ARRT Book Discussion: Exit West Discussion Notes and A Distant Heart Announcement

On January 23, 2018, the ARRT Book Club Study met to discussion Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. The notes on the discussion of the book, led by Jennifer, can be found here. For the second half od the meeting, Elizabeth led the the Leadership Discussion which focused on discussing "best" books. "Best" books referred to either award winners or popular book club picks. Click here for the notes on the Leadership Topic discussion.

And now on to the announcement of our second discussion of the year. This one is in conjunction with the start of our 2 year genre study. From the ARRT Book Club Study Homepage:

Think romance isn’t discussable?  Let us prove you wrong with A Distant Heart by Sonali Dev!  Sonali is a local Naperville author who writes romances with a Bollywood flavor that tackle big issues perfect for any book club to discuss. Sonali’s novels often win starred reviews and have been listed on Library Journal, NPR, Washington Post and Kirkus Best Books of the year lists. She has also received the American Library Association’s award for best romance, the RT Reviewer’s Choice award for best contemporary romance, the RT Seal of Excellence, and is a RITA Finalist.  

Please join us for a discussion of A Distant Heart by Sonali Dev led by Karen Toonen: 

Her name means “miracle” in Sanskrit, and to her parents, that’s exactly what Kimaya is. The first baby to survive after several miscarriages, Kimi grows up in a mansion at the top of Mumbai’s Pali Hill, surrounded by love and privilege. But at eleven years old, she develops a rare illness that requires her to be confined to a germ-free ivory tower in her home, with only the Arabian Sea churning outside her window for company. . . . Until one person dares venture into her world.

Tasked at fourteen-years-old with supporting his family, Rahul Savant shows up to wash Kimi’s windows, and an unlikely friendship develops across the plastic curtain of her isolation room. As years pass, Rahul becomes Kimi’s eyes to the outside world—and she becomes his inspiration to better himself by enrolling in the police force. But when a life-saving heart transplant offers the chance of a real future, both must face all that ties them together and keeps them apart.

As Kimi anticipates a new life, Rahul struggles with loving someone he may yet lose. And when his investigation into a black market organ ring run by a sociopathic gang lord exposes dangerous secrets that cut too close to home, only Rahul’s deep, abiding connection with Kimi can keep her safe—and reveal the true meaning of courage, loss, and second chances.

Infused with the rhythms of life in modern-day India, acclaimed author Sonali Dev’s candid, rewarding novel beautifully evokes all the complexities of the human heart.

The discussion will be held:

Wednesday, April 25

2-4 p.m.

Naper Blvd. location of Naperville Public Library

(This is a different location than ARRTCon 2017!)

RSVP to Karen Toonen (ktoonen@naperville-lib.org)

Please arrange to obtain your own copy of the book for the discussion

As always, discussion of the book includes a nuts-and-bolts session devoted to sharing practical solutions to the problems and concerns of book discussion leaders.

The Leadership Topic, led by Becky Spratford, will focus on incorporating romance novels into any book club. Please note: Sonali will be joining us for the leadership topic! Sonali is a delightful speaker, passionate about romance novels, and an excellent advocate for diverse authorship in all publishing. In addition to the notes, ARRT will also be providing a booklist of discussable romance novels! If you have discussable romance titles, bring them and we will add them to the list to share with everyone.

Also, remember that you can always bring any problems or concerns you have with your group, no matter the topic, so we can all help each other.