**A meeting for this book never occurred. The whos whats whens wheres and whys of the whole crazy thing can be saved for another day. Bottomline: It don't matter nohow, time to move on. The following is a transcript of the press release that wrapped up this book for the NMS:
(INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana) - March 16th, 2010 - New Midnight Society Member Adam Todd is initiating a voluntary recall of Philip Roth's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, AMERICAN PASTORAL. Adam "Nature Boy" Todd is taking this action out of an abundance of caution after being notified that the New Midnight Society, together with the Indiana Book Club Counsel and, strangely, the FDA, are conducting an investigation into reported E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses that may be related to consumption of this supposedly wrenching and cathartic piece of work.A number of readers have reported illness after beginning even the earliest chapters of AMERICAN PASTORAL. While the E. coli strain implicated in this investigation has not been detected in this book as of yet, the health and safety of my fellow New Midnight Society Book Club members is paramount so I am initiating this voluntary recall. I have been and will continue to cooperate fully with the New Midnight Society, the Indiana Book Club Counsel, and FDA in this investigation. Providing safe, high quality books to my fellow club members is my number one priority.No other New Midnight Society Book Club selections have been implicated (but I have my suspicions, ONION JOHN). I want to strongly advise readers that, at this time, no Philip Roth novels should be read. Again, members who have purchased AMERICAN PASTORAL should not read it. Instead, I am asking that members return this product to their local bookseller for a full refund (good luck with that). I invite members with questions to contact Member Naitch Todd at 270-791-1349 or visit our web site at http://newmidnightsociety.blogspot.com/.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Meeting 6: Slaughterhouse-Five
July 28, 2009
8:47pm
--Coppinger opens meeting
--Sarah says "Poo-tee-weet"
--Meeting opens with round of "tralfamadorian" pronunciations
--Sarah brings out tralfamadorian made by she and Austin-general consensus is that its "real good" or "very good" or "good, I like it"
--Member E.Todd asked for Austin's phone to be taken away due to prior abuse
--What was Vonnegut trying to convey?
---Austin: what life was like if ruled by fate
---Sarah: enjoying every moment
(8:53pm: pizza rolls served by Phan)
--time travel or flashbacks?
--AC, AT, ET=time travel
--"direct foreshadowing"-tells you what is going to happen
9:03pm: Austin phone buzzer-Finkler says "good think that's over here," Andrea smiles like a baby
--Satirizing of death? So it goes
---Austin desensitized-general agreement
--Funny? Kilgore Trout, author, wife
9:09pm: Andrea off on a tangent about how many children Pilgrim fathered--online quiz--led to a good question
--Was he really abducted or was this a figment of his imagination
9:12pm: Eric mentions Vonnegut's use of "wang"
--blue and ivory
9:18pm: Coppinger: why is this book considered an all-time great?
(Courtney, under her breath, whispers "I gotta go pee" and leaves to the bathroom)
--Adam T: war and weird story
--Eric-it's kind of a...novel...way to look at war
--AC: to someone not in war, aliens and war are equally foreign
9:31pm: really good discussion-no one is acting up
--Vonnegut=Kilgore Trout?
--discussion of appropriateness for school, required reading, humor, etc.
9:44pm: a lot of reminiscing, sharing favorite moments, some whole, some small group
9:45pm: Eric pointed out crazy baseball play-causes distraction, he apologizes
STARS
AC: 4.5
AT: 5
SM: 3.14
AA: 4
AP: 3.5
CF: 4
ET: 4.25
(during ratings review, CF on computer, it was related to this, then I saw an mlb gamecast being showed to AC and propped up as a distraction. Couldn't just wait a few more minutes? Plus, was clearly distracting based on not having heard the rankings that were being reviewed. Plus, AC was clearly not interested and thus free of blame because when CPU hibernated he did not revive it. Plus, a poorly timed Peyton Manning story led to a distraction. Good story, but again, it could have waited.)
--Next chooser discussion
--Member ATodd will choose as only remaining NMS member not to choose
--Deadline set at 8/1/09
--Shouldnt be a problem-he has a couple idears
--AC allowed ET to adjourn meeting because he is President
--Meeting ended at 10:18
--Post meeting commentary: Let's try for early October and 2 meetings by X-Mas. Whoooooo!!!
