Introductions

[janastasiow]

Hi, my name is Jaime. I am currently working on my teaching credentials; I plan to teach high school English. I’ve also just begun my Master’s degree in Humanities. I am in so much coursework right now (21 units) that I’m afraid I won’t have free reading time. I’m going to do everything I can to read this book (if I can’t read novels I might as well not live!). I’ve never been in a book discussion that was outside of school so this should be fun. I also think it will be very interesting to see the author’s take on things, other than reader’s guides at the end and interviews; you really don’t get much else in general.

[4Marie]

Hi Jaime,

I am now retired but taught high school English for 18 years before I became a counselor for the next twenty years. I also taught French. Teaching English was my favortie, but, alas, I hardly had time to read for pleasure during the school. I also wanted to try my hand at writing but found myself too exhausted after teaching all day. I caught up on a lot of reading over the summer.

I think this book club will be good because I find belonging to a club or taking a class forces me to be on a reading schedule. Good luck to you!

[coconut588]

Hello All!

I, like many others, have been wanting to join a book club for some time and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I also work in special education and am enjoying the complex characters and wonderfully written story Ms. Edwards. I hope you are all enjoying the book as much as I am.

Kelly

[jennifer918]

I'm Jennifer, I'm 42, a full-time (what WAS I thinking?!) high school science teacher and my husband and I have 3 boys: 16 years, almost 15 years and 12 years. We also have a spoiled princess of a dog who is currently sleeping on a couch on which she is not allowed. Along with everyone else here, I am an avid reader (much of the bargain section at Barnes & Noble) and am now listening to a book on tape (may as well use my time in the car wisely) as well as reading a different book (The Breathtakes- Today Show book club selection that I wouldn't recommend). I am in a book club through church and this is the book we picked for this month (we picked it back in December) and we will be meeting February 16. I am looking forward to getting to know the group here and getting additional book recommendations. Happy Sunday, to all.

[laura8539]

Hello,
My name is Laura and I am very pleased to be here. Right now I am a Instuctional Assistant at a Alternative school. I am 42 years young and have read the book and look forward to interesting conversations about the book both from other individuals and the author.
Happy reading all,
Laura

[searora]

Hello All,

I am also a first-time book club member and was too excited to get the email describing the B&N online book club. I have been reading most of my life, thanks to my mom and dad's influence; and for the first time in the eight years my husband and I have been married, he is starting to share my love of books. He is currently deployed, while I patiently wait at home carrying our first child (and getting as much reading in as I can before our baby zaps all of our time), and he has already finished 6 books! I am shocked and elated! The idea of an online book club is ideal in our hectic lives (we are both active duty) and I can't wait to maintain my book club involvement no matter where I go. I am about 100 pages in to Memory Keeper's Daughter and can't wait to hear everyone's discussions, especially the authors. Happy reading!

[CarnzyReads]

Hello all

Looking forward to discussing this book with everyone. Truly a great read and a beautiful snapshot of the human condition. I am an aspiring writer and an avid reader.

Carnzyreads

[Fozzie]

Hi everyone! I read this book last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is lots to discuss and I look forward to hearing lots of differing opinions.

[Lansum]

Hello everyone,
I'm half-way through the book and enjoying it very much. I'm a librarian, former high school English teacher and English major. I'm happily married and enjoy reading--novels mostly--and now that our daughter is away at college, I have a little more time to do so. I'm looking forward to this group because I haven't as yet been able to find anyone in this small rural Georgia town who wants to start a book club. This kind of online experience is a little new to me, although I've taken one online class before. I'm especially looking forward to reading the author's thoughts on her own book.

[clueanddizmom]

Hi! My name is Peggy and I am mom to a 2 year old daughter who has Down syndrome. I am a full time graphic artist but wish to be a full time SAHM one day!

[snownone]

Hi! I am a part-time music teacher from the Northwoods of Wisconsin. I have three boys: 12, 6, and 5. Up until this year I was very busy as a full time music teacher. However, due to my husband's job we moved and now I need something with which to occupy my mind. I thought a book club would be an excellent place for that venue since I am constantly reading books.

[Phyllis72]

Hi All: My name is Phyllis and I am an avid reader. I love books that are based on real life experiences. I also love espionage and historical books. I do read the book reviews which are published in my Sunday newspaper. Recommendations are also invited. Hope to hear from you soon.

[judy]

This is my first book club. I have read the book and I am ready to discuss it. I'm just not sure how to get started!
I live in Michigan. I am a teacher.
Judy

[jzettel]

Hello everyone! My name is Jill and I'm 28 and 1/2 years old. I like many of the rest of you are brand new to this whole online book club stuff. I picked this book up at a local B&N bookstore several months ago & began to read it in the store, but for some reason or another did not purchase it. When I was browsing the B&N website one day last week & realized that it was a featured selection to be discussed in an online forum, I ran out and bought a copy the first chance I could get.

I don't get a lot of time to read 'cuz I'm a full time working mom of a 4 year old daughter & a 7 month old son and they definitely keep me on my toes. I try to read every chance I get at work, on breaks & at lunch, since my evenings are usually extremely crazy with the family. Ever since I started reading this book I find myself thinking about my next break and can't wait to get the kids in bed in the evenings, just so I can sneak in some "me" time. I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to say about this wonderful page-turner!

[nyamyj]

Hi,

I'm Amy. This is my first book club. I'm very excited, I read this book during my winter vacation and loved it. Looking forward to the discussion.

[Lizzie]

Hello Everyone,

This is my third B&N bookclub session and I like the new format! I loved this book, we read it at my bookclub. I am looking forward to reading the discussions and hopefully participate more.

I love to read and I am also in another bookclub with my 11 year old daughter. It is so much fun!

Have a nice week!

[jerseygrl]

Hi everyone!

This is my first online book club and I'm really looking forward to it. I love reading a great book and with a long commute to NYC for work at a publishing company I read quite a few books a month.

I just finished the book and am really looking forward to discussing it!

[lmpmn]

Hi Everyone! My name is Laura. I'm a stay-at-home single mom, 32yrs old. I've been involved with the mentally disabled, in one way or another, since I was about eight. Back then my older sister worked with people who were mentally disabled. When I would visit her for a week or so, she'd take me to work with her. I always had such a good time getting to know the people she worked with. She worked in a facility where they would come to work during the day. They were able to do so many different things. It helped me to understand at a young age that these people, who were so different from me, were also similar in many ways. It seems that growing up I always knew somebody who was mentally challenged in some way. I knew a married couple from church when I was about eleven who were both disabled, however they lived by themselves and loved each other just like anyone else. In high school I worked at a nursing home where a lot of the patients had dementia and Alzheimer's. When I was in college I worked as a resident counselor in a group home for the mentally challenged. What a challenging job! I'd say it was the most rewarding job I've ever had though. I really miss the friends I made there.

I was interested in this book as soon as I read what it was about. I'm excited to hear from the author and what everyone else has to say as well.

[CantIjustread]

Going out to buy Memory Keeper's Daughter..looking forward to 2/5!