BuzzSugar

Buzz Book Club: The End of Julie and Julia

BuzzSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:30:43 -0800

Hey Buzz Book Club readers! Have you finished Julie and Julia? I'm excited to chat about this final section, even though I'm still in a food coma from feasting yesterday. I have to say, I can't believe Julie really pulls this thing off!

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 November). 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 December book soon. For now, to discuss the final section of Julie and Julia, in which we read from the chapter titled "Sweet Smell of Failure" to the end of the book, just read more.

In the last section, the connection between Julie and Julia finally clicked for me. If you were Julia Child, how do you think you'd feel about what Julie was doing? Would you feel honored, or would you think it was a sham?
Are you surprised Julie got so much attention and fame from the blog?
Also on the topic of the attention she garnered: Do you think celebrity changes things like this? When her face is out there and she's no longer so anonymous, do you think there's something lost?
Can you picture Meryl Streep as Julia and Amy Adams as Julie? What changes do you think you'd make to the book to make it a successful movie?

Buzz Book Club: Julie and Julia, Section Two

BuzzSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:30:22 -0800

Hey Buzz Book Club readers! Welcome back! I hope you were able to round up a copy of Julie and Julia to read along with me. This is the section in which our writer gets down and dirty with some hard recipes to tackle. Can't wait to discuss!

But first, a note about how 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 November). 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 start of the chapter titled "Sweet Smell of Failure" to the end of the book! Even though we've got Thanksgiving next week, I'll still post the last round questions on Friday - what better to discuss through your turkey haze than a book all about cooking, right?

To discuss the second section of Julie and Julia, in which we read from "The Law of Diminishing Returns" through "The Proof Is in the Plumbing," read more.

OK, so in the first section, I was totally craving French food and digging all the recipes Julie was cooking. But this section is all about hoofs and things "en gelee." Are you still craving French food, or are you (as I was, frankly) a little grossed out?
This section has about an equal amount of writing about food and writing about the other things in Julie's life (her job, Gwen, etc.). Which do you enjoy reading more?
On a similar note, do you think you would have read this blog if you'd known about it while she was writing it?
What did you make of the Gwen story in general? Do you agree with what Julie said to her?
I was a little surprised that the dinner party, which started out seeming like a disaster, ended so well. Julie seems really stressed out in this section, but she doesn't seem to actually fail very much. Are you surprised by that? Are you glad she's getting through the book, or do you want more struggle and disaster?
If you were Eric, would you be content to eat French food and do the dishes every night, or would you have your own supply of pizza and Hungry Man frozen dinners by now?
Are you feeling a connection between Julie and Julia?

Buzz Book Club: Julie and Julia, Section One

BuzzSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:30:54 -0800

Hey Buzz Book Club readers! Welcome back! I hope you were able to round up a copy of Julie and Julia to read along with me. I'm liking what I'm reading so far, but I have a couple questions on my mind about the first section that I'm looking forward to discussing with you.

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 November). 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 "The Law of Diminishing Returns" through "The Proof Is in the Plumbing" (stop before the one titled "Sweet Smell of Failure"). We'll chat about this section a week from today, Nov. 21.

To discuss the first section of Julie and Julia, in which we read from the start of the book until the end of the chapter titled "Disaster/Dinner Party, Dinner Party/Disaster: A Study in Duality" (so, just before "The Law of Diminishing Returns" begins), read more.

First of all, I'm finding myself with an insane and irrepressible craving for French cuisine since starting this book. How about you? Have you actually sought out French food (or attempted any of the recipes yourself)?
I really admire Julie's dedication to taking on a ridiculous project and convincing herself to stick with it even in the worst circumstances. It seems like when I've tried to do such things in my own down time (write in a journal every night, take a picture every day for a year, etc.), I give up easily. Have you ever taken on a project like this? And did you see it through to the end, or did you put it aside part of the way through?
That said, I'm a little fuzzy on Julie's motivations for starting the project. It's like her husband suggested blogging and pretty soon it was an all-consuming lifestyle choice. Do you understand why she's doing the project? Is it just to shake up her normal, boring 9-to-5 routine?
How are you feeling about the italicized interludes about Julia Child's life? I thought I would like them, but so far I'm finding myself skimming them. I guess at this point I'm more interested in Julie's own reactions to the project than I am in how her life might relate to Child's. How about you?

Buzz Book Club: Julie and Julia

BuzzSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:30:38 -0800

Hello, Buzz Book Club readers! I don't know about you, but as soon as my calendar says "November," I start thinking about food. Lots and lots of yummy Thanksgiving food . . . mmm . . . ahem! I figured it would be fun to read a book all about cooking good stuff in honor of the delicious holiday. I've had my eye on Julie and Julia by Julie Powell ever since I learned that they're making it into a movie, and I thought this could be just the month in which to read it.

Julie Powell's story isn't just about food, though. It's a real-life tale of self-discovery, and it all started with one woman's goal to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She chronicled her entire experience on her blog, which naturally turned into a book deal!

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 November). 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 Julie and Julia is all about and to get the first assignment, read more.

The synopsis for Julie and Julia reads:
"Julie Powell was on the verge of turning 30, trapped in a series of unfulfilling temp jobs, and living in a dreadful apartment in Queens, New York. That’s when she decided to break the monotony by attempting to make all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. One year later, Powell had achieved her goal, documented her experiences on one of the most popular blogs on the Internet, and began the award-winning, bestselling book."

The first assignment: Read from the beginning of the book until the end of the chapter titled "Disaster/Dinner Party, Dinner Party/Disaster: A Study in Duality" (so, just before "The Law of Diminishing Returns" begins). We'll chat about this first section a week from today, Nov. 14.

Buzz Book Club: The Conclusion of Sammy's Hill

BuzzSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:01:47 -0700

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 read more.

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.)?

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:30:59 -0800

Very sad news, friends: Author, screenwriter, and ER creator Michael Crichton died unexpectedly this week after a battle with cancer. He will be missed by many.
Two interesting movie previews related to the Holocaust this week: The Reader stars Kate Winslet and looks heavy, while The Boy in the Striped Pajamas follows the unlikely friendship between two young boys during the war.
Oh! And we got a peek at the biopic Cadillac Records, which features a whole bunch of big names, like Mos Def (as Chuck Berry) and Beyonce (as Etta James) and Adrien Brody (as Leonard Chess).
Grey's Anatomy had a very dramatic week with the sudden announcement that Dr. Hahn will no longer be on the show, effective immediately. You can see creator Shonda Rhimes's response, and for my thoughts on the character's exit, check out this week's episode rundown.
However, there are more doctors on the way to Seattle's most drama-filled hospital.
Election week was super exciting, wasn't it? I was feeling patriotic and decided to create a playlist to match my mood.
Now that the election's over, I'm focusing a bit more on Thanksgiving and I picked a book about food (and life) for my November Buzz Book Club selection.
Finally, fans of Joss Whedon's Dollhouse can breathe a small sigh of relief because this week we got proof (via a new trailer) that the show is still alive and on its way!

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