BuzzSugar

Buzz Book Club: The Conclusion of Sammy's Hill

BuzzSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:01:47 PDT

Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! We've reached the end of Sammy's Hill by Kristin Gore just in time for the end of this election. I hope this fun romp through politics added some levity to what has been an intense month!

Here's how the Book Club goes if you're new: Every week I suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, was every Friday in October). In these weekly Book Club posts, I posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comment section.

I'll fill you in on my November book soon. For now, to discuss the final section of Sammy's Hill, in which we read from the chapter titled "Breathe in Deep, It's All Fresh Air" to the end of the book, just

The book really seems to speed up in this part, especially once RG becomes part of the presidential ticket. Did you think the fast pace helped convey the craziness of Sammy's life during the race? Or do you wish we'd spent a little more time on this part of things (and maybe a little less time on Aaron)?
Speaking of boys, Sammy sure does seem to attract a lot of them. Do you think she made the right call in choosing Charlie, or are you still suspicious of him? Did you like her relationship with Bob, or did it just seem like a distraction? I thought her breakup with Bob was extremely swift and easy, which I suppose goes along with the accelerated pacing of the end of the book.
The entire book seems to have something to do with coming to terms with the reality of your job - that no matter how idealistic you are, there will still be times when you're disappointed. Did you appreciate the way Sammy dealt with those issues? Could you relate to those feelings from your own professional life?
What do you imagine happening to Sammy after the end of the book? If you've read the sequel, does it match what you hoped would happen?
In the movie version of this book, who could you see playing Sammy? What about the other characters (Liza, Aaron, Charlie, Bob, Darlene, etc.)?

Buzz Book Club: Sammy's Hill, Section Three

BuzzSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 06:30:25 PDT

Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! Sammy's Hill by Kristin Gore has perhaps reached its climax this section, or at least Sammy's love life has become very dramatic. Good stuff!

Here's a recap of how the Book Club goes if you're new: Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in October). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.

Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.

The next assignment: Read from the chapter titled "Breathe in Deep, It's All Fresh Air" to the end of the book! We'll chat about this final section a week from today, Oct. 31.

To discuss this second section of Sammy's Hill, in which we read from the chapter titled "Hey Buster" up to the one titled "Breathe in Deep, It's All Fresh Air,"

I find it funny when Sammy uses "Blackberry" as both a noun (like when she sends Aaron "a Blackberry") and a verb (i.e. "Blackberrying!"). These terms seem funny to me. Do you use them in this way?
I find it so satisfying when Sammy and Darlene confront Aaron, together and in person, about his two-timing. If you were in Sammy's place, do you think you would have tracked down Darlene, called her to talk about Aaron's cheating and made up a plan to confront him? I like that she went the extra mile and found Darlene (through real investigation on her part!) so they could be a team together, rather than having it be Sammy versus Aaron-and-Darlene.
Do you find it as exciting and awesome as I do when Sammy enjoys some professional success with the Mr. Zines project? I love living through that triumph with her, and I think this is an example of something I enjoy about Kristin Gore's writing - this isn't your average, everyday piece of "chick lit" with everything about dating and shopping. We get a heroine who has a brain and a sense of humor and who experiences both successes and setbacks in her job.
Sammy's still pretty conflicted about Charlie, but after he gives the explanation about his editor changing the story about her, she seems to soften toward him. Do you think she forgives him too easily? Is she just being naive?

Buzz Book Club: Sammy's Hill, Section Two

BuzzSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:30:48 PDT

Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! Sammy's Hill by Kristin Gore is getting exciting, and Sammy keeps making me laugh out loud.

Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.

The next assignment: Read from the chapter titled "Hey Buster" up to the one titled "Breathe in Deep, It's All Fresh Air." We'll chat about this section a week from today, Oct. 24.

To discuss this second section of Sammy's Hill, in which we read from the chapter titled "Roadshow" up to the one titled "Hey Buster,"

Oh, the accidental "reply-all" e-mail - the quintessential work-related disaster. My heart just breaks for Sammy in this section, even while I'm laughing out loud at her "whipped-cream summit." Do you think she handled the damage control appropriately? Was Charlie overly harsh in his Post story, or was he just doing his job? And have you ever sent a reply-all message when you didn't mean to?
Speaking of "have you ever" situations, Sammy hiding the Us Weekly inside The Economist is totally something I would do. Are there any magazines you're embarrassed for others to know you read? Have you ever faked your reading material so strangers would think you're smarter than you are? (I've done it on public transportation, more than once!)
Do you trust Aaron? Why or why not? Sometimes he's totally sweet; other times it seems like there's something really shady going on.
I've noticed that Sammy (or, Kristin Gore, I guess) never outright mentions specific party affiliations when discussing the political figures in the book. She never comes out and says RG is a Republican or Democrat or anything else, and the same goes for Bramen, Spearam and the rest. This seems like a careful decision. Is it so that readers don't form opinions about the characters based on their own personal political views? Do you think it's a good tactic?

Buzz Book Club: Sammy's Hill, Section One

BuzzSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:30:31 PDT

Hey Buzz Book Club readers! Welcome back! Have you fetched a copy of Sammy's Hill by Kristen Gore yet? Hope so because I'm excited to talk about this first section. So far I'm really enjoying the light and fun read this book is turning out to be, especially at a time when everything political feels so heavy. We'll dive into more detail in just a bit.

