As if growing up isn't difficult enough for the average child, try seeking normalcy with a manic-depressive mother in a small Southern town.
That's the subject of North Carolina author Kaye Gibbons' novel Sights Unseen , the second of three novels from Southern female authors to be featured in a book club started by The Augusta Chronicle and the East Central Georgia Regional Library System.
We'll have an online chat about the book at 1 p.m. Nov. 4, and an informal, in-person book chat at the Friedman Branch Library on Monday, Nov. 16.
Five book enthusiasts attended the club's first meeting Monday to discuss the first selection, Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple . The open discussion at the Friedman Branch was led by Community Outreach Librarian Sherryl James.
The club, which celebrates the tradition of Southern female storytellers, will conclude with a reading of Augusta author Louise Shivers' A Whistling Woman in December.
Participants discussed the author, the unique tone of Southern writing and their thoughts on the characters.
The Color Purple was published in 1982, and some attendees had read the book before. Adele Moore, of Augusta, said the club inspired her to read the book for the first time, and she has developed an appreciation for works by black women.
It was a step outside the literary box for Donna Steiner, of Evans, who usually reads murder mysteries and suspenseful tales by authors such as Dan Brown.
"It's a challenge," said Wilma Wade, of Evans.
The Color Purple isn't a "fluff" book, Ms. Wade said.
Ms. Wade also is a fan of the mystery genre, and she attends the Brown Bag Lunch Book meetings.
Ms. Steiner said she reads all the time, but hadn't been to a book club, though friends of hers have book clubs.
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
BOOK IT
TITLE: Sights Unseen
AUTHOR: Kaye Gibbons
ONLINE CHAT: 1 p.m. Nov. 4
BOOK CLUB MEETING: Monday, Nov. 16, Friedman Branch Library, 1447 Jackson Road
LEARN MORE: A limited number of copies of Ms. Gibbons' book will be available at the library. To find the branch closest to you, visit ecgrl.public.lib.ga.us/branches.htm.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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