8:47pm
--Coppinger opens meeting
--Sarah says "Poo-tee-weet"
--Meeting opens with round of "tralfamadorian" pronunciations
--Sarah brings out tralfamadorian made by she and Austin-general consensus is that its "real good" or "very good" or "good, I like it"
--Member E.Todd asked for Austin's phone to be taken away due to prior abuse
--What was Vonnegut trying to convey?
---Austin: what life was like if ruled by fate
---Sarah: enjoying every moment
(8:53pm: pizza rolls served by Phan)
--time travel or flashbacks?
--AC, AT, ET=time travel
--"direct foreshadowing"-tells you what is going to happen
9:03pm: Austin phone buzzer-Finkler says "good think that's over here," Andrea smiles like a baby
--Satirizing of death? So it goes
---Austin desensitized-general agreement
--Funny? Kilgore Trout, author, wife
9:09pm: Andrea off on a tangent about how many children Pilgrim fathered--online quiz--led to a good question
--Was he really abducted or was this a figment of his imagination
9:12pm: Eric mentions Vonnegut's use of "wang"
--blue and ivory
9:18pm: Coppinger: why is this book considered an all-time great?
(Courtney, under her breath, whispers "I gotta go pee" and leaves to the bathroom)
--Adam T: war and weird story
--Eric-it's kind of a...novel...way to look at war
--AC: to someone not in war, aliens and war are equally foreign
9:31pm: really good discussion-no one is acting up
--Vonnegut=Kilgore Trout?
--discussion of appropriateness for school, required reading, humor, etc.
9:44pm: a lot of reminiscing, sharing favorite moments, some whole, some small group
9:45pm: Eric pointed out crazy baseball play-causes distraction, he apologizes
STARS
AC: 4.5
AT: 5
SM: 3.14
AA: 4
AP: 3.5
CF: 4
ET: 4.25
(during ratings review, CF on computer, it was related to this, then I saw an mlb gamecast being showed to AC and propped up as a distraction. Couldn't just wait a few more minutes? Plus, was clearly distracting based on not having heard the rankings that were being reviewed. Plus, AC was clearly not interested and thus free of blame because when CPU hibernated he did not revive it. Plus, a poorly timed Peyton Manning story led to a distraction. Good story, but again, it could have waited.)
--Next chooser discussion
--Member ATodd will choose as only remaining NMS member not to choose
--Deadline set at 8/1/09
--Shouldnt be a problem-he has a couple idears
--AC allowed ET to adjourn meeting because he is President
--Meeting ended at 10:18
--Post meeting commentary: Let's try for early October and 2 meetings by X-Mas. Whoooooo!!!
Meeting 5: ...And Now Miguel & Onion John
March 14, 2009
8:37pm: Sarah calls meeting to order
8:38pm: Roll taken--intros--reading completions announced
PRESENT: Eric, Sarah (read both); An (read Onion John); Andrea (read OJ & 1/2 ANM)
ABSENT: Adam C (work; valid); Finkler (home/pleasure); A.Todd (chilling)
8:39pm: E.Todd calls for TV to be turned off
8:40pm: CF's bobby pins placed on table in her honor
8:41pm: Andrea caught texting by Eric--vote was requested and passed to have Andrea forfeit her phone-she hid it in her shirt
8:42pm: Sarah offers summaries/comparison/thoughts
--both of childhood maturation
8:43pm: Andrea interrupted to call O. John a rapist--Eric asked that this false accusation be limited, though debate on perviness of John is legit
--Questions included (on ANM)
---How did Miguel grow, what did he give up, how did you like ending-symbolism?
8:48pm: Gears shift to Onion John...
--Sarah lightens mood by suggesting O.J. is a veiled social commentary on insurance being a scam
--Andrea hates Onion John
--Sarah and Eric defend O.J. saying Andrea should have finished book to get more complete picture
--Andrea counters with images--described--of Onion John's "ding dong" bouncing around
--Let record show that Sarah is VERY prepared
--Sarah reads excerpt--pg. 6--to set up question...What is the town like? (good Q)
8:53pm: Sarah busts Andrea texting again--she doesn't stop--Eric's phone beeps--Andrea has texted him "I Win!" For the record, she loses, and so does the integerity of the book club
--consensus-small town, surprisingly tolerant of werid Onion John
--significance/symbolism of General Magneto
--Sarah reads excerpt, p. 216, Oedipus complex?
