Book Club

Senior Planet Book Club: Vote For Our Next Book!

By Rebecca Altneu Monday, February 8, 2021 11 Comments Share This:

Thank you to everyone who participated in our discussion both in the comments section of SeniorPlanet.org and at our meeting over Zoom about “A Long Petal of the Sea” by Isabel Allende.

Now it is time to select our next reading!

Each Tuesday, we’ll post a thread on SeniorPlanet.org inviting your comments on the next section of the book and then we’ll host a discussion over Zoom the final week of reading the book together.

But first! We’ve put together a shortlist engaging books suggested by our members and staff. Now it’s up to you pick which one we’ll read together next. Read on for details about each book, then take the poll at the end and tell us: What should the Senior Planet Book Club read next?

We’ll announce the result of the poll in addition to how you can access a copy of the chosen book next Tuesday!

Have any feedback on book club? Tell us what you think in the comments or email membership@seniorplanet.org!

The Books:

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

“In their youth, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fall passionately in love. When Fermina eventually chooses to marry a wealthy, well-born doctor, Florentino is heartbroken, but he is a romantic. As he rises in his business career he whiles away the years in 622 affairs—yet he reserves his heart for Fermina. Her husband dies at last, and Florentino purposefully attends the funeral. Fifty years, nine months, and four days after he first declared his love for Fermina, he will do so again.” – GoodReads.com

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

“Acclaimed by critics, beloved by readers of all ages, taught everywhere from inner-city grade schools to universities across the country, and translated all over the world, The House on Mango Street is the remarkable story of Esperanza Cordero. Told in a series of vignettes – sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes deeply joyous–it is the story of a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago, inventing for herself who and what she will become. Few other books in our time have touched so many readers.” – GoodReads.com

The Interruption of Everything by Terry McMillan

“Marilyn Grimes, wife and mother of three, has made a career of deferring her dreams to build a suburban California home and lifestyle with her husband, Leon. She troubleshoots for her grown kids, cares for her live-in mother-in-law, Arthurine (and elderly poodle, Snuffy); keeps tabs on her girlfriends Paulette and Bunny and her own aging mother and foster sister—all the while holding down a part-time job. But at forty-four, Marilyn’s got too much on her plate and nothing to feed her passion. She feels like she’s about ready to jump. She’s just not sure where.” – GoodReads.com

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

“The Bluest Eye is Toni Morrison’s first novel, a book heralded for its richness of language and boldness of vision. Set in the author’s girlhood hometown of Lorain, Ohio, it tells the story of black, eleven-year-old Pecola Breedlove. Pecola prays for her eyes to turn blue so that she will be as beautiful and beloved as all the blond, blue-eyed children in America. In the autumn of 1941, the year the marigolds in the Breedloves’ garden do not bloom. Pecola’s life does change- in painful, devastating ways.” – GoodReads.com

Take the poll!

Photo by Paul Schafer on Unsplash

COMMENTS

11 responses to “Senior Planet Book Club: Vote For Our Next Book!”

Judy Kaszas:

Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 9:33am

I like all the choices and it was hard to choose.

Reply to Judy Kaszas
glennis e underwood:

Monday, February 15, 2021 at 4:27am

I love to feel,

I love to learn, I love books! What a gift to read one with all!

Reply to glennis e underwood
Andrea T Ahearn:

Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 1:00am

Being new to this book club, when is the decision for which book
to read for next meeting made?

Reply to Andrea T Ahearn
1. Rebecca Altneu:
  
  Monday, February 15, 2021 at 9:36am
  
  Great question! Stay tuned, the result will be published later today!
  
  Reply to Rebecca Altneu
  1. anna:
    
    Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 3:20pm
    
    Any chance we’ll read what we should – “1984,” for example? In times of “war is peace,” sociopathic charlatans are “Angels, Saint, Messiah, Gods,” transing is top priority for everyone, feeding families isn’t, etc. it seems to be a perfect choice.
    Babbling is fine, destroying the world isn’t.
    dr anna
anna:

Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 3:11am

Ah, I actually read Marquez. A long time ago. Now, in times of purges and show trials, my recommendation stands.

Reply to anna
anna:

Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 3:08am

The recommended books are good reads (possibly – I didn’t read any and have no intention). However, I recommend reading an “old” but so relevant book – “1984.”

Reply to anna
Saundra Woods:

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 10:44pm

Just excited to read the next book–don’t care which one it is even though I’ve read several.

Reply to Saundra Woods
Olga:

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 8:16pm

The recommended books are good reads. However, I would like to participate in reading a more recent book on the best seller list in 2020.

Reply to Olga
Janis Hochman:

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 3:15pm

I am a former English teacher in my 70s. I am excited to see Sandra Cisneros’ book at the top contender, even though I voted for The Bluest Eye! When I entered middle school classes as a substitute teacher, I was thrilled to see World Literature for kids in the classroom.
But – if you are curious about Toni Morrison and a bit intimidated by her larger tomes — do pick up The Bluest Eye for powerful descriptions of a young AfroAmerican girl who compares herself to white girls and think all would be perfect if only…..I have much more to say, but won’t except. Great choices to pick from!

Reply to Janis Hochman
1. JENNIFER ZACHER:
  
  Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 6:08pm
  
  I have read many of Toni Morrison’s novels and I highly recommend them . The Bluest Eye profoundly affected me. I don’t think I’ve screamed out loud while reading any other novel. It would a great choice for Black History month. I wish the Harlem Renaissance authors were represented – Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston are 2 of my favorites. However, I voted for The House on Mango Street. I am a Chicagoan and proud that we are a sanctuary city.
  
  Reply to JENNIFER ZACHER