BOOK CLUB FORMING IN THE NEW YEAR...

Book Club Possibilities…

This page lists the book titles and authors being considered. Feel free to add your own list of faves…

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas 
by John Boyne

A Thousand Splendid Suns 
by Khaled Hossein

The Camel Bookmobile 
by Masha Hamilto

Eagle of the Ninth
 by Rosemary Sutcliff

The Five People You Meet in Heaven
 by Mitch Albom

Please do join the group if you are interested in reading any of the books and passing on your thoughts about them. We’ll announce the date and time of our monthly get-to-gether soon. We'll meet in the corps' quarters.

"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne

To wet your appetite for this book, the following is taken from the back cover of the novel.

The story of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the cover, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about. If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. We hope you never have to cross such a fence.

"A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini

This book is about “An unforgettable portrait of a wounded country and a deeply moving story of a family and friendship.”

A thought provoking book which all will enjoy; to reflect on the differences in society’s attitudes and culture especially towards women.

"The Camel Bookmobile" by Masha Hamilton

Here is a snippet to whet your appetite for reading this book.

Fiona Sweeny wants to do something that matters and she chooses to make her mark in the arid bush of north eastern Kenya. By helping to start a travelling library, she hopes to bring the words of Homer, Hemingway and Dr Seuss to far-flung tiny communities where people live daily with drought, hunger and disease. Her intentions are honourable and her rules are firm. Due to the limited number of donated books, if any one of them is not returned then the bookmobile will not return.

Widely acclaimed, the book examines the conflicts between progress and tradition, which are inflamed by the bookmobile's presence, and the dangerous naivety of well-meant Western charity and values.

Certain to prompt a lively discussion on many levels, but notably concerning the conflict between proffered education and progress to third world tribes and their own oral but equally sophisticated culture. Exposes Western well-meaning charity to be sabotaged by unintentional arrogance and a lack of understanding of the culture of the people to whom they minister.

"Eagle of the Ninth" by Rosemary Sutcliff

Exciting, suspenseful and thought-provoking are some of the terms readers have applied to this book.

The book explores ideas of culture clash and the validity of different religious thought and life philosophies; offers excellent discussion opportunities.

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom

This book starts with the heroic death of an elderly fairground worker, who swiftly discovers that heaven is not at all the paradise he always assumed it was but a place where your life is explained to you by five people who shared it with you. Through the re-acquaintance of people who have been pivotal in his life, he examines his life and comes to terms with its disappointments.

The book was published in 2003 and figured in best-selling lists for over a year.

The book prompted a consideration of the Roman Catholic concepts of limbo, purgatory and the importance of last rites and baptism, although these had not been mentioned in the book itself.

Major Glad