9:00pm: Sarah asks to pee, does it, An's phone rings...Andrea checks it
9:01pm: Andrea mentions her fucking yellow jacket that she's obsessed with
9:03pm: Andrea is disruptive; Eric suggests that Andy's mom is gettins some on the side from the Oniony one
9:04pm: Time had to be taken to council Andrea on why she is being so disruptive--she seems to have learned her lesson
9:06pm: Andrea threatens to start her own bookclub in Plainfield, to which Eric cleverly and humorously replies, "Can people read in Plainfield?"
--Andy's dad-good balance of limiting/allowing interaction with Onion John?
--Andrea makes Elizabeth Smart: kidnapper::Andy:Onion John analogy
--Poll: Did John's oniony fingers ever touch an underage boy's penis?
---YES: Andrea; NO: Sarah, An, Eric
--Where was Onion John from?
---Sarah/Eric: Eastern Europe; Andrea: Mexico Land
9:14pm: Andrea busted with phone AGAIN
9:15pm: Eric is the bigger man and apologizes if he's hurt her feelings tonight. She fails to reciprocate the gesture and shifts convo back to ANM-she liked when Miguel got lost in wool-points out a symbolism
9:18pm: Eric poses interesting, check that, highly interesting question-where are they now?
...Approximately 50 years later...
MIGUEL: Sarah: grandfatherly figure of ranch; Andrea: still on farm with family of own; An: n/a; Eric: political figure fighting for farmer benefits
MIGUELS BROTHER: Sarah: he's dead, killed in combat; Andrea: survived, disconnected from family, wife beater; An: n/a; Eric: killed in combat, he's dead
ANDY: Sarah: MIT, smoked pot, flower child, away from family, CEO General Magneto; Andrea: n/a; An: became wrestler, he's dead; Eric: children's author
ONION JOHN: Sarah: dead, died during cold winter 1963; Andrea: dead, brought AIDS to America; An: died, testicular cancer; Eric: dead, long happy life, kept to himself, friendly, but left alone
--During activity Andrea texted and expressed preference to see Royal Rumble over WrestleMania
STARS
OJ: Sarah-4; Andrea-2; An-3.5; Eric-4 (discussion upped appreciation)
ANM: Sarah-Cuatro (4); Andrea-3.3333333; An-n/a; Eric-3
--Next chooser--pick together? continue with member choice?
---Eric defends rotating member choice, nominates Memer Coppinger-nomination approved
---ambition goals for title selection and next meeting discussed
9:33pm: Meeting adjourned
POST MEETING COMMENTARY:
Sarah: organized, insightful leader, discussant
Andrea: generally, consistently, unabashedly disruptive
An: quiet, polite, input when requested
Eric: great contributor to discussion and question generator
***Courtney later read notes after haveing missed the meeding--commendable
8:37pm: Sarah calls meeting to order
8:38pm: Roll taken--intros--reading completions announced
PRESENT: Eric, Sarah (read both); An (read Onion John); Andrea (read OJ & 1/2 ANM)
ABSENT: Adam C (work; valid); Finkler (home/pleasure); A.Todd (chilling)
8:39pm: E.Todd calls for TV to be turned off
8:40pm: CF's bobby pins placed on table in her honor
8:41pm: Andrea caught texting by Eric--vote was requested and passed to have Andrea forfeit her phone-she hid it in her shirt
8:42pm: Sarah offers summaries/comparison/thoughts
--both of childhood maturation
8:43pm: Andrea interrupted to call O. John a rapist--Eric asked that this false accusation be limited, though debate on perviness of John is legit
--Questions included (on ANM)
---How did Miguel grow, what did he give up, how did you like ending-symbolism?
8:48pm: Gears shift to Onion John...
--Sarah lightens mood by suggesting O.J. is a veiled social commentary on insurance being a scam
--Andrea hates Onion John
--Sarah and Eric defend O.J. saying Andrea should have finished book to get more complete picture
--Andrea counters with images--described--of Onion John's "ding dong" bouncing around
--Let record show that Sarah is VERY prepared
--Sarah reads excerpt--pg. 6--to set up question...What is the town like? (good Q)
8:53pm: Sarah busts Andrea texting again--she doesn't stop--Eric's phone beeps--Andrea has texted him "I Win!" For the record, she loses, and so does the integerity of the book club
--consensus-small town, surprisingly tolerant of werid Onion John
--significance/symbolism of General Magneto
--Sarah reads excerpt, p. 216, Oedipus complex?
