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| Username | Post |
| Dilasha | Posted
on 18-Jun-03 09:30 PM
As usual, I was listening to Oprah today and I'm a huge fan of the woman who obviously needs no introduction. YES! she started her BOOK CLUB again much to the delight of numerous fans like myself. She announced it in a very BIG way because as she mentioned in the show, the book she introduced today is THE BOOK which made her re-launch her book club. And the book is EAST OF EDEN by John Steinbeck. I've never heard of the author before but the way she and the others who had read the book talked in the show, it sure seems to be an excellent one. Hence I headed to the closest bookstore as soon as I got off from work and bought the book. I can't wait to start reading it tomorrow. As I was browsing through her website Oprah.com, a thought just came into my mind. The thought of how nice and beneficial it would be for students if schools and colleges in Nepal also had book-clubs. Not just schools but even outside of schools. Now I don't know whether we already have book-clubs; perhaps people like Ashu, Isolated Freak who are in Nepal could shed some light here. But wouldn't it be very nice to have book clubs that would help us meet with one another and share our thoughts and opinions about the book and talk about what we learned from the stories? I think that would be a great medium of continuous learning. I am calling a distant relative of mine tomorrow who happens to be the principal of his school and will also try to call my school and share this wonderful idea that I believe would be very educational to the kids as well as adults. I know some people might say, "afnai school ko kitaab padne fursat hundaina, kaha aru kitaab padchan ra?" but that's just a lame excuse. Fellow Sajhaites, what do you think? btw, has anyone read East of Eden? |
| isolated freak | Posted
on 18-Jun-03 09:47 PM
Dear Dilasha, I have been thinking the same thing ever since I came back to Nepal. However, my scope and collection of books is limited to books on IR and Chinese History. I think Ashu and Siphal e-group have started a book club, but again, I don't have much idea on this. However, I am sharing my collection of books with friends who enjoy reading all those dry and boring history and theories, and discuss those over coffee. And, believe me, its a good learning experience because explaining, questioning and discussing just helps one understand the books. Right now, I am involved in a project with another IR grad (you can call it a mini-book club), and we have been reading and discussing "From Beirut to Jerusalem" and "The Tragedy of Great Power Politics". Of course, I would like to have others with some knowledge of world history and political science theories to get involved, but, its awfully hard to find those. Another big problem here is, even if I or somebody else wants to buy the latest publications, its impossible to get it . So, we have to rely on friends/family members who are abroad for books. Recently, Arnico got me a book on Nationalism from the States.. So, it w orks this way.. we just have to bother people coming to Nepal for books. I have been lucky in this regard as people have been sending me the latest books/controversial books to hit the US stands. Anybody in Nepal interested in this mini-book-club project on world history/chinese history/political science and IR, feel free to email me. Maybe we can work something out. And I am yet to read East of Eden. |
| gharmigirl | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 05:45 AM
i have not read "East of Eden," but John Steinbeck is famous for "Grapes of Wrath" his novel that was made into a movie. I have read "Grapes of Wrath." I did pick up "East of Eden" awhile back but it is difficult to get into so I put it down. I think but am not sure that "East of Eden" also made into a movie. http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html is a link to a website and organization dedicted to john steinbeck. |
| ashu | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 05:59 AM
IF wrote: >>I think Ashu and Siphal e-group have started a book club Hi IF, Sifal egroup is only an email list of certain family members :-) But there is another list called: kitab@yahogroups.com in which there circulate interesting book-related kura-kani once in a while. In 1996, I started -- strictly as a book-lover and NOT as an employee of The Kathmandu Post -- The Kathmandu Post Review of Books, a monthly platform to write book-reviews and discuss thought essays. That went on for six years, with responsiblities rotated among about 10 people or so, most of whom were/are affiliated with Martin Chautari. http://www.emory.edu/COLLEGE/AS/sinhas/kprb.html But the present editor of The Kathmandu Post -- Mr. Yuba Raj Ghimire --- seems, for reasons best known to himself, to have NOT liked the Review of Books at all, and he spiked it in at the end of August 2002 . . . without any warning to anyone. Efforts made by friends at Martin Chautari to understand Mr. Ghimire's reasons have, as of today, elicited no clear explanation. These days, I review business/management/economics/finance books for New Business Age monthly. IF, it's a great inititiave you have started to read and discuss books on international relations. Dilasha, the book-club idea is an excellent one, but not sure as to how it can take off in Nepal. oohi ashu ktm,nepal |
