Kokomo Tribune Editorial: Get Involved with 'Reads'

Check out this wonderful editorial from the Kokomo Tribune--recommending that you join us this year as we read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt!

Editorial - July 18, 2012: Get involved with ‘Reads’

Thank you Kokomo Tribune!

HOWARD COUNTY READS 2012 BOOK CHOSEN!

You nominated your favorite books and a committee reviewed those books and chose Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman as the book for Howard County Reads 2012.

For years, 12-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt has taken care of her mother, Camille, a crown-wearing laughingstock who thinks it’s 1951 and she’s Vidalia Onion Queen of Georgia. When tragedy strikes in their Ohio town, CeeCee is whisked off to Savannah, Ga., by her great-aunt Tootie Caldwell. CeeCee is soon catapulted into a world of prosperity and Southern eccentricities. CeeCee’s world view is challenged with secrets to keep, injustices to face, and loyalties to uphold. Just as she begins to feel like she belongs, her newfound joy collides with the long-held fear that her mother’s legacy has left her destined for destruction.

Several events are planned to celebrate Howard County Reads 2012, including author Beth Hoffman visiting Kokomo.

More Information to come!

Howard County Reads 2012 Is Coming Soon!

Soon we will be announcing the book for 2012!  The read along will be back too, so I hope you enjoyed the fun last year. 

Stay tuned for more information!

Jamie Ford is coming to Kokomo Tomorrow!

Don't forget to get your free tickets to the Jamie Ford event tomorrow night! 

December 1, 2011
Author Jamie Ford Visits

Jamie Ford will speak and sign autographs at 7:00 p.m. at IUK Havens Auditorium, 2300 S. Washington St., Kokomo, IN.

Although the Dec. 1 event will be free, you are encouraged to pick up a ticket to the event at any Library location, including the Greentown Public Library, in order to be guaranteed a seat. Tickets will be available starting October, 1, 2011.

Howard County Reads is sponsored by the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library and Greentown Public Library. Special 2011 partners include the Women's Symposium, Elizabeth Handley Estate and Indiana University Kokomo.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Fifteen

Part 15:   Catch up and Review

We made it!  We read the entire novel in less than 15 days.  I hope you enjoyed the novel as much as we did.  This is really a novel that touches the reader.  It talks about relationships, regrets, and memories.
 
Discussion:

1. What did you think of the father-son relationships in the novel?


2. Do you think Ethel knew anything about what was happening to Keiko and Henry's letters?


3. What do you think will happen next for Henry?


4. Henry obviously had some regrets about his life, and his relationship with Keiko.  I think we all eventually come to regret some choices we have made whether they are small or large like Henry's.  Sometimes we can accept those choices, but some leave us longing to go back and see how things could be different.  Do you have anything you wish you could go back and change?


5. What was your favorite part of the novel?


6. Was there any particular part of the novel you wanted to discuss?

Other comments on this section...

Thank you so much for participating in our read-along!  I hope you enjoyed it.  Please let us know what you think about the book and our read-along in the comments!

How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Fourteen

Part 14:    "Broken Records (1986)" through "New York (1986)" pages 266-285.


Welcome to day fourteen of the Read-Along!  We have officially finished the novel.  I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I have.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for some wrap up discussion, and a chance to share your final thoughts on the novel!
 
Discussion Starters:

1. Why do you think Henry is so reluctant to look for Keiko?


2. When Sheldon tells Henry to "fix it" what do you think he wants Henry to fix?


3. If you found a long lost friend or loved one, what would be the first thing you would want to tell them after all that time apart?

Other comments on this section...

Check back here tomorrow for some final comments and discussion on this wonderful book.
How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Read-Along: Part Thirteen

Part 13:   "Years (1945)" through "V-J Day (1945)" pages 246-265.



Welcome to day thirteen of the Read-Along!  Two more days and we will have completed the read-along.  I hope you have enjoyed the book as  much as I have.
 
Discussion Starters:

1. In this part of the novel we skip forward a couple of years and Henry's communication with Keiko has faltered some during that time.  Why do you think Henry is getting so little news from Keiko?


2. What do you think about Henry's father still refusing to speak to him after all this time?


3. What do you think of the deal Henry makes with his father to keep the Panama Hotel from being sold?


4. What did you think of Ethel meeting Henry at the Panama Hotel?


5. What did you think of Henry's father's confession when he tells Henry "I did it for you?"

Other comments on this section...

For Thursday we will be reading our final portion of the novel "Broken Records (1986)" through "New York (1986)" pages 266-285.  See you back here tomorrow!

How the Read-Along Works

Each day we will read a section of the book Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford together.  After reading each section, please feel free to comment, and add your thoughts about the book.  The more input, the better this works!  Comment as little or as much as you want, and feel free to stray from the discussion starters if you have something else about the book you really want to discuss.  Most importanly, have fun as we read this book together!