9:00pm: Sarah asks to pee, does it, An's phone rings...Andrea checks it
9:01pm: Andrea mentions her fucking yellow jacket that she's obsessed with
9:03pm: Andrea is disruptive; Eric suggests that Andy's mom is gettins some on the side from the Oniony one
9:04pm: Time had to be taken to council Andrea on why she is being so disruptive--she seems to have learned her lesson
9:06pm: Andrea threatens to start her own bookclub in Plainfield, to which Eric cleverly and humorously replies, "Can people read in Plainfield?"
--Andy's dad-good balance of limiting/allowing interaction with Onion John?
--Andrea makes Elizabeth Smart: kidnapper::Andy:Onion John analogy
--Poll: Did John's oniony fingers ever touch an underage boy's penis?
---YES: Andrea; NO: Sarah, An, Eric
--Where was Onion John from?
---Sarah/Eric: Eastern Europe; Andrea: Mexico Land
9:14pm: Andrea busted with phone AGAIN
9:15pm: Eric is the bigger man and apologizes if he's hurt her feelings tonight. She fails to reciprocate the gesture and shifts convo back to ANM-she liked when Miguel got lost in wool-points out a symbolism
9:18pm: Eric poses interesting, check that, highly interesting question-where are they now?
...Approximately 50 years later...
MIGUEL: Sarah: grandfatherly figure of ranch; Andrea: still on farm with family of own; An: n/a; Eric: political figure fighting for farmer benefits
MIGUELS BROTHER: Sarah: he's dead, killed in combat; Andrea: survived, disconnected from family, wife beater; An: n/a; Eric: killed in combat, he's dead
ANDY: Sarah: MIT, smoked pot, flower child, away from family, CEO General Magneto; Andrea: n/a; An: became wrestler, he's dead; Eric: children's author
ONION JOHN: Sarah: dead, died during cold winter 1963; Andrea: dead, brought AIDS to America; An: died, testicular cancer; Eric: dead, long happy life, kept to himself, friendly, but left alone
--During activity Andrea texted and expressed preference to see Royal Rumble over WrestleMania
STARS
OJ: Sarah-4; Andrea-2; An-3.5; Eric-4 (discussion upped appreciation)
ANM: Sarah-Cuatro (4); Andrea-3.3333333; An-n/a; Eric-3
--Next chooser--pick together? continue with member choice?
---Eric defends rotating member choice, nominates Memer Coppinger-nomination approved
---ambition goals for title selection and next meeting discussed
9:33pm: Meeting adjourned
POST MEETING COMMENTARY:
Sarah: organized, insightful leader, discussant
Andrea: generally, consistently, unabashedly disruptive
An: quiet, polite, input when requested
Eric: great contributor to discussion and question generator
***Courtney later read notes after haveing missed the meeding--commendable
Meeting 4: Friday Night Lights
October 14, 2008
9:27pm: Bart assists An in calling to order this meeting
**Member Austin is absent
**Member E.Todd brought treats and T.Bell
**Member E.Todd was tardy
9:28pm: topic of discussion moves to attire
9:29pm: Roy Collard??? (Editors Note: this should read Roy Collar)
9:29pm: Member Phan did not prepare questions for the meeting
--Member A.Todd asks what jersey everyone would wear
9:30pm: Winchell declared Poon of the Year
--Question 1: posed to the group: What role does football play in the lives of Boobie and Chavez and the town of Odessa?
9:33pm: Member E.Todd almost choked on his t.bell then ofers some grub to the group
9:34pm: Member E.Todd and the group reflect on their own HS football experiences
9:36pm: Question 2 posed to the group: how many girls did Billingsley fuck his senior year?
--Question 3 posed: How would you have fit in at Permian HS?
9:39pm: Member A.Todd's phone rang--RUDE!
9:42pm: Question 4 posed: is this book sensationalist?
9:44pm: Question 5 posed: What was the lowest point for Odessa (in this book)?
9:47pm: Question 6 posed: Why was it so difficult to get out of Odessa?
9:48pm: Question 7 posed: How did you feel about the Odessa school system?
9:54pm: Question 8 posed: Why was it important for the author to give the history of Odessa?
9:56pm: Member Phan text messages during the meeting--RUDE!
9:57pm: Question 9 posed: What happened 10 years after the book was written?
9:58pm: Member Phan continues to send and receive text messages--RUDE!
10:00pm: Member E.Todd points out the author did not try to sensationalize the book
10:01pm: member Coppinger makes Red Sox digression
10:02pm: Member E.Todd draws conversation back to the topic and refers to the coaches salaries
10:03pm: Member E.Todd digresses with rice pack reference
10:04pm: Member Coppinger draws conversation back to the book
10:05pm: Member Coppinger's phone rings--RUDE!