| isolated freak | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 07:14 AM
Ashu, Sorry about the confusion. Yeah, kitaab@yahoo was what I meant. Its sad that The Kathmandu Post is not publishing book reviews, which was a great platform for aspiring writers to learn to write. It was one of the best sunday features TKP had. Too bad, Yubaraj Dai decided to scrap it all together. Tyahi ho, I think the book club idea can be initiated/started in Nepal, first at friends' level, then at a larger level. Trust is the key here, I suppose. BTW: If you remember from Jonathan Spence's book on Mao, Mao too started a Book Club as a student.. so, does starting a book club means creating revolutionaries or iconoclasts? :-) Why don't we sit together some time and discuss on the books that we both have read, that would count as a book club too. Java, Books and a nice discussion.. what do you say? Other interested can come. Any question, email me. |
| ashu | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 09:55 AM
>>>>Why don't we sit together some time and discuss on the books that we both have read, that would count as a book club too. Java, Books and a nice discussion.. what do you say? <<< Sounds good. But these days, my reading life consists more of going over reams of utterly boring, badly edited and dry reports prepared by equally boring consultants. Ke garne? :-) oohi ashu ktm,nepal |
| Dilasha | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 06:32 PM
Isolated Freak (and to everyone who reads this thread) They say "an idea is an embryo of reality" so I'm excited that you're excited about this book club concept. I don't think it's very hard at all to start up one. Like you mentioned, one can start with friends who share your passion for reading. The meetings don't have to take place every week. You could have it once a month or even start with once every two months. You also said it's hard to find books. I know it is and especially in our society to spending 2000 rupees on a book is out of question for many people who have a decent earning well enough to cover the basic needs. But hey! what are libraries for? I'm sure many libraries in ktm have several copies of the same book. So, one could start out from there. And not just books that are written in English but we could and should include nepali books as well which are much cheaper too. And if members want to really read a new book that have had much hype in the market, but can't afford to buy individually,then two or more people can share the cost and because the book club discussion will be hosted once a month, it will give ample time for members to share the book. Ashu mentioned Reviews. I personally like to buy recommended books as well. Unless I read the review on publications or hear on tv I ain't the one to take the book off the shelf and carrying it home. However, unlike Book club discussions, reviews seem to be a one way communication. The reviewer may write it and a person may read it and buy it and most likely recommend it to someone else but the process stops right there. It lacks the group-sharing, the socializing that one can accomplish through book club discussions. Therefore, Isolated Freak and anyone who is interested in hosting a book club, I would highly recommend you to do so for it allows us to let me repeat the cliche "widen our horizons" and make us "think". Iso wrote>>>BTW: If you remember from Jonathan Spence's book on Mao, Mao too started a Book Club as a student.. so, does starting a book club means creating revolutionaries or iconoclasts?<<< Well, who knows what it may create (profession wise)but one thing is for sure. It does create an AWARE human being full of life. For more information on how to host a book club, I will copy paste the contents from Oprah's link as it's accessible only to its members, so that will save some time. And Gharmigirl, thanks for the link regarding Steinbeck. Did you like Grapes of Wrath? I just finished two chapters of East of Eden and so far it IS pretty interesting. I liked the way the author describes The Salinas Valley. One can actually picturise the whole place. For those who are interested in capturing the essence of East of Eden, here's a short description about the book. The perfect book for summer, East of Eden has it all! Sex, murder, suicide, infidelity, greed, blackmail, nasty manipulation: no subject is taboo. It's a riveting novel of how two families, the Hamiltons and the Trasks, affect each other's lives in the rich farmlands of the Salinas Valley, California, from the Civil War to World War I.-www.oprah.com |
| Dilasha | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 06:40 PM
