Suzanne’s Comments (group member since Aug 14, 2012)

Suzanne’s comments from the On the Same Page group.

Meet and chat with local authors at the On the Same Page Book Fair. Books will be on hand for purchase on Wednesday, September 12 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Visit the profiles of these featured authors here:

Libby Bagby
Maggie Bishop
Jim Booth
Doug Butler
Julia Taylor Ebel
Karen J. Hall
Marc Hoffman
William F. Kaiser
Michael Kurtz
Charles Meyers
Scott Nicholson
Jack R. Pyle

Chris Arvidson
Clyde Edgerton
Scot Pope
Julie E. Townsend
Barbara Kidd Lawing
Diana Renfro
Lee Smith
D.G. Martin

Whether you know and work with blueberries, or you simply know how to make a mean blueberry muffin, you will find this book a delight to read. Author Jim Minick takes us along on his personal journey to know, grow, and love the blueberry fruit.

Listen here for the podcast interview with the author

“Tongues of Fire” was one of the longest short stories and also had a very intriguing character … a teenage girl who searches for spirituality and believes that denying herself of simple pleasures and practicing incessant prayer will make everything wrong turn out alright. She was also a reader whose favorite books: Little Women, The Secret Garden, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn are all-time favorites of mine as well. The story abruptly ends when her innocence dies leaving me wondering what happened next and wanting more.

What main ideas—themes—does the author explore? Don't forget to talk about the title, often a clue to a book's theme. Why do you think this story's title is the one chosen as the title for the collection?

What passages strike you as insightful, even profound? Perhaps a bit of dialog that's funny or poignant...or encapsulates a character? Maybe comments that state the book's thematic concerns?

Describe the main characters — their personality traits, motivations, inner qualities. Why do they do what they do? Are their actions justified? Do you admire or disapprove of them? Do they remind you of people you know?

Is the plot engaging—does the story interest you? Were you surprised by the plot's complications? Or did you find it predictable, even formulaic?

As expressed in “Tongues of Fire,” what are the rules for being a proper southern lady? (How do you feel about these?)

How do the narrator and the other females in the story comply with or deviate from these rules?

How do you feel about the narrator’s mother?

How does “extreme spirituality” fit into this equation (being a proper southern lady or mother)?

In the story, what is the relationship between religion and passion?

If you could ask the author a question, what would you ask? Have you read other books by the same author? If so how does this story compare. If not, does this story inspire you to read others?

Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not...and how would you change it?

Describe the main characters — their personality traits, motivations, inner qualities. Why do they do what they do? Are their actions justified? Do you admire or disapprove of them? Do they remind you of people you know?

Symbols intensify meaning. Can you identify any in the story — people, actions or objects that stand for something greater than themselves?

Are the characters convincing? Do they come alive for you? How would you describe them — as sympathetic, likeable, thoughtful, intelligent, innocent, naive, strong or weak? Something else?

Do the main characters change by the end of
the book? Do they grow, or come to learn something
about themselves and how the world works?

Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not...and how would you change it?

What passages strike you as insightful, even profound? Perhaps a bit of dialog that's funny or poignant...or encapsulates a character? Maybe comments that state the book's thematic concerns?

Describe the main characters —their personality traits, motivations, inner qualities. Why do they do what they do? Are their actions justified? Do you admire or disapprove of them? Do they remind you of people you know?