Book Group summer reading

  
It was an excellent idea of Barbara's that we have plenty of notice of forthcoming book group titles, to which end I've got the next three lined up for us.

  

In July (the 12th.), we shall be in 1930s Edinburgh at the Marcia Blaine Academy for Muriel Spark's  The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. The edition pictured here has an introduction by Candia McWilliam  - herself the product of an Edinburgh school not unlike Marcia Blaine's - in which she says "A sublimely funny book....It is a book to be read by all....unforgettable and universal".

Then in August (the 9th.), we'll be discussing another novel set in a school, this time in 1960s America, with Tobias Wolff's Old School. Here's a smattering of praise for it: "...wise, clever, written with immense heart", "..wonderful, subtle", "concise", "beautifully crafted".

In September (the 6th.) we shall have our first volume of short stories, and these are written by a master of the art, Rudyard Kipling. I've chosen his Selected Stories (Penguin Modern Classics), but I'd suggest you read any collection you can get hold of if that one is not easily available. There are around forty stories in the book so this should be ideal for reading piecemeal over the next three months.

I hope these three appeal to the group, and as always there's an open invitation to anyone who feels like it to join in and read along.

Comments

[Ros]

Oh, excellent. I've got The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and, since I'm sort of on holiday at the moment, I may even have time to reread it again before the discussion.

[adele geras]

Lovely choices, Cornflower....just right!

[Barbara MacLeod]

Yes, very pleasing choices - many thanks!

Your mention of Kipling's Selected Stories (Penguin Modern Classics) has just reminded me that I still have not received my Penguin book for their Classic Blog Reviews. [Refer to your post of May 2, 2008]. I emailed May 19th and they responded saying they had not forgotten but there had been a large response.

Just thought I'd mention it as others may be wondering as well.

[Danielle]

Wonderful choices! I've actually read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie twice (once for another book group), but it's such an excellent book I thnink I'd like very much to read it again. I'll dig it out! I'm looking forward to the other two as well, especially the Kipling stories as I'm trying to read more short stories this year. I think I may even try and find that same edition!

[Lisa]

These are all great choices. I'm so glad you chose Muriel Spark. I have had this book for ages and have never gotten around to reading it. I'm excited! I'm almost finished with The Book Thief, which I LOVE!!

[BooksPlease]

Good choices and great to have them lined up like that. I've read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie but am very happy to re-read it as I first read it over 10 years ago. It'll be like reading a new book I expect, although I've seen the film so some of it has remained with me.

I've nearly finished The Book Thief, so I should be ready for Saturday!