Reading Challenge -- December 2013

[Mccracken County Public Library]

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 December 2013 is "Christmas/Winter".

[Kristen]

My Christmas books aren't in yet! Grr.

[Michelle "Champ"]

I have to finish gone with the wind (I read it every year) before I can start my christmas book. Only 500 pages to go!!

[Melissa]

I read Gone with the Wind when I was in college (at the insistence of my roommate from Georgia, who LOVED it). I couldn't stand Scarlet--she was such a spoiled brat! She was a strong woman who accomplished a lot with very little, and I admire her for that, but she couldn't recognize a good thing when she had it and threw it away! I don't like books without happy endings. :)

[Sarah]

What I love about Scarlett is that she is so flawed! I'm a fan of complicated, messy, not always likable characters, obviously.

I have not read any Christmas themed books yet, but I'm eyeing Wally Lamb's Wishin' and Hopin'. It is supposed to have a feel similar to A Christmas Story, and I love things set mid century.

[Michelle "Champ"]

Scarlett was spoiled. Rotten!!! I think there is a lesson there. Open your eyes to the good around you. You may realize how happy you are and not dwell on things you shouldn't have. And don't take friendship for granted. Scarlett had it all...yet her eyes were closed to that.

[Sarah]

Michelle, I rarely reread, but I revisited Gone With the Wind a few year ago. I spent a glorious week one summer in middle school with it, and thought I'd find it disappointing as an adult, after loving it so much then. I was surprised how awesome it still was! Scarlett is such a vivid, larger than life character, she just leaps off the page. Though I probably wouldn't like her if I knew her :)

[Michelle "Champ"]

I agree! She and I could never be friends! I'd probably tell her to quit focusing on heralded and start caring about others. And for sure she was neglectful to her babies.

It is well written. And Mitchell even got accents written as they should be.

[Kristen]

I've never read Gone With the Wind but have seen the movie multiple times- I always cheer when Rhett walks away (because he should have) and then when she declares Tomorrow is another day (because his leaving wasn't the end of her world). I'm reading Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery- part of a series of books set in a fictional town in California..the protagonist owns a store dedicated to Christmas! It's a cute read - when I finish that it's on to Melissa Joan Hart's biography- make biographies January's book club subject-lol.

[Michelle "Champ"]

I love biographies!!!!!

[Kristen]

I do too..of course if it's about someone I'm interested in. I also like essay collections, like the ones by Aisha Tyler or Mindy Kaling. I don't do a whole lot of non-fiction otherwise.

[Sarah]

I am reading a biography right now. It's called The Heir Apparent: A Life of Edward VII, The Playboy Prince. That probably makes me sound very nerdy, but I do love history, especially when it's gossipy and lively, and this one certainly is.

[Michelle "Champ"]

Love books on the royals. Haven't read that one. Adding to my list.

[Mccracken County Public Library]

Biographies for January sounds good--Biographies it is.

[Sarah]

I love biographies. I have a whole goodreads shelf devoted to them. Good call!

[Melissa]

As much as I love Dickens' Christmas Carol, and I've never read the other Christmas stories he wrote, I'm just not feeling like reading those this year. I might try Christmas 1945: The Greatest Celebration in American History, which sounds kind of interesting. Seems the US decided to REALLY celebrate Christmas 1945, (and for good reason, having slogged through years of war!) Harry Truman gave all federal employees 4 days off and people in the military and elsewhere worked overtime to get as many soliders transported back and decommissioned in time to be home for Christmas.