LHS Circles of Ten

Tuesdays Thread #2 - meaning of life

2009-01-28T07:39:00.002-07:00

Please respond to any of these prompts and to comments made by other readers:
1. Try the "effect of silence" exercise that Mitch described in your class or in a group. What did you learn from it?
2. Morrie told Mitch about the "tension of opposites" (p.40-ish). Talk about this metaphor in the book and for our society.
3. Morrie said "If you've found meaning in your life, you don't want to go back. You want to go forward" (p. 118-ish). Is this true in your experience?
4. Morrie said "You have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it. Create your own". (p.35-ish). Could you do this?

Tuesdays with Morrie Thread #1 - relationship

2009-01-28T07:31:00.003-07:00

Please respond to any of these prompts and to comments made here by other readers:
1. Do you think Mitch would have gone to Morrie's house the second time if the newspaper strike hadn't happened? Why was he reluctant to return?
2. Do you think Mitch would have listened if Morrie hadn't been dying? How does impending death make one's voice more powerful?
3. Discuss Morrie's criticisms of Mitch. Do you think Morrie should have been tougher on Mitch? easier on Mitch?
4. People often say they'd like to live a long life, then "die in my sleep". Morrie died slowly with time to share thoughts on life and death with loved ones. Which is a better way to end one's life?

February book

2009-01-20T13:38:00.004-07:00

Our next book was a best-seller, made into a movie!

Tuesdays with Morrie - an old man, a young man, and life's greatest lesson

An inspirational and a compelling book - enjoyable for all ages.

Read about the author, Mitch Albom, one of America's most beloved sport commentators and columnists. Albom was an amateur boxer, a nightclub singer and pianist, and a stand-up comedian, and now author of three best-sellers.

Write your own review at BookBrowse.

Post #2 no names, the coast, and fear

2008-12-01T13:41:00.002-07:00

Some questions I have that you may have opinions on... please comment on any or all.

Why do you think the author didn't name the man or the boy?

What does the coast represent to them and to the story? What did they think they'd find there? Were they satisfied or disappointed when they arrived?

The boy doesn't say much, but when he talks, he says many times "I'm scared". He is always in fear, but still wants to be compassionate to everyone they meet along the way. Why does the author make him so forgiving, yet so fearful?

Post #1 - what happened?

2008-11-25T08:58:00.002-07:00

The author doesn't explain what kind of catastrophe has ruined the earth and destroyed people, but describes a "scorched landscape covered with ash" in many different ways. He also talks about the man & his wife in their apartment in the past.

What could have happened to create the situation we're reading about.
How long ago did this big event happen? Or was it gradual destruction that happened over a long time?

The Road - Links & Welcome

2008-11-19T10:02:00.005-07:00

Cormac McCarthy's new book, The Road, has been called a "must read", intense, disturbing, and "a story of tragedy and hope".... I wonder how you will describe it. One review says:
Only recommended for aged and bold readers.
Read a review.

The Road has won many awards, including:
*June 2008, Entertainment Weekly named The Road the best book, fiction or non-fiction, of the past twenty-five years! Read more on wikipedia's entry.
*2006 Pulitzer Prize for fiction
*2006 National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction

McCarthy's other popular books include "All the Pretty Horses" and "No Country For Old Men". Visit the author's website.

The movie is currently in production and will be out in 2009.

Post #3 - at the end of the book...

2008-10-16T12:53:00.002-06:00

About half way through the book, we learn the process by which Carlisle changed Edward into a vampire. Bella says she wants to be like Edward, but when she is bitten, Edward saves her human life. Why didn't he let her become a vampire? Why is she so sure she wants to be a vampire? Can the human/vampire relationship continue as it is?

Post #2 Bella's other relationships

2008-10-06T09:26:00.004-06:00

What do you think of how Bella treats her friends (Jacob, Mike, Jessica) and her dad? She's very secretive with them and even lies to them. Are there ever good reasons to lie to your friends and family rather consistently, which it seems she's doing? When you know people close to you won't approve of one of your relationships, how do you handle it?
Also: Great site for the truly hooked on Twilight with character bios & more: http://www.twilightlexiconblog.com/?page_id=6

Post #1 - Bella's attraction to Edward

2008-10-01T12:19:00.003-06:00

Bella moved from her mom's house and all she knew, to live in another state with her dad and start at a new high school. How much do you think Bella's situation contributes to her attraction to Edward? Do you think she's a little "over the top" on how she feels about him at this early stage?

