Discussion questions at the beginning of the book, beryl reflects that her fathers farm in njoro was the one place in the world id been made for. Did you think beryls father made the right decisions for her as she was growing up. Circling the sun book club discussion questions arlenes book. That georgia tann and her memphis tennessee childrens home society could actually exist, unraveling the lives of countless children, stealing their pasts and changing their futures, will give you chills. The sacramento public librarys book group collection has 254 titles. West with the night and circling the sun october cc book. Circling the sun book club discussion inspirational. Beryl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter denys finch hatton and karen blixen, author of the classic memoir out of africa. Jul 11, 2015 when i read circling the sun i felt the heat of the african sun, i saw the ocean below me, i watched as banded colobus monkeys climbed through burlap sacking covered windows, i tasted the licorice and pear candies sent from england to compensate for beryls mothers abandonment, and i lived young beryls life. With the endless supply of literature both online and in shops, it comes as no surprise that finding the perfect book can be a big challenge and thats one of the reasons why book clubs are so great.
One way to include all members is to write questions on an index card for e. Although the writing style in west with the night is very different from circling the sun, there is a lot of overlapping content. To ask other readers questions about circling the sun, please sign up. I thought beryl markham was a remarkable and fearless pioneer but there were disagreem. Ann patchett, country living this powerful novel transports readers to the breathtaking world of out of africa1920s kenyaand reveals the extraordinary adventures of beryl markham, a woman before her time. Circling the sun, west with the night, and my book club.
Not only did i learn of an exceptional, pioneering, adventurous woman, but i was able to make many comparisons to the expat lifestyle occurring with brits in africa, to the americans living in paris during the 1920s. Aug 21, 2015 circling the sun is a beautiful piece of work that does justice to the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman, one who lived in a time of exotic hedonism and excess. How to find your local book club in the uk, because sometimes you need to discuss that ending. The best book club questions for every kind of discussion.
Circling the sun for this edition of our virtual book club, were discussing circling the sun by paula mclain. Sep 21, 2015 paula mclain, author of circling the sun, at the penguin random house bea librarians breakfast 2015 duration. Circling the sun by paula mclain discussion questions. As a member or leader of a book club, you are likely to be reading books on a wide variety o. At the beginning of the book, beryl reflects that her fathers farm in njoro was the one place in the world id been made for. Is there a place in your life that you would describe the same way. Circling the sun brings to life a fearless and captivating womanberyl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter denys finch hatton and karen blixen, who as isak dinesen wrote the classic memoir out of africa. Shop and save on gifts for everyone on your list sections show more follow today setting up a book club for your children will no.
If you were confined with a group of people, whether incarcerated or in another circumstance, what books would you want to read for a book club. Though wounded at first after her mother abandons her, beryl markhams tenacity allows her to overcome the challenges of being a woman in earlytwentiethcentury africa. That work became a longtime new york times bestseller. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. See more ideas about food, cooking recipes, recipes. Do you enjoy reading a novelists interpretation of the. Many books have reading guides at the end of the book that are perfect to use for your book club. And now, in the era of donald trump, its important to consider whether or not the books you read are working to dismantle structures of inequalit. Jul 07, 2015 circling the sun is about beryl markham, horse trainer and aviator. If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. By mameve medwed globe correspondent, july 23, 2015, 4. After all, this is, at least partially, a james patterson book, and soon were crashing through his famous two. Discussion questions for wonder by rj palacio kate bowler.
Samantha cerff, an editor for fandango latin america and member of the book club sinopsis in lima, peru, recommends organizing all those thoughts prior to the meeting. Circling the sun paula mclain, 2015 random house 384 pp. Circling the sun book club discussion questions arlenes. Always get your questions ready beforehand and keep in. Now that both books are behind me by a few weeks, im starting to forget which incident was described in which book or whether the same scene appears from different perspectives in both works. I need a novel about a strong women a biography would be nice as long a it is an exciting read. If you know the kit that you would like to reserve. Do you enjoy reading a novelists interpretation of the persons life. Before kenya was kenya, beryl markham born clutterbuck lived in what was known as the britishcontrolled east african protectorate. Reading groups for children and parents can bring families closer. Discuss circling the sun by paula mclain bookbrowse. Circling the sun, by paula mclain the new york times. Throughout the book, beryls romantic choices conclude in disappointment.
Her writing has appeared in the new york times, good housekeeping, o. This detailed literature summary also contains quotes and a free quiz on circling the sun by paula mclain. Our october selection is a duo based on the life of aviator beryl markham, the first woman to fly solo across the atlantic, east to west. And now, announcing the next virtual book club selection. Circling the sun by paula mclain arlenes book club. Delve deeper into the books making the charts, and get tips for keeping your reading group engaged. Book club in a bag the lawrence public librarys book club in a bag collection has 349 titles. Growing up in other peoples houses, and two collections of poetry. I thought it a little odd that circling the sun made it all about denys when in fact there were apparently a lot of love affairs including st. Did she seem more suitedmore made forlife there than the others in her circle. Cant wait to debrief after listening to the latest episode of your favorite audio series. Historical fiction based on real people has become a popular genre.
Jul 14, 2016 discussion points for your book club delve deeper into the life of beryl markham with these five book club discussion points for paula mclain s circling the sun. Many people know the name amelia earhart but many do not know the british aviatrix berry markham read more pam s. Judy linker and ann schooley conducted the book club discussion. A new growing crop of podcast conversation clubs on and offline can connect you with other eager fans, book clubstyle.
