Westport Public Library BOOK blog

December is a busy month for many people. Everyone seems to have other obligations, whether it be holiday parties, shopping or traveling to either enjoy the winter (skiing?) or avoid it (the beach!). I’ve noticed that a lot of book clubs can’t fit in a meeting at this time of year either. If your group’s too busy to meet this month, why not see a movie instead? The end of the year is always a time when lots of great movies are released. This year several of the new films that are opening are based on book club favorites. At the top of the list is Atonement. This film is already being tagged as an Oscar favorite. Ian McEwan’s novel of love and war, shame and forgiveness is emotionally intense and moving. If your club has read this book, go see the movie to see how it compares.

Another favorite of book clubs, The Kite Runner is also set to open this week. This story of two boyhood friends in Afghanistan also deals with betrayal and forgiveness. Khaled Hosseini’s first novel brought us a new understanding of Afghanistan, its history, customs and people.

If you’d rather just stay home, there are some wonderful choices currently out on DVD. The Namesake is now available on DVD at the Westport Library. This is a saga of an Indian American family and their immigrant experience. Gogol Ganguli, the namesake of the title, must find his own path in his parents adopted country. This is a story of family, traditions and self-acceptance. Jhumpha Lahiri won the Pulitzer Prize for Interpreter of Maladies, but The Namesake, her first novel, expands on the themes of assimilation and the clash of cultures.

And in anticipation of WestportREADS in March, why not check out The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on DVD? Be sure to plan on reading the book with your club during the next few months. Watch the movie, read the book and be prepared to have fun as we explore this classic family favorite. And let me know if you’d like to reserve any of these books for your book club.