TIPS FOR HOSTING A BOOKCLUB-taken from Oprah.com GROW A CLUB If you and several friends are already interested in reading, your book club is well on its way. If you are looking for new members, you could post signs in your library and grocery store, take out an ad in your local newspaper or invite people right here online! Invite Members through Oprah.com If you're starting from scratch or looking to expand your club, let Oprah.com help your group grow. List your book club on Oprah.com so interested readers in your area can find you. We will e-mail you if someone requests to join your group. Welcoming New Members Whether in person or over e-mail, when new members contact you for more information about joining your book club, interview them briefly about their experience with books and why they're interested in joining your club. Let them know about the current members and where your book club will meet. Communicate Online Once your club is up and running, you can use Oprah's Online Book Clubs to create an online component to your club. Post meeting reminders for your book club, discuss who's bringing what snacks or simply encourage each other to read the assigned chapters! THE MEETING PLACE The location of your book club meetingsa restaurant, library, or your living roomwill influence the number of members in the club and vice versa. If you have a large book club, contact your library to see if it has a meeting room available. Other fun options include bookstores, churches, YMCAs, restaurants or hotels. (Some of these may charge a feealways check before you commit.) Some groups prefer to always meet in the same person's home, while other groups enjoy a change in venue. See if any members are willing to host meetings at their houses. No one should feel obligated to host a meeting in their home |
| Dilasha | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 06:43 PM
YOUR FIRST GATHERING Invitations Invite members to the first meeting at least two weeks before the date you've selected. Whether you contact them by phone, e-mail or the web, let them know when and where the first meeting will be held. Recommend that everyone has read at least one chapter and has at least one question they'd like the club to discuss. Assigning Roles To keep your book club running smoothly, find volunteers from your group to fill the following roles. HOST- Decides on the location of the meeting, how long it will run and invites everyone. May provide food. Welcomes everyone to the book club and gets them settled FACILITATOR-Leads the book club meetings. Keeps the group on track, proposes discussion questions, and keeps the conversation moving. TIME-KEEPER-Watches the clock to make sure no one keeps their babysitter longer than promised. The time keeper also helps keep the discussion moving by not spending too long on each question. RECORDER-Keeps notes of the discussion, questions and answers. Responsible for posting the highlights of the discussion and/or recording the question the group wants to e-mail to the expert. PHOTOGRAPHER-Is there someone in the group who has a creative eye? Or maybe someone just got a new digital camera? They are perfect candidates to take pictures of your group to e-mail Oprah's Book Club at Oprah.com so we can see who you are! |
| thapap | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 06:44 PM
I have read couple of books of John Steinbeck. He has his own style of depicting human conflicts. [It may be good vs. evil; innocence vs. shrewdness etc. etc.] To me his novels, presents the classic struggle of social establishment during settlement period of the US. Conflicts between rich and poor, his portrayal of exploitation of innocence [Lenny character of mice and men] and the labor disputes, may seem more like the story in common Hindi movies or On the waterfront . He has portrayed the racism prevailed in the society in all of the novels [I have read.]. His writing has this dismal social picture and touch of sadness in the end. Probably that was the story in US at the time he grew up. [2 world wars and a great depression. he surely knows how to put that depressed thought in his novels] East of Eden is no exception to his writing [the way I have seen it]. Same thing presented in a different way. problem America faced during 2nd world war period. Initially, women had to work on the factory to support while their male counterparts were saving the world. They were sexually unsatisfied frustrated while their counterparts were visiting brothels of Europe and concentration. there is a fine line between presenting heroes of war as womenizer and to be faced with social wrath. illicit and illegitimate relation was at the rise. Divorce rate was at the highest. Largest numbers of children were born out of wedlock. Suicide rate was on the rise. So basically, it represents the social and economic scenario of US during the period |
| Dilasha | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 06:49 PM
REFRESHMENTS Will refreshments be served? (We certainly enjoy them!) Who will provide them? Will they be connected to the theme of the book being discussed? (I think for refreshments, members can chip in or if it's turn by turn hosting, then the host could serve light snacks or bevreages, kaso?) KEEP THE CONVERSATION ROLLING As you read each novel, jot down page numbers and passages that moved you and where you found answers to the Oprah.com discussion questions. That way, you can easily share them with the group later on. Don't feel you have to talk about each question! If the group doesn't have a lot to say about a topic or doesn't seem interested in the question, move on to a question that gets them talking! Or better yet, see if any one in the group has a question they'd like to discuss. Thanks and hope the above tips could arouse some interests in fellow Sajhaites that would help them go with the flow!! Good luck! Dilasha |