Welcome to Twilight!

2008-09-26T10:48:00.005-06:00

While you are reading, be sure to learn more about the author, Stephenie Meyer, from this interview by Entertainment Weekly.

You might also want to go to the author's own website.

Do you want to know more about the movie, Twilight, coming out in November?

Watch the movie trailer!!! And interviews with the author and the producer.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the first book in the Twilight series and we'll have some spirited discussions on the blog!
Thanks for joining this Circle of Ten.

Post #5 - State of Fear

2008-03-17T08:39:00.003-06:00

Kenner reveals the plot by the eco-terrorist organization to create 4 "catastrophes" to coincide with Nicholas Drake's NERF conference. Early on, they uncovered the plot in Antarctica and Peter & Sarah climb out of a crevasse & are saved by a robot! They discover the plot to flood a park full of families picnicking in a southwest state (pg. 310 or so). In this one, rockets with microfilaments will be shot into the coulds, causing more lightning & rain than usual. Tell us more about either of these planned disasters - could plots like this ever work? How did our main characters survive? Did you enjoy the writing style? Were these "over the top" stories?

Post #4 - State of Fear

2008-03-06T15:31:00.002-07:00

In the chapter "To Weddell Station" around pg. 210 or so...
Kenner tells Peter Evans that Antarctica holds 90% of all the ice on the planet. He follows up with research showing that Antarctica is getting cooler recently, but that it has been melting for the last six thousand years.
Do you believe it? Did you go online to check out any of the research? Do you think Kenner's a nut or a man of science?

Post #3 - State of Fear

2008-02-21T14:47:00.003-07:00

Around page 82, chapter titled Vanutu Team, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 11:00 a.m., Peter Evans is sitting in as an "average person" who might be on the jury. After you've read the chapter, tell us about it. Did you "get it" on the first read? What is your impression of the information given and did any of the information change your mind about your previous ideas?

Post #2 State of Fear

2008-02-21T14:28:00.003-07:00

Some main characters in the story are George Morton - millionaire philanthropist, Peter Evans - George's attorney, Nicholas Drake - director of NERF, and John Kenner - professor at MIT.
Talk about any or all of these characters. Who do you trust and what are his motives?

1st Post - State of Fear

2008-02-19T14:34:00.005-07:00

Our February book, State of Fear by Michael Crichton, is adventure-packed and is sure to make for great discussion of the global warming issue.

The book has caused controversy since it was published in 2004. You may want to look at the appendices and the bibliography at the back of the book before you begin reading.

Crichton did a huge amount of research for the book. He lists his sources so "readers can review his thinking and arrive at their own conclusions".

Link to State of Fear on Michael Crichton's official website.
criticism on the web for this book - from the National Resources Defense Council and from the Union of Concerned Scientists
praise for the book on the web - from the Heartland Institute and from the National Center for Policy Analysis.

Post #2 - Jesse

2008-01-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

What do you think about Brian's decision not to turn in Jesse for setting the fires? Is Dad trying to payback Jesse for being absent in his life? Would Jesse benefit from a punishment more than from understanding? Did Dad do what was best for him or what was best for Jesse?

My Sister's Keeper - Post #1

2007-12-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

In the first few chapters, we've heard from Anna (the sister), Campbell (the lawyer), Sara (the mom), and Brian (the dad). Which one of these people do you identify with the most so far? Which do you sympathize with or understand best? Explain for us.

Thanks for blogging and please come back next week to discuss another idea!!!

December Book - My Sister's Keeper

2007-11-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

The sign-up for this December book starts the week of Dec. 3rd. You can pick up your book the week of Dec. 10th so you can read & blog over our holiday break.Our final meeting will be on thursday, January 10th.This is a bestseller that will draw you in immediately. It's one of those "ripped from the headlines" books that will get you thinking about DNA, stem cells, and cloning. Read the true story here at washingtonpost.com.I guarantee you'll enjoy reading and discussing this book! Read more from the author, Jodi Picoult, at her website.