Readers' Services*Requires login |
Readers' Services
Book Club
We meet the third week of the month on Wednesday evening, at 7:00 PM. Join us for one book, join us every month, or join us just for the books that interest you.
Upcoming meetings are listed below or click here to download the brochure.
Book Club contact: Andrea at bookclub@lawrencelibrary.org
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00 p.m.
Reviewer Michael J. Mazza from Pittsburgh, PA USA
It's hard to think of a literary work that has been filmed and staged in more imaginative variations than Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"--there's the excellent George C. Scott version, the delightful Muppet version, the charming Mr. Magoo version, etc., etc. But ultimately true "Carol" lovers should go back to Dickens' original text, which remains a great read. "Carol" tells the story of cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who despises the Christmas holiday and scorns all who celebrate it. But a visit from a series of supernatural beings forces him to reevaluate his attitude--and his life.
With this simple plot Dickens has created one of the enduring triumphs of world literature. It's a robust mix of humor, horror, and (most of all) hope, all leavened with a healthy dash of progressive social criticism. One thing I love about this book is that while it has a focus on a Christian holiday, Dickens puts forth a message that is truly universal; I can imagine this story resonating with people of any religious background, and also with more secular-oriented people.
This is a tale of greed, selfishness, regret, redemption, family, and community, and is enlivened by some of the most memorable characters ever created for English literature. Even if Dickens had never written another word, "A Christmas Carol" would still have, I believe, secured his place as one of the great figures of world literature.
Sink Reflections, by Marla Cilley
Wednesday January 21st, 7:00 p.m.
From Publishers Weekly: In her debut book, Cilley, a.k.a. "The Fly Lady" to the thousands who log onto her FlyLady.net Web site, reaches into the everywoman's home to help make her housecleaning more fun and her life more organized.
Beginning with "Shiny Sink 101," Cilley explains how a spotless kitchen sink can direct even the most discouraged housekeeper onto the path of well-ordered domesticity. Through several straightforward routines, including the 27 Fling Boogie (the cut-throat practice of quick junk disposal), the Five-Minute Room Rescue ("another step on the road to clutter recovery") and the Hot Spot Fire Drill (for an area that, like a forest fire, takes over your home), Cilley advises her "FlyBabies" on how to overcome clutter and CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome).
Filled with testimonials from online followers, the book aims to help
readers establish manageable daily and weekly habits by incorporating
spirituality and family into the program. Detailed and direct, this
is a guidebook for the stay-at-home or working woman who wants to have
it all, including her sanity.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.