"The little O, the earth" is a thoughtful, introspective
travel journal, harmoniously compiled as a blend of writing, art and experience
into an enjoyable exploration of the world and its great art collections.
Judith Ferrara's book, titled from Shakespeare's "Antony
and Cleopatra," describes various flights of imagination through art,
essay and poetry. The Worcester-based writer/artist will read from her book at
2 p.m., Nov. 8, in the Princeton Art Society, 18 Boylston Ave., Princeton, and
at 7 p.m., Nov. 12, at The Street Beat, 1 Ekman St., Worcester.
The well-designed, square book she envisioned when she
started succeeds in capturing the intellectual liveliness of a watchful
visitor, seeking to absorb and learn from the best of the world's cultural
richness. Ferrara's thoughts about art and the many places she has visited over
more than a decade are candid and affecting. Readers are in Barcelona,
Reykjavik and Amsterdam, Cote d'Azur, Florence and Rome, St. Petersburg, London
and cities across the United States, through the eyes and mind of a woman whose
goal—to visit the world's famed museums—may seem too ambitious, but seems to be
well within her reach.
Don't expect a dull or overwritten collection of essays.
These excerpts from her journals are rich with detail but spare in content. In
them, she preserves her best sense of a place and person. There are tidbits of
knowledge—like Rembrandt's bankruptcy list being used to restore his house for
posterity, the misleading "two tuns of yellow" paint used in Monet's
home at Giverny, and Renoir challenging himself to do better after
heartbreaking exposure to the works of Titian, Veronese and Raphael—presented
between her drawings, inspired by the museums and lands she saw. She briefly considers
the music she relies upon as a backdrop for creative juices, the life of an
artist, the love she developed for Goya's art after observing his work at The
Prado in Madrid.
She writes about Worcester-born poet Elizabeth Bishop, and
poet Stanley Kunitz's Worcester home, where she spent several years as a
docent. She speaks of the training that goes into being a museum guide, or
docent, and relates her joy at hearing a child, after staring at one of her
works, solemnly pronounce, "Wow."
The book is filled with such moments, carefully folded
together and crafted into a beautiful homage to art.
Her poetry relates to travels, recollecting thoughts about
Van Gogh and Michelangelo alongside the realities of life for an artist, mother
and writer. The assembled poems are warm, personal, and lovely; I won't single
any out, because they are touching and unique. Oh, alright, I will: "No
Apologies," which seems to marry the day-to-day life of mother and wife
with the dreams and frustrations of creation.
Audio Journal an
alternative
Speaking Volumes, a book club for those with visual
impairments, holds frequent radio meetings, and the group's schedule is
available at www.audiojournal.net. This is a terrific way to connect a friend
or parent with vision issues to a book discussion group they can enjoy. Books
are available, recorded on digital cartridge by the Library of Congress,
through Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library and the Worcester Talking Book
Library.
Volunteers discuss the book in the studio, and listeners may
call in to comment and be part of the group. Selections are made at least four
months in advance, allowing listeners time to reserve copies. The number to
call to take part in the program is 508-752-0557. It is also possible to listen
online, at the website. For more details, the show maintains a Facebook
page—simply look up Speaking Volumes.
Speaking Volumes is
broadcast the first Tuesday of each month from 8 to 9 p.m. Discussions are
archived on the website for a year. The selection for Nov. 3 is
"Everything I Never Told You" by Celeste Ng. The schedule into 2016
includes: Dec. 2, "The Round House," by Louise Erdrich; Feb. 2,
"Lawrence in Arabia," Scott Anderson; March 1, "Life After
Life," Kate Atkinson.
Classic Book
recommendations
This month, Betsey Johnson of Holden reports book club members who meet at the Congregational Church there often prefer to read 19th century English writers Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, the Brontes and George Eliot, as well as American writers Willa Cather, Henry James, Kate Chopin and Edith Wharton. "Can't go wrong with any of these authors," she writes. Wharton's "Summer" and James' "Washington Square" are both short and readable.
Area book clubs
Members of the "Greatest Book Club Ever" at
Douglas' Simon Fairfield Public Library will discuss Stephen King's "The
Shining" at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5. Public welcome. Call to reserve a
copy. The library's "Book Bunch" meets at 6 p.m., Nov. 19. Also at
the library, at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 13, readers will discuss Michael Tougias's
"The Finest Hours" about a Nor'easter off Cape Cod that destroyed two
oil tankers, and the effort to rescue their crews. There are also two young
people's book clubs at the library. For details, contact the library.
Lancaster's Thayer Memorial Library Adult Book Group takes
on Mark Haddon's unique and very readable novel, "The Curious Incident of
the Dog in the Night-time" at its 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 meeting. Check with
the library to reserve a copy. The Thursday afternoon book club meets at 1
p.m., Nov. 12, to discuss "Pascali's Island" by Brian Unsworth.
Also in Lancaster, Off-Track Bookies will discuss Geraldine
Brooks' "People of the Book" at a meeting Nov. 12.
"With Malice Toward None," a life of Abraham
Lincoln by Stephen B. Oates, is the discussion focus for a 10 a.m., Nov 13
meeting of the Friday Morning Book Club, Northborough Library.
In Mendon, says Brenda Whitner, readers will discuss Jo Jo
Moyes' "Me Before You," a novel about a caretaker assigned to a young
man who intends to commit suicide after being paralyzed. Meeting is at 7 p.m.,
Nov. 3 in the town library.
Dudley book club members will meet Nov. 5, 6 p.m. in the
Pearl L. Crawford Memorial Library to talk about Jeannette Walls' "Half-Broke
Horses." For details, call 508-929-8021 or leave an email address at the
library.
The Holden Gale Free Library's Book Club will consider
"The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin at a 10:30 a.m.
meeting, Nov. 3, and, on Dec. 1, "A Spool of Blue Thread" by Anne
Tyler. Copies are available through the library.
Bannister Book Group, Merrick Public Library, Brookfield,
will meet Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7 to 8 p.m. to discuss
"Kindred" by Octavia Butler, a novel about a modern black woman
transported back in time to a slave plantation in the antebellum South.
"Harrowing, haunting story," one reviewer said.
"The Other Wes Moore,"
by Wes Moore, will discussed at 6:30, Nov. 2, in the Jacob Edwards Library,
Southbridge.
The NOW Women's Issues Book
Group, Worcester, will meet Nov. 9 to discuss "Euphoria" by Lily
King. Meeting is at 7 p.m. in Barnes & Noble, 541 Lincoln St.
"The Remains of the
Day," by Kazuo Ishiguro will be discussed at Haston Library in North
Brookfield on Dec. 8. This is the combined November/December meeting
Brown Bag Book Club at
Leominster Public Library has slated "And the Mountains Echoed" by
Khaled Hosseini for its Nov. 5 meeting at noon.
The Nov. 18 meeting at Fitchburg
Public Library is about Cheryl Strayed's "Wild: From Lost to Found on the
Pacific West Trail." Discussions are at 1 and 6:30 pm.
"Orphan Train" by
Christina Kline is the topic of a 4:30 p.m., Nov. 18 meeting in Heywood
Library, Gardner.
Whately Library hosts an author visit and book discussion with Jeannine Atkins on Saturday, Nov. 14, starting at 11 a.m. Whately’s own Atkins will lead a discussion of her new book, "Little Woman in Blue." Books will be available for purchase and signing. Library is at 202 Chestnut Plain Rd. Call 413-665-2170 for info.
Ann Connery Frantz is a freelance writer/editor who also
writes fiction. Send information and ideas to ann.frantz@gmail.com.
