McCracken County Public Library discussion

If you've ever thought a book club would be fun but didn't want to be tied down to reading the same book that everyone else is, this is the book club for you. Each month we'll have a topic, and you can read whatever book you want--fiction, nonfiction, as long as it appeals to you and fits the topic.

The topic for January 2014 is "Biography".

As soon as I finish this Grisham book I am going to read a bio. Haven't decided what yet though so I am open to suggestions.

Try I Am Malala...

I need to think about a bio to read...hmmm...I definitely want to read about a historical figure..maybe a president.

A few years ago I read a book about John and Abigail Adams that I really enjoyed. I can't remember the title off the top of my head but we've got it at the library.

Was it My Dearest Friend? That was a great book!

No, I think it was "First Family" http://encore.mclib.net/iii/encore/re...

Oh yes I had forgotten that book. I own it just haven't read it yet.

I am reading two memoirs, one by Jane Lynch and another by Ross Matthews, but that's not what comes to mind when I think "biography". I have heard I am Mahala is really good..maybe I'll try to get that from the library.

I have chosen my bio and I am almost finished with it. I chose a book on Judy Garland. It is so sad. I knew she had some rough times in life, but I had no idea. I am wishing that someone could have reached out to her and loved her instead of always using her. I would like to slap the studio heads that filled her full of pills. I would like to hear her sing "zing went the strings of my heart"

It's more of a memoir than a biography, but I just finished Never Have I Ever. It was pretty funny!

Just finished my second bio of the month. Runnin Wild: Clara Bow. It was quite wild! If you like flappers and the lives of movie stars from times past...this is a good read. It was sad to read about the films she made that have been lost due to improper care. "Wings" is one of my favorite films of all time...for sure my favorite silent film.

So guys, any thoughts for a topic for February?

Michelle, I'm not sure I've ever sat down to watch an entire silent film. I've seen clips and short films, but never a whole movie.

Silent films are great! you read more than watch, which is typically how I watch films anyway (I read the close captions). The music is usually upbeat and fun. With Wings it is a WWI pic and the special effects are outstanding (the film was made in 1926). They even animated the flames from the planes.

No thoughts for February..I'm deep in my second memoir this month so I'm gonna count two memoirs as one bio-lol. I've had WAY too much to read lately and less time in which to do it.

What do you think about "Classics you've never read" for the Feburary theme?

Oooooo that's nice. I have a few on the list.

Books about LOVE! Or maybe historical fiction?

Any of those suggestions sound good to me.

Michelle, I liked Running Wild a lot as well. I agree that it is a great pick if you like stories about women in the Roaring Twenties, which was just a fascinating (and so stylish!) time. I also recommend Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford if you like bios in this period. It's one of my favorite biographies ever. I just checked out Flappers: Six Women of a Dangerous Generation by Judith Mackerell which is supposed to be really good. I enjoy this time period, obviously :)

Sarah, I have just put that one on the "to read" list. Thanks.

I know I'm a few days late in saying what I read, but better late than never, right? I decided to read Elie Wiesel's "Night," which is technically classified as a memoir or autobiography. Anyway, I've been meaning to read this for some time now, and I'm glad I did. It was very poignant, in a different way than, say, Anne Frank's diary. His loss of faith was completely chilling and beyond words.

Whew. What a book! I'm looking forward to reading something for February soon!

It's fine if you post what you read, whenever you read it! :)