In this section of Circe we encountered quite a few figures from mythology who may or may not have been portrayed differently.
For starters, we meet Jason and Medea
Jason, who you might recognize from the old movie Jason and the Argonauts,
This week in our book club dedicated to a thorough look at Circe by Madeline Miller, we read the first 5 chapters and discussed both in our Goodreads Group and in a Zoom meeting on Wednesday night.
To ancient people, myths were not pieces of fiction used as allegory. Myths were the way they explained human nature, natural phenomenon, and how to overcome difficulties in time of strife. In the 4th century AD, the Roman philosopher Sallustius wrote that “myths were things that never happened, but always are”. He wrote about the use of mythology in an age where Roman popular thinking was moving away from mysticism and mythology and towards philosophy and science. Sallustius believed that mythology shouldn’t be left behind as a relic of a bygone era, but should be taught to all as a foundation of what he called “common conceptions”, or the body of knowledge that all Romans should know and be able to draw from.
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
Release Date: March 10, 2020
In Oak Knoll, a verdant, tight-knit North Carolina neighborhood, professor of forestry and ecology Valerie Alston-Holt is raising her bright and talented biracial son. Xavier is headed to college in the fall, and after years of single parenting, Valerie is facing the prospect of an empty nest. All is well until the Whitmans move in next door―an apparently traditional family with new money, ambition, and a secretly troubled teenaged daughter.
You are going to want to add our February Librarian Book Club pick to your "must read" list.
Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin
Release Date: February 18, 2020
New year means new book picks! We are really excited about the first pick of the year- American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.
Read reviews on Goodreads.
Already being hailed as "a Grapes of Wrath for our times" and "a new American classic," American Dirt is a rare exploration into the inner hearts of people willing to sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope.
We love debut novels that get a lot of buzz before publication, which is why we are so excited about "Such a Fun Age," by Kiley Reid. You will have to wait all month before it is released, but place your hold now.
We promise, it will be worth it.
Release Date: December 31, 2019
From Goodreads:
We are so excited about our October book club pick! The authors, Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate, will here for a special Community Conversation with the Huntsville Library Foundation on October 29. More information may be found here.
Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie and Lisa WingateRelease Date: October 22
The Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has a book club for every level and interest, across its 12 locations. We wanted to highlight some of our more unique/popular adult book clubs across the system.
Here are 5 book clubs that you should check out if you are looking for a group of like-minded individuals:
Fantasy Flight Book Club
Meets: Das Stahl Bierhaus; 7914 Memorial Parkway SW (Sponsored by the Eleanor Murphy Library)
When: First Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
Book Picks: Science fiction and fantasy
For people who like: structure but in a fun setting, friendly conversation, good beer.
NEW: High Octane Book Club
Our July Librarian Book Club pick is the latest novel from one of Alabama's favorite authors....."Never Have I Ever," by Joshilyn Jackson
Release Date: July 30, 2019
From Goodreads:
