Book Discussion - Jun 4th - Freed-Montrose Library - TOO LOUD A SOLITUDE by Bohumil Hrabal

[A Aman]

Hi everyone --
 
We will be meeting next week to discuss TOO LOUD A SOLITUDE by Bohumil Hrabal. Jo will be leading the discussion.
 
Also, we will be voting on five books to cover Sept, Nov, Dec, Jan and February. (October selection will be chosen by the library for Books on the Bayou).
We have six books on the ballot at this time.  Take a look and if you don't like what you see, and if you have attended at least two prior meetings, send me a title before next Thursday.  (Please don't wait until the last minute as I may miss it.) 

For anyone who has sent me titles for the ballot but the titles aren't listed, PLEASE send again. I seem to be struggling more than usual these days keeping up with my email so please don't think I have intentionally disregarded your suggestion. (Also, please remember we are affiliated with Great Books.)  Just send me titles, I will fill in the details.

Please check the ballot before you come next Thursday (in case there are new addtions).  Also, anyone who comes in late, just look for the clipboard which will have the ballot. You can vote before the discussion, during the discussion or shortly (very shortly) after the discussion but before we go around the room at the end.

Ballot at: http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/ballots/jun4-2009.html

FYI - The winning selection which is the longest (for example,  if DAVID COPPERFIELD wins) will be scheduled for November following Books on the Bayou which usually is short or in some cases by some members, it is skipped altogether.

Happy reading!

 --Alice

http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose
  http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/blog/
  http://groups.google.com/group/MontroseGreatBooks
  http://www.houstongreatbooks.net/groups/Montrose.html
  http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/GreatBooksGuide.htm

Upcoming Discussions
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-- June 4, 2009  TOO LOUD A SOLITUDE  by Bohumil Hrabal (self published in 1977) 112 pages
Considered one of the greatest Czech writers of the 20th century, the man whom Kundera considers to be  one of his masters. Tells the story of an eclectic and dimwitted old man who works as a paper crusher at a hydraulic press in a dark cellar in Prague. Using his job to save and amass astounding numbers of rare and banned books, he is an obsessive collector of knowledge. The books that he must destroy become his whole life, his only companions.
--Jo will lead discussion
Note: At end of discussion in June, group will vote on 5 new titles for upcoming reading list. Ballot at: http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/ballots/jun4-2009.html

-- July 2, 2009  SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury (publ 1972) 317 pages
About two thirteen-year-old boys who have a harrowing experience with a nightmarish traveling carnival that comes to their Midwestern town. The carnival's leader is the mysterious "Mr. Dark" who bears a tattoo for each person who, lured by the offer to live out his secret fantasies, has become bound in service to the carnival. Novel places emphasis on the more serious
side of the transition from childhood to adulthood.
-- Cassie will lead discussion

-- August 6, 2009 MAIN STREET by Sinclair Lewis (publ 1920) 448 pages
First American to win Nobel Prize in 1930.
Captures the aura of small town America which requires conformity to tradition and social standards in exchange for recognition, respect and love
from one's neighbors, versus the City as depicted by Washington which seems to offer freedom and individuality precisely because there's no one there
who cares about you or what you do.
--Susan will lead discussion