// Tracker

See All
TypeTitleRepliesViewsLast Post

// Latest Posts

See Latest
POPSUGAR Entertainment Book Club: What Did You Think of Water For Elephants? Jul 19, 2010 8:00 AM Well, that's a wrap on my first book club book of the Summer, Water for Elephants . A light but engaging read, the novel following a young man who joins the circus in the 1930s proved to be a great story, leaving plenty to be discussed. I particularly loved older Jacob's happy ending (though I would have liked to hear more about his life with Marlena). I was also pretty shocked to learn that it's Rosie, and not Marlena, who lays the fatal blow into August's head. (It should be particularly interesting to see how this scene plays out on the big screen.) So what are your final thoughts? Who was your favorite character? (I admittedly developed a soft spot for Walter and Queenie.) Were you surprised at the way it ended? Did you like that Jacob runs away from the nursing home or do you think the suggestion is too far-fetched, not to mention dangerous? I want to hear all of your reactions, complaints, and cheers!
POPSUGAR Entertainment Who's Got Talking Points For Water For Elephants, Chapters 1-15? Jul 8, 2010 3:25 PM Hello fellow book club readers! I've been loving hearing your thoughts about Water For Elephants so far, and as you're reading (or have already read) chapters 11-15 of the novel, I'd love to hear your own ideas for talking points.  Your insightful commentary and observations are what make this club work! Chime in in the comments below (or create your own post in the group) and I'll round up my favorites for Monday's discussion post. Thanks! -Buzz
POPSUGAR Entertainment Book Club: Let's Talk About Water For Elephants, Part Deux Jul 6, 2010 7:30 AM Well kids, we're almost halfway through Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants , and I'm totally hooked. In fact, I'm having a hard time avoiding all of the photos from the movie set and sadly have already seen a few spoilers. Anyway, in the second installment of my Summer Book Club , the plot thickens as Jacob and Marlena grow closer, Jacob undergoes a few "initiation rites," and we finally meet Rosie the elephant. Here are a few thoughts and talking points: Many of you said last week that you feel that Jacob loves Marlena more than she loves him. We still haven't gotten to any real love scenes yet, but it's clear that Jacob has feelings for her. Since Marlena is taking Jacob under her wing, do you think a bit of Jacob's feelings could be a reaction to losing his own mother? Marlena says the best thing to do is to ignore August's "bad spells." It seems like he might be an alcoholic or have anger management issues — any other guesses to his problem? Jacob is still very naive (as we see in his hilarious incident with Barbara), but he's already growing bolder in the way he talks to August and defends the animals in the circus. When Jacob is comforting Marlena, he says his experience with comforting women is limited. Do you think he feels more comfortable with animals than humans? Did anyone else notice a parallel in the way older Jacob feels trapped in the nursing home and how the circus animals are treated by August and Uncle Al? August says "The whole thing's illusion Jacob and there's nothing wrong with that." What examples of this have we already seen? Share your thoughts below or start your own topic threads in my community group ! And don't forget to read chapters 11 through 15 for next week's discussion!
readingforwork Good discussion questions Jun 28, 2010 12:14 PM I am reading this for the second time in as many years. I assumed I would read it slow, but have had same reaction as the first time I read it: can not put it down. Almost finished and --as before--do not want it to end. As far as the beginning: I believe that telling the ending/outcome of  a story in the first few pages is 1) very brave for an author and 2) can prove to be spellbinding for the reader.  Perhaps  this technique speaks to the magic of the story itself, i.e: the writing style and pathway used to travel through the book. I like both parts of the main character: I see that  he finds his continued life lessons do just that: continue. Funny you should say that about seeing the named actors in the roles; during this second reading I  now find myself putting exact faces to these characters. So far I sugges that it --the movie--is good casting. In other words, it works in my mind,   I hope they maintain the integrity of the time  in which the story takes place,  
POPSUGAR Entertainment What Are Your Thoughts on Water For Elephants, Part 1? Jun 28, 2010 9:30 AM Hopefully by now you've started reading Water For Elephants , because it's time to start discussing! The chapters absolutely flew by for me and I was instantly absorbed in the dichotomy of Jacob's past and present lives. I want to hear all of your initial thoughts, so here are a few talking points to get the ball rolling: Jacob's recount of his younger years with the circus are obviously the focal point of the novel, but I'm finding his time in the nursing home to be equally engaging (not to mention heartbreaking). Which story are you enjoying more? It's a bit jarring to find out that Marlena kills August in the prologue. Do you feel like the climax of the novel is already spoiled? Do you think she kills August out of love for Jacob? Whenever a film adaptation of a novel is announced, I inevitably start picturing the actors as the characters. Though Jacob is described as a redhead, I'm already seeing Pattinson in the role — what about you? So far we're getting a look at the nitty gritty behind-the-scenes drama of the circus, but it still feels a lot like a fairy tale to me. Do you think the cartoonish characters are meant to be a product of Jacob's memory or Sara Gruen's story telling? Share your thoughts below or start your own topic threads in my community group ! And don't forget to read chapters six through 10 for next week's discussion!

// Posts

See All
Discussion Questions For Water For Elephants Discussion Questions For Water For Elephants
Who's Got Talking Points For Water For Elephants, Chapters 1-15? Who's Got Talking Points For Water For Elephants, Chapters 1-15?
Talking Points For Water For Elephants Talking Points For Water For Elephants
Good discussion questions

// Top People

See All
POPSUGAR Entertainment glorr readingforwork
Sites We LoveSee More