Question about our upcoming Chekhov book club

Christie and I have a friend named Anne Purves whom we wanted to invite to book club. She was the one who told me how much she loved the Chekhov short stories and inspired me to read them. Her husband is a professor of Russian Literature at BYU. So, we thought it would be fun if she came to book club this month. I talked to her yesterday, and she said she could for sure come. She also said that her husband would probably be willing to come and talk to us about it if we want. He did his dissertation on Chekhov short stories. So, what do you guys think? Do we want him to come? What would we want him to do? Just provide an intro? Answer questions? Lead the discussion? Or, would you rather just have our normal discussion without professional guidance and masculine involvement? She said he could come for just 20 minutes, or longer, or not at all. He has done this sort of thing for a couple of other book clubs already.

So . . . what do you guys think?

Retraction

OK, so the journalist in me should've known to check my sources (such as Snopes or Myles) before posting that last one. Sorry, guys. I just don't get people who have the time and think it's fun to make up things and spread them around.

Myles said if any planet were as bright as the moon, we'd be pulled out of orbit. I guess it's a good thing it was a hoax! Oh, well. At least I caught it before anyone commented. That makes me feel better.

Galileo

I thought Google's Homepage today was pretty fun, and it reminded me of Galileo's Daughter. Also, I hear that the earth is going to be closer to Mars than it ever has been this TH night, and should be as bright as the moon. Sounded like a cool thing to check out.

Truly Essential Tales of Chekhov

It's really hard to narrow these down. They are all so unusual that it's hard to pick favorites. But, here are the ones that are most talked about, along with a couple that I really liked but aren't frequently mentioned.

A Trifle from Life
Hush!
Champagne
The Kiss
The Grasshopper
Ward No. 6
Gooseberries
The Darling
The Lady with the Dog

After having written that list, I really do recommend reading all of them. The whole book is only 337 pages, and every story seemed to give me some new insight. Ward No. 6 was the only story on my list that was a little hard for me to get through, but it was worth it. I don't know if you need to read the introduction first, it's probably better to read it after the stories. But I liked these quotes from the introduction:

"If anything can be termed 'typical (Chekhov)' it is that he insists we keep our notice close to life's nuance, it's intimate gestures and small moral annotations."

"As readers of imaginative literature, we are always seeking clues, warnings: where in life to search more assiduously; what not to overlook; what's the origin of this sort of human calamity, that sort of joy and pleasure; how can we live nearer to the latter, further off from the former? And to such seekers as we are, Chekhov is guide, perhaps the guide."

I don't know that I'd call him the guide, but he is pretty remarkable. Read away and enjoy!

Date Change?

I left a message for Shauna letting her know that I've noticed our next Enrichment mtg. being advertised for Sept. 3rd. We might need to meet the 2nd TH in Sept. instead of the 1st if this is the case. Just thought I'd give a heads up.

Also, my book is being recalled by the BYU library (perhaps by Britney or Stephanie's husbands?!), so I better get reading before I have to give it back! Kara said we should read the intro. Have you chosen your favorites we should all try to read, too, Kara?

We had so much fun at book club last night! I love it when I laugh so hard I cry -- and I did that a few times last night. Thanks Robyn for hosting such a great night!

Kara, Stephanie, Heidi, Robyn
Ruth, Britney, Shannon & Rebecca

As you can see Robyn made the most delicious Indian food for us! In fact i wish she lived closer so I could pop on over for leftovers.

Here is the Royal Book Club portrait taken in Robyn's "heritage room chair" -- the colors looked really weird in this one so I made it black & white & now they look very regal don't you think? ( I had to laugh because in all three pictures I look of them Ruth's eyes were closed.)

Stephanie & Shannon win for most photogenic. They looked great in every picture -- I hate them.

And finally we have the "You smell of poo...and a bit of wee." photograph. Make sure that you say that in your best British accent. Now try it in Russian, now try it in...

Oh & we had a great discussion about 500,000+ word book A Suitable Boy!