| gharmigirl | Posted
on 19-Jun-03 09:10 PM
Dilasha-- i loved "Grapes of Wrath" couldn't put it down. Ditto for "Cannery Row," which is also the most poetic, and "Mice and Men." I will have to try "East of Eden "once again. I tried to read that several times but just couldn't stick with it. Steinbeck is not alone in his attempts to illustrate challenges of life in that era. Other writers like Ralph Ellison, James Baldwin, and Richard Wright also did the same thing, but from a African-American perspective. My favorite is "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, who wanted to write a book about the plight of the immigrant class but who ended up writing a book about the meat industry that caused such a stir, he was blacklisted from his writing career after that. The book did usher in major changes to the meat industry even though his intent was more social. Maybe it was characteristic of US writers from that era to focus on social justice issues compared to today where focus is on alienation from each other and society. gg |
| thapap | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 07:56 AM
gg, it should be *Of Mice and Men* ... (o: not *mice and men* -pt |
| gharmigirl | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 10:52 AM
hey thapap--thanks for the correction. :) appreciate it. |
| knt | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 11:01 AM
So Gharmi, you read novels huh? That is like so kewwwl. Wwwwooowww. Books!! Like dammnnnnn. Whoaaaaaa. That's one unique thing you do, gharmi. Not many people have heard of books ni....... awesomeeeeee. You are indeed like soooo special!! |
| gharmigirl | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 12:29 PM
knt--there are pros and cons, and it's not so special. My nose in a book all the time irritates family members who think I should learn to do house-related things better. Prefer reading over finer arts of domestication. :) I'd rather buy books than clothes or shoes. I take that back. I can always find a reason to buy shoes. :) shoes and books. Imagine how crazy my family thinks this is. what do you read if you aren't reading novels? i mean, aside from news papers and magazines? gg |
| Dilasha | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 03:52 PM
Wow! thapap and Gharmigirl seem to be well versed with Steinbeck's work. I'm delighted! You see, I'm just a newborn baby in Steinbeck's world so I have yet to capture the authenticity of the author who from what i have heard so far seems to be very much so. Gg, I should also check out his other works then once i'm done with East. So what are you guys reading this summer? Any interesting ones that you would like to recommend me and our fellow Sajhaites? I'd be delighted. Maybe I should start a new thread for that cuz this one's related to book-club. Thanks you guys! |
| thapap | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 06:42 PM
dilasha, I used to read those classics long time ago (o: seems like ages... while i was attending schools. but am an avid reader of Tom clancy, john grisham, robert ludlum, alistair maclean. and i own all of clancy, ludlum and maclean's work. now I use that habit for my protocol [i.e. telecom, wireless] reading. publised papers. |
| KalAnkIsThaN | Posted
on 20-Jun-03 09:31 PM
Hey, Did anyone read cuckoo's Egg?? (Padhya tyahi euta cha, chamki chamki bolnu paryo ni hehe!!) Does anyone read chat-script? I do. Okay I win... Dilasha ;) |
| gharmigirl | Posted
on 22-Jun-03 11:42 AM
is it cockoo's egg or "one flew over the cuckoo's nest"? if it is the nest one, i have read it. if it is the cuckoo's egg one, i have not read it. the cuckoo's nest one has been turned into a movie. it is a book about mental illness in the US. well, not so much about mental illness but the way people who are crazy are treated in hospitals. new books I just bought but have yet not read include White Teeth, by Zadie Smith, the lastest Harry Potter book, TheFourth Hand by John Irving, The Lovely Bones, by someone Seabold. Also I bought Property by Valerie Martin, Bhudda Dor by someone named something Donovan. i heard about a very difficult and long book called "Mason and Dixon" by Thomas Pynchon that I want to read, also, but have not purchased it yet. Also want to get SU's new novel but haven't gotten that one yet either. |
| KaLaNkISthAn | Posted
on 22-Jun-03 12:27 PM
Gharmi girl, I talking agra agra, you talking gagra? ;) Kyaa bore ni, 4 years ma balla balla euta kitab "introduction" dekhi padhya, tyo pani kassaile padhya rahenacha!! Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll. Cuckoo's Egg photo pani taasum ki? |
| gharmigirl | Posted
on 23-Jun-03 10:17 AM
