The Goose Girl Discussion

Well, what did you think of the book? I have posted several questions below to help our discussion along. There is a comments link at the bottom of each post, just click it and add your thoughts, then you can click "other" and type your name in. If you have comments that don't fit with the questions or your own questions to add, post them in the comments at the end of this post. Don't be afraid to add your opinion, we're all friends here!

Royalty

*SPOILER WARNING*
The queen says that in order for a queen to succeed she must stay apart, "separation, elevation, and delegation." Do you agree? How did this affect Ani's abilities?

"Royalty is not a right, Captain. The willingness of the people to follow a ruler is what gives her power." (Selia, pg. 79). Do you agree? Is this action similar to those taken by others in history who wished to gain power over their own destinies? By the end, how does Ani fit Selia's definition of royalty?

How would you describe how one can succeed in royalty?

Family Ties

*SPOILER WARNING*
How would Ani's family react if they knew how she had saved their kingdom? Would they regret the way they treated her? How would her Aunt feel about all she had done? Whose approval would mean the most to Ani?

Love is in the air...

*SPOILER WARNING*
Does Ani's mom love her? Discuss the romance of Ani and Geric? How would he describe her? Why does their romance bloom and then wilt? Were you surprised at his true identity?

Setting

What details of the setting are your favorites? Why? Does it seem familiar or true to you?

Fairy Tales

Fairy tales often share common characteristics-use of the #3, magical elements, transformation, misleading appearances, and conquest of good over evil. Also the hero or heroine is often infallible. Which elements are incorporated in Goose Girl? Why do you think these were chosen and others omitted? How is a fairy tale different from other stories?

Goose Girl (The Movie)

If you were producing a movie of The Goose Girl, whom would you cast in each role?

Upcoming Books

Since not everyone will be reading each book and since I know there will be a waiting list at some libraries for some of our books, I will try to post books for the next few months.

For June we will be reading "The Devil in the White City", by Eric Larson as recommended by my good friend Kim V. Amazon.com says this about it,

"Author Erik Larson imbues the incredible events surrounding the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with such drama that readers may find themselves checking the book's categorization to be sure that The Devil in the White City is not, in fact, a highly imaginative novel. Larson tells the stories of two men: Daniel H. Burnham, the architect responsible for the fair's construction, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer masquerading as a charming doctor. Burnham's challenge was immense...Combining the stories of an architect and a killer in one book, mostly in alternating chapters, seems like an odd choice but it works. The magical appeal and horrifying dark side of 19th-century Chicago are both revealed through Larson's skillful writing."

July's book is a newfound personal favorite of mine, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. From Amazon.com,

" As Shakespeare knew, love burns high when thwarted by obstacles. In Twilight, an exquisite fantasy by Stephenie Meyer, readers discover a pair of lovers who are supremely star-crossed. Bella adores beautiful Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward is having a hard time controlling the blood lust she arouses in him, because--he's a vampire. At any moment, the intensity of their passion could drive him to kill her, and he agonizes over the danger. But, Bella would rather be dead than part from Edward, so she risks her life to stay near him, and the novel burns with the erotic tension of their dangerous and necessarily chaste relationship. Meyer has achieved quite a feat by making this scenario completely human and believable."

PLEASE don't let this premise keep you from this PHENOMENAL love story. Trust me, you will enjoy it!

I am so looking forward to reading and discussing these books with you. I hope you are too! Happy reading!

Your Book Lists

OK, so everyone knows what I have read. What have you read and do you recommend? I'm always looking for something good to read, I can't just choose something from the shelf, so here is where you help me (and one another). Feel free to list "hits" and "misses." Maybe try to include if it has any naughty stuff so people aren't shocked if they pick up one of your recommendations, if they have the information I'm sure they'll make a good choice for themselves. Thanks!

May's Book

The book I have chosen for May is...Drum roll please...The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. Booklist had this to say about it:

"A fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale's likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds. The richly rendered, medieval folkloric setting adds to the charm."

Its an EASY and fun book to read and I hope you will join me for our discussion. We will officially have our "meeting" on May 30, but add comments anytime before or after that.

I know some of you have already had this as a book club book, so it should be easy to add your thoughts here, we would all love to hear them.

Enjoy, The Goose Girl

My Book List

I am trying to keep track of all the books I have read since moving to Oregon. This is my list so far. I know...how do I find time to raise my kids? They are in alphabetical order by author. Some I loved, some I didn't even like, if you have any questions or comments on any them, just add a comment and I will try to get back to you. They are ranked on a 5 star scale, 1 being not good-5 being super! Kim

Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice *****

Dan Brown
Angels and Demons *****
The DaVinci Code ****

Olive Ann Burns Cold Sassy Tree *

Orson Scott Card
Ender’s Game *****
Speaker of the Dead ****
Xenocide **
Children of the Mind **
Ender’s Shadow ****
Shadow of the Hegemon *****
Shadow Puppets ***
Shadow of the Giant ***
Seventh Son ***
Red Prophet ***
Prentice Alvin ***
Alvin Journeyman ***
Heartfire ****
Crystal City ****
The Memory of Earth ****
The Call of Earth ***
The Ships of Earth ***
First Meetings in the Enderverse **
Stone Tables ****

Agatha Christie The Mousetrap and Other Plays ****

Caroline Cooney The Face in the Milk Carton***

Roald Dahl Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ***

Cornelia Funke
Inkheart ****
Inkspell (still reading)

John Grisham A Painted House ***

Shannon Hale
The Goose Girl *****
Enna Burning ***
River Secrets ****

Chris Heimerdinger Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites ***

Frank Herbert DUNE **

Dean Hughes
Hearts of the Children vol.1-5 ****
Midway to Heaven ****

Elizabeth Kostova The Historian ****

Jon Krakauer Into Thin Air *** (rated R for bad language)

C.S. Lewis
The Magician’s Nephew ***
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe *****
The Horse and His Boy *****
Prince Caspian ****
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader *****
Sliver Chair ***
The Last Battle ****

Gerald Lund
The Alliance ***
The Work and the Glory vol. 1-9 ****

Stephenie Meyer
Twilight *****
New Moon *****

L. M. Montgomery Anne of Green Gables *****

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Beetles, Lightly Toasted **

Edith Nesbit The Enchanted Castle ****

Garth Nix Sabriel ***

Carol Lynn Pearson Goodbye, I Love You *

Stephen E. Robinson Believing Christ *****

J.K.Rowling Harry Potter vol.6 The Half-Blood Prince *****

Louis Sachar Holes ***

Virginia Sorensen Miracles on Maple Hill **

Chris Stewart
The Brothers ***
Where Angels Fall ***
The Second Sun ***

Can't Remember
Mr. Summer’s Story *
The Trial ***

Book Club 101

I have developed such a PASSION for reading that I thought it might be a fun way to keep in touch with my loved ones. I have created this blog to act as an online "book club" where we can discuss a variety of books.

The way I want to try it to begin with is to select a book each month or every other month and then discuss it through comments on this blog. We'll try it for a few months and see if this is the best format for our "club."

I ask that we refrain from comments that will belittle others and that may be offensive. I'm sure that will not be a problem! :)

When you post a comment, be sure to put your name. It might be nice if you include how you know me, since I will be the common thread among you all.

Hopefully this will be a fun venue to keep in touch and expand our literary horizons! Thanks for playing! ENJOY!

Kim