10:06pm: Member A.Todd refers to Eli Manning--digression
--Member E.Todd draws conversation back to the book
10:08pm: Member Phan provokes conversation with a reference to the FNL TV show
10:09pm: Member E.Todd says the only thing the Peppettes ride on is Billingsley's want
10:10pm: member E.Todd asks what is Gaines' role?
--Member Phan asks: Would you visit Odessa?
10:11pm: Member Phan asks: What was your favorite part of the book?
10:13pm: Member E.Todd asks: How would Billingsley refer to Obama? A conversation about racism ensues.
10:15pm: Member E.Todd makes lame twin reference
10:16pm: Member Finkler expresses approval for the Riley's cookies brought by Member E.Todd
10:18pm: Member E.Todd refers to Roy Orbison's attendance at Permian HS
10:21pm: Member E.Todd shares his book with Member Finkler
10:22pm: Member E.Todd asks: Who was your favorite player?
10:23pm: Member Finkler asks: what did you think about the part when they were figuring out where to play the game?
--Member Phan makes an Ed Hochuli reference
--Member Phan makes a Mike Carey reference
10:24pm: Member Finkler asks: Was Permian a typical American HS?
10:26pm: Member Finkler suggests getting rid of TX
10:29pm: Member E.Todd and Copping seem distracted by the TV commercials/Red Sox game
10:30pm: Member Coppinger asks: How many students go to college fully expecting not to graduate?
10:33pm: Member Finkler points out that any girl could dream of being a Peppette
10:34pm: Member A.Todd asks: What does LV stand for?
RATINGS
Phan: 4.5
A.Todd: 4.75
Finkler: 4.75
McGuire: n/a
E.Todd: 4.33333
Coppinger: 3.5
10:39pm: Member McGuire nominated to choose the next book choice
10:40pm: Members Phan and Finkler digress to Secret Santa
10:41pm: MOJO chant commences
10:42pm: Meeting adjourned
(note included: I <3 Ivory)
9:27pm: Bart assists An in calling to order this meeting
**Member Austin is absent
**Member E.Todd brought treats and T.Bell
**Member E.Todd was tardy
9:28pm: topic of discussion moves to attire
9:29pm: Roy Collard??? (Editors Note: this should read Roy Collar)
9:29pm: Member Phan did not prepare questions for the meeting
--Member A.Todd asks what jersey everyone would wear
9:30pm: Winchell declared Poon of the Year
--Question 1: posed to the group: What role does football play in the lives of Boobie and Chavez and the town of Odessa?
9:33pm: Member E.Todd almost choked on his t.bell then ofers some grub to the group
9:34pm: Member E.Todd and the group reflect on their own HS football experiences
9:36pm: Question 2 posed to the group: how many girls did Billingsley fuck his senior year?
--Question 3 posed: How would you have fit in at Permian HS?
9:39pm: Member A.Todd's phone rang--RUDE!
9:42pm: Question 4 posed: is this book sensationalist?
9:44pm: Question 5 posed: What was the lowest point for Odessa (in this book)?
9:47pm: Question 6 posed: Why was it so difficult to get out of Odessa?
9:48pm: Question 7 posed: How did you feel about the Odessa school system?
9:54pm: Question 8 posed: Why was it important for the author to give the history of Odessa?
9:56pm: Member Phan text messages during the meeting--RUDE!
9:57pm: Question 9 posed: What happened 10 years after the book was written?
9:58pm: Member Phan continues to send and receive text messages--RUDE!
10:00pm: Member E.Todd points out the author did not try to sensationalize the book
10:01pm: member Coppinger makes Red Sox digression
10:02pm: Member E.Todd draws conversation back to the topic and refers to the coaches salaries
10:03pm: Member E.Todd digresses with rice pack reference
10:04pm: Member Coppinger draws conversation back to the book
10:05pm: Member Coppinger's phone rings--RUDE!
10:06pm: Member A.Todd refers to Eli Manning--digression
--Member E.Todd draws conversation back to the book
10:08pm: Member Phan provokes conversation with a reference to the FNL TV show
10:09pm: Member E.Todd says the only thing the Peppettes ride on is Billingsley's want
10:10pm: member E.Todd asks what is Gaines' role?
--Member Phan asks: Would you visit Odessa?
10:11pm: Member Phan asks: What was your favorite part of the book?
