'll be there. 2 Slices of Grandpa pizza.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

Frank — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:49:23 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 10:49 pm

Book club is 7pm on Wednesday, June 30.

I'm hosting; a link to directions is on our home page.

If you are coming, please post in this thread so I can get a head count. If you are bringing guest(s), include that information too.

If you would like pizza, please include in your post how many slices and of what kind, from the following list. I'll do my best to satisfy everyone's request.

* Meat Pizza
* Vegetable Pizza
* Mushroom Pizza
* Cheese Pizza
* Grandpa (Grandma Margherita) Pizza

Thanks.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

sparrowhawk — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 18:45:16 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 2:45 pm

I am now here the 23rd, but who knows if I will be well enough to be around people.

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Food Politics

Frank — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:43:39 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Food Politics
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 2:43 pm

A relevant article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vandana-s ... 92419.html

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

MRose812 — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:47:17 GMT

Author: MRose812
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 4:47 pm

I have to go to the Board of Education meeting on the 23rd so I can get a piece of paper that says I received tenure to use on all my Boston job interviews. Thanks for trying though, Frank!

I will miss all of you, and loved being in book club! Sorry this year I was so all over the place and irresponsible. I know I will see you soon - hopefully at the BBQ!

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: June Book Nominations

Mr. Goodbar — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:21:17 GMT

Author: Mr. Goodbar
Post subject: Re: June Book Nominations
Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 5:21 pm

Started listening to "The Hunger Games"..I did not realize it was a "young adult" novel though..I was greeted with an "Audible kids!" intro when the book started.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

sparrowhawk — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:18:00 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:18 am

I cannot come June 23rd--will be away.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

blackwolf — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:46:32 GMT

Author: blackwolf
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 10:46 pm

either day works for me.

[Announcements] Re: June Meeting

pudgy groundhog — Fri, 28 May 2010 02:35:52 GMT

Author: pudgy groundhog
Post subject: Re: June Meeting
Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 10:35 pm

I know it's before a holiday, but June 30th works for me. I will be in Maine on June 23rd.

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: August Book Nominations

sparrowhawk — Fri, 28 May 2010 01:13:53 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: August Book Nominations
Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 9:13 pm

I highly recommend it!

“The Great Escape” by Paul Brickhill
~300 pages
5/5 stars, 55 customer reviews
Available in paperback
3 copies in the library
3 audio CDs of the book also available at the library

A book that describes the real-life escape of 76 POWs from a maximum security German POW camp during WWII. Many were recaptured, but some were not. It also describes their previous escape efforts and goes into great detail of how they were able to make what they needed (forged papers, tools for digging, etc.). Reading about the huge efforts that went into all of this is amazing--I was amazed that mankind can be so resourceful and patient. I'm not sure I could be!

Wikipedia: "The Great Escape is an autobiographical account by Paul Brickhill about the mass escape from the German prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III for British and Commonwealth airmen. Though Brickhill himself did not escape, he did record the events."

The book was turned into a movie, which I have always liked, but I loved the more detail that the book had about this main escape and others. A really great book! But if you do not finish in time I guess you can watch the movie .

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] August Book Nominations

Frank — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:35:25 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: August Book Nominations
Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 8:35 pm

Nominations time!

The crucial pieces of information we want are:

1. Title and Author
2. Description
3. Length
4. Hardcover only?
5. Top Amazon review value and average review value
6. Availability in local libraries

Also, to try to select books that are more appropriate to the book club, we could use information such as:

* Availability of discussion guides
* Existence of other book clubs that read the book
* The title appears on college reading lists

These new items are aimed at trying to get books that lend themselves to discussion. If we all read the greatest book in the world but it's so straightforward that the only thing we can think to say about it at the meeting is that we all agree it's the greatest book in the world, that's rather lame. We would just like to put the "book" back in "Book Club" a bit.

[Announcements] June Meeting

Frank — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:34:26 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: June Meeting
Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 8:34 pm

Book club is 7pm on Wednesday, June 30.

