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Hello again, readers. I have posted some questions... but, please, take your time. Enjoy your holiday next week. Finish the novel if you need to. And don't be afraid to come back when you're done. I'm anxious to hear from you, even if you're not quite ready to participate. We'll still be here when you get back. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Town Like Alice has been described by some as a book in two parts, by others a book in three parts, and again by others as a string of short stories tied together by the character Jean Paget. Does the novel work as a whole? Would it work better “in pieces”? Besides Jean, how are the threads connected?

The story is told through Jean’s trust’s solicitor, Noel. Does this work? What do you think of Noel himself?

Mrs. Frith suggests that God blesses the traveling women and children through Joe’s sacrifice (p. 111). The suggestion eventually buoys and strengthens the women. Why does it have this effect? Jean doesn’t believe this herself, but she does not discourage others from believing. Why?

Discussion point: Jean survives and even thrives by adapting, playing to and respecting the existing culture of the places she lives. Yet, she remains true to herself.

“Men’s souls are naturally inclined to covetousness; but if ye be kind towards women and fear to wrong them, God is well acquainted with what ye do.”

Jean & Joe: This book is often called an epic romance? Do you agree? What might be the differences between a romance and a love story?

What might Jean have done with her life if she had never received the inheritance? She is an innovative, perceptive and effective entrepreneur… but without the initial capital, would she ever have even realized these strengths and talents?

Random House’s Modern Library had a reader-voted list of the 100 Best Novels. The reader list put A Town Like Alice at #17. What do you think?

Hello happy readers! It's getting close to discussion time... and I'd like to make a call for questions. Here's how it will work:

Use the comment section on this post to submit a question or topic.

I will turn that question or topic into its own post. This will allow topic threads to stay separate... and hopefully keep discussions organized and focused.

I have a few (hopefully) good questions already to go... but I'd love to add yours. Please submit!

I would also like to extend our reading time just a little... so discussion posts may not go up on the 15th exactly. But soon, I promise!

Historical fiction is hugely popular... but how about reading about long ago in a book that was written, um, long ago? Modern historical fiction seems to take into account our modern sensibilities. This is not a criticism; just an observation. "A Town Like Alice" is an interesting read -- forward-thinking and retro at the same time. It cannot take into account any of our modern sensibilities, but somehow manages to pull just that off in places. Other times, you will find it absolutely necessary to put happenings and attitudes into context.

Let's talk about it... Read along with me. 

"A Town Like Alice" is a book about an extraordinary ordinary girl that is perfect for bookish ones. And, hey, it even made BBC's Big Read Top 100 Books.

Come visit Alice with me. Check back for discussion around November 15th.

Part One: Non-Contradiction

I understand that Dagny and Hank and Ellis are the heroes of this book and I can see many of their virtues. But why so cold? Dagny's mother acuses her of being "incapable of emotion" and I'm for sure not getting any warm and fuzzy feelings from Hank. The man is ice! Is this lack of emotion part of Rand's philosophy on happiness? And is it a necessary part?

Next week, we'll start talking about Book One of Atlas Shrugged. Chime in if you've got a question or topic you'd like to discuss.

As threatened, er... promised, we are starting Atlas Shrugged. If you're my dad, you just read it in the last couple of weeks. If you're me, this may take a lifetime.

I'm trying, I swear.

The format will be a little different this time. I will set up a loose reading schedule which you may choose to follow or ignore. (Likely, I myself will ignore.)

As we go, we may want to ask each other questions (or more specifically my dad, because he actually understands it) and start discussions based on these questions.

The questions need not be traditional "book club" questions. We're mostly just looking for a chance to discuss as we go. Clarify. Share. Converse.

Look for a schedule in the next few days and in the meantime buy your baby one of these funny onesies here.

Question 3

This question is from the author's website.

Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart's faults so that she can get married, and that it's not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?

Hello, readers! We will post two questions a day for the next three days on Kathryn Stockett's The Help.

The questions today have been provided by Kelly (despite the "posted by" with my name on it at the end of the posts). So, thanks, Kelly!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more questions...

Question 2

Even though Minny is stubborn and brusque and I really wished she would be nicer to Celia, I was surprised when I realized I was anxious to see her name at the top of the next chapter. Her home life is horrific but I think her story has hope. And I'm just waiting for the next opportunity to drop one of her choice phrases into my lexicon. Maybe "she call the roll [at] the crazy lady club" (13) or her sweater's "so tight it'd make a hooker look holy" (223). We'll see.

From whose perspective did you most enjoy reading?

-Kelly

Question 1

Both Hilly and Skeeter's mother are deeply flawed characters but they aren't irredeemable. Hilly is a doting mother and Charlotte obviously loves her family and even genuinely cares for Constantine. Are these women simply products of their time and culture? How much of a person is by nurture and how much is by nature? Did this book make you think about who you are as a result of where and who you came from?

-Kelly

One of the things we worried about with The Tender Bar, neither of us having read it before, was content.

In fact, content is something we worry about on some level with most books we present to you on Bookish Girl. Every reader is different... Some more sensitive than others, and I mean this in the most positive way. Sometimes I worry that I'm not sensitive enough to content and that I tolerate too much in the name of art and in seeking empathy for human experience outside of my own through books.

Kelly and I both started The Tender Bar and we both feel it warrants a "reader beware", which likely isn't a huge surprise to you given the book's setting. Nevertheless, we make it official. Reader beware.

Happy reading and we hope to see you back here again soon...