10:13pm: Member E.Todd asks: How would Billingsley refer to Obama? A conversation about racism ensues.
10:15pm: Member E.Todd makes lame twin reference
10:16pm: Member Finkler expresses approval for the Riley's cookies brought by Member E.Todd
10:18pm: Member E.Todd refers to Roy Orbison's attendance at Permian HS
10:21pm: Member E.Todd shares his book with Member Finkler
10:22pm: Member E.Todd asks: Who was your favorite player?
10:23pm: Member Finkler asks: what did you think about the part when they were figuring out where to play the game?
--Member Phan makes an Ed Hochuli reference
--Member Phan makes a Mike Carey reference
10:24pm: Member Finkler asks: Was Permian a typical American HS?
10:26pm: Member Finkler suggests getting rid of TX
10:29pm: Member E.Todd and Copping seem distracted by the TV commercials/Red Sox game
10:30pm: Member Coppinger asks: How many students go to college fully expecting not to graduate?
10:33pm: Member Finkler points out that any girl could dream of being a Peppette
10:34pm: Member A.Todd asks: What does LV stand for?
RATINGS
Phan: 4.5
A.Todd: 4.75
Finkler: 4.75
McGuire: n/a
E.Todd: 4.33333
Coppinger: 3.5
10:39pm: Member McGuire nominated to choose the next book choice
10:40pm: Members Phan and Finkler digress to Secret Santa
10:41pm: MOJO chant commences
10:42pm: Meeting adjourned
(note included: I <3 Ivory)
Meeting 3: A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
August 13, 2008
9:00 start time--Naitch is not present (work, but read book)
--Eric passes out paper of 6 questions. Time is given to write responses.
--Eric grabs a handful of candy to use throughout the meeting as incentives.
--Last question is ripped-off and passed to Eric to use as discussion points.
(Food on table: 1) veggie pizza; 2) chicken fingers with honey mustard; 3) salami rolls with cream cheese)
1. Andrea volunteers to read question 1--receives candy
--"creative nonfiction"
---appealing, interesting, annoying, misleading? debated
---enjoyed literary devices-creative elements made you less empathetic
---feelings not made up
2. Sarah volunteers to read question 2--receives candy
--blunt/open
---he sensationalized everything, couldn't come to get a grip on his own life
---double standard: wanted people to feel bad, but then didn't like it when they did
---characitured himself
---he is very self-aware
9:18pm (An has not commented; Andrea draws a picture of Eric)
3. Eric appoints An to read question 3-receives candy
--An: everyone needs to improve
---generational-"out for himself" to make others do the same
---as he reflects on the book/experiences he might not think so highly of himself
---magazine=symbol?
---can be viewed as a douchebag
---don't we all have insane thoughts? --easy to relate to; doesn't want to be like his parents; doesn't want his brother to be taken away...
4. Adam volunteers to read question 4-grabs his own candy
--feelings about mom/dad
---loves his mom more
---book is an "f" you to his dad
---cathartic act for grief of mom
---tangent--ashes of mom-do siblings care about his parents?
---Bill worse than sister? Dave chose to take Toph
---Whishes he could talk to an adult
5. Courtney reads question 5-no candy
--wants to be selfless, but he thinks selfishly
Friends with David: Courntey, Adam, An (but not close)
Not David's Friends: Andrea, Eric, Sarah (would want to be)
--Eric reads our questions...
Courtney: what will Toph be like as an adult?
-"f"ed up (emotional obstacles)
-Toph doesn't know anything else
-Toph is now 23
Andrea: Did Dave have Toph's interest in mind? Did he fill mom's shoes?
-parents can say 100% effort
-Dave still needed his brother
-He felt best suited to take Toph
-Tries to protect Toph
-Tried to be like his father on X-Mas
-He missed out on his life
An: What do you think about sister Beth?
-hard to tell-through his eyes
-serious
Sarah: If a friend was reading the book, what would you say to them?
-hot/cold read
-preface--funny or not?
--Would you have your parents read it?
9:55pm-Adam Todd calls; Comments: Doesn't act on things he gets passionate about
--Heavily editing would lose some charm
(Andrea gives her drawing of Eric a body)
STARS
Courtney: 4.5
An: 4.25
ABT: 5 (proved doubters wrong)
Eric: 5
Sarah: 4
Adam: 3.5
Andrea: 3
10:03pm--Next book: Meet 1st week of October
An: Friday Night Lights
10:08pm--Meeting close
9:00 start time--Naitch is not present (work, but read book)
--Eric passes out paper of 6 questions. Time is given to write responses.
