Mansfield Park

Thursday, November 4, 7:00 pm

Mansfield Park

by

Jane Austen

In this novel, said to be Austen's favorite, the idyllic Bertram family estate becomes home to a poor young relative, Fanny. In Mansfield Park's wealthy world of social accomplishments and flirtations, the sensible Fanny finds herself out of place, yet secretly in love with her cousin, Edmund. Austen employs her unerring wit to brilliantly capture the social and moral values of an English society at a time of great upheaval. There are a number of film adaptations to choose from including a 1999 release and a PBS production from 2008.

Seabiscuit

Thursday, October 7, 7:00 pm

Seabiscuit 

by

Laura Hillenbrand

Seabiscuit is the nonfiction story of a thoroughbred racehorse who became an unlikely champion and symbol of hope to many Americans during the Great Depression. The 2003 film adaptation stars Tobey Macguire and Jeff Bridges.

The Reader

Thursday, September 2, 7:00 pm

The Reader

by

Bernhard Schlink

The Reader is a provocative, morally challenging, and deeply moving novel about a young boy's erotic awakening in a clandestine love affair with a mysterious older woman. Falling ill on his way home from school, 15-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. For a time, the two become passionate lovers. Then, one day, Hanna disappears without a word. Years later, as a law student observing a trial in Germany, Michael recognizes his former lover on the stand, accused of a hideous crime. And as he watches Hanna refuse to defend herself against the charges, Michael gradually realizes that she may be guarding a secret more shameful than murder. The 2008 romantic drama stars Kate Winslet as Hanna.

The Soloist

Thursday, August 5, 2010

The Soloist

by

Steve Lopez

The true story of journalist Steve Lopez's discovery of Nathaniel Ayers, a former classical bass student at Julliard, playing his heart out on a two-string violin on Los Angeles' Skid Row. Deeply affected by the beauty of Ayers's music, Lopez took it upon himself to change the prodigy's life-only to find that their relationship has had a profound change on his own life. The 2009 movie adaptation stars Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers and Robert Downey Jr. as Steve Lopez.

House of Sand and Fog

Thursday, April 1, 7:00 pm

House of Sand and Fog

by

Andre Dubus III

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

Thursday, June 3, 7:00 pm

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

by

Helen Fielding 

This is the sequel to Bridget Jones’ Diary which we discussed several years ago. This laugh-out-loud comedy (quite a change from the somber books of the last couple of months), should prove to be an amusing light read during this busy end of school/graduation season.

A Beautiful Mind

Thursday, May 6, 7:00 pm

A Beautiful Mind

by

Sylvia Nasar