KalankIsthan-- I looked up Cuckoo's Egg on Google and it sounds like a good book, non-fiction. I tend to read more fiction and some non-fiction. I also tend to read literary fiction and not commercial fiction. This sounds interesting so I will add it to my list. Maybe you should post a review and paste photo of book with it so that others may know what you like about this book and perhaps be inspired to read it. Then you won't be so sad for being the only one so far who has read the book. Many IT people would find this book interesting since one man with a computer exposed big international corruption plan by trying to find out where a 75 cent accounting error happened. At least that is what description of the book said. The two non-fiction books I am reading now are about Nepal. "The Violet Shyness In their Eyes," by barbara j. scot and the second is a compilation of short essays about Nepal, written by a lot of different people, western and Nepali. This one is edited by Raju whose last name I forget. I am terrible with names, better with faces. Kunda Dixit is quoted a lot in second book. gg |
| Dilasha | Posted
on 23-Jun-03 03:23 PM
How could you exclude Stephen King Thapap? didn't you like him? Gharmigirl, I just heard on radio that 5 million copies of J K Rowling's new Harry Porter got sold on the VERY FIRST DAY!! now if that's not amazing, what is I wonder!! I've never read any although I watched the first movie which was pretty fascinating. But the woman sure seems to be the next Charles Dickens or is she already?? People magazine quoted her net worth is 470 million, 40 million more than the Queen. And did I hear that this was the same writer whose first manuscript rejected by several publishers? Oh!! it's simply amazing, isn't it? |
| g0lden_wind0w | Posted
on 23-Jun-03 04:07 PM
Read this book if you are in USA. And if you plan to live financially independent, and learn how to invest. Book only costs $26.06. It is by Robert T. Kiyosaki. In fact, This was a best seller last week. Rich Dad, Poor Dad; what the Rich teach their kids about money that the Poor and Middle class Do Not! "Explode the myth that you need to earn a high income to become rich, Challenge the belief that your house is an assett Show parents why they can't rely on the school system to teach their kids about money Define once and for all an assett and a liability ..." enjoy reading!! |
| thapap | Posted
on 23-Jun-03 06:49 PM
dilasha, probably "the stand" and "IT" scared me off.... so i do not read much of his work. i did like "the green mile" its a different one. |
| gharmigirl | Posted
on 24-Jun-03 08:50 AM
thapap--you might like King's "four seasons." four short novels compiled on one book from his early years when he was not as well known. I can't remember the names of the individual novellas but they are compiled under that one title. dilasha--I was among those first in line for the Potter book. I preordered and got to the store asap on Sat morn. The books are good. try them. Rowlings deserves everything she has. She was poor, single mom on the dole before the books sold so much. gOlden WindOw--thanks for the tip. I will definitly invest in that book to learn the rich dad's secets. |
| thapap | Posted
on 24-Jun-03 12:51 PM
gg, would try to follow your suggestion on reading "four seasons" on my vacation [ nxt couple of weeks] will let you know how i felt about it (o: |
| SITARA | Posted
on 24-Jun-03 03:26 PM
Talking about Harry Potter: Many of the 3rd graders (where I teach) had pre-ordered (online) the new book, "The Order of the Phoenix". By Monday, some had read more than 100 pages... Impressive the world of fantasy and fantasia! *She* is truly a great storyteller! |
| knt | Posted
on 24-Jun-03 04:17 PM
Hey Sitara, to what grade/grades would The Hardy Boys be suitable? Back when I was in Nepal, I read it till the tenth grade. |
| SITARA | Posted
on 24-Jun-03 04:32 PM
knt ji: Back home in Nepal, I read everything I could get my hands on ( this, due to the lack of resources and supplies), so, like you I used to read Hardy Boys, and others like... Nancy Drew, Louis L'Amour, Barbara Cartland, Greek Mythologies, Holocaust, bermuda Triangle.... right from 4th grade up....to 10th grade. The grade variable was irrelevant then. Now, I suggest reading chapter books like Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew right when the child has mastered the required level of comprehension ( Grade 3 and up). The vocabulary in the Hardy Boys is relatively easy. Harry Potter has a more challenging repertoire of words where many are fabricated with their own contextual definition. The Series of Narnia by C S Lewis is an all time favorite classic which has extremely difficult vocabulary emerging out of " the Queen's English". |
| knt | Posted
on 24-Jun-03 04:39 PM
Yeah, I guess it's pretty easy, in retrospect, but I do remember trying to read it when I was in the fourth grade, and my simple mind wasn't able to understand it much! By the fifth grade I had begun to read Enid Blyton(sp?)...and only in the sixth grade was I able to grasp the Hardy Boys.....perhaps it has to do with the fact that English isn't our first language..and yeah, you're right, Nepal does have a dearth of good libraries, so we have to scrounge whatever book we can get our hands on. Narnia? Never heard! |