New Providence Memorial Library's Online Reading Group discussion

Tonight's episode is themed "Who Am I?"

How do our favorite books about self-discovery help us navigate our life's journey? Is there a particular book on the list of Great American Reads that comes to mind when you think of this question?

Plus: if you'd like to enter to win two free Newark Museum tickets from the library, list what title that you think will win the Great American Read below in the comments.

Tuesday, October 2 from 7 pm to 8 pm
"Book List Journaling"
Write out "to read" or other book lists in bullet journal format. Examples, printables and Great American Read stickers will be provided. Please bring your own notebook and pen.

Tuesday, October 9 from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
"Book Circle: New Fiction"
Reader's advisor and librarian Sue Lipstein of the Morristown Public Library will recommend recently published books of interest to book groups. This program was made possible by the Friends of the New Providence Memorial Library. Please RSVP to npmlref@yahoo.com or call (908) 665-0311.

self-discovery...hmmm, with a panoramic view that informs a philosophy for living, i'd say Herman Hesse's Siddhartha (but it would have meant nothing had i read it early on in life.) the notion that we are able , to a large degree, to control our destiny and our happiness by mindfully , realistically redefining our expectations and wants offers a calmer, happier way to live.

on a smaller and more personal level, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, which i did appreciate the many times i've read it, even when as a kid in school. to assume goodness, to see people fairly, to do the right thing, to stand up for one's principles . these ideals resonated then and still do (especially now !)

what do i think will win ? To Kill a Mockingbird

btw: if 50 Shades of Gray wins, i'm moving to CANADA :-D


Thanks, you've been entered into the contest. To quote the Hunger Games, may the odds be ever in your favor!

Thx.
Either that, or catcher in the rye.

A lot of the others have specialty audiences: sci fi, women, y.a., etc.

I think TKAM will win. I’ll go with you, Sangeeta, if Fifty Shades wins. I do painfully admit that Flowers in the Attic was the most profound thing I read as a 12 year old. I could never get through Pride and Prejudice...one of the few books (along with Wuthering Heights) that works much better as a movie.

I could not finish Moby dick.

Never wanted to even start crime and punishment !

I am torn between The Great Gatsby and Beloved. I am going to go with The Great Gatsby simply because I think more people have read it, and its message is universal. I loved the inventive style of Beloved and think its a more daring book.

I loved To Kill A Mockingbird, and also love that the movie followed the book so closely. I think all the hype over the awful Go Set A Watchman soured me on it a little.

i wanted my memories of Atticus Finch kept pure, so didn't read Go Set a Watchman. plus the negativity around it regarding Harper Lee's caregivers, lawyers, etc. was off-putting and dismaying !

Sangeeta wrote: "i wanted my memories of Atticus Finch kept pure, so didn't read Go Set a Watchman. plus the negativity around it regarding Harper Lee's caregivers, lawyers, etc. was off-putting and dismaying !"
Wish I had decided the same!

Btw Rosanne, I've read almost all of toni morrison's books.
My fave is "the bluest eye"

I really liked Song of Solomon.

Yes !

Hi Rosanne, you've been entered into the contest.

Rosanne wrote: "I am torn between The Great Gatsby and Beloved. I am going to go with The Great Gatsby simply because I think more people have read it, and its message is universal. I loved the inventive style of ..."

Hi Karen,
You've been entered into the contest.

Karen wrote: "I think TKAM will win. I’ll go with you, Sangeeta, if Fifty Shades wins. I do painfully admit that Flowers in the Attic was the most profound thing I read as a 12 year old. I could never get throug..."

Rosanne wrote: "Sangeeta wrote: "i wanted my memories of Atticus Finch kept pure, so didn't read Go Set a Watchman. plus the negativity around it regarding Harper Lee's caregivers, lawyers, etc. was off-putting an..."

Rosanne wrote: "Sangeeta wrote: "i wanted my memories of Atticus Finch kept pure, so didn't read Go Set a Watchman. plus the negativity around it regarding Harper Lee's caregivers, lawyers, etc. was off-putting an..."

I remember liking The Bluest Eye too but don't remember much else, I'll have to re-read it! That's one benefit of not having a great memory. Re-read Beloved when it was voted the best book of the last 25 years a few years ago. By the NYT I think.