DownSyn Forum

jennifergg · Last edited by jennifergg on August 23 2010, 9:17 AM; edited 2 times in total

Good grief, it's been a while! But I do so love talking about books, and I wanted to suggest a classic: THE GOOD EARTH by Pearl S. Buck. It's a book I love because it represents so many of the things I believe in: writing that makes people come together across time/boundaries/politics; writing that supports women writers, and now (especially) writing that represents people with disabilities in positive ways.

I hope this will be a go and some fun for us all!

xo
Jennifer

_________________
Jennifer Graf Groneberg

MommyAngela · Posted: July 14 2010, 7:10 PM Post subject:

I'd love to! I honestly have not read that book in probably about 15 years, but I remember really loving it. If I can tear myself away from my Tori Spelling book, I'll scrounge up a copy! lol

_________________

Angela
Wife to Matthew
Mom to three wonderful sons:
Andrew James--3/24/06
Benjamin Matthew--4/24/08 DS--VSD & ASD repaired 10/3/08, intestinal obstruction repaired 1/13/09, hypospadias & ventral hernia repaired 8/21/09
Thomas Alexander--3/25/10

www.theamicks-angela.blogspot.com

jennifergg

Yay, Angela! If you're in, I'm in! Like you, I read the book a long time ago, then recently, reread it. It spoke to me in so many ways...as a writer, a mom, but especially, as someone who loves a person with disabilities. I really apprecaited the way Buck brought this topic, which was no doubt a publishing catastrophe in her day (maybe even now) into the public eye. She is my hero!!!

Let's get after this book! And thank you for jumping on board!

xo
Jennifer

(I'm still here: jennifergrafgroneberg@yahoo.com. How are you?!)

_________________
Jennifer Graf Groneberg

kzmom · Posted: July 14 2010, 8:28 PM Post subject:

Okay, I'm in too! I read this in high school, but can't remember it at all- but I do remember that I liked it. So it should be fun!

Angela- I read both those Tori Spelling books too!

_________________
______
Kristen
Mom to Zach (Jan 2005) and Katelyn (Feb 2008 DS)

MommyAngela · Posted: July 14 2010, 9:16 PM Post subject:

I just checked online, and my library has six copies. Yay!

I am reading the third Tori Spelling book right now!! It just came out. I borrowed it from a friend who bought it. Such a nice, light distraction from life. Smile

_________________

Angela
Wife to Matthew
Mom to three wonderful sons:
Andrew James--3/24/06
Benjamin Matthew--4/24/08 DS--VSD & ASD repaired 10/3/08, intestinal obstruction repaired 1/13/09, hypospadias & ventral hernia repaired 8/21/09
Thomas Alexander--3/25/10

www.theamicks-angela.blogspot.com

AliMama · Posted: July 14 2010, 10:13 PM Post subject:

Although I love books and writing, I've never actually been in a book club. I'm game to try it, though. (Don't tell my teachers, but I don't think I ever read it , so this will be great!)

_________________
Maresa,
Mom to Alisa (10-29-2008) DS, complete AV canal repair on 3-6-09

Heather_R · Posted: July 14 2010, 10:46 PM Post subject:

I'm interested, too! I have not read this one, but it sounds wonderful. I'll have to put down my vampire books for a few weeks. Smile

_________________
Heather
Mama to Heidi (11/27/07) & Bridget (2/20/10)

Shelley · Posted: July 15 2010, 6:58 AM Post subject:

Whoo Hoo - fantastic - I've only read The Girl who Never Grew - will get the kindle out to buy a copy of the Good Earth asap...

_________________

Mum to Hannah (ds) and Kit 15/10 /04

jennifergg · Posted: July 15 2010, 9:55 AM Post subject:

Wonderful! "See" you all back here in a few weeks, when I'll put up some discussion questions for us to talk about. You can add your thoughts to them in the threads, and you don't have to add anything if you don't feel like it (of course!). If you have questions you want to discuss, put them up! Or, if you prefer, email them to me and I'll post them for you.

Sometimes in book club we have the authors participating; obviously not, this time. But we can talk a little bit about Buck's whole life, and get that larger perspective, about what her books meant in her time, and also, why they are enduring and still meaningful today.

Happy reading!

xo
Jennifer

_________________
Jennifer Graf Groneberg

jooniper · Posted: July 17 2010, 7:44 PM Post subject:

I love The Good Earth. I'm in!

I am also intriqued by her life. From what I've read, her kids seemed bitter about the amount of time she spent on her career.

Will be a good discussion. Thanks Jennifer!

_________________
Gillian
wife to Sergei and mom to Elaina ( Cool

, Zoya (6) and Polina (2 1/2 DS)
http://lintofpocket.wordpress.com/

Momtoseven · Posted: July 20 2010, 7:54 PM Post subject:

I'm getting on here a little late, but I loved "the Good Earth" and was just thinking of their "special" child. I will dig up my copy or head to the library tomorrow - I'm excited to read it again.

_________________
Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708

MommyAngela · Posted: August 16 2010, 10:54 PM Post subject:

Are we starting to discuss the book this week? Is everyone finished? I have about 65 pages left and hope to find the time to finish by Thursday, but am not sure if I will. These kids keep getting in my way of reading! Wink

_________________

Angela
Wife to Matthew
Mom to three wonderful sons:
Andrew James--3/24/06
Benjamin Matthew--4/24/08 DS--VSD & ASD repaired 10/3/08, intestinal obstruction repaired 1/13/09, hypospadias & ventral hernia repaired 8/21/09
Thomas Alexander--3/25/10

www.theamicks-angela.blogspot.com

Heather_R · Posted: August 18 2010, 4:47 PM Post subject:

I'm still reading as well, hoping to be done in a day or two!

_________________
Heather
Mama to Heidi (11/27/07) & Bridget (2/20/10)

MommyAngela · Posted: August 18 2010, 4:49 PM Post subject:

I finished last night! So I'm ready whenever. Smile

_________________

Angela
Wife to Matthew
Mom to three wonderful sons:
Andrew James--3/24/06
Benjamin Matthew--4/24/08 DS--VSD & ASD repaired 10/3/08, intestinal obstruction repaired 1/13/09, hypospadias & ventral hernia repaired 8/21/09
Thomas Alexander--3/25/10

www.theamicks-angela.blogspot.com

jennifergg · Posted: August 23 2010, 9:20 AM Post subject:

Dear readers,

I'm going to have to put-off this discussion, because of some unexpected, work-related deadlines.

I'm so sorry!

If anyone is looking for this discussion (and missing it), email me and we can have a private chat about the book and why we liked/didn't like it (you can reach me here by PM, or at jennifergrafgroneberg@yahoo.com).

My apologies,

Jennifer

_________________
Jennifer Graf Groneberg

Momtoseven · Posted: August 24 2010, 4:04 PM Post subject:

This is good because I am still reading - am on chapter 23. I can't believe how much I did not remember about the book from the 1st time I read it. I do remember how sorry I felt for O-lan and the way Wang Lung treated her, but I guess he does realize what a jerk he is being toward her.

_________________
Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
https://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarkEdwardC32708