DSPC Book Group discussion
DSPC Book Group
date
newest »
newest »
It is almost 2016--I can't believe 2015 has flown by so quickly. I just ordered my book on Amazon. We are reading Ordinary Grace by William Kent for January. I will post a question and comment each week of January... just something to think about as you read. You can post any time. The idea is to have conversation about the book throughout the month and then visit in-person once a month on the 4th Thursday of the month!Tell your friends and "pew" neighbors.
Lisa
Actually the book: Ordinary Grace is by William Kent Krueger.We will meet at the church on Thursday, January 28, 2016 @ 6:30.
Happy New Year!
Lisa
Wow! Maybe you should moderate this book? I haven't read it yet.
Sounds great. The idea is just to probe the minds of the group and keep everyone reading. :) No pressure.
...just finished book one. Is this the place where we post spoilers? Just kidding. Can't wait to discuss.
I just started book one today!! Glad you are joining in.
I am 1/2 way through the book and enjoying it. In 1961, I was the same age as the protagonist and much of the story brings back fond memories. I picked up the book from the library a couple of days ago and will return in a few days so someone else has a chance. I did see a good online discussion of the book. Looking forward to our discussion but sorry it conflicts with Soul Sippers. Any chance of doing it on a different Thursday?
I am about 1/2 way through the book also. I keep looking for deeper meaning--as it was one of the top Christian books in 2015. However, maybe that is a personal issue--always looking for deeper meaning, when God's grace is so ordinary. :)We will be changing the monthly date of our in-person gathering so it will not conflict with Soul Sippers. I would really like to do it the last week of the month so people have 4 weeks to read the book of the month.
Makes sense. On last 50 pages and think I have it figured out. But I am generally wrong.
I finished the book in two days and now am reading it a second time more slowly. I have a tendency to read very fast so want to digest it at a more leisurely pace. Of course I was a teenager in the 60's and it was a slower more innocent time, especially when you come from a small town where everyone knows everybody. Looking forward to the discussion. It does conflict with soul sippers.
Typically, I was wrong. Completely missed the foreshadowing. Finished and will return to library tomorrow if someone else wants to take it out. Good book. Nathan Drumm reminded me a little of Atticus in "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Dee, Have you looked at LitLovers wbsite? Lots of suggestions for book club discussions of this book.
Aside from Frank, with whom I most identify, my favorite character is Gus. He is a central connecting figure between Nathan and Frank. A person who, despite his obvious faults, both could depend upon.Regarding the parents, it appears that Nathan is most satisfied with the marriage. She did not get what she bargained for but tried to make the most of her status in his churches with her musical talent. However, she still longed for the life that escaped her. I don't think either of them were particularly happy but created a good home life for their children.
Ruth and Nathan Drum--I can't imagine what it would be like to be married to someone who received a call from God to serve as a minister, after the relationship had started and this person changed completely. I know a couple where the husband was a businessman and the wife was a professional, and then the call came and they headed off to seminary. I have heard my friend say several times, "this is not the life I thought we would have." I have only read have of the book, and so far it seems that Ruth and Nathan love their children and want to be good parents; Ruth misses a life she "thinks" she was supposed to have and Nathan sacrifices his family for his "call". I don't have a favorite character yet. I don't personally identify with any at this point.
...I'm not sure there's one particular character that I identify with. However, as the youngest of four brothers I can certainly connect with Jake.
Had a super secret when I was 11 years old that I could not share with friends who would not have understood. But I needed to share with someone and so selected my 7th grade English teacher who gave me some sage advice.As an adult I have spoken to many people about this "secret" but it is of little import these days.
I am on chapter 35 - only 40 pages to go. I didn't read last week but sat down yesterday afternoon to catch up. I will finish tonight - I would like to read right now, but have work I need to get done. :(Without spoiling...this family has a lot of secrets. I'm not so good with secrets--sure I can keep to myself a special present or surprise, but not good at life damaging secrets. Maybe it is how I was raised: put it on the table, it may be ugly and we might not like it, but if we don't know about it, we can't deal with it! And secrets destroy a person inside. When I think about secrets; I equate that with lying. Can you have a secret and not lie?
Sure. If it is personal and private, you have a choice of sharing with someone or continuing to keep it private. That is what a secret is. Cannot equate that with lying. It simply is nobody's business but your own. Perhaps we are talking about different types of secrets here.
Yes, I think you are correct--maybe different types of secrets, i.e. an alcoholic that keeps his drinking a secret is really lying to himself and others, right? But a child who is being sexually abused by her father is keeping a secret or lying to self? A spouse who is completely dissatisfied with a marriage but stays for the "good of the children" is keeping a secret or lying to self, spouse, and kids? A divorced mother who tries to protect her young daughter from the truth of a drug addicted father is keeping a secret or lying? This gets really blurry for me... I could use everyone's knowledge to clear this up for me. :)
The dissatisfied spouse is an easy one - her undisclosed feelings are not lies. The latter one is easier for me-she should expose him to the world in court to protect child. Keeping back can be a form of lying when she has a duty to come forward. The alcoholic may or may not be lying to himself but, if a closet drinker, has no reason to confess his addiction to others unless it could impact them in some way. The sexually abused child, by keeping quiet, - tough one since it could potentially impact others as she may not be alone. Hard to call it a lie, though.
I finished the book last night... I am not surprised at who committed the murder. I loved the end of the book--dad and two sons meeting. I would like to discuss awful grace and ordinary grace. Any thoughts?
We are meeting tonight at the church from 6:30 - 7:30. Hope you can make it - all welcome, whether you have finished the book, started the book, or never heard of the book. :) Come discuss Ordinary Grace and get a sneak peek at February's book! Any volunteers to facilitate February's discussion?
Moderator role: 1. each week post a couple questions or comments about the book in an effort to facilitate discussion online. 2. facilitate the in-person discussion. You can usually find discussion questions online for every book. If you see a book you are interested in moderating - please let me know and I will add your name to the book.
Additionally, I tried to choose books that would encourage our faith journeys, make us question things, and make us think. There are a couple easier books, but mostly these books will challenge us. The Bonhoeffer book is set up for 2 months because it is SUPER long. He was a theologian and so much more. I have had this book on my shelf for a couple years and never read it - now I hope to have friends to share it with.
Finally, this group was set up for online and in-person so we could be accessible to as many people as are interested and the whole year of books selected so you can decide which books you want to read - all of them, 1 of them, or somewhere in between.
Please invite your friends, neighbors, etc. I look forward to this journey with you all!
Lisa Holleran