BlogaBook

In July 2009, Bob Hoff, facilitator of one of the three book clubs hosted by the Bel Air branch of Harford County Public Library gave an interview with Reading Group Guides, the online community for reading groups. Read more...

For 10 years Bob has facilitated the contemporary fiction group. Here are the names of five books that have generated particularly good discussions for the group. There are listed them in alphabetical order by title:
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (Find this book in our catalog) "A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it." (catalog summary)
Cost by Roxana Robinson (Find this book in our catalog) "In Cost, Robinson tackles addiction and explores its effects on the bonds of family, dazzling us with her hallmark subtlety and precision in evoking the emotional interiors of her characters." (catalog summary)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Find this book in our catalog) "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island, boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all. Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever." (catalog summary)
Hannah’s Dream by Diane Coplin Hammond (Find this book in our catalog) "A charming, poignant, and captivating novel certain to enthrall readers of Water for Elephants, Diane Hammond's Hannah's Dream is a beautifully told tale rich in heart, humor, and intelligence." (catalog summary)
Lottery by Patricia Wood (Find this book in our catalog) "Peopled with characters both wicked and heroic, Woods debut novel is a deeply satisfying, gorgeously rendered story about trust, loyalty, and what distinguishes individuals as capable." (catalog summary)