For our next act ...

Chicas --

Ola!
I apologize for dropping out of 'Life of Pi' in the middle. I started a new job (for which I get to review books, ironically!) and am just getting my feet under me again.

If anyone would like to get going again -- maybe shooting for a mid-May discussion date? -- I'd be happy to start the discussion.

Nominations? Suggestions? Comments?

And While I'm On the Topic...

I've been reading another blog where somebody asked if Life of Pi was a book she should bother with, and most of the commenters have been people who Loved This Book. They're talking about how anyone with deep spiritual personal growth will love it too, and that there are secret messages at the end. Did I just TOTALLY miss something? What the heck was this book about anyway? Help!

Quick Question about Life of Pi

At the end when they come to take Pi's statement, he gives two versions of the story when they don't believe the first one. Do you think there's any possibility that the second one was the truth and he made up all that other stuff about Richard Parker and the cannibal island? Would it change the way you felt about the book if that were the case?

Gotta Love Reader's Guides

Howdy, kids! The end of the week got away from me and despite the fact that I've had questions in a text file on my computer for almost a week, I didn't get around to posting until just now. A couple questions are below. As always, feel free to post your own questions or e-mail me (normanfam at gmail dot com) and I'll post it for you, with appropriate credit, of course.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I really liked this book, though somewhat less upon the second reading, but I know that Jenni was disappointed, to say the least. Such differing opinions should make for good conversation, at least!

A Pool. And Math.

Pi's full name, Piscine Molitor Patel, was inspired by a Parisian swimming pool that "the gods would have delighted to swim in." The shortened form refers to the ratio of a circle's circumference divided by its diameter. Explore the significance of Pi's unusual name.

Religion by Pi

In chapter 23, Pi sparks a lively debate when all three of his spiritual advisors try to claim him. At the heart of this confrontation is Pi's insistence that he cannot accept an exclusively Hindu, Christian, or Muslim faith; he can only be content with all three. What is Pi seeking that can solely be attained by this apparent contradiction?

Moved

For all of you who are listed as contributors, I have switched to the "new" blogger. If you haven't already switched, you will need to do so to be able to post questions. Easy and quick, so don't be afraid. I've been putting it off for a while because I was scared, so some of you regular bloggers with your own sites might have already done this...

Leave a comment or e-mail me if you have questions.

Life of Pi - discuss next week?

Shall we plan to start discussing "Life of Pi" at the end of next week? Does that give those of you who haven't read it yet enough time?

Snubbed!

Ow! I guess no one wants to discuss anything right now -- based on the overwhelming response to my last post. What's going on with everyone, fellow booklovers? Do we want to wait to 2007 to chat? I'm good with whatever.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Best wishes to everyone for a happy Thanksgiving tomorrow -- or whenever you're celebrating! Whatever's on tap for you this year, I hope it involves lots of whipped cream.

If anyone wants to start discussing either Life of Pi or As Nature Made Him at the beginning of December (say Monday, Dec. 4), I'm happy to kick off the discussion. What's the consensus on our next book? And do you all want to chat in December, or wait until after the holidays?

What's Next?

I couldn't remember our timeline to be finished with Down Came the Rain. What's on the agenda next? I actually already have a copy of Life of Pi, and would have to go out and find that other one, so there's my vote, based on selfish and lazy motives. :)

Looking ahead

Throughout the book, Shields is achingly honest about the apathy and sometimes dislike she felt for her daughter while struggling with PPD. As she found a good medication and underwent therapy, she talks about how that changes and how her love for her daughter became everything she ever hoped and more. But, if you were Rowan, Brooke's daughter, how do you think it would affect your relationship to read this book as an adult? At what age do you think a child can understand a mom's ambivalence, if ever? It's PC to say Rowan will be proud of her mom for being honest and helping other women -- and she probably will be -- but do you think that will be totally true, or will she be hurt in some ways as well?

The darkest secrets

Re: Page 71
"The wall morphed into a video game, and in it her little body smacked the surface and slid down onto the floor."
Wow. Was anyone expecting this kind of openness? How did this passage make everyone feel? Were you horrified? Empathetic? Do we all have these moments of unbidden images of hurting someone that our superego squelches? If the narrator had been an unwed, poor mother, not a celebrity, would that change your opinion of this passage in the book?

Speaking of celebs ...

OK, I'll post a book-related question in a sec. But I did want to build on Christy's question about celebrities and babies and ask what everyone thought of this big trend toward celebrity adoptions. Did Angelina Jolie start the hippest trend ever? Is this good for the kids getting adopted? Why do you think being a mom has become so cool in Hollywood lately? (And, go ahead, tell us what you think about Madonna's adoption too ...)

Here's a couple to get us started

Below are a couple questions to get the discussion rolling for Down Came the Rain by Brooke Shields. Please feel free to post your own discussion questions at any time...

Oh, and even if you haven't read, please read the questions. These first two are more of "reading the book made me wonder this and I want to know what you think" rather than straight discussion of the book itself. Your comments are welcome weather you have read or not.