First, here's a recap of how the Book Club goes if you're new: Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in October). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.

Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.

The next assignment: Read from the chapter titled "Roadshow" up to the one titled "Hey Buster." We'll chat about this section a week from today, Oct. 17.

To discuss the first section of Sammy's Hill, in which we read from the beginning of the book until the end of the chapter titled "Down Low, Too Slow,"

I think this book captures the stressfulness and excitement of that first job out of college that you really believe in. Are you liking our protagonist so far? Do you find it as refreshing as I do that this isn't another Devil Wears Prada knockoff in that Sammy actually likes and admires her boss, RG?
Do you find Samantha's passion for health care policy inspiring? Or uninteresting? For such a light book, hers is a fairly bland policy subject, but her description of how it motivated her to get involved is inspiring.
Does Sammy make Washington sound interesting and fun? Or boring and painful?
Sammy's full of quirks, from her hypochondria to her klutziness to her celebration of random holidays. Do you appreciate her numerous imperfections, or is it all too much?
I enjoy it when Sammy talks about her childhood, and it struck me that with her mother's encouragement, she spent many of her early years basically preparing for exactly the job she has. As a kid, did you have a sense for what you occupation you'd have as an adult? Or did you want to do something totally different from what you ended up doing?

Buzz Book Club: Sammy's Hill

BuzzSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:30:42 PDT

Hello, Buzz Book Club readers! I know a lot of you are doing your best to keep up with campaign-related news (I'm lucky to have Citizen and Liberty's help!) so I thought it would be fun to read a light and easy book about politics. Ladies and gents, introducing the October "election season" Book Club selection: Sammy's Hill, by someone who knows a thing or two about life inside the Beltway, Kristin Gore.

Yep, that's Al Gore's daughter. I've been interested in reading this one for a while, as it sounds like a fun romp through the life of a young person working on Capitol Hill (with a little romance tossed in for fun).

For those of you new to my book club format, here's how it works: I'll announce a new book each month. Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in October). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few discussion-provoking questions for you to respond to in the comments section.

To find out what Sammy's Hill is all about and to get the first assignment,

read more. The synopsis for Sammy's Hill reads: "Samantha Joyce, Gore's heroine, is a 26-year-old self-deprecating health-care policy advisor to Robert Gary, a well-respected senator from her home state of Ohio. Between endless work days, a grueling campaign schedule, and frequent trips to the pet store where she seeks advice on caring for her listless Japanese fighting fish, Sammy finds time to obsess over her new boyfriend, sexy speechwriter Aaron Driver. As things heat up with Aaron, Sammy's work schedule takes on a new intensity when Gary becomes the Democratic candidate for vice president. Along the way, scandal clouds both her personal and professional life, and our heroine discovers the often salacious underbelly of life on the hill." The first assignment: Read from the beginning of the book until the end of the chapter titled "Down Low, Too Slow" (so, just before "Roadshow" begins). We'll chat about this first section a week from today, Oct. 10.

Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel Get Nailed... By Al Gore's Daughter

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:28:13 PST

The title of this post is scandalous and strange, but so is this film news. Al Gore's daughter Kristin Gore is co-writing a screenplay titled Nailed (not based on either of her novels Sammy's Hill or Sammy's House). Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel are attached to star together in the movie.

Here's the plot: "Biel would play Sammy Joyce, a socially awkward small-town receptionist who has a nail accidentally shot into her head by a clumsy workman, eliciting wild sexual urges. The uninsured Joyce goes on a crusade to Washington to fight for the rights of the bizarrely injured. She meets an immoral congressman (Gyllenhaal) who takes advantage of her sex drive and capitalizes on her crusade as Joyce heads into her own career in politics."

I'm picturing something along the lines of Secretary, sort of dark and bizarre and sexual, but Jessica Biel is no Maggie Gyllenhaal. I'm curious to find out how Kristin Gore's foray into screenwriting goes. What do you think of this movie news?

Source and source

What to TiVo: Monday

BuzzSugar — Sun, 01 May 2011 23:59:00 PDT

8:00 Dancing With the Stars (new)
10:00 Castle (new)
12:00 Jimmy Kimmel Live (new, with guests Rene Russo and Kristin Gore)

8:00 How I Met Your Mother (new)
8:30 Mad Love (new)
9:00 Two and a Half Men (repeat)
9:30 Mike & Molly (new)
10:00 Hawaii Five-0 (new)
11:35 Late Show With David Letterman (new, with guests Tracy Morgan and Rex Ryan)
12:37 Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson (new, with guests Mindy Kaling and Matt Lucas)

8:00 House (new)
9:00 The Chicago Code (new)

8:00 Chuck (new)
9:0o The Event (new)
10:00 Law & Order: Los Angeles (new)
11:35 Tonight Show With Jay Leno (new with guests Paul Walker and Donny & Marie Osmond)
12:35 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (new, with guests LL Cool J and Judd Apatow)

8:00 90210 (new)
9:00 Gossip Girl (new)

More shows to watch after the jump.