--Eric grabs a handful of candy to use throughout the meeting as incentives.
--Last question is ripped-off and passed to Eric to use as discussion points.
(Food on table: 1) veggie pizza; 2) chicken fingers with honey mustard; 3) salami rolls with cream cheese)
1. Andrea volunteers to read question 1--receives candy
--"creative nonfiction"
---appealing, interesting, annoying, misleading? debated
---enjoyed literary devices-creative elements made you less empathetic
---feelings not made up
2. Sarah volunteers to read question 2--receives candy
--blunt/open
---he sensationalized everything, couldn't come to get a grip on his own life
---double standard: wanted people to feel bad, but then didn't like it when they did
---characitured himself
---he is very self-aware
9:18pm (An has not commented; Andrea draws a picture of Eric)
3. Eric appoints An to read question 3-receives candy
--An: everyone needs to improve
---generational-"out for himself" to make others do the same
---as he reflects on the book/experiences he might not think so highly of himself
---magazine=symbol?
---can be viewed as a douchebag
---don't we all have insane thoughts? --easy to relate to; doesn't want to be like his parents; doesn't want his brother to be taken away...
4. Adam volunteers to read question 4-grabs his own candy
--feelings about mom/dad
---loves his mom more
---book is an "f" you to his dad
---cathartic act for grief of mom
---tangent--ashes of mom-do siblings care about his parents?
---Bill worse than sister? Dave chose to take Toph
---Whishes he could talk to an adult
5. Courtney reads question 5-no candy
--wants to be selfless, but he thinks selfishly
Friends with David: Courntey, Adam, An (but not close)
Not David's Friends: Andrea, Eric, Sarah (would want to be)
--Eric reads our questions...
Courtney: what will Toph be like as an adult?
-"f"ed up (emotional obstacles)
-Toph doesn't know anything else
-Toph is now 23
Andrea: Did Dave have Toph's interest in mind? Did he fill mom's shoes?
-parents can say 100% effort
-Dave still needed his brother
-He felt best suited to take Toph
-Tries to protect Toph
-Tried to be like his father on X-Mas
-He missed out on his life
An: What do you think about sister Beth?
-hard to tell-through his eyes
-serious
Sarah: If a friend was reading the book, what would you say to them?
-hot/cold read
-preface--funny or not?
--Would you have your parents read it?
9:55pm-Adam Todd calls; Comments: Doesn't act on things he gets passionate about
--Heavily editing would lose some charm
(Andrea gives her drawing of Eric a body)
STARS
Courtney: 4.5
An: 4.25
ABT: 5 (proved doubters wrong)
Eric: 5
Sarah: 4
Adam: 3.5
Andrea: 3
10:03pm--Next book: Meet 1st week of October
An: Friday Night Lights
10:08pm--Meeting close
Meeting 2: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
May 15, 2008
Scheduled start time: 7:00pm
Actual start time: 7:59pm
**Member Finkler on time; Coppinger, Phan, E.Todd arrive 7:20pm; Austin, McGuire arrive 7:35pm; A.Todd did not read or attend--First warning officially issued
--Member Austin began meeting; claimed Oscar receiving SAT score as highlight of book; others disgusted
--Fuku discussion: fuku as excuse? --Finkler
--Was Beli a slut? More so than Lola?
--Thoughts on ending? Was relationship with grandma hooker neighbor legit to her? To him? Or was he just out for a fuck?
--How important was fuku? AC+ET=not that important; others found it central
--Character you identify with/like the most: Eric=Lola; Courtney=La Inca; Andrea=Lola; AC=Oscar; An=Oscar; Sarah=Yunior
--Side conversations--initiated by An and Sarah
--Fuku in America? Self-fulfilling prophecy?
--Beli a bitch? Claire Huxtable? Harriet Winslow?
--machismo stereotype
STARS
Courtney: 4
Adam C: 3.5
Andrea: 4
Sarah: 5
An: 4
Eric: 3.25
--footnotes tiresome? general agreement
--Spanish troublesome?
--Satisfied with ending?
