Question

Did the isolationist policy in Roth’s “America” mirror the insular behavior of certain families, communities and individuals in this book? Discuss the idea of assimilation in American history and the way Roth presented it in these circumstances.

Question

Would the Jewish experience in America be any different if Roth’s “plot” took place today? What if you substituted another minority or religious group instead?

Question

Did Seldon’s storyline symbolize something beyond his own sad circumstances? What did young Philip’s stamp collection represent? Discuss symbolism in this book.

Question

What surprised you about this book? What did you like or dislike about The Plot Against America? Please comment on any facet of the story. Tell us what you think.

Carpe Diem, Quam Minimum Credula Postero

Just a little note to mark the Roman Ides of March (or mid-point of March), which was not a good day for Julius Caesar back in 44 B.C. This, in turn, reminded me of several Web sites where you can look up Latin words and phrases. For instance, the Latin phrase in the title of this post can be found at http://www.yuni.com/library/latin.html. The saying comes from the ancient Roman poet and satirist, Horace, who might have been thinking of Caesar on this memorable day. Translated, it says, "Seize the day, trust as little as possible in tomorrow." For some fun zingers and clever phrases in Latin, try these sites: http://www.biopsych.net/psyhumor/latin_phrases_for_all_occasions.htm and http://www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/arch/omnibus.html.
If you want to learn more about Julius Caesar, the library has a number of books about him including Adrian Goldsworthy's Caesar: Life of a Colossus (Yale University Press.)

Join the Blog Discussion for The Plot Against America on March 19th

The New Jersey Library Association has selected Philip Roth's fictional work, The Plot Against America, as the adult book to be discussed throughout New Jersey under their One Book New Jersey campaign for 2008. Please refer to our posting on January 17, 2008, for more information about this reading campaign or click on the following link -http://www.onebooknj.org/adult-selection/.

Bernardsville Public Library will participate in the campaign by hosting a blog discussion of the book on this site, Book News and More. Look for an opportunity to post your comments about The Plot Against America on this blog beginning Wednesday, March 19th. You may submit any comments or impressions at your leisure after March 19th, and we will keep the blog discussion going as interest continues.

If you have not read this extraordinary book, the library has several copies waiting for you. Please join the blog discussion on March 19th, which also happens to be Philip Roth's birthday. We hope you will participate in this "novel" approach to a book discussion.

About the Author - Erik Larson

Saturday Samplers, an afternoon book discussion group meeting at the library on the first Saturday of each month, will be reading Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson for the April 5th meeting. To learn more about Erik Larson and his writing style, link to the Saturday Samplers blog ~
http://www.saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com/ for a short biography about the author. Information will also be posted there in the near future about the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, including pictures of the storm's aftermath and photos of Isaac Cline and his family. As the discussion date nears, you will be given an opportunity to comment about the book on this blog, and, of course, you are invited to attend the book discussion.

Expand Your Horizons

We have created a new bookmark, entitled "Across Asia," for people interested in reading books by authors of an Asian heritage. One side of the bookmark lists a large number of authors whose books are in our collection, and the other side of the bookmark offers suggestions for reading "across Asia." Find this bookmark in the display rack at the circulation desk along with the other original-to- Bernardsville Library bookmarks.

~Announcing a New Book Group~

Why not wind down your weekends with a relaxing book discussion group meeting late on Saturday afternoons? You've already done all your errands, and the morning sporting events are over, so now it's time just for you.

Saturday Samplers is a new book discussion group which will meet at the library one Saturday afternoon per month at 3:30 p.m. beginning April. 5th. Organized by staff member Evelyn Fischel, Saturday Samplers has been designed to offer a wide sampling of reading options.

We will read both fiction and nonfiction, novels and short stories. A willingness to sample different genres is encouraged, and we may try some classics, plays and teen fiction as well.

Don't expect to read the usual book discussion titles (it seems that many groups read the same books simultaneously.) Rather, anticipate reading books you may have overlooked in the past or perhaps never considered before. Our first book will be Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson. Look for a new posting on this book in the near future.

If you find yourself reading in a "rut," this is the group for you! If you feel adventurous or curious, this is the group for you! Remember, it is intended to be a casual, friendly and relaxing afternoon gathering. Won't you join us?

To learn more about Saturday Samplers, please visit the Saturday Samplers blog which will provide you with future updates. You will even be able to post your reading comments to this blog! Click on the link below or click on the title of this post to get to the Saturday Samplers blog. To register for this group, simply call the library at 908-766-0118.

http://saturdaysamplers.blogspot.com/

A Royal Presence

If you are interested in learning about Elizabeth I, please visit our display in the video area featuring a wealth of material about her life and reign. Here you will find an interesting mix of fiction and nonfiction, biographies and video items. Among the historical fiction books displayed are the Ursula Blanchard mysteries by Fiona Buckley as well as the Karen Harper series set in the court of Elizabeth I. A silver-framed portrait of the queen and a single red rose mark the location of this display. Please pay your respects to Her Royal Highness.

Click on the title of this post for more information on her life.

A Quiet Place

photo source - Bernardsville Public Library

The tempo of activity at most libraries will change over the period of a day. This is certainly true at our library.

What may start out as a quiet morning can quickly morph into a bustling afternoon filled with students, program participants, computer surfers, and people stopping by to pick up a book or movie on their way home from work.

We welcome all this activity, but we also want you to know that there is a "quiet place" where you can read the newspaper, do research or simply enjoy a peaceful moment in a very pleasant room. Do you know where that room is in Bernardsville Public Library?

Presidential Election 2008 Resources

Want to know what some of the major candidates have written about themselves? Bernardsville Public Library has a number of pertinent memoirs and autobiographies. Read about the candidates through their own words.

Want to keep up with polls, state-by-state results, or candidates' positions? Here are a few interesting Web sites to explore:

http://www.factcheck.org/

http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/elec2008.html#debates

http://pewresearch.org/

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/

One Book New Jersey Selection for 2008

The New Jersey Library Association has announced the selections for their 2008 reading campaign entitled "One Book New Jersey. " Philip Roth's The Plot Against America has been chosen as the adult book to be read and discussed throughout New Jersey this year.

A native of New Jersey, Philip Roth set this book in the 1940's Newark of his childhood. Blending a fictional storyline with true-life characters (including family members as well as Charles Lindbergh and Walter Winchell), Roth explored what America and his family's life would have been like if Charles Lindbergh had succeeded to the presidency of the United States.

For those of you interested in participating in the reading campaign of "One Book New Jersey," Bernardsville Public Library owns three copies of The Plot Against America. At some point in the future, we would like to offer a book discussion format via this blog, where you can make comments to the discussion topics posted for the book.

Please look for more information to come.

Calling All Jane Austen Fans

Masterpiece Theatre begin their Jane Austen marathon this Sunday, January 13, at 9 pm. with six adaptations of her classic novels and a new drama based on her life. Not since Upstairs, Downstairs has there been so much excitement surrounding a series. So tape your Desperate Housewives, brew a delicious cup of tea, and immerse yourself in a classical experience. You won't regret it. And while you're waiting, stroll through the library's rotunda to see our display of Jane Austen material. Check her out!

Snuggle Up With Our Display Books

photo source - Bernardsville Public Library

Our lobby display, "Snowgle Up With a Good Book," invites you to take a selection of heartwarming stories home to read while comfortably snuggled under a quilt in your favorite chair. Help yourself to these books or any of the materials in our other displays.

We install new displays in various sections of the library every month, so look for different suggestions for reading, listening or viewing throughout the library. We offer a wide range of topics to introduce new materials and ideas to you while reacquainting you with the older favorites. Enjoy!