Circling the sun book club discussion inspirational details. I found many surprises in paula mclains newest book, circling the sun. I am currently reading mademoiselle chanel and i do like the writing style, however, i am struggling to get passed the glossed over depiction of chanel. The book we discussed was circling the sun by paula mclain. Paula mclain, author of the phenomenal bestseller the paris wife, now returns with her keenly anticipated new novel, transporting readers to colonial kenya in the 1920s. Diane dean one of the 17 books author paul mclain researched in order to write her bestseller, circling the sun was west with the night.
Book club discussion questions the book club guide. Use these book club discussion questions on the thirteenth tale to delve into diane setterfields magical world. October is national reading group month and we have book discussion resources for you as well as your book club. Tiffanie, ill send you a private message about getting the book to you. Oct 11, 2016 october 11, 2016 books books circling the sun fiction historical fiction. May 21, 2020 ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Jun 04, 2018 james patterson says the black book is his best novel in 20 years but onward.
Beryl markham in 1936, shortly before her transatlantic flight. Circling the sun in the tradition of out of africa and west with the night, paula mclain has written an outstanding book about beryl markham. January book circling the sun by paula mclain pages. Circling the sun brings to life a fearless and captivating womanberyl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter denys finch hatton and karen blixen, author of the classic. Compared with other popular strongwilled heroines, how do her opinions on love and fulfillment differ. Do you feel this is a fitting way to describe beryls relationship with kenya, too.
General book club questions for study and discussion. I listened to mclains earlier novel, the paris wife, in 2011 and thought it was a good book, but not a great one. You can find richard and judys thoughts on circling the sun by paula mclain below. It shines a bright light on an intriguing woman who has hidden in the. Beryl was kind of a bad ass, especially seeing what she was able to achieve in the early 1900s. Jul 04, 2017 please join us in reading circling the sun by paula mclain for our monthly read.
If not, you can visit the publisher or authors website and find online reading guides. Thanks to everyone who participated in our book discussion about clutter, tidying up, and socks with feelings. A raisin in the sun discussion questions chicago public. Book club kit lisa wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nations history and weaves a tale of enduring power. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Congratulations to tiffanie, the winner of the free book. August pullman is not an ordinary tenyearold kid, but in the opening chapter of r. Find resources for your book club, whether it meets in your living room or across cyberspace. A raisin in the sun discussion questions chicago public library.
Circling the sun brings to life a fearless and captivating womanberyl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love. On the lookout for your next book to read, but not sure where to start. Brings to life a fearless and captivating woman from recent history. West with the night skips love affairs all together, but she has much more to say about tom black with whom she also apparently had an affairthan denys.
Abandoned by her mother as a child and living with a detached father in kenya, she survived an attack by a lion. Brought to kenya from england as a child and then abandoned by her mother, beryl markham is raised by both her father and the native kipsigis tribe who share his estate. Circling the sun by paula mclain book club discussion. Drop off copies of your book club books at any madison public library location. This novel is based on the life of a real person do you think that you can sometimes learn more about a person through fiction than nonfiction. Members were asked to consider the many windows of markhams life. I need a novel about a strong women a biography would be nice. Life in africa for a bold woman who thrives on adventure, passion, and scandal story. Fans of the paris wife will be captivated by circling the sun, which. Does anyone else think the cover looks like taylor swifts music video.
Eric diotte for the boston globe i had a farm in africa is the memorable. Circling the sun mclain paula mclain, author of the phenomenal bestseller the paris wife, now returns with her keenly anticipated new novel, transporting readers to colonial kenya in the 1920s. Jul 31, 2015 part highfalutin romance novel, part womens book group discussion bait, circling the sun accomplishes one worthy feat. I like beryl markham but isak dinesen is my favorite author and i will pass on this book if her character is not written accurately. Mount prospect public library book discussion questions. Circling the sun is based on the life of a real person. Its the story of risktaker, trailblazer, daredevil, and a selfdestructive woman named beryl markham. Book club discussions are great conversations based on a common book that everyone has read. The lawrence public librarys book club in a bag collection has 349 titles. Circling the sun brings to life a fearless and captivating womanberyl markham, a recordsetting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter denys.
Book discussion questions national reading group month. Author bio birth1965 where fresno, california, usa educationm. Paula mclain, circling the sun, book club, book discussion. Paula mclain is the new york times bestselling author of the novels love and ruin, circling the sun, the paris wife, and a ticket to ride, the memoir like family.
In circling the sun paula mclain transports us back to 1920s colonial kenya with her telling of recordsetting aviator and racehorse trainer beryl markhams. Sep 05, 2016 when you choose a popular book club book, you can often find a wealth of book discussion questions already written for you. Book club questions for circling the sun by paula mclain. Openended questions help ignite discussions involving the whole group. The thirteenth tale by diane setterfield is a rich story about secrets, ghosts, winter, books and family. Theres no better way to introduce yourself and others to new books than through a book club. I know from previous conversations that the concept for euphoria completely. Jun 12, 2016 circling the sun, west with the night, and my book club i was disappointed when my book club selected circling the sun by paula mclain for our may discussion.
This historical fiction book takes place in kenya in the 1920s. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. The circling the sun community note includes chapterbychapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. I did find one reason to feel sympathetic toward beryl. If someone you loved were accused, would you offer that support. Feb 28, 2020 ideally, everyone would come to the book club bursting with feelings, impressions, and ideas that the book had sparked. Hungry for good books circling the sun by paula mclain. Start a book club discussion and challenge your group to deepen their analysis of the reading material with this set of sample book club questions.
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