--Was his life wondrous? not really, depends on fuku interpretation
NEXT BOOK DISCUSSION:
--Andrea, An, and Sarah focused on cosmetic discussion instead
--Andrea just tried to pick back-to-back books
--Eric picks...lots of disrespect shown..."Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" --Dave Eggers (try to meet by end of June)
--Meeting adjourned at 9:08pm by Member Austin
Scheduled start time: 7:00pm
Actual start time: 7:59pm
**Member Finkler on time; Coppinger, Phan, E.Todd arrive 7:20pm; Austin, McGuire arrive 7:35pm; A.Todd did not read or attend--First warning officially issued
--Member Austin began meeting; claimed Oscar receiving SAT score as highlight of book; others disgusted
--Fuku discussion: fuku as excuse? --Finkler
--Was Beli a slut? More so than Lola?
--Thoughts on ending? Was relationship with grandma hooker neighbor legit to her? To him? Or was he just out for a fuck?
--How important was fuku? AC+ET=not that important; others found it central
--Character you identify with/like the most: Eric=Lola; Courtney=La Inca; Andrea=Lola; AC=Oscar; An=Oscar; Sarah=Yunior
--Side conversations--initiated by An and Sarah
--Fuku in America? Self-fulfilling prophecy?
--Beli a bitch? Claire Huxtable? Harriet Winslow?
--machismo stereotype
STARS
Courtney: 4
Adam C: 3.5
Andrea: 4
Sarah: 5
An: 4
Eric: 3.25
--footnotes tiresome? general agreement
--Spanish troublesome?
--Satisfied with ending?
--Was his life wondrous? not really, depends on fuku interpretation
NEXT BOOK DISCUSSION:
--Andrea, An, and Sarah focused on cosmetic discussion instead
--Andrea just tried to pick back-to-back books
--Eric picks...lots of disrespect shown..."Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" --Dave Eggers (try to meet by end of June)
--Meeting adjourned at 9:08pm by Member Austin
Meeting 1: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
December 13, 2007
Scheduled meeting start time: 8:00pm
8:08pm: ABT arrives
--Courtney led a recap of end of book because Andrea did not finish. She demonstrated a solid effort--same for Sarah.
--An made snacks--popcorn, spinach dip, chips, ritz
--No attendance was taken, but everyone was present and accounted for
8:17pm: Discussion commenced--led by Member Finkler
--ending-disappointing or good?
Questions:
-Who is better, do you like better, mom or dad?
-Christopher's parents-good or bad overall?
-What new perspective did you gain about autism?
(Andrea got pissed-Finkler mentioned her question)
-What did you think about the 3 door explainations?
(Sarah gave an unrelated "sidenote")
-Should dad have kept mother's life a secret?
-another dad/mom good? question
(side conversation--whipsering between Andrea and Sarah; led to major discussion about HPV)
--All members attempt to demonstrate their impression of moaning--masturbation?
--symbolism of smarties?
STARS
An: 3.75
Eric: 3.5
Adam T.: 4
Andrea: 3*
Sarah: 4*
Adam C.: 3
Courtney: 4
* did not finish
***Official Warnings-Strike 1-were issued to Member Austin and Member McGuire
--Next book discussion: Andrea nominated to choose, all were in favor, and she accepted.
-choice will be made no later than 12/20/07
-Reminder: book cannot e one you've already read
9:00pm: Meeting adjourned by Member Finkler
Scheduled meeting start time: 8:00pm
8:08pm: ABT arrives
--Courtney led a recap of end of book because Andrea did not finish. She demonstrated a solid effort--same for Sarah.
--An made snacks--popcorn, spinach dip, chips, ritz
--No attendance was taken, but everyone was present and accounted for
8:17pm: Discussion commenced--led by Member Finkler
--ending-disappointing or good?
Questions:
-Who is better, do you like better, mom or dad?
-Christopher's parents-good or bad overall?
-What new perspective did you gain about autism?
(Andrea got pissed-Finkler mentioned her question)
-What did you think about the 3 door explainations?
(Sarah gave an unrelated "sidenote")
-Should dad have kept mother's life a secret?
-another dad/mom good? question
(side conversation--whipsering between Andrea and Sarah; led to major discussion about HPV)
--All members attempt to demonstrate their impression of moaning--masturbation?
--symbolism of smarties?
STARS
An: 3.75
Eric: 3.5
Adam T.: 4
Andrea: 3*
Sarah: 4*
Adam C.: 3
Courtney: 4
* did not finish
***Official Warnings-Strike 1-were issued to Member Austin and Member McGuire
--Next book discussion: Andrea nominated to choose, all were in favor, and she accepted.
-choice will be made no later than 12/20/07
-Reminder: book cannot e one you've already read
9:00pm: Meeting adjourned by Member Finkler
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