I heard that some people may not be able to make that, so if there is any support for June 23, let me know here.

Any hosting volunteers?

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: July Book Nominations

Frank — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:10:51 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: July Book Nominations
Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 9:10 pm

Food Politics won.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

Frank — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:18:28 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 4:18 pm

Orders are closed. See you tonight!

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

MRose812 — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:57:17 GMT

Author: MRose812
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 10:57 am

I will be there, though I will most likely be a little late. Two meat works for me as well.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

terwilleger — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:38:20 GMT

Author: terwilleger
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 9:38 am

I will be there. Ill take 2 meat slices

[Meerkats, Mindreaders, and Martians] Re: July Book Nominations

George — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:30:02 GMT

Author: George
Post subject: Re: July Book Nominations
Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 9:30 am

1. Title and Author
Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History - Penny Le Couteur
2. Description
Napoleon's Buttons is the fascinating account of seventeen groups of molecules that have greatly influenced the course of history. These molecules provided the impetus for early exploration, and made possible the voyages of discovery that ensued. The molecules resulted in grand feats of engineering and spurred advances in medicine and law; they determined what we now eat, drink, and wear. A change as small as the position of an atom can lead to enormous alterations in the properties of a substance-which, in turn, can result in great historical shifts.

With lively prose and an eye for colorful and unusual details, Le Couteur and Burreson offer a novel way to understand the shaping of civilization and the workings of our contemporary world.
3. Length
384 Pages
4. Hardcover only?
Paperback available on Amazon for 11.53
5. Top Amazon review value and average review value
4.57 / 5 24 5-star, 10 4-star, 3 3-star, nothing lower
6. Availability in local libraries
1 in Adriance, 1 in Beacon, both available

http://www.amazon.com/Napoleons-Buttons ... 705&sr=8-1

I am currently reading this book. For the less technical, the chemistry is not overwhelming, you could easily skip it and not miss anything. The first chapter is about spices. It then uses the shipping industry to get into Vitamin C and how that affected colonization in the 16th century. I really like the book so far. Assuming I can finish it in enough time, I would be willing to loan it out.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

George — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:21:25 GMT

Author: George
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 9:21 am

I think I'm going to sit this one out. Reading the June book though, so far, it's pretty good.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

Frank — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:49:18 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 8:49 pm

Erica offered to host (thanks Erica!) so we're meeting there on Wednesday.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

sparrowhawk — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:24:48 GMT

Author: sparrowhawk
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 6:24 pm

I am not positive I will be able to come, hence my not responding yet. If I come I will have eaten beforehand.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

Enigma0430 — Sat, 22 May 2010 15:53:09 GMT

Author: Enigma0430
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Sat May 22, 2010 11:53 am

I can host also if needed. Not sure on attendance at this point. Waiting to hear regarding sitters.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

blackwolf — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:50:59 GMT

Author: blackwolf
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 11:50 am

I will be there and I can host as long as everyone pretends that they don't notice that the living room is exceptionally empty since we are fixing the ceiling.

For pizza I would like one grampa and one meat, please.

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

pudgy groundhog — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:20:14 GMT

Author: pudgy groundhog
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 7:20 am

Can't make it this month - I'm picking up my mom from the airport. Have fun!

[Announcements] Re: May Meeting

Frank — Thu, 20 May 2010 04:51:54 GMT

Author: Frank
Post subject: Re: May Meeting
Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 12:51 am

Book club is 7pm on Wednesday, May 26.

No one has offered to host, so we have nowhere to meet yet. If you can host, let me know. If we don't get a host, we can't have a meeting.

If you are coming, please post in this thread so I can get a head count. If you are bringing guest(s), include that information too.

If you would like pizza, please include in your post how many slices and of what kind, from the following list. I'll do my best to satisfy everyone's request.

* Meat Pizza
* Vegetable Pizza
* Mushroom Pizza
* Cheese Pizza
* Grandpa (Grandma Margherita) Pizza

Thanks.